I B RARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY
OF ILLINOIS
. -37
\i\\W HRTWIM1 SHRYtt
(Hliiil LBIMwIWl IPf IT
BIOGRAPHICAL
AND
REMINISCENT HISTORY
OF
HIGHLAND, CLAY -MARION COUNTIES
ILLINOIS
ILLUSTRATED
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Publishers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
1909
'. :0- :
PREFACE,
All life and achievement is evolution; present wisdom comes frorh past
experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer-
tion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before
have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and
states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege.
It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the present con-
ditions of the residents of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois, with
what they were one hundred years ago. From a trackless wilderness and
virgin prairie they have come to be centers of prosperity and civilization, with
millions of wealth, systems of intersecting railways, grand educational in-
stitutions, marvelous industries and immense agricultural productions. Can
any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which dis-
closes the incentives, hopes, aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who
so strongly laid the foundation upon which has been reared the magnificent
prosperity of later days ? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace
and record the social, political and industrial progress of the community from
its first inception is the function of the local historian. A sincere purpose
to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of preservation,
and which unite the present to the past is the motive for the present publication.
The work has been in the hands of able writers, who have, after much patient
*7. study and research, produced here the most complete biographical memoirs of
Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois ever offered to the public. Es-
pecially valuable and interesting are the sketches of representative citizens of
< these counties whose records deserve perpetuation because of their worth, ef-
^> fort and accomplishment. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to
(ti these gentlemen who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also
j__^ clue to the citizens of Richland, Clay and Marion counties for the uniform
57 kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many
^ services rendered in the gaining- of necessary information.
In placing the "Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay
and Marion Counties, Illinois." before the citizens, the publishers can con-
scientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the pros-
pectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has been submitted to the
U yd party interested, for correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be
-^ any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident
-) that our efforts to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are.
Respectfully,
THE PUBLISHERS.
NDEX
Allen, Hon. James Cameron
84
Chapman, Robert H
481
Fritchey, Theo. Augustus..
147
Anderson, Truman B
589
Church, St. James Lutheran
465
Fyfe, George S
519
Andrews, Sevmour
533
Church, St. Joseph's Cath-
Fyke, John J
255
Arnold, James W
223
olic, of Olney, 111
504
Gaft'ner, Daniel
I'.ni
Bachmann, Adam H
273
Clark, Thomas J
117
Garner, E. P
;'.1'2
Bar of Southern Illinois Six-
Cloud, Silas
279
Gassman, Henry
98
ty-five Years Ago
446
Combs, Lewis
392
Genoway, Daniel C
i:< 7
Barnes, A. C
564
Coan, William E
500
Gerber, Lydia Phillips
327
Baughman, Edmund C
154
Conant, John B
96
Goodale, W. B
586
Bauer, F. H
598
Conant, W. S
136
Goodenough, Wilbur Adino.
120
Bateman, John A
91
Cope, Allen
304
Goss, Joseph
377
Bates, Francis M
577
Copple, Eli
569
Graham, Samuel H
411
Bayler, David
290
Copple, Elmer E
568
Graham, Samuel D
139
Beck, Daniel
.3553
Copple, Jacob
549
Grav, John H
:;n:;
Beck, John
401
Copple, Samuel G
406
Gray, William H
416
Blankinship, Charles E
492
Cox, George
115
Green, Jonathan A
r.i'7
Boatman, Catherine
407
Cunningham, Charles S
343
Hardman, Thomas A
IM;
Boggs, Franklin Gilbert
360
Cunningham Family
235
Hargrave, Thomas M
n;s
Bonney, Judge John R
362
Dace, James M
328
Hauser, John T
387
Bostwick, Landon M
320
Davis, C. R
486
Hasler, Christian
10S
Bothwell, Henry C
306
Davis, John L
562
Hartley, William A
675
Bower, Hon. William
219
Dean Charles
429
Haynie D D
44
Bower, John
474
Delzell. James H
261
Heap, Benjamin F
484
Boynton, Frank A
78
Dew, Charles F
552
Heaver, George J
2!)S
Bledsoe, E. Louis
276
Dillman, William H
41
Hedrick, Edwin
873
Bradford, Frank
259
Donovan, John F.
99
Heltman, Philip ..'
196
Branch, Levi
599
Doser, George Washington .
437
Henry, John O
477
Breeze, Jacob D
566
Downey, Geo. W
545
Hershberger, David
linn
Breeze, Sidney
574
Drapar, William L
174
Hester, David M
843
Brigham, Robert O
192
Dwight, Samuel L
535
Hi'ggins, Bryant
20
Brinkerhoff, Prof. J. H. G.
524
Eagan, Gustin L
532
Hiltibidal, George W
:',](:
Brockman, John C
49S
Early Lawyers
426
Hodges, Isham E
312
Bronson, Horace
579
Eddings, John F
189
Holstlaw, Daniel S
IM
Brown, Douglas C
537
Eighth Illinois Infantry,
Holstlaw D W
590
Brubaker Edgar F
365
419
Holstlaw Richard J
ii;n
Brubaker, Eli
205
Embser. Jerome N
463
Holt, Charles H. ..'..'.'.'....
48
Brubaker, Jacob
188
Engle Joseph A
341
Hord Henry
18V
Brims, Fr. John H
558
Evans, H. D
54
Holt, Luther
:::'.!
Bryan, Family
231
Erwin, Crawford S
66
Holt, Samuel Marion
2111;
Bryan J. E
244
Eyer Jacob
404
Hopkins Charles W
339
Bryan, Hon. William J
17
Farquhar, Aaron B
263
Horrall, Kenneth D
202
Buenger, Rev. John
95
Farthing, William H
253
Howell. James F
80
Bundy, Charles E
291
Feltman, Carlos A
62
Huddleson, Charles S
588
Bundy, William F
336
Finch Family
211
Hudelson, William H
860
Bundy, William Kell
64
Finch, Solomon T
226
Huff, Nathaniel G
ISO
Burgener, Jacob
329
Fisher, Alex. W
516
Huggins, Earl C
LOS
Hurt, Charles V
606
Foster, Hon. Martin D
501
Hull, Hon. Charles E
32
Butler, George
382
Foster, Henry C
525
Hunter, James
543
Castle, J. E .
169
Fowler ( Brothers)
567
Hyatt, James F
ITS
C.imnboll. Georee W. ..
432
French. John R. . .
217
Idleman. G. A.
93
Ingram, William C
Irwin, Walter C
James, O. A
Jennings, Charles E. . .
... 131
... 28
... 71
... 51V
513
Morris, Ira C
Morrison, George D
Morrison, Col. Napoleon B
Neal, Thomas B
Newman William D
. . 512
.. 137
.. 571
. . 319
604
Shriner, Hon. Harvey W...
Simcox, George B
Simer, Rev. William J. ...
Singer, Judith M
Skipworth J W
126
402
Jennings, Z. C
Johnson, William T
Jolly, John F
... 208
... 472
... 134
482
Norfleet, Benj. F
Olney in Its Infancy ....
Olney Sanitarium
.. 332
. . 423
.. 149
159
Smith, Benj. M
Smith, John
Snively & Montgomery
.,?r
Jones, J. T
Jones, Samuel W
Joy, Thomas L
Joy, Verne E
Kagy, Levi Monroe . . .
. .. 69
... 221
. .. 540
... 580
... 237
191
Pace, H. T
Palmer, Charles E
Parkinson, Joseph C. ...
Patton, Thomas A
Peak, Joseph S
Peddicord A M
, . 42
. . 469
. . 368
. . 224
.. 294
176
Snuffin, Stephen
Songer, A. W
Spring, Henry
Stratton, George W
Stiindiford, George Washing-
4:11
lor,
443
Keith, L. B
Kelchner, Henry F
Kell, Charles T
Kermicle, John Taylor .
. . . 285
. .. 520
... 128
... 459
Peddicord, Andrew M. ..
Peirce, John A
Pllaum, John W
Phillips, Samuel F
. . 506
. . 435
. . 474
, . 240
Stanford, Samuel A
Stonecipher, Judge John S..
Storment, William T
Storer, Ben. W
101
Hi.-,
144
Kimberlin, James Henry
Kinkade James M
. .. 110
478
Porter, Albert G
. . 530
Telford, J. D
27U
467
389
508
Knight, J. F
Knoph, Aden
Kocher Joseph
Lacey, Winfield S
Lane, Thomas M
Larimer, John W
Leseman, William H. . . .
Lewis, James B
Lewis, Richard
Livesay, Alfred
Loomis, Frank
... 542
. . . 494
. .. 413
. .. 386
. . . 594
. . . 281
. .. 430
... 56
. . . 178
. . . 548
... 295
510
Purceil, Francis M
Pullen, Burden
Purdue, James F
Quayle, J. R
Rainey, George S
Rapp, Michael E
Ratcliff, James M
Ratcliff, Thomas
Reed, Lewis H
Reinhardt, Julius
Reminiscent Sketch
Rhodes Henry L
. . 201
. . 596
!! 73
. . 152
. . 246
, . 487
, . 490
. . 559
.. 561
. . 419
556
Tolliver, Judge A. N
Trenary, G. H
Tufts, C. D
Tully, Joseph E
Umfleet, Harrison
Utterbeck, Jeter C
Van Alman, William
Vawter, John H
Walker, Joseph H
Watldns, Bartlett Y
Walton, Joseph W
Walton Orville T
Nil
,-,3!l
ir.'l
23
835
497
471
811
McBride H S
410
Richardson Edward
283
76
McCawley, John I
... 309
D 87
Richardson, James R
. 307
396
Watts, Edwin L
Wells George C
588
\,\ i
McGahey, George A
McKnight, Roy H
McLaughlin, Joseph K. .
. . . 190
. . . 297
. .. 299
529
Robb, Francis M
Robinson, Elbridge
Rodgers, Benj. F
, . 528
. 476
. . 272
586
Welton, Edwin L
West, Charles H
Wham, Henderson B
Wham William
rut;
118
325
265
McQuin, Robert T
Madden, George
Martin Benj E Sr
. .. 26
. . . 451
29
Rogers, Frank A
Rogers, Tilmon J
. 60
.. 521
551
Wieland, Caleb F
Wilkinson, William T
Williams Augustine Robert
11 1
17
Martin, Gen. James S. .
Martin, John C
Martin, John E
. .. 267
'.'.'. 262
126
Rose, Albert M
Rose, Wiley
Rowland, Elbert
. 345
,. 438
. 51
489
Williams, John P
Williams, T. W
Wilson, Hon. Edward S. . .
Wilson George C
881
54
1C.7
no
Martin, William J
Matthews, Leander C. . . .
Maxey, Bennett M
May, Harvey D
Meagher, Thomas F
Merritt. Hon. Thos. E.
Merz, Wilfred W
Michaels. M. W
Miller, Franklin P
Mills, Israel
Morton, James S
.-. . 197
. .. 148
. . . 104
... 204
. . . 601
. .. 347
... 121
... 292
. .. 581
. . . 314
... 485
Sanders, Charles C
Sayre, Perry
Schwartz Brothers
Schilt, Fred W
Schultz. John M
See, Henry William, Sr. . .
Seller, Frederick
Seiler, John
Seymour, Mary A
Shanafelt, Andrew
Shook, Samuel
. 256
. 390
.. 248
. 354
,. 351
. 395
.. 456
. 356
. 461
. 357
,. 555
Wilson, William Gilham . . .
Wilson, Lucian O
Wilson, Richard
Wilson, Samuel C
Wilson, William Henry . . .
Woods, John
Woodward, H. N
Woodard, W. R
Wolgamott, George
Xander, John P
Young, William J
112
583
468
1X2
i';'n:i
:,--,
;!i7
I."
JO
HON. W. J. BRYAN.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
BY PROF. J. H. G. BRINKERHOFF.
William Jennings Bryan, son of Silas L.
Bryan (see biography) and Mariah Eliza-
beth (Jennings) Bryan, was born in Salem,
Illinois, March 19, 1860. As a boy he was
not different from other healthy, hearty
American boys, fond of play and fond of
good things to eat, but rather given to seri-
ous sport than to mischief^* Among his earli-
est ambition was the desire to become a min-
ister, but in early youth that desire was lost
in the ambition to become a lawyer like his
father and as that ambition seemed to be
permanent his training was directed to that
end. ~) When William was six years old the
family moved to a large farm just outside
of the corporate limits of Salem, and here
he studied, played and worked until ten
years old, his mother, a remarkably strong-
minded, clear-headed, Christian woman, be-
ing his teacher, his guide and task-master,
his work being such chores as fall to the lot
of boys in well regulated, prosperous farm
homes. ^At the age of ten years he entered
the Salem public school, which he attended
five years, but was not particularly bright in
his studies^) his examinations show thor-
oughness rather than brilliancy, but his in-
terest in the literary and debating societies
was early developed and remained while he
attended the school and still abides, as is
shown by the Bryan oratorical contest held
annually in this school, and for which Mr.
Bryan provides a first and second prize of
ten and five dollars respectively.
In 1872 his father made the race for Con-
gress, and William, then twelve years of
age, became much interested in the cam-
paign, and from that time on he cherished
the thought of some day being a public man
and a leader of the people.
At the age of fourteen he united with the
Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem.
While at Jacksonville he took membership
with the First Presbyterian church, and
upon his removal to Lincoln, Nebraska, he
placed his letter with the First Presbyte-
rian church of that place, and where his
membership still remains.
At fifteen years of age he entered the pre-
paratory department of Illinois College, at
Jacksonville, and for eight years was a stu-
dent in that college, spending only his vaca-
tions at home. (^Mr. Bryan while at college
was not a great admirer of athletic sports,
but took a mild interest in base ball and foot
ball, and was rather an enthusiastic runner
i8
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
and jumper, and in a contest open to stu-
dents and alumni, three years after his grad-
uation, he won the medal for the broad
standing jump, twelve feet and four inches
being the distance covered.)
f While at the preparatory school the first
year he entered a prize contest and de-
claimed Patrick Henry's great speech, and
ranked near the fooyThe second year he de-
claimed "The Palmetto and the Pine," and
stood third. The next year as a freshman
he tried for a prize in Latin prose and di-
vided the second prize with a competitor.
The same year he gained second prize in
declamation. In his sophomore year he
took first prize with an essay, and in his jun-
ior year first prize in oration and was there-
by made representative of his college in the
intercollegiate oratorical contest at Gales-
burg, in 1880, where he received the second
prize of fifty dollars. That great orator, Gen.
John C. Black, was one of the judges and
marked him one hundred on delivery. At
the close of his college life in 1881, Mr.
Bryan stood at the head of his class and de-
livered the valedictory. This much is given
for the encouragement of young men, show-
ing that improvement only comes with ef-
fort, and to persevere, though the first at-
tempt finds you near the foot.
In the fall of 1881 Mr. Bryan entered
Union Law College at Chicago, and spent
much of his time in the law office of Lyman
Trumbull. After graduation he returned
to Salem for a short time, and won his fee
in the county court of Marion county.
July 4, 1883, Mr. Bryan began the prac-
tice of law in Jacksonville, Illinois ; he had
desk room in the office of Brown & Kirby,
and now came the real test, waiting for busi-
ness. The first six months were trying and
he was forced to draw upon his father's es-
tate for small advances, and at one time he
seriously thought of seeking new fields, but
the beginning of the year 1884 brought
clients more frequently, and he felt encour-
aged to stay in Jacksonville, and now feeling
that he could see success, on October i,
1884, he was married to Miss Mary Baird,
of Perry, Illinois.
In the summer of 1887 business called
Mr. Bryan to the West, and he spent one
Sunday with a classmate, A. R. Talbot, who
was located in Lincoln, Nebraska. So greatly
was he impressed with the opportunities of
the growing capital of the state that he re-
turned to Illinois full of enthusiasm for the
city of Lincoln, and perfected plans for re-
moval thither. In October, 1887, a partner-
ship was formed with Mr. Talbot, and
during the next three years a paying prac-
tice resulted.
As soon as Mr. Bryan settled in Lincoln
he identified himself actively with the Demo-
cratic party, of which he had been a mem-
ber in Illinois, and to the principles of which
his whole being was bound, and made his first
political speech at Seward, in the spring of
1888. Soon after he was sent as a delegate
to the state convention, and in the canvass
of the First Congressional District he made
many speeches in favor of J. Sterling Mor-
ton, and also spoke in thirty-four counties
in favor of the state ticket. Mr. Morton
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
was defeated by thirty-four hundred, as the
district was strongly Republican. In 1890
there was but little hope for the Democrats
in the First District, and Mr. Bryan was
nominated without opposition. W. J. Con-
nell was the Republican nominee. A chal-
lenge to conduct the canvass by a series of
joint debates was issued by Mr. Bryan and
accepted by Mr. Connell, and at the close
Mr. Bryan won by a plurality of six thou-
sand, seven hundred and thirteen. Mr.
Bryan was elected to Congress again from
a new district which had been formed when
the state was re-apportioned in 1891. The
Republican state ticket carried the district
by six thousand, five hundred, but Mr.
Bryan was elected by one hundred and forty
plurality. During the four years he was in
Congress, he was very active, taking part in
every important debate and speaking many
times. He declined to run again for Con-
gress but later permitted his nomination for
the Senate, but the Republicans carried the
state and Thurston was chosen Senator.
The Democratic National Convention
convened at Chicago July 4, 1896, and for
four days a battle of giants ensued over the
monetary plank in the platform. Speeches
were made for and against the free silver
coinage plank by such men of master minds
and national reputations before the conven-
tion as Senator Tillman, Senator Jones,
Senator Hill, Senator Vilas, ex-Governor
Russell. Senator Tillman favored the ma-
jority report of the committee, which fa-
vored the free coinage; all the rest opposed.
The debate was closed by Mr. Bryan in
support of the majority report in a speech
which rang so true and was such a master
piece of oratory that the convention was
swept off its feet and brought to Mr. Bryan
the nomination for the Presidency on the
fifth ballot on Friday, July loth. After a
most remarkable campaign he was defeated
by William McKinley being elected.
Four years later Mr. Bryan, greater in
defeat than other men in success, was again
the choice of the Democratic party for the
Presidency, and again suffered defeat, Mr.
McKinley being re-elected. In 1904 the
Democratic party nominated Alton B. Par-
ker, of New York, for President, and he
led the party to the most crushing defeat
ever suffered by any party since the days of
John Ouincy Adams.
In 1908 the Democratic party again nom-
inated Mr. Bryan, and the Republican party
William H. Taft and again the decision was
against the former. Thrice defeated yet
with each defeat growing greater, ad-
vocating great principles which he sees his
political opponents adopt, he stands today
the greatest living American.
When in 1906 and 1907 he took a trip
around the world, he was received every-
where with such ovations as are seldom ac-
corded to any, and were never before to a
private citizen, and his welcome home in the
city of New York was a demonstration of
love and respect from Americans to an
American that has never been equalled in
the history of the nation. Mr. Bryan may
never be President, but he has made an
impress on the nation for good that can
ilOC.KAPHICAL AND KK M I .\ ISCKNT HISTORY OF
never be effaced and from his life the peo-
ples of the world have received an uplift
that will be felt to bless generations yet un-
born. In his life of moral purity, in his sin-
cere Christianity, and in his addresses on
the duties and responsibilities of life he has
given a new impulse to many a youth for
better things and if his work closed now
the one address "The Prince of Peace," will
stand a monument, more enduring than
chiseled marble or moulded brass, standing
forever as it must in the higher aims, purer
thoughts, nobler impulses and grander lives
of the men and women of the America of
the future.
BRYANT HIGGINS.
The family of our subject has been known
in Richland county since the pioneer pe-
riod, and, without invidious comparison, it
can with propriety be said that no other
name is better known or more highly es-
teemed in Richland county. Honored and
respected by all, there is today no man in
the county who occupies a more enviable
position in the estimation of the public, not
alone by the success he has achieved, but
also for the commendable and straightfor-
ward policies which he has ever pursued and
the blameless life he has lived. He has led a
life of noble endeavor, a life not devoid of
hardship and failure, but withal successful
and happy and one that is calculated to ben-
efit any locality, therefore those who know
Mr. Higgins are glad to accord him the re-
spect due him, and in his old age he has the
cheer of loyal friends and the thought that
his life has been lived in a manner that has
resulted in no evil or harm to anyone.
Bryant Higgins, an account of whose in-
teresting reminiscences of the early days
appears in this work, and who has been one
of the leading business and public men in
Richland county, who is now living in hon-
orable retirement, enjoying a well earned
respite, was born in Edwards county, Illi-
nois, September 28, 1838. George Hig-
gins, grandfather of the subject, was a na-
tive of Connecticut, whose father, Willis
Higgins, was born in Ireland, and was a
follower of Cromwell. When that great
leader went down in defeat, Willis Higgins
soon afterward emigrated to America, lo-
cating at Hartford, Connecticut, where he
passed the remainder of his life. He used
the prefix "O" to his name, O'Higgins. He
was a military man most of his life, belong-
ing to the English army. George Higgins.
grandfather of our subject, was born in
Hartford, Connecticut, and became a tan-
ner, which profession he followed for a
number of years. He came to Illinois in
1803 with his family, settling where is now
Friendsville, Wabash county, then known as
Edwards county, which included nearly one-
third of the state. All was then wilderness
west of the Alleghany Mountains. He was
among the . early pioneers of this state.
Many hardships were endured on his trip
overland. He took up land, cleared and
improved farms. He was a typical pioneer
of sterling traits. George Higgins was a
ICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
RICH LA
Her. liavi
r Revolutionary soldit
iment of Connecticut infantry.
'ing been in a reg-
The sub-
\ ject has a pair of spectacles which his
grandfather wore from Dorchester Heights
to Yorktown. It is a relic which he prizes
very highly. A well one hundred and fifty
feet deep was dug at Friendsville in those
days when it was inside of what was then
Fort Barney, and George and Ransom Hig-
gins, the latter the subject's father, helped
dig the same. It is still in use. George
Higgins died there at an advanced age. Our
subject's father, Ransom Higgins, was born
in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was
reared, and in this state he married Ann
Bullard, a native of South Carolina. In 1800
Ransom Higgins made the long trip over-
land on horseback from Hartford to Vin-
cennes. Indiana. It was a trip of inspec-
tion to the vicinity of what is now Friends-
ville for the purpose of finding a place for
settlement of a colony which came in 1803,
already referred to. He returned to Con-
necticut in 1 80 1 and accompanied the colony
west two years later. He was a millwright
and probably built the first mill in this lo-
cality in 1805 on the Embarass river. It
was driven by water power. It was located
where Billet Station now stands on the Big
Four Railway, the mill having been built for
a Mr. Brown. The father of our subject is
described as a very humane man. He was
a man of great physical endurance, six feet
and four inches in height and weighed two
hundred and seventy pounds. About the
time he built the mill referred to he found
an Indian in the woods with a broken leg.
whom he carried to shelter and nursed.
Soon after this the Indian warned him that
Brown and his family would be killed. Mr.
Higgins urged them to leave the mill and
seek shelter, but they refused and were soon
afterward killed. Mr. Higgins was after-
wards known to the Indians as "Big Medi-
cine Man." He was Justice of the Peace
for many years, being among the first in the
territory. He was also Overseer of the
Poor. He was a man of great bravery and
courage and made a gallant soldier in the
War of 1812, and also in the Black Hawk
war, and enlisted for the Mexican war, but
was later sent home. He was at the battle
of Tippecanoe. His death occurred in 1850
in Edwards county, at the age of sixty-eight
years. His faithful life companion, a woman
of many fine traits, passed to her rest in Ol-
ney at the age of seventy-nine years. They
were the parents of eight children, all de-
ceased except the subject of this sketch, who
was the youngest of the family.
Bryant Higgins, our subject, was reared
amid pioneer scenes on a farm. He attend-
ed subscription and public schools, also had
private tutors, and made good use of his
opportunity, such as it was in those early
days, to secure a fairly good education. He
studied civil engineering and surveying un-
der a Mr. Sloan, making rapid progress in
this line of work, which he followed with
gratifying results for many years. He lo-
cated in Richland county in 1851, and has
since resided here. He did much of the
'early surveying in Richland county and has
seen the same develop from the wilderness
mOGRAIMIICAL AXD REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
to its present high position among the sis-
ter counties of this great commonwealth, al-
ways doing his just share in the work of
progress.
Mr. Higgins was one of the loyal sons of
the Union who was glad to offer his services
under the old flag when the dark days of
rebellion came, having been among the ear-
liest to enlist in April, 1861, in Company D,
Eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infan-
try, his enlistment having been for three
months. The subject and John Lynch were
instrumental in organizing Company D,
which was the first company organized and
mustered from Richland county. After his
first term of enlistment had expired he en-
listed in Company G, Twenty-sixth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, in which he served in a
most gallant manner until the close of the
war, having been mustered out at Moscow,
Tennessee, in 1865. During his service he
was in the siege of Corinth and the battles
there, also fought at luka. Farmington, the
siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, the
siege of Atlanta. He was wounded at Far-
mington, Mississippi, May 9, 1862, having
been hit in the right elbow by a piece of
shell. He was examined for promotion
twice and was on General Loomis' staff, but
was not commissioned, being orderly ser-
geant. Nineteen years after the war closed
he was presented with a badge made at
Meriden, Connecticut. It was given to Mr.
Higgins by Gen. John Mason Loomis, who
had it made in recognition of services ren-
dered by the subject. The arrangement of
the badge commemorates the Thirteenth,
Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth Army
Corps, the subject having been a member of
the Fifteenth, John A. Logan's Corps, which
was never defeated, and was never set
against a town it did not capture. The old
cartridge box of forty rounds became the
badge of the Fifteenth Army Corps.
After the war Mr. Higgins returned
home, having married in 1862 while on a
trip to Springfield, Illinois, on military busi-
ness. He took up surveying and civil en-
gineering and did much work settling old
disputed business. In 1892 he was elected
County Surveyor, being the only Republican
on the ticket elected in a Democratic coun-
ty, which fact proved his great popularity
in his locality. He has lived in Olney many
years and has taken an active interest in the
welfare of the community. In the spring of
1907 he was elected a member of the City
Council, being the sixth year as a member
of the same. He also served one term as
City Surveyor. He now lives retired in a
beautiful and comfortable home, modern
and nicely furnished.
The wife of Mr. Higgins was Sarah E.
Marney before her marriage, the daughter
of Robert and Sarah E. (Morris) Marney,
pioneers of Richland county, where Mrs.
Higgins was born. Her father was a na-
tive of Scotland and her mother was born
in Kentucky. The Morris family were great
slave owners, bringing them to Illinois, and
later freed them here. Colonel Morris,
grandfather of Mrs. Higgins, also her father,
Robert Marney, were in the War of 1812
and were in the battle of Tippecanoe, Col-
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
onel Morris being wounded there. Robert
Marney was the first Probate Judge of
Richland county.
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are the parents of
five children, four boys and one girl, two of
whom are living. Their oldest son. Lew
K., is in the employ of the Wells Fargo Ex-
press Company at Oakland, California,
James, the youngest son, is fireman on the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; Edward died
in infancy ; Mary died at the age of sixteen
years ; Robert was killed in a railroad wreck
in Arizona when thirty years old, having
been conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad.
Mr. Higgins has been a keen and alert
man of affairs, and long a man of power in
his community. Over half a century has
passed since he came to this county and his
name is inscribed high on the roll of honored
pioneers.
JETER C. UTTERBACK.
Prominent among the leading journalists
of southern Illinois is the well known and
highly esteemed gentleman whose name fur-
nishes the caption of this article. As editor
and proprietor of one of the influential pa-
pers in his part of the state he has been a
forceful factor in moulding sentiment in his
community and directing thought along
those lines which make for the enlighten-
ment of the public and the highest good of
his fellow men.
Jeter C. Utterback is a native of Jasper
county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on
the 8th day of August, 1873. His father,
B. C. W. Utterback, a Kentuckian by birth,
was the son of Thomas Utterback, who was
also a native of the Blue Grass state, and a
member of one of the oldest pioneer families
of Grayson county. In an early day Thomas
Utterback became prominent in the affairs
of his county and stood high in the confi-
dence and esteem of his fellow citizens. In
1836 he migrated to Illinois and settled in
the northwestern part of Richland county,
where he also became a local leader and a
man of wide influence. He was a farmer by
occupation, and in due time accumulated a
large and valuable estate in the county of
Richland, in which he spent the remainder
of his days, dying a number of years ago,
deeply lamented by the large circle of friends
and acquaintances who had learned to prize
him for his sterling worth.
B. C. W. Utterback was reared to matu-
rity in Richland county, and, like his father,
followed agricultural pursuits for a liveli-
hood. In the early seventies he disposed of
his interests in the county of Richland and
removed to Jasper county, where he contin-
ued farming and stock raising until 1878,
when heturned his land over to other hands
and took up his residence in Newton, where
he is now living a life of honorable retire-
ment. Nancy Ann Hinman, who became the
wife of B. C. W. Utterback in January, 1856,
was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana,
where her father, Titus Hinman, a native of
Ohio, settled in an early day. She bore her
husband ten children, seven of whom sur-
vive, namely : Eva, wife of George E. Hut-
son, of Dundas, Illinois; Thomas H., As-
sistant State Librarian, who lives in the
i:io<;KApmcAi, AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
city of Springfield ; Hester, now Mrs. T. C.
Chamberlin, of Newton; Charles C. resides
in Salem; Albert L., of Caney, Kansas,
where he holds the position of postmaster;
M. T., of Newton, and Jeter C., whose name
introduces this sketch.
Jeter C. Utterback spent his early life in
the town of Newton, grew up under the
sturdy and invigorating discipline of an ex-
cellent home environment and while still a
lad laid his plans for the future with the
object of becoming something more than a
mere passive agent in the world of affairs.
In due time he entered the schools of his
native place and after attending the same
until completing the prescribed course of
study, in 1889 began learning the printer's
trade in the office of the Newton Mentor,
where he made rapid progress and soon
became quite proficient, besides obtaining a
practical knowledge of other branches of the
profession. After mastering the trade he
worked for a short time in Webb City, Mis-
souri, and then accepted a position in the
office of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where
he continued until 1891, when he came to
Salem, Illinois, and entered the employ of
Mrs. Belle C. Johnson, editress and man-
ager of The Republican, with whom he
continued until affecting a co-partnership
with his brother, T. H. Utterback, for the
purchase of a paper four years later.
The Republican under the joint manage-
ment of the Utterback brothers, continued
to make its periodical visits about one year,
when the plant passed into the hands of G.
C. Harner, the subject going to the town
of Carrollton, where he followed his chosen
calling until his return to Salem in 1896,
when he again became interested in The Re-
publican, buying the paper that year from
his brother, who in the meantime had suc-
ceeded Mr. Harner as editor and proprietor.
On becoming sole proprietor of The Repub-
lican Mr. Utterback infused new life into
the paper and it was not long until its influ-
ence began to be felt throughout the county,
not only as an able political organ, but as a
clean, dignified and popular family paper,
through the columns of which appeared all
the latest news, also much of the best liter-
ature of the day, to say nothing of the
numerous productions from the pens of local
writers. Since assuming control he has
enlarged the paper as well as added to its
interest and popularity besides purchasing
new machinery, presses and other appliances
and thoroughly equipping the office until the
plant is now one of the most valuable of the
kind in Marion county, and in all that con-
stitutes a live up-to-date sheet The Repub-
lican compares favorably with any other lo-
cal paper in the southern part of the state.
Mechanically it is a model of the printer's
art, and politically is staunchly and uncom-
promisingly Republican, being the official
party organ of Marion county, while its in-
fluence in directing and controlling current
thought in relation to the leading questions
and issues of the day has brought it promi-
nently to the notice of party leaders through-
out the state.
As an editorial writer, Mr. Utterback is
clear, forceful, elegant, at times trenchant,
and in discussing the leading questions be-
fore the people he is a courteous but fearless
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and formidable antagonist. On all matters
of public policy he occupies no neutral
ground, but fearlessly and honestly advo-
cates what he considers to be for the best
interest of the people and regardless of con-
sequences. In addition to its prominence
and influence as a party organ, Mr. Utter-
back has endeavored to make his paper
answer the purpose of an educational factor
and such it has indeed become, as its con-
tents, both political and general, tend to
improve the mind and cultivate the taste
rather than appeal to passion and prejudice,
after the manner of too many local sheets.
In recognition of valuable political ser-
vices as well as by reason of his fitness for
the position, Mr. Utterback in February,
1907, was appointed by President Roosevelt,
postmaster of Salem, the duties of which
responsible position he has discharged with
commendable fidelity, proving an able, cour-
teous and truly obliging public official. At
the time of his appointment the office was
in the third class with a salary of $1,700
per year, but since then the business has in-
creased to such an extent that it is now a
second class office with fair prospects of
advancing.
Since the establishment of a post-office
at Salem many years ago, no young man
was appointed postmaster until the honor
fell to Mr. Utterback, and to say that he has
been praiseworthy of the trust and dis-
charged the duties as ably and faithfully as
any of his numerous predecessors is to state
a fact of which all are cognizant, and which
all, irrespective of political alignment, most
cheerfully concede. The high esteem in
which he is held as an editor, public servant
and enterprising citizen, indicate the pos-
session of sterling manly qualities and a
character above reproach, and that he is
destined to fill a still larger place in the pub-
lic gaze and win brighter honor with the
passing of years, is the belief of his friends
and fellow citizens, based, they say, on the
able and conscientious manner in which he
has fulfilled every trust thus far confided to
him. Mr. Utterback, although a young man,
has achieved success such as few attain in
a much longer career, and the hope the peo-
ple of Salem and Marion county entertain
for his future seems fully justified and well
founded.
Mr. Utterback is a splendid type of the
intelligent, broadminded American of today,
and personally as well as through the me-
dium of the press he is doing much to foster
the material development and intellectual
growth of his city and county, besides exer-
cising an active and potential influence in
elevating the moral sentiment of the com-
munity. He holds membership with the
Pythian Lodge of Salem, and has labored
earnestly to make the organization answer
the purposes which the founders had in
view, exemplifying in his daily life and con-
duct the beautiful principles and sublime
precepts upon which the order is based. He
is a believer in revealed religion, and while
subscribing to the Methodist faith is not
narrow in his views, having faith in the
mission of all churches and to the extent of
his ability assisting the different organiza-
tions of his city, although devoutly loyal
to the one with which identified.
HIOGKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Mr. Utterback owns one of the most beau-
tiful and attractive homes in Salem, which
is a favorite resort of the best social circle
of the city, and within its walls reigns an
air of genuine hospitality which sweetens
the welcome extended to every guest that
crosses the threshold. The presiding spirit
of this attractive domicile is a lady of intel-
ligence and gracious presence who presides
over the family circle with becoming grace
and dignity, and whose popularity is only
bounded by the limits of her acquaintance.
The maiden name of this estimable woman
was Charlotte B. Merritt, and the ceremony
by which it was changed to the one she now
so worthily bears as the wife and helpmeet
of the subject was solemnized on the 2nd
day of November, 1898. Mrs. Utterback
is the daughter of Hon. T. E. Merritt, of
Salem, ex-Senator from Marion county, and
a man of influence and high standing both
politically and socially. Mr. and Mrs. Ut-
terback have one child, a son, Tom C., who
was born October 17, 1901, and for whose
future his fond parents entertain many ar-
dent hopes.
ROBERT T. McQUIN.
In the pursuit of his business career Mr.
McQuin has displayed unfaltering devotion
to the principles he has learned to cherish
and his honesty and integrity have earned
him a place among the representative and
staunchest citizens of Marion county, Illi-
nois.
Robert T. McQuin was born in Johnson
county, Indiana, October 16, 1853, the son
of William I. McQuin, a native of Kentucky
who went to Indiana when a young man.
He was a carpenter by trade. He moved
from Indiana soon after our subject was
born, locating at Oconee, Shelby county, Il-
linois, where he lived for three or four years.
Then he moved to Salem, Illinois, in July,
1859. The first work he did here was on
the Park Hotel, which was built in that year
by Amos Clark and which was known then
as the Clark House. William I. McQuin
continued to live in Salem, where he was
regarded as a man of integrity and influ-
ence, until his death in October, 1899. The
mother of the subject of this sketch was
known in her maidenhood as Mary E. Stur-
geon, who was a native of Kentucky and a
woman of many estimable traits. Her moth-
er lived to reach the remarkable age of nine-
ty-seven years. One of her brothers was a
policeman in St. Louis, Missouri. She died
in April, 1908, in Denison, Texas, where
she was living with her son, Edwin S. Mc-
Quin.
The father and mother of the subject
were the parents of nine children, five of
whom are living. Their names in order of
birth follow: Tarlton, deceased; William F.,
deceased; Robert T., our subject; James S.,
who is living at New Castle, Indiana, and
is secretary and treasurer of the Hoosier
Kitchen Cabinet Company, which is doing
an extensive business all over the world;
Sarah E., deceased; Agnes, deceased; Ed-
win S., living at Denison, Tex., being a con-
ductor on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
-'7
Railroad Company's lines: John T., a car-
penter, living in St. Louis; May lives with
her brother in Denison, Texas.
These children all received every advan-
tage possible by their parents, who tried to
raise them in a wholesome home atmosphere,
setting worthy ideals before them at all
times.
Robert T. McOuin, our subject, lived with
his father until he was twenty-five years old.
assisting with the work about the place and
attending the public schools of Salem, in
which he diligently applied himself, and re-
ceived a fairly good education. When twen-
ty years old he began working as a harness
maker and two years later commenced the
shoemaker's trade, following this with much
success until 1881, when he launched into
the shoe business for himself, having con-
tinued the same ever since with satisfactory
results, building up a large and extensive
trade by reason of his honest business prin-
ciples and his uniform courtesy to custom-
ers. His trade extends to all parts of the
county and his store is well known to all
the citizens of Salem and surrounding towns
for his patrons have learned that he handles
the best grade of footwear in the market and
always gives good value. He augmented his
business in 1889 by adding a complete stock
of harness and by doing a general line of re-
pair work. He now handles a full line of
harness and similar materials. He manufac-
tures most all of his heavy harness and some
buggy harness, being recognized as the lead-
ing dealer in this line in Marion county.
Mr. McQuin was happily married to Jen-
nie Slack, October 16, 1879, the refined and
accomplished daughter of Frederick W.
Slack, who lived in Salem at that time. Her
family were natives of Kentucky. It was
rather singular that this family moved from
Kentucky to Oconee, Illinois, and then to
Salem simultaneously with the McQuin fam-
ily ; however the last move was made a few
years after the McQuin family came to Sa-
lem. Two children have been born to the
subject and wife, namely : Maud, who is the
wife of Dwight W. Larimer, in the abstract
business in Salem ; Ralph is the second child
and a student of the Salem public schools.
Mr. McOuin has been twice honored by
being elected City Council of Salem. He
is associated with his brother-in-law, \Y. S.
Slack, in the monument business in Salem,
which is also a thriving business, the firm
name being R. T. McQuin & Company.
Our subject is a Modern Woodman in his
fraternal relations and he belongs to the
Presbyterian church, having been a consist-
ent member of the same for a period of thir-
ty-four years in 1908. Mrs. McQuin also
subscribes to this faith. Our subject has
been a deacon in the church and is now a
ruling elder.
Mr. McQuin has ever been known as a
loyal citizen and has done his share in aid-
ing the march of progress and development
in this county, and during his residence in
Salem his characteristics have won for him
recognition as a man of upright dealing and
by his many virtues he has won the respect
and esteem of his fellow citizens.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
WALTER C. IRWIN.
One of the progressive and well known
business men of Salem, Marion county, Illi-
nois, is the subject of this sketch, who has
spent his life in this vicinity, a life that has
been very active and useful, for he has not
lost sight of the fact that it is every man's
duty to aid in the upbuilding of his county
in all lines of development while he is ad-
vancing his own interests, and because of the
fact that he has ever taken an interest in
the public weal, has led an honorable and
consistent career, being at present one of the
best known druggists of the county, the pub-
lishers of this work are glad to give him
proper representation here.
Walter C. Irwin, of the Salem Drug Com-
pany, was born in luka, this county, in Oc-
tober, 1866, the son of Dr. J. A. Irwin, a
native of Johnson county, Missouri, who
came to luka at the close of the war, having
been a surgeon in the Confederate army un-
der General Price's command. He was at
the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Spring-
field, Missouri, and also the battle of Pea
Ridge, Arkansas, in addition to many other
smaller engagements. He successfully prac-
ticed his profession from 1865 to 1905, and
is now living at St. Augustine, Florida,
where he went in 1905 on account of his
health.
The mother of the subject was Mary
Dubbs, a native of Pennsylvania, who came
to Illinois in 1865. She was a woman of
many praiseworthy traits and passed to her
rest in 1894 at luka. Four children were
born to the parents of our subject, named in
order of birth as follows : \Valter,subject of
this sketch; Byrdie, the wife of Charles A.
Bainum, cashier of the First National Bank
at Bicknell, Indiana ; J. Max is practicing
medicine at St. Augustine, Florida; Maggie
Alice died in 1880.
Walter Irwin was reared at luka, where
he attended the common schools, later tak-
ing a course in Lincoln University at Lin-
coln, Illinois, which he attended for two
years, making a brilliant record as a student.
After this he attended the Business Univer-
sity at Lincoln for one year, having grad-
uated from the same. He then returned to
luka and was engaged in general merchan-
dising and the drug business until 1894,
when he came to Salem and embarked in
the drug business. While at luka he was
postmaster under Cleveland and resigned to
come to Salem, and his father was appointed
postmaster in his place. Our subject has
been in Salem ever since, with the exception
of two years spent as a traveling salesman,
when he resided in Bloomington, this state.
The Salem Drug Company was organized
August 26, 1907. Prior to that time Mr.
Irwin owned the store, having established it
in 1904, and with the exception of the two
years noted he has been continuously identi-
fied with it, building up an excellent trade
with the people of Salem and the entire coun-
ty, as the result of his unusual knowledge of
this line of business and his courteous and
impartial treatment of cutsomers.
Mr. Irwin was married in 1892 to Maggie
Stevenson, who was born in Stevenson
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
township, this county, the accomplished
daughter of Samuel E. Stevenson, now de-
ceased, for whom the township was named.
lie was a prominent citizen of the county for
many years.
One son, a bright and interesting lad, has
added cheer and comfort to the home of our
subject, who bears the name of Eugene E.,
and whose date of birth occurred November
5, 1893, while the family was residing at
luka.
Mr. Invin has prospered as a result of his
well directed energies and has considerable
business interests besides his drug store,
among which may be mentioned a half inter-
est in the Fibernie Sweep Clean Company,
manufacturers of a preparation for cleaning
floors, carpets, etc., the main office being lo-
cated at Salem with branches in Springfield,
Missouri ; Memphis, Tennessee, and Fort
Smith, Arkansas. The business of this con-
cern is growing at a rapid stride. Mr. Ir-
win is a stockholder and director in the Sa-
lem National Bank. He is also proprietor
of the White Foam Company, which manu-
factures a preparation for cleaning fabrics
without rubbing and which at present prom-
ises to become in immense demand. Our
subject is also a stockholder and director in
the Oleite Manufacturing Company, of St.
Louis, which manufactures leather dress-
ings.
Mr. Irwin has served in a most acceptable
manner as a member of the Salem Board of
Education. In his fraternal relations he is
a Mason, a member of the Knights of Py-
thias, the American Home Circle, Ben Hur
and the Eastern Star, and Mr. and Mrs. Ir-
win are members of the Presbyterian church.
They live in a modern, comfortable and
nicely furnished home, which is presided
over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs.
Irwin, who often acts as hostess to
numerous admiring friends, and every-
one who crosses its threshold is made
partaker of the good will and hos-
pitality that is always unstintingly dis-
pensed here, and because of their genuine
worth, integrity, uprightness and pleasing
manners no couple in Marion county en-
joy to a fuller extent the esteem and friend-
ship of all classes than our subject and wife.
BENJAMIN E. MARTIN, SR.
It is safe to venture the assertion that no
one attains eminence in business or any pro-
fession without passing through a period of
more or less unremitting toil, of disappoint-
ments and struggles. He who has brought
his business to a successful issue through
years of work and has established it upon
a substantial basis, and yet retains the ap-
pearance of youth, who has in his step the
elasticity of younger days and shows little
trace of worry or care that too often lag the
footsteps of the direction of large affairs,
must be a man possessed of enviable char-
acteristics. Such is a brief word picture of
the worthy gentleman whose name forms the
caption of this sketch, as he now appears,
after a long, active and prosperous business
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
career, the peer of any of his contemporaries
in all that enters into the make-up of the suc-
cessful man of affairs or that constitutes a
leader in important business enterprises.
Therefore, by reason of the fact that Mr.
Martin has attained worthy prestige as a
business man, and also because he was one
of the patriotic sons of the North who went
forth on many a hard fought battlefield to
defend the flag in the days of the Rebellion,
and also because of his life of honor, it is
eminently fitting that he be given just rep-
resentation in a work of the province as-
signed to the one at hand.
B. E. Martin was born in what was for-
merly Estillville. now Gate City. Virginia,
February 27, 1845. the son of John S. Mar-
tin, also a native of Virginia and the repre-
sentative of a fine old Southern family. The
father of the subject was Clerk of the Court
in his home county for a period of twenty-
four years. He moved to Illinois in 1846
and entered government land near Alma, the
land that Alma now stands on. He laid out
the town of Alma and there went into the
mercantile business, in which he remained
until the breaking out of the Civil war. He
died in that town in 1866. He was a man
of unusual business ability and became well
known in his community. The mother of
the subject was Nancy Brownlow, a native
of Virginia. She dide shortly after she
moved to Illinois. She is remembered as a
woman of gracious personality. Seven chil-
dren were born to the parents of our subject,
four sons and three daughters, named in 01-
der of birth as follows : Eliza, deceased ; Mrs.
Nancy Bradford, of Greenville, Illinois,
.Emily, deceased; Robert; Mrs. Kate Ben-
nett, of Greenville, Illinois; Thompson G.,
of Salem; B. E., our subject, being the
youngest. The father of these children was
married three times, his first wife being Ma-
linda Morrison, of Estillville, Virginia, to
whom three children were born, two dying
in infancy, the one surviving becoming Col.
James S. Martin, now deceased, who lived
to be eighty years of age, a sketch of whom
appears elsewhere in this volume. The sec-
ond wife was the mother of the subject of
this sketch ; the third wife was Jane See, to
whom one child was born, who died in the
Philippine Islands.
B. E. Martin, Sr., was reared in Alma,
this state, remaining there until he was six-
teen years of age, attending the local school.
When only sixteen years old he could not re-
press the patriotic feeling that prompted him
to shoulder arms in defense of the nation's
integrity, consequently on July 25, 1861, he
enlisted in the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry. He was in many skirmishes and en-
gagements, having fought in the great bat-
tle of Shiloh, where his regiment lost two
hundred and forty-seven men in the two
days' fight, and he was in several small en-
gagements as they advanced on Corinth.
His brother, Thomas G.. was in every en-
gagement and skirmish in which this regi-
ment was involved, never being sick a day.
and never missing a roll call. He enlisted
in 1 86 1 and at the expiration of his term of
three years re-enlisted as a veteran and
served until the close of the war. Our sub-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ject had three brothers and one half-brother
in the army.
After his career in the army Mr. Martin
went into the drug business at Greenville,
Illinois. He later went to Olathe, Johnson
county, Kansas, where he engaged in the
same line of business from 1867 to 1869;
then he returned to Marion county, Illinois,
and resumed the drug business here, in
which he remained a short time. Selling
out his stock of drugs, he began selling
agricultural implements, adding the lumber
business in connection with his brother. He
made a success of all the lines in his vari-
ous locations. In 1877 he established his
present business, that of wholesale seeds, in
which he has quite an extensive trade, hav-
ing become known as the leading seed man
in this locality, consequently his trade ex-
tends to all parts of the country. He uses
the most modern and highly improved ma-
chinery for cleaning seeds.
Our subject was united in marriage in
November, 1866, to Florida Cunningham,
who was born and reared in Salem, the
daughter of John Cunningham, then a mer-
chant of Salem. He was a man of honest
principle and influence in his community.
Eight children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife, one of whom died in infancy,
the others are now living in 1908. They
are: Mary, the wife of Charles T. Austin,
of Indianapolis; B. E., Jr., who is engaged
in the general mercantile business in Salem ;
Bertha is the wife of John Gibson, living in
Manila, Philippine Islands; Nancy is living
in Salem; John C. is cashier of the Salem
National Bank ; Edith and Gena.
The subject has achieved success in an
eminent degree owing to his well directed
energy and honesty and persistency. He is
a stockholder and director of the Salem Na-
itonal Bank. He owns a modern, comfort-
able and nicely furnished residence.
Mr. Martin has served as Supervisor of
Salem township. He discharged the duties
of this office with his usual business alacrity
and foresight. He is a Democrat and has
always been active in politics. In his fra-
ternal relations he affiliates with the Ma-
sons. He also belongs to the Grand Army
of the Republic, and is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, also the Gid-
eons. He is an honorary member of the
Woodmen, and he is well and favorably
known in lodge circles, business life and
social relations, being regarded as one of
the most trustworthy and substantial citi-
zens of Salem and Marion county.
Before closing this review it would not be
amiss to quote the following paragraph
which appeared in a Salem paper some time
since under the caption, "A Remarkable
Record" :
"There resides in this city four brothers
who have a record which is remarkable and
doubtless without a parallel among their
fellow countrymen. They were all soldiers
in the Civil war; two enlisting in the Forti-
eth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in
1 86 1, and the other two in the One Hundred
and Eleventh Regiment of this state in 1862.
They participated in every battle in which
their respective regiments were engaged.
were never in a hospital, and none of them
ever received the slightest wound, notwith-
3 2
niOGKAI'HICAL AND KK.MIXISCKXT HISTORY OF
standing they were in the thickest of fights
where thousands were slain or wounded. At
the battle of Shiloh nearly three hundred
of the Fortieth Regiment were killed or
wounded, but 'Tom' and 'Ben' were among
those who came out without a scratch.
These four brothers with the remarkable
record are James S., Thomas, Robert and
Benjamin E. Martin, honorable, substantial
citizens of Salem."
HON. CHARLES E. HULL.
One of the notable men of his day and
generation, who has gained success and rec-
ognition for himself and at the same time
honored his county and state by distin-
guished services in important trusts, is
Hon. Charles E. Hull, of Salem, who
holds worthy prestige among the leading
business men of Southern Illinois. Distinct-
ively a man of affairs whose broad and liber-
al ideas command respect, he has long filled a
conspicuous place in the public eye, and as
a leader in many important civic enterprises
as well as a notable figure in the political
arena of his day, he has contributed much
to the welfare of his fellow men and at-
tained distinction in a field of endeavor
where sound erudition, mature judgment
and talents of a high order are required.
Aside from his honorable standing in pri-
vate and public life, there is further pro-
priety in according him representation in
the work, for he is a native son of Marion
county, which has been the scene of the
greater part of his life's earnest labors, his
home being in the beautiful and attractive
little city of Salem, where he it at present
the head of a large and important business
enterprise, and where he also commands the
esteem and confidence of all classes and con-
ditions of the populace.
Mr. Hull belongs to an old and highly
esteemed family that figured in the early
history of Kentucky, to which state his
great-grandparent, John Hull, emigrated
from New Jersey in 1788. Here Samuel
Hull was born in 1806. About the year 1815
the Hulls disposed of their interests in the
South and migrated to Illinois, settling at
Grand Prairie, Clinton county, where John
Hull died in 1833. Before his death he sent
his son, Samuel, into what is now the county
of Marion to a place near the site of Wal-
nut Hill, where he, in 1823, at the age of
seventeen, attended the first school ever
taught in the county. At this time Marion
was created from Jefferson county and the
young man remained here, marrying in 1831
Lucy, the daughter of Mark Tully, the
founder of Salem. He was made Recorder
in 1833, which office he held until 1837,
when he was made Sheriff, filling the latter
position by successive re-elections six terms,
the most of the time without opposition.
Later in 1849 he was further honored by
being elected County Judge, this being un-
der the old law which provided for two As-
sociate Judges, but Mr. Hull's knowledge of
law together with his fitness for the position
enabled him to discharge his judicial func-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COTNTIES, ILLINOIS.
33
tions without much assistance from the hon-
orable gentleman who occupied the bench
with him. He proved an able and judicious
judge, and during his incumbency of four
years transacted a great deal of business and
rendered a number of important decisions,
but few of which suffered reversal at the
hands of higher tribunals. Shortly after re-
tiring from the bench he was appointed by
President Pierce postmaster of Salem, and
four years later he was reappointed by
President Buchanan, holding the position
during the latter's administration, and in
this, as in the other offices with which he
was honored, proving a capable and popu-
lar public servant.
Samuel Hull was a pronounced Demo-
crat and influential member of the party un-
till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when
he became a Republican and a great admirer
of President Lincoln, whom he supported in
the election of 1860, and for whom he ever
afterward entertained feeling of the most
profound regard. He was a prominent fig-
ure in the affairs of Marion county for over
eighty years, during which period he be-
came widely and favorably known,
and his influence was always on the side of
right as he saw and understood the right.
During his later years he lived a life of hon-
orable retirement at his beautiful rural home
near Salem, having purchased the land
from the Government shortly after coming
to Marion county, building with his own
hands in 1831 a double log house, which still
stands the oldest building in Marion
county. This sterling citizen and faithful
3
official lived to a good purpose and his mem-
ory is cherished as a sacred heritage not
only by his immediate family and friends,
but by the entire community, all with whom
he was accustomed to mingle, feeling his
death as a personal loss. He reached a
ripe and contented old age and it is a fact
worthy of note that he and his faithful wife
and helpmeet died the same night after a
mutually happy and prosperous wedded ex-
perience of fifty-nine years. Samuel Hull
and wife were held in high esteem by near-
ly every citizen of Marion county, their cir-
cle of friends and acquaintances being large
and their names familiar sounds in almost
every household in both city and country.
He served in the Black Hawk war, besides
participating in many other exciting strug-
gles during the pioneer period, as he was a
leader among his fellow men and always
stood for law and order, sometimes, too, at
his personal risk. The land which he en-
tered and improved and on which he spent
the greater part of his life is now owned by
his grandson, Charles E. Hull. This piece
of land, now within the city limits of Sa-
lem, has the unique distinction of the few-
est transfers, it having been transferred by
purchase from Samuel direct to Charles.
Erasmus Hull, son of the aforementioned
Samuel and father of the subject of this
sketch, was born August 31, 1832, in Ma-
rion county, Illinois, and spent his entire
life near the place of his birth, having for
many years been identified with the town
of Salem, and a leader in its business and
financial interests. He was a merchant and
34
I!I()C,KAIM!ICAI. AXI) KKM I \ ISCKNT HISTORY OF
banker and in addition to achieving marked
success in those capacities he was also an
enterprising man of affairs, public spirited
in all the term implies and wielded a strong
influence in behalf of all measures and
movements having for their object the ma-
terial advancement of the community and
the social and moral welfare of the people.
A leading spirit in the organization of the
Salem Bank, in 1869, and one of the orig-
inal stockholders, he was a member of the
board of directors from that time until his
death, and to his mature judgment, sound
business ability and familiarity with finan-
cial matters were largely due the continued
growth and signal success of the institu-
tion. He was also interested in the Ma-
rion County Loan and Trust Company, the
predecessor of the bank, and always kept in
close touch with the finances of the state
and nation as well as with general business
affairs, on all of which he was well in-
formed and on not a few was considered an
authority.
Mr. Hull was the first Supervisor of Sa-
lem township, also Chairman of the County
Board for a -number of years, besides serv-
ing a long time as School Director. In
these different capacities he discharged his
official duties faithfully and effectively, tak-
ing a leading part in educational matters
and using his influence in every laudable
way to promote the prosperity of the com-
munity and the happiness of the people: In
addition to his mercantile and financial busi-
ness he was quite prominently interested in
the manufacture of flour and lumber, be-
ginning to operate a mill in 1853, and con-
tinuing the business with encouraging sue*
cess as long as he lived. He also conducted
a large packing house in Salem before the
days of trusts and combines and built up an
important and far-reaching industry, buying
nearly all the hogs in the adjacent country
and shipping his meats to the leading mar-
kets, where they commanded good prices.
He was a man of brain and of practical
ideas, combined with solid judgment, wise
foresight and he seldom failed in any of his
undertakings. In politics he was an un-
swerving Democrat, and an influential
worker for the success of his party and its
candidates, though not a partisan in the
sense of aspiring for office. He discharged
his duties of citizenship in the spirit becom-
ing the progressive and broad minded Amer-
ican of the day in which he lived, while the
deep interest he manifested in his own lo-
cality made him a leader in all laudable en-
terprises for its advancement. His career,
which was strenuous, eminently honorable
and fraught with great good to his fellow
men and to the world, terminated with his
lamented death on the i6th day of June,
1896, in his sixty-fourth year; his taking
off, like that of his father, being keenly felt
and widely mourned in the town where he
had so long and creditably lived, and where
his success had been achieved.
Before her marriage Mrs. Erasmus Hull
was Dicy Finley. Her father, Rev. William
Finley, a well known and remarkably suc-
cessful minister of the Cumberland Presby-
terian church, came to Marion county in an
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
early day and for many years labored zeal-
ously to disseminate the truths of religion
among the people and win souls to the
higher life. During the years of his activ-
ity, he traveled extensively throughout
Southern Illinois, preaching and organizing
churches, and it is said that the majority of
Cumberland Presbyterian societies in the
central and southern portions of the state
were established by him, while others and
weak congregations were strengthened and
placed upon solid footing through his ef-
forts. Mrs. Hull bore her husband three
children and departed this life on May 16,
1903, beloved and respected by all with
whom she came in contact. Of her family
one of the children died in infancy, Mrs.
Mary Bradford being the second in order
of birth, and Charles E. Hull, of Salem, the
subject of this review, the youngest of the
number.
On his father's maternal side the subject
dates his family history to the earliest set-
tlement of Illinois, his great-grandfather,
Mark Tully, migrating to what is now Ma-
rion county, while the feet of savages still
pressed the soil and settling near the site of
Salem, where there was no vestage of civili-
zation within a radius of eight or ten miles,
his rude cabin having been the first human
habitation where the thriving seat of justice
now stands. He moved here from Indiana
and entered a tract of land from which in
due time he cleared and developed a farm,
and later when the county of Marion was set
off and organized, he donated ground for
the seat of justice, which was surveyed and
platted in 1823, and to which he gave the
name of Salem. In honor of the town in
the Hoosier state from which he came. He
took an active part in the county organiza-
tion, was its first Sheriff and held a number
of offices from time to time, and to him be-
longs the credit of keeping the first tavern
in Salem, which appears to have been quite
well patronized, while the town was being
settled and for eighty years thereafter, being
kept after his death by a daughter. He also
erected a mill, the first in Salem, which was
highly prized by the pioneers for many
miles around, although a primitive affair
equipped with the simplest kind of machin-
ery, and originally operated by means of a
sweep. Later it was somewhat improved
and operated by horses or oxen in what was
called a tread, but after the lapse of several
years the original structure was remodeled,
a large addition built, and new and im-
proved machinery' installed, and steam
power introduced, this being the first mill in
the county to be run by steam. Mr. Tully
was a true type of the sturdy, strong willed
pioneer of his day. He was energetic, pub-
lic-spirited, distinctively a man of affairs,
and to him as much perhaps as to any other,
is the town of Salem indebted for the im-
petus which added so materially to its
growth and prosperity. As a leader among
the pioneers of his time, he did a work that
few could accomplish and wielded an influ-
ence which had a decided effect in establish-
ing the social status of the community upon
a high moral plane. After a long and useful
career he was called from the scenes of his
BIOC.RAl'HTCAL AX1) RKM1XISCF.XT HISTORY OF
earthly struggles and triumphs in the year
1867, leaving a number of descendants,
some of whom still live in Marion county,
and are among the substantial and respected
people of the communities in which they re-
side.
Hon. Charles E. Hull was born Novem-
ber 7, 1862, in Salem, and spent his early
years like the majority of town lads, assist-
ing his parents where his services were re-
quired, and during certain months pursuing
his studies in the public schools. While a
mere child, he evinced a decided taste for
books and his progress in his studies was so
rapid that he completed the high school
course and was graduated at the early age
of fourteen, standing among the best stu-
dents in the class of 1877. Actuated by a
laudable desire to add to his scholastic
knowledge he subsequently entered the
Southern Illinois Normal University, at
Carbondale, where he took the full classical
course, which he finished in three years, one
year less than the prescribed time, graduat-
ing in 1880 with the class honors.
Shortly after receiving his degree from
the above institution Mr. Hull engaged in
merchandising at Salem, continued to the
present time a business established by Sam-
uel and Erasmus Hull, in 1853, and since
that time his life has been very closely iden-
tified with the business interests and general
prosperity of the town, in addition to which
he has conducted several mercantile estab-
lishments at other points and become a
prominent figure in the public life of Marion
county, and the state at large. Possessing
sound sense, well balanced judgment, and a
natural aptitude for business, his mercantile
experience soon passed the experimental
stage and within a comparatively brief pe-
riod he built up a large and lucrative patron-
age, and became one of the best known and
most popular merchants of the town. Ad-
vancing with rapid strides and outstripping
all of his competitors, he was soon induced
to project his business enterprises into other
parts, accordingly, as already indicated, he
established stores in various towns and vil-
lages of the county, and at one time had
five of these establishments in successful op-
eration in addition to his large general
mercantile house in Salem, all of .which
proved successful and in due season made
him one of the financially solid and reliable
men of Marion county. After some years
he closed out two of his stores but he still
retains the other three, two in Salem and
one in Kinmundy, and enjoys a well merited
reputation as one of the most enterprising
and successful business men in the southern
part of the state.
In addition to his large mercantile inter-
ests Mr. Hull is connected with other im-
portant business enterprises, having been a
director of the Salem bank since 1895, and
cashier of the institution during the years
1906-7, and in 1889 he organized the Salem
Creamery, which he operated for a period of
fifteen years, during which time he did an
extensive and lucrative business, using as
high as twenty thousand pounds of milk per
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
day, and making a brand of butter for which
there was always a great demand. By rea-
son of indifference on the part of the farm-
ers in the matter of supplying milk, Mr.
Hull disposed of the creamery at the expira-
tion of the period indicated, the better to de-
vote his attention to his other interests,
which have become important and far reach-
ing in their influence, adding much to the
material prosperity of the city and to his
fame as a leading spirit in business circles.
Among the various enterprises of which he
is the head, is the Salem Brick Mill, which,
under the firm name of Hull & Draper, has
become one of the successful industrial con-
cerns of the place, also the Hull Telephone
System, established in 1898, and of which
he is sole proprietor. This important and
much valued enterprise, one of the best of
the kind in Illinois, extends to all parts of
Marion county, connecting all the towns and
villages and numerous private residences,
besides having connection in the adjoining
counties, thus bringing Salem in close touch
with all the leading cities of the state and
nation, and proving of inestimable value to
the people as well as to the business interests
of the various points on the line. Under the
personal management of Mr. Hull, who has
operated the plant ever since it was estab-
lished, the system has been brought to a
degree of efficiency second to no other.
Since the year 1894, Mr. Hull has owned
The Salem Herald Advocate, the oldest
newspaper in Marion county, the history of
which dates from 1853. The paper origin-
ally was established by John W. Merritt,
and since the above year has been the best
patronized and most successful sheet in Ma-
rion county, and one of the most influential
in Southern Illinois, being the official organ
of the local Democracy, and a power in the
political affairs of this part of the state. Un-
der the management of Mr. Hull it has
steadily grown in public favor, and now has
a large and continually increasing subscrip-
tion list, a liberal advertising patronage, and
with an office well equipped with the latest
machinery and devices used in the art pre-
servative, and its columns teeming with the
news of the day as well as with able discus-
sions of the leading questions and issues
upon which men and parties are divided, it
promises to continue in the future as it has
been in the past, a strong influence in politi-
cal affairs and a power in moulding and di-
recting opinion on matters of general in-
terest to the people.
Aside from the various enterprises enu-
merated, Mr. Hull for a number of years
was quite extensively interested in the San-
doval Coal and Mining Company, of which
he was general manager until disposing of
his shares in the concern, and he is now and
long has been one of the largest holders of
real estate in Marion county, being an en-
terprising and up-to-date agriculturist. In
the midst of his numerous and pressing du-
ties, he finds time to devote to other than
his individual affairs, being interested in the
community and its advancement and in all
worthy enterprises for the good of his fel-
low men. Ever since arriving at the years
of manhood he has been a leading factor in
BIOGKAIMIICAl. AND RKM I N ISC K XT HISTORY OF
public matters, and in a material way has
been untiring in his efforts to promote the
prosperity of Salem and Marion county, tak-
ing an active interest in all movements and
measures with this object in view besides in-
augurating and carrying to successful issue
many enterprises which have tended greatly
to the general welfare of the community. In
political matters and kindred subjects he has
not only been interested but has risen to the
position of leader. He has been a life-long
Democrat, and since his twenty-first year
has exercised a strong influence in the polit-
ical affairs of Marion county, and became
widely and favorably known in party circles
throughout the state, a prominent figure in
local, district and state conventions, he has
borne a leading part in making platforms,
formulating policies ; as a campaigner, he is
a judicious adviser in the councils of his
party, a successful worker in the ranks, and
to him as much if not more than to any
other man in Marion county, is the party in-
debted for its success in a number of ani-
mated and exciting political contests.
In 1896 Mr. Hull was elected to repre-
sent the Forty-second Senatorial District,
composed of the counties of Clay, Washing-
ton, Marion and Clinton, in the Upper
House of the State Legislature, in the cam-
paign of which memorable year he ran far in
advance in his home town of any other can-
didate on the Democratic ticket, receiving
more votes than were polled for William
Jennings Bryan, the popular head of the na-
tional ticket, and the idol of Democracy.
Mr. Hull's career in the General Assembly
was eminently honorable, and he took high
rank as an industrious and useful member,
who spared no effort in behalf of his con-
stituents, besides laboring earnestly and
faithfully for the general good of his state.
In 1904 he was renominated by his party,
and in the ensuing election his Republican
competitor withdrew from the race, it being
evident that he would be overwhelmingly de-
feated. The district that year was com-
posed of the counties of Marion, Clay, Clin-
ton and Effingham. In the senate he be-
came the minority leader, and in addition
to serving on a number of important com-
mittees, took an active part in the general
deliberations of the chamber, participating
in the discussions and debates, and to him
belongs the credit of leading in the fight for
a direct primary, also of being the only mi-
nority leader who ever succeeded in holding
his party together on minority legislation.
Mr. Hull's senatorial experience is replete
with duty ably and faithfully performed,
and such was the interest he manifested for
his district that he won the confidence and
good will of the people irrespective of po-
litical alignment, all of whom speak in
praise of his honorable course and the broad
enlightenment spirit which he displayed
throughout his legislative career. As already
stated he is a familiar figure in the conven-
tions of his party, both local and state, and
for a period of twenty-eight years he has
not missed attending a Democratic national
convention.
For several years Mr. Hull owned and
occupied the place where Mr. Bryan was
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
39
born, but after the campaign of 1896 he sold
it to Mr. Bryan, between whom and himself
the warmest friendship has ever prevailed.
The two were classmates when they at-
tended high school, since which time they
have labored for each other's interests, and
as stated above, their attachment is stronger
and more enduring than the ordinary ties
by which friends are bound together. Mr.
Hull has served the people of his city as
School Director, and for a period of two
years he was president of the Inter-State In-
dependent Telephone Association, besides
being for a number of years a member of
the executive committee. He also served for
a series of years on the executive commit-
tee for the operators on the scale of agree-
ment, with the United Mine Workers of
America, a position of great responsibility
and delicacy, as is indicated by the fact of
his having devoted one hundred and twelve
days in one year to the settlement of wage
scales and of disputes between the contend-
ing parties, besides having been called upon
repeatedly to adjust differences and har-
monize conflicting interests, which arose
from time to time, between the two organi-
zations.
The domestic chapter in the life of Mr.
Hull dates from May 10, 1883, when he
was happily married to Miss Lulu Ham-
mond, the accomplished and popular daugh-
ter of Hon. J. E. W. Hammond, the
latter a prominent merchant and influential
politician of Marion county, Illinois, who
served in the Legislature, on the County
Board of Supervisors, and for many years
was one of the public spirited men and rep-
resentative citizens of Salem. On her
mother's side Mrs. Hull traces to the Lov-
ells and Hensleys, who were among the
earliest settlers of Marion county, as is men-
tioned elsewhere in this volume. Senator
Hull's beautiful and attractive home on
North Broadway, the finest and most de-
sirable private dwelling in the city, is
brightened and rendered doubly attractive
by the presence of two intelligent and in-
teresting daughters, namely: Lovell, born
January 8, 1888, and Louise, whose birth
occurred on the 3ist day of May, 1897,
these with their parents constituting a happy
and almost ideal domestic circle.
Senator Hull's fraternal association rep-
resents the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks', the Knights of Pythias, Inde-
pendent Order of Red Men, and the Modern
Woodmen, in all of which he has been an
active and influential worker, besides being
honored with important official positions
from time to time. In the midst of his
many strenuous duties as a business man
and public servant, the Senator has not neg-
lected the higher obligations which man
owes to his Maker, nor been unmindful of
the claims of the Christian religion to
which deep and absorbing subject he has
devoted much profound study and investi-
gation, and in the light of which he has
been led into the straight and narrow way
which leads to a higher state of being here,
and to eternal felicity beyond death's mys-
tic stream. Subscribing to no human
creeds or man-made doctrines, he takes the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Holy Scriptures alone for his rule of faith
and practice, and as an humble and consist-
ent member of the Christian, or Disciple,
church, demonstrates by his daily life the
beauty and value of the faith which he pro-
fesses. He has been identified with the re-
ligious body since his young manhood, and
for more than twenty years has been the able
and popular superintendent of the Sunday
school, besides filling other official stations.
Mrs. Hull is also a faithful and devout
Christian, an active member of the church,
and deeply interested in all lines of good
work under the auspices of the same. Since
her fourteenth year she has been the accom-
plished organist of the congregation in Sa-
lem, as well as an efficient and enthusiastic
teacher in the Sunday school. Senator Hull
is a liberal contributor to benevolent enter-
prises, and it was through his initiation and
influence that the present handsome temple
of worship used by the Christian church,
was erected, his contributions to the build-
ing fund being twenty-five dollars for every
one hundred dollars contributed by the con-
gregation. In addition to his munificence
already noted, the Senator has given largely
to various worthy objects of which the
world knows nothing, in this way exempli-
fying the spirit of the Master, by not letting
the left hand know what the right hand
doeth, or in other words, doing good
in secret in the name of the Father who
hath promised to reward such actions
openly.
Senator Hull is a splendid specimen of
well rounded, symmetrically developed, vi-
rile manhood, with a commanding presence
and a strong personality, being six feet in
height, weighing two hundred and thirty-
four pounds, and moving among his fellows
as one born to leadership. He is a notice-
able figure in any crowd or assemblage, and
never fails to attract attention, not only by
his powerful physique, but by the amiable
qualities of mind and heart, which show in
his face, and always make his presence pleas-
ing to all beholders. He has directed his
life along lines which could not fail to ef-
fect favorably the physical as well as the
mental man, having from his youth been
singularly free from thoughts which lower
and degrade self-respect, and from those in-
siduous habits which pollute the body and
debase the soul, and which today are prov-
ing the destruction of so many young men
of whom better things have been expected.
Mr. Hull is a total abstainer in all the term
implies, having never tasted, much less taken
a drink of any kind of intoxicants, nor used
tobacco in any of its forms; neither has he
ever taken the name of God in vain. He is
pleasing and companionable, a favorite in
the social circle, and a hale and hearty spirit,
whose presence inspires good humor, and
who believes in legitimate sports and pas-
times and in the idea that fret and worry
are among the greatest enemies of happi-
ness. With duties that would crush the ordi-
nary man, he has his labors so systematized
that he experiences little or no inconveni-
ence in doing them. He believes in rest and
recreation and is an advocate of vacations,
and he invariably takes one every summer,
HIGHLAND. CLAY AND MARION CO1/XTIES, ILLINOIS.
but not in the manner that many do, by
locking his office and hieing away to the
seaside, lake or forest, to spend the season
in tiresome sports. His vacations, which
are always enjoyable, are spent in the hay-
field, where he finds the recreation condu-
cive to good health and a contented mind.
Personally Mr. Hull is a gentleman of
unblemished reputation, and the strictest in-
tegrity and his private character and im-
portant trusts have always been above re-
proach. He is a vigorous as well as an
independent thinker, a wide reader, and he
has the courage of his convictions upon all
subjects which he investigates. He is also
strikingly original and fearless, prosecutes
his researches after his own peculiar fash-
ion, and cares little for conventionalism or
for the sanctity attaching to person or place
by reason of artificial distinction, tradition
or the accident of birth. He is essentially
cosmopolitan in his ideas, a man of the peo-
ple in all the term implies, and in the best
sense of the word a representative type of
that strong American manhood, which
commands and retains respect by reason of
inherent merit, sound sense and correct con-
duct. He has so impressed his individuality
upon his community as to win the confidence
and esteem of his fellow-citizens and be-
come a strong and influential power in lead-
ing them to high and noble things.
Measured by the accepted standard of ex-
cellence, his career, though strenuous, has
been eminently honorable and useful, and
his life fraught with great good to his fel-
lows and to the world.
WILLIAM H. DILLMAN.
William H. Dillman, the well known
president of the Clay County State Bank at
Louisville, Illinois, was born in Oskaloosa
township, on the family homestead, where
he grew to manhood. The date of his birth
was July 14, 1867. He is the son of Louis
Dillman, a native of Kentucky, who came
to Illinois when fourteen years old and set-
tled in Oskaloosa township on a farm,
where he lived for many years. He is now
retired, making his home in Louisville. He
was formerly president of the State Bank
and is well known in the county as a man
of much ability. Vachel Dillman, grand-
father of the subject, was also a native of
Kentucky, who came to this state at an
early day and developed a good farm. The
subject's mother was Harriett B. Smith,
whose people were natives of Tennessee,
where she was born. She is still living.
Eleven children were born to the subject's
parents, namely: Dr. Asa E., of Steuben,
Wisconsin; Mrs. Mary E. Graham, of Os-
kaloosa township; Mrs. Sarah E. Burdick,
of Oskaloosa township; William H., our
subject; Dr. J. V., at Ingraham, Illinois;
Lillie M., now deceased; Mrs. Ida Steeley,
a i Louisville, this county ; Mrs. Delia Mont-
gomery, also of Louisville; Dora, deceased;
Polly Ann, deceased; Henry, deceased.
William H. Dillman was united in mar-
riage in 1898 to Cora P. Brown, the refined
r.nd accomplished daughter of P. P. Brown,
of Louisville, Illinois, and two children have
been born to this union, namely : Howard B.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND KK.M IN ISCKNT HISTORY OF
and Robert V., ten and five years old re-
spectively at this writing, 1908, both bright
and interesting lads.
Mr. Dillman acquired a good common
school education, and after spending three
years at the State Normal, at the Union
Christian College of Merom, Indiana, and
at the Orchard City College at Flora, Illi-
nois, where he graduated with honors, Mr.
Dillman entered the law office of Hagle &
Shriner in that city, and in 1896 was ad-
mitted to the bar, since which time he has
been ranked as one of the leading lawyers of
Clay county, and has built up an excellent
business, practicing in all the courts in this
and adjoining counties with great success.
When Judge Farmer, now one of the Su-
preme Judges of the state of Illinois, was on
the bench of this, the Forty-second Senato-
rial District, he selected Mr. Dillman as the
Master in Chancery of this county. Later
on, upon the death of William H. Hudelson,
Mr. Dillman, by the terms of the will, was
made the executor, the will conveying to
him in trust for twenty years money and
property representing over two hundred
thousand dollars. No better testimony of
confidence in a man's integrity has ever
been paid to a citizen of this county. Mr.
Dillman was Master in Chancery for six
years. The directors of the Clay County
State Bank elected him president of that
institution in the summer of 1908.
He was the Democratic nominee for Rep-
resentative from this district in 1908, but
was defeated. He has always been a stanch
Democrat and has taken an active part in
his county's affairs. Fraternally he is a
member of the Knights of Pythias, the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Home
Circle. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dillman are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Dillman, busy with the management
of the bank, which he gives the most care-
ful attention and which is regarded as one
of the solidest banks of the southern part
of the state, finds insufficient time to carry on
his law practice, although it is not entirely
abandoned. Mr. Dillman throughout his ca-
reer has been very active, progressive and de-
termined, carrying forward in successful
completion whatever he has undertaken in a
business way. Mr. Dillman attributes a
very large measure of his success to his
many and faithful friends. He is clearly
entitled to be classed among the leading citi-
zens of Clay county a man whose strong
individuality is the strength of integrity, vir-
tue and deep human sympathy and no one
has more friends than he throughout the
district.
H. T. PACE.
A happy combination of characteristics is
possessed by the honorable gentleman of
whom the biographer now essays to write.
for he has shown during his long residence
in Salem, Marion county, Illinois, that he is
a man of rare business acumen, foresight and
sagacity, at the same time possessing lauda-
ble traits of character such as integrity, in-
dustry, sobriety and kindliness; these, com-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
bined with his public spirit and model home
life, have resulted in winning for Mr. Pace
the unqualified esteem of all who know him.
H. T. Pace was born one and one-half
miles south of Salem on a farm, February
3, 1850, and, believing that better opportu-
nities awaited him right here at home, he
early decided to cast his lot with his own
people rather than seek uncertain success in
other fields, and, judging from the pro-
nounced success which has attended his sub--
sequent efforts, one must conclude that he
made a wise decision.
The subject's father was George W. Pace,
a native of Kentucky, who came to Jefferson
county, Illinois, when a young man, but
soon after locating here he moved to Marion
county, where he engaged in farming, later
in the furniture business, having spent many
years in this; he also learned the tailor's
trade and conducted a tailor shop for a time
soon after coming here. He was a man of
considerable force and influence, honest,
hard working and hospitable, who spared no
pains in rearing his family in the best pos-
sible manner, always holding out high ideals
and lofty aims. He was noted as a great
story teller as well as a kindly, neighborly
man. He was born December 18, 1806, and
passed to his rest June i, 1867. He was one
of the oldest pioneers of Marion county, be-
ing one of the best known and most beloved
men in the county and familiarly called "Un-
cle George."
The mother of the subject, whose birth oc-
curred oh the same day of the month as that
of her husband, December i8th, in the year
1808, was known in her maidenhood as Ta-
bithia J. Rogers, a native of Tennessee, the
representative of a fine old Southern fam-
ily, and she "crossed over the mystic river"
to join her worthy life companion on the
other shore February 26, 1881, at the age
of seventy-three years, after closing a serene
and beautiful life of the noblest Christian at-
tributes and wholesome influence. One of
the most commendable traits in our subject
was his devotion to his mother, with whom
he lived until her death, joyfully administer-
ing to her every want and sacrificing much
in his own life that she might be comfortable
and happy. Nine children were born to the
parents of the subject, only three of whom
are living at this writing, 1908. The living
are: O. H. Pace, of Mount Vernon, Illinois,
at the age of sixty-eight years; Mrs. O. E.
Tryner, living at Long Beach, California, at
the age of sixty years; H. T., our subject.
The parents of the subject were married
May 13. 1830.
H. T. Pace remained under his parental
roof-tree during the lifetime of his parents.
He attended the common schools in Salem,
where he diligently applied himself and re-
ceived a good education. However, thirst-
ing for more knowledge, he attended college
at Jacksonville, Illinois, for a short time. The
stage having allurements and he having nat-
ural talents as a comedian, he traveled for
three years with some of the best companies
on the road as a black-face comedian, win-
ning wide notoriety through this medium.
Tiring of the stage, he went to Denver in
1880, where he clerked for a while in a jew-
44
I!IO<;i<AI'IIICAI. A.VI) KKMIMSCKXT HISTOUY OF
lry store, later worked as a Pullman con-
ductor between Denver and Leadville over
the South Park Railroad. In 1884 Mr. Pace
came back to Salem and has remained here
ever since prospering in whatever he has un-
dertaken.
The harmonious domestic life of the sub-
ject dates from 1884, when he was united
in marriage with Alice H. Andrews, the ac-
complished and popular daughter of Samuel
Andrews, who sacrificed his life for his
country, having met death in the Union lines
while fighting in defense of the flag. At the
time of their marriage Mr. Pace was sup-
posed to be on his death bed from a sudden
and serious illness. The married life of this
couple has been a most ideal one and has re-
sulted in the birth of seven children, five of
whom are living. Their names follow:
Claude S., of Salem, engine foreman at the
Chicago & Eastern Illinois shops; Erne
Jenella, Lynn Harvey, Ned R., Gladys D.,
Lowell died in infancy, as did also the last
child, Mona.
After his marriage Mr. Pace went into
the piano business, which he has since con-
ducted for twenty-five years, the greatest
success attending his efforts, his house being
known throughout Marion county, and his
trade extending many miles in every direc-
tion, as a result of his skill in managing this
line and his uniform fairness and courteous-
ness to customers. His piano parlor is one
of the popular business houses of Salem. Mr.
Pace keeps a modern and up-to-date line of
musical instruments, talking machines and
similar goods.
Fraternally Mr. Pace is a member of the
Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the
Woodmen and the Eastern Star, being the
Worthy Patron in the latter order.
Mr. Pace is now the only member of this
worthy family in Marion county, and he is
one of the oldest native bom residents of
Salem. Among his interesting collection of
relics and curios is an old clock which his
father and mother bought when they first
went to housekeeping.
In all the relations of life our subject has
been found worthy of the trust imposed in
him, being a man of rare business ability,
force of character and possessing praise-
worthy qualities of head and heart which.
make him popular with all whom he meets,
and he is today regarded by all classes as be-
ing one of the staunchest, most upright and
representative citizens of Marion county.
D. D. HAYN1E.
For the high rank of her bench and bar
Illinois has always been distinguished, and
it is gratifying to note that in no section of
the commonwealth has the standard been
lowered in any epoch of its history. To the
subject of this review, who is at the time of
this writing, 1908, the popular and influen-
tial Clerk of the Circuit Court at Salem,
Marion county, we may refer with propriety
and satisfaction as being one of the able and
representative members of the legal profes-
sion of the state. He prepared himself most
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
45
carefully for the work of his exacting pro-
fession and has ever been ambitious and
self-reliant, gaining success and securing his
technical training through his own deter-
mination and well directed efforts. He not
only stands high in his profession but is a
potent factor in local politics, his advice
being often relied upon in the selection of
candidates for county offices and he has led
such a career, one upon which not the
shadow or suspicion of evil rests, that his
counsel is often sought and heeded in im-
portant movements in the county, with grati-
fying results.
D. D. Haynie was born in Marion county,
Illinois, November 22, 1848. His father
was William D. Haynie, a native of
Norfolk, Virginia, where he was born
August 29, 1798. He came with his mother
to Winchester, Tennessee, when he was ten
years old, and remained there until - he
reached young manhood. He was a soldier
in the War of 1812, having performed gal-
lant service in the same, after which he re-
turned to Kentucky, settling near Hopkins-
ville, where he married Elizabeth B. Frost,
and where he lived for several years, finally
in 1832 moving to Salem, Illinois, bringing
three slaves with them, which they later lib-
erated. They lived in Salem, developing
the primitive conditions which they found,
for many years, rearing eleven children,
namely: Abner F., deceased, having died
in 1850; General Isham N., who died in
1868, having been adjutant general at the
time of his death, formerly colonel of the
Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry;
William M., died in 1855 ; Rebecca was the
wife of James Marshall, who moved to
Texas and died there about 1857; George
W., quartermaster of the Forty-eighth Illi-
nois Volunteer Regiment, who died in 1891,
when seventy years old; Mary and John B.,
both died in infancy ; Elizabeth is the widow
of Hon. B. B. Smith, who was one of
the first and best lawyers in southern Illi-
nois, and who died in 1884, his widow now
residing at Mount Vernon, Washington :
Martha J., now deceased, was the wife of
Dr. Thomas Williams, of Jacksonville, Flor-
ida, dying in Philadelphia in 1906; Sarah
C. is the wife of L. L. Adams, of Spokane,
Washington; D. D., our subject, was the
youngest of the family.
Our subject made his home with his
father until he died in 1870, the subject's
mother surviving until 1884. They were
people of excellent qualities of mind and
heart, and spared no pains in giving their
children every advantage possible, and the
wholesome home influence in which they
were reared is reflected in the characters of
the subject and the other children.
D. D. Haynie attended the common
schools when a boy, making rapid progress.
Being ambitious and thirsting for all the
book learning possible, he entered the State
Normal at Bloomington, Illinois, after a
course in which he made an excellent record,
he returned home and clerked, but believing
that his true life path lay along the higher
lines of the legal profession, he begun the
study of law and was admitted to the Salem
bar in 1871. His success was instantaneous
4 6
lilOCKAI'IUCAL AND REMINISCENT JIISTOKV OF
and he soon built up a good practice. His
unusual attributes soon attracted attention
and he was appointed clerk in the Pension
Agency located in Salem, which position he
held with much credit for a period of six
years. He then devoted some of his time to
farming with gratifying results, at the same
time continuing his law practice which had
by this time been built up to a very large
practice. He has continued with great suc-
cess ever since he first began practice in
1885. During this time he has served his
county and city in many official capacities.
He was twice elected president of the City
Board of Education, and afterward was a
member of the same for two terms ; during
his connection with the same the educational
interests of the city were greatly strength-
ened. He was elected Police Magistrate in
1904 and elected Circuit Clerk as a Repub-
lican and is serving in this capacity in 1908,
making one of the best clerks the court has
ever had. In all his political and official
career, not the least dissatisfaction has
arisen over the manner in which he has
handled the affairs entrusted to him, and he
has by this consistent record gained a host
of admiring friends throughout the county.
Mr. Haynie's happy and harmonious do-
mestic life dates from August 26, 1875,
when he was united in marriage with Emma
J. McMackin, the accomplished and cultured
daughter of W. E. McMackin, who was
lieutenant-colonel of Grant's Twenty-first
Illinois Regiment, and a well known and
influential man in his community.
One bright and winsome daughter was
born to the subject and wife, who was given
the name of May E., and who is now the
wife of William W. Morrow, of Oklahoma
City. The subject's wife was called to her
rest January 21, 1878, and he was married
the second time, this wife being in her
maidenhood, Maggie Bobbitt, daughter of
Joseph J. Bobbitt, who was a soldier in the
Eighth Kentucky Regiment. She proved a
worthy helpmeet and to this union the fol-
lowing interesting children were born:
Edith M., now living in Spokane, Washing-
ton; Donald C., of Salem, Illinois, is clerk
for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail-
way Company. The subject's wife died in
April 1890. The subject then married Rose
M. Haley, the daughter of Rev. J. L. Haley,
a well known Cumberland Presbyterian
minister, the date of the wedding falling
on July 14, 1891. No children have been
born to this union which has been a most
harmonious one.
Fraternally the subject has been a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows for thirty-seven years, having occupied
the chairs of the same, and he has been a
member of the Masonic Fraternity since
1879, a chapter member.
The subject in his political activity had
occasion to become intimately acquainted
with Governor Oglesby, Gen. John A. Lo-
gan, Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Governor
Tanner and most of the noted men of the
state.
Mr. Haynie delights to recall reminis-
cences of his great grandfather on his
father's side, who was named Donald Camp-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
bell, who migrated from Scotland to Nor-
folk, Virginia, where he bought up all the
land between what was, then Norfolk and
the wharf, which is now known as Campbell
wharf. Mr. Campbell died in February,
1795. Mr. Haynie has in his possession a
copy of Campbell's will executed February
2, 1795. Donald Campbell's father was
Archibald Campbell, who survived his son
and died in 1802. There are many descen-
dants of the Campbell family living today
in Philadelphia and Virginia.
AUGUSTIN ROBERT WILLIAMS.
By reason of numerous rare innate quali-
ties, together with his pleasing personal
qualities, together with his pleasing personal
address, his honesty of purpose and his
loyalty to his native community, Mr. Wil-
liams has reached a conspicuous round in
the ladder of success in his chosen field of
endeavor and justly merits the high esteem
in which he is held by all who know him.
A. R. Williams, the popular and well
known teller of the Salem" State Bank,
Salem, Illinois, is a native of Marion county,
having first seen the light of day in the city
of Salem on December 15, 1875, the son of
Rowland H. Williams, a native of New
York City, who was born near Delaney
street. He early decided to leave the con-
gested metropolis and seek his fortune in
the freer and less trammeled West, and
consequently in casting about for an oppor-
tunity to properly get his initial start in the
business world he decided to try Ohio and
soon set out for Columbus and finally lo-
cated near that city, then in about 1870 he
came to Salem, Illinois, where he elected to
remain, being impressed with the superior
prospects of the place. He was proprietor of
the Salem Marble Works for a number of
years and at the time of his death, which oc-
curred on December 10, 1890, he was post-
master of Salem, this important appoint-
ment having been made in recognition of
his valuable services and his unflagging
loyalty to the principles of the party then
in power. He also showed his loyalty to
the Union by enlisting in the Eighty-fifth
Ohio Volunteer Regiment, serving with
credit throughout the war between the
states.
The grandfather of the subject on the
paternal side of the house was Robert Wil-
liams, a native of Wales, he and his good
wife having settled in New York and later
coming to Ohio. His wife, late in life, came
to Salem where she died. The grandmother
of the subject on his maternal side was a
native of Tennessee. She, too, died in
Salem where she had lived only a few years,
having been called to her eternal sleep
shortly after the war.
The mother of the subject was known in
her maidenhood as Margaret Keeney, a na-
tive of near old Foxville, Illinois, this
county, the daughter of A. W. Keeney, who
moved from Indiana to Marion county
where he settled on a farm, but moved to
Salem during the Civil war. He had a son
killed in the battle of Shiloh and this caused
him to desert the old farm homestead and
move to Salem. He was associated with
4 8
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Seth Andrews in the Salem Milling Com-
pany of Salem for many years. The last few
years of his life he lived in retirement. He
passed away July 2, 1890. The mother of
the subject, a woman of many praise-
worthy traits, is still living in 1908.
Three children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Rowland H. Williams, one having died
'in infancy. Frank L. Williams, the living
brother of the subject, was born in Salem
May 25, 1881, and is a well known con-
tractor.
A. R. Williams, our subject, spent his
boyhood in Salem attending the local
schools, having graduated from the Salem
high school in 1893, after making a splen-
did record for scholarship. Mr. Williams
was with Cutler & Hays in the mercantile
business, during which time he added very
much to the prestige of the firm and won
scores of customers from all over the county
by reason of his courteous treatment and
conscientious work, and the fact that his ser-
vices were so long continued by this firm
is a criterion that they were eminently satis-
factory in every particular. Desiring to bet-
ter fit himself for a business career which
he soon determined should be his life's chief
aim, he entered Brown's Business College
at Centralia, from which he graduated with
distinction in 1906.
The unusual ability of Mr. Williams was
soon known to the business people of Salem
and when the State Bank became in need
of an efficient and reliable teller, no one
worthier of the place could be found than
our subject, consequently he was en-
treated to accept this important post, which
he did on December 26, 1906, after resign-
ing his position with Cutler and Hays,
much to their regret, for they well knew
that they would have much difficulty in fill-
ing the place of such a valuable man.
Mr. Williams has shown rare business
ability in handling his new position and has
given entire satisfaction to his employers
from the first, having become known as one
of the most trusted and thoroughly efficient
bank tellers in this part of the state.
A. R. Williams was married to Miss
Olive M. Peters, of Sandoval, Illinois,
October 25, 1908. She is a daughter of D.
M. and Lydia (Neff) Peters. Fraternally
Mr. Williams is a member of the ancient
and honorable order of Masons, a member
of Cyrene Commandery No. 23, Knights
Templar, of Centralia, also a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at
Salem; he is also a member of the Wood-
men and the Modern American Fraternal
Order.
Mr. Williams is strong in his religious
convictions, being a faithful member of the
Presbvterian church.
CHARLES H. HOLT.
The biographical annals of Marion Coun-
ty, Illinois, would be incomplete were there
failure to make specific mention of the hon-
orable gentleman, whose name introduces
this review, who is one of the county's
CHARLES H. HOLT.
Of rwr
UCHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
49
ablest and rnpst distinguished native sons,
for he had the sagacity early in youth to
see that better opportunities waited for him
right here on his native heath than other-
where, consequently his life labors have
been confined to this. locality rather than in
distant and precarious fields, and judging
from the eminent success he has here at-
tained he was fortunate in coming to this
decision to remain at home. Judge Holt
has been prominently identified with the in-
dustrial, material and civic progress of the
community, having ever stood for loyal and
public-spirited citizenship, having been a
potent factor in bringing about the wonder-
ful development in this favored section, con-
tributing his influence and energy in the
transformation which has made this one of
the leading counties of the state, with its
highly cultivated farms, thriving towns and
villages, its school-houses, churches and all
other evidences of progress and culture, and
he is today not only one of the leading attor-
neys and among the most highly honered
citizens of Salem, the beautiful and thriving
county seat, but is recognized as one of the
foremost men at the bar in the state. In all
the relations of life he has been faithful to all
the trusts reposed in him, performing his
duty conscientiously and with due regard
for the welfare of others often at the sacri-
fice of his own best interests and pleasures.
Charles H. Holt was born near Vernon,
Marion county, Illinois, October i, 1868, the
only child of William H. Holt, and Sarah
(Parsons) Holt, the former a native of
Union county, and the latter a native of the
4
state of Ohio. They were married in Ma-
rion county. The mother of the subject was
called to her rest in November, 1892. Wil-
liam H. Holt is living in 1908, and making
his home with the subject in Salem. The
father was a soldier is the One Hundred
and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
having enlisted under Col. James S.
Martin, who afterward became a general.
Mr. Holt served gallantly for three years,
or until his enlistment expired, his princi-
pal services being with Sherman on his
march to the sea, and his campaigns around
Atlanta. William H. Holt has been a use-
ful and industrious man, scrupulously honest
and he yet exercises considerable influence
in his community. He and his worthy life
companion spared no pains in giving their
son, our subject, every possible advantage
and encouragement to make the most of life.
and many of his sterling attributes and
noble traits of character may be traced to
the wholesome home influence and uplifting
environment in which he was reared. Henry
Holt, grandfather of the subject, was one
of the first settlers of Marion county, having
come here from Tennessee, and participated
in organizing the county and many of the
county offices were indebted to his sound
judgment for their early development. He
was a public-spirited man and did an incal-
culable amount of good in furthering the
interests of his community. Like many of
the hardy pioneers of those early times, he
possessed many sterling qualities and won
the admiration of all who knew him.
Charles H. Holt, our subject, attended
BIOGRAPHICAL AND RKM IN JSCKNT HISTORY OK
the country schools during the winter
months while living on his father's farm
and later the Salem high school, from which
he graduated in the class of 1889. Being
an ambitious lad from the first he applied
himself most assiduously and outstripped
many of the less courageous plodders of his
day, making excellent grades. After leaving
the high school he engaged in teaching with
marked success for one year, then, thirsting
for more knowledge, he entered Northwest-
ern University at Chicago, taking a prepara-
tory course the first year. Believing that
his true life work lay along legal lines, he
spent three years in a law office in Chicago
and then located at Kinmundy, this county,
and while living here, where his success was
instantaneous, he became popular with his
party, which nominated him for the respon-
sible position of county judge, and he was
subsequently elected by a handsome majority
in 1898, serving two terms with entire sat-
isfaction to his constituents and all con-
cerned and in such a manner as to reflect
great credit upon his ability, manifesting
from the first that he had unmistakable judi-
cial talent and a profound knowledge of
law in its variegated phases.
In 1904 Judge Holt removed to Salem
and at the expiration of his term of office
resumed the practice of law, with a well
equipped and pleasant suite of rooms in the
Stonecipher building. He has one of the
largest and best selected libraries to be found
in Southern Illinois. Not only does the
Judge keep posted on all the late judicial de-
cisions and court rulings, but he is a well
read man on scientific, literary and current
topics, so that his conversation is at once
animated and learned.
The Judge is a strong and influential ad-
vocate of the principles embodied in the
Democratic party and is well fortified in his
convictions, always ready to lend his influ-
ence and time to the furtherance of his par-
ty's interests and assist in placing the best
men obtainable in the county offices. He
has served as chairman of the Democratic
Central Committee of Marion county, dur-
ing which time he displayed rare acumen
and sagacity in the management of the par-
ty's affairs.
Although Mr. Holt's extensive legal prac-
tice occupied the major part of his time, he
has considerable business interests which he
manages with uniform success. He is a
stockholder in the Salem National Bank,
and also in the Farmers' and Merchants'
Bank of St. Peter, Illinois.
Judge Holt's happy and harmonious do-
mestic life dates from 1897, when he was
united in marriage to Frances W. Fox, the
accomplished and cultured daughter of Dr.
Jesse D. Fox, of Kindmundy, this county.
Doctor Fox was one of the county's most
noted physicians and best known citizens,
who died about 1881. The following chil-
dren have blessed the home of the subject
with their cheer and sunshine: Dorothy F..
who was born in May, 1898; Ward P., born
in October, 1900; Frances S., who was born
in October, 1904; Charlotte, whose date of
birth occurred September 29, 1906. These
children are all bright and winsome, giving
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
promise of successful future careers. The
Holt home is a model one, the residence
being modern, commodious, well furnished
and invaded with the most wholesome at-
mosphere.
Our subject in his fraternal relations is
affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias,
having occupied the chairs in both. He is
truly a strong and prominent character, and
owing to his individual personal traits,
which are highly commendable, his past
record, which is unmarred by a shadow, his
pleasing address, kindly disposition, upright-
ness and public spirit, the future augurs still
greater honors for the subject, for he has
gained the undivided esteem and confidence
of his fellow citizens throughout Marion
and adjoining counties, and such a worthy
character is seldom left alone by the public
when services of a high order are constantly
being sought.
HON. ELBERT ROWLAND. M. D.
Prominent in the professional life of Ol-
ney, Richland county, pre-eminently distin-
guished for carrying to completion impor-
tant public enterprises and enjoying
marked prestige in many things far
beyond the limits of the community
honored by his citizenship, the subject
of this sketch stands out a clear
and conspicuous figure among the success-
ful men of a part of the great Prairie state
noted throughout the commonwealth for its
high order of intelligence and business and
professional talent. Characterized by breadth
of wisdom and strong individuality, his
achievements but represent the utilization of
innate talents in directing efforts along lines
in which mature judgment, rare discrimina-
tion, and a resourcefulness that hesitates at
no opposing circumstances, pave the way
and ultimately lead to great achievements.
It is not the intention of the biographer to
give in this connection a detailed history of
the subject's life, but rather to note incident-
ally his connection with various public offices
and his long and worthy practice of medi-
cine, and to show the marked influence he
has wielded in advancing the material in-
terests of Richland county and in promoting
the general welfare of its populace.
Dr. Elbert Rowland was born in New
York City, April 28, 1832, the son of Town-
send and Eliza (Sands) Rowland, natives
of Long Island, where they were reared
and married. The subject's father learned
the tailor's trade and conducted a tailor
shop in the city of New York for a number
of years. In 1840 he came to Richland
county and entered two hundred and forty
acres of land in Bonpas township. It was
wild and in the wilderness, there being but
few settlers there at that time. He erected
a log cabin and began to make a home.
There was plenty of wild game of all kinds
in the forests round about, and the wolves,
foxes and other animals gave some trouble.
The early settlers of those days had many
exciting fox chases. The family lived in
lilOGRArillCAL AND KKMIN1SCKXT HISTORY OF
a log cabin for a number of years. They
improved a good farm in due course of time.
The father of the subject died in Olney at
the advanced age of eighty-four years in
1896, his life companion having preceded
him to the silent land in 1876, at the age
of sixty-four years. They were the parents
of ten children, all of whom grew to ma-
turity, eight of the number living at this
writing (1908), the subject of this sketch
being the eldest of the family. He was only
seven years old when he r^me to what is
now Richland county, where he was reared
on a farm in Bonpas township. There were a
few subscription schools at that time, which
our subject attended during the winter
months for a few terms. As usual, the old-
est of the children worked hard to help sup-
port the family, such was the lot of El-
bert Rowland. When sixteen years old he
went to Lancaster, Wabash county, where
he became clerk in a general store where he
continued for three years. He then bought
an interest in a traveling daguerreotype gal-
lery and visited various sections of southern
Illinois, finally selling his interest after ar-
riving in Olney. In 1855 he went to Law-
rence county and began the study of medi-
cine under Dr. J. L. Flanders, who lived
on a farm, and who was at that time one of
the leading physicians and surgeons in
Southern Illinois. He studied two years and
in 1857 went to New York and entered the
New York Medical College, from which he
graduated in chemistry in 1858, and in med-
icine in 1859, having made a brilliant rec-
ord in that institution.
After leaving school, the subject prac-
ticed in the hospitals of New York for a
year. When the Civil war began, he deemed
it his duty to do something for his coun-
try and he applied for an appointment and
was commissioned first assistant surgeon of
the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New
York Volunteer Infantry with the rank of
captain, serving three years. He remained
with this regiment, was present in all the
engagement in which it participated ex-
cept one, having then been absent on a ten
days' leave to go home. Among the impor-
tant battles in which he participated were
Gettysburg, Bascom Bridge, siege of
Charleston, etc. He was active in field
work and escaped with one slight wound in
the hand.
After the war he returned to Illinois and
located at Noble, where he engaged in gen-
eral practice and soon built up a lucrative
business, continuing here until 1880, when
he located at Olney and continued practice
with his usual great success until 1905, when
he retired and has since been leading a
quiet life.
In politics he is a Democrat and for many
years was quite active and prominent in the
affairs of his party. He was elected chair-
man of the Democratic Central Committee
of Richland county in 1865, and so well did
he manage its affairs that he was annually
re-elected for nineteen consecutive years and
has been a member of the same for thirty-
five years. During this time he served as
chairman of the Executive Committee for
two terms, and Literarv Committee for two
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
terms. He served as chairman of the Con-
gressional Committee one term, and was
chairman of the Senatorial and Legislative
Committees for two terms. He has been
delegate to the county, state, legislative, dis-
trict and national conventions and chairman
of various committees. He was regarded
as one of the "wheel-horses" of the Demo-
cratic party in this locality for many years
and he wielded a powerful influence in its
councils. In 1882 he was a candidate for
nomination as representative from the Forty-
fourth District. There were four candidates
and in the convention he received the entire
vcte on the first ballot. His election fol-
lowed by a majority of one thousand two
hundred and ninety-six in a district which
at that time was about six hundred Repub-
lican. This shows his great popularity with
the masses, and his splendid work in that
body showed the wisdom of his constituents
in their selection. He has always taken
an active interest in whatever tended to pro-
mote the general interest of his community.
When a resident of Noble he was a member
of the school board for seventeen years, dur-
ing which time the schools of that place
were built up to excellent proportions, hav-
ing been president of the board of trustees
for two terms and one term as treasurer. HP
was appointed health officer of Olney in
1882 and served in a most efficient manner
for seventeen years. He served as president
of the Board of United States Pension Ex-
aminers for ten years, and as president of
the Richland County Board of Charities for
seven years. He was a member of the Board
of Censors in Evansville Hospital Medical
College for three years. In all these capaci-
ties he gave the greatest satisfaction and
always looked after such business with the
same care as if it had been his own.
The happy domestic life of the subject be-
gan January 23, 1862, when he married Kate
Mallary, a native of New York City, the
daughter of Sherland and Judah (Elliott)
Mallary, natives of Connecticut. The father
was in the real estate and rental agency
business and died there of cholera. His wife
survived a number of years and died at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Rowland, at Xo-
ble, this state.
Five children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife, four of whom are living, as
follows: Kate Elbertine, the wife of I. A.
Phillips, of Waterbury, Connecticut; The-
ressa, the wife of E. E. Edwards, of Olney;
Charles Townsend, a druggist, of Streator,
Illinois: Elbert M., an attorney and Master
in Chancery, owner and editor of The Olney
Times. These children received good educa-
tions and are all well situated in reference
to this world's affairs.
In his fraternal relations the subject is a
member of the Masonic order at Olney, also
the Grand Army of the Republic, having
served as surgeon of the latter for many
years.
It is doubtful if any citizen of this part of
the state has achieved more honorable men-
tion or occupied a more conspicuous place
before the public than he whose name ap-
pears at the head of these paragraphs.
54
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
H. D. EVANS.
H. D. Evans was bom in Marion county,
this state, September 30, 1866, the son of O.
F. Evans, Police Magistrate, and a native of
this county. The mother of Mr. Evans was
Lucy J. Tingle, a native of Kentucky, who
came here in 1850. The subject's parents
are still living in 1908. They became the
parents of nine children, four sons and five
daughters.
H. D. Evans attended school in Salem, re-
maining under his parental roof until he was
twenty-two years old. He then went to To-
peka, Kansas, in 1888, and learned the car-
penter's trade, at which he worked twelve or
fourteen years, remaining in Topeka three
years. He finally returned to Salem and
worked at his trade for two years, when he
went near Terre Haute and continued at
this trade, and was there married to Nannie
Haddock, the daughter of William Mad-
dock, of Atherton, Indiana, on March 7,
1894. Two interesting and winsome chil-
dren have been born to the subject and wife,
as follows: Gladys Marie, whose date of
birth occurred June 24, 1895, and Gretchen
Irene, who first saw the light of day on Au-
gust 19, 1899.
After his marriage Mr. Evans came to
Salem. Moving on a farm, he remained
there one and one-half years, when he moved
to Salem and engaged in contracting and the
lumber business for four years, after which
he went on the road for two and one-half
years, selling paints and varnishes. He is
now a member of the drug firm of Evans &
Harmon, which owns stores at luka, Illinois,
and Moorhouse, Missouri.
Mr. Evans is a wide awake, energetic
business man of sound judgment and mod-
ern business principles, and he has always
succeeded at whatever he undertook. He
faithfully served the city of Salem as Alder-
man several years ago. He is a Mason, a
member of the Knights of Pythias, and both
he and his wife are members of the Chris-
tian church, and are well and favorably
known to a host of friends in this commun-
ity.
T. W. WILLIAMS.
Among the strong and influential citizens
of Marion county, the record of whose lives
have become an essential part of the history
of the section, the gentleman whose name
appears above occupies a prominent place,
and for many years has exerted a beneficial
influence in the community in which he re-
sides.
T. W. Williams, the well known Justice
of the Peace at Salem, Illinois, was born in
Silver Springs, Wilson county, Tennessee,
May 22, 1837, the son of W. G. Williams,
a man of sterling worth and influence, who
was born and reared at Silver Springs. He
came to Illinois in 1845, locating in the
northern part of Marion county which is
now embraced in Kinmundy township,
where he developed a farm, making a com-
fortable home and a good living during his
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND. MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
55
residence there. Thomas Williams, father
of W. G. Williams and grandfather of the
subject of this sketch, came to Illinois with
the family in 1845. He was a North Caro-
linian by birth and a fine type of the true
Southern gentleman. He followed farming
all his life. He died in Kinmundy. W. G.
Williams died in 1904, at the advanced age
of eighty-seven years. The mother of the
subject was Mary Morning, a native of old
Virginia and a woman of many estimable
traits. She passed to her rest in 1852. Mr.
and Mrs. W. G. Williams were the parents
of nine children as follows: Elizabeth,
widow of R. G. Williams, who now lives in
Foster township, Marion county; T. W.,
our subject; Othnial, who is living at
Raleigh, Saline county, Illinois, was a
soldier in the Civil war; Joseph died while
in the Union army; G. H. also died in
the Union army; George M. was killed
while in the Federal ranks; Henry N. also
died in the Union army; Carroll died in in-
fancy; Mary Jane is the wife of John Car-
man, living at Kinmundy, this county.
The subject's father married the second
time, his last wife being Martha Boczkie-
wicz, and by this union five children were
born as follows : Piety Smith, now de-
ceased, who lived in Hamilton county, Illi-
nois; W. G., Jr., who is living in Hamilton
county; F. O., who is also a resident of
Hamilton county ; John V., is a Baptist min-
ister, living at Galitia, Saline county, Illi-
nois; Priscilla died at the age of ten years.
T. W. Williams, our subject, was raised
on the farm and attended the common
schools where he diligently applied himself
and received a fairly good education. After
he reached maturity he bought and sold live
stock, making this business a success from
the start, having much natural ability as a
trader. He lived on the farm for twenty-
five years. He also made a marked success
later dealing in live stock and grain, becom-
ing widely known not only as a man of
unusual industry but also of scrupulous
honesty.
Having taken a lively interest in politics
and becoming well known throughout the
county he was sought out by his political
friends for positions of public trust, having
first served as Deputy Sheriff in 1890 of Ma-
riorr county for a period of two years, with
the greatest satisfaction to all concerned and
reflecting much credit upon his innate ability
as an official. In 1893 he became Deputy
Circuit Clerk, in which capacity he ably
served for five years. Mr. Williams was
postmaster at Kinmundy, Illinois, in 1885,
during Cleveland's first administration. He
had previously been living on his farm, but
he then moved to Kinmundy and from that
town to Salem in 1900 for the purpose of
assuming the duties of Deputy Sheriff. In
all of his official career not the shadow of
suspicion of wrong has rested upon him, and
he has given uniform satisfaction to all con-
cerned in whatever place he has filled. He
was the Democratic nominee for Sheriff in
1894, but was defeated by a Republican can-
didate.
Mr. Williams' early life was devoted very
largely to school teaching, having won a
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
lasting reputation throughout Marion
county as an able instructor and his services
were always in great demand. He followed
this line of work from the time he was
twenty-one until he was forty years old,
having taught not only in Marion but also
Hamilton and Saline counties. He has
given his time to the duties of the office of
.Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected
in 1900. -He is also engaged in the hotel
business, being the present proprietor of the
Williams House, which he has managed for
ten years. Owing to the courteous treat-
ment and excellent accommodations which
the traveling public finds at this house, it
has a liberal patronage and has become well
known to those finding it convenient to stop
at a well kept hostelry.
The domestic life of Mr. Williams began
when he was united in marriage with Juliet
Boczkiewicz on March 27, 1859. She was
a representative of a highly respected and
well known family of this county. By this
union the following interesting children
have been born: Henrietta, the wife of
George M. Hargrove, of Fayette county, Il-
linois ; Annetta, deceased ; Alfe, the wife of
W. W. Newis, of Salem; W. W., of Cen-
tralia, this state; Walter, of Ashland, Cass
county, Illinois; T. S., of Salem.
These children have received good edu-
cations and careful home training which is
clearly reflected in their lives.
Mrs. Williams was called to her rest in
1 88 1, and Mr. Williams was married again
in 1884 to Nannie L. Williams, a daughter
of T. C. Williams, of Kinmundy, a well
known family of that place. There have
been no children by this union.
Fraternally Mr. Williams is affiliated
with the Masonic order, having belonged to
this lodge since he was twenty-five years
old. He is a member of the Baptist church,
and judging from his sober, upright, well
ordered daily life one would conclude that
he believes in carrying out the sublime pre-
cepts and doctrines embraced in both the
lodge and the church to which he belongs.
Mr. Williams is a man of striking personal-
ity, portly with a proper poise of dignity to
his military bearing which makes him a con-
spicuous figure wherever he goes. He is a
pleasant man to meet, always kind, affable,
well mannered and congenial; these com-
mendable traits coupled with his industry
and genuine worth make him a favorite in
Marion county and wherever he is known,
and lie justly merits the high esteem of
which he is the recipient.
JAMES B. LEWIS.
Few men in Marion county occupy as
prominent position in public and political
affairs as the well known and deservedly
popular gentleman whose name introduces
this article. His has indeed been a busy and
successful life and the record is eminently
worthy of perusal by the student who would
learn the intrinsic essence of individuality
and its influence in moulding opinion and
giving character and stability to a commu-
nity.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION* COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
57
James B. Lewis, editor and publisher of
The Marion County Democrat, and one of
the leading journalists of southern Illinois,
is a native of Nicholas county, Kentucky,
where his birth occurred on the I4th day of
November, 1852. His father, O. M. Lewis,
who was born and reared to manhood in the
state of New York, migrated about 1835 to
Ohio where he spent the ensuing ten years,
and at the expiration of that time removed
to Kentucky where he made his home until
his death in the year 1862. O. M. Lewis
was a man of fine mind and superior intel-
lectual atainments, having enjoyed excellent
educational advantages in his native state,
graduating when a young man from Alfred
Center College. After finishing his educa-
tion he engaged in teaching, which profes-
sion he followed with marked success in
Carlisle and Maysville, Kentucky, until the
breaking out of the war with Mexico, when
he resigned his position and entering the
army served throughout that struggle while
still in his minority. Later when the na-
tional sky became overcast with the ominous
clouds of approaching Civil war he was
among the first men of Nicholas county to
tender his services to the national govern-
ment, enlisting in 1861 in Company H,
Eighteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry,
in which he soon rose to the position of cap-
tain, and as such served with a brilliant
record until August, 1862, when he was
killed while bravely leading his men in the
battle of Richmond, Kentucky. This was
one of the bloodiest of the war, the Eight-
eenth Kentucky, a veteran regiment, losing
two-thirds of its men, while the losses of
several other regiments were almost if not
quite as great. Mr. Lewis is said to have
been the most popular man in his regiment,
and was almost idolized by his own com-
pany, during his entire period of service.
The Grand Army Post at Carlisle, Ken-
tucky, where he enlisted, is called the
O. M. Lewis Post in his honor. Although
a man of scholarly tastes and habits, and for
many years devoted to his books and studies
he inherited the martial instinct also being
descended from fighting stock on the ma-
ternal side, his mother having been a Law-
ton, a relative of the late General Lawton,
one of America's most distinguished heroes,
who lost his life in the Philippines. O. M.
Lewis was born on August 30, 1824, mar-
ried in 1850 to Elizabeth Mann, of Nicholas
county, Kentucky, and became the father of
eight children, only three now survive,
namely : Mrs. Louisa L. Davidson, of Pa-
toka, Illinois, James B., of this review and
Mrs. Anna J. Burns who lives in Fresno,
California. In September following her
husband's death, 1863, Mrs. Lewis, with her
three children, moved to Marion county, Il-
linois, and located about two miles east of
Patoka, on a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres which had been purchased by Mr.
Lewis some years previously. In 1865 she
became the wife of George Binnion, of Mar-
ion county, who was also a soldier during
the war of the Rebellion and the son of
Francis Binnion, the second marriage result-
ing in the birth of two sons, Daniel H., and
Frank. At the time of his death, which
BIOGRAPHICAL AXI) RKM 1 X ISCKXT HISTORY OF
occurred in the month of July, 1907, at the
remarkable age of one hundred and seven
years, Francis Binnion was the oldest man
in Marion county, if not in the state.
James B. Lewis spent his childhood in the
state of his birth, and when eleven years old
was brought by his mother to Marion
county, Illinois, with the subsequent history
and progress of which his life has been very
closely interwoven. At the proper age he
entered the public schools of Patoka, where
he pursued his studies until completing the
common and high school branches, the
training thus received was in Milton, Wis-
consin, where he earned an honorable record
as a close and painstaking student. On quit-
ting college he turned his attention to teach-
ing, but after devoting several years to this
field of work and finding it not altogether to
his liking he discontinued it and took up the
study of medicine. After a course of read-
ing under the direction of competent local
talent he entered the Eclectic Medical Insti-
tute at Cincinnati, where he continued his
studies and researches until receiving his de-
gree in the year 1878, following which he
opened an office in Patoka and in due time
built up an extensive practice which proved
as successful financially as professionally,
and which earned for him an honorable
reputation among the leading physicians and
surgeons of Marion and neighboring coun-
ties.
Dr. Lewis brought to his chosen calling
a mind well disciplined by intellectual and
professional training, and it was not long
until his practice took a very wide range,
embracing not only the town and a large
area of adjacent country, but not infre-
quently were his services sought at other and
remote points for treatment of difficult and
critical cases in which a high degree of ef-
ficiency and skill were required. He con-
tinued his professional business with encour-
aging success until the fall of 1884 when he
was elected Clerk of the Marion Circuit
Court, and the better to attend to his official
functions here moved within a short time to
Salem where he has since resided. Doctor
Lewis discharged the duties of the clerkship
with credit to himself and to the satisfac-
tion of the people, and during his incum-
bency of four years won the esteem and
confidence of all who had business to trans-
act in his office, proving a most capable, ju-
dicious and obliging public servant. In
February, 1889, shortly after the expiration
of his official term he established "The Mar-
ion County Democrat," which he has since
conducted, and which under his able busi-
ness and editorial management is now one
of the best and most influential local papers
in the southern part of the state, in many
respects comparing favorably with the more
pretentious sheets of the larger metropolitan
centers. The political creed of The Demo-
crat is indicated by its title, and as a party
organ it has had much to do in moulding
opinion, formulating policies and directing
public affairs, the doctor being an elegant
and forceful writer, a courteous but fearless
antagonist and in discussing the leading
questions and issues of the day he wields a
trenchant pen and makes his influence felt
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
59
not only on these but on all other matters
which the enterprising journalist is supposed
to bring to the attention of the public.
The Democrat office is well equipped with
the latest modern machinery and appliances
for first class work in the art preservative,
and in its mechanical make up the paper is
fully abreast of the times, all that constitutes
a first class newspaper being systematically
arranged and a model of neatness and typo-
graphical art. Aside from its political phase
it is designed to vibrate with the public pulse
and in addition to the news of the day, its
columns teem with much of the best current
literature and it has also became the medium
through which the productions of a number
of rising local writers are given publicity.
In brief The Democrat is a clean and dig-
nified and interesting family paper as well
as a popular and influential political organ,
and its steady growth in public favor be-
speaks for it a future of still greater prom-
ise and usefulness. Not only as an editorial
moulder of opinion does Mr. Lewis make
his influence felt in directing the affairs of
his town and county, but as an enterprising
public spirited citizen, with the welfare of
the community at heart, he has ever been
interested in whatever makes for the benefit
of his fellow men, encouraging to the extent
of his ability all worthy measures and takes
the lead in movements having for their ob-
ject the social, intellectual and moral ad-
vancement of those with whom he mingles.
On the 1 2th day of September, 1877, Mr.
Lewis was united in the bonds of wedlock
with Mona I. Quoyle, daughter of Capt. T.
H. and Rebecca Quoyle, of Salem, the mar-
riage being blessed with six children, four
of whom are living, the other two dying in
infancy. Anna L., the oldest of the family,
is the wife of E. H. Barenfauger, a con-
tractor of Salem. Orin M., the second in
order of birth is associated with his father
in The Democrat office and has achieved
honorable repute as an enterprising and
capable newspaper man. Before entering
the field of journalism he served four years
in the United States navy, having
visited nearly every country of the old
and new world, and completely encircled
the globe while with the squadron under the
command of Robley D. Evans or "Fighting
Bob," one of the most distinguished admir-
als of his time. Thomas O., the second son,
is a locomotive fireman at the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois yards in Salem, while Owen
W., the youngest of the number is also con-
nected with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois
Railway, holding the position of store
keeper at Salem. In his fraternal relations
Mr. Lewis is a Mason and an Odd Fellow,
belonging to the lodges of those organiza-
tions in Salem and manifesting a lively in-
terest in their deliberations. While not
actively engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession he is fully abreast of the times on all
matters relating to medical science, being a
close and diligent student and an untiring
investigator, and by keeping in touch with
the trend of modern thought maintains not
only his interest in the healing art, but the
6o
lUOGKAlMIICAL AND KKMIXLSCEXT HISTORY OF
honorable position to which he attained
while devoting his entire time and attention
to the ills of suffering humanity.
During the entire period of his residence
in Salem as a physician, public official, edi-
tor, as the center of his family circle and
as a citizen he has made good his title to
the honored name inherited from his
ancestors, besides adding to its luster by a
strict adherence to duty in every relation to
which he has been called.
FRANK A. ROGERS.
In touching upon the life history of
the subject of this sketch the writer aims
to avoid fulsome encomium and extrava-
gant praise, yet he desires to hold up
for consideration those facts , which have
shown the distinction of a true, useful and
honorable life a life characterized by per-
severance, energy, broad charity and well
defined purpose. To do this will be but to
reiterate the dictum pronounced upon Mr.
Rogers by the people who have known him
so long and well.
Frank A. Rogers, the present popular
County Treasurer of Marion county, was
born in Omega, this county, April i, 1871,
and while still a young man has left the in-
delible imprint of his strong personality
upon the locality where he has spent his
life. The father of the subject was William
A. Rogers, a native of Tennessee, who came
to this county in 1854. He was engaged all
his life in agricultural pursuits, and he was a
man of great influence in his community,
and was Supervisor of his township for fif-
teen years, also Justice of the Peace for
twenty years, and he was chairman of the
County Board at the time of his death, Feb-
ruary 24, 1891. The subject's mother was
Rebecca Chapman in her maidenhood. She
was born in Omega township, this county,
November 25, 1846, and is still living in
1908 on the old homestead. She is a woman
of refinement and gracious personality
which has won hosts of friends. To Mr.
and Mrs. William A. Rogers the following
children were born : Leva, who died in
infancy; the second in order of birth was
our subject; Luther A., living at Welling-
ton, Kansas; Giles N., of luka, Illinois;
Danael C, deceased; Leo Delbert, of Poca-
hontas, Iowa ; Paul, of Omega township.
The subject's father was twice married.
His first wife was Minerva Jane Craig.
Frank A. Rogers lived at home until he
was twenty-one years old, assisting with the
work about the farm until he had acquired
sufficient education to begin teaching. Be-
ing an ambitious lad he always applied him-
self diligently to his text-books and conse-
quently outstripped most of the common
plodders that made up the roll of contem-
poraneous school-fellows in his neighbor-
hood, and he has since greatly added to his
early foundation in educational matters by
coming in contact with the world and by sys-
tematic home study. But few men are to be
met with in the state of Illinois who are any
better informed on current topics of a gen-
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
6r
eral nature than Mr. Rogers, for he has al-
ways been a close student of the trend of
events, politically, scientifically and in other
leading issues. He followed teaching for a
period of seventeen years in Marion county,
during which time he established an envied
reputation as an instructor and his services
were in great demand. He was not only
popular for his superior text-book learning,
but his kind and pleasing personality, his
peculiar insight in the characters of his pu-
pils, which made it easy for him to control
and properly direct each pupil, made him
popular with all classes of people.
Mr. Rogers always took a deep interest in
political movements, being a stanch advo-
cate of the principles and policies of the
Democratic party, with which he has been
affiliated from the time of attaining his ma-
jority, and he has ever lent his aid in fur-
thering the party's cause and is well forti-
fied in his political convictions, while he is
essentially public-spirited and progressive.
Being animated with the laudable ambition
for political preferment and his general
popularity having been long ago well estab-
lished, it is not strange that his fellow citi-
zens singled him out for offices of public
trust, and he held the office of Supervisor of
Omega township for two terms. He was also
chairman of the County Board and County
Board of Review in 1903. He was nomi-
nated for County Treasurer on the Demo-
cratic ticket August 4, 1906, by a majority
of eight hundred and was easily elected over
a strong opponent the following November,
and is serving the duties of the office with
great credit to himself and to the entire
satisfaction of all concerned, not only his
constituents but members of other parties
as well, being generally regarded as one
of the best officials the county has ever had,
especially in the Treasurer's office. The
subject has made his home in Salem since
December, following the election.
The subject's happy and harmonious do-
mestic life dates from September 25, 1892,
when he was united in marriage to Lillie M.
Kagy, who was born April 7, 1875, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Kagy,
a well known, highly respected and influ-
ential family of Marion county. Mrs.
Rogers is a highly cultured and accom-
plished tady of pleasing manner and many
commendable attributes of mind and heart
and she presides over their comfortable and
cozy home with grace and dignity and she is
popular among the best class of Marion
county's estimable women.
The following bright and interesting chil-
dren have come into the home of our subject
and wife, thereby adding cheer and sunshine
to the family circle: Herschell, born June
28, 1894; Hazel, born October 5, 1897; Ver-
non V., born April 15, 1902, surviving only
till October 4th, the same year ; Rolla, who
was born August 5, 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are consistent mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
They are both held in high esteem for their
friendly manners, wholesome domestic life
and upright public lives which have resulted
in winning and retaining the friendship of
all who know them.
IHOC.KAPIIICAL AND RK.MIX ISCKXT HISTORY OF
CARLOS A. FELTMAN, M. D.
He whose name initiates this paragraph is
a representative of one of the old and
honored families of Marion county, Illinois,
where he has lived from the time of his
birth and where he has gained personal
prestige and success in one of the most noble
and exacting of all vocations to which a man
may devote himself, being engaged in the
practice of his profession at Salem and con-
trolling a large business as physician and
surgeon, while he has gained precedence by
reason of his devotion to his profession and
his marked ability as an exponent of ad-
vanced and practical medical science, at the
same time establishing a record of honor.
Dr. Carlos A. Feltman was born in
Salem, Illinois, September u, 1856, the son
of Charles Feltman, a man of much sterling
worth and influence in his community who
was born in Strausburg, Germany, and was
one of the earliest German settlers in Marion
county, Illinois. He was a successful baker
for many years and later was engaged in
the mercantile business at which he was
equally successful, having built up an ex-
cellent trade with the surrounding country
districts. He spent nearly his entire life in
Salem and passed to his reward in 1875.
The subject's mother, who was a woman of
many admirable attributes, was known in
her maidenhood as Mary Appel. She was
born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany,
and she passed to her rest in 1888. The
parents of the subject were married in St.
Louis, Missouri. They received a fairly
good education and were people of refine-
ment and high character, having reared their
children, of whom there were eight in num-
ber, in a wholesome atmosphere which
modified and deeply influenced their subse-
quent careers. Following are the names of
their children : Emil, deceased ; Ellen, who
married R. E. Fletcher and who died in
Grand Junction, Colorado; H. C., deceased,
was a prominent attorney at law and was
grand scribe of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows at the time of his death ; Wil-
liam W. is deceased; the next in order of
birth was Carlos A., our subject; Lenora,
deceased; C. E., who is with the Eli Walker
Dry Goods Company, of St. Louis, Mis-
souri; R. B., who is in the mercantile busi-
ness at Grand Junction, Colorado.
Doctor Feltman remained a member of
the home circle until he reached manhood,
having attended the common schools in
Salem until he finished the prescribed course.
Being a diligent student he made excellent
grades and received a good education. He
went into newspaper work, believing that
journalism offered peculiar attractions. He
worked as a printer for three years. In the
meantime he felt that his calling was in
another direction, the more praiseworthy
art of medicine, consequently he began
studying during spare moments and finally
entered the- Louisville Medical College at
Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained
one term, after which he attended the
Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati,
from which he graduated with high honor
in 1882 in the same class with Dr. M. D.
R1CHLAND, CLAY AXU MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Foster, the present Congressman from this
district. Our subject showed from the time
he first entered medical college that he had
a peculiar aptitude and unusual talents for
this line of endeavor and his subsequent life,
which has been remarkably successful,
shows that he would have made a grave
mistake had he adopted any other profes-
sion as a life work.
Doctor Feltman returned to his native
community after graduation, beginning
practice at Salem. His success was in-
stantaneous and his ability became so gen-
erally known that he was selcted to the im-
portant post of United States Indian Physi-
cian at Fort Apache, Arizona, during Presi-
dent Cleveland's first administration. He
was eminently successful in this new field,
but he finally desired to return to his native
state, and in 1888 began practice at Beards-
town, Illinois, which he carried on with the
greatest success for a period of fourteen
years, building up a very large practice and
becoming City Health Officer, also a mem-
ber of the Board of Education. He was
also Secretary of the Pension Board under
Cleveland's second administration, also Cor-
oner of Cass county from 1896 to 1900;
later County Physician of Cass county. Af-
ter filling all these positions to the entire
satisfaction of all concerned, showing pro-
nounced innate executive ability as well as
superior medical skill, in 1900, greatly to
the regret of his large patronage, Doctor
Feltman moved away from Beardstown, lo-
cating at his old home, in Salem. Useless
to say that his practice was large from the
first, for he had long ago firmly established
a reputation here. He is a member of the
Board of Education at Salem, and is County
Physician. He was nominated by his party
for Coroner in 1908 and his nomination was
regarded by not only the Democrats, but
members of other party affiliations as well,
to be a most fortunate on. He was elected
at the ensuing election by a large majority
over his opponent.
The domestic life of Doctor Feltman
dates from January i, 1888, when he was
happily married at Salem to Mayme E.
Fulks, the refined and accomplished daugh-
ter of T. Charles Fulks. She received a
fairly good educational training and is a
representative of a well known and influ-
ential family.
Two interesting children, who, in their
youth, give promise of successful and happy
future careers, have added cheer and sun-
shine to the cozy home of Doctor and Mrs.
Feltman. Their names are Blanche and
Mabel, nineteen and seventeen years old,
respectively, in 1908. They are both apt
students and of winsome personalities.
Fraternally our subject is a member of
the Masonic Order, the Woodmen and the
Independent Order of Foresters, and his
daily life would indicate that he believes in
carrying out the sublime precepts of each.
He is a strict Presbyterian in religious faith.
However, he is not a member of any church,
although all his family subscribes to the
church in Salem.
Doctor Feltman is of a public-spirited na-
ture, genial personality, uprightness of prin-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCKNT HISTORY OF
ciple and habits of industry. He is re-
garded by the people of Marion county as
one of their ablest and most eminent
citizens.
WILLIAM KELL BUNDY.
The life of the early settlers in any com-
munity has ever contained much to interest
and entertain us. There is something ro-
mantic about the ruggedness of their lives
and the uncertainties they had to face which
holds a fascination for us today. The family
of the subject of this sketch were among the
earliest inhabitants of the county in which
they lived, and the hardworking lives they
lived were much more eventful than the life
of the average farmer of today.
William K. Bundy was born in section
No. i, Centralia township, Marion county,
Illinois, on May 4, 1827, and was the son of
Frederick and Mary Bundy. His mother,
whose maiden name was Wilson, was bom
in North Carolina, coming from the region
of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains. Fred-
erick Bundy was the son of Jonathan
Bundy, of Tennessee, who came to Marion
county, Illinois, as early as 1825 or 1826,
settling near Walnut Hill, where he soon
afterward died. His wife belonged to a well
known family of Tennessee named Dorcas.
They had four children, all sons Robert,
John and William, who settled in the vicin-
ity of Walnut Hill, and the father of the
subject of our sketch, Frederick Bundy, who
settled in section No. i, Centralia township.
Frederick Bundy's father-in-law, John
Wilson, married in his native state of North
Carolina. He was a farmer who on becom-
ing attacked with the western fever, went
westward to Illinois. There he settled north-
east of Salem. On the death of his first
wife he married a widow named Jones.
Their married years must have been happy
ones, for upon a third matrimonial venture
he espoused another widow named Kelley.
After a long and active life he died on the
farm. The children by his first wife num-
bered seven. In regular order they were:
Mary, Nancy, Jane, Margaret, Samuel,
Dorrington, and Sylvester. Mary, the eld-
est daughter, was the mother of the subject
of our sketch. The children born to John
Wilson's second wife numbered three.
Frederick Bundy, living in a different
period from ours, had no chance to go to
school. His education had to be self-ob-
tained. He did not fail to sieze the oppor-
tunities which came his way, and so became
a remarkably well informed man. At the
time the family came to Illinois the journey
was made in, the old time cumberous team
wagons. The family of the mother of our
sketch also arrived by means of the same
mode of travel.
Centralia township at the time Frederick
Bundy settled there in 1826, was as yet in
its original wild state. As may be supposed,
wild game and beasts of prey of many varie-
ties abounded there, particularly wolves.
He remembered the howls and blood-cur-
dling "ki-yiings" of the timber-wolves, to
which he lay awake listening on many a
WILLIAM BUNDY.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
night inside of the rough log-cabin which he
had built with his own hands. In time he
cleared the land and erected for himself a
suitable home, and otherwise much im-
proved the property which embraced four
hundred acres. For years he carried on an
active farming business and raised consid-
erable amount of stock. Frederick Bundy
was politically a staunch Democrat, and in
those days he had to go over to Salem at
election times to record his vote. In reli-
gious life he was a member of the Christian
church. His wife died in February, 1848,
and the demise of the inseparable companion
of his life's journey was a great loss. He
died in the fall of 1849, having, however,
married secondly Elizabeth Walker, and
leaving a son by that marriage. He had
eight children by his first wife, the eldest
of which was the subject of this sketch,
William K. The others were: Alexander,
who married first Margaret Breeze, and
afterwards another member of that family,
and who is a farmer in Washington ; Nancy
Jane, deceased, first married James Harper,
and afterwards Reuben Alderson; Dorcas
married Sydney Harmon, both of whom
are dead; Jeanette, who married, also died;
John joined the One Hundred and Eleventh
Regiment, Company H, at the outbreak of
the Civil war and died while in the service
of his country ; Robert was also in the Civil
war, enlisting in Jefferson county, Illinois,
and died of small pox during his term of
service; Sallie, another daughter, married
Thomas J. Hollowell and lives in Washing-
ton with her husband.
The life of William Kell Bundy, the sub-
ject of this sketch, has been an adventurous
one. In early life he received the limited
education afforded at the only available local
institutions of learning the subscription
schools. He remained at home doing nec-
essary work on the farm until 1847, when at
that martial period he enlisted in Company
C, No. i, United States army for the Mexi-
can war. His military career began by his
being sent to Alton, Illinois, and later to
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later par-
ticipated in the march across the desert to
Santa Fe. He was on the march sixty days,
which was a tedious one. Later he took
part in the advance upon old Albuquerque,
the Mexican capital. Here he remained
until 1848, where he did guard duty, and
finally marched back. On his return he re-
mained with his father superintending the
old homestead until the latter's death, at
which time he bought forty acres of it, on
which he lived for fifteen years. In 1863
he changed to his present abode in section
No. 6, Raccoon township. At different times
the area of his land increased until he had at
one time three hundred and fifty acres; the
greater part of which he has since divided
among his children. All the improvements
on the place have been the fruits of his
labor and supervision. He has principally
raised stock on the farm, cattle, horses,
sheep and hogs, and has also evinced an
interest in the fancy and finer breeds.
William K. Bundy married first Eliza-
beth, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Mc-
Clelland. Isaac was an early settler in Ma-
66
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
rion county, Illinois, near Walnut Hill. He
followed the occupation of farmer and stock
dealer. On the death of his first wife, Mr.
Bundy married a second time on October
20, 1887, Mildred Annie Gaines, of Sumner
county, near Nashville, Tennessee. She was
the daughter of Henry Gaines. Her mother's
own name was Marian Bradley, of Nash-
ville, Tennessee. They came to Marion
county, Illinois, in 1850, and settled in Ste-
venson township. There Henry Gaines and
his wife farmed during the remainder of
their lives. He died in 1850, and his wife
in 1856. They had eight children, of which
Mildred Annie, the second wife of William
K. Bundy, was the seventh. Of the others,
Hazel married C. Tracy; P. D. is a farmer
in Stevenson township ; Josephine, the third,
is dead; Martha is also dead; Henrietta E.,
the widow of Sidney Charlton, lives in Odin
township; Agnes is still on the farmstead
and is single; Z. T. lives in Jefferson
county. The second marriage of William
K. Bundy has given him the following chil-
dren, seven in number. Mary Rebecca, the
wife of John French; Sarah Jane, who is
Mrs. Robinson, living at Sedalia, Washing-
ton; Elizabeth, who married John Lament,
since deceased, lives in Oklahoma; Joseph-
ine, who married George West, of Odin
township; Isaac M., who is a farmer in Rac-
coon township married Sarah Johnson;
Fred, who lives at home and is unmarried,
went through the Spanish-American war as
a member of Company G, Third Regiment
U. S. another child, Catherine died young.
Though now in his eighty-second year,
William Kell Bundy possesses a mind of un-
usual transparency. He is still well able to
review in detail the memories and exploits
of a long and varied career.
In politics the subject of our sketch is a
life-long follower of the Democracy. His
first vote for a presidential candidate was
recorded years ago when it went to James
K. Polk, who figured in an eventful election.
In religion he is a member of the Christian
church, in the interests of which he has ever
been active. He is now in the mellow period
of a long life which has always been at the
service of home and country. He has ful-
filled the duties of a long life; he is sur-
rounded by an affectionate circle of sons and
daughters; he has the friendship and good
wishes of a host of friends. Is not this as
much as any of us can hope for in the even-
ing of life.
CRAWFORD S. ERWIN.
No man in Clay county occupies a more
enviable position in civic and business af-
fairs than the subject of this sketch, who is
the well known and popular ex-Circuit
Clerk of the county, not alone on account
of the success he has achieved, but also on
account of the honorable, straightforward
business policy he has ever followed both in
public and private life. He possesses un-
tiring energy, is quick of perception, forms
his plans readily and executes them with
alacrity so that. he stands today one of the
leading representatives of a county widely
known for its men of force and business
acumen.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
<v
Crawford S. Erwin was born in Hoosier
township, Clay county, October 9, 1866, the
son of David, the son of William Erwin,
a native of Indiana, who was a cabinet
maker by trade, having come from Indiana
to Illinois in an early day and engaged in
the cabinet making business, also in farm-
ing. He was called to his rest August 7,
1866, six weeks before our subject was born.
William Erwin, the subject's grandfather,
was one of the pioneers of Clay county, hav-
ing come to America from Scotland, his na-
tive country, when a young man. He was
the first person buried in the old Hoosier
cemetery in Hoosier township. The mother
of the subject was known in her maiden-
hood as Eliza A. Fitzgerald, whose people
were originally from Scotland. She passed
to her rest in Hoosier township in the spring
of 1890. Five children were born to the
subject's parents as follows: Mayberry P.,
living in Henrietta, Texas; David S., liv-
ing in Clay county, Illinois ; Joseph, in Hen-
rietta, Texas; W. G., who is also a resi-
dent of Clay county; Crawford S.. the sub-
ject.
Mr. Erwin spent his early life on the
farm, attending the country schools during
the winter months, and assisting with the
work at home in the summer. He was left
to be reared by a widowed mother, who was
too poor to aid in her son's education, and
thus our subject was compelled to begin his
fight with the world early in life practically
unaided and the admirable way he has suc-
ceeded in the face of seemingly insurmount-
able obstacles, deserves the commendation
of all. When he was nine vears old, the
family moved to Texas, where they remained
four years. During this time the children
were deprived of the advantages of a good
school. Desiring to return to the Illinois
home, the family made the trip overland in
a wagon, a distance of twelve hundred miles,
in the fall and winter of 1880, having
reached Hoosier township shortly after
Christmas, during the coldest weather that
the country had known for years. Craw-
ford S. at once entered school at Center*
under the Rev. John F. Harmon, now sta-
tioned in East St. Louis. Three terms of
school were attended here by our subject.
He was an excellent student, for he had now
reached young manhood and he realized
that if he succeeded in life, he would be
compelled to prepare himself for some of
the professions or commercial life, for he
was physically unfit to follow the hard-work-
ing life of a farmer. He was enabled to
gratify his ambition to become an educated
man by working out on the farm during
the summer months, and with the money
he thus secured he entered the Northern In-
diana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indi-
ana, in which institution he made a splendid
record for scholarship.
He decided to become a teacher and be-
fore he was eighteen years old had secured
his first certificate and had taught his first
school, which was a pronounced success.
His services were then in great demand for
the ensuing ten years which he devoted to
teaching in Clay county, becoming generally
known as an able educator. Most of that
time he taught in only two school districts,
68
HHX1RAPIIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
meanwhile devoting the summer months to
farming.
About this time Mr. Envin secured the
appointment of government mail weigher on
the Vandalia line, which position he filled
so satisfactorily that he was within two
years thereafter re-appointed government
mail weigher on the main line of the Balti-
more & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, op-
erating between Cincinnati and St. Louis.
His official reports quickly enabled the com-
pany to see his ability in this line and he
was placed part of his time in the office of
the chief clerk to assist in the examination
of the reports sent in by his fellow-officers.
Mr. Erwin was called home in 1894 to
fill the position of Deputy County Clerk,
the duties of which he discharged in such a
creditable manner that he became candidate
for the office of Circuit Court Clerk in 1896,
and was elected, on the Republican ticket,
and discharged his duties to the entire sat-
isfaction of all concerned and was re-elected
in 1900, and again in 1904, his term having
expired December 7, 1908. It is the con-
census of opinion that he has been the best
Circuit Clerk the county has ever had.
The official and private life of Mr. Er-
win has ever been an open book to all. for
it has been led along conservative lines,
honest and without blemish, lacking the
faintest shadow or suspicion of evil. His
donations to charitable purposes and to his
needy neighbors and fellow citizens since
his residence in Louisville have amounted to
several hundred dollars. He has always
been ready to assist in aiding any worthy
cause. It has been his custom for a number
of years at Christmas time to gather to-
gether provisions, and quietly boxing
them up himself and employing a teamster
to deliver the same to the unfortunate and
needy in his community. So unostentatious
has this charity been bestowed that the do-
nor is known to but few of his beneficiaries
to this day.
Mr. Erwin was united in marriage De-
cember 12, 1886, to Sarah Belle Conley,
daughter of W. A. Conley, of Hoosier town-
ship. She was born and reared in Clay
county, and is a woman of beautiful per-
sonal attributes. The following children
have been born of this union : May, whose
age in 1908 is twenty years; Jennie is
eighteen years old; Wilbur Esta is fifteen
years old; Crawford Leslie is eleven; Le-
land is seven and Kenneth is four.
Upon his retirement from office, Mr. Er-
win entered the real estate and abstract busi-
ness in December, 1908. He is thoroughly
familiar with abstracting, having followed
this while in office. He also owns a farm
in Louisville township, and one in Bible
Grove township, and also a half interest in a
farm in Hoosier township, and another
tract of land in Arkansas. He is also in-
terested in stock raising and stock trading.
Mr. Erwin's land is well improved and
ranks well with any in the county, and he al-
ways keeps a good grade of stock. He is inter-
ested in the concrete business, manufactur-
ing concrete blocks and other forms of con-
crete work, the firm name being Clark &
Erwin.
Our subject is Public Administrator of
Clay county. In his fraternal relations he
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
belongs to the Masonic Order, the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the
Knights of Pythias. He was secretary of
the local Masonic lodge, at Louisville, No.
196, for ten consecutive years. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and has always been a loyal Republican,
born and bred in the principles of that party,-
but the most partisan Democrat was ever
treated with the same courtesy by him as
the most pronounced Republican. During
his term in office Mr. Erwin has never been
too busy to accommodate anyone seeking in-
formation on any subject whether pertaining
to the matters of the office of Circuit Clerk
or legal advice on any foreign subject, and
no one ever went away from him wrongly
advised, or feeling that what he had obtained
had been grudgingly given. Hundreds of
people in Clay county, having no regular
attorney to attend to their legal business,
and wishing an agreement, a contract, or
an affidavit drawn up, have found our sub-
ject ever willing to assist as best he could.
Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have a beautiful
home, where hospitality and good cheer are
ever unstintingly dispersed to their many
friends and admirers.
J. T. JONES, M. D.
The physician who would succeed in his
profession must possess many qualities of
head and heart not included in the curricu-
lum of the schools and colleges he may
have attended. In analyzing the career of
the successful practitioner of the healing
art it will invariably be found true that a
broad-minded sympathy with the sick and
suffering and an honest, earnest desire to
aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand
in hand with skill and able judgment. The
gentleman to whom this brief tribute is
given fortunately embodies these necessary
qualifications in a marked degree and by
energy and application to his professional
duties is building up an enviable reputation
and drawing to himself a large and re-
munerative practice, being recognized as one
of the leading physicians of this locality and
a man of honor and integrity at all times.
Dr. J. T. Jones was born in Foster town-
ship, Marion county, Illinois, August 26,
1 86 1, and "his sober wishes never learned
to stray," consequently he has preferred to
remain on his native prairie rather than seek
uncertain fortunes elsewhere. His father is
Eli W. Jones, a native of the same township
and county. Grandfather James Jones was
an early pioneer of Marion county and a
man of many sterling qualities which have
outcropped in our subject to a marked de-
gree. He was a Southerner of the finest
type. His residence was used in an early
day for the purpose of holding church ser-
vices, he being an active and ardent Metho-
dist. He is living at this writing, 1908, in
Foster township on a fine farm where he
has become influential and widely known.
He was Circuit Clerk from 1872 to 1876.
He makes his home at present in Vernon.
He was a soldier in Company H, Twenty-
I'.IOGKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
and he served through the war, having
marched with Sherman to the sea and lost
a leg in the final battle at Bentonville, North
Carolina, the last battle fought by Sherman.
He was in many hard fought battles of the
Army of the Tennessee, being in the Fif-
teenth Army Corps, and in all he took part
in about thirty engagements. After the
war he returned to his farm. The maiden
name of the mother of the subject was
Mary Ryman, a native of Pennsylvania.
Her father was Dr. J. R. Ryman, who was
an early Methodist minister, later becoming
a physician. He came to Marion county
when a young man, and was at one time
Circuit Clerk of the county and also School
Commissioner, being one of the founders
of the Western Christian Advocate at St.
Louis, Missouri. He died about 1877.
The mother of the subject is living at this
writing. Three children were born to these
parents, our subject being the only one now
living. The subject's maternal grandmother
was Martha Dickens, a daughter of Samuel
Dickens, a pioneer Baptist minister.
Doctor Jones spent his boyhood on his
father's farm, attending the country
schools at Fosterburg, and when the family
came to Salem in 1872 he attended school in
in Salem in 1872 he attended school in
Salem from 1872 to 1878, graduating from
the high school here in 1878 with high
honor. After leaving school he clerked one
year in a store at Vernon, but believing that
his true calling lay along medical lines
rather than the mercantile, he began the
study of medicine, making rapid progress
from the first. He entered the St. Louis
Medical College in 1880 from which he
graduated in March, 1884, having made a
brilliant record for scholarship. He lo-
cated first at Warsaw, Missouri, practicing
there with eminent success until 1889, when,
much to the regret of his many friends and
patients, he left that town and came to Ver-
non, Illinois, where he remained, building up
a lucrative practice, until 1907, in which
year he came to Salem, having moved his
family here a year previous. Doctor Jones
took a post-graduate" course in the medical
department of the University of St. Louis in
1906. He has been very successful in his
practice in Marion county, having a large
business at present and he is often called to
other localities on serious and important
cases where his superior medical advice is
sought by local practitioners whose skill has
been baffled, and his counsels are always
followed by gratifying results.
The domestic life of our subject dates
from April 25, 1891, when he was united
in marriage with Carrie E. Bennett, who
was born and reared in Salem, the accom-
plished and refined daughter of J. J. Ben-
nett, an early pioneer of Marion county and
was the first president of the Salem Na-
tional Bank, which position he held until
within a few years of his death. Mary
Oglesby was the maiden name of the sub-
ject's mother, who was the first girl baby
born in Salem. Her great-grandfather,
Mark Tully, entered land on which the city
of Salem is built. He gave the site where
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
7 '
the court house stands. This -family was
one of the best known in the early history
of the county.
Our subject and wife have two children, a
bright boy and a winsome girl, the former,
Don Paul, having been born January 28,
1892, and the latter, Nellie, was born May
22, 1895.
Doctor Jones has been thrifty and has
accumulated a fair competence as a result
of his well directed energies. He owns a
valuable and highly improved farm in Fos-
ter township, and has numerous real estate
holdings in Marion county. He is a member
of the county, state and national medical
associations, and he belongs to the Masonic
Fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Woodmen, the Sons of Vet-
erans and the Yeomen.
The home of Dr. and Mrs. Jones is
modern, cozy, nicely furnished and is pre-
sided over with rare grace and dignity by
the latter who is often hostess to warm
friends who hold her in high esteem. This
worthy couple is regarded by all classes as
meriting the confidence and regard which
are unqualifiedly proffered to them.
O. A. JAMES.
The subject of this sketch is not the
example of a man whom the inscrutable
caprice of fortune or fate has suddenly
placed in a conspicuous position in the busi-
ness world but he has attained to the same
through careful preparation during long
years of toil and endeavor, for he realized
early in his career that success comes to
the deserving, and that to be deserving, one
must be industrious and persistent, so he
forged ahead, surmounting obstacles that
would have daunted and diverted the course
of less courageous spirits.
O. A. James, the popular and efficient
assistant cashier of the Salem State Bank,
who has, while yet a young man, left the
indelible imprint of his personality upon
the people with whom he has come in con-
tact, was born in Salem, Illinois, in 1879.
He is the son of Joshua L. James, a native
of Middle Tennessee and the representative
of a fine old Southern family. He came to Il-
linois in 1853, settling in Williamson county,
where he lived for twenty-five years, having
been reasonably prosperous during that time
and becoming known as a hard worker and
a man of the best habits. He then came to
Marion county, settling near Alma, where
he also remained a quarter of a century, de-
veloping a good farm and making a com-
fortable living by reason of his habits of
industry and economy. Desiring to spend
the remaining years of his life in the city
and enjoy a respite from his arduous agri-
cultural pursuits, Mr. James moved to
Salem in 1902 and he has since made his
home here.
The grandfather of the subject on his
paternal side was John Wesley James, a
native of Tennessee, and an excellent farmer
who passed to his rest about 1893 after a
long and honorable life. His death occurred
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
in Williamson county, this state, where he
spent the major part of his life.
Joseph L. Wnorowski, the subject's
grandfather on his mother's side, was born
in Russia and received his education in the
city of Moscow. He came to America when
thirty years old, finally settling in Salem,
Illinois, where he spent his remaining years,
dying about 1890.
The subject's mother was known in her
maidenhood as Sophia E. Wnorowski, who
was born and reared in Salem where she
received a common school education and
developed many praiseworthy character-
istics. She is living at this writing (1908).
Six children were born to the parents of the
subject, five of whom are still living,
named in order of birth as fol-
lows : Mrs. Florence Brasel, of Cartter, Illi-
nois; O. A., our subject; Mrs. Berdie E.
Stroment, living in Salem, this county ; Guy
L., of Wooden, Iowa; Mrs. Jesse Brasel,
living at Terre Haute, Indiana.
These children all received a good com-
mon schooling and were reared in a home
of the most wholesome atmosphere, conse-
quently they have developed characters of a
very commendable type.
Our subject attended the common
schools of Salem, from which he gradu-
ated in 1897. But being amibitious for
more learning and to become a teacher, he
later attended the Carbondale State Normal
School for some time. Not yet satisfied he
entered Austin College at Effingham; then
took a course in the Eastern State Normal
at Charleston, thus gaining a splendid edu-
cation, for he made a brilliant record for
scholarship in all these institutions.
After leaving school he began teaching,
which he followed in a most successful and
praiseworthy manner for a period of five
years, having taught three years in Marion
county public schools, one year as principal
at Central City, Illinois, and one year as
principal of the high school at Kinmundy,
in all of which he showed that he not only
had acquired a great fund of serviceable
knowledge which he had a penchant for
readily and clearly dispensing, but that he
possessed the other necessary prerequisites
of head and heart to make a first class and
a high grade educator, and his reputation
had overspread the bounds of Marion
county, causing his services to be in great
demand, when, much to the regret of pupils
and school boards he gave up his teaching
and accepted the position as assistant post-
master at Salem the duties of which he at-
tended to in a most able manner for a period
of two years, when he resigned to become
Deputy Circuit Clerk, having been appointed
for a period of four years, and here he
again displayed his great innate ability as
a careful and painstaking business man by
handling the duties devolving upon this po-
sition with all dispatch and alacrity and in
a most satisfactory manner to all concerned,
when after a year in this office he tendered
his resignation to become assistant cashier in
the Salem State Bank, which very respon-
sible and envied position had been proffered
by the heads of that institution after they
had carefully considered the names of many
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARIOX COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
73
young and talented business men for the
place, believing that Mr. James was the
best qualified to handle the work in this con-
nection, and the praiseworthy manner and
wonderful technical skill he has displayed in
this responsible position since taking up the
duties of the same, shows that the man-
agers of this institution were wise in their
decision and selection. Mr. James is still
thus connected with the Salem State Bank
and has given entire satisfaction and in-
creased the popularity and prestige of this
already popular and sound institution.
Mr. James is a member of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Wood-
men, in his fraternal relations, and he is a
faithful and consistent member of the Chris-
tian church. He is known to be scrupu-
lously honest, courteous and a gentleman of
the highest address and honor and owing to
the fact that our subject is yet quite a young
man and has achieved such a place of honor
and trust the future augurs great things
for him.
J. R. QUAYLE.
The subject has always sought to in-
culcate in the minds of the young the higher
things of life, the beauties of mind and soul
known only to those who are willing to de-
vote themselves to a career of self-sacrifice,
hospitality, persistency and uprightness, and
during the long years of his professional
life Mr. Quayle succeeded in carrying out
the principles in his daily life that he sought
to impress upon others.
J. R. Quayle was born in Peoria county,
Illinois, December 5, 1859, the son of Rob-
ert Quayle, a native of the Isle of Man, a
full blooded Manxman. He was an influ-
ential and high minded man, whose sterling
traits are somewhat reflected in the life of
his son, our subject. He migrated to
America about 1856, locating first in Henry
county, Illinois, where he farmed. After
living there for a short time he moved to
Peoria county, later to Marion county in
January, 1866. He was a hard worker and
made a success of whatever he undertook.
He was called from his labors in Septem-
ber, 1879, while living in Marion county.
He was a great Bible student and he read
and talked the Manx language fluently.
James Quayle, grandfather of the subject,
was born, reared and spent his entire life
on the Isle of Man, and his death occurred
there. His wife was a Miss Harrison, who
reached the remarkable age of ninety-six
years.
The mother of the subject was Ellen
(Corlett) Quayle, also a native of the Isle
of Man, where she, too, was reared, and
where she married Robert Quayle. She
was a woman of many estimable traits, hav-
ing led a wholesome life and in her old age
was the recipient of many kindnesses at the
hands of her many friends and neighbors.
She made her home on the old homestead
near Vernon, Marion county, until her
death, September 6, 1908, where the Quayle
I'.IOC.KAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
family moved 'in 1866. This family con-
sisted of the following children, named in
order of their birth: Elizabeth, who died
in 1880; J. R., our subject; Anna, the wife
of Nathan Roberts, of Patoka, this county;
Thomas E., who lives in section 12, this
county, on a farm; James C, also a farmer
in Patoka township, Marion county; Kate,
who is the wife of J. C. Bates, of Patoka
township ; Mollie, who makes her home with
her mother ; Mona, the wife of G. I. Arnold,
of Foster township, Marion county.
These children are all comfortably situ-
ated in life and received good common
school education. They are all highly re-
spected and lead such well regulated lives as
their parents outlined for them in their
childhood.
J. R. Ouayle, our subject, attended the
country schools east of Vernon until 1880,
working at intervals on his father's farm.
He was always a close student and made the
most of his opportunities. After complet-
ing the course in the common schools he
was not satisfied with the knowledge he had
gained and entered school in the University
at Valparaiso, Indiana, taking the teachers'
course, also a commercial course. He made
a brilliant record at this institution for
scholarship and good deportment.
Believing that teaching was his proper
field of activity Mr. Quayle began his first
school in 1878 and he taught the major part
of the time up to 1906 with the greatest
success attending his efforts, during which
time he became widely known not only in
Marion but adjoining counties as an able
instructor and his services were in great de-
mand. He was not only well grounded in
the text-books employed in the schools
where he taught but his pleasing personality
made him popular with his pupils, the vari-
ous phases of whose natures he seemed to
understand and sympathize with, so that he
inspired each one to do his best in the work
at hand, and many of his pupils have since
won distinction in various lines of endeavor,
all freely admitting that their success was
due in a large measure to the training and
influence of Mr. Quayle. The teaching of
our subject was confined to Marion county
with the exception of two years which were
spent in Fayette county, where he also be-
came popular.
Mr. Quayle has been twice married. His
first wedding occurred January 8, 1889, to
Lyda E. Livesay, the accomplished daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Livesay, a well
known family of Patoka township, Marion
county, and to this union four children were
born as follows : Guy, born in 1891, died at
the age of seven years; Gladys E., born in
1892; Fanny, now deceased, who was born
in 1897; Roberta, who was born in 1900.
The subject's first wife was called to her
rest in June, 1906, and Mr. Quayle was
married December 15, 1907, to Ida M.
Quails, daughter of Alfred Quails. She is
a member of an influential family of Salem
and was born and reared there.
Mr. Quayle has been an influential factor
in politics in his county, always assisting in
placing the best local men available in the
county offices and his support can always
be depended upon in furthering any worthy
movement looking to the better interest of
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
75
the community and county. In 1883, 1888
and 1889 he was Tax Collector of Patoka
township, having been easily elected to this
office and performed the duties of it in a
most satisfactory manner. He was chosen
by his friends to the responsible position of
Supervisor in 1901 and 1902 and elected
County Clerk on the Democratic ticket in
1906, and is now, 1908, serving his first
term. He is said to be one of the ablest men
in this office that the county has ever had,
being careful and painstaking as well as
congenial and friendly so that all his con-
stituents are very highly pleased with his
record. They predict that he will become a
very potent factor in local politics in the
near future.
Mr. Quayle is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs
and the Woodmen. He takes a great deal
of interest in lodge work and his daily life
would indicate that he believes in carrying
out the noble precepts of these commendable
orders.
Mr. Quayle is not only a public-spirited
and honorable man in his official and busi-
ness life, but he leads a most wholesome
home life and sets a worthy example for his
children and others, delighting in the higher
ideals of life as embraced in educational,
civic and religious matters. Both he and
his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and no people in Marion
county are the recipients of higher respect
and genuine esteem from their many friends
than they.
HENRY WARREN.
Prominent among the energetic, far-
sighted and successful business men of
Marion county, Illinois, is the subject of this
sketch, whose life history most happily il-
lustrates what may be attained by faithful
and continued effort in carrying out an hon-
est purpose. Integrity, activity and energy
have been the crowning points in his career
and have led to desirable and creditable suc-
cess. His connection with banking institu-
tions and various lines of business has been
of decided advantage to the entire com-
munity, promoting its welfare along various
lines in no uncertain manner, while at the
same. time he has made an untarnished rec-
ord and unspotted reputation as a business
man.
Henry Warren, the widely known bank
president and gallant Civil war veteran of
Kinmundy, Marion county, Illinois, was
born in this county in 1845, the son of Asa
Warren and his mother's maiden name was
Sina Howell. Grandfather Howell was sup-
posed to have come from Virginia, settling
with the pioneers in Marion county, Illinois,
in a very early day, and spending his life
on a farm doing much for the upbuilding
of the community. He entered land from
the government on which he spent the re-
mainder of his life and on which he reared
his family. He lived to be more than
eighty years of age. He was a member of
the old Hardshell Baptist church, as was
also his wife. . One of the first log churches
built in this community was erected on his
I:K><;KAPHICAL AND RKMIXISCKXT HISTORY OF
farm, of which he was one of the principal
supporters. The major portion of his
neighbors were Indians when he first came
to this county, and the woods and prairies
teemed with wild game of nearly all species
and varieties. There were but few settle-
ments in the county at that time. The
green flies were so thick and aggressive that
people could not cross the prairies in the
day time during part of the year. He man-
aged this farm until his death which then
fell to his heirs. All of the second genera-
tion of Howells have passed on to their
rest.
Asa Warren, father of our subject, came
from Tennessee to Illinois when a young
man and entered land from the government.
He sold out in time and moved to Texas
where he died when fifty-five years of age,
being survived by four children, three of
whom were boys. He was a man of much
influence, integrity and force of character.
He was a gallant soldier in the Mexican
war, having served until peace was declared
after which he returned to Illinois. He fol-
lowed farming all his life. Both he and his
wife belonged to the old school Baptists.
The subject's mother was called to her rest
at about the age of forty years. She was
a kindly and good woman in every respect.
Henry Warren, our subject, was reared in
Marion county, Illinois, having attended the
common and district schools, part of the
time in old log school-houses with their
primitive furnishings. He worked most of
the year on his father's farm during his
school days. He was about twelve years old
when he accompanied his father to Texas,
and he returned from the Lone Star state to
Illinois one year after his father's death,
the home place in Texas having been sold.
Then our subject worked out as a farm
hand, sometimes receiving only eight dol-
lars a month, continuing as a farm hand for
twelve years. He then rented land for two
years. Then he married and bought eighty
acres of land which he improved and made
into a good farm on which he lived for about
thirty-eight years, which were prosperous,
in the main, and during which he laid up a
competency for the future. From time to
time he added to his original eighty until
he finally had eight hundred acres, all of
which was in cultivation and kept in a high
state of improvement and efficiency. He
drained this large tract of land and securely
fenced it with wood and wire. Substantial
and modern buildings, a large dwelling,
two barns and other out buildings were
erected, and the place, which Mr. Warren
still owns, is one of Marion county's model
farms. While he still looks after the farm
he keeps it rented. When our subject gave
his personal attention to this place it was
in somewhat better condition and he devoted
him time largely to grass and stock.
Mr. Warren moved to Kinmundy in 1896
and one year later opened under the most
favorable auspices what is known as the
Warren Banking Company's establishment,
which met with instantaneous success and
is today regarded as one of the most sub-
stantial and safest institutions of its kind
in this part of the state. He is president
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
77
of the same, having filled this position with
much credit to his ability and the satisfac-
tion of the many patrons of the bank since
its establishment. His son, Henry L., who
was made cashier at the organization of
the concern, is still ably attending to these
duties. Mr. Warren owns the substantial
building in which the business of the firm
is conducted. He also owns a large, com-
fortable, modern and elegantly furnished
dwelling house besides other buildings on
the same street where he lives in Kinmundy.
He deserves much credit for the wealth he
has amassed partly because of the fact that
he started life empty handed and has made
it unaided, and partly because he has not a
single dishonest dollar in his possession, hav-
ing always been scrupulously honest in his
dealings with his fellow men. During the
last panic and bank depression his was the
only bank that kept open in the county.
Mr. Warren was first married in 1867 to
Mary C. Nichols, a native of this county,
the accomplished daughter of Robert
Nichols, and to this union the following
children were born : William, born October
6, 1868, now a farmer and minister in Jef-
ferson county, Illinois, to whom two chil-
dren were born; Harry L., born September
i, 1871, is living in Kinmundy associated
with his father in the banking business, and
who is married and the father of one child ;
Charley W., born March 21, 1874, is as-
sistant cashier in the bank, being married
and the father of one child, Lowel F., born
October 27, 1897.
Mr. Warren's first wife passed to her rest
in 1903, and the subject was again married
in 1906, his last wife being Ida Shriver,
a native of Marion county and the daughter
of William Schriver, who was a native of
Ohio. One child has been born to this
union, May Margaret, whose date of birth
fell on January 14, 1908.
Mr. Warren was one of the patriotic de-
fenders of the flag during the dark days of
the sixties when the fierce fires of rebellion
were undermining the pillars of our national
government, and he enlisted in Company E,
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with
credit and distinction to the close of the war
and was honorably discharged. He draws
a disability pension of twelve dollars. One
brother, Larkin A. Warren, was also a sol-
dier, having been a member of Sixth Mis-
souri Cavalry. He died at New Orleans
while in the army, after having served out
his first enlistment of three years, and it
was toward the close of the struggle when
he was attacked by a disease while in line
of duty from which he did not recover.
Our subject is a loyal Republican and in
religious affiliations is a liberal subscriber
and supporter of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Warren's methods are progressive and
he is quick to adopt new ideas which he be-
lieves will prove of practical value in his
work. Indolence and idleness are entirely
foreign to his nature and owing to his close
application to his business and his honorable
methods he has won prosperity that is richly
merited, while he enjoys the friendship and
esteem of the people of Marion county.
IHOC.KAPHICAL AXI) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
FRANK A. BOYNTON.
Through struggles to triumph seems to
be the maxim which holds sway for the ma-
jority of our citizens and, though it is un-
deniably true that many a one falls ex-
hausted in the conflict, a few by their in-
herent force of character and strong men-
tality rise above their environments and all
which seems to hinder them until they
reach the plane of affluence. It is not the
weaklings that accomplish worthy ends in
the face of opposition but those with nerve
and initiative whose motto is, "He never
fails who never gives up," and with this
terse aphorism ever in view, emblazoned on
the pillar of clouds, as it were, before them,
they forge ahead until the sunny summits
of life are reached and they can breath a
breath of the purer air that inspires the
souls of men in respite. Such has been the
history of Frank A. Boynton and in his life
record many useful lessons may be gained.
Mr. Boynton was born four miles east of
Salem in Stevenson township, April 18,
1 86 1, the son of John Boynton, a native of
Haverhill, Scioto county, Ohio, who came to
Illinois about 1859, settling on the farm on
which his widow now resides. John Boyn-
ton was a prosperous and influential farmer
all his life. He ably served as school di-
rector of Stevenson township for many
years, and after a very successful and useful
life he passed away in 1900.
The grandfather of the subject on his pa-
ternal side was Asa Boynton, who was a
native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who mi-
grated to Ohio in an early day and settled
on the French "grant" in Ohio, and the
place where he settled was named Haverhill,
after the Massachusetts town from whence
he came. He was, like many of the early
pioneers, a man of sterling qualities, brave
and a hard worker.
The subject's mother was Eliza Copen-
hagen, born near Ironton, Ohio, on the land
where the town is situated. Her people
came from Virginia, having been among
the fine old Southern families who migrated
from that state to Ohio in the early days.
She has made her home on the old home-
stead in Stevenson township from that time
to the present day, and there she is held in
highest esteem by a host of acquaintances
and friends. Eight children were born to
Mr. and .Mrs. John Boynton, six of whom
are living at this writing (1908). Their
names are: Asa died when fourteen years
old; Frank, our subject; Elmer, of Salem,
Illinois ; Lucy who passed to her rest in
1905; Loren K., of Ruleville, Mississippi;
John Ellis, who lives with his mother in
Stevenson township; Delmont, who lives in
Stevenson township on a farm joining the
parental homestead ; Ida, who lives with her
mother.
Frank A. Boynton, our subject, spent his
boyhood under the parental roof and re-
ceived his primary education in the Bru-
baker school in Stevenson township. He
worked on the farm during his young man-
hood and he has ahvavs been identified with
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
79
farming interests ; he now owns a fine farm,
highly improved and very productive, lo-
cated in the northern part of Stevenson
township. It consists of over five hundred
acres, and no more choice land is to be
found in this locality. He went to Wheeler,
Jasper county, Illinois, in 1891, and was a
storekeeper and gauger there where he re-
mained for two years, making a success of
his enterprise, but he returned to his farm
in Stevenson township and in about 1903
came to Salem and is now engaged in the
real estate and loan business with offices in
L. M. Kagy's law office. He helped organ-
ize the Salem State Bank of which he is a
heavy stockholder and director. He operated
a threshing machine for twelve years with
great success in Stevenson township, and he
has been a stock shipper the greater part of
his life.
Thus we see that Mr. Boynton has been
a very busy man, and also one that had
unusual executive ability else he could not
have carried to successful issue so many ex-
tensive enterprises.
Our subject was married in 1892 to Anna
Stevenson, daughter of Samuel E. Steven-
son, a well known family of Stevenson
township. One winsome child was born to
this union, Gladys. At the time of his mar-
riage Mr. Boynton was living on his farm.
His first wife was called to her rest Febru-
ary 1 6, 1897, ar >d our subject was again
married May 17, 1906, his last wife being
Ethel Stevenson. No children have been
born to this union. Mrs. Boynton presides
over their modern, commodious, beautiful
and elegantly furnished home on South
Broadway with rare grace and dignity, and
she is frequently hostess to numerous ad-
miring friends of the family.
Possessing the executive skill and pleas-
ing personality that our subject does, it is
not surprising that his friends should have
singled him out for political preferment,
consequently he has been honored with nu-
merous local offices, all of which he has ably
and creditably filled to the entire satisfac-
tion of all concerned. He has served as
Clerk of Stevenson township and later
served two terms as Supervisor of that town-
ship. He is now city Alderman from the
Second ward of Salem. Useless to say our
subject is a loyal Republican, and he was at
one time the nominee of his party for Sher-
iff, and at another time for Treasurer, but
was defeated. He, however, made a most ex-
cellent race, being defeated by only a few
votes, although the county is strongly Demo-
cratic. He is, indeed, a public-spirited citizen
and witholds his co-operation from no move-
ment which is intended to promote public
improvement. What he has achieved in life
proves the force of his character and illus-
trates his steadfastness of purpose. He is
now one of the men of affluence and his
advancement to a position of credit and
honor in the business circles of Marion
county is the direct outcome of his own
persistent and worthy labors, and it would
be hard to find a more popular or congenial
gentleman in this section of the state than
Mr. Boynton.
8o
riOC.KAPIIICAL AND REMIX ISCKXT HISTORY OF
JAMES F. HOWELL.
Examine into the life records of the self-
made men and it will always be found that
indefatigable industry forms the basis of
their success. True there are other elements
that enter in perseverance of purpose and
keen discrimination which enable one to
recognize business opportunities, but the
foundation of all achievement is earnest, per-
sistest labor. This fact was recognized at
the outset of his career by the worthy gen-
tleman whose name forms the caption of this
article and he did not seek to gain any short
or wondrous method to the goal of prosper-
ity. He began, however, to work earnestly
and diligently in order to advance himself
in the business world, at the same time do-
ing what he could for the welfare of the
community at large, and as a result of his
habits of industry, public spirit, courteous
demeanor and honorable career he enjoys
the esteem and admiration of a host of
friends in Marion county, where he has long
maintained his home and where he is known
as one of the representative citizens of the
great state of Illinois.
James F. Howell was born in Marion
county, this state, March 25, 1840, and he
has elected to spend his entire life on his na-
tive heath, believing that better opportuni-
ties were to be found at home than in other
and distant fields of endeavor. He is the
son of Jackson D. and Agnes (Gray) How-
ell. Grandfather Howell came to Illinois
from Tennessee in 1825, settling in this
county, having taken up land from the gov-
ernment, eighty acres at the time of his com-
ing. He afterward bought one hundred and
twenty acres more from the government, a
part of which was timbered and a part was
on the prairie. He cleared the timber land,
this being the part he first purchased, clear-
ing and farming the timbered land first.
There were not any settlements on the prai-
rie at that time, all the settlements there
were then being in the timbered lands. The
first Monday in May each year was wolf
day. All the settlers gathered on that day
and made a general drive, often taking large
numbers of prairie wolves. There were also
large numbers of deer at that time and our
subject has helped kill as many as forty or
fifty at one time. Grandfather Howell lived
on the land he secured from the government
during the rest of his life, being known as
one of the strongest characters of those
pioneer times. He reached the age of
eighty-five years, his wife having been called
to rest at the age of fifty. There were ten
children in this family, all of whom lived to
maturity and reared families of their own.
The subject's grandfather was the fifth in
order of birth. Two of these children lived
to be over eighty years of age. The others
lived to be about seventy.
The subject's father obtained what little
education he could in the district schools of
this county; however, there was but little op-
portunity for schooling at that time. He
worked on his father's farm until after he
reached maturity, then he pre-empted land,
and lived on it, finally owning three hundred
and sixty acres, mostly prairie land, on
which he carried on general farming. He
made his home on this land during the rest
RICHLAND. CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
8l
of his life, owning it at the time of his death.
He died while on the road home from Cali-
fornia. His remains were brought to Kin-
mundy and laid to rest. He was a man of
fine personal traits and exercised much in-
fluence in the upbuilding of his community.
There were ten children in this family, six
of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Howell's
first wife was called to her rest at the age of
forty-one, and he was again married. To
this union two children were born, one liv-
ing, in 1908. The mother of the subject was
born in Tennessee and was brought to Illi-
nois by her parents when about six years
old.
James F. Howell, our subject, was born
about one and one-half miles from where
he now lives. The home he owns and oc-
cupies is the fourth one in which he has
lived since leaving his father's old home-
stead. Our subject now owns twenty-six
acres of the original purchase by his father
from the government. He has always de-
voted his time to agricultural pursuits, own-
ing at this writing one hundred and six
acres of as good farming land as may be
found in the county, being kept in a high
state of productiveness, general farming be-
ing carried on in a manner that stamps the
subject as one of the foremost farmers in
this locality.
Mr. Howell was married in 1858 to Isabel
J. Robb, who was born in the township
where she has always lived, being a repre-
sentative of a well known and highly re-
spected people. Her people came from Ten-
nessee, being among the earliest settlers in
6
this county. Mrs. Howell was called to her
reward February 3, 1907, at the age of
sixty-six years, after a harmonious and
beautiful Christian life.
The children born to this union are named
in order of birth as follows: Arminda H.,
born June 18, 1859, is the wife of H. A.
Brown, and the mother of eight children:
Reufinia E., born February 24, 1861, is the
wife of Benjamin Garrett and the mother of
five children; Leander, born April 24, 1863,
who became the father of four children, is
deceased ; Ida M. and Nettie, twins, were
born September 23, 1866, the latter dying
when four years old, the former becoming
the wife of G. C. Warner; Charles H., born
January 24, 1869, is married and has three
children : Samuel E., born January 12, 1871,
is married and has one child; Ellis M., born
January 12, 1875, is married; Eva M., born
November 14, 1877, became the wife of
Lloyd Perrill and is the mother of two chil-
dren : James E., born August 5, 1880, is
married and has one child. He now lives
in Roumania, in the employ of the Standard
Oil Company.
The subject has been twice married, hav-
ing been united in the bonds of wedlock with
his second wife February 20, 1908, his last
wife being Martha Anglin, a native of this
county, her people having come from Ten-
nessee in 1839. The maternal grandfather
of the subject's wife came from Ireland and
her father's people from Scotland, first set-
tling in Alabama, later moving to Tennessee
and then to Illinois, where they spent the
remainder of their lives.
82
MIOGKAIMIICAI. AM) KKM I N ISCKNT HISTORY (IK
Minerva Howell, an aunt of the subject
by marriage, was born in Tennessee in 1829.
Her people were from old Virginia, who lat-
er came to Illinois when she was one year
old, her father settling in Marion county,
later moving to Williamson county, Illinois,
where he died when about seventy years old.
Mrs. Howell remarried. She became the
mother of eleven children, four of whom
lived to maturity, two of them living in
1908. Her husband died at the age of
seventy-six. He was also born in Tennes-
see.
James F. Howell is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and in his political relations
he affiliates with the Democratic party. The
subject's first wife was a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church.
In matters pertaining to the welfare of his
township, county and state, Mr. Howell is
deeply interested, and his efforts in behalf of
the general progress have been far-reaching
and beneficial. His name is indelibly asso-
ciated with progress in the county of his
birth, and among those in whose midst he
has always lived he is held in the highest
esteem by reason of an upright life and of
fidelity to principles which in every land and
clime command respect.
BENJAMIN M. SMITH.
In studying the interesting life histories of
manv of the better class of men, and the
ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it
will be found that they have been compelled,
very largely, to map out their own career
and furnish their own motive force in scal-
ing the heights of success, and it is such a
one that the biographer is pleased to write
in the paragraphs that follow.
Benjamin M. Smith, the well known
cashier of the Salem State Bank, was born
in Central City, Illinois, December n, 1877,
the son of Samuel J. Smith, a native of St.
Clair county, Illinois, and a gentleman of
many sterling traits who became a man of
considerable influence in his community,
some of whose commendable characteristics
are inherited by his son, our subject. Samuel
J. Smith came to Marion county when a
young man and was engaged in the milling
business of which he made pronounced suc-
cess, having been in the county several years
when the Civil war began, and he continued
in this business during the progress of the
Rebellion. He took much interest in public
affairs. He was County Treasurer and
County Clerk for twenty years and Deputy
County Treasurer for four years. During
his long official record he conducted the af-
fairs that were entrusted to him in a manner
that reflected great credit upon his ability
and in a way that elicited much favorable
comment but no criticism from his con-
temporaries and constituents. He was
called to his rest April 5, 1906, after an emi-
nently successful and useful life.
The subject's grandfather, Benjamin J.
Smith, who was a native of the old Pine
Tree state (Maine), is remembered as a
man of unusual fortitude and courage, hav-
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ing been a composite of the usual elements
that go into the makeup of pioneers. He
came west in early life and was one of the
first settlers of St. Clair county, Illinois, of
which county he was at one time Sheriff,
one of the best, in fact, that the county ever
had. He was an active business man all his
life, having been in the commission busi-
ness in Chicago for a number of years,
where he became well known in the business
circles of the city in those days. He was
born in 1801, and after a remarkably active
career, reaching a venerable age, passed to
the silent land when in his ninetieth year.
The mother of the subject was in her
maidenhood Mary E. Martin, who was born
in Ohio on a farm near Wellsville. She is
in many respects a remarkable character,
benign, affable and her influence has always
been wholesome and uplifting, so that even
in the golden evening of her life she is a
blessing to those with whom she comes in
contact. She is the mother of three chil-
dren, namely: Irene, who died in infancy;
Irma, a woman of fine traits; and Benja-
min M., our subject.
Thus after a resume of the subject's
worthy ancestors we are not surprised that
he has achieved unusual distinction in his
community, and to him the future evidently
has much of good in store.
Benjamin M. Smith attended school in
Salem, graduating from the high school
where he had made a splendid record for
scholarship and deportment. Feeling that
he was destined for a business career, and
following in the footsteps of his father and
grandfather, he early began preparations to
enter the industrial field, and in order to
prepare himself more thoroughly took a
course in the Bryant & Stratton Business
College at St. Louis, Missouri, standing in
the front rank of his class when he gradu-
ated in 1900. Mr. Smith has been actively
engaged in business since he was sixteen
years old and he showed at that early age
that he was destined to the highest success.
He seems to be best fitted to the manage-
ment of banking institutions, although he
turns everything into success that he under-
takes. He has been cashier of banks for
seven years in 1908. He was cashier of
the Haymond State Bank, now the First
National Bank at Kinmundy, Illinois, for
two years, during which time the business of
this institution greatly increased. Then he
came to Salem and became associated with
the Salem State Bank of which he is a
stockholder and director and one of the or-
ganizers, in fact, one of the moving spirits
of the institution. Mr. Smith was also a
director in the bank at Kinmundy and is
still a stockholder in the same. Both these
institutions recognize his unusual industrial
ability and peculiar aptitude for managing
the affairs of a banking concern and the of-
ficials are not reluctant to give him all due
credit for the great work he has done in
placing these banks on a firm foundation and
making them among the solid and well
known institutions of their kind in this part
of the state.
Fraternally Mr. Smith belongs to the
Masonic Order, Knights Templar; also the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen and the
Eagles, and one would judge from his con-
sistent daily life that he believes in carrying
out the sublime principles and doctrines of
these worthy orders. In politics our subject
is a loyal Democrat, but he has not found
time to take an active part in political af-
fairs. However, he believes in placing the
best men possible in local offices and his
support can always be depended upon in
the advancement of any cause looking to
the development and betterment of his com-
munity and county.
Mr. Smith has preferred single blessed-
ness and has never assumed the responsi-
bilities of the married state.
Our subject is a very strong character in
every respect and although he is yet quite a
young man he has shown by his past excel-
lent and praiseworthy record that he is a
man of unusual industrial ability and the
future will doubtless be replete with honors
and success for him.
HON. JAMES CAMERON ALLEN.
An enumeration of the representative
citizens of Richland county who have won
recognition and success for themselves and
at the same time have conferred honor up-
on the community would be decidedly in-
complete were there failure to make men-
tion of the popular gentleman whose name
initiates this review, who has long held
worthy prestige in legal and political circles,
and has always been distinctively a man of
affairs, but is now living retired. He wields
a wide influence among those with whom
his lot has been cast, ever having the af-
fairs of his county at heart and doing what
he could to aid in its development.
James Cameron Allen was born in Shel-
by county, Kentucky, January 29, 1822, the
son of Benjamin and Margaret (Youel)
Allen, natives of Augusta county, Virginia,
the former of Irish and the latter of Scotch
descent. Grandfather John Allen was born
in Ireland on the famous Shannon river,
and when about twenty years old he came
to America alone and settled in Xew Jersey,
where he married and later moved to Rock-
bridge county, Virginia, and engaged in
farming, where he lived and died. Grand-
father William Youel, was born in Scotland
and came to America when young, located
in Augusta county, Virginia, on a farm and
became an extensive stock raiser for that
time. He served in the Revolutionary war,
being slightly wounded at the battle of
Cowpens. After the British army had been
driven away, he picked up a large powder
horn, which had been used by an English
soldier. It was given to one of his sons,
and became a valuable historical relic. Our
subject used the same when a boy, while
squirrel hunting. Grandfather Youel died
in Virginia, at an advanced age, after rear-
ing a large family. The father of our sub-
ject was a farmer and when young learned
the trade of cycle maker. He kept a set of
blacksmith tools as long as he lived. Short-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ly after his marriage he emigrated to Shelby
county, Kentucky, having made the trip on
horseback, carrying all his earthly posses-
sions on one pack horse. This was in 1803,
when the country was covered with primeval
woods and overrun by Indians. In 1830 he
came to Parke county, Indiana, and located
on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
having bought part of the land from the
man who had entered it and which had on
it a small cabin and a few acres which had
been cleared. He improved the place and
developed a good farm, which he later sold
and retired. He died in Parke county, in
1849, his wife having died in 1832. They
were people of much sterling worth, typical
pioneers. To them were born ten children,
of whom our subject was the seventh in
order of birth, all now deceased except the
subject and one sister, Elvina, who is living
in West Liberty, Iowa.
The subject was eight years old when the
family came to Indiana. He remained at
home until he was eighteen years old, help-
ing clear the farm and assisting in the work
about the place, in the meantime attending
the country subscription schools during the
winter months. When eighteen years old
he went to Rockville, Indiana, and entered
the County Seminary, from which he grad-
uated three years later, having carefully ap-
plied himself and making a splendid rec-
ord. Being out of money at that time, he
returned home and rented his father's farm
for one season, having realized two hundred
and eighty dollars as his share. With this
he went to Rockville and began the study
of law, in which he made rapid progress,
and was licensed to practice two years later,
in 1843. He located at Sullivan, Indiana,
then the new county-seat, but was a small
village in the woods. Here he practiced
with much success attending his efforts until
1847. He held the office of Prosecuting At-
torney for one term of two years, and was
one of the leading young attorneys 6f that lo-
cality. He then located at Palestine, Illinois,
where he followed his profession for a period
of twenty-nine years, becoming known as one
of the ablest attorneys in the county, and
having a very extensive clientele. He then
located in Olney, in November, 1876, and
he has since lived at this place, having built
up a very large practice. He retired in 1907.
While living in Crawford county, Illinois,
he was elected to the Lower House of the
Legislature in 1850, on the Democratic
ticket and served with great credit. Such
a splendid record did he make that he was
nominated and triumphantly elected two
years later to Congress from his district, at
that time, the Fifth district, and was re-
elected in 1854, serving two terms, making
his influence felt in that body where his
counsel was always respectfully listened to,
and often followed with gratifying results.
During his first term the Kansas and Ne-
braska fight was up. During the second
term the defeat for slavery for Kansas was
accomplished. His voice was heard in the
debates of those strenuous times.
In 1856 Mr. Allen was not a candidate
for re-election, but he became Clerk of the
House during that session of Congress. In
86
nilXIK.UMlICAL AXI) UKM IN1SCKNT HISTORY OF
March, 1860, he came home and in that year
was the Democratic candidate for Governor
of Illinois, against Yates. He made a
splendid race and the election showed that
he was a popular man throughout the state,
notwithstanding his defeat. In April, 1861,
he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court,
and in the fall of 1863 resigned as Judge to
accept tne place of Congressman-at-large,
to which he had been elected in 1862. He
was a candidate for re-election, but was
defeated by Samuel Moulton. During his
terms in Congress he witnessed stirring
times for it was while the Civil war was
in progress.
Returning home Mr. Allen practiced law
until 1873, when he was re-elected Judge
of the Circuit Court, and after the passage
of the law establishing appellate courts, he
was appointed by the Supreme Court as Ap-
pellate Judge, occupying both positions un-
til 1879. He then engaged in practice until
his retirement in 1907, having liked the
practice better than being on the bench. He
has been United States Commissioner since
1896, for Southern and Eastern Illinois.
The happy and harmonious domestic life
of our subject began January 22, 1845,
when he was married to Ellen Kitchell, a
native of Palestine, Illinois, the representa-
tive of an influential family of that place.
To this union three children were born, who
died in infancy. The subject's first wife
was called to her rest in 1853 and in 1857
he married Julia Kitchell, cousin of his first
wife, by whom seven children were born,
namely : Harry, who was court reporter for
five years, is deceased; Frances is the wife
of John T. Ratcliff, of Olney; Caroline is
living at home keeping house for her father ;
James H. resides in Robinson, Illinois;
Frederick W. is deceased; William Y. is
living at home; Margaret is also a member
of the home circle. The second wife of our
subject, a woman of many beautiful at-
tributes, passed away in 1901. Mr. Allen
has long been a pillar in the Presbyterian
church, having been the ruling elder in the
same since 1850.
Thus standing out distinctly as one of
the central figures of the judiciary of the
great commonwealth of Illinois is the name
of Hon. James Cameron Allen. Long
prominent in legal circles and equally prom-
inent in public matters beyond the confines
of his own jurisdiction, with a reputation
in one of the most exacting professions that
has won him a name for distinguished ser-
vices second' to none of his contemporaries,
there is today no more prominent or honored
figure in the southern part of the state which
he has long dignified with his citizenship.
Achieving success in the courts at an age
when most young men are just entering up-
on the 'formative period of their lives, wear-
ing the judicial ermine with becoming dig-
nity and bringing to every case submitted
to him a clearness of perception and ready
power of analysis characteristic of the
learned jurist, his name and work for half
a century have been allied with legal insti-
tutions, public enterprises and political in-
terests of the state in such a way as to earn
him recognition as one 'of the distinguished
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
citizens in a community noted for the high
order of its legal talent. A high purpose
and an unconquerable will, vigorous men-
tal powers, diligent study and devotion to
duty are some of the means by which he
has made himself eminently useful. He is
honored and esteemed by all who know him
for his life of honor and usefulness, his in-
tegrity, kindness and genial manners and
the good he has accomplished for his state
cannot be adequately expressed.
JOHN C. MARTIN.
The subject of this sketch is a native son
of Marion county, Illinois, and a represen-
tative of one of its sterling and honored
families. He is known as a young man of
fine intellectuality and marked business
acumen. He is cashier of the Salem Na-
tional Bank, one of the most substantial in-
stitutions of its kind in this part of the
state.
John C. Martin was born in Salem April
29, 1880, the son of B. E. Martin, Sr., a
sketch of whom appears upon another page
of this volume.
Our subject attended the schools of Salem
in his early youth where he applied himself
in a most assiduous manner, having made
excellent records for scholarship and general
deportment, and as a result of his well ap-
plied time to his text-books he received a
good education which has subsequently been
broadened and deepened by contact with the
world and systematic home study. After
finishing the prescribed course in the home
schools he spent two years at Jacksonville,
Illinois, one year at the Jacksonville College,
and one at Brown's Business College, hav-
ing stood high in his classes in each.
At the early age of twenty-eight years, a
period when most men are just launching
into a career or tentatively investigating the
world that lies before them in order to test
their potential powers, Mr. Martin had al-
ready shown that he is a man of marked ex-
ecutive and business ability. He assumed
the responsible and exacting position of
cashier of the Salem National Bank in April
1907, whose duties he is faithfully perform-
ing to the entire satisfaction of all con-
cerned. He is a stockholder in this institu-
tion, which is popular with all classes of
business men in Salem and throughout Mar-
ion county, where it has long maintained a
firm reputation for soundness owing to its
careful management and the unquestioned
integrity and scrupulously honest characters
of the gentlemen who have it under control.
Fraternally Mr. Martin is a loyal mem-
ber of the Masonic Order, the Woodmen and
the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The daily
life of the subject would indicate that he
believes in carrying out the noble precepts
of these praiseworthy orders.
HON. HARVEY D. McCOLLUM.
Clay county figures as one of the most
attractive, progressive and prosperous divi-
sions of the southern part of Illinois, justly
BIOGRAPHICAL AND RKM I X ISCEXT HISTORY OF
claiming a high order of citizenship and a
spirit of enterprise which is certain to con-
serve consecutive development and marked
advancement in the material upbuilding of
this section. The county has been and is
signally favored in the class of men who
have controlled its affairs in official capacity,
and in this connection the subject of this re-
view demands representation, as he is serv-
ing the locality faithfully and well in a po-
sition of distinct trust and responsibility, be-
ing the Representative in the State Legisla-
ture, having been elected to the Lower House
in the fall of 1908, among the youngest
members of that body ; but while the young-
est, he is far from the least important. On
the contrary he is an active, vigilant and
potent factor in that honored body. He
has achieved 'a brilliant record at the bar,
while yet a young man, and to such as he the
future augurs much in the way of success
and honor.
Harvey D. McCollum was born in Louis-
ville, Clay county, Illinois, March 13, 1879,
and he early decided to try his fortune with
his own people, rather than seek uncertain
fortune in other fields, as so many of his
early companions have done. He is the son
of James C. McCollum, also a native of Clay
county, now residing in Louisville, retired,
being one of the founders of the Farmers'
and Merchants' Bank of Louisville, and who
is now one of its directors. James C. McCol-
lum, grandfather of the subject, was a na-
tive of Kentucky, and the subject's great-
grandfather, Alexander McCollum, was one
of the six men killed at the battle of New
Orleans in the War of 1812, this battle hav-
ing been fought in 1815, and his name is
mentioned in President Roosevelt's history
of naval battles. Members of the McCollum
family were among the early settlers of Clay
county and they have been prominently iden-
tified with its history ever since the pioneer
days, having always taken a leading part in
the development of the community in every
way. Robert McCollum, uncle of the sub-
ject of this sketch, has lived in this county
for a period of seventy-five years, is one of
the oldest living pioneers of the county.
The mother of the subject, a woman of
many beautiful attributes, was known in
her maidenhood as Fanny Long, a daughter
of Darling Long, an old settler of Clay
county. She is still living. To Mr. and
Mrs. J. C. McCollum four children were
bom, our subject being the only survivor.
Our subject was reared in Louisville
where he attended the high school from
which he graduated, having gained a good
common school education, for he was ambi-
tious and applied himself in a very careful
manner to his studies, outstripping may of
the less ardent plodders. Not being satis-
fied with what learning he had acquired up
to this point, he attended the University of
Illinois, taking the literary and law courses,
in which institution he remained for six
years, graduating in 1901, after making a
splendid record for scholarship.
After completing his course in the univer-
sity, Mr. McCollum returned home and at
once began the practice of law, his success
being instantaneous. He at once attracted
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
the attention of the political leaders of the
county, and he was the nominee of the Dem-
ocratic party for County Judge in 1902, and
while he headed his ticket, was defeated;
however, the splendid race he made gave
proof of his high standing with the people
of Clay county and forecasted future victo-
ries. He formed a law partnership that year
with A. M. Rose, which continued until Mr.
Rose was elected to the circuit bench.
Mr. McCollum was appointed Master in
Chancery for two terms, serving with much
credit and satisfaction from 1904 until 1908.
He is at this writing practicing law with
John W. Thomason, having formed a part-
nership, which still exists, in January, 1907.
It is generally regarded as one of the strong-
est law firms in this or adjoining counties,
and their office is always a busy place, their
many clients coming from all over the dis-
trict. As already stated, our subject made a
successful race for the Legislature during
the last election (1908), which event caused
general satisfaction throughout the county,
not only from friends, but members of other
parties, for everyone recognized Mr. McCol-
lum's ability and fidelity to duty, therefore
they know their interests will be carefully
guarded by him.
Mr. McCollum is unmarried. In his fra-
ternal relations he is a member of the Be-
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks No.
926, at Olney, the Knights of Pythias, the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Woodmen, and Masonic Order at Louisville.
Mr. McCollum is not a man who courts
publicity, yet it must be a pleasure to him, as
is quite natural, to know how well he stands
with his fellow citizens throughout this dis-
trict. The public is seldom mistaken in its
estimation of a man, and had Mr. McCollum
not been most worthy he could not have
gained the high position he now holds in
public and social life. Having long main-
tained the same without any abatement of
his popularity, his standing in the county is
perhaps now in excess of what it has ever
been. He has, by his own persistent and
praiseworthy efforts, won for himself a name
whose luster the future years shall only aug-
ment.
G. H. TRENARY.
The enterprise of the subject has been
crowned by success, as the result of rightly
applied principles which never fail in their
ultimate effect when coupled with integrity,
uprightness and a congenial disposition, as
they have been done in the present instance,
judging from the high standing of Mr. Tre-
nary among his fellow citizens whose un-
divided esteem he has justly won and re-
tained.
G. H. Trenary, the influential and popu-
lar superintendent of the Chicago & East-
ern Illinois Railroad Company, with offices
at Salem, Illinois, was born February 9,
1867, at Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Ran-
dolph B. Trenary, a native of Ohio who
came to Indiana when a boy. He was a lo-
comotive engineer, having run an engine
ilOCKAIMIICAL AND KKM I X ISCKXT HISTORY OF
during the Civil war and he followed this
profession all his life, becoming one of the
best known railroad men in his community.
He died in February, 1904, at Stone Bluff,
Indiana. The mother of the subject was
known in her maidenhood as Mollie Nor-
duft, a native of Williamsport, Indiana, and
the representative of a well known and
highly respected family there. She passed
to her rest in 1873. They were the parents
of four children, three boys and one girl,
namely: Charles W., of Kansas City, Mis-
souri; G. H., the subject of this sketch;
Evendar H., who died in 1888; Elizabeth,
the wife of Charles Mallett, of Stone Bluff,
Indiana.
Our subject attended the common schools
at Urbana, Illinois, leaving school when in
the eighth grade for the purpose of begin-
ning the study of telegraphy at Urbana.
Becoming an exeprt at this exacting profes-
sion he followed it together with that of
agent at various stations for thirteen years
with great satisfaction to his employers who
regarded him as one of the most efficient
and reliable men in this line of work in
their employ. He spent four years at Og-
den, Illinois; one year at Urbana, one year
at Waynetown, Indiana ; one year at Cham-
paign, Illinois ; two years at LeRoy, Illinois ;
three years at Veedersburg, Indiana; one
year at Hoopestown, Illinois. From 1896
to 1899 he was chief clerk to the general
superintendent of the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois Railroad Company at Chicago. For
five years our subject held the responsible
position of superintendent at Brazil, In-
diana, from 1899 to 1904, since which time
he has been superintendent of the Illinois
division of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois
road, with headquarters at Salem. The
offices of this road were located here in De-
cember, 1906, having been removed from
St. Elmo, this state. This road employs
about five hundred people in all departments.
The local offices occupy the entire third
floor of the Salem State Bank building and
is the busiest place in Salem. Mr. Trenary's
private office is also on this floor. Every-
thing is under a splendid system.
Mr. Trenary has jurisdiction over all
transportation, a very responsible position,
indeed, and one that not only requires a
superior talent along executive lines, but a
clear brain, sound judgment and steady hab-
its, but he has performed his duties so well
that the company deems his services indis-
pensable. This road has a departmental di-
vision system.
Our subject 1 was happily married in De-
cember, 1884, to Beulah R. Glascock, the
refined and accomplished daughter of H. J.
Glascock, an influential and highly respected
citizen of Ogden, Illinois.
The commodious, modern, cheerful and
model home of the subject and wife has
been blessed through the birth of the six
children whose names and dates of birth
follow in consecutive order: G. W., born
April 12, 1886, lives in Salem; Nell, born
December 30, 1887; Genevieve F., born
March i, 1893 ; Robert F., born October 22,
1895; H. Kenneth, born January 29, 1901;
Randolph Bryant, born January 26, 1904.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
These children have received every care
and attention, been given good educations
and each gives promise of bright and suc-
cessful futures, exemplifying in their daily
lives what a wholesome home environment
and careful parental training can do in de-
veloping well rounded and highly cultivated
minds and bodies.
Mr. Trenary moved his family to Salem
in December, 1906. He has been honored
by being chosen alderman for the city of
Salem. Although a loyal Republican and
well fortified in his political beliefs and anx-
ious to see the triumph of his party's prin-
ciples, Mr. Trenary has never aspired to
positions of public trust at the hands of his
fellow voters. However, his support can al-
ways be depended upon in the advancement
of all movements looking to the public weal
in his community whether educational,
moral or civic.
In his fraternal relations, the subject is a
member of the Masonic Order and the Mod-
ern Woodmen, and one would soon conclude
by a knowledge of his consistent and gen-
tlemanly daily life that he believed in carry-
ing out the sublime precepts of these
commendable organizations. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Trenary are members of the Christian
church. They are pleasant people to meet,
and their cozy home is often the mecca for
numerous admiring friends who seek the
cheerfulness and hospitality so freely and
unstintingly dispensed here. No better or
more popular people are to be found in Mar-
ion county and they justly deserve the high
esteem in which they are held.
JOHN A. BATEMAN.
There is much in the life record of the
subject of this sketch worthy of commenda-
tion and admiration, and his public career
is especially notable. Like many other
brainy, energetic young men who have left
their impress upon the magnificent develop-
ment of this part of the great Prairie state,
he did not wait for a specially brilliant open-
ing. Indeed, he could not wait, for his
natural industry would not have permitted
him to do so. In his early youth he gave
evidence of the possession of traits of char-
acter which have made his life exceptionally
successful and he is today admittedly one of
Clay county's foremost and best known
citizens.
John A. Bateman was born in Richlancl
county, Illinois, September 20, 1863, the
son of Thomas Bateman, who was a native
of Queenstown, Ireland, where a sister,
aunt of our subject, still resides. He came
to America when ' he was eighteen years old,
first settling in Ohio, near Cincinnati, where
he lived about three years, after which he
came to Richland county, Illinois, locating
on a farm, having lived in 'Richland county
two years, when he moved near Sailor
Springs, Clay county, where he lived until
his death, June 24, 1879. He was a man
of much sterling worth and many of his
praiseworthy traits seem to have been in-
herited by our subject. Grandfather
Michael Bateman was a native of Ireland,
where he lived and died. Our subject's
mother was Mary A. Mitchell, whose people
r.lOOR.M'll ICAI. \NI> RKMIMSCKNT HISTORY OK
were natives of North Carolina. She was
born near Bedford, Indiana, and is still liv-
ing at Sailor Springs, Clay county, Illinois.
She is a fine old lady of beautiful Christian
character.
The following children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Bateman: Lucinda Jane
died in infancy; John A., the subject of
this sketch; William, deceased; Charles, a
well-to-do farmer at Sailor Springs, this
county; Susanna, deceased; George P., liv-
ing at Sailor Springs; Abraham, deceased;
Robert, deceased.
Mr. Bateman spent his early life on the
farm and received his primary education
in the schools of Sailor Springs. He later
attended Hayward College at Fairfield, Il-
linois, for two or three terms. He also at-
tended the Teachers' Normal of Clay coun-
ty, having made a splendid record for schol-
arship in all these institutions. Not being
contented to leave school before he received
a high education, he borrowed money of old
Uncle Jim McKinney, and attended the
Mitchell College, at Mitchell, Indiana, com-
pleting the course.
His father dying when he was fifteen
years old, Mr. Bateman became the head
and support of the family, and although the
struggle was hard, it merely tended to de-
velop the sterner side of his nature and
spurred him to achievements that he other-
wise would never have known. After
leaving school he taught for five years in
the country with great success, becoming
known as one of the leading educators of
the county and his services were in great
demand. After his experience in teaching
he went into the real estate and insurance
business at Sailor Springs, also buying and
shipping wool and grain. He also opened
the first furniture store in that town and
while there he was elected the first Mayor of
the town, having become one of the leading
men of the community and who did a great
deal for the town's development. This was
in 1893. He remained there for ten years,
making a success of whatever business he
engaged in.
In 1898 Mr. Bateman was elected Coun-
ty Clerk on the Republican ticket, living at
the time in Sailor Springs. On June 22,
1899, he moved to Louisville. He was
elected to this office by twenty-four major-
ity. He was counted out, but was finally
seated by the Supreme Court. He was re-
nominated in 1902, and re-elected by a ma-
jority of three hundred and fifteen. Having
made such a splendid record he was re-
nominated in 1906 and re-elected by a ma-
jority of four hundred and twenty-seven in
the face of a strong fight. The Democratic
party took their regular nominee off the
ticket and placed the strongest man they
could in the race against him. He is now
(1908) serving his third term, and is re-
garded by everyone concerned as an excep-
tionally good officer, being careful and
painstaking, courteous to all and giving his
attention to the duties of the same with the
same keen discernment that characterizes
his own business affairs: in fact, he is said
by his many friends to be the best County
Clerk Clav ever had.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
93
Mr. and Mrs. Bateman are the parents of
four children, namely : Dolores, who at this
writing is fifteen years old; Chloe Irene is
twelve years old; Mark Hanna is deceased,
having died October 6, 1908; the fourth
child died in infancy.
Mr. Bateman was very much attached to
his baby son. Mark Hanna. whose untimely
death at the age of nearly eleven years great-
ly grieved him. The little boy was the pride
of his father's heart and upon him he lav-
ished his affection and care of an indulgent
lather.
Fraternally Mr. Bateman is a member of
the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias,
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ;
also the Modern Woodmen, Ben Hur, the
American Home Circle and the Rebekahs.
He is a member of the Christian church and
a liberal supporter of the same.
Our subject is a purely self-made man,
winning success by overcoming many ob-
stacles, and he deserves the high esteem in
which he is universally held, and is one of
Clay county's most popular men, claiming
a legion of friends in all parts of the county
and throughout this district. He has a
modern and elegantly furnished home, a
good driving horse and many other con-
veniences. His home place consists of five
acres. Mr. Bateman enjoys the fullest
measure of public confidence, because of the
honorable business methods he has ever fol-
lowed, and he is one of the most successful,
prominent and honored men in this portion
of Illinois.
G. A. IDLEMAN.
The subject of this sketch is one of
those men who have met with success along
the line of his chosen calling and he is today
one of the prosperous and respected mer-
chants of Salem, Marion county, where he
conducts a modern and attractive store, hav-
ing built up an extensive and lucrative busi-
ness by reason of his peculiar adaptability
for this line of work, his honesty of business
principles and his courteous and kind treat-
ment of customers whom he numbers by the
scores.
G. A. Idleman was born in Marion
county, Ohio, in 1844, the son of Jacob J.
Idleman, a native of Virginia, who moved
with his parents to Ohio when he was a
small boy. He devoted his life principally
to agricultural pursuits, but he also devoted
much time and labor along a higher plane
of action, that of Methodist minister, becom-
ing known as an able expounder of the Gos-
pel and a man of good deeds wherever he
went. He engaged in ministerial work for
forty years, having worked hard on his
farm during the week and preached on Sun-
day, and to show that he was an extraor-
dinarily sincere men and desirous to do good
for the sake of being true to the higher life
as outlined by the lowly Nazarene, he never
accepted a cent for his ministrial labors in
all those forty years, merely preaching for
the love of the work and the good he could
do, which was an incalculable amount. He
was called to his reward by the Good Shep-
94
moCKAI'HICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
herd whom he had so faithfully followed, in
1887, while living on his farm in Marion
county, Illinois, where he moved in 1865,
settling two miles south of Salem where he
resided the remainder of his life.
The grandfather of the subject was Jacob
Idleman, also a native of Virginia, and also
a farmer who was known as a man of in-
tegrity and many sterling qualities. He
reached the advanced age of eighty years,
dying in Marion county, Ohio, where he had
removed in an early day when the country
was wild and unsettled. The subject's
mother was Hannah Jones, whose people
came from Pennsylvania. Her people lived
to be very old, her mother having reached
the remarkable age of ninety years. The
subject's mother, a woman of gracious per-
sonal qualities, is still living in 1908, on the
old farm homestead south of Salem at the
still more remarkable age of ninety-four
years.
Ten children constituted the family of the
parents of our subject, four having died in
infancy and two having passed away after
reaching maturity. Those living are : G.
A., our subject; Samantha, the widow of E.
W. Thompson, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs.
Gallic M. Kell, the widow of William Kell,
living in Salem ; Mrs. Belle Sipes, who lives
on a farm near Omega, Illinois.
G. A. Idleman, our subject, spent his boy-
hood days in Marion county, Ohio, where he
received a common school education and
where he remained until he was twenty years
old, having assisted with the farm work
while going to school. He came to Salem,
Illinois, in 1865 with his parents, and has
continued to make this his home. He farmed
until he was thirty years old, thereby getting
a good start in life. Since that time he has
been engaged from time to time in various
lines of business. He has been in the mer-
cantile business here for a period of twenty-
five years, most of the time in business for
himself, but part of the time he was asso-
ciated in business with others. He has been
engaged in the grocery business for the past
eight years, since 1900, and which he still
conducts, having built up an excellent and
lucrative trade as the result of courteous
treatment to customers and his expert
knowledge of the mercantile business, hav-
ing always made this line of work pay, not
only yielding him a comfortable living, but
enabling him to gradually increase his busi-
ness and at the same time lay up an ample
competency for his old age. His customers
are not confined to Salem and vicinity, but
he is well known throughout Marion county,
having always given his customers entire
satisfaction as to the quality of goods he
handles and to price, consequently he seldom
loses a customer. Mr. Idleman built his
present store building on First South street,
which is one of the neatest and most sub-
stantial stores in Salem.
Mr. Idleman was united in marriage in
1870 to Mattie Clark, the representative of
one of Salem's well known families. To
this union one child has been born, Mrs.
Lydia M. Hubbs, of Chicago. The subject
was married again May 14, 1902, to Agnes
Ray, the daughter of Riley Rose. She was
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
95
born and reared in Salem. They have no
children. Their home is a commodious
and nicely furnished one in the most de-
sirable residence district of Salem, and is
frequently the gathering place for numerous
friends of the family.
Our subject has served his community in
a most efficient and commendable manner as
assessor of Salem township, having been
the first Republican assessor ever elected in
this township. In his fraternal relations he
belongs to the Red Men, of Odin, Illinois.
Both he and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject
has ever taken an active interest in the wel-
fare of the community and gives an earnest
support to every movement for the public
welfare. A man of fine personal traits, he
is highly regarded by all who know him,
and he is counted one of Salem's most pro-
gressive and worthy business men.
REV. JOHN BUENGER.
The mission of a great soul -m this world
is one that is calculated to inspire a multi-
tude of others to better and grander things,
and its subsequent influence cannot be meas-
ured in meets and bounds, for it affects the
lives of those with whom it comes in con-
tact, broading and enriching them for all
time to come. He who spends his life inter-
pretating the Divine Word has one of the
greatest missions to perform vouchsafed to
man. The subject of this sketch is one of
that number and worthily wears the honor
in proper meekness and reserve.
Rev. John Buenger, minister of the Ger-
man Lutheran church in luka township,
Marion county, was born at Burg, near
Magdeburg, Germany, April 17, 1869, the
son of Otto and Antonie (Ruehlmaun)
Buenger, both natives of Germany, having
spent their lives in that country. The sub-
ject's father, who was a minister, is de-
ceased. He did a great work in the Evan-
gelical church in Germany. The mother of
our subject is still living in the fatherland.
They were the parents of eight children,
namely: Max, Werner, Sophia, Emil;
Adolph and John, our subject, are twins;
Eliza. and Erich, who is also a minister. He
and the subject are the only ones who ever
came to America. The above named chil-
dren are all living.
The early education of Rev. John
Buenger was obtained in Germany. He
came to America in 1891 and attended Con-
cordia College at St. Louis, Missouri, for
two years. He then went to Madison
county, Texas, in 1893, where he took
charge of a church. He remained in Texas
for ten years. He had very difficult charges
in Madison, Fayette and Fannin counties,
that state, but he did much good there in
strengthening the congregations of his dif-
ferent charges. In 1903 he came to his
present pastorate in Marion county, Illinois,
the German Lutheran Trinity church. He
has done a great work here, having com-
pleted in 1908 a beautiful and substantial
church edifice, costing two thousand seven
LIOGKAPHICAL AND RKM IX ISCKXT HISTORY OF
hundred dollars. He also conducts the pa-
rochial school near the church, ably assisted
by his wife, whom he married in 1894, her
maiden name having been Louisa Franke,
who was born in Barmen, Germany, the
daughter of Henry and Jane Menkhoff, both
of whom died in Germany. Henry Menk-
hoff was a teacher in the old country.
Six children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife as follows: Ruth, Gertrude,
Hans, Antonett, Frieda and Paul. Our
subject is well liked by his congregation and
by everyone who has had the fortune to
know him. He is an earnest and able ex-
pounder of the Gospel.
JOHN B. CONANT.
This venerable pioneer and representative
agriculturist of Kinmundy township, Ma-
rion county, Illinois, has lived on the farm
which is now his home practically all his life,
and thus he has witnessed and taken part in
the development of this section of the state
from a sylvan wild to its present status as
an opulent agricultural and industrial com-
munity. He early began to contribute to the
work of clearing and improving the land of
its primitive forests, later assisted in estab-
lishing schools and better public improve-
ments and facilities, while his course has
been so directed as to retain for him the un-
qualified approval and esteem of the com-
munity in which he has so long made his
home, until today he is regarded as one of
the most substantial and influential citizens
of the township, deserving of the greatest
credit from the fact that he began life un-
aided and without the tender guidance of
parents, being compelled to go it alone from
early childhood, but such stern discipline,
somewhat unpleasant and regrettable, was
not without its value, for it fostered in the
lad an independent spirit and gave him that
fortitude and courage that has made for sub-
sequent success.
John B. Conant is a native of this county,
having been born here February 17, 1839,
the son of Airs Conant, who came to Mas-
sachusetts from England, there being three
brothers of the Conant family on the ship,
one of whom settled in Baltimore, another
in the North and one, Airs Conant, went to
Georgia and joined the United States army
for the purpose of taking part in the War of
1812, having fought faithfully throughout
the struggle, being wounded in the hand.
After the war he returned to Georgia, where
he settled, and married Polly Pepper, to
which union eleven children were born, John
B. Conant being the youngest son. Airs Co-
nant and wife moved to Marion county, Il-
linois in an early day while the country was
still a wilderness. He partly improved sev-
en different farms, selling each and moved
to Missouri, pre-empting all the land he had
from the government. All the members of
this pioneer family have passed away with
the exception of our subject.
The father of our subject also taught
school in Marion county, having been hired
to teach a subscription school four miles
from home, the first term lasting three
MR. AND MRS. J. B. CONANT.
THE
1 INOIS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
months, the second term being of the same
duration; however, he taught only one
month on the second term, when he stopped
to put out a crop of corn. He worked too
hard and drank too much water while over-
heated, which caused his death in less than
a week, leaving a large famaily to struggle
with the wilderness and the clearing of a
new country. The mother of our subject
also passed away one week after her hus-
band's death, leaving John B., then eight
years old, to live with his older brother, Wil-
liam, with whom he remained until he was
fourteen years old, at which time he chose
his own guardian, Mark Cole, who cared
for our subject in a manly and fatherly man-
ner and procured a land warrant for him,
but the land was afterward sold for the lack
of payment of one hundred dollars.
Our subject's early education was limited
to the district schools, his first school having
been taught by his father, but he is well ed-
ucated and he has always been a most suc-
cessful farmer, beginning life with nothing,
as before stated, he wisely applied his energy
and managed his affairs with that foresight
and discrimination that always brings suc-
cess, and his farm properly consists of sev-
en hundred acres of as fine land as is to be
found in this locality. However, it has been
divided up and apportioned among his chil-
dren, there now being (1908) one hundred
and ninety-three acres in the home place,
which are kept in a high state of cultiva-
tion and well improved, showing that a man
of thrift and excellent executive ability has
had the management of it. He lives in a
modern, substantial and very comfortable
dwelling, surrounded by convenient out-
buildings, and everything denotes prosperity
about the place.
Our subject was united in marriage to
Mary Atkins on April n, 1861, the daugh-
ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Atkins, natives of
Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, and to
this union the following children have been
born, named in order of birth : Fannie, who
married Isem Lansford and had four chil-
dren, one of whom is living; Ayers married
Maggie Door and has four children, all liv-
ing ; Polly married Noble Neeper and is the
mother of eight children, all living ; Mar-
garette married Guy Neeper and has one liv-
ing child ; Eli married Vinda Owens and has
six living children; Ida married Mel Gray
and has three living children, one having
died; Martha married Francis Reese and
has one child; May, Emmet, Hulda and
Ruhe are all deceased; Ira is married to
Hattie Hoovey and has one child.
Politically Mr. Conant is a Democrat and
he has been School Director in his township,
also Road Overseer. In religious matters he
subscribes to the Cumberland Presbyterian
faith, although he was reared a Methodist,
to which creed his father adhered.
Our subject is at this writing sixty-nine
years old and is well preserved, being in
fairly good health. As the architect of his
own fortunes he has builded wisely and well
and the success that crowns his efforts is
well merited. He is broad-minded, liberal,
progressive, public spirited and is well
known and highly respected in the commu-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND RKM 1XISCKXT HISTORY OF
nity which has been his home for so many
years and where he has done so much faith-
ful work, which has resulted in good not
only to himself and family, but also to his
neighbors and the community at large.
HENRY GASSMANN.
Among the progressive and enterprising
business men of Olney, Illinois, who have
achieved a definite measure of success in
their line and have at the same time as-
sisted materially in the upbuilding and de-
velopment of their section of the county, is
Henry Gassmann, who is deserving of men-
tion in a work of the province assigned to
the one at hand along with the other lead-
ing citizens of Richland county, because he
has led a life that is highly commendable in
every respect.
Henry Gassmann, the well known whole-
sale ice cream manufacturer and dealer in
soda fountain supplies, was born in New
Albany, Indiana, April 22, 1868, the son
of Lewis and Caroline (Spangler) Gass-
mann, natives of Germany, who came to the
United States when young and after their
marriage in New York state they located
at New Albany. During the Civil war they
worked in a bakery and after its close began
in a bakery business, which they continued
successfully until 1878, when they came to
Olney, where they established a similar en-
terprise, carrying on the same in a most
gratifying manner until the death of the
subject's mother August 2, 1895, the father
surviving until December 21, 1902, the for-
mer at the age of fifty-two and the latter
when sixty-eight years old. They were the
parents of five children, three boys and two
girls, the subject being the third in order of
birth. These children received every atten-
tion by their parents, who were regarded as
people of the best grade in every respect.
Henry Gassmann was reared in Olney,
after his tenth year, having received a fairly
good education in the common schools.
When twelve years old he went to work in
a bakery conducted by his father and learned
the trade. When nineteen years old he start-
ed out for himself and worked at his trade
for three years at various places in Colorado
and New Mexico. Returning to Olney he
entered the employ of his father, continuing
until the death of the latter, having in the
meantime acquired an interest in the busi-
ness and made himself very proficient in this
profession. On October 31, 1902, their es-
tablishment was destroyed by fire and the
loss was most severe since no insurance
was carried. This misfortune was followed
in December, of the same year, by the death
of the subject's father. Mr. Gassmann then
purchased such interests as remained from
the other heirs and, nothing daunted, he
started in a small way in the confectionery
and ice cream business, which he built up
by patient toil and careful management to
large proportions and became prosperous.-
In the meantime he had built up an exten-
sive wholesale trade in ice cream and in
August, 1906. disposed of his retail inter-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ests. In the winter following Mr. Gassmann
built his present handsome, modern and con-
venient brick structure, thirty-four by sev-
enty-two feet and equipped the same with all
the necessary appliances of latest design,
purchasing all the up-to-date machinery
necessary in the manufacture of ice cream
on a large scale, having a capacity of one
thousand gallons a day. He has long sup-
plied a heavy trade within one hundred
miles of Olney, and new territory is con-
stantly being added, his ice cream being
eagerly sought after, owing to its high
grade.
Mr. Gassmann started a few years ago
with nothing and he now is prosperous, be-
ing regarded by the people of Olney as a
good, hustling, all-round busines man. He
also does an extensive wholesale business in
soda water supplies in the way of syrups,
crushed fruits, etc.
Mr. Gassmann was united in marriage on
November 7, 1894, with Carrie B. Goudy.
a native of Claremont township, Richland
county, the daughter .of John Goudy. of Ol-
ney, who for many years was a prosperous
farmer in Claremont township. Two sons
have been born to the subject and wife;
Zean G., born in 1896, and Louis H., who
is ten years old in 1908.
In politics our subject is a Republican,
and in his fraternal relations is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
at Olney.
Mrs. Gassmann is a woman of refined
tastes and a worthy representative of her
noble parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. and
Mary E. (Dayton) Goudy, the former a
native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsyl-
vania. They were married in Ohio and
came to Richland county, Illinois, in 1865.
The present solid prosperity of Mr. Gass-
mann is due entirely to his own efforts, di-
rected along honorable channels, and today
he enjoys an enviable standing among the
leading men of his community and the fact
that many of his warmest friends are those
who have known him longest is proof that
his life has been straightforward and honest.
JOHN F. DONOVAN.
The gentleman to a review of whose life
and characteristics the reader's attention is
herewith respectfully invited, is among the
most progressive professional men of Mar-
ion county, Illinois, who by energy and cor-
rect methods has not only achieved success
for himself, but has also contributed in a
very material way to the commercial, indus-
trial, civic and moral advancement of his
place of residence. In the course of an
honorable career he has established himself
in a liberally remunerative enterprise and
won the confidence and esteem of his fellow
citizens.
John F. Donovan was born in New York
City November i, 1847, the son f William
and Mary Donovan. The lineage of this
family, as the name implies, is traced to
Ireland, the father of the subject having
been born there. He was a longshoreman,
and was called from his earthly labors when
P.10GKAIMIICAL AXI) KK.M I . \ISCK.\T HISTORY OF
our subject was young. The mother of the
subject was also born in the Emerald Isle,
and passed away comparatively young in
life. They were Roman Catholics and peo-
ple of sterling qualities and fine traits. They
became the parents of two children.
John F. Donovan, our subject, was placed
in the Juvenile Asylum in New York City,
where he remained for about five years, or
until he was twelve years old. He was then
bound to a farmer in Randolph county, Illi-
nois. After remaining in his new home for
about eighteen months he took a leave of
absence and never returned.
In 1862 our subject, feeling that he could
not conscientiously stand idly by and see the
nation in the throes of rebellion, enlisted in
1862 in Company I, One Hundred and
Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which
he served for six months, when, greatly to
his regret, it became necessary to drop his
name from the company's roll on account of
physical disability ; but he later re-enlisted in
Company C, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, at
Vicksburg, Mississippi, and served with dis-
tinction until the close of the war, taking
part in many hot engagements and famous
battles. He was honorably discharged. His
regiment was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas,
after the grand review at Washington, and
was finally mustered out at Springfield, Illi-
nois, in August, 1865.
After his career in the army Mr. Donovan
came to Centralia, Marion county, Illinois,
where he remained for about six years, then
came to Kinmundy, where he has since re-
sided. He was always a close observer and
a diligent student, and early in life decided
that the law should be his profession, con-
sequently he began the study of the same
and was admitted to the bar in 1874, since
which time he has devoted himself almost
exclusively to the practice of law, winning a
great reputation throughout this and adjoin-
ing counties as a learned, able and careful
exponent of this profession, never erring in
his cool calculating manner in drawing or
presenting a case, whether criminal or civil,
and he is also known as an orator of no
mean ability. His success was instantane-
ous and his office has always been filled with
clients.
Our subject was appointed postmaster of
Kinmundy, first in 1877, having served in a
most acceptable manner for eight years and
was removed by President Cleveland. He
was re-appointed in 1902 and is still ably
serving in that capacity. He has been mayor
of Kinmundy at different times for fifteen
years. He was instrumental in organizing
the Marion County Grand Army of the Re-
public, being at the head of the Reunion As-
sociation. He has served as inspector
general of Illinois on the national staff, also
on the department staff, also chief mustering
officer for Illinois. Mr. Donovan was presi-
dent of the Southern Illinois Emigration
and Improvement Association, also officer
of the day of the Southern Illinois Reunion
Association. He has held various offices in
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Donovan was united in marriage No-
vember 3, 1880, to Ellen King, a native of
Marion county, the daughter of John B.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and Rebecca J. (Evans) King, a highly re-
spected and influential family whose people
were from Ohio. Her father was a soldier
in the Civil war, from Illinois, having been
a member of Company A, Eighty-eighth
Chicago Board of Trade Regiment, in which
he served throughout the war.
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan have no children.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having
filled all the chairs in the local lodges, and
he has been representative of these lodges in
the grand lodges.
Mrs. Donovan is a member of the Presby-
terian church.
Mr. Donovan is a man of distinct and
forceful individuality, of marked sagacity,
of indomitable enterprise, and always up-
right in his dealings with his fellow men,
loyal and faithful to every trust imposed in
him, public-spirited, and in manners courte-
ous and kindly, easily approachable. His
career has ever been such as to warrant the
trust and confidence of the business world,
and his activity in industrial, professional
and civic lines and financial circles forms no
unimportant chapter in the history of Mar-
ion county.
SAMUEL A. STANFORD.
The subject of this biographical review is
one of the eminent men of Clay county, both
in business and civic affairs, whose indom-
itable courage, persistent and aggressive ef-
forts and his excellent management have
brought to him the prosperity which is to-
day his. He has ever stood ready to do
what he could in pushing forward the wheels
of progress and advancing commercial pros-
perity in this vicinity and his career, both
public and private, has been one worthy of
the high esteem and praise which those who
know him so freely accord.
Samuel A. Stanford, the popular County
Treasurer of Clay county, was born in Stan-
ford township, this county, October 25,
1867, and, unlike many of his contempora-
ries who sought precarious fortune in other
fields, he has been contented to remain at
home. He is the son of Oren \Y. Stanford,
who was also a native of Stanford township,
having lived all his life on a farm there. He
was a member of Company A, Ninety-eighth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served about
two years in the Civil war. He died when
our subject was twelve years old, in Janu-
ary, 1879. Samuel A. Stanford, the sub-
ject's grandfather, was of Scotch-Irish
stock, having migrated from his homestead
reservation in Pennsylvania to Illinois, when
a young man, being one of the first settlers
in Clay county, having located on a farm
in Stanford township, which he purchased
from the government on which he lived until
his death in January 1879. The subject's
mother was known in her maidenhood as
Mary Michaels, whose people were natives
cf Indiana. She is at this writing living in
Flora. The parents of the subject were
always known to be people of much sterling
worth. Their family consisted of the fol-
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
lowing children : Mrs. Emma Dunmoyer,
of Flora, this county ; Samuel A.., our sub-
ject; John and James are twins, the former
living in Piedmont, Missouri, and the latter
in Flora, this state; Mrs. Bertha Thomas,
of Flora ; Mary died in infancy ; Charley O.
lives in Odin, Illinois, where he is in the
mercantile business.
Mr. Stanford spent his boyhood days on
a farm, where he attended the country
schools, later attending the high school at
Flora, but at the death of his father he gave
up schooling and went to work on the farm.
In 1892 he engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness in Flora, which was a success from the
first. His was a grocery business and the
manufacture of cigars and tobacco, having
been thus engaged for about thirteen years,
his business having constantly grown until
he had an extensive trade throughout this
locality. Then he sold out for the purpose
of making the race for County Treasurer
in 1906, on the Republican ticket, to which
office he was duly elected and is at this
writing, 1908, very creditably serving, with
entire satisfaction to everyone concerned,
being regarded by members of both parties
as one of the best county officials Clay coun-
ty ever had. He has a thorough knowledge
of the affairs of the office and is courteous
and obliging to everyone with whom he
deals, thereby rendering himself popular
with all classes.
Mr. Stanford was united in marriage
November 25, 1890, to Opha Dedrick,
daughter of Perry Dedrick, of Loogootee,
Indiana, and to this union have been born
eight children, namely: Eulalie, Hallie, Or-
ren Perry; Samuel A,, the fourth child is
deceased; Robert Leland, Lester, William
and Edwin. These children are receiving
good educations and careful home training
and they all give promise of successful ca-
reers.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Stanford is
a member of the Masonic Order at Louis-
ville; the Knights of Pythias at Flora, and
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at
Flora; also the Woodmen at Louisville, and
the Eastern Star at Louisville. He is a mem-
ber of the Christian church and Mrs. Stan-
ford is also a faithful attendant of the same.
Mr. Stanford is a staunch Republican in
politics, and since moving to Louisville, De-
cember 26, 1906, he has taken much interest
in the development of the town and is re-
garded as one of the representative citizens
of the place. He is unswerving in his al-
legiance to what he believes is right, and
upholds his honest convictions at the sacri-
fice, if need be, of every other interest.
Everything calculated to advance the in-
terests of Clay county, whether materially
or otherwise, receives his support and hearty
co-operation.
EARL C. HUGGINS.
Coupled with Mr. Huggins' innate ability
as an attorney, his unusual clearness of per-
ception, analytical tact and soundness of
theory is his courteous manners, persistency
E. C. MUGGINS.
Of THE
ttlNOIS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
I0 3
and unswerving integrity, rendering him
one of the strong young attorneys of
this locality and one of the successful prac-
titioners of this county, and to him the fu-
ture is particularly bright owing to his nat-
ural ability and past splendid record.
Earl C. Huggins, whose law and insur-
ance office is located in Kinmundy, Illinois,
was' born in Marion county, this state, Sep-
tember 9, 1877, and, unlike many of his
early companions and contemporaries, who
sought precarious fortunes in other fields,
most of them finding merely the will-o'-the-
wisp of success, Mr. Huggins preferred to
remain on his native heath, believing that
greater things awaited him right here at
home than could be found otherwhere, and,
judging from the success which has attended
his efforts, such a decision was a most for-
tunate one not only for himself, but also for
the people of this vicinity. He is the son of
Steven D. and Lena (Crundwell) Huggins,
well known and influential family for many
years in this county. Grandfather Huggins
was a Kentuckian, having come to Illinois,
settling in this county on a farm which he
purchased, and on which he remained dur-
ing the rest of his life, dying here at the age
of seventy-five years. His widow, a grand
old lady of beautiful Christian character, is
still living in 1908, at the advanced age of
ninety years. She is a faithful member of
the Presbyterian church.
Stephen Huggins, father of the subject,
was born in Marion county, this state, at-
tending the public schools here, working on
his father's farm until he became of age,
when he was married, after which he farmed
for a time with much success, then moved to
Kinmundy and followed teaming, later en-
gaging in the coal mining business in this
vicinity, being still interested in mining.
His residence is in Kinmundy.
Mrs. Lena Huggins, mother of our sub-
ject, was brought to America from England
when a child, and her people eventually set-
tled at Salem, this county, where her parents
died when she was young. She attended the
public schools in Salem, where she remained
until the age of sixteen. After the death of
her parents she was taken into the family of
Wily Cunningham, who was a soldier, hav-
ing been killed in battle during the Civil
war. After the death of Mr. Cunningham
his widow married again, her second hus-
band having been Mr. Samuel Jones. They
moved to Stevenson township, Marion
county, where our subject's mother re-
mained until her marriage.
The following children have been bom to
the subject's parents: Roy, whose date
of birth occurred March 21, 1876, is a pain-
ter by trade, living at Granite City, Madi-
son county, Illinois; and Earl C., our
subject.
Earl C. Huggins received his early edu-
cation in Kinmundy, graduating from the
high school here in 1897, after making a
brilliant record for scholarship. Following
this he clerked in the post-office for one
year, then he acted as clerk in a grocery
store for a period of one year, being an effi-
cient clerk in both, but believing that his
true calling lay along more worthy planes,
io 4
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
he began the study of law under Judge C.
H. Holt, at that time a resident of Kin-
mundy, being County Judge at the time. He
made rapid progress in his studies and en-
tered the Illinois Wesleyan University, Col-
lege of Law, from which he graduated high
in his class in 1903, having won a record as
one of the ablest pupils that ever passed
through this well known institution. After
leaving the law school, Mr. Huggins formed
a partnership with his former instructor,
Judge Holt, the partnership being a particu-
larly strong one, and continuing in a most
successful manner until August, 1904, when
the judge moved to Salem, the county seat.
Since that time our subject has continued
the practice of law with his office in Kin-
mundy, but the volume of business has been
very large for one man to handle. However,
Mr. Huggins has ably dispensed with it all
and is keeping his usual large number of
clients, his business extending well over
Marion county and invading surrounding
counties, being general in its nature. He is
known as a very careful and conscientious
worker.
Although Mr. Huggins does not aspire
to positions of official preferment, he is at
present serving very efficiently as city attor-
ney of Kinmundy, being in his second term.
In politics he is a loyal Republican, and his
influence can always be depended upon in
placing the best men in the county offices
and in support of all movements looking to
the development of the community at large,
whether political, educational or moral.
Fraternally our subject is affiliated with
the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pyth-
ias, .having filled the chairs in the latter, and
one would judge from a study of his daily
life that he advocates the sublime principles
of these praiseworthy orders.
BENNETT M. MAXEY.
The efforts of the subject of this sketch
have proven of the greatest value to his fel-
low citizens as well as to himself. He has
shaped his career along worthy lines, and
they have been discerningly directed along
well defined channels of endeavor. He is a
m!an of distinct and forceful individuality,
of marked sagacity, of undaunted enterprise,
and in manner he is genial, courteous and
easily approached. His career has ever been
such as to warrant the trust and confidence
of the business world and his activity in in-
dustrial, commercial and financial circles,
forms no unimportant chapter in the history
of Clay county.
Bennett M. Maxey, publisher of the Flora
Journal, was born in Johnsonville, Wayne
county, Illinois, November 25, 1856, the son
of Joshua C. Maxey, a native of Jefferson
county, this state, where he spent the greater
part of his life on a farm. He was a ser-
geant in Company I, Forty-eighth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the bat-
tles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Vicks-
burg and other noted battles. He was killed
while in service at Louisville, Kentucky,
near the close of the war. He was regard-
ed by his comrades as a brave and gallant
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
105
soldier. Bennett Maxey, the subject's pa-
ternal grandfather, was one of the original
settlers of Jefferson county, where he de-
voted his life to farming, and lived to an
advanced age. Our subject is a descendant
of a prominent pioneer family of Jefferson
county. The subject's mother was Elvira
A. Galbraith, whose people were early set-
tlers of Wayne county. She passed to her
rest in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Joshua C. Max-
ey were the parents of five children, three of
whom are living at this writing. They are
Bennett M., Mrs. Belle Sanders, of Du
Quoin, Illinois, and Mrs. Mattie Vickrey,
of Missoula, Montana.
Mrs. Maxey was educated in the common
schools of Johnsonville, Wayne county, and
in Xenia. Clay county. He also attended
school in Valparaiso, Indiana, having
graduated from that institution in 1880,
completing the teacher's course. After leav-
ing the university he taught school for five
years. In 1881 he engaged in the drug
business at Xenia which he conducted until
1887, when he sold out and went to Cali-
fornia, where he remained for four years,
engaged in the real estate business and
ranching. He returned to Clay county in
1889 and located in Flora, where he has
since resided. He was associated with J.
L. Black in the real estate and insurance
business until 1898, in which year he
launched in the mercantile business in
which he engaged until 1904, when he
bought The Southern Illinois Journal, the
leading local paper of Flora, which he has
continued to manage up to this writing
with increasing success.
Mr. Maxey has other interests of various
natures, being interested financially in sev-
eral local enterprises. He has served as
City Alderman, during which time he looked
well to the city's development in every way
possible.
Mr. Maxey was united in marriage in
1880, to Rosa Tully, of Xenia, a native of
Clay county. No children have been born
to this union.
In his fraternal relations, our subject is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Masonic Fraternity and the
Order of Eastern Star. Both he and Mrs.
Maxey are members of the Methodist
church. In politics he is a Republican and
always loyal to its policies. His paper is an
important factor in local political affairs. It
is on a good footing and the plant is well
equipped and modern, having a cylinder
press and gas power. Mr. Maxey owns the
building in which the plant is located, and
he also owns his residence property. He
deserves a great deal of credit for what he
has accomplished, for his success in the va-
rious lines of business he has followed has
been won in the face of obstacles and by his
unaided efforts.
A. W. SONGER.
Our subject possesses untiring energy, is
quick of perception, forms his plans readily
and is determined in their execution; his
close application to business and his excel-
lent management have brought to him the
niOGKAPHICAL AX1) KKM IX ISCK.Vf HISTORY OF
high degree of prosperity which is today
his. Mr. Songer was one of the brave sons
of the North who offered his services and
his life, if need be, in the suppression of the
great rebellion during the dark days of the
sixties, which render it fitting that he should
be given conspicuous notice in the present
historical work.
A. W. Songer, the well known and popu-
lar president of the First National Bank of
Kinmundy, Illinois, was born in Clay
county, this state, November 2, 1832, the
son of Frederick and Jane (Helms) Songer,
a sterling pioneer family of that locality.
Grandfather Songer was a native of Vir-
ginia, a fine old southern gentleman. He
devoted his life to agricultural pursuits,
eventually moving to Indiana where he
spent the balance of his days. His marriage
occurred in Virginia and most of his family
were born there. He was called from his
earthly career when about sixty years old.
He was a Lutheran in his religious affilia-
tions. Eight children were born to this
family, one of them having become a soldier
in the Black Hawk war. Grandmother
Songer, a woman of many strong attributes,
survived her husband until she reached the
advanced age of eighty years. Grandfather
Helms was also a native of Virginia, who
moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and from
there to Tennessee, where he worked at his
trade of blacksmith. Charles, one of his
sons, moved to Indiana, where he spent the
remainder of his life, having lived many
years near Indianapolis. The balance of
the family were early settlers in Illinois and
from here scattered to the western states,
principally to Nebraska and Texas. One of
them was a soldier in the Black Hawk war
and another fought in the Mexican war.
The Songer family, represented by the
great-grandmother of our subject, was
from Germany. The great-great-grand-
father of the subject died in Germany, his
widow coming to America shortly after his
death, one of her children dying on the
ocean on the way over. She settled in
Virginia.
The father of the subject remained in
Virginia until he was about twenty-two
years old. He received only such education
as the public schools afforded at that early
day. However, he became a well informed
man. He was a carpenter and builder of
considerable note. He lived for some time
in Indiana, where he was married, later
moving to Illinois about 1821, settling in
Clay county, where he remained until 1835,
when he moved to Marion county, entering
about two hundred acres of land from the
government which he transformed into a
fine farm through his habits of industry and
skill as an agriculturist, living on this until
1872, in which year he moved to Kinmundy,
where he died at the age of seventy-three
years, owning an excellent farm which he
left as an estate. He became a man of
considerable influence in his community.
He was an active and loyal member of the
Methodist church as was also his wife.
He was a Justice of the Peace for a num-
ber of years. For a time he owned and
successfully operated a saw and grist mill.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
There were ten children in this family,
seven of whom lived to maturity. A brother
of our subject, Samuel T., was a soldier in
the Civil war, a member of Company G,
Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
having served for three years, engaging in
all the campaigns and battles of his regi-
ment up to the date of his discharge which
was at the termination of his enlistment.
He is living in 1908 and is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, in which he
takes a just pride. William F., brother of
the subject, was also a soldier, having per-
formed conspicuous service in the Mexican
war. He was at one time State Representa-
tive in Oregon, in which state he still re-
sides as also does Samuel T., another
brother of the subject, living at Ashland.
A. W. Songer, our subject, received his
early education in the common schools of
Illinois. Being a diligent student and am-
bitious from the start he has become well
educated. He remained on the home farm
assisting his father with the work about the
place during the months that he was not in
school until he was twenty-one years old.
Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed
this for three years, then in 1861, when he
felt his patriotic zeal inspired as the result
of our national integrity being at stake
when the fierce fires of rebellion were rag-
ing in the Southland, he enlisted in Company
G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Regi-
ment, having been mustered in as second
lieutenant and was soon promoted to first
lieutenant and consequently served as an
officer of that regiment for four years and
five days when he was honorably discharged
at the close of the war in 1865, after having
taking a conspicuous part in the follow-
ing engagements: Perryville, Kentucky;
Stone River, Tennessee; Chickamaugua,
having been captured at this battle and was
taken to Libby prison, where he remained
three months, when he was sent to prison
at Macon, Georgia, later to Charleston,
South Carolina, thence to Columbia, South
Carolina, then to Wilmington, North Caro-
lina, where he was exchanged, after having
been a prisoner seventeen months and eight
days, and thirty days thereafter he was mus-
tered out of the service at St. Louis, Mis-
souri.
After the war Mr. Songer returned to his
home in Illinois and worked at his trade for
a time. He then came to Kinmundy and
entered into the milling business in which he
continued with the most gratifying results
until 1907, becoming known throughout the
locality as one of the leading men in this
line of business. He sold his mill and de-
voted his attention to the banking business,
in which he has been eminently successful.
He had been connected with the State Bank
of Kinmundy for some time, becoming
president of the same. It was consolidated
with the First National Bank, becoming the
First National on August 26, 1906, the date
of the consolidation, since which time Mr.
Songer has been president. This is one of
the solidest and most popular institutions
of its kind in this part of the state and its
prestige was greatly strengthened when Mr.
Songer became its head for the public at
108
I'.HHIKAl'IIICAL AM) RKMIXISCF.XT HISTORY OF
once realized that their funds would be en-
tirely safe in his hands owing to his con-
servatism, coupled with his peculiar business
sagacity, and since then the business of the
First National has grown steadily.
The domestic life of our subject dates
from 1868, when he was united in marriage
with Margaret C. Nelm, of Cairo, Illinois,
the daughter of Norflett and Lydia (Dick-
ens) Nelm. Her paternal ancestor, Dick-
ens, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
which rendered the wife of our subject
eligible to the Order of Sons and Daughters
of the American Revolution. The grand-
father of the subject's wife was a Bap-
tist minister. Her father was a soldier in
the Black Hawk war. One of her brothers,
N. B. Nelm, was a soldier in the Civil war,
having served until the close of the war.
Three children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife as follows: Mary E., born
December 25, 1871, is the wife of J. T.
Brown, of Marion county; Frederick is
married and living in Kinmundy. Neither
of them have children of their own. The
third child of the subject and wife died in
infancy.
Mrs. Songer was called to her rest Sep-
tember 9, 1907, after a most happy and har-
monious married life and one that was
beautified by Christian character and many
kind and charitable deeds which made her
beloved by all who knew her. She was a
loyal member of the Methodist church, and
a member of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, of which order Mary E.
(Songer) Brown was also a member.
Mr. Songer, as might be expected, is a
consistent member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, Post 255, known as the Hix
Post. He is now commander of the same.
In politics he is a Republican and is well
grounded in his political beliefs, his influ-
ence always being felt for the good of his
party and in support of the best men pos-
sible for local offices. He has never aspired
to positions of trust and emolument at the
hands of his fellow voters. However, he has
been Alderman of the city of Kinmundy
several times. His efforts have proven of
the greatest benefit to his fellow men of
Marion county as well as to himself.
CHRISTIAN HASLER.
It is a well authenticated fact that suc-
cess comes not as the caprice of chance, but
as the legitimate result of well applied en-
ergy, unflagging determination and perse-
verance in a course of action once decided
upon by the individual. Only those who
diligently seek the goddess Fortuna, find
her she never was known to smile upon
the idler and the dreamer. The subject of
this sketch clearly understood this fact early
in life when he was casting about for a le-
gitimate and promising line to follow, and
in tracing his life history it is plainly seen
that the prosperity he enjoys has been won
by commendable qualities, and it is also his
personal worth which has gained for him
the good standing among his fellow citizens
of Richland countv.
HIGHLAND. CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
109
Christian Hasler, the well known harness
and saddle manufacturer, and dealer in
hides, fertilizers, etc., of Olney, Illinois, is a
citizen of the United States by adoption
only, being one of that thrifty class from
the little Republic of Switzerland, who has
done so much toward promoting our insti-
tutions, for he was born in the Canton of
Berne, September 20, 1845, the son of Peter
and Margaret (Von Alman) Hasler, also
natives of that place. The father was a
small farmer and gardener and died when
the subject was a child. The Von Almans
were also farmers. The mother came to
the United States and brought a family of
five children with her, having come direct
to Olney, Illinois, in 1857. She passed to
her rest here in 1865. Our subject was
twelve years old when he came to Olney.
He worked on a farm in the summer and
attended school in the winter. He had lim-
ited opportunities to attend school, but he
gained a fairly good foundation for an edu-
cation which he has since added to by home
study and contact with the business world.
Mr. Hasler early decided to learn the har-
ness business and in the fall of 1863 he was
apprenticed to a harness maker at Clare-*
mont, where he worked faithfully until the
spring of 1865, when he felt it his duty to
no longer repress the feeling that he should
stand by the Union in its hour of sore trial,
consequently he enlisted in Company E, One
Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Illinois
Volunteers, and served until the close of the
war in a most gallant manner, having been
mustered out at Murfreesboro, Tennessee,
in September, 1865. He did duty at Nash-
ville, Tullahoma, and Murfreeboro, having
been on guard duty the major part of the
time on the railroads.
After the war Mr. Hasler returned to
Claremcnt township, and finished learning
his trade, and in 1867, he opened a harness
shop in Olney, which he has conducted con-
tinuously since that time. It is among the
oldest established businesses in Olney, and
the oldest in this line in the county. It has
become generally known throughout the lo-
cality and his trade has been lively from
the first, numbering his customers by the
hundreds all over the county. He has not
only made a comfortable living from his
shop from year to year, but has been en-
abled to lay by a competency for his old age.
Mr. Hasler was united in marriage in
1869 to Susan Bohren. a native of Berne,
Switzerland, who came to the United States
with her father, Christian Bohren, when six
years old. locating in Olney. Her father
was a carpenter and died here. Her mother
died in Switzerland and Mr. Bohren remar-
ried in the United States. Xine children
have been born to the subject and wfe, three
of whom died in infancy. Those living are :
Sue ; Robert, who is in the harness business
in Vandalia ; Laura, the wife of E. S. Hoog,
who resides in Chicago; Rosilla; Ellen is
the wife of J. W. Mayhood, of Chicago:
Charles Edward.
Mr. Hasler always handles a good grade
of material and the work he turns out is high-
class. He has a carefully selected stock and
never loses a customer as a result of handling
inferior goods or unfair treatment.
In politics our subject is a Bryan Demo-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
crat. He served as Supervisor on the County
Beard for two terms, from the third ward,
which is strongly Republican ; this fact shows
that the subject is popular and well liked in
his own neghborhood. He was the only Dem-
ocrat ever elected from that ward to that po-
sition. In his fraternal relations he is a
member of the Masonic Blue Lodge and
Chapter, also the Modern Woodmen of
America. He and his wife are members
of the German Reformed church and no
members of that congregation stand higher
in general favor than they, for they are re-
garded as scrupulously honest, kind and wor-
thy citizens in every respect, numbering their
friends by the score.
JAMES HENRY KIMBERLIN.
Upon the roll of representative citizens
and prominent and influential business men
of Marion county consistently appears the
name which initiates this paragraph. He
has been a resident of Salem for many years,
during which time he has gradually won his
way into the affections of the people, for
he possesses those sterling qualities of char-
acter which commend themselves to persons
of intelligence and the highest morality, so
it is no cause for wonder that he has
achieved so high a position in the general
estimation of all who have come in touch
with him. For many years he was a pro-
fessional man, gaining wide popularity in
this manner, but he is now rendering effici-
ent service at the Salem post-office.
James Henry Kimberlin was born in
Richland county, Illinois, January 18, 1860,
the son of W. O. Kimberlin, a native of In-
diana, having been born February 2. 1826,
near Scottsburg, Scott county. He left In-
diana and came to Richland county, Illinois,
in 1856, settling on a farm where he be-
came known as one of the progressive agri-
culturists of that community and made a
comfortable living until the year 1884,
when he was called from his earthly labors
by the "grim reaper". His widow, who was
Hannah E. Reed, born near Salem, Wash-
ington county, Indiana, October 31, 1825,
a woman of many praiseworthy traits, is
living on the old homestead there at this
writing (1908), being eighty-three years
old, yet able to do her own house work.
Her long life has been one of self-sacrifice
for the good of her family and others so that
now in her serene old age she can look back
over the years without cause for regret. The
father of our subject was a soldier in the
Union ranks during the great Civil war,
having been a member of Company F,
Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He
was with Grant at Vicksburg and was in
many other important battles. He was in
the hospital service for some time, also did
general duty at New Orleans, having re-
mained in the service up to January 12,
1866, when he was discharged at Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, and arrived home Febru-
ary 2d, following which was his fortieth
birthday. He had two brothers killed in
battle during this war. Their names were
Daniel and Jacob. Another brother, Isaac
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
M., went through the service in the Seventh
and Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry,
having been a member of Company G. Dr.
H. L. Kimberlin, another brother of the
subject's father, who is now living at
Mitchell, Indiana, was a Government Re-
porter on Governor Morton's staff.
The paternal grandfather of the subject
was Jacob Kimberlin, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, who came to Indiana when a young
man. He devoted his life to farming and
died about 1871. He was well known about
Greenfield, where he operated a foil gate,
subsequent to the war. The subject's ma-
ternal grandfather was Joseph Reed, of
Scotch-English ancestry.
Eight children were born to the parents
of the subject, only two of whom are now
living. George W., the subject's only living
brother, is living at Noble, Richland county,
with his mother on the old farm. Among
the papers held by the Kimberlins is the
original land grant by the government for
their old homestead made to Joseph Reed
and signed by President Franklin Pierce.
James Henry Kimberlin, our subject,
spent his boyhood on the parental farm in
Richland county where he performed his
part of the work about the place from year
to year after he reached the age when he
could be of valuable service to his father.
He attended the neighboring schools in the
meantime where he applied himself in a
manner which insured a good education.
After leaving school and working at vari-
ous minor employments for several years
he finally accepted a position as commercial
traveler which he followed with marked
success for three and one-half years, giving
entire satisfaction to his employers, when,
much to their regret he was compelled to
tender his resignation on account of tem-
porary ill health. After this our subject
took up the study of ophthalmology, which
he decided should be his life work, conse-
quently he made rapid progress in this work,
having attended the Northern Illinois Col-
lege of Ophthalmology at Chicago, from
which institution he graduated with high
honors with the degree of Fellow of Optics
in 1892. He at once began practice and
his success was instantaneous, having prac-
ticed at Olney, Shelbyville and Salem, hav-
ing established his business in the last named
city in 1900, since which time he has been a
resident of this city. His work in this line
was always considered first class and he
achieved wide popularity in the same.
Mr. Kimberlin was, however, induced to
give up his profession to become deputy
post-master of this city, which position he is
filling to the entire satisfaction of all con-
cerned, showing that he has rare executive
as well professional ability.
Mr. Kimberlin was united in marriage to
Eva Myers, November 19, 1903, the daugh-
ter of the late Theodore Myers, of luka, Illi-
nois, and the accomplished representative of
a well known family. One child, a bright
and interesting lad, bearing the name of
James Henry Kimberlin, Jr., was born to
the subject and wife May 4, 1905.
Mrs. Kimberlin is one of a family of five
children. One child died after reaching ma-
lilOCKAPIIlCAL AND RK.M IXISCKXT HISTORY OK
turity. Theodore Myers was a farmer, and
was a soldier in the Civil war.
In his political affiliations our subject is a
strong Republican, and he is a well informed
man on political and all current questions.
He is a Protestant in his religious belief. He
is recognized as a man of sterling integrity
and of strong convictions as to all matters
affecting the best interests of the community
and is always found on the right side of
every moral issue.
WILLIAM GILLHAM WILSON.
The subject of this sketch occupies today
a prominent position in the professional
world of Marion and adjoining counties and
he deserves all the more credit for this from
the fact that he started out in life practically
empty handed, therefore has been the archi -
tect of his own fortunes, relying almost sole-
ly upon his own resources for the start
which lie had and for the success which he
has achieved. In an analyzation of his char-
acter we find many elements worthy of com-
mendation and emulation. He did not seek
for fortune's favors, but set out to win them
by honest work, and the success which ever
crowns earnest, honest toil is today his, and
he easily stands in the front rank of attor-
neys in this locality, which has long been
noted for its high legal talent, and while yet
a young man, vigorous and in the zenith of
his mental and physical powers, he is rap-
idly winning his way to a position of much
credit and significance in the great common-
wealth which he can claim as his native land ,
and while winning his way gradually up
the steeps to individual success he has not
neglected his duties to his fellow citizens,
but has benefited very materially the com-
munity is which he lives in many ways,
thereby winning and retaining the well mer-
ited esteem of all classes.
William G. Wilson was born in Madison
county, Illinois, in 1872, the son of John C.
and Elizabeth (Gillham) Wilson. The Wil-
son family has long been prominent and in-
fluential in that part of the state. Grand-
father John Wilson was born in Pennsyl-
vania, but came to Pike county, Ohio, set-
tling on a farm, later coming to Marion
county, Illinois, in 1846, taking up one thou-
sand and eight hundred acres of land on the
prairie, which he developed until it became
very valuable, still holding it at the time of
his death, which occurred when he had
reached the advanced age of eighty-nine.
Both Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson were mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. The
latter is supposed to have come from Ken-
tucky. They were the parents of a large
family. Mr. Wilson was Justice of the
Peace for some time.
John C. Wilson, father of the subject, was
born in Pike county, Ohio, and there re-
ceived his early education in a log school-
house of pioneer days. Leaving the Buck-
eye state he came to Illinois, settling in Ma-
rion county in 1852, entering land from the
government. He had about seven hundred
acres of good prairie land, which he devel-
oped into a valuable farm and which is now
known as the John C. Wilson farm. Here
our subject's father lived until his death,
LIBRARY
Of THE
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
which occurred at the age of seventy-seven
years. He was a man of many sterling traits
of character and bore an excellent reputa-
tion. Both he and his faithful life companion
were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Grandfather Gillham came from the At-
lantic coast country and settled in Madison
county, Illinois, during the earliest epoch of
the pioneer days, before the state was ad-
mitted to the Union, and when wild beasts
and red men roamed the hills and prairies.
He remained there until his death. In that
locality the subject's mother was reared and
was married there in the early sixties. She
came to Marion county. The father was
twice married, the name of his first wife
being Hults. Eight children were born to
this union. She passed to her rest in the
fifties. The subject's mother was John C.
Wilson's second wife, who bore him seven
children, four of whom lived to maturity.
The mother is living in 1908, at the age of
seventy-four years. She is a woman of many
fine personal traits and beautiful Christian
character.
William G. Wilson, our subject, first at-
tended the district schools in Marion coun-
ty, working on his father's farm in the mean-
time. Being ambitious and a diligent stu-
dent, he received a good common school ed-
ucation. Leaving the public schools when
nineteen years old he entered Austin College
at Effingham, Illinois, where he made a bril-
liant record for scholarship, standing high
in his class.
After leaving school he taught school for
five years, devoting five years also to teach-
ing in Champaign county, this state, where
he became widely known as an able instruc-
tor and where his services were in great de-
mand. But, believing that his true life work
lay along other channels, he began the study
of law with Schaefer & Rhodes, of Cham-
paign, under whose instruction he made
rapid progress. He was then admitted to
practice at Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Wil-
son then began practice at Kinmundy, be-
ing remarkably successful from the first, and
it was plain to be seen that an attorney of
unusual sagacity and innate ability had risen
to command the attention of that part of the
state. He has remained in practice at this
place since that time with the most gratify-
ing results, having frequently been called to
other localities on important cases. He is
cool and calculating, never erring in his le-
gal proceedings, whether handling a civil or
criminal suit, and he stands high in the esti-
mation not only of the public but the legal
profession throughout this part of Illinois.
Mr. Wilson was happily married April 7,
1896, to Mollie Poole, a native of this
county and the representative of a prominent
and influential family, being the daughter of
Abraham and Martha (Malone) Poole. Mr.
Poole was born and reared in Marion coun-
ty. He was a soldier in the Civil war, being
a member of the One Hundred and Eleventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, receiving an
honorable discharge after serving for three
years.
Four bright and interesting children have
been born to our subject and wife as fol-
IHOCUAPIIICAL AND RKM 1 X ISCK.XT HISTORY OF
lows : Basil, born August 7, 1897, who is at-
tending the public schools in 1908; Russell
was born October 22, 1899; Ruth was born
June 14, 1904; Byron first saw the light
January u, 1906.
The beautiful and nicely furnished
home of the subject is presided over with
rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Wilson, a
woman of many commendable attributes,
who delights in giving her children every
care and attention.
Fraternally our subject is affiliated with
the Masonic Order and the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows, having passed through
the chairs of the latter lodge. In politics he
is a loyal Republican, and he at one time per-
formed the duties of Police Magistrate, with
much credit to himself and with much satis-
faction to all concerned. He was also Tax
Collector.
Mr. Wilson belongs to the class of citi-
zens whose lives do not show any meteoric
effects, but who by their support of the mor-
al, political and social status for the general
good, promote the real welfare of their re-
spective communities and are therefore de-
serving of honorable mention on the pages
of history.
CALEB F. WIELAND.
The prominence of the subject of this
sketch in connection with the industrial and
civic affairs of Richland county is such that
he is recognized as one of the leading busi-
ness men and influential citizens of this lo-
cality, being identified with enterprises of
wide scope and importance, and being
known as a progressive and public spirited
citizen. The apparent ease with which he
has mounted to his present commanding po-
sition in the commercial world, marks him
as the possessor of talents beyond the ma-
jority of his brethren, and, being a close and
critical student of men and affairs, he ex-
periences no difficulty in sustaining the high
reputation which his business talents and
marked success have earned for him.
Caleb F. Wieland, a member of the hard-
ware firm of Jolly, Wieland & Richardson,
one of the best known and extensive firms
of this nature in Southern Illinois, was born
in Muscatine, Iowa, June 25, 1858, the son
of Frederick and Mary (Eberhart) Wie-
land, natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland,
where they were reared and married, soon
afterward coming to the United States, lo-
cating in Muscatine. The subject's father
worked there for many years, then moved
to Jefferson City, Missouri. He enlisted in
a Missouri regiment in the Union army, and
served for more than three years until the
close of the war. He saw much active ser-
vice and was in numerous engagements, but
was not wounded. After the war he re-
turned to Jefferson City, Missouri, and in
1866, came to Olney, Illinois, where he lived
until his death in 1873, at the age of fifty
years. His wife survived him several years,
dying in 1896, at the age of sixty-five. They
were people of much sterling worth and
highly honored wherever they lived. They
were the parents of six children, four of
RICHLAN'D, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
whom grew to maturity, the subject being
the oldest in order of birth.
Caleb F. Wieland was a boy when he
came to Olney, where he was reared and
where he received a limited education, hav-
ing been obliged to go to work when young
and help support the family. He was am-
bitious and fought against every obstacle
and early in life decided to take up the
hardware business, consequently when sev-
enteen years old he entered the hardware
store of William Rhode as clerk in the same
building where he is now interested, and he
has continued in this line ever since at the
same location, having been with different
firms until the present firm was organized
in 1904, when he became a partner. They
carry a stock of about twenty thousand dol-
lars, consisting of all kinds of hardware,
carefully selected and they also do an exten-
sive plumbing, heating, tinware and galvan-
ized iron work, their trade extending to all
parts of the county and is always on the in-
crease, having been built up to its present
large proportions very largely through the
efforts of our subject. The firm occupies
a substantial and convenient building twen-
ty-two by one hundred and eighty-five feet,
three stories in height. The entire building
is occupied. It is one of the largest and
most successful lines of business in the
county.
Mr. Wieland was united in mar-
riage in 1888 to Lulu St. John, a native
of Olney, who was born, reared and married
in the same house, the affable and genial
daughter of M. M. and Mira Louise
(Cralle) St. John, who were among the pio-
neers of Richland county, and people of
many praiseworthy traits.
Five children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife, namely: Esther Alean, Ber-
nice May, Gerald Hazen, Mary Louise,
Frank Clifford, all bright and interesting
with promise of successful futures.
In politics Mr. Wieland is a loyal Re-
publican. He very ably and creditably
served as Alderman for one term of two
years, from the second ward.
Mr. and Mrs. Wieland have earned and
occupy a position of high regard in their
community, being numbered among the
most prominent citizens of Olney and whose
efforts are always directed toward the moral,
social and material uplifting of society
GEORGE COX.
In the field of political life, teaching and
the railroad business in Marion county, Illi-
nois, the subject of this sketch has won dis-
tinction, and today is numbered among the
leading, influential and honored citizens of
Salem. He has figured prominently in pub-
lic affairs, ever lending his influence in the
development of all worthy causes looking to
the development of the locality at large, be-
ing an advocate of progressive measures.
He is now filling the position of Deputy
County Clerk and the promptness and
fidelity with which he discharges his duties
have won for him the favorable criticism of
u6
BIOCK. \P1IIC.\L AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
leading representatives of both political
parties.
George Cox was born in Parke county,
Indiana, July n, 1848, and came to luka,
Illinois, September 4, 1868. His father was
Alfred Cox, a native of Ohio, who migrated
to Indiana when a very small boy. Joshua
Cox, grandfather of George Cox, was a na-
tive of Hamilton county, Ohio, who mi-
grated to Indiana at a very early date and
entered land when the United States land
office was at Vincennes, he being compelled
to go to Vincennes to make his payments,
making the trip on horseback, and it was his
custom to camp and hunt on the way.
Grandfather Cox was a farmer -of great
ability for those early times. His widow
survived him several years. George W.
Overpeck, grandfather of the subject on
his mother's side, was born in Pennsylvania.
His father and mother having died in early
life he drifted to Hamilton county, Ohio,
and died in the spring of 1867, having been
survived several years by his widow. They
spent their lives on a farm.
The father of the subject is now a resi-
dent of Illinois and makes his home among
his children here and at Shattuc, this state.
The mother of the subject was known in her
maidenhood as Mary Overpeck, a native of
Ohio. She passed to her rest in April, 1902,
at Shattuc, Illinois, at the home of her
daughter. Both the father and the mother
of our subject were the oldest representa-
tives of their respective families. Following
children were born to them, seven of whom
are living at this writing, 1908, named in
order of birth as follows : George, our sub-
ject; Mary Jane, wife of P. B. Anderson,
of Shattuc, Illinois ; Sally Ann, wife of H.
C. Brown, of Vandalia, Illinois; John, of
Clinton county, near Huey, Illinois;
Amanda, deceased ; Perry, of luka township,
this county; Warner, of Decatur, Illinois;
Eva, deceased; Julia is the wife of Milton
Andrews, of Ouray, Colorado; Libby is de-
ceased as are also the last two children born
to this couple.
George Cox was reared on the parental
farm in Parke county, Indiana, and attended
the common schools there, also the graded
schools by working mornings and evenings
to pay his tuition, as his parents were poor
and could not defray the expenses of an edu-
cation for our subject, but he was possessed
of an indomitable will and forged ahead
despite obstacles winning definite success in
after life as a result of his energy and per-
sistency. After completing the course of
study laid down in the graded schools he at-
tended school at Rockville for a time, after
which he taught school with great success
for several years, becoming known as one
of the able educators of the county and his
services were in great demand. He con-
tinued teaching until his health failed. He
then went to railroading, locating in luka
September 4, 1868, as indicated before. He
attended school that winter at Xenia, Illi-
nois, passing the examination for teacher's
license. He then took a course in the Wa-
bash Commercial College at Vincennes, In-
diana, after which he returned to railroading
first as brakeman, then a freight conductor,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
117
later as passenger conductor on the old Ohio
& Mississippi Railroad, now the Baltimore
& Ohio, Southwestern Railroad. During
all these years of railroad service he would
at times return to teaching school in both
Indiana and Illinois. In 1880 our subject
moved on a farm in luka township and for
twenty-one consecutive years taught school
during the winter months, farming the re-
mainder of the year. He made a success of
whatever he undertook whether it was farm-
ing, teaching or railroading. In the latter
he won the confidence of his employers who
regarded him as one of their most valuable
employes.
In April, 1908, Mr. Cox became Deputy
County Clerk, which position he is holding
with much credit to his innate ability and
to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
When teaching school our subject was
principal of the luka schools. He was of-
fered many important positions as a teacher
but declined as he desired to teach near
home and live at home.
Mr. Cox was united in marriage in 1879
to Mary E. Young, the talented and accom-
plished daughter of W. J. Young, of luka
township, one of the pioneers of Marion
county. Mr. Young was an influential citi-
zen and served as a lieutenant during the
Civil war.
One child was born to the subject and
wife who died in infancy.
Mr. Cox still owns a valuable farm of
eighty acres in which he takes a great inter-
est, having improved it up to a high stand-
ard of Marion county's valuable farms, it
ranking with the best of them. It is located
four and one-half miles southeast of luka.
An excellent residence and several substan-
tial out buildings stand on the place.
Mr. Cox has been a candidate for County
Superintendent of Schools at different times
but was defeated by a few votes. In poli-
tics he is a Democrat. In his fraternal re-
lations he is affiliated with the Masons at
luka and is an honorary member of the
Modern Woodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Cox are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church and both belong to the Eastern
Star.
THOMAS J. CLARK.
The subject of this biographical review
is eminently deserving of mention in a com-
pilation as is the nature of this one, owing
to the fact that his has been an active life,
fruitful of good results and among his
friends and acquaintances he has ever held
an honorable position.
Thomas J. Clark, publisher of The Clay
County Democrat and one of the men of
influence in this part of the great Prairie
state, was born in Hancock county, Indiana,
August 4, 1853, the son of Aruna Clark,
who was a native of Sevier county, Tennes-
see, and who came to Indiana when twenty
years old, settling in Rush county. He was
a carpenter and a minister, thus emulating
the life of the lowly Nazarene. He removed
to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1860, and in
1865 moved to Effingham county, this state,
n8
I'.IOCRAl'UICAI. AND RKMIMSCKXT HISTORY OF
where he resided until his death in March,
1884. The Clark family originated in Ten-
nessee. The subject's mother, who died in
1882, was Charlotte Furman. Her mother
was a native of Scotland and her father of
Pennsylvania, of German descent. Mr. and
Mrs. Aruna Clark were the parents of six
children, two of whom died in infancy.
They are, Jonathan E., of Chattanooga,
Tennessee; Sarah Arnold, of Tucumcari,
New Mexico; Mrs. Jennie Wood, of Beech-
er City, Illinois; Thomas J., the subject.
Thomas J. Clark spent his early life in
Efnngham county, this state, receiving a
limited education in the country schools
there, and later attended the city schools of
Effingham. After his school days he learned
the blacksmith trade at which he worked
for eight years. He then clerked in a gen-
eral store for two or three years, after which
he went to railroading, which he followed
up to February, 1908, having given his em-
ployers entire satisfaction in that line of
work. In July, 1908, Mr. Clark bought
the Clay County Democrat, which he now
conducts in a manner that shows him to be
a moulder of public opinion, his paper being
a power for good in Clay county. He has
a good plant, well equipped and his paper
is well edited and the mechanical appearance
of each issue shows that this part of the
work is well looked after. Since assuming
charge of the plant the circulation of The
Democrat has increased as well as has the
advertising.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Mary
Lilley, December 20, 1876. She was born
and reared in Fayette county, Illinois, and to
this union four children have been born;
William Edwin, who is married and is living
at Clarkson, Washington; Mrs. Gertrude
Roseberry, of Pana, Illinois; Mrs. Caroline
Myers, of East St. Louis; Don, a linotype
operator, living in East St. Louis.
Our subject served one term as school di-
rector at Beecher City, Illinois, and was
City Clerk of Flora, for a part of one term,
having been appointed to fill a vacancy.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Clark be-
longs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the
Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a loyal
Democrat. He is thoroughly interested in
the affairs of his party and does what he
can in furthering the policies of the same.
CHARLES H. WEST.
The early pioneers of Marion county,
Illinois, have about all "crossed the great
divide." Year by year their numbers have
continued to diminish, until of the hundreds
who settled here in the twenties and thirties
only a few of them remain. There are, how-
ever, many men and women now living in
the county, who, though coming here in
what might be properly termed the second
period after the pioneers, have borne well
their part in making this a prosperous re-
gion. They are no less worthy of praise in
the part they bore in the labors and priva-
tions of this early period than are their par-
ot 'U.INOIS.
WEST HOME.
Kinmundy, Illinois.
C. H. WEST.
LWMY
Of THP
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ents. Among these is the subject of this
sketch, who has spent the major part of his
mature years in the county where he has
become widely known and where his labors
have benefited alike himself and the commu-
nity at large.
Charles H. West was born in Delaware
county, Indiana, October 27, 1845, the son
of George and Elizabeth (Brammer) West.
The father of the subject left Pennsyl-
vania when a young man, and settled in
Delaware county, Indiana, and came to Illi-
nois in 1865, in Jo Daviess county and in
1869 came to Marion county where he re-
mained the balance of his life, having
reached the advanced age of eighty-three
years, after a life of hard work in agri-
cultural pursuits. The subject's mother, a
woman of many fine qualities and a worthy
companion of her noble husband, lived to
be seventy-three years old, and was in her
religious belief a member of the old school
Baptists. There were seven children in this
family, six living to maturity. Samuel, the
oldest brother of the subject, was a soldier
from Indiana in the Union lines and was
killed at Marietta, Georgia, where he was
buried. A brother of the father of our sub-
ject had a son, John T. West, who was also
a soldier in the Civil war, having been in
a Pennsylvania regiment.
Charles H. West, our subject, came with
his father to Marion county in 1869. He
attended the public schools in Delaware
county, Indiana, where he worked on his
father's farm during the summer season,
having remained a member of the family
circle until he was thirty-one years of age.
He then leased his father's farm in this
county for a number of years, and after his
father returned to Illinois he purchased
the same which he has managed with
the greatest success for a period of twenty-
five years, developing it into one of the lead-
ing farms of the community and gathering
from its fertile fields from year to year
bounteous harvests.
Mr. West owns at this writing, 1908,
twelve and one-half acres in Kinmundy in
one section of the city and also a ten-acre
orchard in another section of the city, also
forty acres one-half mile east of the town,
containing a fine orchard, all well located
and good land. He also has excellent prop-
erty in the central part of the town, and
fifty acres of horticultural land, which is
very valuable owing to the large and choice
varieties of trees on it. This property
claims much of his attention since Mr. West
delights in horticultural work, being well
versed in its various phases. He owns a
modern, large, nicely furnished and alto-
gether one of the most desirable residences
in Kinmundy or vicinity. All this he has
made himself practically unaided as a result
of his genuine business sagacity, persistency
and honesty.
Mr. West was united in marriage in 1877
to Rose N. Dillon, a native of Marion
county, whose father was from Kentucky ;
her mother's people being from Ohio.
Three children have been born to this union,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
named in order of birth as follows : Harry
T., who was born in 1878, is married and
has two children ; Maud L. is the wife of
A. G. Porter and the mother of one child;
the third child died in infancy.
Mr. West is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of
Pythias and their auxiliaries. In politics he
is a Republican and is an Alderman in the
City Council of Kinmundy, which position
he fills with great credit.
In township and county affairs Mr. West
takes an active interest and when his judg-
ment approves of any measure that is ad-
vanced he is not hesitant in giving his ap-
proval and active aid. In many ways he has
given his time and service for the general
good. He has a wide acquaintance and the
favorable judgment the public passed upon
him in the early days of his residence here
has been in no degree set aside or modified
as the years have gone by.
WILBUR ADINO GOODENOUGH.
In the history of Clay county, as applying
to the milling industry, the name of Wilbur
A. Goodenough occupies a conspicuous
place, for through a number of years he has
been one of the representative lumber deal-
ers in this locality, progressive, enterprising
and persevering. Such qualities always win
success, sooner or later, and to the subject
they have brought a satisfactory reward for
his well directed efforts, and while he has
benefited himself and community in a mate-
rial way, he has also been an influential fac-
tor in the educational, political and moral
uplift of the community favored by his resi-
dence.
Wilbur Adino Goodenough was born in
Jefferson county, New York, May 26, 1857,
the son of Morris M. Goodenough, who was
a native of Northern New York. Adino
Goodenough, the great-grandfather of the
subject, was a native of Scotland, who came
to America with Lord Howe. He passed
the winter with Washington at Valley
Forge as one of his captains, having enlist-
ed three times in the Revolutionary war.
The third time he walked from Vermont to
Boston to enlist. He spent his last days at
Watertown, Jefferson county. New York,
dying there in his eighty-seventh year. Most
of his life while in America, was spent in
Vermont. The subject's grandfather, John
Banister Goodenough, a native of New
York, died in 1864, at the age of eighty-two
years. He devoted his life to farming.
The subject's father was also a farmer, and,
like his ancestors, was a man of influence
in his community. He died at the age of
seventy-two years in Jefferson county, New
York, in 1899.
The mother of the subject was Caroline
Griswold, also a native of northern New
York, where she lived all her life and where
she ended her earthly labors in 1895, at the
age of sixty-two years. Twelve children
were born to the subject's parents, eight of
wh<;m are living, in 1908, namely: Charles,
Estella, Wilbur, Albert, Caroline, Ward,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Eaton, Morris, Emma, Belle, Mollie and
Grace.
Mr. Goodenough spent his boyhood days
in Watertown, New York, where he attend-
ed school and received a good education.
He went from there to Copenhagen, New
York, where he learned the trade of miller,
after which he went to Ogdensburg, that
state, where he worked for fifteen years
with much success attending his efforts. In
1894 he came to Louisville and bought the
Louisville Roller Mills, which burned down
October 25, 1897. The plant was rebuilt
the fall of 1898. His brother, Albert, has
been associated with him in all his business.
They have an extensive trade and carry on
a growing industry, their customers coming
from all parts of this locality, both in the
flour and lumber business.
Mr. Goodenough was united in marriage
February 22, 1883, to Luella Stanford, of
Lowville, Lewis county, New York, the rep-
resentative of a well known family there,
and to this union two children have been
born: Luella, born April 15, 1894, and
Stanford, born December 17, 1898.
Our subject is a director in the Farmers'
and Merchants' Bank of Louisville. In
his fraternal relations he is a member of the
Masons, the Chapter and Knights Templar.
In politics he is a Republican and both he
and Mrs. Goodenough are members of the
Presbyterian church.
Mr. Goodenough is one of the substantial
citizens of Clay county. He has persevered
in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and
gained a most satisfactory reward. His life
is exemplary in many respects, and he has
ever supported those interests which have
for their object the welfare of the commu-
nity and the benefit of humanity.
WILFRED W. MERZ.
The career of the subject of this review
has been varied and interesting, and the his-
tory of Marion county will be more interest-
ing if a record of his activities and achieve-
ments are given prominence, and a tribute
to his worth and high character as a business
man, a public-spirited and enterprising,
broad-minded citizen, for although he is yet
a young man he has shown by his persist-
ency and eminently worthy career what can
be accomplished by the young man who has
thrift, energy, tact, force of character and
honesty of purpose, and representing as he
does one of the best and most highly es-
teemed families of the country, whose an-
cestors did so much in the pioneer days to
prepare the country for the enjoyment and
success of succeeding generations, Mr. Merz
is peculiarly entitled to proper mention in
this work along with other leading and hon-
orable citizens of Marion county.
Wilfred W. Merz, the popular and effi-
cient agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois
Railroad Company, also of the Wells, Fargo
& Company Express, at Salem, Marion
county, was born at this place February 13,
1872, being the eldest child of Nicholas
Merz, who is a member of the Council of Al-
AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
dermen of the city of Salem, and an influen-
tial and highly respected citizen who has
lived in Salem practically all his life. Nicho-
las Merz's parents were born in Germany
and migrated to America in early life, and
soon established comfortable homes in the
new world and lived to a ripe old age.
The mother of our subject was known in
her maidenhood as Elizabeth A. Smith. She
was born at Decatur, Illinois, and died at
Huey, Illinois.
Sarah S. Ritchie, the maternal grand-
mother of our subject, is a native of Giles
county, Virginia, born March 22, 1828, and
at present resides near Shattuc, Illinois, in
her eightieth year. Her first husband was
John H. Smith, who was born September
i, 1831, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and died at
Metropolis, Illinois, October 2, 1888. He
was the father of nine children (the mother
of our subject being the eldest), only one of
whom is living, John Lewis Smith, of Car-
lyle, Illinois.
Nicholas Merz by his first wife is the
father of five children, of whom four are liv-
ing in 1908, and whose births occurred in
the following order: Wilfred W., our sub-
ject; Nellie, the wife of Richard Ellington,
of St. Louis; John L. , living in Chicago;
Nona died in Chicago, July 8, 1905 ; Orval
Nicholas living in Salem, Illinois. To Nicho-
las Merz and his second wife one child was
born, Mabel, who is living with her parents
in Salem.
These children received a fairly good
education and are comfortably located, each
giving promise of successful careers.
Wilfred W. Merz was reared in Salem,
having attended the city schools where he
applied himself in a most assiduous manner,
outstripping many less ambitious plodders
until he graduated from the high school as
salutarian with the class of 1900, having
made an excellent record for scholarship.
After leaving school Mr. Merz farmed on
his father's place for two years, making
agriculture a success. He then left the farm
and accepted a clerkship with the mercantile
firm of Cutler & Hays in Salem in whose
employ he remained for one and one-half
years, giving entire satisfaction as a sales-
man and by reason of his adaptability for
this line of work and his courteous treat-
ment of customers did much to increase the
firm's popularity and trade.
In 1893 Mr. Merz entered the railroad
business with the Baltimore & Ohio, and was
assistant agent at Salem during 1893 an ^
1894. On January 16, 1895, he was ap-
pointed agent for the Chicago, Paducah &
Memphis Railroad Company at Kell, Illi-
nois. This road later passed into the control
of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois in 1907,
and after about eight months of acceptable
service at Kell, Mr. Merz was promoted to
the position of agent at Salem for the Chi-
cago & Eastern Illinois road, and he has
since been their faithful employe at this im-
portant post, with the exception of five
months as agent at Tuscola, Illinois, from
January to June, 1904, and as assistant cash-
ier of the Salem State Bank from October,
1904, to October, 1905, which position he
held with honor and resigned the same to
RICHLAND. CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
re-enter the railroad service. He is regarded
by the company as one of the most conscien-
tious and reliable agents in their service.
Since the division was established at Salem
in 1905, this office has become one of the
most important along the company's line.
Mr. Merz was happily married August
24, 1897, to Nettie Kell, daughter of J. M.
Kell and wife, a well known family of old
Foxville. Mrs. Merz is a representative of
one of the oldest families of Marion county,
and one of a family 'of nine children, seven
of whom are yet living, Maudie and Robert
dying in infancy. Her father and mother
are still living at the time of this
writing, the mother being one of ten
sisters all of whom, are! living in 1908,
a most remarkable record. Her father,
John M. Kell, was a soldier in the Union
ranks during the war between the states
and was one of a family of twelve children,
one of his brothers being killed in the last
skirmish of the Civil war after a service of
three years. Mrs. Merz's grandfather, on
her maternal side, was Robert Wham, a
well-to-do pioneer of Marion county who
rendered distinguished services as a soldier
in the Mexican war. He had a brother,
French L., who died in Andersonville
prison. Mr. Wham passed away January
10, 1905, at a very old age.
Mr. and Mrs. Merz are the parents of
three bright and interesting children who
have added cheer to the cozy, modern and
nicely furnished home which is so graciously
presided over with rare dignity and grace
by the subject's wife, the names of their chil-
dren being as follows: Robert W., born
July 6, 1898; Helen Louise, born February
6, 1900; Gladys Roberta, born June 6, 1902.
The fact that the birth of these children all
occurred on the sixth of the month is a
singular coincidence.
Mr. and Mrs. Merz own their own beauti-
ful home on East Main street. Both are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
church, and are known as among the best
members of the congregation with which
they have always been popular. The subject
has spent his entire life in Salem where he
is well and favorably known, having gained
and retained undivided respect of all as a
result of his sober, industrious and honor-
able career. He is always to be found on the
right side of all questions looking to the
betterment of his community and may well
be said to represent Marion county's best
citizenship in every particular.
SNIVELY & MONTGOMERY,
LIVERYMEN.
Though no land is richer in opportunities
or offers greater advantages to its citizens
than America, success is not to be attained
through desire, but must be persistently
sought. In this country "labor is king,"
and the man who resolutely sets to work to
accomplish a given purpose is certain of
success if he has but the qualities of perse-
verance, untiring energy and practical com-
mon sense. William A. Montgomery, the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
well known liveryman of Olney, Illinois,
through his diligence and persistent efforts,
has attained definite success and has won
the respect of all who know him through
his fair dealing with the public.
William A. Montgomery was born in Ol-
ney, Richland county, October 22, 1860, the
son of Thomas and Sarah (Brillhart) Mont-
gomery, natives of Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania, respectively, who came to Richland
county in an early day. Thomas came with
his parents when a small boy. The fam-
ily entered land in Edwards county, where
Thomas was reared, assisting with the work
of improving a farm in the wilderness.
When only sixteen years old, he began car-
rying the mail from Fair-field to Mt. Car-
mel, and he had charge of the route from
Olney to Grayville, for years. He also op-
erated a stage. He later became a pros-
perous farmer in Richland county.
The Brillharts were pioneers in Richland
county and became influential in their com-
munity. The parents of the subject of this
sketch died in Richland county, the father
at the age of seventy-eight and the mother
when sixty-eight years old. They were
people of many sterling and praiseworthy
traits, and were hard workers all their lives.
William A. Montgomery was reared on a
farm in Edwards county, and received his
education in the country schools of Edwards
and Richland counties. He remained at
home during the lifetime of his parents,
working on the farm until the spring of
1903, when he came to Olney and engaged
in the livery business, which he is still con-
ducting with great success, giving the pub-
lic entire satisfaction and handling an ex-
cellent grade of horses and vehicles. The
firm is known as Snively & Montgomery.
They began business in their present loca-
tion in 1906, building a modern and con-
venient brick barn which was completed in
June of that year. The building is sixty-
eight by one hundred and ten feet and is
one of the most complete and best equipped
in Olney or any of the surrounding towns.
They keep an average of twenty head of
driving stock, also a considerable number
of boarding stock.
In politics Mr. Montgomery is a Demo-
crat and a member of the Modern Woodmen
of America and the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks, No. 926, of Olney.
Edmund C. Snively, partner of Mr. Mont-
gomery, was born in Madison township,
Richland county, and what has been said
of the former regarding untiring persistence
and application to business is equally ap-
plicable to him, and they make a strong
combination in their special line. The date
of Mr. Snively's birth was December 26,
1872. He is the son of Amos B. and Sa-
rah E. (Parker) Snively, residents of Mad-
ison township. Mr. Snively was reared on
a farm and was educated in the country
schools and at the Southern Normal at Car-
bondale for one year. He received a good
education for he applied himself well to his
books and successfully taught school for one
term. He worked on a farm, in a saw-mill
and operated a threshing machine for sev-
eral seasons. In 1904 he came to Olney,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AM) MARION COl'XTIES, ILLINOIS.
125
and became a member of Snively & Mont-
gomery, and has continued in the same ever
since.
Mr. Snively was united in marriage on
June 12, 1907, to Laura D. Yelch, a native
of Olney township, the daughter of Daniel
and Margaret (Swallen) Yelch, the former
now deceased and the latter is a resident of
Olney. In politics Mr. Snively is a Demo-
crat, and in his fraternal relations he be-
longs to the Modern Woodmen of America
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
of Olney.
Fair dealing has been the watchword of
this firm and as a result they have built up
an extensive patronage, which is still grow-
ing. Both Messrs. Snively and Montgom-
ery are regarded as among the substantial
citizens of Olney, and are well spoken of
by all who know them.
GEORGE B. SIMCOX.
The subject stands as the exponent of one
of the extensive noteworthy enterprises
of the city, where he maintains a real
estate business, which is pre-eminent in the
honorable bearing and careful methods em-
ployed, and in the discriminating delicacy of
treatment which the nature of the business
renders expedient, and he has thus retained
as his own the respect and confidence of the
community, even as has his noble father, the
latter having likewise assumed a position of
priority in the business and social life of
Marion county, where he still resides at an
advanced age.
George B. Simcox was born in Kentucky
in 1864, the son of W. K. Simcox, now
living at Patoka, Illinois, a native of Penn-
sylvania, who migrated from the old Key-
stone state to Illinois in 1866, locating at
Patoka, where he has since resided. He was
in the mercantile business of which he made
a success, but he is now living retired, hav-
ing reached the advanced age of eighty-
three, and his good wife that of
seventy-eight. They are held in high esteem
in their neighborhood where their latter
years have been so honorably and happily
spent. Twelve children were born to them,
seven of whom are still living. They are :
Anna M., the widow of Dr. T. N. Livesay,
and she makes her home near Patoka ; Rob-
ert A., of Patoka; John L., also of Patoka;
Bettie, the wife of Dr. W. W. Murfin, of
Patoka; Mary A., the wife of A. T. Eaglin,
of Henton, Oklahoma; Joseph W., of Pa-
toka; George B., whose name appears at the
head of this review.
Mr. Simcox spent his boyhood in Patoka,
Illinois, where he received a common school
education, having applied himself closely to
his books. When about eighteen years old
he went to railroading and was subsequently
in the employ of various roads. Longing
for more varied experiences than could be
gained at home, he went to the Southwest
and his rise in the railroad business was
rapid there owing to his natural ability,
carefulness and personal address, conse-
quently he soon became conductor on the
126
ItKiK APHICAL A XI) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Mexican National Railroad in Old Mexico,
holding this responsible position to the satis-
faction of the superior officials when only
twenty-one years old.
After following the railroad business for
ten years he returned to Salem, Illinois, in
1895, and has been in Marion county ever
since. He first launched in the mercantile
business in Patoka, where he was doing
nicely and building up an excellent trade,
when he lost heavily by fire after two years
in this line. Then he went into the real
estate and newspaper business at Patoka, in
which he made a success and became known
as the moulder of public thought and opin-
ion. Being thus able and popular with his
fellow voters, he was soon slated for local
political offices, and held every township
office in that township. He was appointed
Deputy Sheriff in 1902 and served with
great credit for a period of four years. In-
deed, all his duties in an official capacity
were attended to with the greatest alacrity
and good judgment. He was nominated by
the Democrats in 1906 as a candidate for
sheriff, but was defeated.
In 1906 Mr. Simcox went into the hard-
ware business in Salem, in which he re-
mained for eight months, when he sold out
to C. W. Vensell, and since then he has
been interested in the real estate business,
making a specialty of city lots and booming
special sales, and his efforts have been
crowned with gratifying success, for he has
the confidence of the public and conducts
his business along safe and conservative
lines.
Mr. Simcox was united in marriage May
24, 1896, to Florence Wasem, of Patoka,
the cultured and refined daughter of Jacob
E. Wasem, a well known citizen of Patoka.
Two bright and interesting children have
been born to this union, namely: Maude
Ellen, whose date of birth occurred August
13, 1897, and Minnie May, who was born
November 24, 1903.
Our subject in his fraternal relations be-
longs to the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks at Centralia Lodge No. 493 ;
also the Marion Lodge No. 525, Knights of
Pythias; also the Modern Woodmen of
America No. 761, of Patoka. He also be-
longs to the Order of Railway Telegraphers.
Our subject has always taken a great in-
terest in political matters and public affairs,
and he was chairman of the Democratic
Central Committee during two campaigns,
and he is now a member of the County Ex-
ecutive Democratic Committee of Marion
county. In public office he has been found
most loyal to the public good, and in his
business affairs he is ever straight-forward
and trustworthy.
ROBERT MARTIN.
It is signally consonant that in this work
be incorporated at least a brief resume of
the life and labors of Mr. Martin, who has
long been one of the influential citizens of
Marion county, and through whose loyal
efforts the city of Salem and surrounding
RICH I. AM), CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
127
locality have reaped lasting benefits, for his
exceptional administrative capacity has been
directed along lines calculated to be for the
general good. A man of forceful individu-
ality and marked initiative power, he has
been well equipped for leadership, while his
probity of character and his genial personal-
ity have gained for him uniform esteem and
friendship in the city where he has so long
made his home, and of which he is regarded
by all classes as one of its most distinguished
citizens in connection with the business
world.
Robert Martin was born in Estilville, now
known as Gate City, Scott county, Virginia,
April n, 1839, the son of John S. Martin,
also a native of Virginia, and a man of rec-
ognized ability, being the representative of
a fine old Southern family, noted for its
high ideals and unqualified hospitality, his
ancestry being Scotch-Irish. John S. Mar-
tin was County Clerk for a period of twenty
years or more, and he held many other
county offices, including a judgeship, and he
won universal praise for the able manner in
which he discharged his every duty to the
public. He was called from his earthly
labors in 1865 while living at Alma, this
county. The mother of the subject was a
Stewart before her marriage, a woman of
rare mental equipoise and culture; she
passed to her rest soon after the family
came to Illinois in 1846.
Our subject spent his early boyhood on
his parental farm at Alma, having been only
five years old when the family came here.
He attended school at Alma and Salem. He
also attended the Southern Illinois Female
College at Salem, which institution ceased
to exist soon after the war. He gained a
liberal education which has stood him in
such good hand during his long and emi-
nently active and successful business career.
Our subject was one of those loyal sons
of the North, who, when the tocsin of war
sounded calling loyal sons to defend the
old flag, offered his services, enlisting in
Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, one of the fa-
mous regiments of the state, which was or-
ganized at Salem. Mr. Martin was then
twenty-one years old. The company left
Salem and went to Columbus, Kentucky,
and from there to Paducah, that state, later
to Pulaski, Tennessee, and from there
marched to Chattanooga, where it united
with Sherman's army and remained with the
same through its historic march to the sea,
and also its strenuous campaigns, having
participated in the battles at Atlanta and
many other notable engagements. After re-
maining with him until the close of the war,
he took part in the grand review at Wash-
ington City, after a very commendable ser-
vice of three years. He was mustered out
at Springfield, Illinois, where he came soon
after the review in Washington.
After his career in the army, Mr. Martin
launched in the grocery business at Salem,
in which he remained for one year, when he
sold out and went into the more lucrative
grain and lumber business, in which he has
been engaged for a period of forty-one years
during which time an enormous volume of
128
nor.KAl'lIICAL AXI) KKM IN ISC KXT HISTORY OF
business has passed through his hands, and
he has become widely known as one of the
leading men in these lines in Southern Illi-
nois, being recognized by the leading dealers
throughout this and adjoining states as well
as remote parts of the country as a man of
the highest business integrity and acumen.
He is still conducting a large lumber yard,
and carries on a very extensive and thriving
business, numbering his customers by the
thousands, not only from Salem and vicin-
ity, but throughout the county and to remote
parts of the country. He owns a beautiful,
modern and well furnished residence in one
of the most desirable portions of Salem.
Our subject was happily married in 1867
to Alice Scott, a native of Vincennes, In-
diana, a woman of affable personality and
rare refinement, the daughter of a highly
respected and influential family. Three
children have been born to this union, one
of whom has passed away. They are:
Mabel Dora, the wife of W. H. Parsons, of
Salem; C. C. Martin, of Salem, and John
Lewis Martin, formerly of Salem, now de-
ceased.
These children received every possible at-
tention from their parents, being given good
educations and careful home training.
Mr. Martin assisted in the organization
and became one of the first directors and
stockholders in the Salem State Bank. He
is also a director of the Salem Building and
Loan Association, and his sound judgment
and able advice is always carefully weighed
by the other members of these organizations
in their deliberations, for Mr. Martin has a
reputation among local business men for
remarkable foresight into all business propo-
sitions. Having always been interested in
educational affairs, he served as a member
and also as president of the School Board
of Salem for several years, but he is not at
present connected with the board, but during
the time that he was the schools of Salem
were greatly strengthened.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Martin is a
member of the Knights of Pythias and the
Woodmen. He has been a faithful and
consistent member of the Methodist church
since he was thirteen years old.
CHARLES T. KELL.
This enterprising farmer and representa-
tive citizen is a native of Marion county, Illi-
nois, and belongs to one of the old and high-
ly esteemed pioneer families of Haines town-
ship, where his parents, Thomas and Mary
(Luke) Kell, settled in an early day and bore
an active and influential part in the devel-
opment and growth of the community (see
sketch of William Kell). Charles T. was
born a short distance west of the village of
Kell, September 18, 1854, from which date
to the present time his life has been very
closely identified with Haines township, and
as stated above, he now holds worthy pres-
tige among the leading agriculturists and
public spirited men of the section of country
honored by his citizenship.
Reared in close touch with nature in the
healthful outdoor life of the farm, he earlv
acquired a vigorous physique and an inde-
pendence of mind characteristic of the sturdy
MR AND MRS. C. T. KELL.
Of THE
UNIVERSITY w ILLINOIS,
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
I2 9
son of the soil, and while still quite young
he became familiar with the varied duties of
agriculture and learned to appreciate the
honor and dignity which belong to those who
earn their bread by the sweat of the brow.
At the proper age he entered the schools of
the neighborhood, which he attended at in-
tervals until acquiring a practical knowledge
of the subjects taught, the meanwhile assist-
ing his father on the family homestead and
contributing his full share to its cultivation,
After remaining with his parents until at-
taining his majority, Charles T. entered into
partnership with his brother, John M. Kell.
by purchasing a half interest in a saw and
grist mill at Foxville, and during the ensu-
ing ten years devoted his attention to the
manufacture of flour and lumber, meeting
with encouraging success in the enterprise
and becoming widely known as a wide-
awake and thoroughly honorable and reli-
able business man. Disposing of his interest
in the mill at the expiration of the period in-
dicated, he located on his present home farm
in Haines township, adjoining the town of
Kell on the south, having previously become
the possessor of another tract consisting of
one hundred and twenty acres in another
part of the same township, both of which
places he has brought to a high state of cul-
tivation and otherwise improved. At the
time the railroad was constructed he sold
twenty acres, which is now a part of the
village of Kell.
As a farmer, Mr. Kell easily ranks with
the most enterprising and successful men of
his calling in Marion county, being progres-
9
sive in his methods and using the latest mod-
ern implements and machinery and by judi-
cious rotation of crops he seldom fails to
realize abundant returns from the time and
labor devoted to his fields. He also pays
considerable attention to the raising of live
stock, which he finds quite profitable, and his
domestic animals, including horses, mules,
cattle, sheep and hogs, are among the finest
breeds obtainable, and from their sale no
small share of his liberal income is derived.
Mr. Kell has not been sparing of his
means in the matter of improvement, and the
beautifying and rendering attractive his
home, the large two-story house with its
many modern conveniences, being among
the most desirable country residences in the
township, while his commodious barn, out-
buildings, wells, fences and other evidences
of prosperity compare favorably with the
best in his part of the country. He keeps
in close touch with the advancement in agri-
cultural science, and fully abreast of the
times in reducing the same to practical tests,
being progressive in all the term implies,
and believes in the latest and most approved
methods of modern farming.
In his political faith Mr. Kell is a Repub-
lican, and while interested in the success of
his party, he has never been a politician,
much less an office seeker or aspirant for
leadership. In religion he subscribes to the
Missionary Baptist creed, and for a number
of years his name has adorned the records
of that church, having held the office of dea-
con five years in the local congregation, to
which himself and entire family belong, be-
1 3 o
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
sides being otherwise interested in religious
and benevolent work. He is superintendent
of the Sunday school which he attends, has
long been an influential leader in this depart-
ment of religious endeavor, and with his
wife has been instrumental in arousing an in-
terest among the young people of the neigh-
borhood and leading not a few of them to
the higher life.
Mr. Kell was married in the year 1881 to
Rebecca C. Purdue, of Haines township,
daughter of Richard and Caroline (Har-
mon) Purdue, early settlers of Marion coun-
ty and among the highly respected people of
their locality (see history of the Purdue
family). Mr. and Mrs. Kell have four chil-
dren, the oldest of whom, a daughter by the
name of Iva May, is the wife of R. A. Jef-
fries, of Haines township, and the mother of
one child, Trevor Jeffries. The other chil-
dren, two daughters and one son, are still
under the parental roof, their names in order
of birth being as follows: Myrtle, Ellis and
Ethel. Mr. Kell has taken great interest in
the rearing and educating of his children
and they in turn have responded to his every
effort in their behalf. The children all re-
ceived liberal educational advantages in the
public schools and also at Ewing Baptist
College at Ewing, 111. Ethel graduated at
the age of seventeen from that institution in
instrumental music. The family is one of
the best known and most highly esteemed in
the county and the name which is an old and
honorable one has long been synonymous
for noble manhood and womanhood and a
high order of citizenship.
HENRY HORD.
Aside from his connections with the civic
affairs of Clay county, the subject of this
sketch has long been an influential factor in
the general business and industrial interests
of the county during his entire life, which
has been spent here, everything calculated
to advance the community, materially or
otherwise, receiving his support and hearty
co-operation. He is unwavering in his al-
legiance to what he believes is right, and
upholds his honest convictions at the sacri-
fice, if necessary, of every other interest.
Conscientious in the discharge of his duties
of citizenship, he is a valued member of the
body politic, and his aim has ever been to
shape his life according to the highest stand-
ard of excellence, therefore he has won the
esteem and confidence of all who know him.
Henry Hord, the popular Sheriff of Clay
county, is a native of the same, having been
born in Blair township, December 8, 1863,
the son of Thomas B. Hord, who was a na-
tive of Indiana, and who came to Illinois
when a boy, being one of the early settlers
of Clay county, locating in Blair township,
where he now lives and is a prosperous
farmer, well known in his township. "Judge"
George Hord, grandfather of the subject,
was also a native of Indiana and a man of
considerable influence in his community.
The subject's mother was known in her
maidenhood as Alice Beal, whose people
came from Tennessee. She passed to her
rest when our subject was two years old.
Two children were born to the parents of
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
our subject, the other child dying in in-
fancy. They gave their son all the advan-
tages possible, wholesome home environ-
ment and a fairly good education, and he
owes much of his subsequent success to his
solicitous parents. He was reared on a farm
where he laid the foundations for a hardy
manhood, for he devoted the summer
months to work in the fields and attended
school in the winter in his native township,
which was the only schooling he had ; but
he made good use of his time. After leav-
ing school he continued farm work on the
home place until he married when he went
to farming for himself in Blair township.
Mr. Hord was united in the bonds of
wedlock with Percilla Eytchison, the daugh-
ter of J. W. and Charity A. Eytchison, a
well known family of Blair township, the
date of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Hord
being October 18, 1884, and to this union
nine children have been born, named in or-
der of birth as follows: Jesse, deceased,
having died when about thirteen years old;
Lillie, William, Mimmie, Roy. Elbridge. Rol-
la, Everett, the youngest child died in in-
fancy.
In 1906 Mr. Hord was elected Sheriff of
Clay county, on the Republican ticket, and
he is now serving his term of four years in
a manner that elicits praise from everyone
having occasion to know of his work, for he
is discharging his duties in a most con-
scientious and able manner, and generally
regarded as the best Sheriff the county has
ever had. Previously Mr. Hord had faith-
fully served Blair township as Supervisor
and Assessor. He owns a good farm in
Blair township, which he rents. In his fra-
ternal relations he is a Mason.
Mrs. Hord died of typhoid fever Sep-
tember 1 8, 1906, between the time Mr. Hord
was nominated and elected Sheriff. Our
subject was married a second time, his last
wife being Miss Dora Manifold, a daughter
of Reverend Manifold, now deceased. Mrs.
Hord formerly resided in St. Louis, and
she taught school in Clay county for five
years.
In his career Mr. Hord has seen the gath-
ering clouds that threatened disaster, but
his rich inheritance of energy and pluck has
enabled him to turn defeats into victory and
promised failures into success. He enjoys
in the fullest measure the public confidence,
because of the honorable methods he has
ever followed, and is one of the prominent
and honored men of Clay county.
WILLIAM C. INGRAM.
Standing in an eminent position among
the industrial representatives of Marion
county is the subject of this sketch, who
is recognized as one of Kinmundy's lead-
ing citizens, having for many years been
interested in the local flouring mill the repu-
tation of which has spread all over this lo-
cality as a result of his able management.
In this regard he is controlling an exten-
sive and important industry, for the product
of his mill is large and the annual shipment
1 3 2
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of flour made to the city markets bring in
return a very desirable income to the stock-
holders of the company. His success has
been won entirely along old and time-tried
maxims, such as "honesty is the best policy"
and "there is no excellence without labor."
William C. Ingram was born in Indiana
in 1848, the son of Samuel and Minerva A.
(Powers) Ingram. Grandfather Ingram is
supposed to have been born in Kentucky and
moved to Warrick county, Indiana, where
he engaged in farming and where he spent
the balance of his days in honest and use-
ful toil ; there raising his family and passing
from his labors into the great beyond, after
reaching a very advanced age. His faithful
life companion also lived to an advanced
age. They reared a large family, all but one
of whom lived to be men and women and
reared families of their own. A number of
their sons were gallant infantrymen in the
Union ranks during the war between the
states. The Ingram lineage is from Eng-
land, and were early settlers in Kentucky,
having come there in the brave days of
Daniel Boone when the principal tasks of
the pioneers were the clearing of the pri-
meval forests and the banishment of the
wary red men.
Samuel Ingram, the father of the subject,
was reared in Indiana, and was almost
wholly without educational advantages. His
date of birth is recorded as 1824, conse-
quently his boyhood was during a time when
schools had scarcely been established in the
Hoosier state. He devoted his life to agri-
cultural pursuits of which he made a suc-
cess being a hard worker. He left Indiana
in 1854 and moved to Edwards county,
Illinois, but came on to Marion county, land-
ing here April 6, 1857, ar >d bought a farm
on which he remained and greatly improved,
living there in comfort until 1866, when he
moved to Kinmundy, still working his farm ;
continuing this for ten years when he sold
out and retired from active work. He is
still hale and active at this writing (1908),
having attained the ripe age of eighty-four.
As a result of his well spent life his old
age is happy, for it is free from want and
worry and pervaded with no unpleasant
memories or regrets and compunctions over
a misspent past, for his life has been one
of honor and industry, most worthily lived.
There were eight children in his family, six
of whom are now living and have families
of their own. The mother of the subject,
a woman of beautiful Christian character,
passed to her rest at the age of seventy-
eight years. This fine old couple were al-
ways devout Methodists.
The great-grandfather 'Powers of the
subject spent most of his life in Indiana,
living to an old age. He was a Democrat
and a Baptist. Grandmother Powers died
in middle age. One of Mrs. Ingram's
brothers, John Powers, was a soldier in the
Civil war.
William C. Ingram, our subject, was
brought to Illinois by his parents when six
years old and to Marion county three years
later, having been placed at once in the pub-
lic schools here where he received his edu-
cation, and in other similar schools of
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
133
this state. He worked on his father's farm
and for others as a farm hand until he was
twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm
and worked it on his own account for two
years, making a good start in this way. He
then purchased a farm of one hundred and
fifty acres in this county on which he re-
mained for a few years when he went to
carpentry and farming, later purchasing
a saw mill which he successfully operated for
twenty-five years, which he recently sold.
He has also owned two other saw mills, and
has been known as one of the leading mill
men of this locality for many years Some
time ago he came to Kinmundy and pur-
chased an interest in the Songer flouring mill
which has been in operation for forty years,
the subject now owning forty shares in this
mill and is a director in the same, which has
a wide reputation for the excellency of its
products, customers not only coming in per-
son from all parts of the county, but many
orders are constantly pouring in from ad-
joining counties and distant cities. The sub-
ject's son is also a part owner in the mill.
He also owns and controls thirty shares
of the capital stock.
Our subject has also been a merchant,
and owing to his honesty in business, his
natural ability and his discriminating fore-
sight, he has always made a success at what-
ever he undertook, so that today he is re-
garded as one of the financially substantial
men of the county, every dollar in his pos-
session having been honestly earned by hard
work.
Mr. Ingram was united in marriage in
1869 to Mary R. Gray, a native of this
county, daughter of James H, and Susanna
Jane (Hannah) Gray. They were from
Tennessee and lived on a farm. Her father
was president of the Farmers & Merchants
Bank of Kinmundy at the time of his death,
which occurred at the age of seventy-seven
years. In their family were ten children,
seven of whom lived to maturity, but were
short-lived people.
Six children were born to the subject and
wife as follows: Jane who was born in
1871, died when two and one-half years old;
Charles H., who was born in 1874, is now
living in Oklahoma and is the father of six
children : Nellie A., who was born in 1876,
is the wife of M. E. Huston, who lives at
Maroa, Illinois, and is the mother of one
child; Isaac D. was born in 1879 and is now
associated with his father in the mill, is mar-
ried and has three children ; Robert L., who
was bom in 1880, is living in the state of
Washington, is married and has one child;
William G., born in 1882, died at the age of
twenty-one years.
The subject's first wife passed away in
1883. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, South. Mr. Ingram was
married a second time, the date of his last
wedding occurring in 1888. Nancy I. Gray
(nee Booth), who was then the mother of
two children, was his second choice. W. H.
Gray, a sketch of whose life appears in this
work, is her son. Her other child is dead.
There has been no issue by the subject's last
union. Mr. Ingram is a member of the Ma-
sonic Fraternity and he attends the Metho-
134
UOGKAl'HICAL AND KK M I X 1SCF.XT HISTORY OF
dist church, of which his wife is a faithful
member. In politics he supports the Re-
publican ticket and he takes a keen interest
in public affairs, though he has no ambition
for the honors or emoluments of public of-
fice, preferring to give his attention to his
own business affairs.
JOHN F. JOLLY.
The most elaborate history is necessarily
an abridgement, the historian being com-
pelled to select his facts and material from
a multitude of details. In every life of
honor and usefulness there is no dearth of
incident, and yet in summing up the career
of any man the writer needs touch only
those salient points which give the keynote
of the character, but eliminating much that
is superfluous. Thus in giving the life rec-
ord of the gentleman whose name initiates
this sketch sufficient will be said to show
that he is one of the enterprising and pro-
gressive citizens of Richland county, being
a well known horticulturist and hardware
merchant.
John F. Jolly was born at Grayville,
White county, Illinois, December 2, 1850,
the son of John B. and Elizabeth (Ferri-
man) Jolly, the former a native of Edwards
county, of English parents, and the latter
of Jamaica, who came with her parents to
Edwards county when a child, settling in
Albion. Stephen Jolly, grandfather of our
subject, emigrated to America from Eng-
land, locating at Albion, Edwards county,
this state, where he died soon after the birth
of J. B. Jolly, who is now eighty-four years
old and the oldest resident at Grayville, hav-
ing removed to the latter place about 1847,
where he engaged in merchandising for
many years. He accumulated a comfortable
competency and is now retired. His wife
passed away in 1851. The subject is the
only child of his parents, his mother having
died when he was an infant. He was reared
in Grayville, having been educated in the
public schools there, also went to school at
Normal, Illinois. He became deputy post-
master at Grayville, which position he held
for about four years, when he engaged in
the mercantile business under the firm name
of Jolly, Spring & Hollister, for about four
years. Soon afterward, in 1877, he came
to Olney and engaged in the hardware busi-
ness under the firm name of Prunty & Jolly,
in which business he has continued success-
fully ever since. A few years later the firm
name became J. B. & J. F. Jolly. In 1904
the present firm organized as Jolly, Wie-
land & Richardson. These two men had been
with Mr. Jolly as clerks for many years, the
former as manager of the store and the latter
as manager of the manufacturing depart-
ment of plumbing, tinning and heating. The
change was due to the impairment of Mr.
Jolly's health.
They carry an extensive line of hardware,
stoves, tinware and in fact a complete and
carefully selected stock of such things at all
times, and they carry on a very extensive
trade throughout the county.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
135
Mr. Jolly was united in marriage in 1880,
to Mary Morrison, a native of Olney, the
daughter of George D. and Kate (Snyder)
Morrison, the former a native of Ohio and
the latter of Lawrence county, Illinois. The
Morrisons were originally from Virginia,
and the Snyders of Kentucky. The mother
resides with her daughter, Mrs. Jolly, in Ol-
ney. The father died in 1873, at the age
of forty-one years. One daughter has been
born to our subject and wife, George Eliza-
beth, who was educated at Olney in the
high school and at Wellesley College. She
is a winsome and talented young lady and
popular in whatever society she enters.
Mr. Jolly is an active Republican. He
was chairman of the County Central Com-
mittee for twelve years, and was Mayor of
Olney from 1895 to J 896, during which
time he did many things that will be of per-
manent benefit to the town, leaving more
money in the treasury at the expiration of
his term than ever had been and has been
since. His was a most excellent business
administration.
In his fraternal relations he belongs to
the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. Mrs. Jolly is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, and is president of
the Ladies' Guild, which has raised more
money than any similar organization, being
largely responsible for the erection of the
new church building.
In 1889, owing to poor health, Mr. Jolly
went to California and after many months
returned to his home much improved. When
he came back to Olney it was with the in-
tention of quitting the confinement of the
store and engaging in outdoor pursuits, and
he accordingly became interested in horti-
culture, and in the spring of 1890, planted
the second commercial orchard in Richland
county of eighty acres adjoining Olney.
Since then he has bought adjoining tracts
and planted additional acreage until now he
owns two hundred acres of fine fruit land,
set a well selected variety of trees, nearly
all of which are bearing. He has been very
active along these lines and is one of the best
posted and well known horticulturists in
Southern Illinois. His work and practical
experience and demonstrations, have con-
tributed much to the interest taken by others
in bringing Richland county to the front
as one of the leading fruit sections in this
part of the state, and he now has one of the
finest and best kept orchards in the state,
from which in 1902 from one hundred acres
he sold the apple crop for ten thousand dol-
lars, it having produced ten thousand bar-
rels. He employs modern methods in his
horticultural work, and his farm buildings
and equipment are of the latest and most up-
to-date in this section of the state. The
spraying plant is without doubt the most
complete in Southern Illinois, if net in the
state. He has tanks for manufacturing
spray, and the cooking of the same for four
thousand gallons capacity, the cooking be-
ing done by steam, and gasoline engines for
power in spraying. Being enthusiastic in
horticulture, it naturally follows that he is
a student and active in societies of this na-
ture. For the past ten years he has been
: 3 6
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
president of the Richland County Horticul-
tural Society, which was organized about
1888, although its greatest and best work
has been accomplished of late years. He
has also been a member of the Illinois Hor-
ticultural Society, and for more than seven
years a member of its advisory committee,
which has been of great benefit to horticul-
tural interests of Richland county. The
state makes appropriations for experimental
work in various parts of Illinois and the
money is judiciously expended by the advis-
ory committee at such points wherein their
judgment the best results can be obtained.
Mr. Jolly is a public-spirited man, always
ready to do what he can in furthering the
interests of the county, and he is regarded
by all as one of the county's most useful
citizens, and numbers his friends by the
scores.
W. S. CONANT.
Marion county, Illinois, is characterized
by her full share of the honored and faith-
ful element who have done so much for the
development and upbuilding of the state and
the establishment of the institutions of civ-
ilization in this fertile and well favored sec-
tion. Among these worthy native sons the
name of the subject of this sketch is
properly installed.
W. S. Conant was born in this county,
September 22, 1854, the son of William R.,
and Fannie (Swift) Conant. Grandfather
Conant was a native of Massachusetts, who
moved from that state to Georgia and then
to Illinois, settling in Marion county, com-
ing here in an early day and being the first
school teacher in the county. He entered
land here and farmed for some time, having
passed to his rest about 1840, at the age of
about fifty years. His wife died within one
week of her husband. Grandfather Swift
was a native of Tennessee, who moved to
this county about 1830, entering land here
which he developed into a farm and where
he reared his family. He died a short dis-
tance from where he first located, having
moved to the former place, his death occur-
ring about 1870, when he was about sev-
enty years old. His widow survived him
about ten years. She was a Presbyterian.
There were five children in this family, all
of them living to maturity.
The father of the subject was born in
Georgia and came to Illinois with his par-
ents when he was but a boy. His father
being a teacher, he received some education,
but the father of the subject was a hard-
working man and did not take time to prop-
erly improve his education. He was always
a farmer. He entered land which he later
added to by purchase until he had a valu-
able farm of two hundred acres, which he
left at his death. The mother of the sub-
ject died when she was two years old, in
1856, his father having died at the age of
forty. He was a Democrat in political be-
lief.'
W. S. Conant. our subject, had the ad-
vantage of a common school education, and
having applied himself in a diligent manner
he became fairly well educated, not leaving
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
137
the school room until he was nineteen years
old. He worked on his father's farm until
he was twenty, when he went to work on his
own account. He farmed with his brother-
in-law, then rented a farm and so continued
for four years. He then bought a farm in
1 88 1 of three hundred and twenty acres.
It was unimproved prairie land, but the sub-
ject devoted seven years of hard work on
the place and developed a fine and well im-
proved farm. He still owns this place. He
then bought a residence property, and in
time sold that and purchased the farm
where he has since resided, which consists
of twenty-four acres on which there is a
modern and substantial residence together
with convenient out-buildings. The subject
carries on general farming in a most suc-
cessful manner, skillfully rotating his crops
so as to keep the soil in good productive
condition. He also devoted much time to
stock-raising, being a good judge of all
kinds of live stock, especially cattle and
horses. He frequently feeds for the mar-
ket, but is now selling his stock for other
purposes. He raises a good class of horses.
For six years he engaged in buying and sel-
ling live stock in connection with his farm-
ing and made this business a success in
every particular.
Our subject was united in marriage in
November, 1877, to Agnes I. Morgan,
daughter of J. B. and Martha (Doolen)
Morgan, who came to this county at an
early day. There were two of the Doolen
brothers who went through the Civil war,
and are living in 1908.
Six children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife, as follows : Martha, born in
1880, who died in infancy; Gracie; Flor-
ence, who was born in 1881, died when
three years old ; William, who was born
September 22, 1885, died when six years
old; George, who was born July 8, 1887,
is a farmer, married and has one child;
Clarence C. was born July 14, 1894; Lewis
was born in 1897, is single and living at
home.
The subject is a member of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, in his fraternal
relations, and also a Modern Woodman, be-
longing also to the Royal Neighbors, having
filled all the chairs in an able manner in
the Woodmen. In his religious affiliations
he subscribes to the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, as does also his wife. Mr.
Conant is a loyal Democrat although he
does not find much time to devote to polit-
ical matters.
GEORGE D. MORRISON.
The biographer is glad to herein set forth
the salient facts in the eminently successful
and honorable career of the well remem-
bered and highly esteemed citizen of Rich-
land county whose name appears above, the
last chapter in whose life record has been
closed by the hand of death, and the seal
set thereon forever, but whose influence still
pervades the lives of those with whom he
came in contact. For many years he was
closelv identified with the industrial develop-
138
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
ment of the county, and aided in every way
possible in promoting the general good of
the community.
George D. Morrison was born at Zanes-
ville, Ohio, April i, 1832, the son of George
W. and Rebecca (Potter) Morrison, the for-
mer a native of Loudoun county, Virginia,
the latter of Maryland. During his earlier
years, the subject's father was a freighter,
keeping numerous teams and transporting
merchandise from Boston and other Eastern
markets to the interior before the days of
railroads. He was a soldier in the War of
1812, and was severely wounded, suffering
from the wound for a number of years, ren-
dering finally the amputation of his limb a
necessity. After his marriage he moved to
Ohio and for several years engaged in the
hotel business. Later he came to Richland
county, and died in Olney when about
eighty years of age, his wife having died a
few months previous at a ripe old age. They
were the parents of twelve children. Four of
their sons were soldiers in the Civil war,
and five of their sons were ministers of the
Gospel. One of their sons started east from
Ohio in the early days with a load of sup-
plies but was never heard from afterwards.
The six horse team and wagon of supplies
all mysteriously disappeared in the wilder-
ness. Foul play by bandits or the Indians
was suspected. Our subject was the ninth
in order of birth. He was reared in Ohio
where he received a good common school
education, and after removing to Illinois at-
tended an advanced school at Evanston, Il-
linois. He became clerk in a store. About
1855 he came to Olney and followed clerk-
ing for a time. He later established a dry
goods store just before the outbreak of the
Civil war. His health beginning to fail he
sold out and served one term as Circuit
Clerk of Richland county, giving entire sat-
isfaction in this capacity. He was elected
County Treasurer and died during his in-
cumbency of this office in 1873, at the age of
forty-one years. He was married in 1860
to Kate Snyder, a native of Lawrence
county, Illinois, the daughter of John and
Clarissa (Spencer) Snyder. They were na-
tives of Kentucky, where they were reared
and where they were married, and in an
early day emigrated to Lawrence county,
Illinois. Soon afterward in 1838, they
came to what is now Richland county, and
located on a farm in Claremont township, for
years known as Hickory Point. This farm
was entered from the government by the
father of John Snyder, who was among the
first' settlers of what is now Richland
county. Samuel Snyder was the subject's
grandfather. He was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, was reared in Kentucky and moved
from Rockport, Indiana, to Illinois. One of
his sons, Maurice B. Snyder, was Circuit
Clerk after the organization of Richland
county, for a number of years. Grandfather
Spencer was a native of Virginia, and he
moved to Kentucky in an early day. Both
the subject's grandfathers served in the War
of 1812. Three of grandfather Spencer's
sons were in the War of 1812, also in the
Black Hawk war. Spencer county, Indiana,
was named in honor of this family.
John Snyder, father of Mrs. Morrison,
was a farmer during his lifetime and im-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
139
proved a fine farm in Claremont township,
where he died at the age of fifty-seven years
in 1861. His wife survived several years
and died at the home of her daughter at
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the advanced age
of eighty-three years. She was the mother
of five children, four of whom are still liv-
ing. Her only son, John Snyder, was a sol-
dier in the Civil war, having enlisted as soon
as old enough, in the Seventh Illinois Cav-
alry. He was in many engagements, and
his health was impaired while in the service.
He now lives in Douglas county, Missouri.
Mrs. Morrison is the mother of three
children ; Mary, the wife of J. F. Jolly, of
Olney; Mattie, wife of J. L. Clevlen, of
Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Kate, the wife of
E. A. Powers, of Olney. Mrs. Morrison
makes her home with her children, spending
most of her time in Olney. She is one of
the oldest residents of the county now living.
Her life has been one of the usual hardship
and pleasure, of victory and defeat, but lived
in such a manner as to result in no harm to
others, as was also that of her worthy hus-
band, both being faultless in honor, fearless
in conduct and stainless in reputation, com-
manding the uniform regard and esteem of
their many friends.
SAMUEL D. GRAHAM.
The enterprising citizen whose name
heads this article needs no introduction to
the people of Marion county. He has been
for some time prominently identified with
the financial and industrial interests of the
community where he resides and always
manifesting an active interest in the pub-
lic welfare. His long life has been a most
active and useful one in every respect, and
has resulted in the accumulation of an
ample competence for his closing years as
well as in much good to his fellow men and
the community at large, where he has many
warm friends.
Samuel D. Graham was born in Rush
county, Indiana, in April, 1836, the son of
Hezekiah and Sarah (Smith) Graham.
Grandfather Graham was born in Scotland
and came to Pennsylvania in the seven-
teenth century. Both he and his brother,
Isaac, came from Scotland and both fought
in the Revolutionary war. Grandfather
was a captain and he had his eyes burned by
the explosion of a gun in the hands of one
of his own soldiers and eventually lost his
eyesight from the effects of it, having been
blind for twenty years before his death. He
never drew his pension although it was al-
lowed. It is in the hands of the govern-
ment yet. He was about eighty years old
when he died, leaving eight children living
out of a family of nine, all of whom lived
to maturity, five of whom moved to Ohio,
where they made homes and reared families
and where they died. Grandfather was dea-
con in the Baptist church for forty years,
and he and Grandmother Graham were
Baptists and always lived the Christian life.
Grandfather Smith was a native of Penn-
sylvania, who moved from there to Butler
HKICKAI'IIICAI. AM) UK M I ,\ 1SC1CNT HISTORY OF
county, Ohio, after the death of his first
wife. He and our subject's father were
married by the same minister and with the
same ceremony. In Grandfather Smith's
family there were seven children, who lived
to maturity. The youngest daughter by
this marriage, Rebecca McClelland, was the
mother of Gen. George B. McClelland.
There was no issue from the second mar-
riage. Grandfather Smith lived to be well
advanced in years. After his remains had
been buried twelve years, they were taken
up for removal and it was found that his
body was petrified. Grandfather Smith was
a Revolutionary soldier and one of his sons-
in-law, Oren Davis, was with him as a sol-
dier, and his son, Charles was in the Black
Hawk war.
The father of the subject left Pennsyl-
vania when twenty years old. He did not
have early school advantages, but in time
became educated and a well read man
through his own persistent efforts, being
particularly well informed on historical mat-
ters and events. He settled in Butler
county, Ohio, buying timbered land which
he cleared and developed into a good farm,
living there for about twelve years, when he
moved to Rush county, Indiana, in 1831,
remaining there until his death, which oc-
curred at the age of seventy-two years, his
date of birth having occurred on August 6,
1799. His wife was born in October, 1800.
He was twice married, his first wife being
the mother of our subject. She died at the
age of thirty-seven years, having given
birth to eleven children, seven of whom
lived to maturity. The father was married
again, there being born to the last union
ten children, all of whom lived to maturity.
The father and mother were Baptists. The
former spent his entire life on a farm,
leaving a farm and a goodly share of money
to his heirs, and also left land in Iowa, all
of which shows that he was a thrifty and
prudent man of affairs.
Hezekiah Graham, father of the subject,
in addition to his own family of eighteen
children took four orphan boys and one
girl and kept them until they reached ma-
turity and in addition to these he was al-
ways hunting and finding homes for other
orphan children, and his own smoke-house
and granary were always open to the poor
and needy. He believed with the great
philosopher, Henry Drummond, that "The
greatest thing a man can do for his
Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of
His children."
Samuel D. Graham, our subject, had but
little opportunity to attend school, having
spent altogether less than six months in the
school room. He worked on his father's
farm until he was twenty-six years old, then
hired out as a farm hand for ten years, dur-
ing which time he saved his earnings and
bought a farm in Fayette county, Indiana.
He lived there for ten years, then sold out
and bought another farm in Union county,
Indiana, and sold this at the end of two
years, when he moved to Illinois, settling
in Marion county, buying a farm of one
hundred and eighty-five acres of improved
land, near Kinmundy in 1882. In 1903 he
RICIILAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
bought his splendid modern residence and
two acres of ground in Kinmundy, where
he has since resided. He sold his
farm here and bought a farm in
Butler county, Missouri, consisting of one
hundred and sixty acres of improved bottom
land on which his son resides and success-
fully manages. Since coming to Kinmundy
our subject has lived in peaceful and hon-
orable retirement, conscious of a well spent
life, which has been a very active one and
has resulted in success in an eminent
degree. He always benefited himself in
his land deals and was an unusually good
farmer, keeping his farms well improved
and in a high state of cultivation.
Our subject was married in 1870 to Mrs.
Rhoda E. Prichard, nee Patterson, a native
of Union county, Indiana. Her father,
Alexander Patterson, was born December
7, 1815, and came to Ohio when fifteen
years of age, later to Union county, Indiana,
where his father had purchased an eighty-
acre farm. He lived and died on that farm.
Mrs. Graham became the mother of three
children by her first marriage, all of whom
are deceased. One of the oldest brothers,
James M. Patterson, was a soldier during
the Civil war from Indiana, and was killed
at Winchester, Virginia, in the battle of
September 19, 1864. Her people were of
Scotch-German descent. Her grandparents
on her father's side were married Septem-
ber 6, 1798. Grandfather Patterson was
born April 14, 1769, and Grandmother Pat-
terson was born July 29, 1776.
The following children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Graham: Harvey McClel-
land, born August 23, 1871, was accident-
ally killed in 1904; William H., was born
in 1873, is living on a farm in Missouri, is
married, but has no children living: Tillie
Alma, who was born December 15, 1878,
died January 28, 1879; Katie L., born May
6, 1880, is the wife of Melvin Hamilton,
and is living in Indiana. They have two
children living.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Graham are active
members of the Baptist church. Our sub-
ject is a loyal Democrat, but seldom takes
much interest in political affairs, however,
his support is always for the good of the
community in all questions.
Our subject has been a great reader, hav-
ing read the Bible through not less than six
or seven times, besides scores of other good
books and much pure literary matter. He
relates that he has been acquainted with
not less than five hundred of the Grahams
and that he never knew or heard of
one of them who ever used intoxicants of
any kind or character, and but few of them
who ever used tobacco., and about one-half
of them are church people.
ERASTUS D. TELFORD.
Only those who come in personal con-
tact with the gentleman whose name appears
above, the popular and well known City At-
torney of Salem, Illinois, can understand
how thoroughly nature and training, habits
142
BIOGRAPHICAL AM) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of thought and action, have enabled him to
accomplish his life work and made him a fit
representative of the enterprising class of
professional people to which he belongs. He
is a fine .type of the sturdy, conscientious
American of today a man who unites a
high order of ability with courage, pa-
triotism, clean morality and sound common
.sense, doing thoroughly and well the work
that he finds to do and asking praise of no
man for the performance of what he con-
ceives to be his simple duty.
Erastus D. Tel ford was born in Raccoon
township, Marion county, April 23, 1874.
J. D. Telford, whose life history is embod-
ied in another part of this volume, who has
long been a well known and influential char-
acter about Salem, is the father of our sub-
ject. Samuel G. Telford, who lives in
Haines township, and who was born in 1827
in this county, and who is still making his
home two and one-half miles west of where
he was born, is the subject's grandfather.
His great-grandfather was James Telford,
a native of South Carolina, who settled in
Marion county in 1822, died in 1856. Our
subject's father was the first Republican
Sheriff of Marion county, having been
elected in 1882. The mother of the subject
was known in her maidenhood as Ann
Wyatt, a native of Tennessee and the rep-
resentative of a fine old southern family.
Her father sold all his possessions in that
state and came to Illinois in 1860, settling
on the farm now owned by J. D. Telford,
father of the subject of this sketch, to whom
and his worthy and faithful life companion
seven children were born, all living at this
writing, named in order of birth as follows :
Dr. A. T., of Olney, Illinois; Erastus D.,
our subject; Ula, of the United States Life
Saving Station of Chicago ; Omer, who lives
on a farm three miles west of Salem; Oran
is living at .home; Erma, who is still a
member of the family circle; J. D., Jr.
These children were reared in a wholesome
home atmosphere and were given every ad-
vantage possible by their parents.
E. D. Telford has lived in Salem for
twenty-six years, or since his father moved
here. He worked on the parental farm un-
til he was twenty-one years old, where he
received valuable training in the out door
life of the country, not the least advantage
of which was the acquisition of a robust con-
stitution which is a necessary prerequisite
for the battle of life in any field of endeavor.
He attended the public schools in his neigh-
borhood and later graduated in 1890 from
the Salem high schools where he made a
splendid record, for our subject early de-
termined to secure a good education and fit
himself as best he possibly could for life's
ardent duties.
After leaving school he decided to teach
and consequently followed this line of work
with marked success for a few years, during
which time he became widely known
throughout the county as an able instructor.
But not being satisfied with the education
he already possessed, and with the routine
and somewhat obscure work of the teacher,
he gave up his work and entered McKen-
dree College, a denominational school at
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
143
Lebanon, Illinois, from which institution he
graduated with high honors in 1897, with
the degree Bachelor of Science. Having
decided to make the profession of law his
life work, Mr. Telford in the fall of 1898
went to Washington City and entered the
law department of Georgetown University,
where he made a brilliant record and from
which institution he graduated in 1900. In
the meantime he had been appointed to a po-
sition in the United States Treasury depart-
ment, his unusual talents having attracted
the attention of authorities in this depart-
ment. Mr. Telford remained in the Treas-
ury department, where he gave the greatest
satisfaction to the higher officials and where
his work was very creditably and faithfully
performed until April i, 1906, when he re-
signed and returned to Salem, Illinois, for
the purpose of engaging in the practice of
law, and, useless to say that his success was
instantaneous, and he at once had a large
clientele, his office being sought by clients
with a wide range of cases, and his fame
soon overspread Marion county, extending
to other fields, consequently he was fre-
quently called to other localities on import-
ant cases and his cool, careful, determined
manner in presenting his arguments before
a jury seldom failed in bringing a verdict in
his favor.
Mr. Telford was soon slated for political
preferment, leaders in his party being quick
to detect unusual ability as a public official
in him, consequently in April, 1907, he was
elected City Attorney of Salem, which posi-
tion he now very creditably fills to the satis-
faction of the entire community. At the
primaries in August, 1908, he was nomi-
nated by the Republicans for State Attorney
for Marion county.
Mr. Telford's domestic life dates from
November i, 1900, when he was united in
marriage with Coral M. Wright, the accom-
plished daughter of William Wright, a well
known and influential citizen of Lincoln,
Nebraska. The following bright and inter-
esting children have come into the cozy and
pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Telford,
bringing additional sunshine: Elbridge
Wright Telford, whose day of birth oc-
curred September 29, 1901 ; Dorothy Mar-
garet, who first saw the light of day on
August 1 8, 1905.
Mr. Telford has been a careful business
man as well as a successful attorney, and he
has accumulated rapidly, now being a stock-
holder in the Salem National Bank, also the
Salem Building and Loan Association. He
is the owner of a modern, substantial and
beautiful residence on North Broadway.
In his fraternal relations, our subject is a
member of the ancient and honorable order
of Masons, the Blue Lodge and the Royal
Arch Chapter; also a Modern Woodman.
And both he and his wife are consistent and
faithful members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. Mr. Telford is one of the sub-
stantial and popular men of Marion county,
and his home which is presided over with
rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Telford, is
the center of a genial hospitality. He is
liberal in his support of all religious and
charitable movements, and no one takes a
greater pride in the progress of his commu-
nity.
144
'.lor.K.MMIICAl. A\l> KKMIXISCKNT HISTORY OF
\VILLIAM T. STORMENT.
The gentleman whose name introduces
this sketch is one of the leading farmers and
fruit growers of Marion county, and also
enjoys the distinction of being a representa-
tive of two of the old and highly esteemed
pioneer families of the township in which he
lives. John Stormenit, his grandfather,
a South Carolinian by birth, moved to
Marion county about the year 1838,
and purchased a large tract of govern-
ment land, principally in what is now Haines
township, the patents for which bearing the
signature of President Van Buren are now
in the possession of the subject of this re-
view. John Storment became a prosperous ^
farmer and representative citizen and
wielded a strong influence among the early
settlers of Haines township, having been a
man of great force of character and deter-
mination of purpose. He did much to pro-
mote the interests of agriculture and will
long be remembered as one of the sterling
yeomen to whose labors and influence the
present flourishing condition of Haines
township is largely due.
William K. Storment, son of John Stor-
ment and father of William T., was a native
of Marion county and for many years one
of the progressive farmers and enterprising-
citizens of the township of Haines. He, too,
was public spirited and a natural leader
among his fellow men, stood high in the es-
teem of all with whom he came into contact
and belonged to that large and eminently re-
spectable class who in a quiet but forceful
way do so much for the material progress
of the country and give moral tone to the
body politic. At the breaking out of the late
Civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred
and Eleventh Illinois Infantry and devoted
three of the best years of his life to the serv-
ice of his country, participating in all the
campaigns and battles in which his regiment
was engaged and earning an honorable rec-
ord as a brave and gallant defender of the
Union.
When a young man William K. Stormem
married Miss Martha I. Wham, of Marion
county, and in due time became the father
of five children, namely: Elmer (deceased:
Minnie (deceased); John R., a farmer and
fruit grower of Mississippi ; William T., of
this review, and one that died in infancy.
The parents of these children were esteemed
members of the United Presbyterian church
and spared no pains to impress upon their
young minds and hearts the principles of re-
ligion and the beauty and value of a living
Christian faith. William K. Storment was
not only an influential man in the affairs of
his church, but was also a local politician of
considerable note, having been one of the
leading Republicans of his township, though
never a partisan, much less a seeker after
the honors and emoluments of public office.
He died some years ago on the home farm
in Haines township, lamented by all who
knew him, leaving to his descendants the
memory of an honored name, which they
value as a priceless heritage. Mrs. Storment
is the daughter of William Wham, one of
the early settlers of Marion county and an
RESIDENCE OF W. T. STORMENT,
OF WE ti|t ..
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
145
influential factor of the pioneer period. She
is still living and enjoys the acquaintance of
a large circle of friends, who hold her in the
highest personal regard.
William T. Storment, to a brief review of
whose career the following lines are de-
voted, was born in Haines township on the
farm one mile north of Kell, which he now
owns and occupies, September 10, 1867.
Like the majority of country lads, he was
reared to habits of industry, early became
familiar with the various duties of farm life
and in the public schools, which he attended
at intervals during his minority, received his
educational training. Manifesting a decided
taste for mechanical pursuits while still
young, he turned his abilities in this direc-
tion to practical use by learning carpentry, at
which he acquired more than ordinary pro-
ficiency and which he followed for some
years in his own and neighboring localities,
a number of residences and other edifices
bearing witness to his ability and skill as a
builder. After a time, however, he discon-
tinued his trade and purchasing the home
farm, has since given his attention to agri-
culture and fruit growing, meeting with
most encouraging success and achieving
much more than local repute as a progres-
sive and up-to-date tiller of the soil. In the
meantime he has made many valuable im-
provements on the place, remodeling the
house and converting it into a first class mod-
ern dwelling with all the latest conveniences,
including among others a heating plant that
adds greatly to the comfort of the home, be-
sides lessening in no small degree the ex-
10
pense of providing fuel. The barn, which is
one of the largest and most conveniently ar-
ranged buildings of the kind in the neigh-
borhood, is a model of architectural and
mechanical skill, while all the other improve-
ments are in keeping therewith, the farm
consisting of one hundred and twenty-five
acres of highly improved land, being one of
the most valuable as well as one of the most
desirable places of its area in Marion county.
Mr. Storment takes a pardonable pride in
his home and has spared neither pains nor
expense in making it beautiful and attractive
and it is now conceded to be one of the fin- %
est country seats not only in Marion county,
but in the southern part of the state. Be-
lieving this section of Illinois to possess the
necessary characteristics for successful fruit
growing, Mr. Storment some years ago
planted a part of his farm in choice apple,
pear and peach trees, the results in due time
more than realizing his highest expectations.
Encouraged by the success of the venture,
he continued planting from time to time, un-
til he now has one hundred and ten acres in
fruit, the income from which far surpasses
what he ever received from the raising of
grain. He makes horticulture not only his
chief business, but pursues it with the en-
thusiasm and delight of a pastime. He de-
votes much time to the study of the subject,
reduces his researches to practical tests, and
in this way has made the business very re-
munerative. By employing scientific meth-
ods, such as proper fertilizing, spraying,
pruning, etc., he never fails to realize abun-
dant crops of the finest fruits raised in this
i 4 6
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
part of the state, and that, too, when other
orchards fail entirely or at least bear but a
scanty supply and of a poor and inferior
quality. Among the improvements of which
he makes use is a portable gas engine for the
purpose of spraying, the value of which in
the saving of time as well as of insuring full
yields is many hundred fold in excess of the
amount the contrivance cost.
Mr. Storment is not only the leading hor-
ticulturist in Marion county, but as a farm-
er he also occupies a place in the front rank.
making use of modern implements and ma-
,chinery and employing only the most ap-
proved methods in the cultivation of the soil.
He is essentially progressive in his ideas, be-
lieves that satisfactory results can only be ob-
tained from the exercise of sound judgment
and wise discretion and possessing the abil-
ity to foresee with remarkable accuracy the
future outcome of present action, he is sel-
dom if ever disappointed in any of his plans
or undertakings. A man of strong charac-
ter and inflexible integrity, he stands high
as a citizen, takes an active interest in pub-
lic matters both general and local and all
measures and enterprises for the material
progress of the country and the social and
moral advancement of the people are sure to
enlist his hearty co-operation and support.
His political views are in harmony with the
principles and traditions of the Republican
party, and while firm in his convictions and
earnest and fearless in maintaining the
soundness of his opinions, he cannot be
called a partisan, nor has he ever disturbed
the even tenor of his life by aspiring to of-
fice or leadership. He is first of all a credit-
able representative of the ancient and hon-
orable calling of agriculture and as such he
ranks among the most enterprising and suc-
cessful men in the state, this, with the simple
title of citizen, being sufficient to make him
contented with his lot, as well as an example
to his fellow men in correct living.
The domestic life of Mr. Storment dates
from 1892, in which year he was united in
marriage with Esta Davis, of Marion coun-
ty, daughter of Bloom P. and Mariah (Al-
bert) Davis, both natives of Illinois, the fa-
ther of Jefferson county, the mother of the
county of Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Storment
are esteemed members of the United Presby-
terian church, belonging to what is known as
the Romine Prairie congregation and active
in all lines of religious and charitable work
under the auspices of the same. Socially they
are numbered among the best people of the
community in which they reside and their
popularity is limited only by the circle of
their acquaintance. The Davis family, to
which Mrs. Storment belongs, has long oc-
cupied a conspicuous place in the confidence
and respect of the people of Marion county
and its reputation for honorable manhood
and womanhood is second to that of no oth-
er family in this part of the state. For many
years the name has been identified with the
Christian church of Marion and neighboring
counties, Mr. Davis and his wife having
been prominent members of that body and
influential in religious work in their own and
other localities. Mrs. Storment is the oldest
of a family of four children, three sisters and
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
a brother, namely: Maggie, who married
Ernest Kell, of Marion county ; Anderson,
who lives on the home farm, and Minnie,
who is unmarried and also a member of the
home circle.
JUDGE THEODORE AUGUSTUS
FRITCHEY.
When it is stated that the subject of this
sketch has served as postmaster of Olney for
three terms, or since 1897, the significance
is so patent that nothing further need be
said as indicating the confidence and
esteem in which he is held by the
people of Richland county. As an
able official and representative and popu-
lar citizen, we are pleased to record in this
work a sketch of the life of Mr. Fritchey, who
is one of the best known men in the county,
and who for many years was among the
most prominent members of the bar and
bench in this locality, and who, during his
long residence here has done so much for
the material, civic, educational and moral
advancement of the county, ever having its
interests at heart and losing no opportunity
to help others in the work of progress
while advancing his own interests.
Theodore Augustus Fritchey was born in
Montgomery county, Ohio, near Dayton,
April 24, 1855, the son of Benjamin and Eliz-
abeth (McQueeny) Fritchey, natives of
Pennsylvania where they were reared and
where they married, later moving to Mont-
gomery county, Ohio, locating in Baltimore,
where the father engaged in merchandising.
In 1870 he came to Olney where he continued
in the mercantile busines until his death in
1876, at the age of seventy years. His worthy
life companion passed to her rest in 1900, at
the age of seventy-five years. They were
people of many praiseworthy traits and hon-
orable at all times. They were the parents
of eight children, all deceased except the sub-
ject of this sketch and one daughter, Mrs.
J. I. Moutray, of Kokomo, Indiana, the sub-
ject having been the fifth in order of birth.
He was reared in Ohio and Illinois, receiving
a public school education. He was an ambi-
tious lad and when twenty years old began
the study of law with Wilson and Hutchin-
son, for years the leading law firm of South-
ern Illinois. He made rapid progress and
was admitted to the bar in 1879. He then
formed a partnership with Judge J. C. Allen,
which continued until 1907. They did ar.
immmense business, the combination being
one of peculiar power and their clients came
from all parts of the county and surrounding
counties, it being generally recognized as one
of the best firms in the locality. The subject
became prosperous through his successful
practice and since the date mentioned ha=
been practically retired, having given up all
legal practice, preferring to devote all his
time to the post-office and his business inter-
ests in Richland and adjoining counties. He
has large interests in oil.
In his political relations our subject is a
Republican, always loyal to his party's prin-
ciples and always active. When he was
twenty-one years old he was elected City
i 4 8
I'.IOCKAPHICAL AND RKM I X ISfKXT HISTORY OF
Clerk by a majority of one, and he so faith-
fully did his work that he was re-electe'J to
serve four years in all. In 1881 he was
elected City Attorney for one term of two
years. Then for two terms of four years as
County Judge. He made a splendid record
both as City Attorney and as Judge, dispos-
ing of many important cases in a manner that
stamped him as an able and learned jurist and
well versed in the law. In 1897 he was ap-
pointed postmaster of Olney by President
McKinley and is now (1909) serving his
third term with entire satisfaction.
Judge Fritchey's happy domestic life be-
gan in 1889, when he was united in mar-
riage with Mary Eliza Bucher, a native of
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of
John E. and Mary E. (Eby) Bucher, also na-
tives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Ohio,
where her father became the head of graded
and high schools and where he died. Mrs.
Bucher lives with her daughter, wife of our
subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Fritchey are the parents of
two children, both giving promise of suc-
cessful futures, and who are receiving every
care and attention from their fond parents.
They bear the names Paul B. and Theodore
A., Jr.
In his fraternal relations Judge Fritchey
belongs to the ancient and honored Masonic
Order, Knights Templar, also the Shrine.
He is a charter member of Olney lodge No.
926, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Fritchey are faithful
and consistent members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. They have a beautiful
home in which is a fine library of choice
volumes, where the judge spends many hours
in reading and reflection, and they are known
as people of kindness, integrity and culture.
Judge Fritchey stands admittedly in the
front ranks of Richland county's distin-
guished citizens, possessing a thorough
knowledge of law and keeping in close touch
with the trend of modern thought. He has
ever maintained his high standing, never de-
scending beneath the dignity of his profes-
sion nor compromising his usefulness by
countenancing any but legitimate practice.
LEANDER C. MATTHEWS.
The subject has spent his entire life in this
county and he has always had deeply at
heart the well-being and improvement of the
county, using his influence whenever pos-
sible for the promotion of enterprises cal-
culated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow
men, besides taking a leading part in all
movements for the advancement of the com-
munity along social, intellectual and moral
lines.
Leander C. Matthews was born South of
Salem, in the edge of Jefferson county, May
25, 1848, the son of Andrew J. and Hulda
(Swafford) Matthews, natives of Tennessee
and Illinois, respectively, and both repre-
sentatives of honorable and well known
families in their own communities.
Our subject remained under his parental
roof until he reached man's estate and at-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
149
tended the district schools in his native com-
munity and in Centralia, where he applied
himself in a careful manner and received a
good education.
Mr. Matthews early decided to devote his
life to a business career and he has bent
every effort to this end with gratifying re-
sults.
He commenced a general business in 1883
at Fairman, Marion county, Illinois, where
he remained ten years with much success at-
tending his efforts. He is at this writing
engaged in the hay, grain and implement
business in Kinmundy, this county, and is
conducting a thriving business, his trade
extending to all parts of the county and
penetrating to adjoining counties, in
fact he is one of the best known
dealers in these lines in this part of the state
and the able manner in which he conducts
his business and his courteous treatment
with those with whom he deals insure him
a liberal income from year to year.
Mr. Matthews was united in marriage Oc-
tober 8, 1873, to S. Elizabeth Lydick, who
was born near Odin, this county, December
24, 1854, the refined and affable daughter
of Isaac and Sarah (Sugg) Lydick, a well
known family of that locality.
The following family has been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Matthews: Lillian, Baby,
Hallie, Hulda, Carl. They have all gone to
their rest except Hulda, who is the wife of
Albert C. Dunlap, of Champaign, Illinois.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Matthews is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of Kinmundy, also of the Knights
of Pythias of this place. In politics he is a
loyal Democrat and takes a vital interest in
his party's affairs, however, he has never
aspired to positions of public trust. Both
he and his wife are members of the Chris-
tian church, and our subject is regarded as
one of the substantial church workers of
Kinmundy, and he has long taken an active
part in all religious affairs. He is a man
of large public spirit and enterprise, and per-
sonally is of the genial and sunny type,
pleasant to meet and makes friends readily.
He likes a good story and enjoys a good
joke, and because of these qualities of com-
mendation and genuine worth Mr. Mat-
thews has won a host of warm friends which
he retains, being popular with all classes in
his community where he maintains a home
that is comfortable, substantial and pleasant
in all its appointments and which is regarded
as a place of generous hospitality and good
cheer.
THE OLNEY SANITARIUM.
One of the important institutions of Rich-
land county, Illinois, in fact, one of the best
known in the southern part of the state, is
the Olney Sanitarium. Its phenomenal
growth in a short time from a modest begin-
ning to a prominent place, has been due to
the untiring efforts and extraordinary surgi-
cal and business ability of the founder, Dr.
George T. Weber. Fourteen years ago, 1894,
he had just received his degree of Doctor of
Medicine and had begun practice as a young
AX1) KKMIX1SCKXT HISTORY OF
man without means ; however, he was always
ambitious and an assiduous worker and made
a good record in school, and it was predicted
by his instructors and friends that the future
held great things in store for him. His first
practice was in the village of Ingraham, Clay
county, near his birthplace, where he re-
mained for four years with growing popular-
ity and success, during which time his work
in surgery and special cases had attracted
more than ordinary attention and had sug-
gested to him the necessity and desirability
of a central point, where patients could be
cared for better than at their hofnes. Accord-
ingly in 1898 he came to Olney and purchased
the old Arlington hotel building, a three-
story brick structure which was duly remod-
eled and equipped for hospital purposes.
The hospital was thrown open for the re-
ception of patients in the fall of 1898 and
from the first the success of the undertaking
was assured. It soon became necessary to em-
ploy assistants and in due time Doctor Ziliak
became a partner. During the years 1900
and 1901, a three-story addition, which now
constitutes the main part of the structure, was
erected, making possible the care of twenty-
four additional patients in as many rooms.
In the latter part of 1905, a brother of the
founder, F. J. Weber, who had recently
graduated from a medical college, bought the
interest of Doctor Ziliak, since which time the
business has been owned and conducted by
Webers. In 1907, another brother, J. C.
Weber, also a physician and surgeon, be-
came interested in the sanitarium, also two
sisters, Catherine and Philomena Weber,
both of whom are graduated and very pro-
ficient nurses. A stock company was accord-
ingly formed and incorporated March 5,
1907, with a capital stock of forty thousand
dollars and the following officers were elected
which continue to serve at this writing:
George T. Weber, president; Frank J.
Weber, secretary and treasurer. The stock-
holders include the above and Joseph C. r
Catherine and Philomena Weber.
No institution of a similar nature ever had
a more rapid growth and it is today regarded
as one of the best in the state. The busi-
ness of the sanitarium is devoted principally
to surgical and special cases, also chronic
cases and some mild forms of nervous dis-
eases. Hundreds of operations are annually
performed here and are uniformly successful.
The Olney Sanitarium is a three-story
brick structure, with a basement underneath
the entire building with accommodations for
thirty-six patients. It is operated at the
limit of its capacity all the time and plans are
being considered for further enlarging the
building, the numerous application of pa-
tients all over the country rendering more
room a necessity. The basement is used for a
drug department, storage purposes and the.
keeping of fruits, vegetables, etc. The first
floor is devoted to reception rooms, offices,
consultation rooms, dining room and kitchen,
rooms and verandas for canvalescents, etc.
The upper floors are devoted to wards for
patients. The operating room is on the sec-
ond floor. It is sixteen by sixteen feet and
contains everything in modern equipment
usually found in institutions of like character.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Fourteen trained nurses are employed con-
tinually and six ether employes are constantly
in the building, helping in various ways. Dr.
Frank J. Weber is the house physician and
Miss Catherine Weber is the superintendent.
George T. Weber, M. D., was born in In-
graham, Clay county, Illinois, September 10,
1868, the son of Benedict and Regina (Scha-
fer) Weber, the former a native of Germany,
who came to the United States when twenty-
six years old, and the latter was born in Gib-
son county, Indiana, of German parents.
They were married in Indiana and in 1865
settfld in Jasper county, near Ingraham. His
father was a carpenter and farmer. The sub-
ject of this sketch was reared on a farm in
his native township. He received a common
school education there and an academic
training at Princeton, Indiana, from which
institution he graduated, having taught
school in the meantime to get money for a
higher education. His parents were poor
and reared a large family, there being nine
children in number, of whom our subject is
the oldest son living. He entered Washing-
ton University at St. Louis in 1891, taking a
medical course and graduating in 1894. He
located in his home town and practiced for
four years, his success having been instanta-
neous, especially in surgical cases. He came
to Olney in 1898, having purchased a build-
ing here and he had some equipment before
moving.
Dr. George T. Weber's domestic life began
November 28. 1894, when he married Eliza-
beth Hausner, daughter of Joseph and Ger-
trude (Nix) Hausner, former residents of
Clay county, a well known and influential
family there for many years. Mr. Hausner,
who was a cabinet maker, is deceased, as is
also his wife. The subject and wife are the
parents of nine children, namely : Gertrude,
Helen, Pauline ; George, Jr., was killed in an
accident by colliding with a horse and buggy
in 1907, having been knocked from a wheel
and receiving a fracture to the skull ; Ber-
nard, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, George, sec-
ond junior.
In politics our subject is a Democrat, but
is not active. However, he takes an interest
in whatever relates to the development of
his community. Fraternally he is a member
of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and the Knights of Columbus. He and his
family are faithful followers of the Catholic
church. He is a member of the American
Medical Association, the Illinois State Medi-
cal Society, the Southern Illinois State Medi-
cal Society, the Richland County Medical
Society, being influential and prominent in
all. He is a very progressive man, is a stu-
dent at all times and devotes his entire time to
his profession. In 1907 he took a post-gradu-
ate course at the Post-Graduate School in
Chicago, giving special attention to surgery.
Joseph Cornelius Weber, M. D., was born
in Jasper county, Illinois, October i, 1875,
and was reared on the farm, receiving his ed-
ucation in the public schools, the high school
at Ingraham and Austin College, Effingham,
Illinois. In the fall of 1896 he entered the
Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, from
which he graduated in 1899. He ranked
high in his class and was successful from the
152
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
first. He practiced one year at Newton in the
place of Doctor Crawley, whose health was
impaired. During the following seven years
he was at Clay City, Clay county. He then
came to Olney and joined his brother in the
fall of 1907, becoming a stockholder in the
Sanitarium corporation, as already intimated.
The married life of Dr. Joseph C. Weber
began in 1900 when he was united in the
bonds of matrimony with Zula Kepp, a native
of Ingraham, Illinois, the daughter of Corne-
lius and Mary (Pew) Kepp, natives of Clay
county, the former having died there in 1906.
Two children have blessed the home of Dr.
and Mrs. J. C. Weber, Paul and Frank. In
politics he is a Democrat, and a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
also a member of the American Medical As-
sociation, the Illinois State Medical Associa-
tion, the Southern Illinois Medical Associa-
tion, the Richland and Clay county Medical
societies.
Frank J. Weber, M. D., was born on a
farm in Jasper county, Illinois, July 23, 1878,
where he was reared. He attended the com-
mon schools at Ingraham, also Austin Col-
lege at Effingham. He entered \Vashington
University at St. Louis in 1900, having grad-
uated with honor from the medical depart-
ment in 1904. He located in Clay City and
was there engaged in practice with his broth-
er, Dr. J. C. Weber, for seven months, after
which he came to Olney and purchased Doc-
tor Ziliak's interest in the sanitarium and
joined his brother. Dr. George T., in the work.
When the corporation was formed he became
the secretary and treasurer, as already stated,
and the resident physician. He is a member
of the Richland County Medical Society, the
Illinois State Medical Society and the Amer-
ican Medical Association. He was united in
marriage, May 29, 1908, to Gertrude Loftin,
a native of Spencer, Indiana, and the daugh-
ter of J. C. and lola (Hoover) Loftin, now
residents of Marion, Indiana. Dr. Frank J.
Weber is a member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, No. 926. and in
politics he is a Democrat. Like his brothers
he is a man of many commendable character-
istics and they all make friends easily.
GEORGE S. RAINEY, M. D.
Good intellectual training, thorough pro-
fessional knowledge and the possession and
utilization of the qualities and attributes es-
sential to success, have made the subject of
this review eminent in his chosen calling,
and he stands today among the enterprising
and successful physicians in a community
noted for its high order of medical talent,
while at the same time he has won the con-
fidence and esteem of the people of Marion
and adjoining counties for his upright life
and genial disposition.
Dr. George S. Rainey was born in Salem,
Illinois, May 18, 1849, and he is the
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rainey,
Scotch-Irish people of the best ancestry as
far back as it can be traced. The father was
a Kentuckian, who came to Illinois as early
as 1832, settling in Marion county on a farm
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
153
which he transformed from a practically
wild tract to a highly improved and produc-
tive farm. When the doctor was two years
old, his father moved on a farm near Wal-
nut Hill, Marion county. He was a man of
many sterling qualities, like those of most
pioneers, and he became a man of consider-
able influence in this- county, being known
as an honest and worthy citizen in every
respect. He was called from his earthly
labors in 1868. The subject's mother, a
woman of praiseworthy character, was
known in her maidenhood as Margaret
Cunningham, and was also a native of Ken-
tucky; her father, a man of unusual forti-
tude and sterling character, moved to Illi-
nois in 1824. Seven children of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Rainey died in infancy. Their
other children are: Dr. J. K. Rainey, the
oldest child, died in Florida; Matthew was
a surgeon in the One Hundred and Eleventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Union
Army, and was the first soldier from Marion
county to fall in the Civil war, having lost
his life at the battle of Bellmont while a
member of the Twenty-second Illinois Vol-
unteer Infantry; Dr. A. H. Rainey, of Cen-
tralia, Illinois.
Our subject was a mere lad during the
war between the states, but he felt it his
duty to sever home ties and offer his services
in defense of the flag, consequently he en-
listed in the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry when he lacked two months of
being sixteen years old, but his bravery and
gallantry were equal to that of the oldest
veteran in the regiment. He served in the
campaign around Petersburg, Richmond,
and was at the surrender of Lee at Appa-
mattox, thus being in some of the bloodiest
engagements of the war. After receiving
an honorable discharge he returned home
and assisted his father with the farm work,
attending the neighboring schools, complet-
ing the high school course at Salem, stand-
ing in the front rank of his class, for he
was a diligent student and made the best use
possible of his time. Believing that his tal-
ents lay along medical lines he began study-
ing for a career as a physician. He
graduated in medicine in 1875 at the Louis-
ville Medical College. He at once began
practice in Salem, his success being instan-
taneous, and he has been here ever since,
having always had a very large practice in
this vicinity and throughout the county.
Dr. Rainey has taken a post-graduate
course in the New York Polyclinic Institute
of Physicians and Surgeons, having spent
the winter of 1888 in the school just men-
tioned. Dr. Rainey has also taken special
courses in medical colleges in St. Louis and
Chicago, consequently he is today and has
been for many years at the head of his pro-
fession, being so recognized by the eminent
practitioners of medicine in other parts of
Illinois. He has also been connected with
the Baltimore & Ohio and Chicago & East-
ern Illinois railroads as surgeon ever since
he has been in practice.
The subject has been a member of the
United States Pension Board of Salem for
twenty-five years. The doctor is at all
times patriotic and ever ready to serve his
154
KIC.K.U'HICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
country, consequently when the war with
Spain broke out he offered his services and
was commissioned a surgeon in the United
States army, but the war terminated before
he saw active service.
Doctor Rainey's happy and tranquil do-
mestic life dates from 1878, when he was
married to May McMackin, the cultured
and accomplished daughter of Col. W.
E. McMackin of the Twenty-first Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. Colonel McMackin
was for many years one of the best known
and most influential men in his community.
To doctor and Mrs. Rainey one son has
been born, Warren R., who, in 1908, is a
student in the medical department of the
Northwestern University at Chicago, where
he is making an excellent record.
Doctor Rainey is the owner of a large and
fine fruit farm which is very valuable, and
he takes a great interest in it and horticul-
tural subjects, devoting considerable time
to the culture of fine fruits. He has been in
general practice ever since his graduation,
and as indicated above, not only stands high
in his immediate community but also with
his fellow practitioners at large, being a
member of the County, State and National
Medical Association, also of the American
Railway Surgeons of America.
Fraternally he is a loyal member of the
Masonic Order and carries out its sublime
doctrines in his relations with his fellow
men. He is a Presbyterian in his religious
faith, and in politics he is a stanch advocate
of the principles and policies of the Repub-
lican party, with which he has always been
affiliated. Though never animated with
ambition for political preferment he has ever
lent his aid in furthering the party cause,
and is well fortified in his political convic-
tions, while he is at all times public-spirited
to an extent of loyalty.
EDMUND C. BAUGHMAN.
Agriculture has been the true source of
man's dominion on earth ever since the pri-
mal existence of labor, and has been the piv-
otal industry that has controlled for the
most part all the fields of action to which his
intelligence and energy have been devoted.
Among this sturdy element of Richland
county whose labors have profited alike
themselves and the community in which
they live, is the gentleman whose name ap-
pears at the head of this sketch. .
Edmund C. Baughman, a well known
farmer and stockman of Olney, was born in
Coshocton county, Ohio, December 27,
1837, the son of Jacob and Matilda M.
(Houser) Baughman, the former having
been, born near Baltimore, Maryland, and
the latter on the Potomac river, Virginia.
Grandfather Baughman was a native of
Maryland and was a contractor in Balti-
more for many years, where he also carried
an extensive factory for those times in the
manufacture of sash and doors, blinds, etc.
In an early day in the history of Coshocton
county he went there and entered land, hav-
ing crossed the Alleghany mountains on
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARIOX COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
155
horseback, and had bear meat and wild
honey on the trip. However, he did not live
in Ohio but died in Baltimore, where his
wife also died. Jacob Baughman was reared
on a farm near Baltimore, and when young
went to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he
bought land and erected a hewn log cabin
in the heavy timber, in which there was all
kinds of wild game, deer, wild turkey, bear,
etc. He married in Coshocton county, his
wife having come to the county from Vir-
ginia with her parents who were pioneers.
They cleared and improved the land, and
there they lived and died. He was a mem-
ber of the state militia but was never called
upon to serve in any war. He died of pneu-
monia at the age of sixty-eight years, and
his wife survived for several years, dying at
the advanced age of ninety-two. Eight
children were born to them, six of whom
are living. Two sons served in the Civil
war, George and Zenos, the latter with
Sherman's army, both serving until the close
of the war, receiving honorable discharges.
Zenos suffered from sunstroke from which
he never fully recovered. The subject, who
was the fourth child in order of birth, was
reared on the old homestead in his native
county and received a good education, first
in the country schools, later at the academy
in West Bedford, Ohio. He remained at
home until he was twenty years old, assist-
ing with the farm work, finally going to In-
diana, where he taught school for awhile,
but in the spring of 1860 he came to Rich-
land county, bringing all the earthly pos-
sessions he had a team, wagon, a shepherd
dog, a trunk and less than one hundred dol-
lars in money, having driven the entire dis-
tance. After reaching here he located on
one hundred and twenty acres of land given
him by his father in Madison township,
which had previously been entered by his
father, on which he went to work and im-
proved it, making an excellent farm, build-
ing a house, barn, etc.
Our subject was a good manager and was-
successful. After he married he purchased
six hundred acres in Wayne county, on
which he lived for a time, later moving to
Olney, where he has recently built a beauti-
ful home, up-to-date in every detail. For
many years he has been extensively engaged
in stock raising, being an excellent judge of
stock and always keeping many good varie-
ties. He is a man of great energy and a
hard worker, possessing excellent judgment,
conservative in his business transactions. He
deserves a great deal of credit for what he
has accomplished, for he started with only
one hundred and twenty acres of raw land
and has gradually increased his holdings
until he now owns four thousand acres of
valuable land in the Yazoo Valley, Missis-
sippi, also three thousand acres of timber
land, together with lands in Texas and the
old homestead in Ohio, which he bought
from the heirs.
In 1890 Mr. Baughman organized the
bank at Tuscola, Illinois, under the name
Baughman, Orr & Company, with a capital
stock of thirty-five thousand dollars, which
was successful from the first, and has con-
tinued with increasing prestige ever since,.
156
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the stock having been increased, it being one
of the soundest institutions in this part of
the state. One of the subject's sons is look-
ing after his interests. In 1902 he disposed
of his interest in the bank to his partners.
Mr. Baughman is still very active but does
not handle stock on a very extensive scale at
present, which proved to l>e so profitable
during his earlier business career, making a
fortune, being easily the richest man in
Richland county, and not a dishonest dollar
has passed through his hands.
Mr. Baughman was married March 28,
1 86 1, to Gabriella Reeder, who was born in
Cincinnati, the daughter of Elijah and Lu-
cinda (Smith) Reeder, who were born near
Dayton, Ohio, and who came to Richland
county in the fall of 1853, settling on a farm
in Madison township. In 1871 they moved
to Kansas, later to Missouri, and died in
Harrison, Arkansas.
Our subject and wife are the parents of
eight children who grew to maturity and are
still living, as follows: Edmund J. resides
in Duncan, Mississippi, where he owns a
plantation and also manages that of his
father, and is a very successful business
man; Lucinda married James Wilson, who
resides on a farm in Wayne county, where
she died in 1900; Lottie married J. M. Wi-
nans, a groceryman of Olney; Harry C. re-
sides in Greenville, Mississippi, where he
owns and operates an extensive plantation ;
William R. resides in Southwestern Texas,
being engaged in farming and the land busi-
ness; Ola married George H. Bainum, who
died in Independence, Missouri, in 1904,
leaving one daughter, Ella M., who lives
with the subject and wife; Frank graduated
from the Olney schools in 1901, then spent
three years at the University of Illinois, at
Champaign, having stood at the head of his
class in chemistry and making an excellent
record as a student. During certain experi-
mental work he was poisoned by gases from
which he died in February, 1907. Carl R.,
the subject's youngest child, resides at Rich-
land, Washington, where he is engaged in
the fruit industry. These children are in-
dustrious and well situated in reference to
this world's affairs.
Mr. Baughman is a Republican, but he is
not a politician, not having time to devote
much attention to the affairs of his party.
He was appointed by Governor John P.
Altgeld one of the trustees of the State Nor-
mal University at Carbondale, having been
on the financial and building committees. He
served as Supervisor of Richland county for
one term, during which time bonds were re-
funded to the amount of two hundred thou-
sand dollars, which redeemed the bonds over
which there had been litigaton to the amount
of more than three hundred thousand dol-
lars.
Mr. and Mrs. Baughman are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church at Olney,
and liberal subscribers to the same, Mr.
Baughman having been one of the principal
supporters of the new church building recent-
ly erected, which would be a credit to cities
much larger than Olney.
In business matters Mr. Baughman is
prompt, energetic, trustworthy. He has a
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
157
good fund of that quality too often lacking
in the business world common sense.
Since starting out in life for himself he has
been self-reliant and progressive. It is all
attributable to the splendid qualities of head
and heart of which he is possessed, and
which he has most judiciously exercised.
And because of his honest and active career
no resident in Richland county is more de-
serving of honorable mention in this vol-
ume.
WILLIAM JASPER YOUNG.
The subject of this biographical review
is among the pioneer farmers of luka town-
ship, Marion county, where he has long
maintained his home, being one of the na-
tive sons of the county who have done so
much to develop Marion in all her phases
until she ranks with the leading counties
of the great Prairie state, and now in the
golden evening of his life this venerable
citizen is enjoying the fruits of a well spent
life and the esteem of a wide circle of
friends. .
William Jasper Young was born in Mar-
ion county, Illinois, June 21, 1826, in Cen-
tralia township, the son of Edward and
Sarah C. (Duncan) Young, the former a
native of Virginia and the latter of Ten-
nessee. Edward Young grew up in Vir-
ginia, and when he reached maturity he
moved to Kentucky, later came to Indiana
and prior to 1826 settled in Marion county,
Illinois. He was a plasterer and bricklayer,
and he made his home in several different
places after coming to Illinois, among them
being Alton, St. Louis, Belleville, Centralia
and Salem. Later in life he settled on the
farm. Edward Young was born June 8,
1803, and died June 9, 1876. He was a sol-
dier in the Black Hawk war. He was,
early in life, a Democrat, and he cut down
the first Whig pole ever erected in Salem.
However, he later became a Republican.
These children were bom to Edward Young
and wife, as follows: Lysander Franklin,
William Jasper, our subject; Julia Ann, de-
ceased; Letta Jane, deceased; James, de-
ceased; Harriet, deceased; Edward, living
in Minnesota ; Sarah also lives in Minnesota.
Sarah C. Duncan, mother of the subject,
was born July 22, 1808, and died November
9, 1886. She was a woman of many beau-
tiful traits of character.
The subject of this sketch worked on his
father's farm from the time he was old
enough to work, and he has followed farm-
ing all his life. In 1852 he came to his
present farm in luka township, Marion
county, having bought a part of it from the
government or state. At that time the for-
ests abounded in much wild game, such as
deer, wolves, wild turkey. He has seen
many a herd of deer from his cabin door.
He cleared up the land and now has a model
farm and modern farm buildings, all well
kept, and his home is nicely and comfort-
ably furnished. A glance over his well
tilled and well fenced fields is sufficient to
show that he is a man of thrift and rare
soundness of judgment. He has in all about
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
three hundred acres, but he now rents out
the land and is practically retired. He han-
dles some good stock of various varieties.
April 13, 1847, Mr. Young was united
in marriage with Sarah J. Songer, who was
born in Washington county, Indiana, Au-
gust 7, 1828, the daughter of Frederick and
Jane (Helm) Songer, natives of Virginia,
but they came to Washington county, In-
diana, when -young and married there, and
in 1828 came to Clay county, Illinois, where
they lived for a time. In 1835 they came
to Marion county, settling in Omega town-
ship, where they farmed and where they
died. They were members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
Eleven children have been born to the
subject and wife, namely: Amanda Elmira
died in childhood; Marcus D. married
Sarah Bobbett and they have two children.
Franklin and Ada; Mary E. is the wife of
George Cox, of Salem, Illinois; Emily El-
vina is the wife of William Robinson, a
farmer living in luka township, and she is
the mother of two children, Ernest Roy and
Flo; Eliza Alice, deceased, was the wife of
Perry Cox and she left two children, Wil-
liam Jasper and George; Jennie is the wife
of Grant Bumgarner, who lives in Texas;
Douglas married Irena Buffington and they
have two children, Charles and Ruth ; Paul
married Martha Criffield; Fred married
Elva Wooden and they have three children,
Pearl, Winafred and Verl ; the tenth and
eleventh children of the subject died un-
named.
Our subject has three great-grandchil-
dren. He and his good wife are now both
more than eighty years old and are remark-
ably bright and active people for their years
and considering the long years of hard work
they both have done. Their happy, pros-
perous and harmonious wedded life extends
over sixty years of time and they have cele-
brated their golden wedding anniversary.
They are among the highly respected and
prominent citizens of the county and greatly
admired and beloved by everyone who
knows them. Our subject is a loyal Demo-
crat. He and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church at luka. They
have always contributed liberally to church
work, also have helped out school work and
all kinds of public enterprises. Fraternally
Mr. Young has belonged to the Masons
since 1863.
Mr. Young was one of the brave and
patriotic supporters of the Union who of-
fered his services and his life in its
defense during the War of the Re-
bellion, having enlisted in Company
E, One Hundred and Eleventh Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry, August 8, 1862,
and served in a most gallant manner until
the close of the war. He was mustered in
at Salem, Illinois, and mustered out in
Washington, District of Columbia, and dis-
charged at Springfield, Illinois. He was in
the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fif-
teenth Army Corps, under General John A.
Logan. He first did post duty at Columbus,
Ohio, awhile, and then, in 1864, joined
Sherman in his campaign about Atlanta,
and was in the first battle of Resaca and in
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
159
the last battle of Shiloh. He also fought at
Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta; in
fact, he was in all the fighting around At-
lanta. The last hard fight he was in was at
Atlanta, Georgia. He was taken prisoner
in front of Atlanta July 22, 1864, and after
being transferred to various prisons in the
South for a period of seven months, was
finally paroled and later exchanged at Wil-
mington, North Carolina.
Mr. Young has always been a man of in-
dustry and he has honestly made what he
has, having been a hard worker and a good
manager. He has led a life of which no one
might be ashamed in any way, for it has
been one of sobriety and filled with good
deeds.
HIRAM ORR.
Now that the summertime of life has
ended and the autumn winds of old age
have come, the subject of this review can
look backward over a career that has been
well spent, resulting in good to those whom
it touched and has brought comfort to him-
self.
Hiram Orr was born in Licking county,
Ohio, December 16, 1828, the son of Zach-
ariah and Mary (Dusthimer) Orr, early
settlers of the Buckeye state, where it is
snpposed they were born. Zachariah was a
farmer, a Democrat, and a member of the
Baptist church. He passed away in Lick-
ing county, Ohio, in 1891, his wife having
died there at an earlier date. Six children
were born to them, namely: Robert, living
in Licking county, - Ohio ; Hiram, our sub-
ject; Sarah, deceased; John, who is living
in Kansas, a retired farmer; Cyrus, de-
ceased; Eliza, also deceased. Zachariah
was married a second time. When he died
he had accumulated quite a competency,
having been a very successful farmer.
Our subject remained at his parental
home, assisting with the work about the
place and attending the old pioneer schools
in cabins with puncheon floors and seats
and windows where greased paper was used
for panes, until he was twenty-one years
old. He has since added very much to the
rudiments of education he gained there by
systematic home reading and study, and
close observation. When of age Mr. Orr
decided to devote his life work to farming
and consequently bought a farm in his na-
tive county, having managed it in a most
successful manner until October i, 1868.
when he moved to Marion county, Illinois,
believing that still greater advantages ex-
isted here on the less crowded western
prairies than in the East and where land
was much cheaper, having sold his Ohio
farm at good figures.
Mr. Orr purchased two hundred and sev-
enty-four acres of land in Stevenson town-
ship on which he continuously lived, bring-
ing it up to a high state of improvement, in
fact, making it one of the "show" farms of
this locality, the fields being well fenced
and well drained and kept in first class pro-
ductive condition through the careful rota-
tion of crops and the application of home
i6o
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
fertilizers, and on this place may always be
found large numbers of all kinds of live
stock of the best grade, Mr. Orr having
ever taken a great interest in stock of vari-
ous kinds. A modern, substantial and nice-
ly furnished residence is owned by Mr. Orr
and good bams and outbuildings in gen-
eral are found about the place. Mr. Orr at
present rents most of his land, but still over-
sees it, keeping it up to the high standard
of former years.
In 1849 our subject was united in mar-
riage with Mary Basom, who was born in
Perry county, Ohio, about 1830, the
daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Emery,
natives of New England. Three children
were born to this union, namely: Frances,
who is the wife of Peter M. Mechling, a
farmer living in Perry county, Ohio. They
are the paraits of four children, namely:
Hiram Orvil, Bertha, Frank and Fred, the
last two twins; Martha, the second child of
our subject, is the wife of Marion Tolliver
Stevenson, who is living in Alma township,
Marion county, this state, and are the par-
ents of these children, Edgar, Mabel, Orin,
Roy, Edna, Claud and Lloyd. Edith, the
subject's third child, is the wife of John P.
Brubaker, who is also living in Alma town-
ship, being the mother of two children, Ha-
zel and Ada.
These children received all the home
training possible and were given good edu-
cations, each being .well situated in life.
Mr. Orr is a staunch Democrat in his
political affiliation, although he has never
taken a very active part in public affairs.
He ably filled the position of School Director
and his support is always to be depended
upon in any issue having for its object
the betterment of the community in any
way. The subject and wife are kind, hos-
pitable and good natured, making all who
enter their home feel like they were among
friends.
RICHARD J. HOLSTLAW.
Among the best known and highly re-
spected families of Marion county is found
the one bearing the name that forms the
caption of this article. Richard J. Holstlaw
was born in this county on the 3d of April,
1837. He still lives on the farm where he
was born and during this span of life he has
witnessed most wonderful changes in the
progress and development of the country.
Mr. Holstlaw is descended from those
hardy pioneers that crossed the mountains
into Kentucky and Tennessee, blazing the
way through the wilderness, opening up for
colonization and occupancy the rich hunting
grounds south of the Ohio. This tide of
immigrants gradually worked its way
westward and northward, crossing the Ohio
into Indiana and Illinois and blending here
with the settlers coming from Pennsylvania,
New York and New England.
Our subject's father, Daniel S. Holstlaw,
was born near Glasgow, Kentucky, in 1813,
toward the close of the second war with
R. J. HOLSTLAW.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
161
England. The treaty at the conclusion of
this war stimulated the westward movement
and when Daniel was eight years old he
came to Paoli, Indiana, with his parents.
His mother, Ruth (Middleton) Holstlaw,
a native of Tennessee, was the eleventh of
fourteen children and came to Marion
county, Illinois, in 1833. At the age of
nineteen years, Daniel Holstlaw left the
Hoosier state and immigrated to Marion
county, Illinois. Here he entered a claim and
also purchased some land, paying seven
dollars per acre. At this time the country
was still in its primitive state, and the six
children, of whom our subject was the sec-
ond, became quite familiar with early day
methods of getting along.
Among other things that Mr. Holstlaw
relates are his school experiences. The ex-
pense of paying for an instructor was met
on the subscription plan, and all the neigh-
bors joined in to obtain the privilege of a
schooling for their children. Wild game of
all kinds still abounded in the forests and
furnished part of the food for the settlers.
One morning Mr. Holstlaw counted thirty-
seven deer after a night when the prairie
was on fire, when they could be seen clearly
to say nothing of other game, so abundant
then, but so rarely seen now. When we re-
flect over to the fact that such a span of
years has witnessed so great a contrast be-
tween the present conditions and those of
that day, it seems almost a fiction. Yet one
needs but to ponder over the wonderful
changes of the last decade to convince him
ii
that we are even now already in the shadow
of what will come tomorrow. While now
the traction engine pulls the series of break-
ing plows rapidly through the sod, Mr.
Holstlaw recalls the time when he followed
the four yoke of patient oxen that com-
posedly drew through the virgin soil the
hand-made plow of hickory wood. Today
the hay-loader puts the sweet-scented prod-
uct of the meadow on the wagon and at the
driver's feet, while then the dogwood fork,
whittled by hand, was the only tool avail-
able. Fur and hides were hauled to St.
Louis, seventy-five miles away, and court
was held in a log structure at the county
seat of Salem.
We shall now turn our attention to the
domestic relations of our subject. In 1863
he was joined in marriage to Mary (Gag-
ger) Barry. This union, though happy, was
destined to be brief, for ere long the young
wife was called hence, followed soon after
by her infant child. On July 18, 1869,
Mr. Holstlaw took as his second wife Ra-
chel Barry, this union resulting in the birth
of the following children: Effie I., who
became the wife of Louis Barksdale; the
son is Forrest D., the second daughter of the
family, Carrie A., has become the wife of
Walter K. Shook.
In his political affiliations Mr. Holstlaw
has adhered to the Democratic party, and
he is a devoted member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church. He and his wife are
well known in the entire community as ex-
emplary and worthy citizens.
1 62
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
HENRY SPRING.
This biographical memoir has to do with
a character of unusual force and eminence,
for Henry Spring, whose life chapter has
been closed by the fate that awaits us all,
was for a long lapse of years one of the
prominent citizens of Richland county, hav-
ing come to this section in pioneer times,
and he assisted in every way possible in
bringing- about the transformation of the
county from the wild condition found by the
first settlers to its later day progress and
improvement. While he carried on a special
line of business in such a manner as to gain
a comfortable competence for himself, he
also belonged to that class of representative
citizens who promote the public welfare
while advancing individual success. There
were in him sterling traits which com-
manded uniform confidence and regard, and
his memory is today honored by all who
knew him, and is enshrined in the hearts of
his many friends.
Henry Spring was born near Sheffield,
England, December 2, 1806, the son of
Thomas and Margaret (Bishop) Spring,
also natives of England. Thomas Spring
was a professional landscape gardener. He
was the father of five sons, namely : Sidney,
Archibald, Henry, John and George. The
family emigrated to America in 1819, the
father dying in Pennsylvania on the over-
land trip to Illinois. The mother and chil-
dren located on a farm in Edwards county,
near Albion, this state. Henry and John
remained on the farm during the lifetime
of their mother. Henry Spring, our sub-
ject, was thirteen years old when he came
to Illinois, and where he received most of
his education in the subscription schools.
However, he began his education in England.
The mother was highly educated and taught
at home. Henry was in business a short
time near Evansville, Indiana, later return-
ing to Edwards county, where he married
in January, 1842. He came to Olney and
was the second merchant to engage in busi-
ness. His store was located in a small room
belonging to T. W. Lilley, being a part of his
residence. He was a typical pioneer and had
a country stock of goods which he bought
on credit, which proved to be the foundation
of a later fortune. In the fall of 1842 he
built a frame building at the corner of Main
and Fair streets, with living rooms in the
rear. About 1855 he sold out to P. P.
Bower. In 1856 he built a brick building at
the southwest corner of Main and Boone
streets, and about 1859 again engaged in
the merchandise business. The ground on
which the building stands was bought from
the government by T. W. Lilley, transferred
to John Allen and then to the subject of this
sketch, and is still owned by his family. In
1848 he built a two-story frame building for
a residence at the southeast corner of Main
and Fair streets, which was very pretentious
for those days. In 1866 he retired from the
mercantile business and in the store build-
ing now owned by his sons, plans for the
organization of the First National Bank
were consummated in December, 1865, he
being one of the instigators and the leading
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
i6 3
spirit in the enterprise, and Mr. Spring was
made its first president, which position he
held with great credit to his ability for a pe-
riod of twenty years, with the exception of
one year. In the same store room in 1883
plans were formulated for the organization
of the Olney National Bank, and our sub-
ject having severed his connection with the
First National Bank, became president and
principal stockholder of the new bank, re-
maining at the head of the same for six
years. He became known as a man of the
strictest integrity, his word being as good
as his bond, and those dealing with him
were required as much. His life was de-
voted to his family, for he avoided society,
not caring for any public display, and he be-
longed to no secret orders and was affiliated
with no church, neither had he any political
aspirations except to vote the Republican
ticket, having originally been a Whig. He
was a very successful business man, being
conservative, careful and exercised various
English traits of character, and he accumu-
lated an honest fortune. He was a patriotic
man and served in the Black Hawk war.
After a long, honorable and successful
career, Henry Spring was called from his
labors August 20, 1890, being nearly
eighty-four years old, having been active
and in possession of all his faculties up to
within a few years prior to his death. He
was a man of great strength and vitality in
his prime.
Henry Spring was united in mariage De-
cember 31, 1841, to Caroline Russell
Mount, a native of Nantuckett Island, the
daughter of Freeman Marshall and Mary
Ann (Russell) Mount, natives of Massa-
chusetts.
Twelve children were born to the subject
and wife, four of whom died in infancy.
The eight living children are as follows :
Mary, who was the first white child born in
what is now the town of Olney, having been
born November 22, 1842; she married
Thomas W. Scott, who was in partnership
with her father in 1865. He is now Attor-
ney General of Illinois. Florence is the
second living child, and is the wife of John
H. Senseman, cashier of the Olney bank;
Edward M., is a business man in Olney;
Caroline M. is living at home; Elizabeth is
the wife of Medford Powell, of Olney;
Laura is a member of the family circle;
Harry B. is in business in Olney; Kate L.
is the wife of Doctor Watkins, of Olney.
Mrs. Spring, a woman of gracious per-
sonality, survived her husband until June
20, 1904, when she passed to her rest, being
past eighty-three years of age.
Edward M. Spring, son of our subject,
was born in Olney, Illinois, July 30, 1852,
being reared in Olney, where he received
his education in the public schools. He also
attended Asbury College, now DePauw
University, but he did not graduate from
that institution, however, he made a splen-
did record for scholarship. When eighteen
years of age he went to Kansas, where he
spent two years. In 1872 he engaged in the
seed and produce business, and has success-
fully continued in the same ever since, be-
ing in the store room formerly built and oc-
164
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
cupied by his father. James G. Hollister
was his partner for sixteen years, and in
1888 the firm became Spring Brothers,
which is still the name of the firm. A very
large business has been built up and a good
trade is carried on throughout this locality.
Edward M. Spring was united in mar-
riage December 25, 1873, to Kate Radens-
croft, a native of New Albany, Indiana, the
daughter of William E. and Anna C. (Jack-
son) Radenscroft, formerly of England,
who came to Philadelphia. The father of
the subject's wife was formerly a Methodist
minister. Both are now deceased. Two
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Spring: Lawrence E.. who lives
in Owensboro, Kentucky, in the milling
business ; Ethel is living at home. She was
educated at Olney and in Indianapolis, and
received a musical education in Cincinnati
and Chicago, becoming a proficient musi-
cian. She is at this writing (1909) super-
visor of music in the public schools of Ol-
ney. Mr. Spring is a Republican but not a
politician. He served one term as Alder-
man. He is a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern
Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. He
has a beautiful home and there is a large
oak tree in his yard under which John A.
Logan made his first speech in behalf of the
Republican party, October 12, 1866, as a
candidate for Congressman at large. At
that time the place of residence of the sub-
ject was a part of the splendid grove adjoin-
ing the village of Olney, where picnics and
rallies were held.
Harry Bishop Spring, son of Henry
Spring, our subject, was born in Olney, Il-
linois, where he was reared and where he
received his education in the public schools.
He was also a student of the University of
Illinois at Champaign. He obtained a good
education, and after leaving school spent six
or seven years in the South and West, being
on the coast for some time. After return-
ing to Olney he engaged in the seed and pro-
duce business in 1888, with his brother, un-
der the firm name of Spring Brothers.
Harry B. Spring was united in marriage
June 17, 1890, to Victoria Eckenrode, a na-
tive of Sumner, Illinois, the daughter of
Sylvester J. and Mary Eckenrode, a former
business man of Olney. One daughter was
bom, a winsome little girl named Marjorie.
Mrs. Spring was called to her rest January
4, 1905. Harry Spring is a Republican in
politics, and is a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks.
The family of our subject has long been
recognized as leaders in industrial affairs in
Richland county, being people of the high-
est integrity and worth, for when Henry
Spring passed away he left his family the
priceless heritage of an untarnished name,
to the county the value of good citizenship,
and to the young an example well worthy of
emulation. Public opinion in passing judg-
ment upon his life work, classed him with
the men of honor and worth, and with the
pioneers of Richland county his name is for-
ever inscribed, shinging out with peculiar
luster.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
JUDGE JOHN S. STONECIPHER.
No history of Marion county could be
consistent with itself were there failure to
make specific mention of the honored pio-
neer family of which the subject of this
sketch is a worthy scion, and no better or
more significant evidence as to the long
identification of the name with the annals of
this section of the state can be offered than
implied in the simple statement that the rec-
ord of this interesting and representative
family has been one of highest honor for a
period of sixty-five years to the time of this
writing. The subject has passed his entire
life in Marion county, and has ably upheld
the high prestige of the honored name which
he bears. He is one of the prominent and
influential representatives of the legal and
industrial world of the county, and it is with
much satisfaction that we offer in this work
a review of his genealogical and personal
history.
Judge John S. Stonecipher, like scores of
our best citizens in every line of endeavor,
was born on a farm, the old homestead be-
ing located about ten miles southeast of
Salem, his birth occurring on July 7, 1868.
His father was Samuel Stonecipher, a Ten-
nesseean who came to Marion county, Illi-
nois, about 1843, having successfully fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits and became a
man of considerable influence in his com-
munity. He here erected a primitive dwell-
ing which was the family domicile for a
number of years. The tales of the pioneer
days have been often told, and it is needless
to here recapitulate the same, for privations,
vicissitudes and strenuous labors of the early
settlers have been so recorded as to make
special mention superfluous, though it is well
in such connection to refer to those who
lived and labored so earnestly in laying the
foundation for the opulent prosperity which
marks this favored section of the state at
the present time. Samuel Stonecipher was
called from his earthly labors in 1898, while
living on a farm in Haines township, two
and one-half miles east of old Foxville. The
mother of our subject was Susan (Ross)
Stonecipher, also a native of Tennessee who
passed to her rest when Judge Stonecipher
was one and one-half years old. Eight chil-
dren were born to the union of Samuel and
Susan Stonecipher, four of whom are living
in 1908. These are, besides the subject of
this sketch, Alexander, a farmer in Haines
township, Marion county; Joseph C, a far-
mer in southeastern Kansas; M. C, a Pres-
byterian minister at Troy Grove, Illinois.
Samuel Stonecipher, father of the subject,
was three times married. His first wife was
a Miss Henderson ; the second a Miss Ross,
mother of the subject; and the third was
Mary Chance, who died three months after
her husband's death.
Grandfather Stonecipher reached almost
the unprecedented age of one hundred and
ten years. He was reared in Knox county,
Tennessee.
Judge Stonecipher was reared on the
parental farm, and after attending the
country schools he entered Ewing College
in Franklin county, Illinois, where he made
1 66
RIOGUAPHICAL AM) KKM I MSCKXT HISTORY OF
a brilliant record for both scholarship and
deportment, taking a two years' general
course. He then attended the Southern Illi-
nois Normal School for two years, and be-
gan teaching school, which he continued for
three successful terms, but believing that his
true life work lay in another channel he be-
gan reading law with Judge John B. Kagy,
of Salem. After reading law for one year
he attended the Valparaiso University, law
department, for one year, in which he made
rapid progress. He was admitted to the
bar at Salem in 1891 and began practice
soon afterward. His success was instanta-
neous, and his friends were not mistaken in
their prediction that the future held many
honors in store for him. He was early in
life singled out for political preferment and
served as Deputy Sheriff from 1889 to 1890,
while reading law. He has ably served two
terms as City Attorney of Salem, and was
Master in Chancery for four years, from
1896 to 1900, having first been appointed
by Judge Burroughs, and later by Judge
Dwight. In 1906 our subject had attained
such general popularity in the legal world
that he was elected Judge of Marion county
on the Democratic ticket in which capacity
he is still serving in 1908, with entire satis-
faction to his constituents and all concerned.
He was chairman of the Democratic County
Central Committee at the time of his elec-
tion to the judgeship. He was selected as
alternate to the Democratic national conven-
tion held in St. Louis in 1904. Having
become so well known in the political arena
of his native community the judge will
doubtless be honored by many other offices
of public trust by his party in the future.
Judge Stonecipher has been equally suc-
cessful in industrial affairs, being something
of a wizard in organizing, promoting and
carrying to successful issues various lines of
business, and it is due to his clear brain,
well grounded judgment and indomitable
energy that many of Marion county's suc-
cessful industrial institutions owe their ex-
istence. At present he is vice-president of
the Salem State Bank, president of the
Salem Box Company, the leading manufac-
turing enterprise of Salem; he is also trus-
tee of the Sandoval Coal and Mining Com-
pany, now bankrupt, a large and important
trusteeship. He is also a stockholder in the
Salem National Bank and a director of the
Salem Building and Loan Association. He
was chairman of the building committee that
built the new Methodist Episcopal church
in Salem, one of the finest in Illinois, and it
was largely due to his energy and keen busi-
ness sagacity that this handsome structure,
which will ever be a monument to his mem-
ory as well as a pride and splendid adver-
tisement to the city of Salem, assumed
definite form.
Fraternally Judge Stonecipher is a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, the Knights of Pythias and the
Woodmen. He has occupied the chairs in
the Odd Fellows, and his daily life would
indicate that he believes in carrying out the
noble precepts advocated by these praise-
worthy orders.
Judge Stonecipher's domestic life dates
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
:6 7
from August 17, 1904, when he was hap-
pily married to Amy Bachman, the refined
and cultured daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.
H. Bachman, the latter the well known and
influential president of the Salem National
Bank. Mrs. Stonecipher received a good
education, having applied herself diligently
to her educational work and the success of
her worthy life companion is due in no small
measure to the encouragement and sympa-
thy of this most estimable woman, who pre-
sides over her model and harmonious
household with grace and dignity.
Two bright and interesting children have
blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stone-
cipher with cheer and sunshine. They are:
Frank G., born July 8, 1905, and Maude
Louise, born July 24, 1907.
Judge Stonecipher has been very success-
ful in both his business and political life. He
is regarded as a man of exceptional sound-
ness of judgment, and when his name is
connected with any business institution the
public knows that the same is sound and
does not hesitate to place its funds at his
disposal, whether it be in a banking institu-
tion or manufacturing enterprise.
HON. EDWARD S. WILSON.
It will invariably be found, if an examina-
tion be made into the life records of self-
made men, that untiring industry forms the
basis of their success. It is true that many
other elements enter in, such as fortitude,
perseverance, keen discernment and honesty
of purpose which enables one to recognize
business opportunities, but the foundation
cf all worthy achievements in earnest, per-
sistent labor. The gentlemen whose name
forms the caption of this article recognized
this fact early in life and did not seek to
gain any short or magical method to the goal
cf prosperity. On the contrary, he began
to work earnestly and diligently in order to
advance himself along laudable lines and
from a humble beginning he has become one
of the prominent men of the great Prairie
state. As a lawyer, Hon. Edward S. Wilson
had few equals in Southern Illinois for up-
wards of half a century. He was for years a
leading member of the bar in Olney and is one
of the old and highly esteemed citizens of this
place, now living in quiet retirement, enjoy-
ing the respite due a long and strenuous ca-
reer. Finding him in a retrospective and rem-
iniscent mood we quote from an interview
with this distinguished character as follows :
"My grandfather, James Wilson, migrated
frcm Hardy county, Virginia, to South Bend,
Indiana, in the year 1813, and the next year
removed to Palestine, Crawford county, Illi-
nois, bringing with him a numerous family
of sons and daughters, among them my fa-
ther, Isaac N. Wilson, who was born July 21,
1804. On October 13, 1829, he married
Hannah H. Decken, who was born December
13, 1810, at the town of Vincennes, Indiana,
to which place her father moved from Rom-
ney, Virginia, in 1808 or 1809, from whence
he soon moved to a farm three miles north of
Palestine. There were nine boys and two
1 68
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
daughters born to my father and mother.
Three of us still survive. I was born June
2 5- J ^39- I was educated in the common
schools of Palestine, and was always of a
reading rather than of a studious disposi-
tion. Any book of history or romance could
attract my attention from more serious study.
So my mind is a hotch-potch of useless lum-
ber. I know a great amount of 'worthless
things and nothing well.
"I can distinctly remember the pioneer
days of Illinois when the flax and cotton with
which we were largely clothed were raised
by the farmers of Crawford county, which
were spun and woven by the mothers and
daughters of the farmers who were entirely
from the Southern States, Virginia, North
and South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennes-
see. The wheels of the wagons consisted of
sections sawn off a log, usually a sycamore.
Oxen were more common than horses.
"The principal amusements in those days
were bear basting, horse racing, and last, but
not least, fist fighting. Residents of the
county would gather at Palestine every Sat-
urday and most of them would fill up on
old Monongahela whisky and by noon the
fighting would begin. I have seen sixty
fights in progress at one time. When the
fight was over there was no malice nor de-
sire for revenge, and the victor was the best
man until at a later date the fight could be
repeated, if the conquered was not satisfied,
when frequently the outcome was reversed.
I was eighteen years of age before I saw a
railroad or a train of cars.
"When about eighteen years old I began
the study of law in the office of James C. Al-
len, of Palestine, then a member of Con-
gress from the Tenth District from Illinois.
I was admitted to the bar in 1861, and com-
menced the practice of law at Robinson,
Crawford county, Illinois. In 1864, I re-
move to Olney, Richland county, where I still
reside. I practiced in the courts of this and
adjoining counties until 1890, at which time
I was nominated by the Democratic party for
State Treasurer and was elected to that of-
fice. For many years my hearing had been
defective and it grew worse, and after retir-
ing from the office of State Treasurer I never
resumed practice on account of my hearing.
Since that time I have lived the life of a
farmer and man of leisure, reading much, but
only for entertainment. I have pursued no
settled line, but have read everything from
theology to the flimsiest romance, but I have
spent more time on history than any other
line and would be a good historian if I had
been a student instead of a mere reader.
"On June 17. 1867, I married Ann C.
Rowland, daughter of Townsend and Eliza
S. Rowland, of Olney, Illinois. To us have
been born four sons, three living, and one
daughter, who died leaving one son. One
son died in infancy. My wife is still living,
and divides with me the burden of reading all
the latest works, historical and fiction."
Agriculture, horticulture and stock raising
have occupied Mr. Wilson's attention of late
years. He owns about one thousand acres of
valuable land in Richland county, a part of
which is devoted to the propagation of fruit
for commercial purposes. Part of the farm
is in the city limits of Olney where he has a
modern and commodious residence, sur-
HIGHLAND. CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
169
round by beautiful grounds, extensive and
carefully kept. His home is one of the most
pretentious in the county. Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson are widely known for their hospital-
ity and their home is often the gathering
place for their numerous friends and admir-
ers where good cheer is always to be found.
For a number of years Mr. Wilson paid con-
siderable attention to the breeding of Clydes-
dale horses and Shetland ponies, and he pro-
duced some fine specimens which were prize
winners at state fairs. The subject was large-
ly instrumental in securing the state fair for
Olney for two years, 1887 and 1888. Mr.
\Vilson is the founder and principal stock-
holder of the ice plant at Olney. where large
quantities of artificial ice are manufactured,
in connection with a cold storage, packing in-
dustry, etc.
Mr. Wilson has always been a staunch
Democrat and active politically. He has al-
ways been interested in whatever tended tc
promote the interests of his city and county.
For twenty years he was Master in Chan-
cery. Because of his public-spirit, his hon-
esty of purpose, genuine worth and congenial
disposition, no man is better or more favor
ably known in Southern Illinois than he.
J. E. CASTLE.
Those who belong to the respectable mid-
dle classes of society, being early taught the
necessity of relying upon their own exer-
tions, will be more apt to acquire that
information and those business habits which
alone can fit them for the discharge of life's
duties, and, indeed, it has long been a no-
ticeable fact that our great men in nearly
all walks of life in America spring from
this class. The subject of this sketch, whose
life history we herewith delineate is a worthy
representative of the class from which the
true noblemen of the Republic spring.
J. E. Castle was born in Gallipolis, Ohio,
in 1845, the son of George W. Castle, also
a native of the Buckeye state, where he was
born in Zanesville in that conspicuous year
in American history, 1812. He came to
Illinois with his family in 1861, settling at
Salem. By profession he was a contractor
and builder, but he was in the drug business
while in Salem, and was also interested in
farming, however, he did some contracting
here, and in all made a success, for he was
a man of much business ability. While a
resident of Ohio he was for some time a
Justice of the Peace, having always taken
considerable interest in political and public
affairs. He was called from his earthly la-
bors in 1872 after an active and useful life.
George Washington Castle was the sub-
ject's grandfather, of Irish ancestry. He
was loyal to the American government and
was a captain of a company in the War of
1812, having met his death while gallantly
leading a battalion of volunteers at Fort
Erie in 1812, the same year the father of
our subject was born, as already indicated.
The original Castle family is related to the
Newtons, a prominent and influential family
of Cincinnati, Ohio. Grandfather Castle's
family consisted of three children, two sons
and one daughter.
The mother of our subject was known in
BIOC.RAI'IIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
her maidenhood as Eliza Bing, a native of
Gallia county, Ohio, her people being natives
of the Buckeye state. She was a woman of
many praiseworthy traits, and she was
united in marriage with George W. Castle
about 1832. She was called to her rest in
1858 while living at Gallipolis, Ohio. Six
children constituted the family of this
couple, of whom our subject is the only sur-
vivor. The names of these children follow
in order of their birth: Dr. W. H., who
died in St. Louis in 1882; Captain George
E., who died in Salem, Illinois, in 1887;
Eva M., who died at Tonti, Marion county,
June 30, 1903 ; Dr. Charles E., who died at
Great Bend, Kansas, in 1897; John E. died
at Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1859, when eight
years old; J. E., our subject, was the fourth
in order of birth.
J. E. Castle spent his boyhood in Gal-
lipolis, Ohio, where he attended the public
schools and received in part a good educa-
tion, for he was always an ambitious lad and
applied himself in a commendable manner to
his text-books. He came to Salem, Illinois,
in 1 86 1, and in the spring of 1862, immedi-
ately after the battle of Shiloh, he enlisted
in the Union army, believing that it was the
duty of loyal citizens of the Republic to
sever home ties and do what they could in
saving the nation's integrity. He was in
the Fifteenth Army Corps under John A.
Logan, with General James Stewart Martin
in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having been
sergeant of the company of which his
brother, George E. Castle, was captain. He
served with distinction in this regiment, the
operations of which is given in detail in the
sketch of General Martin in this work, until
the close of the war, and he passed in the
grand review in Washington City before
the President and all the generals of the
army. He brought home a Confederate
flag.
On June 27, 1864, the subject was in the
battle of Kenesaw Mountain when the whole
of Sherman's army charged the forces of
General Johnson entrenched on the moun-
tain.
He took part in two months of continuous
fighting about Atlanta, July 22 and 28,
1864, being memorable dates in that city's
history. On the first mentioned date, Gen-
eral McPherson was killed and on this date,
General James S. Martin, of Salem, was
made a brigadier general. On July 28th
was fought a desperate battle lasting all day,
on which day General Martin's line received
seven terrific charges and never moved a
foot. On August 3d another hard battle
was fought in the siege of Atlanta, when
Sherman's army escaped from Hood.
On August 3 ist the subject was in the
capture of Atlanta, after which he went with
Sherman on his march to the sea. On De-
cember 1 4th, following the battle at Fort
McAllister was fought and captured by
Hazen's division, which meant virtually the
capture of Savannah, as Johnson then evacu-
ated this place. The army then went on to
Hitton Head, South Carolina, and then Co-
lumbia, Couth Carolina, was captured. At
Fort McAllister our subject and his brother
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
171
captured a Confederate flag and many other
relics which they brought home.
After his career in the army Mr. Castle
returned to Salem and took a course in the
high school, after which he went to Wes-
leyan University at Delaware, Ohio, taking
a three years' course in the sciences and
making a brilliant record in the same. Upon
his return to Salem he went into the hard-
ware business in which he remained until
1878, building up an excellent trade in the
meantime. He then traveled for ten years
for the Champion Harvesting Machine
Company, giving entire satisfaction to this
company, the patronage of which he caused
to be greatly increased. Then, much to the
regret of his employers, he severed his con-
nection with the Champion people and en-
gaged with his brother, Captain George E.
Castle, in the cattle business in Southwest
Kansas, which enterprise was continued
with the most gratifying results up to the
time of the latter's death. Since then our
subject has been farming. He has an excel-
lent farm property which is kept in a high
state of improvement, and which yields a
comfortable income from year to year
through the skillful management of the sub-
ject. On this farm is to be found an ex-
cellent orchard of thirty acres, Mr. Castle
having been an enthusiastic horticulturist
for several years. He has a substantial
dwelling house and many convenient out
buildings on his farm which he oversees, but
does not live on.
The domestic life of Mr. Castle dates
from 1897 when he was united in marriage
with Arabella Whittaker, the refined and
affable daughter of R. H. Whittaker. The
parents of Mrs. Castle were both born in
Ireland. They came to Salem, Illinois, in
1852, the father of our subject's wife hav-
ing been one of the civil engineers that sur-
veyed the route for the Baltimore & Ohio
Southwestern Railroad, at that time known
as the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. R. H.
Whittaker passed away in June, 1889, at
Salem, his life companion having preceded
him to the silent land in 1881.
The subject's wife was the only child of
Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Whittaker. She is a
highly accomplished woman, well educated
and talented. She is an able and noted
teacher of both music and painting, being
the only art teacher in Salem. She is re-
garded by every one who has seen her work
as being a finished and accomplished artist
and she has a beautiful studio in connection
with her home. She reveres the memory of
her parents and likes to tell of the happy
days when R. H. Whittaker was station
agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest-
ern road at Salem, which position he held
for several years. He was also fuel agent
for many years and had a wide acquaint-
ance among railroad men. He quit railroad
business several years before he died, and
engaged in the lumber business in Salem,
which he was engaged in at the time of his
death.
Mr. and Mrs. Castle have no children.
Mr. Castle is a member of the ancient and
honorable order of Masons, also the Knights
Templar and the Grand Army of the Re-
UIOCKAPIIICAL AXI) KEM I MSCKXT HISTORY OF
public. And Mr. and Mrs. Castle are both
ardent members of the Episcopal church.
Our subject was a member of the building
committee that erected the handsome new
edifice in Salem, and he takes a special in-
terest in all the affairs of this church.
In the modern, substantial and beautiful
home of Mr. and Mrs. Castle which stands
on Whittaker street in Salem, is to be found
many curios and relics, especially of the
Civil war. The beautiful art treasures of
Mrs. Castle are numerous, the walls being
hung with many excellent pictures, the han-
diwork of Mrs. Castle, and their elegantly
furnished home is regarded as a place where
hospitality is always unstintingly dispensed.
JAMES. F. HYATT.
"Through struggle to triumph" seems to
be the maxim which holds sway for the ma-
jority of our citizens, and, though it is un-
doubtedly true that many fall exhausted in
the conflict, a few by their inherent force of
character and strong mentality, rise above
their environment! and all which seems to
hinder them, until they reach the plane of
affluence toward which their face was set
through the long years of struggle that must
necessarily precede any accomplishment of
great magnitude. Such has been the history
of Mr. Hyatt, proprietor of the well known
Linden Lawn Dairy, and in his life record
many useful lessons may be gleaned.
James F. Hyatt was bom in Versailles.
Indiana, January 7, 1855, the son of Hiram
and Bythynia (Alley) Hyatt, the former a
native of Indiana, and the latter of Ken-
tucky. The subject's father was a stockman
and farmer, and for many years carried on
a stock business on an extensive scale near
Versailles, having died in Clay City. Indi-
ana, in 1905. His widow, a woman of many
praiseworthy traits, like those of her hus-
band, is still living at this writing (1908).
They were the parents of five children who
grew to maturity, and who reside in Indi-
ana, with the exception of the subject, who
is the eldest of the family. He was reared
in his native county where he received a
common school education, having attended
the Quaker Academy for two years at But-
lerville, Indiana. He decided to become ac-
quainted with the manufacture of woolen
goods, and accordingly early in life went to
work in a woolen mill, also worked in a flour
mill owned by his father, where he remained
for several years. When twenty years old
he went to what is now Clay City, Indiana,
it being a railroad terminus before a post-
office was established. A coal mine had been
developed there. He secured employment
with the coal company as weigh boss, later
in a clerical capacity, having given the com-
pany entire satisfaction in this work. In
1878 he started a small merchandise busi-
ness which was successful from the first, and
also became interested in coal mining, brick
manufacturing, milling and various enter-
prises which he carried on with his usual
successful methods, and operated stores in
a number of different places, in fact, he pur-
chased large stocks of goods in various east-
ern cities, shipping the same to different
states and closing them out. His advance-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
173
ment was rapid and most successful. In
1894 to 1896 he sold all his interests in In-
diana, having previously got possession of
large tracts of land in Arkansas, establish-
ing a colony in northeastern Arkansas, and
has been instrumental in locating many fami-
lies from the northern and eastern states on
the same. He still carries on this business
with gratifying results. He went to Chicago
to live, where he resided until coming to Ol-
ne\ in 1900.
At the time he came to Olney he pur-
chased the Linden Lawn Dairy, which he
has since managed in a most successful
manner, having made many improvements,
increasing the capacity of the dairy, enlarg-
ing the barns, improving the fertility of the
land, and in many ways making it one of
the model dairies of the state. He has one
hundred head of dairy stock. There is a
great demand for all that his dairy produces
in Olney, where all his dairy products are
readily disposed of. This business was orig-
inally established by the Linden Lawn
Fanning Company, - a corporation organized
or promoted by C. S. Mace, now deceased.
Mr. Mace conceived the idea of forming a
corporation for carrying on farming and
dairying on an extensive scale, with the idea
of also making it a co-operative institution.
All employes invested twenty-five per cent, of
wages in stock and received pro rata of pro-
fits of the business. It grew to extensive
proportions, consisting of farming, horticul-
ture, dairying and stock raising. Modern
buildings and equipment were provided. At
the time of the death of Mr. Mace, the pro-
moter, in 1900, the stockholders decided to
close the corporation and sell the property.
Accordingly in September of that year,
James F. Hyatt, our subject, purchased the
same and has since carried on the work on
a paying basis, assisted by his wife, who is
actively connected with the management.
The dairy has eighty stalls for milch cows,
besides large sheds in close proximity. There
is a silo with four hundred tons capacity,
which was one of the first built in this
county. Linden Lawn consists of one hun-
dred and sixty-three acres, all inside the
corporate limits of Olney. Land on part of
three sides is platted and partly improved.
The land is in a high state of fertility. Six-
ty-five acres are in bearing order in fine con-
dition. The dwelling is of pressed brick,
stone trimmings, slate roof, is commodious,
convenient, and has all modern conveniences
and appliances, large verandas, stone, brick
and concrete walks, large well, beautifully
shaded lawn. The building occupies elevated
ground, giving a splendid view of the city.
The barn is metal roofed and has every
modern equipment for furnishing high
grade, sanitary milk. The barn has steam
and electric power, electric lights, running
water, concrete floors, and is in every way
up-to-date. The dairy herd is mostly full
blood Jersey. In fact, this is without doubt
one of the very finest farms in Illinois, and
one would be compelled to search long and
far to surpass it in any state.
Mr. Hyatt was united in marriage in
1888 to Iva Grim, a native of Coal City. In-
diana, the daughter of Henry and Charity
(Gray) Grim, natives of Ohio, both now de-
ceased. The father of Mrs. Hyatt was a
174
BIOGRAPHICAL AXI) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
farmer and merchant, a civil engineer and
surveyor, and a pioneer of Coal City. One
son, Frederick, a lad of much business pro-
mise, now seventeen years old, has been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt.
In 1902 Mr. Hyatt purchased the opera
house block, a three-story brick structure.
He remodeled the interior and converted the
top floors into a modern opera house, refur-
nished and entirely overhauled the same.
The interior decorations and arrangements
compare favorably with the smaller opera
houses in the large cities. This splendid,
safe and comfortable play-house is greatly
appreciated by the citizens of this commu-
nity and much credit is given the owner for
its establishment.
In his political relations Mr. Hyatt is a
Republican. He is a member of the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge
No. 926, at Olney. He is president of the
Business Men's Association of Olney. Mrs.
Hyatt is a member of the Christian church.
James F. Hyatt is a thoroughly practical
business man, which fact, coupled with his
undoubted ability as an organizer and pro-
moter, contains the secret of the success of
the institution of which he is the head.
WILLIAM L. DRAPAR.
Mr. Drapar has for many years been an
honored resident of Marion county, whose
interests he has ever had at heart, and who
has, while advancing his own welfare done
much toward promulgating the civic, in-
dustrial and moral tone of the vicinity. His
career has been one of hard work and in-
tegrity, consequently he is deserving of the
respect in which he is held by everyone.
William L. Drapar was bom in Fayette
county, Illinois, October 29, 1850, the son
of John B. Drapar, a native of Tennessee,
who came to Illinois when a mere lad, in
the days when the inhabitants wore buck-
skin breeches and when the forests abounded
in wild game and the hills and prairies were
overrun by the red men. Grandfather Dra-
par was also a native of Tennessee, who
brought his son, father of our subject, to
this state, settling in Fayette county. Grand-
father was a well known lawyer in his day
and served as Judge of Lafayette county.
Vandalia, the county seat, was then the
state capital. Judge Drapar, like most pio-
neer men, was the father of a large family,
he and his faithful life companion becoming
the parents of fifteen children, three pairs
of twins. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat
and a soldier in the Mexican war. He sub-
sequently moved to Salem where he was
called from his earthly labors at the age of
fifty-six years, and he was buried at Xenia,
Clay county.
John B. Drapar moved to Salem in 1856.
He was 1 a blacksmith of extraordinary skill,
and for some time drove a stage-coach on
the old Vandalia line. He enlisted in the
Union army during the Civil war, but never
saw service. He died about 1896.
The mother of the subject of this sketch
was known in her maidenhood as Jeanette
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
175
Abel, who was born in Bowling Green,
Kentucky, the representative of a South-
ern family of honorable repute. The
date of her birth occurred February 16,
1828, and she was summoned to join the
"choir invisible" in 1904, while living at
the home of our subject in Salem and she
is buried in the cemetery here. The follow-
ing children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
John B. Drapar: Margaret, widow of Eli-
sha Ledgerwood, who is living in the state
of Washington; William L., our subject;
Edwin, who died when four years old; an
infant girl, deceased.
William L. Drapar, the subject of this
sketch, was reared in Salem where he re-
ceived the customary common school edu-
cation. At an early age he assisted his
father in a blacksmith shop. When twenty-
one he was thrown on his own resources, but
being a youth of indomitable energy and
courage, he went to work with a will and
has prospered all his subsequent life. He
went into the milling business in 1872 at
Salem and has been thus engaged since that
time, becoming known as one of the leading
milling men in this part of the state, having
been eminently successful in this enterprise
from the first. He worked for E. Hull,
father of Senator C. E. Hull, for eighteen
years. Since January, 1890, he has been
associated with Senator Hull in business, op-
erating the Salem Brick Mill, the style of
the firm being Hull & Drapar. The present
building which this firm occupies was
erected in 1860, but has since been remod-
eled into a modem and substantial build-
ing. They do a general milling business
and their products are known not only
throughout Marion county where they have
a very extensive trade, but all over this
part of the state and to remote sections of
this and other states.
Mr. Drapar was united in marriage first
in 1872 with Sarah J. Fair, whose parents
died when she was two years old and she
was reared by a family named Castle who
came to Salem from Ohio at the close of
the war. She was a woman of many com-
mendable traits of character, and to this
union the following interesting family was
born: Ira and Louie, twins, born July u,
1874. The first named is living in Holden-
ville, Oklahoma, where he is Assistant
Cashier of the Second National Bank. He
is also City Recorder of Holdenville. He is
a graduate of the Salem high school in
which he made a splendid record, and he
is also a graduate of the Flora Business
College. For three years he was manager
of a large lumber company in Oklahoma
in which state he is very popular. Louie
lives in Chicago where he has a responsible
position with the Santa Fe Railroad Com-
pany, which regards him as one of their
most faithful and trusted employes. Leslie,
the third child, was born July 28, 1878.
He is also a graduate of the Salem high
school. He is now living in New Mexico
in the employ of the Harvey Dining Service
Company. He has been a dining car con-
ductor for years. He had the distinction of
serving for one year as superintendent of
the dining service at Yale University. He
, 7 r,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
is an expert at this line of business and
has gained wide notoriety among the peo-
ple of this business. George, the fourth
child, was born November 12, 1882. He
holds the responsible position as cashier
and bookkeeper of the Sherman House in
Chicago. Babel, the winsome and accom-
plished daughter of the subject and wife,
was born March 5, 1890, and she is yet a
member of the family circle, keeping house
for her father.
Mrs. Drapar passed to her eternal rest
on August 15, 1894, after a useful and
beautiful life. Mr. Drapar was again mar-
ried on June 14, 1899, to Isabel Bell, daugh-
ter of Philo Bell, of Sumner, Illinois. Mr.
Bell was a stage driver on the old Vin-
cennes & St. Louis line before the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad was built. This wife died
without issue May 3, 1907, of a paralytic
stroke. She was a woman of strong char-
acter and had many faithful friends.
Mr. Drapar has always taken consider-
able interest in political affairs. He served
as City Alderman for six years in a most
creditable manner. He was school director
for five years, during which time the local
schools felt a great impetus. He was tax
collector for one year, refusing to serve
longer, much to the regret of every one con-
cerned.
Fraternally, Mr. Drapar has been a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows since 1874, occupying all the chairs,
both Subordinate and Encampment. He
has attended the Grand Lodges regularly
for twenty-two years. He met with the
Sovereign Grand Lodge at St. Louis several
years ago. Mr. Drapar has been a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church since a boy.
He belongs to that class of citizens who
by their support of the moral, political and
social status for the general good, promote
the real welfare of their respective commu-
nities.
A. M. PEDDICORD.
It is interesting to study the life record
of such a man as the gentleman whose
name appears above owing to the fact that
he began life under no favorable auspicies
and has had to battle his own way through
the world, but he has succeeded remarkably
well and has shown how a man can "go
it alone" when once his face is set in the
right direction and he has the courage of his
convictions. Therefore, for this and many
other reasons, not the least of which is the
fact that he is one of the brave veterans of
the great war of the Rebellion, efficiently
serving his country during its dark days,
we take pleasure in giving him a place in
this work.
A. M. Peddicord was born in Bracken
county, Kentucky, June 4, 1841, and he was
about fourteen years old when he came to
Marion county, Illinois, and spent most of
the time since then in Carrigan township.
He is the son of Nelson and Rebecca Peddi-
cord, the subject's parents having been
cousins. The father died when the subject
was very young and he has but little recol-
A. M. PEDDICORD.
Of THE
UNIVERSITY < ILLINOIS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COfNTIKS. ILLINOIS.
177
lection of him. The subject's mother was
born in Mason county, Kentucky, and died
about fifteen years ago. There were six
children in the family of Nelson Peddicord
and wife, namely: Emanuel J., who first
married Hester Lawrence, and they became
the parents of three children ; his second wife
was Sallie Hooker and they became the par-
ents of five or six children ; Emanuel's third
wife was Nancy Roberts ; A. E., the second
child of Nelson and Rebecca Peddicord,
served in the Union army in the One Hun-
dred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, having remained single, and he died
soon after the close of the war ; F. M. mar-
ried a Miss Faggin and they are the parents
of five children ; A. M., our subject, was the
fourth child in order of birth ; Sarah M.
was twice married; Priscilla died when
young.
The subject of this sketch was compelled
to make his own way after he was four-
teen years old and he has succeeded admir-
ably well. When he reached maturity he
was married to Eliza Britt in August, 1869,
in Marion county. She was the daughter of
Samuel and Abigail (Roderick) Britt. Her
parents lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio and In-
diana and finally settled in Marion county,
Illinois, and they died here. Mr. Britt was
a farmer. The subject's wife was the ninth
of a family of ten children.
The following children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. A. M. Peddicord: Francis M.,
who is forty-one years old in 1908, married
Mary E. Foltz and they are the parents of
seven children; Mary E. died when four-
12
teen months old; Sarah E., who is now thir-
ty-nine years, married Thomas P. Walker,
and they have three children living and
two dead.
As already intimated Mr. Peddicord was
a soldier in the Union army during the Civil
war, having enlisted in Company K, Thirty-
first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on August
10, 1 86 1, under the command of Gen. John
A. Logan. He served in a most gallant
manner for a period of four years. He was
taken prisoner on the march to the sea at
Meridian, Mississippi. He was in the bat-
tle of Fort Donelson, was in the siege of
Vicksburg and Champion's Hill. He was
in Andersonville prison for a period of six
months, later being moved to Florence. He
contracted the scurvy while in prison, hav-
ing been in prison when peace was declared.
Our subject has an excellent farm con-
sisting of two hundred and sixty acres of
valuable land in section 34, seventy-seven
acres of which are in timber. The subject
has made most of the improvements of his
farm which now holds high rank with
Marion county's best farms. It shows good
management and is well stocked. He has
a comfortable residence which is well fur-
nished.
Mr. Peddicord was Road Commissioner
for two terms and gave entire satisfaction.
He is a loyal Democrat. Mr. and Mrs.
Peddicord are faithful members of the Bap-
tist church. Our subject deserves much
credit for what he has accomplished, for
he had little chance to attend school in his
youth. The only school-house in his com-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
munity was built of logs, and the terms of
school were very short. But he has been a
hard worker and has succeeded despite early
disadvantages, until today he is one of the
county's most representative agriculturists
and has many friends throughout the
same.
RICHARD LEWIS.
Energy, sound judgment and persistency
of effort, properly applied, will always win
the goal sought in the sphere of human en-
deavor, no matter what the environment may
be or what obstacles are met with, for they
who are endowed with such characteristics,
make stepping-stones of their adversities to
higher things. These reflections are sug-
gested by the career of Mr. Lewis, who has
forged his way to the front ranks, and stands
today among the representative men of Rich-
land county.
Richard Lewis, the well known proprietor
of the Metropole Hotel in Olney, Illinois, was
born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, Au-
gust 17, 1844, the son of Thomas and Sa-
rah (Mattingly) Lewis, the former having
been born near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and
the latter in Kentucky. The father was
reared in his native state and came to Ken-
tucky with his parents when young, where he
married and became a farmer. James Mat-
tingly, grandfather of the subject, was a
planter and a slave owner in Kentucky where
he lived and died. Thomas Lewis removed
to Illinois with his family in 1846 and set-
tled at Pond Grove, near St. Marie, Jasper
county. Soon afterward he changed his place
of residence to another part of Jasper county.
He was one of the pioneers of that section
and improved a good farm, consisting of one
hundred and twenty acres six miles south
of Newton, which in late years he gave to
his youngest son. He died at the home of the
subject in Olney in 1883, at the age of sev-
enty-three years. His wife had previously
died at the age of sixty-three years. Their
family consisted of six children, three boys
and three girls, two of the youngest daugh-
ters being deceased. The subject is the fifth
in order of birth. He was two years old when
the family located in Jasper county. His par-
ents being poor, his early education was very
limited on account of his having to work
hard to help support the family, working on
the farm early and late. There were only
a few schools in the county which was new
at that time, so he was enabled to attend
school only about six months; later he did a
great deal of home reading and by practical
experience became generally educated and is
today a well informed man.
During his youth the family was so poor,
according to our subject, that it took all their
money at one time to buy one hoe, which was
turned over to an older brother, William,
for use. He, however, was not satisfied to do
all the work and made a wooden hoe which
he insisted on our subject using to help. Dick
says he accordingly put in many days of
hard work with a wooden hoe. which has
probably been the experience of but few peo-
ple now living in Illinois. The family lived
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
179
in a log house for a number of years without
windows, but the father finally sawed out a
small place for one window, in which they
lived until the house was destroyed by fire.
The nearest neighbor was three miles away.
\Yild game of all kinds was plentiful, includ-
ing deer, bear, wild turkey, and wolves were
numerous and sometimes troublesome. The
father was compelled to get up at night many
times for the purpose of driving them out
of the dooryard and away from the sheep and
hogs. The father was a shoemaker and made
all the shoes and boots for the family. Rich-
ard was allowed one pair of shoes per year,
being compelled to go barefoot from early
spring until snow fell in the late fall.
Mr. Lewis was one of the supporters of
the national government during the trouble
in the sixties, having enlisted in 1861, but
not being old enough and being opposed by
his family, he did not go to the front. He
then took charge of the home place and for a
few years was very successful. He sold hogs
at Olney during the war for twelve dollars
per one hundred pounds. In 1865 he en-
listed in Company B, One Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
immediately went into the field. He was first
sent to Louisville and then to Nashville, also
to Tullahoma, Tennessee, returning to Mur-
freesboro, where he remained until he was
mustered out. After the war he came back
home and located on a farm of forty acres,
which he had bought with two wagon-loads
of hogs prior to enlisting. In the mean-
time his father bought forty acres more with
the money the subject had sent him. mak-
ing him eighty acres in all, with which to
start life. In 1866 and 1867 he raised crops
of wheat and sold wheat the latter year for
two dollars per bushel. On one occasion he
took thirty bushels to Olney for which he re-
ceived sixty dollars. Meeting an' old com-
rade, Jim Clark, son of "Old Sam Clark,"
after the war, the young men repaired to a
place for social refreshment and being looked
upon by the proprietor of the place as young
and unsophisticated, were induced to try their
luck at a game. It was the subject's lucky
day and he made fifteen dollars very easily.
It became a puzzle to his father how the son
could come home with so much money for
thirty bushels of wheat. During those days
Mr. Lewis was on his way to the polls at St.
Marie to vote and passed a place where a
young lady was breaking flax with a flail and
casually made the remark, "That is the girl
for me." He did not know her, but after-
ward met her quite unexpectedly and it is a
coincidence worth recording here that she is
his wife today.
After the marriage of Mr. Lewis he con-
tinued on the farm and was prosperous for
several years, buying more land until he had
a splendid place, consisting of one hundred
and twenty acres. He was ambitious to get
ahead and bought a threshing machine out-
fit, going in debt on his credit, which was
unquestioned. The panic of 1873 came on
and it was impossible to get money, so he
lost all. After he had turned over all his
property except a homestead interest which
he traded for two houses and lots in Olney,
he found judgment still hanging over him.
i8o
IJKHiRAPIlICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
He paid one judgment of six hundred dol-
lars by disposing of one house and lot and
went to work at whatever he could find to
do for several years.
In September, 1897, he bought a hotel
business opposite the Illinois Central depot in
Olney, which he conducted for about a year.
He then conducted a similar business on
West Main street for two years, after which
he took charge of the old Commercial House,
\vhich he christened the New Olney House,
and conducted the same for three years. He
then sold out and leased the Metropole ho-
tel, which he soon after sold. After a trip
to St. Louis he returned to Olney and again
engaged in the hotel business on West Main
street for about a year. Selling out, he again
took charge of the Metropole hotel, which
he has since conducted successfully. It is
the leading hotel in this part of the country
and would be a credit to larger cities, being
carefully conducted and managed in such a
manner as to constantly gain prestige with
the traveling public. It is a three-story brick
structure, modern in every detail, with thirty-
six rooms, electric lights, steam heat, hot and
cold water, and all other equipment that can
be found in an up-to-date hotel. Its cuisine
is excellent and courteous treatment is al-
ways accorded guests, so that the place is
popular with the traveling public. Its genia!
and pleasant proprietor is familiarly known
as "Old Dick Lewis."
Mr. Lewis was married December 26,
1867, to Sarah Anderson, a native of near
Madison, Indiana, the daughter of Felix and
Martha (Underwood) Anderson, both of
whom died in Jasper county, Illinois. Mr.
and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of eight chil-
dren, two of whom are living. Anna is the
wife of Victor Bolmar, who resides in Mat-
toon, Illinois; May is the other daughter.
In politics Mr. Lewis was formerly a Dem-
ocrat, but in later years he has voted the
Republican ticket. He is a member of the
Eli Boyer Post, No. 92, Grand Army of the
Republic. He has held many positions in
the same, being at present quartermaster.
He is also a member of Olney Lodge, No.
926, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. He and his family are members of the
Catholic church.
NATHANIEL G. HUFF.
The subject of this sketch has long
been identified with the progress and ad-
vancement of this favored section of the
great Prairie state, where he has maintained
his home for more than the Psalmist's al-
lotted three score years, having been born
within her borders, having spent his long;
active and useful life here and where he
has attained gratifying success in connection
with the development of its resources, being
one of the representative farmers and stock
growers in Stevenson township and having
one of the most productive landed estates in
this part of the county.
Nathaniel G. Huff was born in Stevenson
township, this county, February 6, 1841, the
son of William H., Sr., and Mary A.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
181
(Crane) Huff, the former a native of Vir-
ginia and the latter of Kentucky. The sub-
ject's grandfather was Samuel Huff, also
a native of Virginia who later removed to
Tennessee and finally came to Marion
county, Illinois, settling among the pioneers
on government land on what is now Rac-
coon township. He later moved to Haines
township, where he cleared land and made
a comfortable home, spending the rest of
his days there. Leonard Huff was the
great-grandfather of the subject. He was
born in Germany and came to America in a
very early day, settling in Pennsylvania
where he spent his life and where he died.
Mary A. Crane, our subject's mother, was
the daughter of William Crane, who was a
native of Virginia, having lived and died in
Kentucky. William Huff, father of our
subject, was raised in Tennessee and spent
several years in Mississippi and Alabama.
About April 22, 1840, he came to Marion
county, Illinois, where he married and
where he purchased four hundred acres of
wild land in what is now Stevenson town-
ship, spending the remainder of his useful
and very busy life here, dying March 10,
1863. His widow, a much beloved old lady
of fine Christian character, is still living.
William Huff was regarded as a successful
farmer. He joined the Christian church
sometime prior to his death. He was twice
married, his first wife having been Nancy
Dukes, whom he married in Mississippi.
She died leaving one child, William H., Jr.
He married Mary Crane April 22, 1840.
Eleven children were born to this union,
namely: Nathaniel G., our subject; Benja-
min F., deceased; Andrew J., deceased;
James K. and George M. Dallis, twins, are
both living; Joshua is living in this state
at Jacksonville; Marj J. is the wife of Wil-
liam Brasel; Henderson P. lives in Steven-
son township ; Harriet C. is the wife of Wil-
liam Porter Gaston; Virginia is the wife of
John B. Brasel ; Steven A. is deceased.
The subject of this sketch spent his youth
on his father's farm, having remained under
the parental roof-tree until he reached man-
hood. He was educated in the old subscrip-
tion schools and having applied himself in a
diligent manner received a fairly good edu-
cation. His father gave him a piece of land
in this township which he at once set about
improving, but which he sold in 1868 and
bought his present fine farm of one hun-
dred and seventy-eight acres, which lies in
section 30, Stevenson township, and section
25, Salem township. It was almost all in
the woods when he took possession of it,
but he has been a hard worker and has im-
proved the place up to its present high state
of efficiency, having been enabled from year
to year to reap bounteous harvests from the
same through his skillful manipulation of
crops. He did most of the work in con-
nection with his place himself, and also on
his buildings, having an excellent and well
furnished house and a good barn. Every
thing about the place shows thrift and pros-
perity and his farm is regarded as one of
the most desirable in Stevenson township.
Our subject's first marriage was in 1862
to Julia A. Hill, a native of Marion county,
[82
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
and eight children were born to this union,
namely: Thomas, who lives in Stevenson
township, married Orela Cutchin; Viola is
living at Jacksonville, Illinois ; William mar-
ried Frankie Evans and resides in Salem
township; Seymour, who is living in Salem
township, married Elizabeth Guth ; Mary A.
is deceased ; Laura is single and resides in
Jacksonville; Osceola, who is living in
Flora, this state, married Maggie Babb ; Au-
gustus L. married May Stone and lives in
Eureka, Illinois, being a minister of the
Christian church.
The subject's second marriage was
solemnized November 8, 1885, to Martha
E. Mercer, a native of Marion county and
the daughter of Silas and Rebecca Mercer,
early settlers in Marion county. The sub-
ject has sixteen grandchildren and five chil-
dren dead. He has two great-grandchil-
dren. The subject and wife are members of
the Christian church at old Mt. Maria, the
first church organized in Marion county.
The subject is a Jeffersonian Democrat, but
is not a Bryan Democrat, believing that the
old school democracy is preferable to the
new. He filled the office of Justice of the
Peace in a most able manner for a period
of eighteen years.
Mr. Huff has in his possession an old
squirrel rifle over one hundred years old
which belonged to his father. It has killed
over one hundred deer and bear. He also
has the old powder-horn and shot pouch
which his father carried. Mr. Huff has a
note made in. payment for a clock which
was given him by his father-in-law. He
also still has the clock. He has among other
relics of the past a spinning-wheel and a
Southern dagger, which was discovered in
a layer of cane.
SAMUEL C. WILSON.
The dominating spirit of self-help is what
has conserved the distinctive business suc-
cess and prestige of the gentleman whose
career we now take under consideration,
who stands at the head of one of the leading
industrial enterprises of Richland county,
where from modest inception, he has built
up one of the leading flouring mills in this
part of the state, controlling a trade which
ramifies throughout a wide area of country,
and having the high reputation which is
ever significant of personal integrity and
honorable methods.
Samuel C. Wilson, of S. C. Wilson &
Company, proprietors of the Butler Street
Flour Mills at Olney, Illinois, was born near
Maryville, Tennessee, March 17, 1844, the
son of Joseph and Ann (Gault) Wilson, na-
tives of Virginia, where they were reared.
They married after coming to Tennessee.
The subject's father was a farmer and a
man of influence in his community. In
April, 1852, the family moved to Crawford
county, Illinois, where they settled on a
farm. The same year Mr. Wilson bought a
farm in Denver township, Richland county,
which was developed into valuable property.
Joseph Wilson died at the age of sixty-nine
KICIILAND, CLAY AND MARIOX COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
years, his wife having passed away at the
age of fifty-four years. Mr. Wilson was
twice married. Eight children were bom
of the first union and two of the second,
the subject of this sketch being the youngest
of the first marriage.
Samuel C. Wilson came with his parents
to Richland county in 1852. He was reared
on a farm, and his education in those early
days was very limited, but by home reading
and study he gained a fairly good founda-
tion for later learning, which he has received
by contact with the world and general study.
He remained under his parental roof until he
was twenty-two years old, at which time he
inherited a part of the old homestead, which
he conducted in a very successful manner
until 1876, having in the meantime bought
additional land. He has been prosperous
owing to his conservative methods, his care-
ful business principles. He at one time
owned six hundred and fory acres. In 1876
our subject came to Olney and bought a mill,
the main part of the present building having
been erected in 1861. When he purchased
this property it was of the old burr system,
with a capacity of fifty barrels per day.
Since then the progress of the business has
been constant, reaching its present propor-
tions, large building and modern equipment,
consisting of fourteen sets of rollers, with
a capacity of two hundred barrels per day.
Mr. Wilson has been very prosperous and
he does a general milling business, handling
large quantities of flour and feed. He manu-
factures the famous brand known as "Our
Daily Bread" ; this special grade of flour
having long ago become known throughout
this locality, and it took first premium at
the state fair at Springfield, Illinois, 1908.
The firm consists of Samuel C. Wilson
and John C. Page, under the name of S. C.
Wilson & Company, and they employ con-
siderable help, are always busy, and con-
stantly adding new territory to their list.
The domestic life of Mr. Wilson dates
from October, 1865, when he was first mar-
ried to Emily J. Welty, a native of Hills-
boro, Ohio, the daughter of Isaac and Mary
A. (Barker) Welty, natives of Ohio. Seven
children were born to the subject and wife,
all of whom are now living, namely : Mary
A., Martha A., Isaac N., William E.,
Charles F., Edwin O., and Thomas C. Mrs.
Wilson passed to her rest March 3, 1901.
and the subject married Jennie (Bradshaw)
Lough, a native of Wayne county, Illinois.
Mr. Wilson in his political relations is a
Democrat, having long been active in his
party's affairs. In 1890 he was elected
Treasurer of Richland county, and ably
served one term of four years. In 1899 he
was elected Mayor of Olney, serving one
term of two years, being the first anti-saloon
candidate ever eleced Mayor of this city.
His administration' was regarded by the
community as one of the best the town ever
had and numerous improvements were in-
augurated. After their license had expired
all saloons were closed during the remain-
der of his administration. In the spring of
1908 Mr. Wilson was elected a member of
the City Council. In his fraternal relations
he is a member of the Masons and the
1 8 4
nior.KAI'JUCAI. AND K K M I MSCKXT HISTORY OF
Knight Templars. In religious matters he
is a faithful attendant of the Presbyterian
church, being one of the oldest elders in the
church.
Mr. Wilson is a man of marked business
enterprise and capability, and he carries for-
ward to successful completion whatever he
undertakes. The subject has long been an
important factor in business circles and his
popularity is well deserved, as in him are
embraced the characteristics of an unabat-
ing energy, unbending integrity and indus-
try that never flags.
DANIEL S. HOLSTLAW.
It is with a degree of satisfaction that the
biographer has an opportunity at this junc-
ture to write the following biographical
memoir of the well remembered citizen,
whose name appears above, now deceased,
who was for many years prominent in the
affairs of Marion county, .for the readers of
this book will doubtless gain inspiration
from perusing these paragraphs to lead
more industrious, kindlier and worthier
lives, seeing what the life of the subject ac-
complished not only individually but gen-
erically, affecting the whole community in
an uplifting manner. He came to this sec-
tion of the state in pioneer times and he
assisted in bringing about the transforma-
tion of the county in the wild condition in
which it was found at the time of his ar-
rival to its later-day progress and improve-
ment.
. Daniel S. Holstlaw was born in Barren
county, Kentucky, November 15, 1813, the
son of Richard and Mary (Smith) Hoist-
law, the former a native of Virginia, who
came in an early day to Indiana, settling
in Orange county and later came to Marion
county, Illinois, in 1830. Richard Holtslaw
took up government land and set about
making a farm of his holdings with very
flattering prospects ahead of him, but his
life was brought to a close August 18, 1834,
at the age of forty-six years. Mary, his wife,
continued to live on the farm where she
reared the children and made a comfortable
living, being a woman of many sterling
traits and of indomitable courage. Their
children were eight in number, seven of
whom grew to maturity and named in order
of birth as follows: Henry E., Daniel S., our
subject; Lucinda, John Andrew, Elizabeth
Ann, Malinda H., and Richard V. All of
these children have now joined their parents
in the eternal sleep of the just.
Daniel S. Holstlaw was sixteen years of
age when he came to Illinois and located in
what is now known as Stevenson township,
where he spent the remainder of his long,
busy and useful life, having been called to
his reward by the Shepherd who giveth his
beloved sleep, on December 2, 1905, con-
scious of the fact that his life had not been
lived in vain; that he had fought a good
fight and kept the faith, as did the great
Apostle, Saint Paul, in the days of our
Saviour, and that there was laid up for him
a reward in the Father's house which was
not made with hands.
KICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Mr. Holstlaw upon coming to this county
bought a claim, having that rare foresight
and sagacity that penetrated into the future
years, bringing them within his horoscope,
and which enabled him to see the great pos-
sibilities that lie ahead. This first pur-
chase was added to from time to time until
he owned a large tract of land, which, un-
der his able management was developed into
one of the best, most productive and most
highly improved farms in this locality. He
was a hard worker, and, believing that it
was his duty as well as his privilege to eat
his bread by the sweat of his brow, never
ignored any task that he found awaiting
disposition at his hands. He split the rails
that fenced his land and also put up a log
house, and, infact, did the usual work of the
pioneer. But having prospered by reason
of his indomitable energy and good man-
agement he was soon enabled to erect a
more substantial nine room house, which
was comfortable, cozy and well arranged,
and in which the family now resides.
The subject was a faithful member of
the Methodist Episcopal church and a lib-
eral supporter of the same ; he and his
worthy life companion both having pro-
fessed religion the same night at a camp
meeting held on Tennessee Prairie. In 1862,
when the local Methodist church with
which they were affiliated was divided up-
on the question which precipitated the
Civil war this intensely religious couple
united with the Cumberland Presbyterian
church in which the subject remained an ac-
tive and faithful member until his death.
Our subject was a staunch Democrat and
took considerable interest in political af-
fairs, having had the interest of his commu-
nity at heart and lending his support at all
times to whatever proposition that present-
ed itself looking to the betterment of the
community whether in a political, educa-
tional, religious or moral sense. He was
school director at one time and materially
aided the local public school through his
advice, counsel and influence.
Mr. Holstlaw was united in marriage
with Ruth W. Middleton on June 9, 1836.
She was a native of what later became
Campbell county, Tennessee, and the rep-
resentative of an influential old family,
the .date of her birth falling on Janu-
ary 23, 1819, the daughter of Wil-
liam and Sarah J. (Harris) Middleton,
the former a native of Virginia and the
latter of South Carolina. After their mar-
riage they moved to Tennessee and in 1831
came to Marion county. Illinois, locating
three miles east of luka, in what is now
luka township. They were sterling pio-
neers and made a most comfortable living
in the new country where they became
known as honest, hard-working people.
Their family consisted of fourteen children,
named in order of birth, as follows:
Thomas L., Lydia P., Harvey, William H.,
Elizabeth, John B., Joel, Martha, Jane, Sa-
rah, James A., Josephus W., Ruth W., the
wife of our subject; Lucy and Dicy E.
Mr. Middleton was a local preacher in
the Methodist Episcopal church, having be-
come well known as an able expounder of
1 86
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the Gospel and doing a vast amount of good
in his work here. His wife was also a
faithful worker in this church.
To our subject and wife eleven children
were bom, six sons and five daughters,
named in order of birth as follows : Richard
J., who was first married to Mary A. Jag-
ger, and later to Rachel Berry; John H.,
who married Lucy Downing; Thomas, who
married Aleatha E. Kite; Hattie, who is
living at home; Mary is also a member of
the home circle at this writing, 1908;
Sarah became the wife of Omer Squibb;
Daniel W., married Clara Stevenson; Joel
W., married Lucretia Stevenson; Ruth
Emma is the wife of Daniel Crayton Ste-
venson; Marion C. married Lelian Bru-
baker; Martha A. is single and living at
home; the last two children named are
twins.
The widow of our subject, a gracious old
lady of beautiful Christian character and
praiseworthy attributes, is living on the old
homestead, being idolized by her children,
and much admired and loved by a host of
friends. Many are the homes in the sur-
rounding country where she has nursed the
sick and brought sunshine and happiness.
She takes a great interest in the lives of her
children, her eighteen grandchildren and
eighteen great-grandchildren. On the old
home place, which is still well kept and in
an excellent productive state, live three of
the daughters with their beloved mother,
the family being well known in Stevenson
township and highly respected by all. In
this home are to be found many old and in-
teresting relics of the pioneer days, such as
spinning wheels and machines for spinning
flax, and many similar things.
THOMAS A. HARDMAN.
When the business interests of a town or
city are in the hands of worthy, capable and
enterprising men, an important step has been
taken toward the growth and development of
the place. Had her merchants, men of busi-
ness in general, been less worthy, capable
and enterprising than they were, Chicago
would lack much of being the city that it
is today. Cities, like persons, have a dis-
tinct individuality. One may be sluggish,
plodding, shiftless, while its neighbor only a
few miles distant, may be alert, energetic,
progressive. It is the inhabitants who give
character to a town or city ; if they are drones
the place can not disclose either development
or progress. To the merchants, contractors
and business men in general, most of the
credit is due for the desirable condition of
affairs in Olney, Illinois, today, and among
this class none hold a more worthy place nor
has done more for the advancement of the
city than the subject of this sketch.
Thomas A. Hardman, the well known con-
tractor, of Olney, Richland county, was
born near Manchester, England, July 14,
1847, the son of Alfred and Elizabeth
(Bishop) Hardman. the former a native of
England and the latter of Scotland. The
subject's father was a machinist. Both he
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
i8 7
and his wife died when our subject was a
child. When eight years old Thomas A.
Hardman was brought to the United States
by an aunt, who located in Franklin county,
Indiana. He had a limited chance to attend
school only a few months during the win-
ter. He was bound out to a farmer when
twelve years old and when sixteen ran away
and started in life for himself. He worked
on a farm during the summer months and
went to school in the winter. When eighteen
years old he began teaching, having ac-
quired a good education by close application
to his studies. He taught in the winter and
worked on a farm in the summer. He also
attended school at Lebanon, Ohio, having
saved money enough to defray his expenses
there, finally securing a liberal education.
When tewenty-four years old Mr. Hard-
man was elected county Surveyor of Frank-
lin county, Indiana, his certificate being
signed by Governor Hendricks. He served
in a most faithful and capable manner for
nearly two years when he resigned to accept
a position with the Smith Bridge Company,
of Toledo, Ohio, with whom he remained
two years as engineer. He proved to be an
excellent office man and all his time was de-
voted to draughting. But the confinement
was too much for him and he resigned on
account of failing health. He returned to
Franklin county, Indiana, and was appointed
by the County Commissioners as County
Engineer to look after bridge work at a time
when many bridges were being built, several
costing from twenty-five thousand to forty-
thousand dollars. \Vhile engaged in this
work he began contracting, his first work of
this nature being for the county over which
and southern Indiana, he built many bridges.
Then he began railroad work and in 1883
built eighteen bridges on one railroad, most
of them being in the Southern States. His
bridges were considered of the most modern
and careful construction, always satisfactory
in every detail. He continued that line of
work until 1890, when he came to Olney and
since which time he has been engaged in con-
tracting water works plants and engineering
and improvement work in general. For a
number of years he has done engineer work
for the city of Olney, particularly the street
grades. He has put in the majority of the
sewer systems.
Mr. Hardman's work extends all over Illi-
nois and into adjoining states; also to the
Southern States. He built the water works
at Olney which are high grade in every re-
spect and would be a credit to any city. He
has built the water works for many of the
towns and cities of this state and Indiana. He
has been uniformly successful and his name
has gone all over the country, synonymous
with high class work in this line of contract-
ing. He constructs everything of good ma-
terial and is scrupulously honest in all his
business transactions, so that the results of
his contracting are always satisfactory to
all concerned.
Mr. Hardman was united in marriage in
1876 to Julia St. John, a native of Frank-
lin county, Indiana, daughter of D. H. and
Kate (Lefforge) St. John, natives of Frank-
lin county, Indiana, and at present residents
1 88
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of Olney. Three children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Hardman, namely : Catherine,
the wife of J. Q. Davis, a grocer of Olney;
Thomas Thornley. who is living at home ;
the eldest, Alfred, was killed while on a va-
cation to visit his father in South Carolina,
at the age of thirteen years.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a
member of the Benevolent and Protective Or-
der of Elks at Olney; and in politics he is a
Democrat. He is a man of fine personality,
and in every respect merits the high regard
of his fellow citizens which they freely ac-
cord wherever he is known.
JACOB BRUBAKER.
It is not the intention of the biographer
to give in this connection a detailed history
of the subject's life, but rather to note inci-
dentally his connection with the various
enterprises with which his name has been
linked and to show the marked influence he
wielded in advancing the interests of Ste-
venson township, Marion county.
Jacob Brubaker was born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, in 1825, the son of Abraham
Brubaker, a native of the Buckeye state as
was also his wife who was known in her
maidenhood as Elizabeth Myers. They
came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1842
and took up government land and remained
here the balance of their lives. Abraham
was a man of influence in his community.
He passed away March 10, 1854, and his
faithful life companion joined him Febru-
ary 3, 1867. The number of children born
to them was six.
Jacob Brubaker, our subject, came to Illi-
nois with his parents when he was sixteen
years of age and received his education in
the pioneer schools where the advantages
were very limited and the terms lasted only
a few months out of each year, but he ap-
plied himself as best he could and laid the
foundation for a good mental development
which he later received by home reading and
personal observation.
Mr. Brubaker was united in marriage to
Jane Davis, who was born in Virginia.
She was taken to Pennsylvania when two
years of age and reared there, later coming
to Illinois when she had reached maturity,
remaining in this state until her earthly la-
bors closed in 1895. She was a good
woman, kind and gentle of disposition, and
in her religious affiliations was a member
of the Presbyterian church. Ten children
were born to Jacob and Jane Brubaker,
named in order of their birth as follows:
Clifford, who lives in Stevenson township
on a farm ; Lillie is the wife of M. C. Hoist-
law, a farmer of Stevenson township; Ella
is single; John is a fanner living in Alma
township, this county; Walter, who was
born February 7, 1864, lives on a farm in
Stevenson township. He was reared on a
farm and in 1887 went to Colorado, but
returned to this county and married Laura
Rodgers, a native of Marion county. He
has one hundred and forty acres of good
land and he is regarded as an excellent
farmer and neighbor. He is the father of
one child, Blanche. Frank is the name of
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
i8 9
the sixth child of our subject, who is liv-
ing on a farm in Stevenson township; Anna
is the wife of Charles Craig, a farmer on
the old Brubaker homestead; Herman is a
farmer in luka township; the ninth and
tenth child died in infancy.
Jacob Brubaker, after an eminently use-
ful and active life, passed to his rest on June
30, 1908, lamented by a host of friends who
regarded him as one of the leading men of
the community and who will greatly miss
him. In politics he was a Democrat and
he served as school director of Stevenson
township. He was known as a loyal citizen
and a good man.
JOHN F. EDDIXGS.
The climate, soil and general conditions
prevalent in southern Illinois are well
adapted to the purposes of general farming
and stock raising. One of the men who has
shown by their success that they were mas-
ters of the art of farming in luka town-
ship, Marion county, is the subject of this
biography. However, he is at present en-
gaged in other business, having given up
his former life work.
John F. Eddings was born in luka town-
ship, Marion county, Illinois, Feburary 22,
1844, the son of James B. and Rhoda Ann
(West) Eddings, both natives of North
Carolina. They emigrated to Kentucky
and Tennessee when very young, arriving
in the latter state in 1842. They later
came to Marion county, Illinois, and set-
tled in luka township, where they remained
a short time and then returned to Tennes-
see, but returned to Marion county in 1855,
settling again in luka township, where they
remained during the rest of their lives on a
farm. The death of the subject's father oc-
curred February 28, 1901, and his wife
died January 19, 1902. The former was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and after the Civil war he voted the Re-
publican ticket. He was justice of the
peace for two terms. There were nine
children in the family of Mr. and Mrs.
James Eddings, namely: Nancy, who lives
in luka, is the wife of William Nicks ; John
F., our subject, was second in order of
birth; Mary E., deceased, was the wife of
L. L. Jones; Minerva H. is the wife of
William Milburn, living in luka; James T.
is a fanner living in luka township; Jesse
J. lives in St. Louis; Martha Ann is the
wife of William Morgan, living in Alma;
William L. is deceased; Sarah, step-
daughter of the subject's father, is de-
ceased.
John F. Eddings was reared on the home
farm and educated in the common schools
of the county, remaining under the pa-
rental roof until he was seventeen years of
age, when he showed his patriotism by en-
listing in Company I, Fortieth Illinois Vol-
unteer Infantry, serving four years in a
most gallant manner. So efficient was his
service that he was promoted to corporal,
and then to first lieutenant. He served
with Sherman's army, having been in all
his campaigns, with the exception of
when he was wounded at Shiloh, hav-
190
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
ing been shot through the shoulder
in that great battle. His throat was
also pierced by a bullet. He remained
in the general hospital for one and one-half
months, after which he received a furlough
home of from forty to fifty days at the ex-
piration of which he rejoined his regiment
and served until the end of the war. After
his return from the army, he fanned a
while. Selling out, he came to luka and
engaged in the real estate and insurance
business, also as pension attorney which he
has since been following with marked suc-
cess.
Mr. Eddings is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, Picket Post, hav-
ing been commander, adjutant and quarter-
master of the same.
Fraternally he is a member of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, having
passed all the chairs and he has attended the
grand lodge four times. He has been sec-
retary of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, lodge No. 694, for eighteen years.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Useless to add that in politics Mr. Ed-
dings is a loyal Republican. He is in 1908
Supervisor of luka township, having been
first appointed in December, 1903, to fill out
an expired term, taking the place made va-
cant by the death of William Gray. Mr.
Eddings was elected in 1907 for a period
of two years. Our subject has long been
interested in public affairs and always did
his part in furthering the interests of his
community in any way he could.
GEORGE A. McGAHEY.
The life of the subject of this review has
been such as to bear aloft the high standard
which has been maintained by his father,
who was one of the early residents' of this
section of the Prairie state, and whose life
was signally noble, upright and useful, one
over which falls no shadow of wrong in
thought, word or deed. Such was the type
of men who laid the foundation and aided
in the development of this state, and to their
memories will ever be paid a tribute of rev-
erence and gratitude by those who have
profited by their well-directed endeavors and
appreciated the lessons of their lives.
George A. McGahey, one of the leading
grocers of Olney, Illinois, was born in this
city, October 28, 1868, and decided to direct
his life work along channels here, rather
than seek uncertain advantages in other
fields. He is the son of David Herman and
Sarah E. (Swaim) McGahey, the former
having been born near Palestine, Illinois,
and the latter in Hamilton county, Ohio.
The mother moved with her parents to Illi-
nois when thirteen years old, settling near
Olney on a farm in Richland county, where
she grew to maturity. The father of the
subject lived in Jasper county for a number
of years, where he improved a farm. He
later moved to Richland county where he
married and bought a farm in Preston
township, being among the early settlers
here. About 1862 he moved to Olney where
he lived until his death in 1897, at the age
of sixtv-two vears. His wife, a woman of
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
beautiful Chrisian faith, survives, living in
Olney. They were the parents of two chil-
dren, George A., our subject, and a sister,
Mrs. E. W. Reef, of Carbondale, the for-
mer being the older. He was reared in Ol-
ney, where he attended the public schools,
graduating from the high school, having
received a good practical education. He
was assistant postmaster under J. C. Allen
for some time, after which he went on the
road selling wholesale groceries for a Cin-
cinnati house, having been clerk in a grocery
store for four years, during which time he
thoroughly mastered this line of business,
which he decided to make a life work. He
was on the road for two years. In 1897 he
purchased an interest in a grocery store in
Olney under the firm name of Winans &
McGahey, which firm successfully continued
for three years. In 1900 our subject es-
tablished his present grocery store, one of
the largest in Olney or this locality any-
where. It occupies a space of eighteen by
one hundred and seven feet, and a complete
line of staple and fancy groceries is carried.
A liberal trade has been built up within the
city and surrounding country, and his cus-
tomers are on the increase owing to the fair
and courteous treatment that is accorded to
all who visit this neat and well kept store.
Mr. McGahey has never assumed the re-
sponsibilities of the married state, but lives
at home with his mother and administers to
her comfort.
In politics Mr. McGahey is a Democrat,
having long taken an active part in the af-
fairs of his party, being a member of local
Democratic committees, etc. He is a director
in the Business Men's Association of Olney,
which has done much to promote the inter-
ests of Olney. He was one of the founders
of the same, and has been one of its leading
advocates. In his fraternal relations he is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
In all the relations of life Mr. McGahey
has proved signally true to every trust. He
possesses a social nature and by his genial
and kindly attitude to those about him, has
won the respect and confidence of everyone.
He has been very successful, being known
as an able and careful business man and one
whose integrity of purpose is beyond ques-
tion.
SHANNON KAGY.
The memory of the worthy subject of this
memorial biography is revered by a host of
friends and acquaintances among whom he
labored, having spent his energies through
a long life of strenuous endeavor to make
the most of his opportunities as well as to
assist as best he could his neighbors to im-
prove their condition.
Shannon Kagy was born in Marion
county, Illinois, May 26, 1844, and he was
called from his earthly labors in 1889, after
a life of usefulness and success in even-
particular. He was the son of Christian
and Anna (Hite) Kagy, natives of Ohio,
and early settlers in Marion county. Il-
linois.
The subject was reared on his father's
farm in Omega township, and was edu-
cated in the common schools of Marion
192
riOGIIAPIIICAI. AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
county. He married Anna E. Brubaker,
born in Stevenson township, this county.
daughter of Eli and Ann (Warner) Bru-
baker. Mr. and Mrs. Kagy were the par-
ents of five children, namely : Myrtle, single
and living at home, is one of the popular
teachers of Marion county; Corwin, who
lives in Oregon, married Pearl Crippen ;
Clark lives in Salem, this county, and mar-
ried Quette Leckrone, and has two children,
Donald and Harvey; Frank married Nellie
Boring, living in New Mexico and they
have one child, Fay ; Ellis married Ora Dru-
endike. He is a farmer and has two chil-
dren, Keith and Rex.
After his marriage our subject moved to
Nebraska, where he remained for three
years, then returned to Marion county and
went to farming in 1882, on the place where
his widow is still living in Stevenson town-
ship, three miles east of Salem. Our sub-
ject remained on this place until his death.
He was a most excellent farmer and always
managed his fields to best advantage, reap-
ing rich harvests from year to year, making
a comfortable living and laying by an
ample competence for his family. He
raised good stock and the buildings on his
place were comfortable and convenient.
Mr. Kagy was one of the patriotic sons
of the great Prairie state who offered their
lives on the field of battle to save the
Union, having enlisted in Company K, One
Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer
Infantry and served three years. He saw
much hard service, but was never wounded
nor taken prisoner.
Mr. Kagy was a loyal Democrat and
held some of the minor public offices of
Stevenson township. He was a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and was
a faithful member of the Presbyterian
church. He was regarded by everyone as a
good man, honest and upright at all times
and always interested in the welfare of his
community, lending what aid he could in its
development at all times.
Mrs. Kagy, the widow of our subject,
lives on the home farm with her daughter.
She manages the entire farm with skill and
profit, being a women of rare business abil-
ity and force of character. She understands
the proper rotation of crops so as to get the
best harvests and the maintenance of the
soil to its original fertility. She also under-
stands the proper handling of live stock.
Her farm is regarded as one of the best
in Stevenson township. The buildings are
modern, and always kept in good order.
She is held in high esteem by her neighbors
and many friends for her many admirable
traits of character and her kind heart and
cheerful disposition, being a pleasant woman
to meet, as is also her daughter.
ROBERT O. BRIGHAM.
No business man of Centralia is regarded
with higher favor than is the subject of this
sketch, who, while looking to his own in-
terests does not neglect to discharge his
duties in fostering the upbuilding of the
community in general.
CENTRALIA ENVELOPE CO.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
193
Robert O. Brigham, manager of the Cen-
tralia Envelope Company, was born in
Clinton, New York, May 23, 1861, the
son of Lewis and Sophia (Johnson) Brig-
ham, the former having been born in Ver-
non Center, New York, December 4, 1820.
His parents were of English extraction on
both sides of the house. Lewis E. Brigham
was a contractor and carpenter, and was
educated in the public schools of his native
state. The subject's parents reared a fam-
ily consisting of eight sons and one daugh-
ter, Robert O., our subject, being the sev-
enth in order of birth. The subject's father
died in Clinton, New York, February 22,
1907, at the age of eighty-seven years. His
wife was born in that city April 29, 1825.
She was educated in the common schools
in her native community. The parents of
the subject were married in 1843 in the state
of New York. The mother of our subject,
an elderly woman of beautiful Christian
character, is still living in Clinton, New
York.
Robert O. Brigham received his early ed-
ucation in Clinton, New York, in the public
schools. He quit school when fifteen years
of age and went to Boston to learn the ma-
chinist's trade. Here he took advantage of
the Boston night schools and applied him-
self with his accustomed vigor to technical
drafting and the necessary commercial
branches. He served his apprenticeship
with the National Sewing Machine Com-
pany, for which he worked for ten years, at
the end of which time he was called to take
charge of the Whitmore Sewing Machine
13
Company, in the employ of which he contin-
ued for one year ; the then went to Los An-
geles, California, then to Denver, Colorado,
and worked for W. E. Scott, machinery com-
pany, having charge of the model and re-
pair work, after which he worked for the
J. C. Teller Envelope Opener Company, of
Denver, Colorado.
Robert O. Brigham invented an attach-
ment to an envelope machine for placing a
string in the envelope and then formed a
company to put such an envelope on the
market. The manufacture was continued
with much success until 1896, when he and
two other men bought the interest of the
former manager, forming the Western En-
velope and Box Company. They continued
for one year in Denver, but finding that
they were too far west for the successful
working of such a plant, they moved to
Omaha, Nebraska, remaining there one
year, after which they moved to Centralia,
Illinois.
After operating the plant for eight years
in Centralia, it was reorganized and called
the Illinois Envelope Company, and moved
to Kalamazoo, Michigan. After one year's
residence in Kalamazoo, Mr. Brigham re-
signed his position with the Illinois En-
velope Company and returned to Centralia
and helped to organize a new envelope
company with only Centralia capital. This
company is known as the Centralia Envelope
Company, and is capitalized for one hun-
dred thousand dollars, fully paid in. This
company is now only two years old and is
doing a thriving business. Its capacity at
i 9 4
JIIOGKAPIIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the beginning was one and one-quarter mil-
lion envelopes every ten hours, and has been
increased to one and one-half million per
day. The order for the machinery for the
plant was the largest ever given at one time
for a like enterprise.
The view accompanying this article is of
thirty of the latest improved envelope ma-
chines in the plant of the Centralia En-
velope Company mill. These machines are
marvels of ingenuity. The paper is cut to
the proper size and shape, then taken to
these machines in which they are gummed,
folded, dried and counted at the rate of one
hundred to one hundred and thirty per
minute, according to size. The picture
shows only the envelope machines. There
is also a large printing department equipped
with latest improved printing machinery
and all the necessary equipment that goes
to make a complete printing establish-
ment, cutting department, box department,
case department, handfold department, ma-
chine shop, in fact, everything that goes
to make up a complete envelope mill.
The capacity of the mill, as already
stated, is one and one-half million envelopes
every ten hours, making it one of the largest
in the United States, and one of the lead-
ing industries of Southern Illinois. Its goods
are known far and wide for their high
quality.
This mill is owned and controlled by
Centralia capital. Its directors are com-
posed of the following well known busi-
ness men : C. C. Davis, Ferdinand Kohl. Jr.,
Harry Warner, F. F. Noleman, Jacob
Erbes, Ed Cornell, J. G. Goetsch, R. O.
Brigham, W. E. O'Melveny. Officers: C.
C. Davis, president; F. Kohl, Jr., vice pres-
ident; H. M. Warner, secretary: Harry
Kohl, treasurer; R. O. Brigham, general
manager.
Our subject is particularly well fitted to
be manager of such a gigantic and success-
ful enterprise. His native constructive abil-
ity for technical mechanics and intricate ma-
chinery has eminently fitted him in this
special line. His economic foresight of
proper management, good machines, good
workmen, good material all contribute to
the success of the company.
All the machinery in the plant is modern,
up-to-date in every respect, and high grade
work is turned out rapidly. Our subject
has had. a wide experience in the manage-
ment of such concerns. He is the originator
and inventor of many of the improvements
to be found in the present highly developed
envelope machine. This company under his
superior management now operates thirty
envelope machines, ten printing presses and
ten box machines. The factory also has a
complete machine shop and repair depart-
ment, also a complete case department. The
buildings are two stories high, built of brick
and frame. The main building is two hun-
dred feet long and fifty feet wide. The
shipping and stock room is one hundred and
thirty-five by eighty-five feet. A switch
from the main track of the Illinois Central
Railroad runs to the door of the big ship-
ping room, all under cover of spacious
sheds. The Illinois Southern tracks also
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
run into the sheds of the shipping depart-
ment. The machines of the plant are run
and the buildings are lighted and heated by
a one hundred and sixty-horse power steam
plant and a sixty horse power engine. A
four hundred light dynamo furnishes the
lighting of the great plant. Eighty girls
and twenty-five men and boys are constant-
ly employed to operate the plant, the daily
capacity of which is one million and five
hundred thousand envelopes.
This new but successful enterprising
company was started by thirty-five of the
business men of Centralia, and it is owned
by Centralia people, being capitalized at
one hundred thousand dollars, which was
raised in a very short time. The capacity
of each machine runs from sixty-five to sev-
enty-five thousand each ten hours. It is an
interesting plant in every detail and one of
the rapidly growing large industrial con-
cerns of Southern Illinois.
Robert O. Brigham was married to Min-
nie G. McDonald, the accomplished daugh-
ter of James and Rebecca (Nicholson) Mc-
Donald, a well known family of Quincy,
Illinois, to which family there were four
children, Minnie being the youngest. To
our subject and wife one daughter was
born, who passed away when eighteen years
old.
Our subject is a member of Centralia
lodges, Knights of Pythias and the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks. He
served as a member of the school board for
one term. In politics he is a Republican,
and he was reared a Baptist, but he at pres-
ent worships with the Christian Scientists,
and is president of the Church Board of
Centralia. His beautiful home just west of
the Public Library is nicely furnished, be-
ing also well filled with choicest books of
an excellent variety, also a large number of
beautiful oil paintings by his sister and
daughter. He is a genial gentleman of
good habits and modest demeanor.
PHILIP HELTMAN.
An honorable retirement from labor in
which to enjoy the fruits of former toil and
the enjoyment which life can offer, is the
fitting reward of a useful and active career,
in which one, through keen discernment, in-
defatigable labor and honorable methods
advanced steadily toward the goal of pros-
perity. Such, briefly stated, is the record
of Philip Heltman, who is now living re-
tired in Olney, Richland county, and
through his long connection with agricul-
tural interests he not only carefully con-
ducted his farm, but so managed its affairs
that he acquired thereby a position among
the substantial residents of the community.
Moreover he is entitled to representation in
this volume because he was one of the sons
of the Northland who stood by the flag dur-
ig the days of the rebellion. He came to
this county over a half century ago, and
from those early times down to the present
day he has been an interested witness of its
development, taking a just pride in what he
has accomplished and the high rank the
196
BIOGRAPHICAL AND KKM I X 1SCKXT HISTORY OF
county has among her sister counties of the
great Prairie state.
Philip Heltman was born in Clermont
county, Ohio, December 6, 1834, the son of
John and Elizabeth (Weaver) Heltman, na-
tives of Pennsylvania, of German parentage.
John Heltman grew up in the old Keystone
state and married there. In 1809 he emi-
grated with his wife and two children to
Cincinnati, Ohio, going down the Ohio
river in skiffs. He was a distiller and came
to Ohio for the purpose of following that
business. This was in an early day, and he
was obliged to take refuge in a fort in the
Miami valley more than once on account of
the Indians. He later located on a farm
which is now located in Clermont county,
Ohio, near the Hamilton county line, where
he died at the age of sixty-eight years, his
wife having previously passed away in 1840.
Our subject is the youngest of fourteen chil-
dren and the only one living at this writing.
He was about fifteen years of age when his
father died. He then went to live with an
older brother and was reared on a farm in
Clermont county, where he attended pub-
lic school in the winer in an old log school-
house, and one term in a frame, but he ap-
plied himself and laid a good foundation for
an education which has later been added to
by home reading and a contact with the
world of men.
In February, 1857, Mr. Heltman came to
Richland county, Illinois, and soon after-
ward bought over four hundred acres of
raw land in Denver township, on which two
log cabins had been built. He at once began
work on the place and in time made exten-
sive and radical improvements.
When the war between the states broke
out, our subject was not long making up his
mind to offer his services in behalf of the
nation, consequently he enlisted in June,
1 86 1, in Company D, Eleventh Missouri
Volunteer Infantry, and after a faithful ser-
vice was mustered out in Memphis, Tennes-
see, in August, 1864, and was paid off in
St. Louis. His regiment was assigned to
the Mississippi, and opened up the same,
raising the blockade on Island No. 10. He
soon afterward went to Tiptonville by
transport, where his regiment took about
five thousand prisoners. Later Mr. Heltman
was in the siege of Corinth, his regiment
forming the left wing of the army in the
fighting there. It was later sent against
Bragg and Price at luka, where the Confed-
erates were defeated. Then came the en-
gagements at Raymond, Mississippi, the
Siege of Vicksburg, and during the latter
part of the siege this regiment was in front.
After the surrender there, the regiment went
to Jackson, Mississippi, -and captured that
place, the subject having charge of the pro-
vost guard the first night at Jackson, when
the city was taken. It then returned to
Vicksburg and soon afterward went up the
Red river to Alexandria. After the Red
river expedition, it was sent to Memphis
where it was mustered out, and from which
place our subject went home.
After the war Mr. Heltman engaged in
farming and stock raising for many years,
making a success in these lines, for he was
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
197
a man of good judgment in buying and sell-
ing stock, and a most careful farmer, be-
sides a hard worker. He improved a good
farm in Denver township, which he still
owns, consisting of seven hundred and
twenty acres, of very productive soil, having
been so carefully ad skillfully tilled that the
land is just as strong today as when he took
possession of it. It is well fenced, has an
excellent dwelling and outbuildings on it, in
fact, everything about the place shows that
a man of thrift and energy has had its man-
agement in hand.
In October, 1874, Mr. Heltman located
in Olney, owning one hundred and twenty
acres of valuable land just outside the city
limits and eight acres within the city limits,
on which he lives. He has a beautiful resi-
dence where the many friends of the family
often gather and always find good cheer and
hospitality unstintingly dispersed. All this
Mr. Heltman has made unaided, and in a
most honorable manner, therefore he de-
serves the great credit he is given by his
friends who are limited only by the circle of
his acquaintance.
Mr. Heltman's married life began in
1854 when he was united in the bonds of
wedlock with Laura E. Smith, a native of
Clermont county, Ohio, the daughter of Or-
rin Smith. Four children have blessed the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Heltman, namely:
Georgiana, the wife of William J. Eichin,
of Olney. Illinois ; Cora is the second child ;
Mamie is residing in Arvada, a suburb of
Denver, Colorado; Hattie is the wife of
Benjamin Holscher. of Linton. Indiana.
In politics our subject was a Republican
all his life up to 1896, since which time he
has voted the Democratic ticket, except in
1904, when he voted the Prohibition ticket.
He says he is a Lincoln Republican or a
Bryan Democrat one and the same thing
and he has always taken an active interest
in politics. He has served several terms on
the Board of County Supervisors from
Denver and Olney townships. He is a mem-
ber of the Protestant Methodist church, as
is also his noble wife. His children are
members of the Episcopal church.
Mr. Heltman won definite success in life
because he persevered in the pursuit of a
worthy purpose, gaining thereby a most sat-
isfactory reward. His life is exemplary in
every respect, and he has always supported
those interests which are calculated to uplift
and benefit humanity, while his own moral
worth is deserving of the highest commen-
dation.
WILLIAM J. MARTIN.
A list of Marion county's prominent fami-
lies would certainly be incomplete were there
failure to make specific mention of the well
known farmer and representative citizen,
and his relatives, whose name introduces
this sketch, for his life has been one of use-
fulness and honor, resulting in good to
everyone with whom he has had dealings
whether in business or social life.
William J. Martin was born in Gibson
county, Tennessee, January 15, 1859, the
i 9 8
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
son of Caleb and Martha J. (McHaney)
Martin, the latter a native of middle Ten-
nessee and the former of South Carolina.
Jacob Martin, the subject's paternal grand-
father, came to Tennessee from South Caro-
lina in an early day and farmed there until
his death. The parents of the subject mar-
ried in Tennessee. Martha McHaney was
the daughter of William McHaney, a native
of Tennessee. She first married David
Young, who died and left two children,
Frances, the wife of Atlas Hammond. The
second child died in infancy. Caleb Martin
first married Miss Susan Batie, who died
leaving the following children : Jacob,
George, Amos, America, Jane, Parthene,
Martha and Mary Susan.
The parents of our subject married in
Tennessee and in November, 1862, settled in
Salem township, Marion county, Illinois.
Caleb Martin was a strong Union man and
left the South on account of the war. His
wife, a noble old lady, is still living with
her son, our subject. The subject's father
farmed in Marion county, Illinois, until his
death, July 1 1, 1888. He and his wife were
members of the Christian church. He was
a strong Republican. Six children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Martin, as fol-
lows: William J., our subject; Monroe,
Houston, Benjamin Van Buren, John A.
Logan, Sarah Ida.
Our subject was about three years old
when the family came to Illinois. They
made the trip from Tennessee with ox teams
and camped out on the way, having all ox
teams with the exception of one team of
horses. William J. Martin was reared on
his father's farm and educated in the com-
mon district schools of this county. On
his farm now stands the little old school
house in which he was educated. He pur-
chased it and moved it on this place, which
he now uses for a store house and granary.
It was built about 1850. Mr. Martin re-
mained at home and worked on the farm
until he was twenty-five years old. This
was in 1884, in which year his happy and
harmonious domestic life began, having then
married Elizabeth Hershberger, who was
born in Crawford county, Ohio, the daugh-
ter of Henry and Catherine (Snavely)
Hershberger. (For a full history of this
family the reader is directed to the sketch
of David Hershberger in this work.)
Four children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife, namely: Minnie, born Oc-
tober 3, 1886, is a member of the home
circle; Claude was born in April, 1888, and
died in January, 1895; William Franklin
was born December 26, 1890, and died
January 16, 1891 ; Nellie Zada, born August
14, 1892, is at home attending school.
Mr. Martin's highly improved and pro-
ductive farm consists of one hundred and
sixty acres. He has a beautiful country
home, substantial, comfortable and nicely
furnished, and a good barn and other con-
venient out buildings, everything about the
place showing thrift, good management and
industry. He keeps an excellent grade of
cattle and other live stock, and is regarded
as a good judge of stock and one of the
leading farmers of Salem township. His
RICHLAND. CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
199
hogs are of good breed and he raises some
fine horses. Mr. Martin also owns two hun-
dred acres of his father's old farm in this
township, which he keeps well improved and
the soil in good productive condition.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the
Christian church at Young's chapel. Mr.
Martin is a trustee in the church and a
liberal subscriber to the same. In politics
he is a Republican. In the social and pri-
vate walks of life no man bears a more
enviable reputation for sterling worth. In
short, Mr. Martin is an honorable, upright
citizen, belonging to the somewhat rare class
that direct and control public sentiment
without pushing himself forward and with-
out incurring the ill will of those with
whom they come in contact and leave the
impress of their strong personality indelibly
stamped upon the community, winning the
friendship of all classes.
DAXIEL GAFFXER.
The honored subject of this sketch is now
living in retirement in Olney, Illinois, en-
joying the respite due the closing of a long
and useful business career. He has been
prominently identified with industrial move-
ments of no mean scope and importance and
the name which he bears has stood for pro-
gressiveness and large enterprise ever since
the pioneer days in this section of the state,
while he is a scion of an old family of Swit-
zerland, being numbered among that ele-
ment of foreigners in this country who have
greatly benefited America by their pres-
ence. So important have been the business
and industrial undertakings with which he
had been connected, and so high is the confi-
dence and esteem in which he is held in Rich-
land county, that it is imperative that he be
accorded recognition in a publication like
the present volume.
Daniel Gafrner was born in Interlacken,
Switzerland, July 7. 1831, the son of Daniel
and Elizabeth (Gerber) Gaffner, also na-
tives of Switzerland where they lived and
died. The subject's father was a farmer in
the mountains of that country and was sev-
enty-eight years old when he died, his wife
having died at the age of seventy-five. The
family of Gaffner was originally French, one
branch passing to Switzerland many years
ago. The father of the subject was in the
military service of his country for some time.
Grandfather Gerber was of Swiss birth and
parentage, but took part in a number of bat-
tles under Xapoleon. A remarkable fact is
that the subject remembers the funeral of his
grandfather who died in 1833, when the sub-
ject was a trine over two years old. Seven
children were born to the parents of the sub-
ject, five of whom grew to maturity. Daniel
being the fourth in order of birth. Three
members of the family came to the United
States.
Our subject was reared in his native land
on a farm and there developed that sturdy
manhood and sterling character that have
made for his later success in new environ-
ments. He received a common school educa-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
non. He left home when sixteen years old
and was apprenticed to a shoemaker, at
which trade he worked in several parts of
Switzerland. When twenty-three years old
he came to the United States, landing in New
York and went direct to La Porte, Indiana,
where he arrived without money. His father
was reluctant to have him come to America,
but after consenting gave him money enough
to pay his passage. He at once began work
at his trade in LaPorte, but soon afterward
went to Highland, Illinois, where he worked
for three years, being regarded as a high
grade workman by his employers. In 1858
he came to Olney and resumed working at his
trade, but at the end of two years he went to
Edwards county on account of failing health,
having traded property in Olney for a two-
hundred-acre farm. Two years later he sold
the same for two thousand two hundred and
fifty dollars, besides realizing about one thou-
sand dollars from his personal property.
Thus we see how our subject prospered from
the first in his adopted country. His next
move was to Albion, where he worked at his
trade for three years, having been in partner-
ship one year in a shoe shop and store. He
had bought property in Albion which he
traded for property in Olney, then taking up
his permanent residence in the latter town
where he has since resided continuously, hav-
ing carried on business here in a most suc-
cessful manner for many years. He first
opened a shoe store and later was engaged
in wholesale and retail hide and leather busi-
ness, gradually accumulating property. In
1882 he built a three-storv brick business
block on Main street, twenty by eighty-five
feet with a good basement, in addition to
a large warehouse. It is one of the
most pretentious blocks in Olney, modern,
substantial and convenient. He also owns an-
other brick block two stories in height, twenty
by one hundred and eighty-five feet, located
on Main street. He also owns a valuable
building, thirty by one hundred and eighty
feet, on Vaile avenue, together with two
stores on Railroad street, besides valuable
residence property. He is one of the stock-
holders of the First National Bank and for
some years was one of its directors.
Mr. Gafifner was first married in 1852 to
Susanna Schneiter, a native of Switzerland,
who came to the United States with her fa-
ther, her mother having died in Switzerland.
To the subject and his first wife six chil-
dren were born, four of whom are living, as
follows : Robert, a druggist in Olney ; Tell,
Charles and Walter, all reside in Seattle,
Washington. They are all young men of
much business ability. Their father gave
each one ten thousand dollars to start them
in life.
Mrs. Gaffner passed to her rest in August,
1898, and the subject subsequently married
Mrs. Fannie (Suardet) Emerson, who was
born in De Vand, Switzerland, of French-
Huguenot descent, who came to the United
States with a brother, who soon afterward
went to California during the gold excite-
ment and subsequently died there.
Mr. Gaffner is a Republican in politics, but
he has never aspired to public office and he is
not a partisan, believing in men rather than
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
201
measures. His first presidential vote was for
Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Gaffner was reared
in the German Reformed church. His wife
is a member of the Presbyterian church.
This review of Mr. Gaffer's life history is
necessarily general in its character. To enter
fully into the interesting details of his ca-
reer would require a much larger space than
possible in this volume. Sufficient, however,
has been stated to show that he is entitled
to a place in the front ranks of successful men
who have engaged in industries in Richland
county. He, by his pluck, energy and enter-
prise, controlled by correct principles and
founded upon unswerving honor, has at-
tained to a position meriting the respect and
admiration of his fellow citizens which they
gladly give.
FRANCIS M. PURCELL.
The subject is a representative business
man and citizen of Marion county, man-
aging one of the largest lumber establish-
ments in the county, the well known firm
being F. M. Purcell & Company, doing
business at Kell. Our subject was born in
Wilson county, Tennessee, July 2, 1843,
the son of Hiram and Parthena (Williams)
Purcell, natives of Tennessee, and a fine old
Southern family. Hiram was a prosperous
fanner and lived and died in Tennessee.
He and his faithful life companion were
members of the Missionary Baptist church.
The subject's father was a gallant soldier
in the Seminole Indian war in Florida. To
Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Purcell five children
were bom, namely: Lavina, Ella; Frances
M.. our subject; L. B. and Hiram.
The subject's father first married a Miss
Jones and they became the parents of two
children, Eliza and Henry.
Our subject grew up in Tennessee on a
farm. He remained in that state on a farm
until he was twenty-seven years old. In
1870 he came to Jefferson county, Illinois,
and engaged in farming, also the lumber
business, making a success of each. In the
fall of 1904, he came to Kell, Illinois,
where he is now located and where he has
built up an extensive business by means of
his industry, his careful methods and fair
treatment of customers. He is in partner-
ship with Omer V. Cummings in the lum-
ber business. They supply a large scope of
country with lumber and all kinds of build-
ing material as well as much hardware.
They also handle paints, cement, lime, nails,
in fact, everything that a builder uses in a
house, barn or other structure. They al-
ways handle a good line of material and
their prices are always right, according to
the statement of many of their customers.
They have extensive sheds and their office
is a nice place and is always a busy place.
Our subject's happy domestic life began
in 1866, when he was united in marriage
with America Penuel, who was born in
Tennessee, the daughter of Frederick and
Lucinda (Jennings) Penuel, natives of that
state.
Eight children have been born to the sub-
lilOC.RAPHICAL AXI) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
ject and wife as follows: Amanda, the wife
of W. W. Hay, who lives in Jefferson
county, this state ; Samuel married Dora Ri-
ley and they live in Carrier Mills, Illinois;
Lucinda is the wife of George Snyder. liv-
ing in Jefferson county, Illinois ; Robert
married Anna McCormick, and they also
live in Jefferson county; Otis J. married
Tosie Hawkins ; William Edgar is single ;
Nora is the wife of Adolphus Caldwell, also
of Jefferson county; Fred is single.
Mr. and Mrs. Purcell are members of
the Missionary Baptist church. The former
is a loyal Democrat. He very ably served
for six years as Supervisor of Rome town-
ship, Jefferson county, this state. He was
chairman of the Board of Supervisors for
one year. He takes considerable interest in
political matters and his advice is often
sought in the local affairs of his county.
In his fraternal relations he is a member of
the Masonic Order, the .Knights Templar.
Mr. Purcell owns a valuable and well
improved farm, near Kell, on which he
lives, having a modern, substantial and nice-
ly furnished dwelling, an excellent barn and
convenient out-buildings. He is a very
busy man, for he successfully conducts the
affairs of his lumber establishment in town
and at the same time superintends the work
on the place, being an excellent judge of live
stock of all kinds, and he is regarded as one
of the leading business men of Haines
township. He deserves much credit for
what he has accomplished, having started
in life under none too favorable circum-
stances, but he has been a hard worker and
a good manager and success has attended
his efforts from the first. He is a gentle-
man of pleasing demeanor, easily ap-
proached, and while not an aspirant for
high political favors, he has done much in
a quiet way, as already intimated, to pro-
mote the good of the community where he
lives. He occupies a commendable stand-
ing among his fellow citizens and has a
large circle of friends who have learned to
esteem him for his industry and many-
manly qualities.
KENNETH D. HORRALL.
Kenneth D. Horrall, the well known
hardware merchant of Olney, Illinois,
which business he established in 1856, and
which he has conducted continuously ever
since in a most successful manner, his busi-
ness having steadily grown from a modest
beginning until now it is one of large pro-
portions. He carries a stock of about fif-
teen thousand dollars, often reaching twenty
thousand dollars, his store room being twen-
ty by one hundred and sixty-five feet, and
two floors, and one hundred feet on three
floors. In 1866 he erected his present brick
block. His is the oldest business in Olney,
and the oldest hardware business in Rich-
land county. His business is known all over
the county, and his customers come from all
sections of this locality.
Kenneth D. Horrall was born near Wash-
ington, Daviess county. Indiana, June 9,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
203
1838, the son of John and Rebecca (John-
son) Horrall, the former a native of Vir-
ginia and the latter of Illinois. They were
among the early settlers of this section of the
state, being sterling pioneers and people of
force of character. The father of the sub-
ject served in the wars under General Har-
rison and took part in the battle of Tippe-
caoe. He devoted his life to farming and
died in Daviess county. Indiana, at the age
of fifty-two years. His wife survived him
for several years and passed to rest while
living in Richland county, Illinois, at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-five years. Our sub-
ject was the youngest of seven children,
only two of whom are living at this writing.
Mr. Horrall was reared in his native state
and was educated in the country schools,
where he applied himself in such a manner
as to gain an education despite lack of op-
portunities. When he was fourteen years
old he came to Olney and entered the hard-
ware store of John Banks in order to learn
the tinner's trade, at which he worked suc-
cessfully for about fifteen years. In 1856 he
began business for himself in a small way,
having a stock of about three hundred dol-
lars. He built up his business to its present
proportions by years of hard' work and
close application to business, and by his fair
treatment of customers.
In politics our subject is a Republican,
but he has never been active in his party's
affairs. However, he served very faithfully
for two years as a member of the City
Council. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, having held about all the
offices in the same and he has been one of
the main pillars of this church.
Mr. Horrall's domestic relations began
in 1858 when he was married to Sarah J.
Baird, a native of Olney, Illinois, and the-
daughter of Asa and Lucy (Tanner) Baird,
natives of Vermont, who were among the
pioneers of Richland county, where they
spent their active and useful lives, and where
they died. Asa Baird was a contractor and
he built a large part of the national road
to Vincennes. At one time he was one of
the officials of the county. His death oc-
curred in 1849. His wife was a relative of
ex-Governor Tanner.
The subject and his wife are the parents
of seven children, namely: Adelbert,
George Lewis, Charles Asa: Carrie, de-
ceased ; Edward Eugene, Walter Lewis and
Henry Cliff. Adelbert. Charles and Walter
assist their father in the management of his
large store. Adelbert is bookkeeper, having
graduated in a business college in Buffalo,
Xew York. George is a tinner by trade and
he manages a farm two miles north of Ol-
ney, which is owned by himself and father.
It is a valuable farm, well improved and
highly cultivated. Charles also learned the
tinner's trade and also telegraphy. Edward
is a druggist and owns and operates a drug
store at Decatur, Illinois. Henry Cliff is
engaged in the hardware business at Bridge-
port, Illinois. These children have all re-
ceived good educations and are well estab-
lished in life.
No man in Richland county is better or
more favorably known than Mr. Horrall.
204
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Because of his public spirit, his honesty in
all his dealings with his fellow men, his gen-
erous and kindly nature, he has won and re-
tained a host of warm personal friends
throughout this locality.
HARVEY D. MAY.
By a life of persistent and well applied
industry led along the most honorable lines,
the gentleman whose name appears above
has justly earned the right to be repre-
sented in a work of the character of the
one at hand, along with the other men of
Marion county who have made their in-
fluence felt in their respective communities.
Harvey D. May, the present popular
Trustee of Haines township and a well
known dealer in harness, saddlery and hard-
ware in the town of Kell, Illinois, was born
in Raccoon township, Marion county, Oc-
tober 12, 1879, and while yet a young man
he has shown what properly applied energy
and a business mind can do toward wrench-
ing success from seeming insurmountable
obstacles. He is the son of Jesse H. and
Mary (Williams) May, the former a native
of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee.
Anderson May, the subject's grandfather,
was also a native of Kentucky and was one
of the early settlers in Marion county, Illi-
nois, having settled in Raccoon township.
Jesse H. May, who has devoted his life to
farming and is still living in that township,
is a highly respected citizen. Three chil-
dren were born to the parents of our subject,
Amos is a farmer in Raccoon township;
Laura, who is deceased, was the wife of
Orvil Prater, and they were the parents of
two children, Etha and Henry, who are still
living; Harvey D., our subject, was the
second child.
Our subject was reared on a farm where
he assisted with the work about the place.
He attended school in Raccoon township,
having applied himself in such a manner
as to gain the foundation for a good edu-
cation. Deciding early in life that he de-
sired to be a harness maker and dealer, Mr.
May learned the harnessmaker's trade and
became quite a proficient workman early in
life, and he finally opened a shop in
Kell, this county, establishing his present
business, in which he was successful from
the first and which has steadily grown, his
business now extending through a wide
scope of country on every hand, owing to
the fair dealing he gives his customers and
the intimate knowledge he has of the har-
ness business. He does a general repair
business and is always very busy. His shop
is equipped with all the latest appliances and
improvements known to the harnessmaker's
art and his work is all of a high grade.
Mr. May's domestic life was begun in
1903, when he was united in marriage with
Ava Williams, who was born in Jefferson
county, Illinois, and is the daughter of N. A.
and Jane (Rice) Williams. Mrs. May was
called from her earthly labors January 14,
1908. She was a member of the Baptist
church. She was a woman of many esti-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
205
mable traits of character, a good wife and
was beloved by all her neighbors.
Mr. May is a member of Romine Lodge
No. 663, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows. He has represented this lodge at the
Grand Lodge on two different occasions,
and has passed all the chairs in the local
lodge. Our subject is a loyal Republican
and has taken considerable interest in his
party's affairs. He was elected Trustee of
Haines township in the spring of 1908. He
is regarded as an energetic, honest and in-
fluential citizen, enjoying the respect of all
who know him.
ELI BRUBAKER.
The man who has made a success of life
and won the honor and esteem of his fel-
low citizens deserves more than passing
notice. Such is the record, briefly stated,
of the gentleman whose name heads this
review, the record he left behind being one
of honor in every respect, for a more
whole-souled and popular man never lived
in Stevenson township where he long main-
tained his home and where he labored for
the general good of the community, and,
although his life work has been closed by
the good angel, who has set the seal on the
record of his life history, his influence still
permeates the lives of those who knew him
best and loved him for his fortitude, fidel-
ity, honor and industry.
Eli Brubaker was born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, December n, 1819, and he
was called from his earthly labors in 1907,
after a long and eminently useful and suc-
cessful life. He was the son of Abraham and
Elizabeth (Myers) Brubaker, and was
reared on his father's farm in Ohio, where
he assisted with the work about the place un-
til he reached manhood, attending the com-
mon schools in the neighborhood until he
received a fairly good education, such as the
old pioneer schools of those times afforded.
The school house which he attended had
puncheon seats and greased paper was used
for window panes. For a full history of
the Brubaker family the reader is referred
to the sketch of Noah Brubaker, which ap-
pears in another part of this volume.
The subject of this sketch came to Ma-
rion county, Illinois, in 1843, and settled
among the pioneers on new land in Steven-
son township, where, by dint of hard work,
he made a home and developed a good
farm. The old Brubaker homestead is to-
day one of the best farms in Stevenson
township. Eli Brubaker was a hard worker
and an excellent farmer, and he made a
comfortable living.
Our subject was first married to Mary
Ann Warner January 20, 1842, daughter
of William Warner, an early settler of Ma-
rion county, Illinois. She was born in
Lancaster county, Ohio. She passed to her
rest in 1872. She was the mother of
eleven children, namely : Isaac, who lives in
luka, this state ; Christina, deceased ; Annie,
E., widow of Shannon Kagy, lives in Ste-
venson township; William is a prosperous
206
IIIOGKAPIIICAL AND KKM I MSfKXT HISTORY OF
farmer in Stevenson township; Edgar and
Edward are twins; Logan is a farmer, liv-
ing in Stevenson township; Mary Jane is
the eighth child; the ninth, tenth and elev-
enth child died in infancy.
On February 4, 1875, the subject married
a second time, his last wife being Emma
Squibb, who was born in Ohio county, In-
diana, the daughter of George Y. and Mary
Ann (Harpham) Squibb, natives of Indi-
ana, who moved to Stevenson township,
Marion county, Illinois, where the mother
is still living, the father having died soon
after coming to this county. Mrs. Bru-
baker is living on the old homestead in
Stevenson township, which she manages
successfully.
Our subject was a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian church and a liberal
supporter of the same. He was a good
everyday Christian, always strictly honest in
his dealings with his fellow men, a good
neighbor, father and husband. In politics
he was a Democrat, but never held office.
The different members of his family are well
settled in life and are highly respected in
their respective communities. They reflect
great credit upon their parents, who gave
them every advantage possible, and no
doubt they will ever uphold the honor of
the family name which is one of the high-
est integrity.
The subject of this sketch was a member
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and
was ordained elder in this church in 1847.
He was superintendent of the Sunday school
at Brubaker chapel for the long period of
over forty-two years, after which he was
elected honorary superintendent for life. He
was a leader in church work for many years
and was foremost in promoting everything
which makes for the betterment of human-
ity. It was largely due to his efforts that
the new and modern church edifice was
erected and dedicated June 20, 1896, which
he christened New Bethel, he not only do-
nating the land, consisting of four acres for
the manse, but also gave freely of his ser-
vices and money to the building fund.
Mr. Brubaker gave each of his children
a farm.
SAMUEL MARION HOLT.
The subject of this review, who, though
past the meridian of life many years, is still
in the same physical and mental vigor that
have characterized his earlier years of en-
deavor and he is almost as capable in bear-
ing his part in the concerns of his neighbor-
hood as he was in former days.
Samuel Marion Holt is a native of Ma-
rion county, having been born in Foster
township, June 25, 1845, the son of John F.
Holt, who was born in Georgia in 1806, and
came to Marion county, Illinois, when a
young man, where he took up government
land in Foster township, settling on North
Fork creek among the pioneers, there being
then only four families here, the first settlers
of this creek being Isaac Agan, Hardy Fos-
ter, John F. Holt and Moses Garrett. The
subject's grandfather was Harmon Holt,
KICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
207
who was born in Georgia and came to Ma-
rion county, Illinois, where he died at a
ripe old age. He was of Irish descent. Har-
mon Holt's wife was named Ibby Holt,
whom he married in Georgia. The maiden
name of the subject's mother was Elizabeth
Jones, who was born in the state of Dela-
ware, and who came with her parents to St.
Clair county, Illinois, when five years old.
Eleven children were born to the subject's
parents, five of whom are living. They are :
Martha, Henry, Mary, Matilda. Harmon.
Salina, Samuel M., Sally, John D., Hardy
F. (twins) and Isabelle.
The Indians made a treaty with the gov-
ernment to hunt in the new country which
was still partly a wilderness after his par-
ents had come. Our subject spent his early
life on his father's farm and attended the
common schools, such as they were in those
early days. When he reached maturity he
married, on July 21, 1864, Susan F. Atkins,
who was born in Marion county, July 16,
1847, tne daughter of John Atkins, who
was born in Franklin county, Tennessee. He
moved to Alabama with his parents when a
boy. He was about thirty years of age
when he came to Illinois and took up gov-
ernment land. He was the father of four
children, an equal number of boys and girls.
He spent the remainder of his life here, with
the exception of the last fifteen years, dying
at the age of seventy-three years, in Texas,
where he had gone fifteen years previous.
Our subject is the father of seven chil-
dren, named in order of birth as follows:
Mary M., who married Eli M. Arnold, liv-
ing in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and who are the
parents of five children; Margaret E., who
married Oscar Chance, of Salem, Illinois,
and who is the mother of six children;
Emma F., who married James A. Arnold,
living in Fort Worth, Texas, and the mother
of two children; Rhoda A., who mar-
ried Ed. Jones, of Salem, Illinois, and who
is the mother of two children; John A. was
married to Maud Davis, December 13, 1908,
and lives at home: the sixth child was an
infant, who died unnamed : Lulu B., the
youngest child, is the wife of Will Harkey,
who lives in Fayette county, near St. Peter,
this state, and she is the mother of one son.
Our subject is the owner of a fine landed
estate in Kinmundy township, consisting of
three hundred and eighty-five acres, of well
improved land, which he has successfully
managed until it is one of the most valuable
farms in the township, being under a high
state of improvement and the 1 fields well
fenced and well drained. Much good stock
of various kinds is to be seen in the sub-
ject's barns and fields, and he always keeps
good horses, cattle and hogs. He has an ele-
gant and comfortable dwelling which is
nicely furnished and is surrounded by a
beautiful yard and convenient out-buildings,
in fact, the entire place has an air of evident
thrift and prosperity.
Our subject is a Democrat in his political
affiliations and he has long taken an active
part in his party's affairs. His wife is a
devout Christian and a faithful mother, be-
ing a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Holt is not a member of the
208
ilOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
church and does not hold to any Orthodox
creed, yet he is a believer in good citizen-
ship, honesty and fair dealing and is highly
respected for his good citizenship. The
different members of the family are well
settled in life and highly esteemed in their
respective communities. They reflect great
credit upon their parents and no doubt will
ever uphold the honor of the family name,
which thus far has not been dimmed by the
commission of a single unworthy act.
Z. C. JENNINGS.
The life history of the subject of this
sketch goes back to the pioneer days, since
which Mr. Jennings has been a very potent
factor in the affairs of Marion county, in
which he is regarded as a foremost citizen
in every respect, therefore, for many rea-
sons, it is deemed entirely consistent to give
him conspicuous mention in this volume.
Z. C. Jennings was bom February 14,
1838, in Marion county, Illinois. Israel Jen-
nings, the subject's grandfather, was a na-
tive of Maryland and when he reached young
manhood went to the state of Kentucky and
while at Marysville married Mary Waters
in 1808. In 1818 he came to Marion county,
Illinois, and settled six miles southeast of
Centralia, being among the very first set-
tlers there, having Indians as his neighbors,
and the dense woods abounded in an abun-
dance of wild game. He was one of the
squatters at Walnut Hill until 1827. This
section was then a part of Jefferson county.
It was here that Mr. Jennings entered land,
which he developed and where he died in
1860. His first wife passed away in 1844
and he married a second time, his last wife
being Lear Sterling, of Centralia, this
county. There were no children by his sec-
ond wife. The following are the names
of the children by his first wife: Israel,
Jr., who married a Miss Davidson, was the
father of eleven children; Charles W., the
subject's father; William W. left home in
1847 an d went to Wisconsin. He was in the
mining, mercantile and grain business, in
which he made a fortune. In 1853 he went
to California and engaged in gold mining,
but on account of failing health and trou-
ble with his eyes, came back to Marion
county where he remained for several years,
at one time engaging in railroad contract-
ing in northern Missouri. In i86t he en-
listed in the Union army and served during
the war, after which he settled in Marion
county and in 1875 he went to Austin
county, Texas, where he lived until 1890,
when he came to Alvin, Illinois, and built
a modern home, having become prosperous.
He first married Margaret Noleman. The
date of his death was 1904. He was highly
respected by all. Aftn, the third child of
the subject's grandfather, married Rufus
McElwain. a farmer in Centralia township,
who later lived at Salem, this county. Mary,
the fourth child, who was known as "Aunt
Polly," married a Mr. White. They lived
near Walnut Hill where he conducted a tan-
yard. John, the fifth child, died when he
MR. AND MRS. Z. JENNINGS.
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
209
reached maturity. The sixth child died
when young. In Marion county, in the
early days, no citizen was more' prominent
than Israel Jennings, who was one of the
largest land owners of the county. He was
a faithful member of the Methodist church,
and a good Democrat. In 1827 he was
elected a member of the Legislature when
Vandalia was the capital of the state. He
was a member of the house contemporane-
ous with Peter Cartwright. He was post-
master at Walnut Hill, Illinois, for many
years, beginning in 1834. He was a slave-
holder and owned the only male slave ever
held in this county. He came here before
there were any steam railroads, but during
his life he noted wonderful changes, being
instrumental in bringing about much of the
progress of the county. He opened a store
and gave dry goods and groceries in ex-
change for produce which he hauled to St.
Louis by wagon, bringing back supplies. At
the time of his coming to this county he
had two daughters who had reached ma-
turity. They were taken sick while he was
away in Shawneetown on one of his usual
trips and one of them died. There was no
lumber in the community, so a white-oak
tree was cut and a coffin hewn from it, in
which to bury the young lady, whose grave
is on the old place he owned. He was
known to be a very eccentric man, and ten
years before his death he bought a metallic
coffin, which he kept in the house until his
death, and he was buried in it, dying April
20, 1872. His wife died April 3, 1885.
Charles W. Jennings, the subject's father,
H
was born in Kentucky, and he came to Ma-
rion county, Illinois, with his parents, set-
tling one-half mile from his father, where
he made a home, and became owner of nine
hundred acres of land. He married Mariah
Davidson, a native of Kentucky, and the fol-
lowing children were born to them: Sarah,
deceased, married Capt. R. D. Noleman,
who is also deceased ; Josephus W., deceased,
was born October 29, 1827, lived on the old
place and was educated in the district
schools. He was a merchant at Walnut
Hill, Illinois, until 1856, when he moved to
a farm one-half mile west of that place,
where he died November 20, 1890. He
married Amanda Couch, who was bom
January 8, 1834, the daughter of Milton and
Mary (Beard) Couch. They were the par-
ents of the following children : Edgar,
Frank, Mary, Lizzie and Nancy. Harriett,
the third child, married B. F. Marshall, who
lived at Salem, Illinois. They are both de-
ceased. Maria E. married Silas Bryan, who
was county Judge, and lived at Salem, Illi-
nois; Z. C., the subject of this biographical
sketch, was the fifth in order of birth. Nan-
cy married James Davenport, who is de-
ceased. She is living at Salem, this county.
America married William C. Stites. Both
are now deceased. Docia married Alram
Van Antwerp, who is deceased. She is
living in St. Louis, Missouri.
The subject's father was a man of excel-
lent business ability and a good manager,
he having become wealthy. He was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and
in politics was a Democrat.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Z. C. Jennings, the subject of this sketch,
grew to manhood on the old home place and
was educated in the home schools and the
high schools at Salem and Centralia. When
twenty-two years old he married Mary J.
Baldridge, daughter of James C. Baldridge,
of North Carolina, and Margaret (Rainey)
Baldridge, a native of Kentucky. At the
age of nine years, James C. Baldridge came
to Marion county with his parents. Dorn-
ton and Mary (Boggs) Baldridge, who set-
tled near Walnut Hill, Illinois. James Bal-
dridge and wife died in Jefferson county,
Illinois. He married a second time, his last
wife being Tabitha, the widow of Isaac
Casey.
The subject started on the place where he
now lives to make a home. He first owned
forty acres of land, but being progressive
he added to it from time to time until he
now owns a fine farm of four hundred and
twelve acres, which is in a high state of
cultivation and one of the best stock farms
in the county. He has raised some high-
grade horses and cattle and has made all
the improvements on the place himself, be-
ing regarded as one of the foremost agri-
culturists of the county, holding high rank
among the stockmen of this locality.
Six children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife, as follows: Dr. Dwight was
born September i, 1860, and he graduated
at the St. Louis Medical College in 1890,
having previously attended the Carbondale
Normal School, and he read medicine with
Dr. Richardson, of Centralia, Illinois. He
took up his practice at 4101 Washington
avenue, St. Louis, where he has since been
residing and has built up a large practice.
He married Cora Locy, of Carlyle, Illinois,
and three children were born to this union,
Beatrice, Dorothy and Dwight L. Charles
Emmett, the subject's second child, was
born January 4, 1862. He is a farmer at
Mosco, Washington, also a dealer in stock
and grain. He married Angeline S. Creed,
of Centralia township, and they have one
son, Fred Allen. Maggie D., the subject's
third child, was born December 17, 1863.
and married Lewis E. Thomas, of Centralia,
Illinois. He is a carpenter in the employ of
the Illinois Central Railroad. Their only
son, Charles, is deceased. Samuel R., who
was born December 24, 1865, has always
been a farmer and lived at home. Maria,
who was born January 22, 1871, died in
August the same year; Harriett G., who
was born October 7, 1873, married E. M.
Jones, of St. Louis. He is traveling freight
agent for the Southern Railroad. They have
three children, namely : Leona, Dwight and
Grace.
The subject of this sketch lived at home
until 1859, and was in the lumber business
with his father for awhile, then he located
on his present place. During the past few
years he has devoted a great deal of his at-
tention to raising fruit. For two years he
successfully manufactured crates and berry
boxes at Walnut Hill, Illinois.
Mr. Jennings has always taken a great
deal of interest in politics. He ably filled
the office of Supervisor for four years and
other minor offices in the Democratic party,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and a well read man on all leading topics.
He has a substantial, beautiful and well
furnished home, presided over by a most
estimable helpmeet, his wife being a woman
of culture and refinement. Our subject is
an uncle of Hon. William Jennings Bryan.
He is well and favorably known throughout
the county, being regarded by all classes
as a man of force of character, stability, in-
dustry and honesty.
FINCH FAMILY HISTORY.
Sir Heneage Finch was the first Earl of
Nottingham, England (1682), and was
Lord Chancellor of England. He was de-
scended from an old family, many of whose
numbers had attained a high eminence in
the legal profession; and he was the oldest
son of Sir Heneage Finch, the Recorder of
London. He was born in Kent, December
23, 1621, educated at Westminster and be-
came a member of the Inner Temple, 1638;
he was admitted to the bar in 1645, and be-
came one of the leading members thereof,
being called the "English Cicero". He was
chosen a member of the Convention Parlia-
ment in 1660, and shortly afterward ap-
pointed Solicitor-General, and in 1675 Lord
Chancellor. In 1660 he was also created a
baronet, and in 1670 he was made Attorney
General. He died in Great Queen Street,
Lincoln Inn Fields, December 18, 1682, and
was buried in Ravenstone in Bucks. He was
spoken of as the father of equity, and was
the originator of the Statutes of Frauds,
which are accepted in America and Eng-
land as universal law and justice. He also
published some of the speeches in the trials
of the Judges of King Charles I, in 1660,
and later emulated himself with other publi-
cations appertaining to the execution of
King Charles I, but was not their author.
Sir Daniel Finch was the second Earl of
Nottingham, and the son of Sir Heneage
Finch, was born in 1647, and died January
i, 1730. He entered Parliament in 1679.
and was one of the privy counsellors who in
1685 signed the order for the proclamation
of the Duke of York, but kept away from
the court during the reign of James the II.
After the abdication of James II, he was one
of the leaders of the party who were favor-
able to the establishment of the Regency.
He declined the office of Lord-Chancellor
under the reign of William and Mary, but
accepted that of Secretary of State, and
filled that position until December, 1693,
and he also held the same office under Queen
Anne in 1702, and retired in 1704. On the
accession of George the First he was made
President of the Council and withdrew from
office in January, 1716; on the 9th day of
September, 1729, he succeeded to the Earl-
dom of Winchelsea and died on the ist day
of January, 1730.
Sir John Finch was a son of Sir Daniel
Finch, the second Earl of Nottingham, was
counsel to the Crown under George II, in
the early part of his reign, and for his strong
liberal views, and the active interest he took
in espousing the cause of liberalism he was
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
by King George the Second, banished from
the realm, and coming to America, landed
at the port of Boston, and married some-
where in the eastern part of Massachusetts,
and after a time emigrated to New York,
and founded what is taken to be the North-
em branch of the Finch family. To Sir
John Finch, the banished counsellor of the
court of King George the Second, were bom
two sons, whose names were respectively,
Isaac F. Finch and John Finch ; Isaac Finch
and John Finch left their homes in the State
of New York and settled in Wyoming Val-
ley in Pennsylvania, sometime previous to
the Revolutionary war ; they engaged in the
milling business in an extensive way; and
when the Revolutionary war broke out they
were each at the head of a large family.
Isaac Finch enlisted in the Revolutionary
war, and John remained at home to look af-
ter the families of his brother Isaac and his
own, and also their property ; they were then
living in Wyoming Valley, at Fort Forty.
Isaac Finch was killed in the battle of the
Wyoming Massacre, July 3, 1778, and John
and his entire family were massacred at the
same time. Unto Isaac Finch and Amy
Finch, his wife, were born five sons and five
daughters, and the names of these children
were: Isaac, Moses, John, Enos, Amy, Re-
becca, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Solomon.
On the 4th day of July, 1778, Amy Finch, the
widow of Isaac Finch, with the aid of faith-
ful servants, loaded her household effects into
a wagon drawn by a pair of oxen, and with
all the children, excepting Isaac Finch and
Amy Finch, who were then visiting in Mas-
sachusetts, prepared to fly from the recent
scene of the bloody carnival. As the wagon
was about to pull out with the household
goods and children, a number of Indians see-
ing one of the servants standing by the
wagon, with savage yells and flourishing
tomahawks rushed upon him and with their
tomahawks dashed out his brains, bespatter-
ing with blood and brains the five-months-
old baby of the deceased Isaac Finch and his
widow, who was lying upon the bed-clothing
in the wagon. The name of this five-months-
old baby was Solomon Finch, the last born.
The widow of Isaac Finch, together with
these children, then took their departure
from the scene of the massacre and after
many days of tedious, tiresome and danger-
ous travel, made their way through swamp
and wilderness for some three hundred miles
to Genesee county, New York, where they
were finally given shelter, food and clothing,
and abided until they were joined by the son
and daughter who had gone on the visit to
Massachusetts. They finally built them a
house of logs and remained in this settle-
ment for some years, and until the children
were grown and married.
It seems that all the children of Isaac and
Amy Finch were married in this part of
New York, except Solomon, who again re-
turned to the scene of the battle where his
father and other relatives had met their death,
and there married a Sarah Gardner, whose
father owned the battlefield on which had
been fought the bloody battle of Wyoming,
and here he was married, and soon afterward
returned to Genesee county, New York, and
joined his relatives. He was married on the
1 3th day of March, 1804.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
213
Solomon Finch was born on the 3ist day
of January, 1778, married to Sarah Gard-
ner on the 1 3th day of March, 1804, and
died on Elm Creek farm, Clay county, Illi-
nois, in June, 1851, at the age of seventy-
three ; and to this union were born Rebecca,
Mary, James Gardner, Almena, Solomon,
Tomkins and Amos Farm Finch, Rebecca
Finch was born January 5, 1805, in the
Wyoming Valley, in Pennsylvania, married
to George Shirts in Indiana, November
29, 1821, and to this union were born Wil-
liam Shirts, February 12, 1823, who died
in 1885 ; Augustus Finch Shirts, Novem-
ber 26, 1824; Mary E. Shirts, July 26,
1826; Angeline Shirts, November 26,
1828; Sarah Shirts, November 29, 1830,
and Hiram G. Shirts, July 15, 1834;
in May, 1842, after the death of George
Shirts, Rebecca Finch Shirts was married
to Jay Ridgeway, to whom was born Solo-
mon Ridgeway. Rebecca Finch Shifts died
in 1873.
Mary Finch, born January 24, 1807, in
Genesee county, New York, and was mar-
ried to Hiram Finch, son of John Finch,
who was the son of Isaac Finch, Novem-
ber 28, 1829, and to this union was born
one son, Henry Clay Finch; Mary Finch
died December 29, 1839.
James Gardner Finch was born Octo-
ber 1 6, 1809, in Rochester, New York, and
was married to Sarah Woodborn, November
28, 1833, settled in Clay county, in Novem-
ber, 1839, and to this union was born one
son, Francis M. Finch, April 29, 1837, wno
died in Andersonville prison, July 27, 1864.
After the death of Sarah Woodburn Finch.
James Gardner Finch married Mary Ann
Purdom on the 2ist day of July, 1839, and
to this union were born Walton H. Finch,
October 13, 1840, and he died in Pamona,
California in 1894, leaving a large family.
Cynthia C. Finch was born February 24,
1845; John C. Finch, born January 23,
1847; George W. Finch, born June 21,
1849, and died in Harper county, Kansas,
in 1896, leaving a large family; Henry
Clay Finch, born October i, 1852; Charles
Sumner Finch, born July 24, 1856; Flor-
ence Evaline Finch (Kelly), born March
24, 1858; Almena Finch, born in the
State of New York, January 13, 1812,
married to Stephen Knolton, afterwards to
Benjamin Creus, and later to Gabriel Man-
ly, the latter to whom she bore one daugh-
ter, Emma Manly, July 28, 1832; Emma
Manly married A. J. Hurlock in 1862, and
after his death she again married John
Ryan, in Kansas, 1876.
Emily Finch was born to Solomon and
Sarah Finch, May 12. 1816. and died Oc-
tober 13, 1871.
Augustus H. Finch was born to Solomon
and Sarah Finch September i, 1818, and
died November 12, 1820.
Solomon Tompkins Finch was born to
Solomon and Sarah Gardner Finch in
Hamilton county, in the state of Indiana,
on the 2 ist day of November, 1820,
and in February, 1847, he moved with his
parents to Clay county, Illinois, where his
mother, Sarah Gardner Finch, died June,
1847, and on the 22d day of July, 1847, he
was joined in marriage with Bethsheba
Long, who was born April 15, 1831, and
214
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
who was the second daughter of Rosamond
and Hanna Stanford Long, and to this union
were born Rebecca Margaret Finch in April,
1852, and who died with premature con-
sumption in March, 1868. Mary Elizabeth
Finch, who was born in Flora, Clay county,
Illinois, on the 25th day of September,
1854 (being the first child born in the city
of Flora), and Solomon Tompkins Finch on
the 23d day of February, 1857, in the town
of Flora, Illinois. On the I4th day of
April, 1857, Solomon T. Finch died, leav-
ing surviving him Bethsheba Long Finch,
his widow, and the three children, viz : Re-
becca Margaret, Mary Elizabeth and Solo-
mon Tompkins Finch. Solomon Tompkins
Finch, son of Solomon Finch and Sarah
Gardner Finch, was the first business man
in Flora, Clay county, Illinois, having em-
barked there into business with one George
Harter, under the firm name of Finch &
Harter, which continued until his death. In
1870 Bethsheba Long Finch on the I5th
day of February was married to John Re-
sen Finch, who was a son of Aaron, and
grandson of John Finch, who was a brother
of Moses and Solomon Finch. To this
union was born one child, Martha Luella
Finch, on the 7th day of February, 1871,
and on the i6th day of July, 1871, Beth-
sheba Long Finch departed this life.
Amos Farm Finch was married to Lou-
isa Griffith August 10, 1852, and to this
union was born one son, Hiram Clayton
Finch, on the nth day of May, 1854, and
after the death of Louisa Griffith Finch,
Amos Farm Finch married Sarah Eliza-
beth Davis on the 5th day of December,
1860, and to this union were born Rosa
Belle Finch, August 21, 1861 ; Henry Ern-
est Finch, August 28, 1868; he married
Sarah E. Sibler; Clarence A. Finch, Febru-
ary 6, 1872, married Lulu Morrean on No-
vember 17, 1895, an( l Maggie Elizabeth
Finch, November 3, 1875.
Mary Elizabeth Finch was on the 3d day
of February, 1876, married to John Minor
Cunningham, whose father was an early
settler in Clay county, Illinois, and to this
union were born three children, viz : Fre-
mont Cunningham, born on the 29th day of
November, 1876, and died six years later.
Nelle Cunningham was born September 19,
1878, and was married to Jerry J. Bow-
man, October 22, 1902. Max Finch Cun-
ningham was born April 14, 1883.
Solomon Tompkins Finch was on the
28th day of May, 1884, married to Lillie Es-
tella Pearce, the youngest daughter of Fred-
erick and Martha Ingrahm Pearce. The
father, Frederick Pearce having been born
in Leeds, England, came to this country
with his father when he was but twelve
years of age ; first settled in Western Penn-
sylvania, and afterward moved to the city
of Pittsburg. When at the age of man-
hood he married Martha Ingrahm, and in
1858, moved with his family, which con-
sisted of his wife and two children at that
time, to Ingrahm Prairie, Clay county, Il-
linois; engaged in the milling business, and
was among the first settlers of Flora. After
his removal to Flora, Illinois, his youngest
daughter. Lillie Estella Pearce, was born on
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
2I 5
the 1 3th of January, 1862. To the mar-
riage of Solomon Tompkins Finch and Lil-
lie Estella Pearce were born two sons ; Earle
D. Finch, born in the city of Flora on the
I4th day of March. 1865; and Rollae D.
Finch was bom in the city of Flora on the
7th clay of September, 1887.
Solomon Tompkins Finch, after taking a
preparatory course at Loxa College, entered
the Michigan University, from which col-
lege he graduated in the law department, in
1879, and after being admitted to the bar of
Illinois commenced the law practice in
Flora, Clay county, Illinois, the home of his
birth.
Hiram Clayton Finch, after graduating
in medicine, entered into the practice, and
in 1882 moved to Iowa, continuing the
practice and on the 6th day of October,
1882. was married to Ausis Oliva Mat-
thews in Jasper county, Iowa, and to them
was born one daughter, Ethel Finch, on the
2Qth day of December, 1884.
Moses Finch, son of Isaac and Amy
Finch, was born in the Wyoming Valley,
April 15, 1771, and was married to Sarah
Beanon in 1789, and to them were born
eleven sons ; their names were : Isaac, Kin-
ney, Charles, Beanon, Abraham Wheeler,
Benoni Wheeler, Moses, Archibald Wheel-
er, James Beanon, Nathaniel, Walter and
John. Sarah, the mother of the above sons,
died in Indiana, June 17, 1831. The sons
all grew to manhood. Moses Finch, after
the death of Sarah, his wife, married Alan-
da Grange, a widow with three sons and
two daughters. To Moses Finch and Man-
da Grange Finch were born two daughters,
Florilla and Rebecca. Rebecca married in
1860, and she and her husband died in
1 86 1. Florilla married a Doctor Graydon.
of Southport, Indiana.
To John Finch, son of Isaac Finch and
wife, were born three sons, viz ; Jubal, John
and Cyrus. The mother of these children
died, after which John Finch married
again, and by his second marriage he begot
four daughters, viz : Sarah, who married a
Dr. Amos Palmer; Elizabeth, who married
a man by the name of Davidson ; Margaret,
who never married, and Laura, who mar-
ried a man by the name of Meak. After
the death of the mother of these children,
John Finch married the third time, and
unto this marriage were born, Hiram C.
Finch, John Finch, Fabious M. Finch, who
was a prominent lawyer and judge in In-
dianapolis, Indiana, and lived to an ad-
vanced age. Rebecca, who married James
Holl ; Angeline, who married a man by the
name of Williams, Cynthia married Dr. Na-
thaniel Mall, and Horatio Finch studied
law, and afterwards died in San Francisco,
California.
Hiram C. Finch was married to Mary
Finch, on the 28th day of November, 1829,
and to this union was born one son, Henry
Clay Finch. Mary Finch died December
29, 1839. and after her death, Hiram G.
Finch married his second wife, and to this
union were born Frank, Allice, who was
married to John Connor, and Horatio
Finch. The name of the second wife of Hi-
ram G. Finch was Mariah Passwatter.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Fabious M. Finch was married in
1810 to Mariah Allen, and to this union
were born John A. Finch and Alice
Finch. John A. Finch, after having
studied law, made a specialty of the
insurance law, and being associated with
his father in the law practice under the
firm name of Finch & Finch, became one of
the first insurance lawyers in the United
States, and compiled what is known in the
law practice as Finch's Insurance Reports.
John A. Finch died suddenly in Minneapo-
lis, Minnesota, while on business in that
city.
Fabious M. Finch soon followed the
death of his most honored son, and left
surviving his widow and Alice Finch, a
most estimable and accomplished daughter,
unmarried. Aaron Finch was married in
Indiana, 1823, to Mary Waddell, and after-
wards moved to Clay county, Illinois, and
settled on a farm eight miles southeast of
Flora, Illinois. To Aaron Finch and his
wife were born : James Austin Finch
and John Resen Finch ; also a daugh-
ter, Laura. Aaron Finch died in the
early fifties. James Austin Finch was
joined in wedlock with Mary P. Grif-
fith and studied medicine and died
in the early sixties. To this union
was born one son, James Austin Finch,
Mary P. Finch died in 1898. James Austin
Finch was married to Florence Brissanden,
studied law, became well up in his profes-
sion, and was elected to the office of
Prosecuting Attorney of Clay county in
1876, and afterwards located in Olney, Il-
linois, where he died in the summer of
1 88 1. To this union of James Austin
and Florence Brissanden Finch were born
four children, viz: Mary, William, Laura
and James Austin.
John Resen Finch was born in Indiana,
moved to Clay county, Illinois, with his
father, arid settled on the farm with his
father. He first married Sarah Schooley,
and to this marriage were born one daugh-
ter and one son, viz: Mary Matilda and
William Fabious Finch. After the death of
his first wife he married Rachel Schooley, a
sister of his first wife, and to this union
were born one son and one daughter, viz:
Aaron and Amy Finch. After the death of
Rachel, the second wife of John Resen
Finch, he then married Bethsheba Long
Finch, and to this union was born one
daughter, viz : Martha Louella Finch. After
the death of Bethsheba Long Finch, John
Resen Finch then married one Sarah War-
math, and departed this life in 1879, having
continued to reside on the farm upon which
he and his father located upon moving to
Clay county, Illinois.
Augustus Finch Shirts, who was born to
George Shirts and Rebecca Finch Shirts,
was born November 26, 1824, married to
Nancy Barnhill, and to this union were born
three children, viz: George Shirts, Mary
Shirts, who married a man by the name of
Baker, and Elbert Shirts. Augustus Finch
Shirts studied law. settled at Noblesville,
Indiana, became very prominent as a law-
yer, and as a politician, also became noted
as the author of the history of Hamilton
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
217
county, Indiana, and retired from the law-
practice in 1900.
George Shirts, son of Augustus Finch
Shirts, studied law, graduated at the law
department of the University of Michigan,
in 1876, entered the law practice at Nobles-
ville, Indiana, became eminent as a corpora-
tion lawyer, and in 1903, was selected by
the Governor of the state of Indiana, as
one of the Codifying Commission, and se-
lected by that body as their clerk.
In the early spring of 1814, Amos Farm,
John, Moses and Solomon Finch, together
with their families, went in wagons from
Genesee county. New York, to Olean Point,
New York, a point on the tributary of the
Ohio river, and building a flat-boat there,
they floated down the river to the Ohio riv-
er, and thence down the Ohio river to North
Bend, Ohio, the present site of Cincinnati,
Ohio, and after landing there, Solomon T.
Finch took service under Gen. William H.
Harrison (Old Tippecanoe), and after the
war was over still remained with him for a
time as superintendent of his plantations,
the old log cabins that were famous during
the campaign of Gen. William H. Harrison
as a candidate for President. Enoch Finch
settled somewhere in the eastern part of
Ohio, and Moses and John went to Brook-
ville, Indiana, engaged to some extent in
the milling business there, and afterward
went to Connersville, and were there joined
by Solomon Finch. Soon afterward Moses
went to Michigan, and died there at an ad-
vanced age.
In April, 1819, Solomon Finch and his
family and part of the family of John
Finch, moved from Connersville to Hamil-
ton county, Indiana, and settled on what
was then known as Horse Shoe prairie,
about two miles from the present site of
Noblesville, Indiana, the county seat of
Hamilton county, and they were followed
in the following September by John Finch,
and the remainder of his family. John
Finch lived to a ripe old age, and as shown
many were his sons and daughters. He
died in Hamilton county, Indiana.
The compiler of these accounts, including
deaths, births, marriages and events, has
relied upon statistics furnished him by old
members of the family in its various
brandies, and on the war records fur-
nished him from the department at Wash-
ington, and on letters from the Lord Mayor
of Nottingham, England, and on the true
historical data as furnished by reliable au-
thors. He has compiled this short history
not for any compensation, but because he
has felt that it ought to have been done by
some member of the family, but up to this
time, they have all been too busy a lot of
Finchs to give it their attention.
JOHN R. FRENCH.
The subject is the obliging and well
known hotel proprietor, insurance and real
estate dealer of Kell, Haines township,
Marion county, who has spent his life with-
in the borders of the same, having been
nior.KAI'HICAL AXD REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
identified with the growth and taken no
small part in the same. He was born Au-
gust 4, 1861, the son of Gilbert W. and
Louisa (O'Bryant) French. John R.
French's father, a native of Tennessee,
came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1835.
He was a native of Tennessee and the son
of John P. and (Hartman) French.
John P. French was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, who moved to Tennessee in an early
day and in 1835 came to Marion county,
Illinois, locating in Tonti township, where
he devoted his life to farming, having died
in the town of Alma. The subject's grand-
father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Gilbert French and his first wife were the
parents of four children, namely : Angie, the
wife of Mathew Organ; Louisa, who was
the wife of J. N. Jones, is deceased; John
R., the subject of this sketch; Amanda is
the wife of J. W. Ross, of Centralia, this
county. The subject's father married Mary
Howard, and three children were born to
this union, Thomas, living in Kinmundy,
this county; Harry B., of Odin, Illinois;
Rachel is the wife of E. W. Wilson, of
Alma, Illinois.
The subject of this sketch was reared on
a farm near Alma and was educated in the
common schools. After farming for a
while, he learned the plasterer's and brick
layer's trade. In 1891 he clerked in a store
at Alma, this county, and in 1894 he en-
tered business in a general store in Alma
which he successfully conducted for a peri-
od of eight years, when he sold out aud
went back to farming, which he followed
for a while, then he moved to Newton, Il-
linois, and bought a furniture factory and a
restaurant, ice cream parlor and bakery, all
of which he conducted with great success-
until in May, 1907, when he came to Kell
and bought the hotel here, which he
has since conducted in such an able manner
that it has become known to the traveling
public as a comfortable and well conducted
hostelry, where no pains are spared to make
guests feel at home and comfortable. He
has built up a good business which is con-
stantly growing. He also finds time to do
considerable business in insurance and real
estate.
Mr. French was united in marriage in
December, 1886, to Etta Sweet, who was
born in Alma township, the daughter of
Samuel and Sarah (Carnes) Sweet, a well
known family of their community.
The subject and his wife are the parents
of the following children: Edward is
single and living at home and is engaged in
the restaurant and bakery business. He has
a modern and fully equipped bakery and
does an extensive business, shipping bread
to many outside towns ; Cora, the second
child, is living at home; Bessie is the wife
of Wesley Howard; Gladys, who is living
at home attending school; Clara is living
at home; Clifford is a baby at this writing,
(1908.)
Mr. French is a Democrat. He has ably
served as Justice of the Peace for eight
years in Alma township and he was School
Treasurer for four terms of two years each.
In 1892 he made the race for the nomina-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
2I 9
tion on the Democratic ticket for County
Clerk, but was defeated, however, the re-
sults showed that our subject was a popu-
lar man in the convention. Mr. French
helped incorporate the village of Alma. He
was also a member of the first board that
organized the Building and Loan Associa-
tion at Alma, Illinois. Our subject is a
member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, being a charter member at Alma. His
son, Edward, is also a member of the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America at Kell. Mr.
French is known to be a man of strictly
honest business principles, industrious,
pleasant and agreeable, making both friends
and visitors feel at home.
HON. WILLIAM BOWER.
It is both gratifying and profitable to en-
ter record concerning such a man as he
whose name appears at the head of this life
record, and in the following outline suffi-
cient will be said to indicate the forceful in-
dividuality, initiative power and sterling
character, which have had such a decided in-
fluence in making their possessor a leader in
enterprises requiring the highest order of
business talent, and to gain for him wide
publicity among those who shape and direct
policies of more than ordinary consequence.
William Bower, the well known druggist
of Olney, Illinois, was born May 21, 1842,
the second child of Philip P. and Mary
(Dundore) Bower, the former a native of
Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania.
The father was bom in Hesse-Darmstadt in
1804, and when twenty years old emigrated
to the United States and lived in Pennsyl-
vania, first settling in Philadelphia in 1840.
His first wife died in the old Keystone state
and he married the subject's mother, a na-
tive of Lancaster, and the daughter of Philip
Dundore, of German descent. Philip Bower
moved to Jeromeville, Ohio, and in the
spring of 1840 came to Olney, Illinois. He
worked at the cabinet maker's trade for sev-
eral years, and also engaged in merchandis-
ing and farming. His death occurred in the
fall of 1873, at the age of sixty-nine years.
William Bower, our subject, is a member
of a family of six children, born to Philip P.
Bower by his second wife, being the second
white male child born in what is now the
city of Olney. The mother of the subject
was called to her rest in 1856. Our subject
attended school at the old log school-house
of Olney, having finished his education at
the Olney Seminary, where he applied him-
self in such a careful manner that he re-
ceived a good education. He began to make
his own way in the world soon after his
mother's death, leaving his parental fireside
at that time. Beginning life as a teacher,
he taught a six months' term at Macksburg
and afterward two terms in Olney, making
a success in this line, but not feeling that
this should be his life work, he began learn-
ing the trade of marble cutter and later en-
gaged to learn the trade of watch maker,
having worked a few months at each, but he
never finished either. He then engaged with
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
K. D. Horrall, then as now, a hardware
merchant in Olney. He was to receive three
dollars per month for the first year, four
dollars per month during the second year,
and an increase of one dollar each month
for the third year, also board and lodging.
After remaining at this for a period of two
years, Mr. Bower could not restrain the pa-
triotic fervor he felt when the War of the
Rebellion began, consequently he enlisted in
the spring of 1861 in Company D, Eighth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel
Oglesby, afterward Governor of Illinois.
After serving his enlistment of three
months, proving to be a very capable sol-
dier, he returned home and taught school,
working at night at the tinner's trade. In
the spring of 1863 he engaged to Charles
Schultz as sutler clerk. While thus em-
ployed he was captured by General Whee-
ler's forces, shortly after the battle of Chat-
tanooga, but after being held prisoner for a
few days, was paroled and sent north.
In October. 1863, Mr. Bower bought a
stock of tinware and stoves and carried on
a business in Olney until the following De-
cember, when he sold out and bought a half
interest in the drug store of Dr. E. W.
Ridgway. Fifteen months later he pur-
chased his partner's interest and has since
conducted the business alone, now being the
oldest druggist in point of years of continu-
ous trade in Richland county. He was suc-
cessful in this line from the first and his
business has gradually increased until he has
quite an extensive trade throughout this lo-
cality. Mr. Bower is the second oldest busi-
ness man in years of uninterrupted dealing
in Olney. He has been actively identified
with the Illinois Pharmaceutical Association
for many years, having served as its first
vice president and chairman of the commit-
tee on legislation during the period when the
Illinois pharmaceutical law was first en-
acted. On November 29, 1864, Mr. Bower
was married to Sarah E. Ridgway, a repre-
sentative of a well known family. Her father
having been the late Dr. E. W. Ridgway.
She was born in Mansfield, Ohio. Four
children have been born to the subject and
wife, as follows : Catella, now the wife of
M. E. Sebree, now superintendent of the
Indiana Southern Railroad Company ; Ernst
Zeledon, who is in the store with his father,
also owner and manager of the "Bower
Knoll Stock Farm", the home of "John G.
Carlyle" and other high bred horses ; Emma
died at the age of four years and Nina when
two years old. The children of Mr. Bower
have received good educations and are cul-
tured and popular.
Mr. and Mrs. Bower are members of the
New, or Swedenborgian church. In politics
our subject is a Democrat. He served as
Alderman from the second ward in Olney
in the early seventies, and was elected by a
large majority from the forty- fourth dis-
trict as representative to the Thirty-first Il-
linois General Assembly, where he served as
a member of the Committee on Education,
Printing and Militia. He was the author
of some important measures and proved a
most industrious and useful member, show-
ing that he was thoroughly alive to the in-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
terests of his constituents and he succeeded
in making his influence felt in that body,
gaining the admiration of all concerned for
his clear and logical counsel. Mr. Bower
was elected Mayor of the city of Olney in
the spring of 1901, serving one term during
which the city's interests were carefully con-
served and many new policies inaugurated
that will be of lasting benefit to the commu-
ity. During the two years in which he served
as Mayor, among the more important things
accomplished for the public good was the
building of the reservoir, costing over six
thousand dollars, the city building remod-
eled, the Bower Park established and over
four thousand dollars expended for water
pipes, and there was an unusual activity in
all departments of the city, while the debts
of the city were not increased, but on the
contrary, were somewhat reduced. During
Mr. Bower's term an epidemic of smallpox
was wiped out at a cost of over fifteen hun-
dred dollars.
Socially Mr. Bower is a Royal Arch Ma-
son, also belongs to the Richland Lodge
No. 1 80, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, and he is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Mr. Bower has one of the most extensive
drug stores in this part of the state, carrying
a very carefully selected stock ranging from
twelve thousand to fifteen thousand dollars,
consisting of all kinds of drugs, physicians'
supplies, books, paints, wall paper. He oc-
cupies his own building, a substantial two-
story stone structure, twety-five by one hun-
dred and sixty-five feet, running from Main
to Market streets, and lie also has a very
pleasant home.
In all the relations of life our subject has
proven true to the trusts imposed upon him,
and because of his past honorable record,
his public-spirit, his genial disposition and
his honesty of purpose, he is held in high es-
teem bv all who know him.
SAMUEL W. JONES.
The honored subject of this sketch is a
representative of one of the sterling pioneer
families of Marion county and is personally
identified with the industrial interests of
this section of the state where he has spent
his life, being the owner of a fine farming
property in Kinmundy township.
Samuel W. Jones was born in Marion
county, Illinois, September 15, 1858, and
he has preferred to spend his entire life
within the borders of the same, where he
believed he would have better advantages
among the people where the Jones family
had long been noted for their industry and
honesty, than he would have in other coun-
ties of this or any other state of our great
Union. He is the son of Jackson C. and
Margaret (Whiteside) Jones. A history of
the subject's father and mother and their
ancestry will be found under the head of
James R. Jones, whose sketch appears in
another part of this volume.
Our subject received his early education
in the district schools where he applied him-
lilOGU.U'HICAL AX1) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
self in a diligent manner to his books and
received a fairly good education, having fed
a large herd of his father's cattle in the
meantime. He left school at the age of
nineteen and began farming, which enter-
prise he has since been identified with and
which he has made a great success, being
recognized today as one of the leading ag-
riculturists of his community. He has pros-
pered until he has become the owner of a
valuable farm consisting of one hundred
and thirty-five acres. His land is under a
high state of cultivation and the soil has
been kept in a very good condition through
proper management until excellent crops
are reaped from it year by year, the sub-
ject being thus enabled to make a comfort-
able living and also lay by something for
the future. He has a good income also
from his stock, being especially interested in
the raising of Poland China hogs and
Shropshire sheep, both being noted for their
excellent quality, for Mr. Jones certainly
understands the successful handling of
stock. He has a nice, modern and com-
fortable dwelling and a large number of
good outbuildings, in fact everything about
his place shows excellent management and
prosperity.
Our subject was united in marriage Sep-
tember 20, 1877, to Hannah Atkins, who
was born in Foster township, Marion coun-
ty, December 24, 1861, the daughter, of
Nathan Atkins, who was born August 28,
1817, in Alabama. He came to Illinois
when a young man and took up govern-
ment land, cleared a farm which he contin-
ued to work the rest of his life and on which
he reared a family of twelve children, eight
boys and four girls, five of whom are still
living. Their names are James, Moses, John,
Thomas, Barbara, Margaret, George, all
deceased: Joseph, Richard, Hannah, Eliza-
beth and Catherine, all living. Nathan At-
kins has long since passed to his rest. He
married Mary Garrett, the daughter of
Moses and Hannah Garrett, pioneers of this
county.
Our subject and wife are the parents of
three living children and one child that is
dead. Their names are, Charles W., Wil-
liam O., deceased; Bessie C, and Mary J.
Charles W. J'ones married Susie Pearson,
and they have one son, named Carroll G.
William Pearson, the father of Charles W.
Jones's wife, was born in Marion county.
Her. mother's name was Emiline Anglin,
who was also born in this county. William
Pearson was the father of six children, two
boys and four girls. Mrs. Hannah Jones
was educated in the country schools of this
county where she diligently applied herself
until she was sixteen years of age when she
was married to our subject who was nine-
teen. She is a good housewife and mother,
of a cheerful disposition and is beloved by
all who know her for her many beautiful
traits of character.
Our subject, while not a member of any
church, is a believer of the principles of
Christianity and good government. He is
a stanch Democrat and his support can al-
ways be depended upon when any measure
looking to the public good are at issue.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
223
JAMES W. ARNOLD.
The subject of this sketch is a citizen of
Foster township, Marion county, and he is
so loyal to what he considers his duty that
no personal consideration will deter him
from its accomplishment. It is such worthy
citizens as Mr. Arnold who have made this
county the productive and prosperous region
that it is today.
James W. Arnold was born in section 9,
Foster township, February 14, 1847, the son
of John Wesley Arnold, who was born in
Alabama, he the son of John Arnold, of
Georgia. He married Elizabeth Webb and
they came to Illinois, settling near Charles-
ton in 1825, where they remained for one
year, when they went back to Alabama.
Twelve years later they located near Leba-
non, Illinois, where they remained until
1844, when they moved to Foster township,
Marion county, buying land there. Later
they went to Ellis county, Texas, where Mr.
Arnold died in 1887, at the age of eighty-
seven years. His wife died in Foster town-
ship, this county. Mr. Arnold was a farmer
and also owned a mill. The following chil-
dren were born to them : William ; Nancy,
of Cairo, Illinois ; John W., Joseph ; Adeline,
who is living in Missouri ; Margaret, Esther,
Ivey, living in Oklahoma; James A., Felix,
Nathan of Texas; Fletcher was killed at
Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil war.
John Wesley Arnold married Nancy
Jones, of Foster township, Marion county,
the daughter of James and Laura Jones.
He settled in section 9, Foster township,
where he secured- wild land and made a
home. He was always a farmer and stock
raiser and owned five hundred acres of good
land. He was active in politics, being a Re-
publican, and was at one time Supervisor of
Foster township. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He was born
in 1820 and his death occurred in 1889. His
wife was born in 1827 and died in February,
1905. Seven children were born to them
as follows: James W., our subject; Mary
E., who married Alexander Mussey, living
near Vernon, Illinois; John I. is living re-
tired in Foster township; Elizabeth married
John Doolen, living at Kinmundy, this
county; Joseph T. lives at Kinmundy; Eli
M. is in the oil business at Shawnee, Okla-
homa; Rosie E. married Isom W. Doolen,
living at Vernon, this county.
James W. Arnold, our subject, attended
the home schools. He remained a member
of the family circle until his marriage, No-
vember 1 8, 1869, to Permelia J. Robb, who
was born in Kinmundy township, the
daughter of Samuel and Agnes Pruitt, who
were pioneers of this county and who died
here. The following children have been
born to the subject and wife : Cyrus Elmer,
a farmer in Foster township, who married
Ann Green and who has one child, Gladys;
Samuel W., living in section 3, Foster
township, was married first to Jennie Green,
and his second wife was Isabelle Nichols.
He had two children by his first wife, Doris
and Dale, and two children by his second
wife, Thelma and an infant born in 1908.
Lola Etta is the name of the subject's third
22 4
BIOGRAPHICAL AXI1 RKM I XISCKXT HISTORY OF
child, who is the wife of Cyrus Green, of
Foster township, and the mother of four
children, Glen, Lovell, Anna and Russell;
Orin M., graduate of the Business College
of Dixon, Illinois, married Laura Garrett,
of Foster township, is farming and they
have two children, Florence and Harold D.
The subject's children were educated in the
home schools, receiving careful mental train-
ing, and they all give much promise of suc-
cessful futures.
After Mr. Arnold's marriage he lived on
the old home place for two years when he
bought the place where he now lives, con-
sisting of one hundred and eighty-three
acres. He at one time owned considerably
more but gave it to his children. Besides
his farming Mr. Arnold successfully oper-
ated a saw mill for a while. He also
managed a store at Lester, Illinois, for two
years and was also successful in this venture.
He was postmaster of that town, giving en-
tire satisfaction to all concerned. He made
all the improvements of his farm which now
ranks among the best in Marion county.
He has a most excellent and valuable apple
and peach orchard, consisting of forty acres,
also of small fruits. He carries on general
farming and stock raising. He is active in
politics, being a Republican, and he has
filled all the township offices. He is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. In
his fraternal relations he is a Mason, the
Blue Lodge, No. 398, at Kinmundy, Illi-
nois. Mr. Arnold is well known through-
out Marion county for his industry and his
honesty in dealing with his fellow men.
THOMAS A. PATTON.
For various reasons the subject of this
sketch is deemed eligible for specific men-
tion in this volume, not the least of which
is the fact that he was one of the brave
"boys in blue" who offered his services in
defense of his country during the dark days
of the sixties. His life has been one of hon-
est endeavor and filled with good deeds
throughout, and now in its golden evening
he is enjoying a respite in his serene home
in Centralia township, Marion county.
Thomas A. Patton was born in Mt. Ver-
non township, Jefferson county, Illinois, De-
cember 8, 1837, the son of Austin and Ange-
line (Thorne) Patton, the former a well
known physician, both natives of Virginia,
of which state William Patton, the subject's
grandfather, was also a native. Austin
Patton grew up in Virginia, receiving only
a limited education, but he was ambitious
and became self-educated, reading medicine
with Dr. Frost, of Jefferson county, Illinois,
beginning practice at Walnut Hill, where he
located about 1830. He secured a farm of
three hundred acres, but devoted most of
his time to his practice, which was always
large. He became widely known, and is re-
membered as a very jolly man, resulting in
his winning hosts of friends. Although a
good Democrat, he never held office. His
death occurred in 1896. His first wife died
December 24, 1837, and he was married a
second time to Ann Bateman, a native of
Jefferson county, Illinois. She is now liv-
ing at Walnut Hill. Austin Patton and
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
225
wife were the parents of three children,
namely : William, deceased ; Mary, also de-
ceased; Thomas A., our subject. Nine
children were born to Austin Patton and
his second wife, as follows : James L., de-
ceased, was a farmer at Walnut Hill; Li-
vona J., deceased; Lewis J. is a farmer, liv-
ing at Newton county, Kansas; Joseph T.
is a farmer in Harvey county, Kansas;
Iduma A., deceased : George B. is a farmer,
living in Jefferson county, Illinois; Carula,
who first married Bell Talbott and then
Frank Gore, of Walnut Hill; Ila C, who
married Willa Copple, of Centralia town-
ship ; Omer P. is farming on part of the old
homestead in Centralia township. He mar-
ried Helen Telford.
Our subject had only a limited chance
to attend school, having studied in a sub-
scription school for a time. Living at home
until he was twenty-three years old, he then
started in business for himself in Centralia
township, section 36, and farmed there with
great success for seven years, when he
bought a farm in Raccoon township, con-
sisting of forty acres of new and unim-
proved land on which he remained for four
years, then selling it and renting near Wal-
nut Hill in Jefferson county. In 1881 he
bought one hundred and fifty acres in Rome
township, Jefferson county, which he
worked with most gratifying results until
he retired in 1902, when he sold out and
moved to Walnut Hill, having since lived
retired.
Mr. Patton was first united in mar-
riage in 1861, to Alena Smith, of Walnut
Hill, and she passed to her rest May 19,
1901. He married again, his second wife
being Augusta Maltimore, whom he married
October 5, 1905. She was the widow of
Christopher H. Maltimore, of Ohio, and
she was the daughter of Benjamin F.Nelms,
who married Nancy Bailey, the former was
of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky.
Benjamin Nelms was the son of Jerry
Nelms, a native of Virginia. His father
was also a Virginian. The first of the fam-
ily to come to Illinois was Jerry's wife,
Mary A. He died in St. Genevieve, Mis-
souri, and his wife, in 1854, came to Marion
county, Illinois, and located on a farm near
Walnut Hill, where she died, in 1897. He
now lives at Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Pat-
ton had one daughter, Mary L., by her first
marriage.
Five children were born to the subject
by his first wife, namely: William L., who
is living in Centralia township on a farm,
and who married Cordelia Snow; Zina D.
married Alta Kell, and is living on a farm
in Jefferson county, Illinois; May married
Oscar Breeze, of Jefferson county; Mary
married Edward Watts, of Centralia, Illi-
nois ; Frank L. is a stationary engineer in
the mines, now located in North Dakota.
Our subject has always been a farmer,
and being interested in public affairs, he has
been entrusted with various local offices.
He was Highway Commissioner at one time
and School Director for twenty years. He
has always voted the Republican ticket, hav-
ing cast his first ballot for Abraham Lin-
coln in 1860. Fraternally he is a member
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
having 1 been identified with lodge NQ. 710,
at Walnut Hill for the past thirty-five years.
Our subject enlisted August 12, 1862, in
Company H. Eightieth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, at Centralia, under Colonel Allen.
He was sent to Louisville, and later to Per-
ryville, Kentucky, being in the battle there,
October 8, 1862. He was in the battle of
Stone River, also at Knoxville, and at Chat-
tanooga in the spring of 1863. He was
picked out of a division of men to go on an
expedition into Georgia. At Rome the
whole number of men on this expedition,
consisting of fifteen thousand, were cap-
tured and sent to Belle Isle Prison, where
they were held for fifteen days and paroled.
They went to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they
remained for ten days, when they were sent
to St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained
fifteen days. On July 4, 1863, they reor-
ganized and went to Nashville, Tennessee.
They opened up the valley leading to Look-
out Mountain, and after remaining there
for about forty days, they went to Mission-
ary Ridge and engaged in the battle there,
also at Lookout Mountain, after which they
went into winter quarters in Chattanooga.
The subject contracted rheumatism and
could not go on the Atlanta campaign, con-
sequently he was transferred to the veteran
reserve and was detailed to the hospital
steamer for Washington City, District of
Columbia, and was sent to City Point, Vir-
ginia, to look after the sick and wounded of
Grant's army. Part of the time the sub-
ject was located in Washington City, New
York, Annapolis, Fortress Monroe, Vir-
ginia, having served in this capacity until
the close of the war, and was discharged
June 15, 1865, at Washington City. He re-
ceived two scalp wounds and was shot
through the hat once. These wounds have
troubled him a great deal since the war.
Mr. Patton is a good scholar, is well
posted on current topics and is a fine con-
versationalist. He is held in high esteem
by the people of Marion county for his life
of industry, his honesty and friendly man-
ners.
SOLOMON T. FINCH.
One of the men who has stamped the im-
press of his strong individuality upon the
minds of the people of Clay county in a man-
ner as to render him one of the conspicu-
ous characters of this locality, is the sub-
ject of this sketch, one of the prominent at-
torneys of the southern part of the common-
wealth of Illinois. Faithfulness to duty and
a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which
always do more to advance a man's inter-
ests than wealth or advantageous circum-
stances, have been dominating factors in his
life, which has been replete with honor and
success worthily attained.
Solomon T. Finch was born in Flora,
Clay county. February 23. 1857, the son
of Solomon T. Finch, who was born in
Indiana, and who came to Illinois in
1849, settling in Clay county. He was
the first merchant in Flora, and was influ-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
227
ential in the affairs of the pioneer days of
this community. He was in business here
until his death in 1857. The subject's pa-
ternal grandfather was also named Solo-
mon. He was a native of New York,
having removed from the Empire state to
Southern Indiana, and was superintendent
of the log cabin display in General Har-
rison's campaign in 1832. He came to Il-
linois with his father in 1849. His death
occurred in 1851. The subject's mother
was Bathsheba Long, who was a native of
Virginia. She passed to her rest in 1872.
She was a representative of a fine old
southern family. Three children were born
to the subject's parents, namely: Rebecca
was born in 1852, and died when fifteen
years old; Mary is the wife of J. M. Cun-
ningham, of Flora, she having been the first
child born in Flora, the date of her birth
being 1854; Solomon T., the subject of
this sketch, is the youngest child. The
father of the subject moved to Flora in
1853, ar >d engaged in the dry goods busi-
ness.
Mr. Finch received his preliminary
schooling in the common schools of Flora.
He attended Loxa College in Coles county,
this state. Desiring a higher education, he
entered the University of Michigan in 1876,
from which he graduated in 1879, from the
law department, having made a brilliant
record in the same. He was admitted to
the bar in 1880, and has been engaged in
practice ever since. He removed to Spring-
field in 1900, where he practiced for five
vears with his usual success, but he moved
back to Flora in 1905, much to the satisfac-
tion of his many clients and friends in Clay
county.
Mr. Finch was united in marriage May
28, 1884, to Lillie E. Pearce, daughter of
Frederick Pearce, who was born in Eng-
land, having emigrated to the United States
in 1858, when he was twenty years old.
Lillie E. Pearce was born in Flora within
one block of where Mr. Finch was born.
Two sons have been born to the subject and
wife, Earl D., who is associated with his
father, is a graduate of the Springfield
high school and also a graduate of the law
department of the State University ; Rollae
D. also graduated from the Springfield
high school, and is in 1908 a student in the
medical department of Washington Uni-
versity, St. Louis. They are both bright
young men, who give promise of brilliant
careers.
Mr. Finch was nominated by the Demo-
cratic party for County Judge in 1898, but
was defeated, however, by only one vote,
although the county was largely Repub-
lican. He was also his party's nominee for
State's Attorney in 1908, but went down
in defeat with the rest of the ticket. He
is engaged in the law and abstract busi-
ness and his office is always a busy place.
In his fraternal relations he belongs to
the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Knights
Templar Masons. He organized and was
the first chancellor commander of the
Knights of Pythias in Flora. He also be-
longs to the Woodmen. He is a loyal
Democrat. He belongs to the Presbyterian
BJOr.KAl'HICAL AM) KKM I X 1SCK XT HISTORY OF
church. Mrs. Finch and their youngest son
are members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Finch has seen many changes in
Clay county during his lifetime. Progress
has been made, doing away with the old
landmarks and substituting in their places
all the evidences of advanced civilization,
and in all matters pertaining to the general
good and improvement he has been deeply
interested, nor has he withheld his aid when
it has been solicited for the advancement
of any public measure of worth, but on the
contrary he has often been the instigator of
movements that have resulted in permanent
good to the community honored by his
residence. He is a highly respected citizen,
held in uniform regard by those who have
known him through long years.
JAMES F. PURDUE.
The subject was born in Montgomery
county, Tennessee, March i, 1833, the son
of Jarrut and Rebecca (Farmer) Purdue,
the former a native of Georgia, and the lat-
ter of North Carolina. They went to Ten-
nessee when young and married there, and
removed to Illinois in 1838, settling in what
is now Haines township, where they took
up government land. They made the trip
from Tennessee in ox carts. When they
settled here among the pioneers there was
much wild game. They developed a good
farm and worked hard. They died on the
place, after becoming the parents of eight
children: Margaret, Mary, Richard, Wil-
liam C., John W., Jacob H., James F., our
subject, and Andrew V. Jarrut Purdue
was a Democrat. His wife was a member
of the Baptist church.
Our subject was six years of age when
he came with his parents to Marion county,
Illinois. He was educated in the common
schools of the early days, and he has spent
the balance of his life here, having re-
mained at home until he reached manhood.
He was married the first time in 1855, to-
Louisa Brasel, a native of Tennessee, and
three children were bom to them: Nancy
Jane, who is living in Haines township, is
the wife of Zach Brasel; Joseph H. is a
farmer living in Haines township ; John R. is
also a farmer living in Haines township.
The subject's second mariage was in 1867,
his second wife being Loretta Price, a na-
tive of Ohio, to whom one child has been
born, Louisa, now the wife of Harry Alvis,
of East St. Louis.
The third marriage of the subject was
to Vilinda Murphy, the ceremony having
been performed in 1876. To this last mar-
riage two children were born, Tence and
Harry.
Mr. Purdue is a Democrat in his political
relations. He has devoted his life to farm-
ing and has been very successful. He is
now living retired, having moved to his
neat, comfortable and pleasant home in Kell
in September, 1908. He is well known
throughout the county, being a member of
old and prominent families of this region
in which he himself was one of the earliest
pioneers.
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
22 9
HARVEY F. PIXLEY.
The able and popular president of the First
National Bank of Flora, Illinois, is most con-
sistently accorded recognition in a work of
the province assigned to the one at hand,
since it has to do with the representative citi-
zens of Clay county, of which number he
unquestionably is a worthy member and has
long played well his part in the development
of the interests of this locality.
Harvey F. Pixley was born in Ingraham,
Clay county, November 25, 1869, the son
of Osman Pixley, who was a native of New
York, having settled in Edwards county in
1852. The subject's father was a merchant
and for many years was the president of the
First National Bank of Flora. He was a
prominent man in this community, and was
Representative in the Legislature in 1871 and
1872, representing this district, having been
elected on the Republican ticket. He was
for many years a leading and influential citi-
zen here. He was postmaster of Ingraham
for the long period of forty years. He re-
ceived a request from Postmaster General
Wanamaker for his photo to be used at the
Chicago World's Fair. He was the fourth
oldest postmaster in point of service in the
United States. After an active and useful
life he was called to his rest April 7, 1903.
Asa Pixley, the subject's grandfather, was
a native of Vermont, but he removed to
Western New York and finally settled near
West Salem, Edwards county, Illinois, about
1830, being among the pioneers. He was
born March 26. 1805, and died February 9.
1883. The Pixley family is of Puritan stock.
The mother of the subject was Frances
Wood, a native of near Allendale, Wa-
bash county, this state, where she was born
June 29, 1832. She was a woman of beau-
tiful attributes, and she passed to her rest
May 16, 1907. Nine children were born to
the parents of our subject, Harvey F. being
the seventh in order of birth. Four girls and
one boy are deceased. Dewitt C. is living
in Orange, California, a prominent business
man of that place, is married and has five
children: Arthur H.. who lives in Chicago,
is a member of the Board of Trade and is as-
sociated with Ware & Leland. The subject's
mother was a member of a large family, con-
sisting of nine children. Her father was
Spencer Wood, who was born near New
Haven, Vermont, February 14, 1788, and
died December 5. 1846. Her mother was
Matilda Flower, who was born in Hardins-
burg, Kentucky, March 19, 1791, and died
March 12, 1855, the mother being the last
surviving member of the family. Mr. Pixley's
father's mother was Amanda Ingraham. The
township of Pixley was named after Mr.
Pixley's father, and the town of Ingraham
was named after Mr. Pixley's grandmother,
who was born February 22, 1806, and died
September 26, 1844. Her parents are buried
in Ingraham cemetery. Philo Ingraham, her
father, was born June 28, 1768, and died
April 21, 1842. Her mother was Arvilla
Barney, born September 12. 1782, and died
September 19, 1854. They are supposed to
be the first white people buried in Clay
county.
230
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
. Harvey F. Pixley, our subject, spent his
life up to 1899 in Ingraham. After receiving
a common school education there he attended
Eureka College, in which institution he spent
two years, making an excellent record. Then
he began work in his father's store, having
remained there for twelve years, assisting
to build up an excellent trade. In August,
1899, he came to Flora and began work in
the First National Bank, becoming its cash-
ier January i, 1900, serving four years. He
was then elected vice president of the in-
stitution, serving four years in this capacity,
and was made president of the bank at the
January, 1909, meeting of the board of direc-
tors. He has done much to increase the
prestige of this bank and place it on a solid
foundation so that it is today recognized as
one of the soundest in Southern Illinois.
Mr. Pixley is treasurer of the Breese-
Trenton Mining Company, which operates
three coal mines at Breese, Beckemeyer and
Trenton. He is also treasurer of the Ebner
Ice & Cold Storage Company, operating four
plants, one at Vincennes, Seymour and
Washington, Indiana, and one at Flora, Illi-
nois. He is also a director and large stock-
holder in both the above named companies.
Mr. Pixley also has an interest in the Flora
Canning Company, and is also a stockholder
and one of the organizers of the Flora Tele-
phone Company ; also interested as a stock-
holder in two wholesale houses in St. Louis.
He was one of the executors of the late Gen.
Lewis B. Parsons, of Flora, having left an
estate of one hundred thousand dollars with
a will.
Mr. Pixley was married on October 22,
189., to Gallic Cisel, daughter of John Cisel,
of Allendale, Wabash county, Illinois. She
was born on the adjoining farm to where Mr.
Pixley's mother was reared. To this union
one son has been born, December 10, 1892.
He is a bright lad and is attending the West-
ern Military Academy at Upper Alton, Illi-
nois.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a
member of the Blue Lodge, No. 204, Free
and Accepted Masons, and Royal Arch Chap-
ter No. 154. He is a member of the Order
of Eastern Star, as is also Mrs. Pixley. They
are members of the Christian church, the sub-
ject being a member of the official board. He
was also a member of the building commit-
tee that erected the new church, a splendid
edifice that would be a credit to a much
larger city. Mr. Pixley is one of the trus-
tees of the Carnegie library of which he is
treasurer. He has been trustee of the same
since it was built and he was a member of
the building committee. He was at one time
president of the school board. He is now a
member and one of the directors of the Flora
Mutual Building, Loan and Homestead As-
sociation. In politics he is a Republican.
Something of the subject's ability as a
financier may be gained from the statement
that when he became associated with the First
National Bank there was a surplus of only
twelve thousand dollars; it is now twenty-
five thousand. The undivided profits were
less than one thousand dollars. They are
now over sixteen thousand. The dividends
are now five per cent., payable semi-an-
nually.
Mr. and Mrs. Pixley have one of the finest
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
231
homes in the county, modern, and is presided
over with rare dignity by Mrs. Pixley, who
is a woman of refinement.
Mr. Pixley has always taken a great inter-
est in the advancement and prosperity of
Clay county and endorses every movement
which he believes will prove a benefit to hu-
manity. He is a sociable gentleman and is
held in the highest regard by all who know
him. His achievements represent the result
of honest endeavor along lines where ma-
ture judgment has opened the way. He
possesses a weight of character, a native sa-
gacity, a discriminating judgment and a
fidelity of purpose that command the re-
spect, if not the approval, of all with whom
he is associated. He takes first rank among
the prominent men of this locality and is a
leader in financial, business, educational, so-
cial and civic affairs.
THE BRYAN FAMILY.
(By Mrs. Anna Torrence.)
In giving the genealogy of the Bryan
family, who have long been considered
among the most noted and highly esteemed
of Marion county, Illinois, there are some
characteristics which the reader will at once
note as being particularly strong and
plainly marked throughout the entire line-
age. First, as a family whose veracity is
never questioned ; second, they are noted for
being strictly honest in every detail of social,
political and business life; third, those who
are Christians are very devoted, believing
emphatically in a prayer hearing and prayer
answering God, believing that He guides
man in every right act of life. The pub-
lishers of this work are glad to be able to
give their readers an insight into the life
records of this remarkable family and can
state with all authenticity that the sketches
contained herein are to be relied upon.
William Bryan, the great-grandfather of
Hon. William J. Bryan, was born in Eng-
land and was married there, having come to
America before the Revolutionary war, set-
tling in Culpeper county, Virginia. Five
children were born to them, namely : James,
John, Aquilla, Francis and Elizabeth.
James moved to Barren county, Kentucky.
Aquilla went to Ohio. One of the girls mar-
ried a man named Baldwin. Nothing fur-
ther is known of these families at present.
John Bryan, the second son and grand-
father of Hon. William J. Bryan, was born
in 1790. In 1807 he married Nancy Lillard,
a representative of one of the finest old
southern families of Virginia, and she is re-
membered as a very refined and cultured
woman, endowed with more than ordinary
intelligence. In 1828 they moved to Cobal
county, Virginia, and lived there two years.
From there they moved to Mason county,
Virginia, where they lived and passed to
their rest and where they lie buried. To
them ten children were born. The oldest,
William W., was born in 1808. He mar-
ried Emily Smith and about 1838 moved to
Lincoln county, Missouri, near Troy. They
IJIOCKAIMIIfAI. AXI) REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
were the parents of four children, namely:
William Hamilton, John J., Gallic and Vir-
ginia. William W r . Bryan reached an old
age and died a few years ago, his wife fol-
lowing him to the other shore only a few
months later. William H. Bryan is an
honored and respected citizen of Troy, Mis-
souri, and he has a nice Christian family.
Gallic and Virginia are noble Christian
women. John J. is deceased. John J.
Bryan, Sr., died in early manhood. Howard
died in infancy. Jane, the eldest daughter,
married Joseph Cheney, a wealthy hat man-
ufacturer of Gallipolis, Ohio. She was left
a widow with six small children whom she
reared to be useful women and men. Their
names were : Robert, Mary, Russell, Linna,
Harriet and Emma. She spent the last few
years of her life at various places, wherever
she preferred to stay, spending seven years
with the family of Judge Silas L. Bryan.
The last three years of her life she lived
with Mrs. Mollie Webster, one of her nieces,
whom she comforted in her early widow-
hood. She was the idolized aunt around
whom all the nieces and nephews clustered,
who regarded her as an earthly saint. She
was never heard to utter an unkind word
against any of God's creations. The night
she was called from earth she praised God
aloud with every shortening breath.
Nancy Bryan married George Baltzell
and moved to Walnut Hill, Illinois, where
she died. Two sons were born to them,
Silas L. and Russell B. Both are active
business men, the former living at Ham-
mond, Louisiana, and the latter at Cen-
tralia, Illinois. Nancy is described as a
very handsome woman, refined and cul-
tured. To her early training, motherly care
and prayers, Judge Silas L. Bryan owed
much of his success in life.
Martha Bryan married Homer Smith, of
Gallipolis, Ohio, and moved to Illinois.
She was left a widow with two small girls,
Jane and Mary. She was called from earth
before the girls were grown. Jane made
her home with Russell Bryan and Mary
with Judge Bryan's family. Jane was a suc-
cessful school teacher for several years. The
mother was a very devoted Christian and
always had family prayers and is today a
sainted mother. The youngest daughter,
Mary, now Mrs. Mollie Webster, has been
a widow several years. She manages a
large farm very successfully, and she is a
great temperance and church worker. She
has been county president of the White
Ribbon Army for a number of years and is
also treasurer of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union in the Twenty-first Con-
gressional District of Illinois. It was she
who taught Hon. William J. Bryan his little
infant prayers. She taught and trained him
in his first boyhood speeches. When he was
in Salem once visiting his old home they re-
viewed some of the scenes and incidents of
their interesting childhood days.
Dr. Robert Bryan was killed in a steam-
boat explosion.
Silas L. Bryan, father of Hon. William
J. Bryan, was born in Culpeper Court
House, Virginia, in 1822. He came to Illi-
nois in 1842, where he lived, died and was
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
233
buried. He worked on a farm at nine dollars
a month, saving his money to defray his ex-
penses at McKendree College. During the
winter while at college he would chop wood
on Saturdays to help pay expenses. Many of
his colleagues made fun of him, but in after
years many of them, came to borrow money
of him and to seek his legal advice. He was
a man of sterling qualities, the kind that
always make for success when rightly and
persistently applied. He was a very devout
Christian, always had family prayers, and
he promised the Lord if He would prosper
him to get through college he would pray
three times a day the rest of his life. This
promise he faithfully kept, praying morn-
ing and evening at his home, and at
noon wherever he happened to be. He
would drop on his knees and ask God's
blessings. He was a member of the Marion
county bar for a period of thirty years, a
member of the State Senate for eight years,
and for twelve years was Circuit Judge of
this judicial district. He was a member of
the convention that framed the present state
constitution of Illinois. He was a man of
unusual tact, shrewdness, soundness of
judgment and force of character, and it was
from him that Hon. William J. Bryan in-
herited his gift of oratory and his brilliant
intellect. He imbued the boy with lofty
ideals and taught him by example and pre-
cept how to make a grand and noble man.
Silas L. Bryan married Mariah Elizabeth
Jennings, a woman of many praiseworthy
traits and a devoted Christian wife and
mother. She gave the best part of her life
to the care of her family. She was truly "a
mother in Israel." To this union were born
nine children, namely: John H., Virginia,
William J., Russell, Harry, Frances,
Charles, Nancy and Mary. John and Vir-
ginia died within six weeks of each other
when young. William J. was born March
17, 1860. He was taught at home until ten
years of age, after which he attended the
public schools for five years, during which
time he gave evidence of being a most pre-
cocious child and one to whom the future
augured great things. He afterward at-
tended college at Jacksonville, Illinois,
where he made a brilliant record for both
scholarship and deportment. He then
studied law in Chicago in the office of Ly-
man Trumbull, making rapid progress from
the first. He was admitted to the bar and
successfully practiced for some time, finally
entering the political arena, since which
time his career has been too meteoric to need
reviewing here, since his record is well
known to all, and is given in detail in an-
other part of this volume. Russell Bryan
died in early manhood. Frances has a nice
comfortable home in Shaw, Mississippi, and
is a jolly, whole-souled woman, loved by
everyone. Charles is a very successful busi-
ness man in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nancy is
a quiet, refined and modest girl. She was
at one time William J.'s private secretary.
Mary, the youngest of the family, became a
successful school teacher. She has winning
ways and is a great favorite. Russell
Bryan, the youngest brother of Judge
Bryan, came to Salem in 1841. He was
334
BlOGKAl'HICAL AND KEM IXISCKXT HISTORY OF
familiarly known to all as "Uncle Russ,"
being well known throughout the county.
He was endowed with a wonderful memory.
Often when dates or records of events
seemed obscure he was referred to, and sel-
dom failed to give the correct names, dates
or places desired. He had stock scales in Sa-
lem for thirty years, or since 1878, and his
weights were never questioned. He never
went in debt for anything, and he never had
a law suit, and as a result of his upright
life he was honored and respected by all who
knew him. He married Amanda L. Tully,
who was always a very bright and active
woman, a fine financier and business woman
of unusual ability and acumen. Twelve
children have been born to this union as
follows : Anna E., Alice J., John E., Lewis
O., Andrew R., Mark T., Silas L., Rosa A.
The ninth in order of birth died in infancy.
Minnie M. was next in order ; then Emma
A. and Adis M. Anna chose the teacher's
profession when quite young. She success-
fully taught for twenty-four years, and after
she became a widow and had reached the
meridian of life attended one of the state
normals and graduated therefrom, since
which time she taught in a normal train-
ing school in Chicago and later in Salem.
Alice J. is a very domestic woman, and her's
is one of the coziest homes in Salem. She
is a natural artist and at one time was quite
a cultured singer. John E. is a prosperous
lawyer in Salem. He was a school teacher
for many years, and has served as Master
in Chancery for eight years. He is noted
for his honor and integrity. (A fuller
sketch of John E. Bryan appears elsewhere
in this volume.) Lewis O. is a lawyer at Van
Buren, Arkansas, and is quite wealthy. He
is noted for his true philanthropy and is the
poor man's friend. Andrew R. lives in
Salem and is highly esteemed by all who
know 'him. Mark T. died when six years
old. Silas L. died in infancy. Rosa A.
lives a mile from Van Buren, Arkansas, on
a fine fruit farm. She is a woman of thrift
and has a bright, interesting family. Min-
nie M. is a resident of Indianapolis. Emma
A. resides in Centralia, this county. Adis
M. is in the real estate business at Van
Buren, Arkansas, and has become noted as
a politician.
Elizabeth Bryan, the judge's youngest
sister, married George Baltzell, and they
live at Deer Ridge, St. Louis county, Mis-
souri. She is the mother of the following
children, namely: Anna, Albert, Florence,
Edwin. The last named died while in col-
lege. They are influential and highly re-
spected in their community.
Thus it is no wonder that this family
should become so useful and influential and
should be leaders of society in its various
phases, when we consider how they have
kept the even tenor of their way, how they
were reared in "the fear and admonition of
the Lord," and how they have kept the
faith of their worthy ancestors, maintaining
in all the relations of life that strict in-
tegrity and loyalty of principle to lofty
ideals and honorable records in private,
commercial, professional and public life.
The influence for good to humanity and
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
235
the amelioration of the human race of such
a noble family is too far-reaching and in-
scrutable to be measured or contemplated
with any degree of accuracy. Truly such
characters are as "a shining light which
grows more and more unto the perfect day,"
purifying, refining, strengthening and en-
couraging the wayworn traveler on life's
rugged steeps, teaching the less courageous
that he who would ascend to the heights
of life where the purer atmosphere that in-
spires the souls of men may be breathed,
must be true, loyal, ambitious, energetic,
honorable and of indomitable energy
THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY.
The name of Cunningham has long been
an honored one in Clay county, Illinois,
where for several generations have lived most
worthy representatives of the family, who
were, and are, always to be found associated
with every movement which promised an
addition to the community's wealth and ma-
terial advancement. Especially is this true
of the late John M. Cunningham, for many
years a valued and honored citizen of Flora,
and his son, Charles S., the prominent busi-
ness man and present head of the city govern-
ment. The family is of Scotch origin and
descends from an old and honored one of Vir-
ginia, where was born Benjamin F. Cun-
ningham, who, when a young man, made
his way westward and settled in Clay county,
becoming one of its earliest pioneers. He
first located in the southern part of the county
along Cottonwood creek and there engaged
in the milling industry. His equipment was
crude and his labor arduous, but by sturdy
industry he succeeded. Later he came to
Flora and engaged in the banking business
under the firm name of the Cunningham and
Harter Savings Bank. It was one of the
pioneer institutions of the locality. This
business he conducted with much ability un-
til withn a year of his death which occurred
in 1876. He possessed many rare and excel-
lent traits of character, and abounding in-
dustry and was much honored and es-
teemed. Among his children was John M.
John Minor Cunningham was born near
Flora, March 24, 1844, and was there
reared and grew to manhood. He acquired
such an education as the community afforded
which was broadened in later life by reading,
association, contact and native intelligence.
He was associated with his father for some
time in various enterprises, finally embark-
ing in the jewelry business which he con-
ducted profitably for many years. He was
directly and indirectly connected with vari-
ous other enterprises, ever putting his shoul-
der to the wheel of progress, and was deeply
interested in the growth and advancement
of his native county, and in all that per-
tained to its welfare.
Mr. Cunningham first married on January
i, 1866, Jennie E. Hawkins, whose early
death occurred on September 24, 1874. To
this yqion three children were born, one of
whom died in infancy. Those living are
Charles S., and Clyde L., the latter a resident
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of Julesburg, Colorado. The mother of
these, whose death was sincerely mourned,
was of Scotch ancestry, her mother and
grandmother having emigrated from Scot-
land.
On February 3, 1876, Mr. Cunningham
again married, the lady being Mary Eliza-
beth Finch, a direct descendant of Sir Hene-
age Finch, who was born in Kent, England,
in 1621, and whose eldest son, Heneage, was
first Earl of Nottingham and was Lord
Chancellor of England. Mrs. Cunningham
was born September 25, 1854, and was the
first white child born in Flora. To this
marriage there came children as follows:
Fremont, who died in infancy; Nelle, born
September 29, 1875, and married Jerry J.
Bowman, October 22, 1902, and Max F.,
born April 14, 1883.
Mr. Cunningham was a member of Flora
Lodge No. 204, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, Order of the Eastern Star No. 105,
Royal Arch Chapter No. 154, and of Grand
Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar. He
was much attached to these orders and highly
prized the associations there enjoyed. He
attended the Knights Templar conclaves at
Boston, Louisville and Denver. At his death
the funeral auspices were conducted by Gorin
Commandery No. 14, of Olney. He and his
wife were for many years regular attend-
ants and liberal contributors of the First
Presbyterian church of Flora and of whose
board of trustees he was an honored mem-
ber. At the death of Mr. Cunningham.
which occurred suddenly and unexpectedly
March 13, 1906. fitting and appropriate reso-
lutions were adopted by the various commer-
cial, religious and fraternal units with which
he was connected, and from these we quote
the following: "From among us there has
been taken a loving husband, a kind and in-
dulgent father, a faithful friend, a genial
companion, a successful business man and
honored citizen and one whose place can
not be filled."
At a special meeting of the directors of
the Flora National Bank, of which he was
a director from January, 1893, to his death,
suitable resolutions were drawn and spread
upon the minutes. In part these resolutions
said : "His counsels were always wise and
at all meetings he took a prominent part. We
feel our great loss and will miss the sound
advice which he was ever ready and compe-
tent to give, and his good judgment in all
matters pertaining to the bank." Resolutions
of like character were adopted by the Ma-
sonic and other bodies.
Of Mr. Cunningham on eld friend has
written: "A grand life indeed was that of
John Minor Cunningham, a life set to the
Golden Rule, to kind acts and ways, helpful
at needed times, a friend to his fellowman,
assisting, if it were a loss to him, aiding, if
the sacrifice fell on him, and in an active
business career covering many years he was
ever fair and just in his dealings. He was
associated with Flora from its infant state,
aided in its growth, assisted in the introduc-
tion of its schools, churches and public itu
stitutions. He was foremost in establishing
business in Flora, co-operating with the best
interests of the city 'and its rural districts.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
237
daring and bold in the advocacy of social
order, sober living, good government and
fair and honest transactions of business."
Charles S. Cunningham, son of John M.,
was born in Flora, March 27, 1870, and, like
his father, has lived there all of his life. He
attended the public schools, afterwards en-
tering the jewelry store of his father. He
long ago mastered every detail of the busi-
ness and conducts perhaps the leading estab-
lishment in that line of trade in Southern
Illinois.
Mr. Cunningham married in 1890, Eva L..
daughter of John Jackson, of Allegan, Michi-
gan. To this union two sons have been
born, Rexford J., and Charles J. He has
figured somewhat conspicuously in the politi-
cal affairs of Flora and was first elected City
Treasurer, in which capacity he served two
years; he was then Alderman for two years
and in the spring of 1907 he was elected
Mayor of Flora and has given the city an
economical, efficient and thoroughly moral
administration, taking the same care and
interest in public affairs as he does in those
of purely personal nature. Mr. Cunning-
ham, it may be here stated, has not sought
for or accepted office because of the honor
that might be attached thereto, but has been
actuated solely by a desire to lend the best
efforts that is in him toward the maintenance
of law and order and the growth and ad-
vancement of the city and its commercial,
moral and material worth. He has been es-
pecially vigorous in the enforcement of lo-
cal option laws and is earnestly advocating a
system of water and other municipal advan-
tages. Aside from his official duties and his
personal affairs, Mr. Cunningham is also
prominently connected with various other
enterprises, being a director and vice-presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Flora, a
director of the Breese-Trenton Coal and
Mining Company and of the Friend Tele-
phone company of Flora. He is a Repub-
lican in politics ; fraternally he is a member
of the Flora Lodge No. 204, Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons, of the Knights of
Pythias, and of the Ben-Hur lodge. He is
a member of the Illinois State Historical So-
ciety of Springfield, and both he and Mrs.
Cunningham are members of the Methodist
church of Flora. Mr. Cunningham appears
entirely capable of emulating the example of
his worthy progenitors and is closely follow-
ing in their footsteps. He possesses an un-
blemished character, a strict integrity, an in-
telligent appreciation of his responsibilities
and a faculty of accomplishment. He fully
realizes that these traits of character have
described through the blood of his ancestry
and to whatever heights he may be destined
to ascend, his most valued possession, his
greatest pride shall ever be that priceless her-
itage of his forefathers an honored name.
LEVI MONROE KAGY.
In the collection of material for the bio-
graphical department of this publication
there has been a constant aim to use a wise
discrimination in regard to the selection of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
subjects and to exclude none worthy of rep-
resentation within its pages. Here will be
found mention of worthy citizens of all vo-
cations, and at this juncture we are per-
mitted to offer a resume of the career of one
of the substantial and highly esteemed, in
fact, one of the leaders of the industrial
world of this section of the state, where he
has long maintained his home and where he
has attained a high degree of success in his
chosen field of labor and enterprise.
Levi Monroe Kagy, the popular and well
known president of the Salem State Bank,
of Salem, Marion county, Illinois, was born
near Tiffin, Senaca county, Ohio, December
15, 1855, the son of David Kagy, also a
native of Seneca county, who came to
Marion county, Illinois, in the year 1859.
He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits
which he made successful and at the time
became a man of much influence in his com-
munity and well known as a scrupulously
honest and public-spirited citizen. He was
called from his earthly labors February 8,
1887, after a very active and useful life.
The mother of the subject was known in
her maidenhood as Sarah Milley. She is a
woman of many estimable traits and is the
recipient of the admiration and esteem of a
large coterie of friends and acquaintances
in the vicinity where she is still living in
1908 on the old homestead where she and
her worthy life companion settled nearly a
half century ago. To Mr. and Mrs. David
Kagy were born only two children, Alice A.
a woman of fine attributes, who is making
her home with her mother; and Levi Mon-
roe, our subject. The parents spared
no pains in giving these children every pos-
sible care and advantage and the wholesome
environment of their home life is clearly re-
flected in the lives of the subject and his
sister.
Our subject lived on the parental farm
until he was twenty-five years old and as-
sisted his father with the farm work, giving
him all his earnings up to the time of his
maturity, and it was while thus engaged in
the free outdoor life of the farm that he
acquired many qualities of mind and body
that have assisted very materially in his sub-
sequent success in life. He attended the
neighborhood schools where he applied him-
self in a most assiduous manner, outstrip-
ping many of his classmates, and therefore
gained a broad and deep mental foundation
which has since been greatly developed by
systematic home study and contact with the
world. After receiving what education he
could in the home schools Mr. Kagy taught
several terms of school in a most praise-
worthy manner, teaching in the winter
months and farming in the summer, having
possesed not only a clear and well defined
text-book training, but also the tact to deal
with his pupils in a manner to gain the best
results, at the same time winning their good
will and lasting friendship.
After reaching young manhood, Mr.
Kagy decided that his true life work lay
along a different course than that of farm-
ing and school teaching, so he accordingly
began to save his earnings in order to de-
fray the expense of a course in Union Col-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
239
lege of Law at Chicago, now the North-
western University, and he graduated from
that institution with high honors on June
14, 1883, after having made a brilliant rec-
ord in the same for scholarship and de-
portment.
He at once began practice at Salem,
where his success was instantaneous, and
with the exception of one year spent on the
farm after his father's death, he has been
in Salem ever since where he is now recog-
nized as one of the most potent factors in
her civic, industrial and social life. Mr.
Kagy practices with uniform success in
county, state and federal courts, and his ser-
vices are in constant demand in cases re-
quiring superior ingenuity and apt ability.
His untiring energy, indefatigable research
and persistency have made him successful
where less courageous characters would
have quailed and been submerged.
Something of the subject's peculiar and
unquestioned executive ability is shown
from the fact that he was one of the princi-
pal organizers in 1903 of the Salem State
Bank, one of the most substantial, popular
and sound institutions of its kind in south-
ern and central Illinois. Mr. Kagy is presi-
dent of the same, the duties of which he
performs in a manner to gain the unqualified
confidence of the public, and the citizens of
Salem and Marion county do not hesitate to
place their funds at his disposal, knowing
that they could not be trusted to safer and
more conservative hands. He is also stock-
holder in the First National Bank of Kin-
mundy, Illinois. He also helped organize
the Haymond State Bank of Kinmundy, and
afterwards was instrumental in merging this
institution with the First National Bank of
that city. Mr. Kagy was appointed Master
in Chancery of Marion county in 1889, and
afterwards twice re-appointed. He has
served as president of the Salem School
Board and declined re-election. In all these
public capacities he displayed unusual
adroitness in handling the affairs entrusted
to him.
Mr. Kagy's happy and harmonious do-
mestic life dates from May 18, 1887, when
he was united in marriage to Alice Larimer,
the youngest daughter of the late Smith
Larimer, an ex-Treasurer of Marion county,
an influential and highly respected citizen.
Mrs. Kagy is a cultured and highly accom-
plished woman of many estimable attributes
and possessing a gracious and pleasing per-
sonality which makes her popular among a
wide circle of friends and acquaintances,
and she presides over the modern, cozy,
elegantly furnished and beautifully appoint-
ed home of the subject and family with
modest grace and dignity. Into this model
home two bright and interesting children
add sunshine and cheerfulness. They are:
John Larimer, who was born February 22,
1888, now a student, in 1908, in the Uni-
versity of Illinois, where he is making a
splendid record; and Leigh Monroe, who
was born March 15, 1901 ; a girl died in in-
fancy.
In 1898, during the Spanish- American
war, Mr. Kagy was active in organizing a
company, and was elected captain of the
240
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
same ; after much drilling it was ready to go
to the front. Later Mr. Kagy was appointed
by Gov. John B. Tanner, major of Pitten-
ger's Provisional Regiment. Although it
was fully ready to go to the front it was not
called upon to do so.
Levi M. Kagy was one of the twenty-two
men who subscribed twenty-two thousand
dollars in order to induce the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois Railroad shops to locate in
Salem. The public-spirited and energetic
disposition of the citizens of this progressive
city can be ascertained by the statement that
this sum was raised in one night. Mr. Kagy
was in San Francisco at the time, but his
friends volunteered to vouch for him for
eleven hundred dollars, and he promptly
paid the full amount upon his return home.
Mr. Kagy always practiced law alone until
January, 1907, when he took E. B. Van-
dervort, of Portsmouth, Ohio, as an as-
sociate. They have a splendid and well
equipped suite of rooms in the Kagy Build-
ing. Mr. Kagy, although interested in many
industrial enterprises, gives his time almost
exclusively to his law practice which is very
large and which requires the major part of
his time.
Fraternally our subject is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. He
has occupied the chairs in the local Odd Fel-
lows lodge, and is one of the trustees of
the I. O. O. F. Old Folks' Home of Illinois,
of Mattoon, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Kagy and their oldest son
are members of the Presbyterian church.
In politics he is a stanch advocate of the
principles and policies of the Democratic
party, with which he has been affiliated from
the time of attaining his majority, and he
has ever lent his aid in furthering his party's
cause, being well fortified in his political
convictions, while he is essentially public-
spirited and progressive. In all the rela-
tions of life he has been found faithful to
every trust confided in him and because of
his genuine worth, splendid physique,
courteous manners and genial disposition
he has won and retains the warm regard
of all with whom he associates.
SAMUEL F. PHILLIPS.
Among the members of the many families
of early settlers who have forged to the
front in the realm of public life and in their
daily avocations in Marion county, Illinois,
few indeed, have reached a higher standing
than the subject of this sketch, whose long
life has ever been associated with the prog-
ress of the county, especially in the township
where he resides.
Samuel F. Phillips was born October 20,
1829, in the vicinity of Clarksville, Mont-
gomery county, Tennessee. His fatherjona-
than Phillips, came of a well known family
in the state where he resided, and his moth-
er's maiden name was Sarah Fowler, who
came of a family equally well connected.
Jonathan Phillips' father was Samuel Phil-
lips, who, together with his wife. Nancy
MRS. XAXCY. PHILLIPS.
S. F. PHILIPS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
241
(Crow) Phillips, born in Virginia, were
among the earliest settlers in Tennessee. The
elder Phillips was a hardy and industrious
farmer and he and his wife lived a long life
on their farm in Davidson county, Tennes-
see, where they reared a family of eight
children; four sons and four daughters.
The sons were David, Thomas, George and
Jonathan, the father of Samuel F.
Jonathan Phillips spent the early part of
his life on his father's farm, and he re-
ceived a limited education in the common
schools in the neighborhood of his home.
When he had reached manhood he married
and in 1831 he and his wife drove in the an-
tiquated vehicles of the period across the
long stretches of country, starting from
Montgomery county, Tennessee, finally
landing and settled in section i, Centralia
township, Marion county, Illinois. At this
time he obtained one hundred and sixty
acres of government land at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre, which farm he
added to at different times until he had six
hundred acres, becoming a farmer of more
than average industry and he succeeded in
improving and changing the appearance of
the property. Though well known and
widely respected in the locality, he never
aspired for public patronage. In politics
he was first a Whig and on the disappear-
ance of the older party became a Democrat.
He was a member of the Presbyterian
brotherhood in religious life and a sturdy
upholder of that belief. As a man and an
active farmer, he was well known and
16
widely esteemed. The date of his birth was
in the year 1799, and his death occurred
on April 2, 1856. His wife was born July
20, 1806, and died July 10, 1893. Her
father, William Fowler, lived in Montgom-
ery county, Tennessee, where he died. He
had married a Miss Fyke and their union
brought forth four children, two sons and
two daughters, namely: Drury, Richard,
Sarah, the mother of the subject of our
sketch, and Mary.
Jonathan Phillips and his wife reared six
children, James George Washington, died
1856, was a farmer, married Margaret
Sugg, and lived at home until his death.
Another was Samuel F., the subject of this
sketch. William, who married Rebecca Al-
len, was a farmer in Centralia township
where he died in 1859. Joseph R. died
April 2, 1862. Nancy married Isaac Phil-
lips and lived at Cobden, Illinois. She, as
well as her husband, is dead. John P., a
farmer in Centralia township, married three
times: first, Vitula Cazy; second, Martha
Norfolk ; and third, Ida Johnson.
As a boy, Samuel F. Phillips had little
chance to go to school. However, he attend-
ed the local subscription schools at infre-
quent intervals. The circumstances of his
youthful schooling did not affect him in after
life, for he was always of an observant and
intelligent turn of mind and in this way as-
similated much useful information. He
was of much assistance to his father in im-
proving the paternal residence, and he re-
mained there in a useful capacity until his
242
inoGKAPHICAL AXIJ REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
thirtieth year. In 1859 in Davidson county,
Tennessee, he married the daughter of
Thomas and Eliza (Chadwell) Phillips, of
the same county and name, his wife's first
name being Nancy Jane. This Phillips fam-
ily had come to Marion county, Illinois, set-
tling there in section 12, Centralia township,
in 1852. The father spent his life on the farm
in his new surroundings where he died;
his wife died in Odin, Illinois. The children
of the marriage were : Nancy Jane, the wife
of Samuel F. Phillips, the subject of this
sketch; Martha E., who married Noah
Wooters, both deceased ; Mary K., who was
the wife of James Stroup, both of whom
are dead ; Minerva T., the wife of Dr. J. J.
Fyke, of Odin; Sarah B., the wife of W.
D. Farthing, attorney-at-law, at Odin;
George died young, at home; William H.,
druggist at luka, Illinois, lives in Centralia
township. He married Frances Summer-
ville; Samuel D., druggist at Odin, married
Jessie Lester; John G. married Laura John-
son, and lives in Oklahoma.
Samuel F. Phillips and his wife lead a
happy domestic life and have had nine chil-
dren. His sons and daughters are mostly
all married and are important factors in the
life of the community. William W. is 1 a
farmer in Centralia township and is married
to Malissa Rial. Sarah E. married John
H. McGuire, engineer on the Illinois Central
Railroad at Centralia ; they have two chil-
dren, Tressa and Erma. Etta, the widow
of G. W. S. Bell, lives near Centralia.
Patra married John F. Guymon, of Cen-
tralia, and they have one daughter, Beulah.
Martha B. is the wife of Charley Whit-
church, of Centralia township, and the moth-
er of three children, Carl, Boyd and Harry.
Allie married W. B. Carr, of Raccoon town-
ship. Alphia married Joseph L. Hill, of
Ewing, Illinois. Samuel T. married Nora
Sutherland, of Centralia township, and has
two children, Hazel, born October 17, 1905,
and Samuel Howard, born March 7, 1907.
Samuel T. is a farmer in Centralia township.
George Robert, another son, who is at home
working with his father, is unmarried.
In the year 1860, Samuel F. Phillips lo-
cated on his present property. Since then
he has striven to enhance the value of the
land. It consists of two hundred and fifty
acres. He principally engages in stock
raising and does a general farming business.
Samuel F. Phillips is a member of the
Missionary Baptist church and is influen-
tial in church advancement matters. In
politics he gives his support to the Demo-
cratic party. The first time he exercised his
right to vote he recorded it for Granville
Pierce.
The subject of this sketch has received
fitting public recognition. His record as Jus-
tice of the Peace is of forty-four years'
standing, and he has been a Notary Public
for fourteen years. He has been associated
with the Board of Trustees of Centralia
township for twenty years. For sixteen
years he has been Township Assessor.
He is also a member of the board
of township high school. He is still
in harness, his seventy-nine years weigh
but lightly upon him, and it is the wish
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
243
of a large circle of friends that he be
long spared to his affectionate family, and
to the people of his township for whom he
has worked so diligently.
CHARLES S. CUNNINGHAM.
The subject of this sketch occupies a
prominent place in the esteem of the people
of Flora and Clay county, and is universal-
ly respected and as a business man fair
dealing is his watchward in all his trans-
actions. He is optimistic, looking on the
bright side of life and never complains at
the rough places in the road, knowing that
life is a battle in which no victories are
won by the slothful, but that the prize is to
the vigilant and the strong of heart.
Charles S. Cunningham, the present pop-
ular Mayor of Flora, Illinois, was born in
this city, March 27, 1870, the son of John
M. Cunningham, who was a native of Clay
county. He was the founder of the jewelry
business now conducted by our subject,
which he carried on successfully until 1896,
when our subject bought the business. In
March of that year John M. Cunningham
was called from his earthly labors. B. F.
Cunningham, grandfather of the subject,
was a native of Virginia, who came to Clay
county when a young man and was one of
the first settlers, having first located in the
southern part of Clay county, called Cotton-
\vood creek, and there engaged in the mill-
ing business. Later he came to Flora and
established the Cunningham & Harter Sav-
ings Bank, which he conducted until about
1875. He died in 1876. The Cunningham
family is of Scotch origin. The mother of
the subject was Jennie Hawkins, whose
people were also of Scotch descent, her
mother and grandmother having emigrated
from that country. Mrs. John M. Cun-
ningham passed to her rest about 1875.
Three children constituted this family, one
of whom died in infancy; the subject's
brother, Clyde L. Cunningham, lives in
Julesburg, Colorado.
Charles S. Cunningham has spent all of
his life in Flora, where he attended the pub-
lic schools and received a good education.
He went to work when eighteen years old
in his father's jewelry store, and has been
identified with the same ever since. He
long ago mastered every detail of the busi-
ness and is one of the leading jewelers of
this part of the state, having a mod-
ern and nicely furnished store, and an ex-
cellent and carefully selected stock.
Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage
in 1890 to Eva L. Jackson, the daughter
of John Jackson, of Allegan, Michigan, and
to this union two sons have been born. Rex-
ford J. and Charles J., whose ages at this
writing are fifteen and twelve, respectively.
They are attending school and making ex-
cellent progress in their studies.
Mr. Cunningham has figured somewhat
conspicuously in the political affairs of
Flora, and was first elected City Treasurer
in which capacity he ably served for two
vears. He was then Alderman for two
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
years, and in the spring of 1907, he was
elected Mayor of Flora, and he has given
the city a very economical administration,
managing its affairs with as much care as
he does his individual business. He has
been vigorous in his fight against illegal
liquor selling, the saloons having been voted
out when he was elected. In many ways
he has benefited the community in a last-
ing and material way. At the present time
plans and specifications are making for a
system of water works, and Mayor Cun-
ningham is very much interested in secur-
ing this for the city.
The subject has won definite success in
the financial world through his close appli-
cation to business and his honorable meth-
ods. He is a director and vice-president in
the First National Bank, also a director in
the Breese-Trenton Coal Mining Company,
the head offices of the company being in
St. Louis. He is also a director in the
Friend Telephone Company, of Flora.
Fraterally he is a member of the Flora
Lodge No. 204, of Masons, also the Ben
Hur and the Knights of Pythias. He is a
member of the Methodist church as is also
Mrs. Cunningham. Mayor Cunningham is
a member of the Illinois State Historical
Society of Springfield, and in politics he is
a Republican, always taking an active in-
terest in his party's affairs. His fearless-
ness in the discharge of his duties and his
appreciation of the responsibilities that de-
volve upon him are such as to make him a
most acceptable incumbent of the Mayor's
office, and his worth is widelv acknowl-
edged, while his record as a business man
has been so honorable that he has gained
the confidence and trust of all with whom
he has been brought in contact.
J. E. BRYAN.
The gentleman whose name heads this
sketch has long enjoyed prestige as a lead-
ing citizen of the community in which he
resides, and as an official against whose
record no word of suspicion was ever uttered
he has been for years an important factor
in the history of Marion county, Illinois.
His prominence in the community is the di-
rect and legitimate result of genuine merit
and ability, and in every relation, whether
in the humble sphere of private citizenship,
or as a trusted public official, his many ex-
cellencies of character and the able and im-
partial manner in which he discharged his
every duty won for him an enviable repu-
tation as an enterprising and representative
self-made man. He was for some time a
prominent figure at the local bar, but desir-
ing the more prosaic routine of the abstrac-
ter, he abandoned the legal profession and
has for many years successfully conducted
an abstract office in Salem, being known
throughout the county in this line of work.
J. E. Bryan was born two and one-half
miles north of Salem, July 4, 1851, the son
of A. R. Bryan, a native of Virginia and a
fine old southern gentleman, who came to
Illinois when a boy. He was a tanner by
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
245
trade and after a busy, successful and hon-
orable career passed to his rest in 1901. He
lived first at Shawneetown, then at Mt.
Vernon, later at Walnut Hill, then at Salem,
where he spent the balance of his life. The
mother of the subject was Amanda Tully,
whose people came from Tennessee and were
among the first settlers in Marion county,
having come here when the prairies were
overrun by red men and wild beasts, but
they were people of sterling qualities and
surmounted every obstacle, winning a com-
fortable home as a result of their habits of
industry and economy. The maternal
grandfather of the subject was the first
Sheriff of Marion county. This family con-
sisted of twelve children, nine of whom are
living in 1908, namely: Mrs. Anna Tor-
rence, who resides on the old homestead,
where the mother of the subject was born,
in Salem; Mrs. Alice J. Kite, who is also
living at the old homestead in Salem; J. E.,
our subject ; Lewis O., living in Van Buren,
Arkansas; Andrew R., of Salem; Mrs. Rosa
Kagy, living in Arkansas; Mrs. Minnie
Fisher, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs.
Emma Shepherd, of Centralia, Illinois; Ad-
is, living at Van Buren, Arkansas. The
mother of the subject, who was a woman
of many praiseworthy traits, passed to her
rest several years ago. Mr. Bryan's father,
A. R. Bryan, was a brother of Silas Bryan,
father of W. J. Bryan.
J. E. Bryan was reared in Salem, and he
preferred to risk his fortunes in his native
community rather than see uncertain success
in other fields, consequently he has spent his
life right here at home. He attended the
common schools at Salem, applying himself
most diligently to his text books and at
the age of twenty began to read law, making
rapid progress from the first, and in 1876
he was admitted to practice, his success be-
ing instantaneous and he soon became
widely known as an able practitioner in all
the local courts; but after twenty years of
arduous work at the bar, during which time
he built up an extensive business and won
the unqualified confidence and esteem of a
large clientele and of his brothers in the
legal profession, he abandoned the law and
opened an abstract office in Salem since
since which time he has devoted his time
and attention to this business with gratify-
ing success as indicated above. In his fra-
ternal relations Mr. Bryan is a member of
the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Bryan was married in 1876 to Jo-
sephine W. Pace, a native of Salem and the
accomplished representative of an old and
highly respected family. No children have
been bom to this union.
Something of the confidence which the
people of Salem repose in our subject will
be gained when we learn that he has been
School Treasurer of Salem township for
over thirty years at the time of this writing,
1908. He has devoted much attention to
the development of the local public school
system with the result that much has been
accomplished toward making the Salem
schools equal to any in the country. Mr.
Bryan was also Master in Chancery for
Marion county for a period of eight years,
2 4 6
B10CKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OE
which responsible position he filled with
great credit to himself and to the entire
satisfaction to all concerned. In business he
has always been successful and is at present
one of the stockholders of the Salem State
Bank, He has ever had the welfare of his
community at heart and has always been
found willing to devote his time to any
movement looking to the development of the
public weal, and as a result of his genuine
worth, his pleasing demeanor, integrity of
principal and honesty of purpose, he is to-
day recognized as one of Marion county's
foremost citizens.
MICHAEL E. RAPP.
Michael E. Rapp was born in Wurtenburg,
Germany, April 3, 1843, the son of Leon-
hart and Margaret (Eberhardt) Rapp, both
natives of Germany, where they were mar-
ried and where they lived on a farm until
1853, when they emigrated to the United
States, having come across the Atlantic in
a sailing vessel, the voyage requiring fifty
days. They did not encounter many storms
on the way, but the slow passage was caused
by the absence of winds. They landed in
New York, where they remained a few days
when they went to Buffalo, touching at Al-
bany, Philadelphia and other points on the
way, having been three days making the
trip. The parents of the subject settled at
Buffalo and remained there until their death,
the father dying about 1891, at the age of
nearly seventy-five years, having been sur-
vived by his widow for about two years, she
dying in 1893, having reached the age of
seventy-five. Both are buried in the city
cemetery there. They were the parents of five
children, only two of whom grew to ma-
turity, three having died in childhood, the
subject being the oldest in order of birth. He
remained with his parents until he was about
twelve years of age, when he came to Ohio
to live with an uncle who was engaged in
the smelting business where he remained for
nearly two years, when he came to Indiana,
and later returned to Buffalo, New York,
where he undertook to learn the brass fin-
ishing business, but he remained at this for
only about two years, when hard times caused
the shop to practically close down. The
subject then went back to Indiana, working
on a farm in Vanderburg county by the
month until the war broke out, when he en-
listed and on August 18, 1862, was mustered
into service at Indianapolis, Company E.
Thirty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
under the command of Captain Eslinger.
The subject was at once sent south and im-
mediately marched to the front, joining the
regiment just after the battle of Shiloh.
From that time on he was in all the engage-'
ments of his regiment, but was never cap-
tured or wounded, however, he had many
"close calls" from both. Some of the prin-
cipal battles in which he fought in a most
gallant manner, according to his comrades,
were: Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chicka-
mauga. Missionary Ridge. The regiment
was later sent to Knoxville to re-enforce
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
247
Burnside, where they remained during the
winter of 1863 and 1864, having suffered
greatly from cold weather and exposure,
and lack of clothing. In the following
summer the subject took part in every en-
gagement from Tunnel Hill to Atlanta,
Georgia, and endured many great hard-
ships and privations. He was mustered
out of service at the close of the war, June
25, 1865, having been honorably discharged.
Mr. Rapp then returned to Indiana and on
November 24, 1868, was united in marriage
with Catherine Frye, in Evansville. She was
born in Posey county, Indiana, December 24,
1848, the daughter of Michael and Charlotte
( Stauff) Frye, both natives of Wurtenburg,
Germany, where they married. They came
to the United States about 1840, landing in
New York, but soon came on to Indiana, set-
tling in Posey county on a farm in the midst
of the wilderness where they experienced
many hardships in clearing the land and de-
veloping a home for themselves and family.
They remained there the rest of their lives,
their home having been in Parker township.
The mother of Mrs. Rapp died in August,
1850, at the age of thirty-two years, the
father having survived several years, later
remarrying. They were the parents of six
children, four of whom grew to maturity,
Mrs. Rapp being the youngest of the number.
Mr. Frye's death occurred February 16.
1 86 1, at the age of fifty-one years. He was
buried in the St. Peter cemetery and his wife
in the Methodist cemetery of the old Brick
church, Parker township. Mrs. Rapp re-
mained at home with her parents until her
father's death when the home was broken up
and she went to work out for herself, which
she continued to do until her marriage with
the subject. Her education was obtained in
the German schools of Posey county, but she
never learned to read or write English, for
she was not permitted to attend school long
in those early days. The same was true with
our subject who attended school for a time
in Germany before he came to the United
States. He also went to school a short time
in Buffalo, New York, learning to read and
write German, but received only a meagre
English education.
When our subject and his wife were mar-
ried they lived in Evansville, where Mr. Rapp
worked as a stationary engineer until he
moved to Illinois in March, 1876, when
they settled in Richland county, in Denver
township, near the Clay county line on a
farm where they lived for about two years,
when they moved to the place where they
now live.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Rapp, nine of whom have grown to
maturity, one having died in childhood. They
are: George M., Edward Frederick, de-
ceased ; Michael, deceased ; John Henry, Car-
oline, Catherine, Daniel W., Margaret, Eve
Charlotte and Mary E. George M., who mar-
ried Celia Ruppert, resides on a farm in Den-
ver township. Catherine is the wife of Wal-
ter Coffee, residing in Stonington, Christian
county, Illinois. The other children are all
single and make their home with their par-
ents on the farm.
Mr. Rapp has served on the County Board
2 4 8
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
as Supervisor in Denver township for two
years, and an unexpired term of Township
Clerk, also served as School Trustee for a
period of nine years. His son held the office
of Township Clerk at the time of his death.
Mr. Rapp has always been a Republican. He
is a member of the Grand Army of the Re-
Public. Mr. and Mrs. Rapp and some of
their children are members of the Methodist
church in Denver township, having long
taken an active part in church work, the sub-
ject having been a steward in the church
for several years, which office he now very
creditably holds.
THE SCHWARTZ BROTHERS.
Eminent business talent is composed of a
combination of high mental and moral at-
tributes ; although these are essential, there
must be sound judgment, breadth of capa-
city and rapidity of thought, justice and
firmness, the foresight to perceive the course
of the drifting tides of business and the
will and ability to control them. The sub-
jects of this review afford a striking exem-
plification of this talent, in a very high order
of development and of such character as to
gain them worthy prestige in business cir-
cles and positions of commanding influence.
The Schwartz brothers, Joseph and
Frank, are not only twins but their lives
and interests have been so closely inter-
woven, their purposes and ideals so nearly
identical and their achievements of such
similar character that the history of one is
practically the history of both.
As the name indicates the Schwartz fam-
ily is of German origin, the subject's father,
Bernard Schwartz, having been a native of
Luxemburg, where his ancestors had lived
for many generations. When a young man
Bernard Schwartz came to the United
States and located at Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, where he worked for some years
at the tailor's trade and where in due time
he married Christina Lacroix, who was also
of German birth. Disposing of his inter-
ests in Massachusetts in 1855 he moved to
Salem, Illinois, where he opened a shop and
conducted a very successful tailoring busi-
ness for a number of years, the meanwhile
by judicious investments and careful man-
agement becoming the possessor of a large
amount of valuable property in various
parts of Marion county, and earning the
reputation of an enterprising and praise-
worthy citizen. From 1868 until his death
in the year 1906 Bernard Schwartz lived a
life of honorable retirement, but kept in
close touch with business matters, amassed
considerable wealth and for a number of
years was classed with the financially solid
and reliable men of Salem. He was a fine
type, of the successful German-American,
possessed to a marked degree of the ster-
ling qualities for which his nationality is
distinguished, did much to promote the ma-
terial interests of his adopted city and his
death was deeply lamented by all who knew
him. Bernard and Christina Schwartz
were earnest and devout Catholics in their
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
249
religious belief and trained their children in
the faith of the Holy Mother church, to the
teaching of which they have been ever true
and loyal. Their oldest child, a daughter,
by the name of Flora, is the wife of Mi-
chael Berens, and lives in Salem ; the twins,
Frank and Joseph being the next in order of
birth; Christine died when four years of
age and Bernard, the youngest of the famv-
ily, a young man of fine business ability and
high social standing, departed this life on
the 1 5th day of January, 1907. Like his
older brothers, Bernard Schwartz pos-
sessed much more than ordinary powers of
mind and had reached an important and in-
fluential position in the business world,
when his brilliant and promising career was
untimely terminated by the stern hand of
death. He was a graduate of the Salem
high school with the honors of his class,
after which he took a pharmaceutical course
in which he became especially proficient and
for a number of years served on the State
Board of Pharmacy, to which position he
was first appointed by Governor Tanner,
and later by Governor Yates and had not
death intervened he doubtless could have
held the place indefinitely as Governor De-
neen signified his intention of reappointing
him a short time prior to his demise.
Joseph and Frank Schwartz, to a brief re-
view of whose career the reader's attention
is here respectfully invited, were born on
August agth, of the year 1859, in Salem,
and spent their childhood and youth in their
native town. As indicated in a preceding
paragraph their lives having been passed
under similar circumstances were in most
respects strikingly similar, nevertheless to a
better understanding of the purposes and
ambitions of each it is deemed proper to
give their early lives separately.
Joseph Schwartz was reared under ex-
cellent home influences and during his
youth received from his parents a thorough
instruction in the basic principles of moral-
ity and correct conduct so that while a mere
lad he became so imbued with these princi-
ples as to make them a rule by which his sub-
sequent life should be governed. At the prop-
er age he entered the public schools of Sa-
lem and in due time completed the pre-
scribed course of study graduating from
the high school with the class of 1877. Ac-
tuated by a laudable desire for a more thor-
ough scholastic training he subsequently
became a student of the State University at
Champaign, where he prosecuted his studies
and researches until 1881 when he was
graduated with an honorable record, im-
mediately after which he engaged in the
drug business with his brother Frank, their
place of business being the store room on
the site originally occupied by the house in
which he was born.
By diligent attention and successful man-
agement the Schwartz brothers soon built
up a large and lucrative patronage and it
was not long until they led the drug busi-
ness in Salem, their establishment being the
largest and most popular of the kind not
only in the city but in the county. From
the beginning the enterprise prospered be-
yond their highest expectations and proved
250
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the source of an ample income which being
judiciously invested in due time placed them
on the high road to fortune.
Frank Schwartz, like his brother, spent
his early life pretty much after the manner
of the majority of town lads but unlike
many was not permitted to eat of the bread
of idleness, during the formative period of
his character when fancy paints with glow-
ing colors the future and holds out to the
unwary those pleasures which have no sub-
stantial foundation and which if identified
invariably terminate in regret and remorse.
Under the guidance of his parents he grew
up to the full stature of well rounded man-
hood with a proper conception of life and
its duties and responsibilities and with the
idea ever paramount that all true success
and advancement must depend upon con-
secutive toil and endeavor. After obtaining
a good practical education in the public
schools of Salem, he entered at the age of
sixteen the drug store of D. K. Green &
Son, where he clerked for a period of four
years, during which time he devoted his at-
tention very carefully to the business with
the object in view of ultimately engaging
in the trade upon his own responsibility. At
the expiration of the time indicated he pur-
chased an interest in the establishment,
which during the following year was con-
ducted under the name of Green &
Schwartz; his brother, Joseph, then bought
Mr. Green's interest and under the firm
name of Schwartz Brothers, the business
grew rapidly in magnitude and importance
and, as already stated, soon became the
leading establishment of the kind in Salem,
and proved to be the source from which no
small part of their subsequent fortune grew.
Meanwhile the Schwartz Brothers turned
their attention to various other lines of
business becoming largely interested in real
estate, agriculture and horticulture, which
with other enterprises of an industrial and
financial nature paved the way to the high
position they now hold in business circles,
and gave them much more than local re-
pute as capable, judicious and eminently
honorable business men. Without follow-
ing in detail the different lines of enterprise
to which the Schwartz brothers have given
attention, suffice it to state that all of their
undertakings have been prosperous and they
are today not only the leading business men
of their own city and county, but occupy a
conspicuous place among the leaders of in-
dustry in the southern part of the state. In
1907 they disposed of their drug house,
since which time they have not been active-
ly identified with any particular enterprise,
devoting their attention to their large prop-
erty interests and other investments, being
heavy stockholders in the Salem State Bank
and owning extensive tracts of real estate
in Marion and other counties, including one
fruit farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
two and a fourth miles southeast of Salem,
another consisting of eight hundred acres
within a reasonable distance of the county
seat, besides being associated with Mr.
Rogers in the fruit evaporating business,
under the firm name of Rogers & Schwartz
Brothers, they do an immense and far-
reaching business. They are also mem-
bers of the real estate firm of Telford &
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
251
Schwartz, which with loans and insurance,
constitutes the most successful business of
the kind in the city. They own the
Schwartz Block, one of the largest and most
valuable properties in Salem, and as mem-
bers of the firm of Rainey & Schwartz, own
Rainey Lake, also a large pear orchard
which adds much to their liberal and con-
stantly growing income. In addition to the
interests enumerated the Schwartz broth-
ers have many other valuable holdings in
both city and country, including the busi-
ness block occupied by the Sweeney &
Company's drug stock, a large lot at the
rear of the State Bank, also quite a num-
ber of private dwellings in various parts of
the town to say nothing of a vast amount of
valuable personal property and bank ac-
counts, comparing favorably in bulk with
those of any other depositor in the county.
Under the name of Schwartz Brothers,
by which the firm has always been known,
Joseph and Frank Schwartz have filled a
prominent place in the business affairs of
Salem and Marion county, and from the be-
ginning their careers present a series of
continued successes which have placed them
among the most progressive men of their
day and generation in southern Illinois and
earned them state wide reputation in busi-
ness and financial circles.
They are politicians of the Democratic
school and alive to all that concerns the
best interest of their party. Religiously they
are loyal to the tenets of the Roman Catho-
lic church in which they were reared and
for which they have the most profound love
and regard contributing liberally to its ma-,
terial support and by their daily lives ex-
emplifying the beauty and value of the
principles and doctrines upon which it is
based.
Joseph Schwartz was married in the year
1886 to Clara Rose, of Salem, daughter of
Gordon Rose, an engineer on the Baltimore
& Ohio road, and a most excellent and
praiseworthy citizen. The pledges of this
union are two bright and interesting daugh-
ters, namely : Helen, born in 1893, and Chris-
tine, whose birth occurred in the year 1905.
The domestic life of Frank Schwartz dates
from the 8th day of July, 1896, at which
time he was united in the holy bonds of
wedlock at Indianapolis, Indiana, with An-
nie Trimpe, of that city, a union terminated
by the death of the wife on Thanksgiving
day, 1903, after bearing her husband two
children, Mattie Christine and Emma Ger-
trude, born in 1897 and 1901, respectively.
On September 19, 1907, Mr. Schwartz
chose a second wife and companion in the
person of Mrs. Fannie Simpson, of Salem,
a lady of many estimable qualities, who
presides over his household with grace and
dignity and who is deeply concerned in all
of his undertakings making his interests her
own and contributing not a little to his suc-
cess. Fraternally Joseph Schwartz is iden-
tified with the ancient and honorable Ma-
sonic brotherhood and also holds member-
ship with the Orders of Woodmen and Ben
Hur, in all of which he is an active and in-
fluential worker, which may also be record-
ed of his brother, Frank.
252
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
HON. HARVEY W. SHRINER.
Mr. Shriner stands admittedly among the
leaders of the legal profession in Southern
Illinois, where he has long been practicing
in all the courts, often handling some of
the most important cases on the various
dockets. Being courteous, genial, well in-
formed, alert and enterprising, he is rec-
ognized as one of the representative men of
Clay county a man who is a power in his
community.
Harvey W. Shriner was born in Vinton
county, Ohio, October 25, 1861, the son of
Silas Shriner, also a native of Ohio. He
was a farmer and came to Clay county, Il-
linois, in October, 1864, remaining here un-
til his death in June, 1906. His grand-
father was Francis Shriner, a native of
Pennsylvania, who afterward removed to
Ohio. He also devoted his life to agricul-
tural pursuits. The subject's mother was
Susan Luse, whose people were from Ohio.
She is living in Flora, and is a woman of
gracious personality. Six children were
born to the subject's parents, five of whom
are living. They are : Ibbie. deceased ;
Mrs. Louisa Frame, of Chicago; Harvey
W., the subject; Albert G.. of Springfield,
Illinois ; Mrs. Ida McGregor, of Flora :
Pearl V., who is living on the old home
farm, five miles northeast of Flora.
Mr. Shriner received his primary educa-
tion in the Flora public schools, and then
attended business college at Carmi, Illinois.
Then he attended the National University
at Lebanon, Ohio, making a splendid rec-
ord for scholarship. He taught school for
six winters in Clay county. He made his
way through school. Believing that the
legal profession was best suited to his tastes,
he began the study of law and was admitted
to the bar in February, 1887. In June fol-
lowing he formed a partnership with D. C.
Hagle, a prominent lawyer. This partner-
ship proved' to be a very strong one and
lasted up to the death of Mr. Hagle in
1897, since which time the subject has been
practicing alone. He was successful from
the first and his practice has steadily in-
creased until he Is now a very busy man. He
has a well equipped law library, which is
kept stocked with the latest legal books and
decisions. He was elected State's Attorney
of Clay county, in 1888, on the Republican
ticket. And he was re-elected in 1872 and
in 1892, having faithfully performed the
duties of this office. He was again elected
in 1896. He has been a member of the
Board of Education for several terms and
also Supervisor of his township. In 1904
Mr. Shriner made the race and was tri-
umphantly elected to the Legislature, serv-
ing one term in a manner that proved the
wisdom of his constituents in selecting him
for their representative. He voted for and
was one of the original advocates of local
option. A conclusive proof of his popular-
ity is the fact that he ran ahead of his ticket
when elected to the Legislature.
In November, 1905, Mr. Shriner was ap-
pointed Deputy Revenue Collector for Di-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
253
vision No. 4, of the Thirteenth District of
Illinois, which he has very creditably held
to the present time.
Mr. Shriner was happily married in Sep-
tember, ; 1885, to Emma Critchlow, of
Louisville, Clay county, the representative
of an influential family of that place. To
this union three sons were born: Austin D.,
Carlton C. and Silas. Mrs. Shriner was
called to her rest in January, 1896. After-
wards the subject was married again, his
last wife being Frances Higginson, of
Flora, and to this union one winsome
daughter, Mabel, has been born.
Mr. Shriner owns a valuable and well
improved farm in Standford township, this
county, five miles northeast of Flora, in
which he takes much interest. He is a good
judge of stock, and some good breeds may
be found on his place. Fraternally he be-
longs to the Masons and the Woodmen.
Mr. Shriner takes an abiding interest in
local affairs and labors for the welfare of
the county, looking beyond the exigencies
of the moment to the possibilities of the fu-
ture, working not alone for what will bene-
fit his fellow citizens today, but also for
what will be of advantage at a later time.
He is a man of distinct and forceful in-
dividuality, as is evidenced by the fact that
he started out in life on his own account,
without money or influential friends to aid
him. He looked at life, however, from a
practical standpoint and placed his de-
pendence upon elements that are sure win-
ners in the race for success persistent pur-
pose, indefatigable industry and unabating-
energy.
WILLIAM H. FARTHING.
The subject has long been recognized as
one of Marion county's foremost business
men, holding high rank among the finan-
ciers of the community in which he lives and
whose interests he has ever had at heart and
which he has ever striven to promote in
whatever laudable manner that presented it-
self. The life of Mr. Farthing has been led
along high planes and has been true to
every trust that has been reposed in him.
William H. Farthing, the well known
banker of Odin, Marion county, Illinois,
was born in Odin, February 2, 1869, and
not being lured away by the wanderlust
that caused so many of his contemporaries
to leave the old hearth stone he has pre-
ferred to live here. He is the son of
George and Susan (Michaels) Farthing,
natives of the state of Mississippi,
Grandfather Farthing was from Kentucky,
having come to Marion county, Illinois, in
the fifties and settled in this vicinity where
he worked a farm, and where he spent the
remainder of his days having died in the
seventies. Both he and his wife were Bap-
tists. They were the parents of five chil-
dren.
The father of our subject was born in
Logan county, Kentucky, and received his
education in the Blue Grass state. He de-
voted his life to farming and railroading,
and was about sixty years old at the time
of his death. He left a widow and six
children. The subject's mother is living at
the age of fifty-three. Our subject was the
second child in order of birth. He received
254
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
his education in the public schools of Odin,
but was obliged to leave school at the age
of twelve years, when he commenced clerk-
ing in a store in which he continued for ten
years, in the meantime developing into an
excellent salesman. Being economical, he
was enabled at the end of that time to pur-
chase one-half interest in the store from his
savings. He continued in this store for an-
other period of ten years, during which time
the trade of the firm rapidly increasd, cus-
tomers coming from all parts of the county,
because of the reputation of the firm for
fairness and courteous treatment had ex-
tended to all localities roundabout. Mr.
Farthing finally sold his interest in the store.
He then handled real estate and other lines
for two years with gratifying success. Then
he purchased the bank at Odin, which had
been started some time previous. Under
Mr. Farthing's management it was soon
placed on an excellent basis and it was pat-
ronized by the local people and by the farm-
ers in that locality, for Mr. Farthing's name
gave the bank a sound prestige, for every-
one knew that their funds would be entirely
safe entrusted to him, owing to his natural
ability as a financier and his reputation for
honesty in all his business dealings. The
bank is still under his management, he be-
ing the sole owner. This bank was first
opened for business in May, 1905.
Our subject was first married on Novem-
ber 15, 1893, to Effie Sugg, a native of
Odin. Four children were born to this
union, one of whom is living, Ira J. F.,
whose date of birth occurred August 17,
1898. The subject's first wife was called to
her rest April 12, 1901, and Mr. Farthing
was again married on September 12, 1906,
to Ida A. Kell, of this county, the daugh-
ter of James and Martha (McWham) Kell,
natives of this county. Joseph McWham
is paymaster at the present time in the
United States Army. The grandfather,
Robert McWham, was a soldier in the Civil
war in the One Hundred and Fifty-Third
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he
served about two years and was honorably
discharged at the close of the war. Our
subject has one child by his last wife, Mar-
tha, who was born September 7, 1907.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Farthing is
a member of the Masonic Blue lodge, the
Chapter, the Knights Templar, also the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and the
Woodmen and Eastern Star. He has
passed all the chairs in the Blue lodge and
the Odd Fellows. He has been a delegate
to the grand lodge of the state of Illinois.
Mrs. Farthing is a member of the Presby-
terian church. Mr. Farthing is a Demo-
crat in his political relations and has al-
ways been interested in his party's welfare,
giving his time and influence to the work of
his party in the county. He was elected
and served in a most creditable manner as
City Clerk, Alderman and was also presi-
dent of the Town Board and is at this writ-
ing Treasurer of the city of Odin. He has
long been noted throughout the county for
his honesty, integrity and fair dealing, and
his interest in all movements tending to pro-
mote the county's welfare in any manner
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
255
possible, and as a result of his sterling worth
his integrity and his pleasing manner, he is
held in high regard by all classes and has
hosts of friends.
JOHN J. FYKE, M. D.
One of the representative members of the
medical fraternity in Marion county is the
subject of this sketch, who is engaged in
practice in Odin, and who holds high rank
in his profession, while his ability and cour-
tesy have won him the confidence and es-
teem of all who know him.
Dr. Fyke is a successful, self-made man.
Peculiar honor attaches to that individual,
who, beginning the great struggle of life
alone and unaided, gradually overcomes un-
favorable environment, gaining at last the
g'oal of success by the force of his own in-
dividuality. Such is the record, briefly
stated, of this popular citizen of Odin, Il-
linois, to a synopsis of whose life and char-
acter the following paragraphs are devoted.
Dr. John J. Fyke was bom in Marion
county in 1842, the son of Joshua A. and
Margaret (Wilson) Fyke, the latter being
the first female white child born in the coun-
ty, a distinction of which anyone might be
justly proud. The date of her birth was in
1822, and in 1908 she is still living, being
in possession of her full faculties. It is in-
teresting to hear her tell of the great
development she has seen here since the
early pioneer days wonderful, indeed, the
most wonderful progress in the history of
the world, having been made during the
lapse of her long life. Her people came to
Illinois from North Carolina, in 1818, and
settled among the earliest pioneers in this
locality. They took up government land,
and developed excellent farms. Her parents
reared their children here and died here at
advanced ages. There were three boys and
three girls in this family. Grandfather
Fyke was reared in North Carolina and
moved to Tennessee, where he spent the
balance of his days.
The father of the subject was born in
1812, an historic year in our national his-
tory. His father was a farmer and lived to
an advanced age, having reared a large fam-
ily. His wife also lived to be very old. The
father of our subject came to this county in
1839. His early educational advantages
were limited, but he was a great reader and
finally became well informed. He was a
Methodist and an exhorter. He made polit-
ical speeches, and was a loyal Democrat.
He was Justice of the Peace for thirty
years. His family consisted of twelve chil-
dren, five boys and one girl having lived to
maturity. Two brothers of the subject liv-
ing in Kansas City, Missouri, are practicing
attorneys.
The early education of the subject of this
sketch was obtained in the common schools
of this county and one year in McKendree
College, Lebanon, Illinois. He then com-
menced reading medicine under the direc-
tion of Doctor Davenport, of Salem, where
he continued for three years, making a
2 5 6
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
splendid record for scholarship. During
this time he attended medical college, part
of the time at Chicago and the balance at
St. Louis, making splendid records at both
places. He commenced practice in 1866,
having located in Odin, where he has con-
tinued practice ever since. He was success-
ful from the start and his patients are now
so numerous that he can hardly find time to
do anything outside of his regular work.
Doctor Fyke was united in marriage in
1867 to Minerva Phillipps, a native of Ten-
nessee, the daughter of Thomas and Eliza
(Chadwell) Phillipps. They were natives of
Tennessee, having moved to Marion county,
Illinois, in 1855. They settled on a farm
here where they spent the remainder of
their lives and where they died, both having
lived to an old age, having reared a family
of eight children.
Three children, all boys, have been born
to our subject and wife, namely: Edgar E.,
who was born in 1868, who is now a prac-
ticing physician, and the father of three
children, all girls. The second and third
children of Dr. Fyke and wife were twins,
Thomas Emmett and Josiah Harley, who
were born in 1872. They are both living
on a farm near Odin.
Our subject in his fraternal relations is a
Mason, having passed all the chairs in the
local lodge. He is a trustee of the Metho-
dist church, of which both he and his wife
are faithful members and liberal supporters.
The doctor is a loyal Democrat. He is a
member and president of the pension board.
Dr. Fyke is one of the well known men in
Marion county, where his long and success-
ful career has been spent, and has a pleas-
ant and well furnished home in Odin.
CHARLES C. SANDERS.
The subject has seen the development of
Marion county from an obscure wild prairie
district to one of the leading counties- of
the state, and he has done his full share in
promoting the industrial and civic affairs of
the county, ranking today among her best
known and most highly honored citizens.
Charles C. Sanders was born in Centralia
township, Marion county, December 21,
1848, the son of Robert and Nancy (Cop-
pie) Sanders, both natives of Indiana. The
father came to this county a single man in
an early day and married here. He was al-
ways a farmer and blacksmith, having
bought a farm in Centralia township which
he sold and went to Missouri, where he re-
mained a short time, then came back to
Centralia township and bought another
farm on which he lived until his death in
1855. His wife died in 1854. They were
the parents of six children, namely: Cath-
erine, deceased; Charles C., our subject;
John, deceased; Samuel, Robert and the
youngest child was a boy. The subject's
parents died when he was small and he went
to live with John Thomas for three years in
Centralia township, also three years with
John McClelland, who was his guardian
until 1865.
When seventeen years old our subject
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
257
went to enlist in the Union army as a sub-
stitute, but his uncle prevented him from en-
listing. He then went to work out at
different places, until he was nineteen years
old. On December 28, 1867, he married
Martha Jane Hudlow, who was born De-
cember ii, 1849, m Jefferson county, Illi-
nois, the daughter of James and Roxanna
(Hildibiddle) Hudlow. James Hudlow
died in 1849. His widow then married
Alexander Garren; her third husband was
John Sprouse, and her fourth husband was
George Birge. She died in 1898. Mrs. San-
ders had one sister who married Thomas
Groves. She lived in Indiana.
After his marriage the subject lived on
his father!s place for a time, then he traded
for his present farm in section 25, Centralia
township, where he has one hundred and
twenty acres. It had only a few improve-
ments on it when he took charge, but being
a hard worker he developed a good home
and a fine farm, about half of the place now
being cleared, on which highly productive
land he raises corn, hay, apples, peaches,
pears and much small fruit, and he also
raises some good horses, hogs and cattle,
and carries on a general farming business
with great success, being a good manager.
He has always been a farmer, but he found
time to operate a threshing machine for
twenty-seven years and did a thriving busi-
ness.
Mr. Sanders is a Democrat and he has
held minor offices, having served on the
school board. He is a member of the Chris-
tian church.
The subject and wife are the parents of
six children, namely: Robert C., a farmer
in Clinton county, this state, married Addie
J. Cameron and they have five children,
namely : Fred, Dwight, Claude, Melinda and
Menzo. Mary Etta, the second child of the
subject, married Elmer Satterfield, of Rac-
coon township, and they have the following
children : Frank, Bert, Clara, James, Sarah
and Ottie. Nancy, the subject's third child,
married Edgar Morrison, lives at Odin, Il-
linois, and has three children, Jessie, Charlie
and Mary. Lillie, who married George
Day, lives at Odin, Illinois, and has one
daughter, Pearl ; Edgar is a farmer in Rac-
coon township, this county, who married
Delle Martin, and they have two children,
Ruby and Floyd; Dicey May is living at
home.
Our subject is a well known man in this
county where he has many friends and bears
an exemplary reputation.
DANIEL C. GENOWAY.
The people of Denver township, Rich-
land county, Illinois, point to Daniel C.
Genoway as one of their most valued citi-
zens, admiring him for his high moral
character, for his life among them for more
than a half century may well be likened
unto an open book. That they place implicit
confidence in him is evidenced by the fact
that they have elected him to several town-
ship offices, the duties of which he dis-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
charged with credit. He made his advent
into the world in the pioneer days, and
spent his boyhood days upon the farm.
Mr. Genoway was born in Clermont
county, Ohio, September 7, 1831, and in
his early "teens" left the farm to become an
apprentice to a carpenter. He also learned
the cooper's trade, but did not work at it
for a great length of time. The father of
the subject was Joseph Genoway. His
mother's maiden name was Rebecca Crum-
baugh, born in Ohio in 1799. The paternal
grandfather of the subject, Joseph. Geno-
way. came from his native France, as one
of General LaFayette's soldiers to aid the
America colonists in the Revolutionary
war. Liking the country, he remained here
becoming a citizen of the young republic,
and finally settling in Connecticut. Mr.
Genoway's maternal grandfather. Jacob
Crumbaugh, emigrated from Germany to
this country, settling in Kentucky, and a
few years later was married to Mary Baker,
of Maryland, whose ancestors were from
Germany.
The subject came to what is now Denver
township, Richland county, in 1855, and
worked industriously at his trade, building
many dwellings and bams. He and Philip
Heltman, well known in this locality, were
engaged in building a barn in Jasper county
during the days of the Civil war, when a
recruiting officer happened to pass, and de-
scending from the roof Mr. Heltman en-
listed on the spot. Mr. Genoway was mar-
ried to Ruth McGuire in January, 1861.
Their children were Charles Vanlanding-
ham, bom October 27, 1862; Peter Elmer,
born February n, 1865. The first named
was educated for the medical profession,
and after some local practice being anxious
to advance, studied medicine in New York
City, Vienna, Austria and Rome. He is
now an eminent physician in Spokane,
Washington. He has a wife and three chil-
dren. Peter Elmer was educated at Olney,
and is now a professional teacher. He
holds a high official position in the Ben Hur
fraternity. He married Miss Eva McLain,
and has two children. Some time after the
birth of these children the wife of the sub-
ject died, and on March 7, 1869, he es-
poused Martha Washburn. His second
wife was born in Denver township, Febru-
ary 22, 1851, and was the daughter of Hen-
ry and Eleanor (Gard) Washburn. Her pa-
ternal grandparents were Willis and Nan-
cy (Allender) Washburn, born respective-
ly in 1799 and 1801. Her uncle, Joseph
Washburn, was a soldier in Wilders' fa-
mous brigade, as was her uncle, James
Washburn. who died in the army hospital
at New Albany, Indiana. Her ancestors
were generally members of the Baptist
faith. The subject and his wife had six chil-
dren : Harry E. was born February 9, 1870.
He has traveled extensively, but is now at
home with his parents ; Rebecca E., born
November n, 1871, died the same year;
John H., born March 5, 1873, married to
Florence Watts in 1894, and lives near Fred-
ricktown, Missouri, being a miner: Lemuel
T., born September 6, 1874. served in the
Spanish war and died October 19, 1904;
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Lillie M., born February 2, 1877, now the
wife of Clifton O. Walker, of Piatt county,
with three children, Fern, Martha and Del-
bert; George Andrew Louis, born Novem-
ber 7, 1883, married December 24, 1905, to
Bertha Cook, was in the regular army as
telegrapher in Alaska for three years, and
received from the government one hundred
and sixty acres of land near Wendt, South
Dakota, where he is now operator and ex-
press agent, and where he owns in addition
to government land a tract of equal size
which he purchased.
The father of the wife of the subject,
Henry R. Washburn, is still an active man
at the age of eighty-three years, and lives
in Piatt county, Illinois. He was twice
married and the fruit of each union was
nine children. When he first came to Il-
linois he worked for fifty cents a day, and
through his own efforts acquired a farm of
two hundred acres. Mr. and Mrs. Geno-
way are known as very charitable people,
and they are now raising two little girls,
who were left homeless, Frances Steward
and Cora Cagel. The former was taken into
the home when eleven years old, and the
latter when two years old.
FRANK BRADFORD.
The subject of this review enjoyed dis-
tinctive prestige among the enterprising
men of Marion county, having fought his
way onward and upward to a prominent
position in industrial circles and in every
relation of life his voice and influence were
on the side of right as he saw and under-
stood the right. He was always interested
in every enterprise for the general welfare
of the community and liberally supported
every movement calculated to benefit his fel-
low men; and although the last chapter in
his life drama has been brought to a close
and he has been called to a higher sphere
of action, his influence is still felt for good
in his community and he is greatly missed
by hosts of friends and acquaintances.
Frank Bradford was born in Weymouth,
Medina county, Ohio, August 10, 1852,
where he spent his boyhood days and at-
tended the common schools. About 1865 he
came with his father, George Bradford, and
family to Flora, Illinois, where the father
conducted the old Buckeye House and where
Frank engaged successfully in farming and
trading until 1879, in which year he was
happily married to Mary E. Hull, the only
daughter of the late Erasmus Hull, and to
this union a son and a daughter were born,
the former having died in infancy ; the latter
is now Mrs. Roland C. Brinkerhoff. Of
Mr. Bradford's own family but two sisters
survive in 1908, namely: Mrs. Minnie
Bettis, of Arkansas, and Rose Lebus, of
Ardmore, Oklahoma. Mrs. Bradford, a
woman of many fine traits, is living in Salem
in the cozy, substantial and well furnished
Bradford residence. Frank Bradford was
a descendant of the ninth generation of
Gen. William Bradford, of Revolutionary
fame. George Bradford, father of our sub-
200
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
ject, was born in Rowley, Essex county,
Massachusetts, and he was called to his rest
while living in Arkansas. The mother of
the subject was known in her maidenhood
as Abalinda Russell, who was born in Hart-
ford, Connecticut, April 10, 1823, and she
was called to her reward while living in
Flora, Illinois, February 27, 1872, at the
age of forty-eight years. The subject's
parents were of the best blood and reputa-
tion and were much admired in whatever
community they lived for their honest and
hard-working lives.
When but a mere lad Mr. Bradford united
vvith the Methodist Episcopal church at
Flora, Illinois. He was received into the
Methodist church in Salem by letter on De-
cember 12, 1879, under the pastorate of Rev.
Fred L. Thompson and he remained in that
faith, an ardent supporter of the church un-
til his death.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Bradford
located in Salem and entered upon a long
and honorable business career of which all
speak with words of praise. Being of a
jolly disposition and having a kind word
for everyone, he commanded, perhaps, the
largest patronage of any single salesman in
the community. His scrupulously honest
methods and his natural ability also at-
tracted scores of customers. He first en-
tered the mercantile establishment of Hull
and Morris. In 1880, Mr. Hull having
purchased the interest of Mr. Morris and
also the interest of Scott Muggy in the firm
of Atkin & Muggy, the two stocks were
combined under the firm name of Hull &
Atkin, and Mr. Bradford took a position
with this firm which soon became E. Hull
& Son, . changing later to the Hull Dry
Goods Company and then to C. E. Hull.
Mr. Bradford remained through all these
changes, having been regarded as indispens-
able to the firm's business, until he went as
manager for the firm to Kinmundy, where
he remained for a short time building up the
trade in a very substantial way, and later
he was manager for Hammond & Hull in
Salem. While conducting the latter busi-
ness Mr. Bradford suffered an attack of ner-
vous prostration and was very sick for a
time. Both for recreation and as a means,
of regaining his health he began managing
his farm, spending only an occasional day
in the store; but improvement was not so
rapid as was expected for the long and
strenuous life in the commercial world had
undermined his health so extensively that
rapid improvement and even recuperation
could not be expected, consequently on Wed-
nesday night, February 6, 1907, when he
was planning to attend a meeting of the
Pythian Sisters in company with his wife,
about 5 130 o'clock in the afternoon, he was
seized with an attack of apoplexy while at
his home. This soon developed into paraly-
sis of the left side which soon became com-
plete. He remained in an unconscious state
until 6 150 the following morning, when the
white winged messenger came. The funeral
services were conducted at the residence
Saturday afternoon following, by Rev. J.
G. Tucker, of the Methodist Episcopal
church and interment was made in the
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
26l
family lot in East Lawn Cemetery. The
floral offerings were beautiful and elaborate
from the many friends of the deceased and
also from the Knights of Pythias and Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows lodges, the
Pythian Sisters and the Rebekahs, of which
orders either he or Mrs. Bradford had been
consistent members. And the great throng
of sorrowing friends and acquaintances that
came to pay a last tribute to their much
loved friend attested as fully as was possible
the love and high esteem in which Mr.
Bradford was held by every one who knew
him. Public-spirited and liberal he was
ever in the forefront of all plans for im-
provement and the betterment of Salem and
his sudden calling away was a distinct loss
to the entire community, for his life had
been industrious, scrupulously honest and
kind.
JAMES HARVEY DELZELL.
James H. Delzell is justly proud of the
fact that his ancestors were among those
hardy pioneers who endured with great for-
titude the numerous perils and hardships
that beset men and women who sought
homes in the wilderness of the new republic
in its earlier days. Mr. Delzell is one of
the striking figures in Denver township,
Richlancl county, Illinois, not only from a
physical, but a mental standpoint. He is a
man who has seen much of the world, and
has kept in touch with human events. He
ranks among the heaviest land owners in
the township, and such possessions as he
holds he has accumulated through the prac-
tice of honest and straightforward business
methods.
The subject is the son of John N. Delzell,
and was bom in Tennessee August 13,
1845. His father, who was born December
29, 1818, in Blount county, died December
12, 1903. He was educated in a college at
Marysville, Tennessee, and after leaving
that institution became a teacher, and later
engaged in mercantile business. He re-
moved to Denver township in 1861 with
his family and team, and with eighty-four
dollars in his pocket. Through his indus-
try he eventually accumulated farm land
amounting to four hundred acres, a large
portion of which he cleared for cultivation.
The grandfather of the subject. Robert Del-
zell, came to Denver township in 1853, and
died there. He was born about 1788, and
was a soldier in the War of 1812. His
wife, whose maiden name was Dorcas Da-
vis, was of Scotch ancestry, and her father
served as a soldier during the Revolution-
ary war. The subject had five brothers and
two sisters. Daniel, bom July 5, 1847. was
educated for the ministry, while John,
whose birth occurred September 9, 1849,
became a teacher, and was for many years
Clerk of Olney, Illinois. Both of these
brothers were educated at McKendree Col-
lege, Lebanon, Illinois, and both are now
dead. William H. was born April 27, 1852,
and is now a resident of Wichita, Kansas,
having retired from active life. Charles
was born October 27. 1855, and died in
262
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
early manhood. The birth of Alice (Del-
zell) Adams occurred February 28, 1858,
while Laura (Delzell) Mitchell was born No-
vember 24, 1860. The date of George's
birth was August 24, 1868, ad he lives at
Newton, Illinois.
The subject married Martha Lowe March
24, 1868, and their children were D. W.
and Mrs. Ora (Delzell) Hoel. The former
was married to Teressa Tippett, and they
have six children, Mattie, Howard, Grace,
lister, Edna and Mabel. Mrs. Hoel, daugh-
ter of the subject, is the mother of three
children. The subject has been married
four times, his second wife having been
Emma Monroe, his third Nancy Adeline
Hardin. His present wife, whose maiden
name was Mary Jackson, was born Novem-
ber 22, 1854, and married May 10, 1877.
Their children are: John, born March i,
1 88 1, a merchant at Palestine, Illinois; Mrs.
Sadie Dauwalder, born November 27, 1882;
Mrs. Dora Seessengood, born July 26,
1884; Elsie, born September 21, 1888; Ed-
ward, born October 26, 1890; Myrtle, born
May 6, 1893; Raymond, October 31, 1895.
The father of Mrs. Delzell, Cornelius
Jackson, died April i, 1894, aged sixty
years. The subject of this sketch is the
owner of two hundred and twenty acres of
well improved land, and has been one of
the most active agriculturists in this com-
munity, combining the cultivation of the
soil with stock raising and shipping. The
family of which he is a member has al-
ways preserved an honorable name, and is
highly esteemed in this county. Mr. Delzell
was made a Mason in 1866. He has strong
religious convictions, and is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church of long
standing.
JOHN E. MARTIN.
John E. Martin has spent his entire life
in Salem, Illinois, having been born here
December 24, 1857, the son of Gen. James
S. Martin. His mother was known in her
maidenhood as Jane Elston, of English
ancestry. The parents of the subject were
married in Salem. To them were born seven
children, three of whom are living, namely :
John E., our subject; Luther, living in
Salem; and Mrs. Grace M. Webster, also of
Salem. They all received the most care-
ful training possible by their parents and
were given good common school educations.
The subject's father, whose life history is
given in detail on another page of this
work, passed away in 1907, after a long and
busy career, and the mother of the subject,
who was a woman of beautiful attributes,
was called home in 1889.
John E. Martin, our subject, spent his
boyhood in Salem, where he attended the
common schools, making a splendid record
in the same. He later attended the Claverack
(New York) Military School, and a
private school at Kennett Square, Penn-
sylvania, which was later moved to Media,
that state. He also went to school at Boon-
ville, Missouri, to the Kemper Family
school. In both of the latter he made rapid
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
progress and came out well fitted for life's
duties. After leaving school Mr. Martin
launched in the dry goods business in Salem
in which he continued with marked success
attending his efforts for a number of years,
finally moving his store to Sandoval, Illi-
nois, where he also remained for several
years, building up an excellent trade by rea-
son of his minute knowledge of this line
of business and his courteous treatment of
customers, always giving them value re-
ceived. In 1888 our subject assisted his
father, who was State Chairman of the Re-
publican State Committee, in the clerical
work, and after the campaign he accepted
a position with J. B. Farwell Company at
Chicago, as salesman, and he remained with
this firm for five or six years, giving entire
satisfaction in his work. He came back to
Salem about 1890 for the purpose of ac-
cepting a position with the Salem Na-
tional Bank which he has been connected
with since that time, giving the managers
of this institution entire satisfaction and
handling his position in such a way as to
increase the prestige of the bank and reflect
much credit upon his innate ability. He
has prospered by reason of his executive
ability and modern business methods until
he has accumulated considerable property,
owning at this time valuable farming lands.
He is also a stockholder in the Salem Na-
tional Bank.
Mr. Martin's domestic life dates from
June 1 8, 1894, when he was united in mar-
riage with Clara Merritt, the accomplished
daughter of Hon. T. E. Merritt, an old and
respected family of Salem. This union has
been blessed by the birth of five children,
two of whom are living and three deceased.
Their names are: The first child died in
infancy, unnamed ; James Stewart and Mar-
garet Merritt, twins, are both deceased;
Merritt Elston and Alice Jane are living,
both bright and interesting children.
Mr. Martin takes a great interest in
church work, being a member of the Episco-
pal church, to which his wife also belongs.
He has been interested in helping build the
new church on West Union street, which is
one of the most attractive and subtsantial
little churches in Salem. In politics Mr.
Martin is a loyal Republican, always ready
to lend a helping hand to promote the in-
terests of his community whether along po-
litical, educational, moral or religious lines.
The home of the subject is nicely furnished,
and presided over with rare grace and
dignity by Mrs. Martin, who is often host-
ess to numerous friends of this popular
family. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are pleasant
people to meet, always courteous and kind.
AARON BUGHER FARQUHAR.
Another of the representative farmers of
Richlancl county is the subject of this sketch,
who is the owner of a fine landed estate in
sections 22 and 23, Denver township, and is
carrying on the various departments of his
enterprise with that discretion and diligence
that insures success.
Aaron B. Farquhar was torn in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1841, the
son of William and Sarah (Moss) Farquhar.
264
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
They were both natives of Washington coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, and were married in Fay-
ette county, that state, living on a farm
there the remainder of their lives, the father
dying January 26, 1856, at the age of fifty-
five years ; his wife survived him many years,
dying about 1898, at the advanced age of
eighty-five and was buried in Red Stone
cemetery, Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
while the remains of her husband rest in the
Quaker- cemetery, near Fayette City, Penn-
sylvania. They were the parents of six chil-
dren, five of whom grew to maturity, one
dying in childhood, the subject of this sketch
being the youngest in order of birth.
Aaron B. Farquhar remained at home on
the farm and attended the free schools there
until about eighteen years of age, his father
having died when he was about fifteen years
of age, he remained on the place with his
mother for three years after his father's
death. In 1860 the subject came by rail to
Illinois where he worked on a farm by the
month in Knox county, near Galesburg. He
left Knox county in 1861, returning to Penn-
sylvania and began the study of dentistry and
began practicing the same in Knox county,
Illinois, in 1861, to which place he had re-
turned from Pennsylvania. He was very
successful in his practice and he remained in
Knox county until 1862. In May of that
year he went to California, where he prac-
ticed his profession part of the time, also
did some gold mining while there. In Octo-
ber, 1863, he returned to his old home in
Pennsylvania, where he remained that win-
ter and on March 24, 1864. gave way to his
patriotic feeling and enlisted his services in
defense of his country, in Company H, Eight-
eenth United States Infantry, under Cap-
tain Mills, in which he served until October,
1866, when he was transferred to Company
C, Second Battalion, where he remained un-
til he was mustered out of service, March
24, 1867, at Fort Philip Kearney. Dakota.
This was at the place of the Sioux Indian
massacre, December 21, 1866. Eighty- four
men were sent out to protect a wood train
from the Indians and not a man returned
alive, all having been killed and scalped,
by the Indians, and had it not been that the
subject was on guard duty at that time he
would have been with the unfortunate sol-
diers that fell a prey to the Sioux. During
the Civil war Mr. Farquhar served gallantly
in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost,
Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain,
Chickamauga and many others, comprising
ten principal battles, from Missionary
Ridge to Jonesboro, Georgia. He returned '
to Lookout Mountain and did picket duty
during the winter of 1864. In March, 1865,
he was detailed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
where he did recruiting service. He was
also at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Chicago, on
the same mission. In April, 1866, he again
joined the regiment and moved to the Da-
kotas, where he remained until mustered out.
He returned to Pennsylvania where he re-
mained one year after he had been mustered
out, enjoying a rest after the many hard-
ships of an army career.
Mr. Farquhar then came to Illinois, first
settling near Galesburg, where he had for-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
merly lived. He remained there for one year,
then moved to Richland county and pur-
chased the farm which he now owns in Den-
ver township, consisting of two hundred and
forty acres in this township and thirty-two
acres just across the border in Noble town-
ship. It was on February 14, 1870, that the
subject came to this county, paying as high
as twenty-five dollars per acre for some of
this land. He has an excellent farm which
he has greatly improved and he has good
buildings on it; also keeps some good stock
on the place.
Mr. Farquhar was married January 18,
1870, in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, to Ma-
ria Eckard, who was born April i, 1839, m
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Rhine-
hardt) Eckard, also natives of Pennsylvania,
where they were married and where they
lived all their lives, Mr. Eckard dying in
1876, and his wife in 1888. Both are buried
in the Fayette City cemetery, Fayette county,
Pennsylvania. They were the parents of
eight children, all of whom grew to maturity,
only three of them now living, Mrs. Far-
quhar being the fourth in order of birth. She
remained with her parents at home until her
marriage to the subject. Mr. and Mrs. Far-
quhar are the parents of four children, three
of whom grew to maturity, one having died
in childhood, namely : Frank D., who mar-
ried Ida Cope, resides in Olney, Illinois,
where he is interested in the marble works.
One child born to them, died in in-
fancy. Following are their children : lola,
who at this writing, 1909, is eleven years
old : Alora, age eight ; Aaron, age seven ;
John, age six; Ersula, age four; Ira Ennis,
age one. Ennis M., the second child of the
subject and wife, is single and is still a mem-
ber of the home circle on the farm ; Dessie
B. is the wife of Walter Hall, residing on a
farm in Denver township. Mrs. Farquhar
has been an invalid for the past three years,
totally helpless.
Our subject has held the office of Town-
ship Trustee for twenty-one years in a very
acceptable manner in this township. He is a
very staunch Republican, although he never
aspires for any political office. He voted
first for Abraham Lincoln for his second
term. The subject and his wife have always
been active in church work, always attending
the Methodist church, giving assist-
ance to its work, both morally and finan-
cially, although neither of them are members.
The subject has held the office of trustee of
the church for twenty years or more.
The subject has been very successful finan-
cially and now owns one of the modern and
valuable farms of Denver township, also a
very desirable home. He is now sixty-eight
years old and his wife is two years his senior.
They live as nearly a retired life as a farm
will permit and they are both held in high
esteem by their neighbors.
WILLIAM WHAM.
He of whom this sketch is written is a
representative of one of the honored pioneer
families of Marion county, Illinois, where
he has passed practically his entire life, and
266
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
he is one of the successful and prominent
citizens of Cartter, where he is the leading
merchant, being well known to the people of
that vicinity as a man of clean business prin-
ciples and public-spirited, having attained
prosperity through his own well directed ef-
forts.
William Wham was born in this county
in 1853, the son of William Wham, a na-
tive of Tennessee, who came to Illinois
when a young boy and settled in Marion
county where he developed a good farm and
always made a comfortable living. He was
a charter member of the Masonic lodge,
Xo. 130, at Salem. He became well known
and influential. He passed to his rest in
1893. The mother of the subject was Lou-
isa Anna Rainey, a native of Hopkinsville,
Kentucky, who came to Illinois, when elev-
en years old. She was a woman of many
praiseworthy traits. She died some six
years prior to her husband's demise.
Eight children were born to the parents
of the subject, four of whom are living in
1908. They are named in order of their
birth as follows: Margaret is the widow of
James Mount, of Kell, Illinois; Martha I.,
living at Cartter, is the widow of William
K. Storment; H. B. owns a farm near Cart-
ter, Illinois; William, our subject, who
spent his boyhood on a farm near Cartter,
working during the summer months, and
attending the country schools the balance
of the year. His early life was spent in
farming, trading and dealing in stock, of
which he made a success. After abandoning
this he went into the mercantile business in
1895 at Cartter, Illinois, and has been thus
engaged since that time, having built up an
excellent trade by reason of his courteous
treatment of customers and his natural abil-
ity. His store is known throughout this
locality as the place where the best goods in
the market can be obtained at reasonable
prices, and his trade has constantly grown
from year to year. Mr. Wham has pros-
pered by reason of his well directed energy,
and he has become the owner of the Park
Hotel at Salem, the leading hostelry of that
city, and he is also a director of the Salem
National Bank. He also has a large inter-
est in the Robinson oil fields in Crawford
county. He was chairman of the building
committee for the new building for the Sa-
lem National Bank, which was erected in
1908. He also has valuable farm lands. All
this our subject has attained by reason of
his own unaided efforts, and every dollar
he possesses was obtained in an honest man-
ner.
Mr. Wham was united in marriage in
1874 to Emma C. Adams, the refined and
accomplished daughter of James Adams, of
near Salem. Her father is a well known
farmer. One child, born to the subject
and wife, died in infancy. Mrs. Wham is
postmistress at Cartter, which position she
has creditably filled for the past fourteen
years, having been appointed by Grover
Cleveland and re-appointed by every Pres-
ident since. She is a woman of rare execu-
tive ability as well as many pleasing traits
which renders her popular with all classes.
Mrs. Wham's mother. Mrs. Paulina Adams.
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
26 7
is living at Springfield, Illinois. The father
of the subject's wife is deceased. They
were both natives of Virginia and scions of
well known old southern families. Mr.
Wham's grandfather was also named Wil-
liam Wham. He was a native of Ireland,
and a man of sterling qualities.
Our subject is a member of the Masonic
Blue Lodge, Chapter at Salem., and the
Commandery at Centralia. He is also a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Wham are mem-
bers of the Christian church at Cartter, be-
ing liberal subscribers to the same. Mr.
Wham was Chairman of the Board of Su-
pervisors of Marion county, having been
elected as an independent and was a good
official, having ably disposed of the duties
of this important trust in a manner that re-
flected much credit upon his ability.
GEN. JAMES STEWART MARTIN.
It is a great badge of honor to have the
distinction of serving the government in the
conflict with Mexico, assisting in the ardu-
ous campaigns until the stars and stripes
were unfurled on the citadel of the Monte-
zuma, and also, less than two decades later
to have been permitted to serve the na-
tional Union in the four years of polemic
struggle between the states. Among the
conspicuous figures of these great inter-
necine conflicts is the well remembered gen-
tleman whose name forms the caption of
this biographical memoir, who, although
his life history has been closed by death,
his influence continues to pervade the lives
of those with whom he came in contact.
He was always mindful of his duty to his
fellow men and ready with word or deed to
assist them in the struggle up life's steep
path. No man in his day and generation
in this locality exercised a greater influence
for the civic, material and moral uplift of
the community than General Martin, for his
life was that of the patriot, the Christian
gentleman, the true American nobleman.
General James Stewart Martin was born
August 19, 1826, in Estillville, now Gate
City, Scott county, Virginia, the son of
John S. and Malinda (Morrison) Martin,
pioneers of that part of the Old Dominion
state and a fine old Southern family of great
influence in their day, his father having been
a man of considerable political prominence
and highly educated. He served as County
Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Master of Chan-
cery for about twenty years. The mother
of the subject, who was born in Sullivan
county, Tennessee, was a woman of many
commendable attributes, noted for her
broad charity and high culture, and before
she was called to her rest, in 1828, she
emancipated her slaves. The subject's
father moved to Illinois in 1844 and settled
on a farm seven miles north of Salem,
where his son, our subject, resided for a
period of three years, assisting in develop-
ing the farm from its primitive state into a
highly productive place.
James S. Martin, our subject, received his
268
HIOGKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
education in the public schools of his native
community in Virginia, making such notable
progress and manifesting such a thirst for
the higher learning that he was subsequently
placed in Emery and Henry College, Wash-
ington county, Virginia, where he made a
brilliant record for scholarship. A lad of
strong patriotism from his early youth
which continued to increase with advancing
years, he was glad to have an opportunity
to enter the army during the Mexican war,
having enlisted in Company C, First Regi-
ment, Illinois Volunteers, in the spring of
1847, and he made such an excellent soldier
that he was made third sergeant of his com-
pany. The regiment was mustered into ser-
vice at Alton, then transported to Fort
Leavenworth and marched across the plains
to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He performed
conspicuous service during the strenuous
campaign against the Mexicans. After the
war, while on the homeward trip, his com-
pany nominated him for County Clerk of
Marion county, and the people here ratified
their action upon the arrival of the men at
Salem. He was duly elected and in a most
able and creditable manner discharged the
duties of the same for a period of twelve
years. He was also Master in Chancery for
two terms, in which he also showed his su-
perior ability in official capacity. Being an
ambitious man he sought every means pos-
sible to improve himself and to be of the
greatest service to his fellow men, conse-
quently while holding these offices he de-
voted his spare moments to the study of law,
and upon admittance to the bar, July 4,
1 86 1, formed a partnership with B. F.
Marshall and D. C. Jones and opened an of-
fice in Salem. Owing to the great strength
and prestige of this well known trio their
legal business was heavy from the first and
the reputation of the firm soon spread
throughout this part of the state.
In 1862, when the clouds of rebellion
were the darkest and the lambent flames of
discontented citizenship of the South were
the most direful, our subject realized that
every loyal son of the North should do what
he could toward preserving the integrity of
the Union, consequently he sought and ob-
tained permission from Governor Yates to
raise a regiment, with the result that the
famous One Hundred and Eleventh was
mustered, and Mr. Martin was selected as
the man most worthy and able to command
it, therefore he became colonel of the same.
It was composed of seven companies from
Marion county, one from Clay and one from
Clinton county, the regiment comprising
nine hundred and thirty men and officers,
and it was mustered into service September
1 8, 1862, and joined General Davies at Co-
lumbus, Kentucky. Our subject served in
the capacity of colonel all through the war,
his services showing that he was a man of
much military courage and genius, having
from time to time led his men into the brunt
of the fighting. During 1863 he was in
command of the post at Columbus and later
at Paducah, Kentucky. From there he went
to Florence, Alabama, whither he was or-
dered by General Sherman, and he later
went into winter quarters at Pulaski, Ten-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
26 9
nessee. From March 16, 1864, he served
with the Sixteenth Army Corps, until the
close of the struggle, having seen much
hard service during that time, being with
Sherman on his march to the sea and having
led his regiment at the great battles of
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta,
Jonesboro, Fort McAllister and received
the surrender of the commander of this fort.
He was brevetted brigadier general in July,
1864, and participated in the grand review
in Washington City, and was mustered out
in Springfield, Illinois, in June, 1865.
After the war General Martin plunged
into the active affairs of civil life and won
signal distinction in the field of politics and
business. He launched into banking in Sa-
lem, building up the nucleus of a large for-
tune through his wonderful executive abil-
ity. Taking an interest in Republican poli-
tics after the war he was elected County
Judge in 1866, overwhelming a Democratic
majority of six hundred. He was nominated
for Congress in 1872 and was elected over
Judge Silas L. Bryan, father of Hon. Wil-
liam J. Bryan. He ably served one term
in Washington.
General Martin was appointed Commis-
sioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary
by Governor Cullom, September 4, 1879,
which position he creditably served for four
years. He served as a member of the Re-
publican State Central Committee for a
period of nearly twenty years, and was chair-
man of the same during the canvass which
elected Governor Fifer. He was a delegate
to the National Convention in 1876, when
he voted for the nomination of James G.
Elaine for President. As might be expected
he was an interested member of the Grand
Army of the Republic and was honored in
the same by being elected department com-
mander of Illinois for two terms. He was
largely instrumental in 1882 in organizing
the Southern Illinois Soldiers and Sailors
Reunion Association, of which he continu-
ously served as commander. In all the offi-
cial positions, General Martin conducted
himself as a most able and worthy exponent
of the country's good, and proved at all
times to be an unselfish public servant of
the most humanitarian and altruistic mo-
tives and principles.
The domestic life of our subject dates
from 1852, when he was united in marriage
with Jane Elston, of Salem, Illinois, to
whom four children were born, three sur-
viving. They are : Grace M., the wife of
George O. Webster; Luther and John E.
A complete history of the last child named
is to be found on another page of this work.
The subject's first wife passed to her rest
in 1889, and in 1903 General Martin was
married to Margaret Savage, of Ashland,
Kentucky, who, with their daughter, Daisy,
a cultured and refined lady, survive in 1908.
Three brothers of the subject, Robert, Ben-
jamin and Thomas, are also living in Salem.
Thus after a most active, useful and ex-
emplary life which the kind Heavenly
Father greatly prolonged he passed to his
rest, November 20, 1907.
The city of Salem owes a great debt of
gratitude to General Martin for he aided in
2JO
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
many ways in its upbuilding and general
development as he did also Marion county,
where he was for many decades held in the
highest esteem by all classes, for he was
universally regarded as a hero both in war
and in peace, one of the component parts of
the nation's substantial pillars, and the rev-
erence with which the citizens of this lo-
cality cherish his memory will serve as a
greater monument than marble shaft or
bronze obelisk. He was truly a brave and
good man whose life was a continued sacri-
fice for others, a benefactor in the true sense
of the term. His career was fraught with
untold blessings to the world, and when in
common with all things human his earthly
course was ended and he was called to a
higher plane of action, the memory of his
noble deeds and honorable achievements
continued to constitute a record to which
each passing year will give additional luster.
]. D. TELFORD.
In such men as Mr. Telford there is pecu-
liar satisfaction in offering their life his-
tories justification for the compilation of
works of this character not that their lives
have been such as to gain them particularly
wide notoriety or the admiring plaudits of
men, but that they have been true to the
trusts reposed in them, have shown such
attributes of character as entitle them to
the regard .of all.
J. D. Telford was born in Marion county,
Illinois, September 2, 1848. He is the
son of Samuel G. Telford, a native of Jef-
ferson county, Illinois. Grandfather James
Telford, a native of South Carolina, came
to Jefferson county as early as 1822, and
moved to this county in 1836, when the
father of the subject was nine years old, and
like most of the sturdy pioneers of that early
time, was compelled to undergo many pri-
vations and do much hard work in estab-
lishing a home, but being a man of sterling
qualities and indomitable energy he con-
quered the many obstacles that confronted
him and led a useful and influential life as
a farmer there, as did also his son, father of
our subject, who seemed to inherit much of
the older Telford's better traits, and, indeed,
the family characteristics have come on
down to our subject, who is carefully order-
ing his life so as to carry out the early
praiseworthy characteristics of his ances-
tors. Samuel G. Telford spent his life on
the farm, having lived on the same farm for
sixty years. This was taken out of the new
prairie land, but the wild soil was soon
transformed into highly productive fields.
He was a soldier in the Union army, having
enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and ren-
dered gallant service until the winter of
1864. He is still living in 1908 near Cartter,
Marion county. The mother of the subject
was called to her rest in 1882. Her maiden
name was Mary Baldridge. She was a na-
tive of Illinois, but her people came from
North Carolina.
James Telford was an Abolitionist and
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
2 7 I
was an historic character in his day, having
played an important part in the famous un-
derground railway when Illinois was ad-
mitted as a free state in 1818. He came to
this state because he was opposed to slavery.
His wife's maiden name was Kell, and she
was also a native of South Carolina. They
were the parents of eight children, five of
whom are living at this writing, the father
of the subject being the only one of the boys
living.
Samuel G. Telford and wife were the
parents of nine children, named in the order
of their birth as follows: J. D., subject of
this sketch; Joseph, of Alma township,
Marion county; Margaret J., deceased; Eva,
who is married and living in Ashville,
North Carolina ; Alice, the wife of William
Wyatt, of Durant, Oklahoma ; Kate, wife of
Doctor Richardson, of Union City, Okla-
homa ; George B., who is living in Kansas ;
Arthur, a -farmer of Marion county ; Belle,
who became Mrs. Arnold, is deceased.
J. D. Telford, our subject, lived with his
father until he was twenty-three years old,
assisting with the work on the old home-
stead and attending the country schools
during the winter months. Having applied
himself well to his text-books he became
fairly well educated, and later has added to
this by home reading and coming in contact
with the world. The happy and harmonious
domestic life of the subject dates from
January 19, 1872, when he was united in
marriage to Sarah A. Wyatt, the estimable
daughter of John and Margaret Wyatt, a
highly respected family of Marion county,
natives of Tennessee, who came to Marion
county in 1860.
The following children have been born to
the subject and wife, all of whom are well
established in life and give promise of suc-
cessful futures: Dr. A. T., who lives at
Olney, Illinois; E. D., is an attorney at
Salem, this county; Ula, is a stenographer
in the Life Savings Station at Chicago;
Omer F. is a farmer in Marion county;
Oran is a member of the family circle at
their home in Salem, as is also J. D., Jr.
The Telford residence is modern and always
cheerful.
The subject is engaged in farming and
real estate, largely interested in fruit grow-
ing, at which he is highly competent, having
long taken an abiding interest in horticul-
ture. He has two large orchards containing
six thousand and five hundred apple trees
of excellent variety and quality. He de-
votes much of his time to the care of his
orchards, which are among the most valu-
able in this part of the state, and useless to
add that the financial returns from the sale
of his fruit are usually quite satisfactory.
Politically Mr. Telford is a stanch Repub-
lican and having been actuated by a laudable
desire for political preferment, his friends
elected him to the important office of Sher-
iff of Marion county, the duties of which he
faithfully performed to the satisfaction of
all concerned for a period of four years,
having been elected in 1882 and serving
until 1886. He is well grounded in his po-
litical convictions, and always lends his
aid in supporting his party's principles, en-
272
IUOGKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
deavoring to place the best men possible in
local offices. He is a well informed man,
not only on political matters and current
events, but he is well read on scientific, liter-
ary and diverse subjects which make his
conversation interesting as well as instruc-
tive, and he is generally regarded as one of
the substantial men of Marion county.
BENJAMIN F. RODGERS, M. D.
In giving the life record of the subject of
this sketch the publishers of this work be-
lieve that it will be an incentive to the
young who may peruse it to lead nobler
lives, have higher ambitions and accomplish
more for their fellow men, for his life has
always been led along a plane of high en-
deavor, always cdnsistent with the truth in
its higher forms and ever in keeping with
honorable principles. He is the scion of
pioneer ancestors of the most sterling qual-
ities who did much in their day for the com-
munities in which they lived, and Doctor
Rodgers is a worthy descendant of his for-
bears, thus for many reasons, not the least of
which is the fact that he was one of the
patriotic sons of the North, who, when the
tocsin of war sounded, left his hearthstone
and business to do what he could in saving
the country from treason, the biographer is
glad to give him just representation in this
work.
Dr. Benjamin F. Rodgers was born
in York, Pennsylvania, in 1829, the son of
Joseph D. and Mary (Hamilton) Rodgers.
Grandfather Rodgers, who came to America
in 1776, settling in Maryland, was a weaver
by profession and a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary war. He lived to be ninety-four
years old, and the grandmother of the sub-
ject lived to her ninety-sixth year. They
were the parents of a large family.
The father of the subject, who was born
in Maryland, moved to Pennsylvania when
a boy, later to Ohio, where he spent the bal-
ance of his days on a farm. There were
eleven children in this family, six of whom
lived to maturity. The subject's parents
were Presbyterians and the father and moth-
er both died at the age of sixty-four years.
The subject of this sketch was nine years
old when he moved to Ohio, where he re-
ceived a fairly good education by attending
the subscription schools of his community.
He clerked in a store in Ohio for two years,
then learned to be a shoemaker; but neither
of these lines seemed to suit his tastes, be-
lieving that he was capable of rendering a
better service to humanity, consequently he
began the study of medicine, in which he
made rapid progress and he soon entered a
medical college. After completing the pre-
scribed course with honor, he began prac-
tice in Ohio, and later located at Elizabeth-
town, Kentucky, having soon gained a firm
foothold. But believing that better oppor-
tunities awaited him at Belleville, Illinois, he
removed thereto in 1849, an d afterwards
removed to Jacksonville, and at that place
the doctor enlisted in September, 1861, in
the Union, enlisted in September, 1861, in
B. F. RODGERS. M. D.
.***
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
273
the Second Illinois Light Artillery, and so
efficient were his services that he was com-
missioned captain of Company K. His rec-
ord in the army is a most creditable one. He
was at the battle of Fort Donelson, at Jack-
son, Mississippi, and was in the siege of
Vicksburg. Engraved on a monument erect-
ed at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in honor of
Company K, Second Illinois Light Artillery,
are the words :
"Battery K, Second Light Artillery,
Capt. Benjamin Rodgers,
"Fourth Division Sixteenth Corps.
"Entered Campaign About May 20,
1863. Served with the Division Dur-
ing siege."
He takes great pride in his military life
and relates his battery was nearer the en-
emy's works than any other battery of the
siege, which occupied forty-two days. He
was Chief of Artillery on the staff of Gen-
eral Lauman, Gen. Crocker Gresham,
Logan, and was Chief of Staff of General
Ranson at Natchez.
He was also in the southwestern cam-
paign and the battles subsequent to that. He
was mustered out at Memphis, Tennessee,
December 31, 1864. After the close of the
war Doctor Rodgers located in Patoka,
where he has practiced his profession ever
since.
Doctor Rodgers was united in marriage
on November 3, 1848, with Mary K. Chiell,
daughter of Casper Chiell. He has four
children living, also fourteen grandchildren,
18
and seven great-grandchildren. Mrs. Rod-
gers was called from her earthly labors at
the age of seventy-two years.
In politics our subject is a loyal Repub-
lican, and he has ever taken a great interest
in public affairs, having made his influence
felt for the good of his community in many
ways and served in a most able manner as
postmaster and also Mayor of Patoka; in
fact, he might be called the father of this
town. He is a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and has been commander of
the local post. In his fraternal relations he
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the
lodge at Jacksonville, Illinois. No man in
this part of Marion county is better or more
favorably known than he, known for his
professional skill, his public spirit, his integ-
rity and kind heartedness.
ADAM H. BACHMANN.
The United States can boast of no better
or more law-abiding class of citizens than
the great number of German people who
have found homes within her borders.
Though holding dear and sacred the beloved
mother country, they are none the less de-
voted to the fair country of their adoption.
Among this class is the subject of this
sketch, who for a number of years has been
one of the foremost citizens of Marion
county, Illinois, where he has labored not
only for his own advancement, but also for
the good of the community, his efforts hav-
274
r.IOCK. UMIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
ing been amply repaid with abundant finan-
cial success and the esteem of his fellow
men.
Adam H. Bachmann, the well known and
popular president of the Salem National
Bank, was born in Saxony, Germany, No-
vember 28, 1845, the son of George Bach-
mann, a man of sterling qualities, who was
also a native of Germany, and who died
there in 1860. The mother of the subject
was known in her maidenhood as Mocklin
Sputh, also of the Fatherland, who was
called to her rest in 1866. Of the six chil-
dren born to the elder Bachmann, there are
living the following in 1908: Mrs. Lizzie
Sputh and Ernest Bachmann, both of Ger-
many, and the subject of this sketch. These
children received every care and attention
possible by their parents who were people of
industry and uprightness.
Adam H. Bachmann left Germany in
March. 1866, landing in America the fol-
lowing April, having barely attained his ma-
jority. He had received eight years of
schooling in his native land, receiving a
fairly good education for he was an am-
bitious lad and diligently applied himself to
his school-books and this careful founda-
tion has since been greatly strengthened and
built up through his contact with the world
and his habits of home reading, so that Mr.
Bachmann's conversation is at once learned,
interesting and instructive. Our subject lo-
cated at Lebanon. Illinois, shortly after
coming to the New World, where he
worked as a cabinet maker. In the spring
of 1868, he came to Salem, this state, and
engaged in the furniture business with
which he has since been identified, and
which was a successful venture from .the
first and by reason of the subject's careful
attention to duty, his natural ability as a far-
sighted and cautious business man, coupled
with his kind and courteous treatment of
customers, his trade has gradually grown
all these years, his place of business being
generally known as one of the safest, most
reliable as well as up-to-date furniture estab-
lishments in this locality. After building the
business up to its present high state of effi-
ciency, Mr. Bachmann turned it over to his
two sons, Frank and Charley, both very able
and progressive young men, who are con-
ducting a modern and well stocked store,
being numbered among the leading young
business men of the county, to whom the fu-
ture holds unbounded success and honor,
since they are not only young men of sound
business principles, but also of the finest
personal traits.
Mr. Bachmann was united in marriage
November 15, 1868, to Mary Alkire, the
representative of a highly respected and influ-
ential family of Lebanon, Illinois, who was
born in Pennsylvania. Eleven children have
been born to the subject and wife, seven of
whom are living at the time of this writing.
1908, named in order of their birth, as fol-
lows : Mrs. Lizzie Kolb, of Lebanon, Illinois ;
Frank, of Salem, this county; Mrs. Amy
Stonecipher, also of Salem ; Maud, living at
home: Charley, Adam H., Jr.. and Paulina,
all live with their parents in Salem.
Mr. Bachmann deserves much credit for
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
275
the well defined success he has attained since
casting- his lot among Americans, partly be-
cause he has been the architect of his own
fortunes, beginning his business career ab-
solutely empty-handed, and with no one to
encourage or assist in any way, and partly
because he has made his competency by hon-
est, straight-forward business methods that
no one can question. When he first landed
on our shores he had a capital of only three
cents and today he is the wealthiest man in
Marion county. He had the insight, the
rare sagacity and perceptive instinct to
grasp situations as they arose and the splen-
did business acumen to turn seemiing ob-
stacles into ultimate sucess. Such men are
born leaders in the financial world and they
are not any too frequently met with.
Mr. Bachmann is president of the Salem
National Bank, president of the Farmers'
and Merchants' Bank at St. Peter, Illinois;
besides being an extensive land owner, hav-
ing nine large farms in Marion county.
They are all very valuable, well drained, se-
curely fenced, the soil being highly produc-
tive and the buildings on each modern and
convenient. Besides these he has much other
real estate. Also owns about as much prop-
erty in East St. Louis as he has here. Mr.
Bachmann has large property interests at
Mattoon and Oakland, this state. His large
real estate holdings and financial loans oc-
cupy the major part of his time and atten-
tion, however, he finds time to assist in for-
warding any movement for the betterment
of his community. In fact, he is a pioneer
in the development and progress of Marion
county. He came to Salem, when there was
only one brick house here, but he had the
sagacity to note the possibilities in the place
and soon decided to cast his lot here with
the result that he has benefited not only
himself, but also the entire community,
more, perhaps, than any other man has done
or is likely to do in the years to come. In
other words, the wonderful things that the
future held seemed to be within Mr. Bach-
mann's horoscope, and he began on the
ground floor, developing with the country,
which is wonderfully rich in resources and
possibilities. While Mr. Bachmann has
been too busy to devote much time to polit-
ical matters, never having entertained an
ambition for political preferment, he has
ever assisted in any way he could the de-
velopment of the community whether polit-
ical, educational, moral or civic, and he did
much in making the 1 city a clean and de-
sirable place in which to live, principally
while ably serving it as Alderman. In his
fraternal relations our subject is a Mason.
The Bachmann residence, which is one of
the finest, most modern, substantial and
beautiful in Salem, is elegantly furnished
and a place where the many friends and ad-
mirers of this popular family delight to
gather, being presided over with rare grace
and dignity by the subject's wife who is a
charming hostess, congenial and talented.
Mr. Bachmann is a pleasant man to meet,
jovial, and at all times agreeable, never
pompous or phlegmatic. His is a well
rounded character, in which the different in-
terests of life are given their due proportion
2 7 6
IIIOCKAPHICAL AND REM1 XISCKXT HISTORY OF
of attention. One line of thought or work
to the exclusion of all others produces an
abnormal development and makes the in-
dividual narrow in his views of life. Mr.
Bachmann has never followed such a course
for while giving his chief attention to his
business, as do the majority of men, he
finds time and opportunity to take an in-
terest in matters pertaining to the progress
and growth of his county, state and nation,
and to mingle with hisi friends, enlarging
the circle of his acquaintance and broaden-
ing his mind through the interchange of
thought with others.
E. LOUIS BLEDSOE.
The names of those men who have dis-
tinguished themselves through the posses-
sion of those qualities which daily contrib-
ute to the success of private life and to the
public stability and who have enjoyed the
respect and confidence of those about them,
should not be permitted to perish. Such a
one is the subject of this review, one of the
leading lumber dealers in Marion county.
E. L. Bledsoe, president of the Bledsoe
Lumber Company, of Salem, was born in
Bradford, Indiana, in 1858. His father was
William J. Bledsoe, a native of Tennessee,
who came to Indiana when a young man.
He was a United Brethren minister. Wil-
liam J. Bledsoe was a soldier in the Union
army during the Civil war, having been a
member of the Thirty-seventh Iowa Volun-
teer Infantry. He died in a hospital in St.
Louis, Missouri, from illness contracted
while in line of duty. Two sons, William
J., Jr., and James W., were also in the army,
having enlisted in Company H, Twenty-
fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. They
fought side by side in twenty-seven battles.
Both re-enlisted after their time was up and
served until the close of the war. James
W. was wounded twice. Both 1 were with
Sherman on his famous march to the sea.
They are both living. The father died May
5, 1867.
The mother of the subject was Martha
Ridgeway, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio,
who married the subject's father in Franks-
ville, Indiana. She was a woman of many-
fine traits and was called to her rest in 1883
while living at Rock Island, Illinois. The
following children were born to this union :
James W., of Rock Island; William J. Jr.,
also of Rock Island ; George B. died at Rock
Island in 1906; J. P., of Davenport, Iowa;
E. L., our subject; Frank A., of Rock Is-
land; Mark S., of St. Louis; Mattie J., who
is a physician located at Chickasha, Okla-
homa. Our subject was taken to Iowa by
his parents when about three years old. The
family located at Washington, but most of
the subject's boyhood was spent in Mar-
shall. He received only a common school
education, his course of study being inter-
rupted by reason of the fact that his father
frequently moved from town to town in car-
rying on his ministerial work, but he is a
well educated man, nevertheless, having-
gained it first handed from the world.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
277
Mr. Bledsoe has been twice married, first
in 1876 to Minnie Dizotell, of Eldon, Iowa,
the ceremony having been performed in that
city. She was born in Canada. Her father
was of French lineage and her mother was
Irish. After bearing the subject one child,
she was called to her rest in 1901 at St.
Louis, Missouri. The child bom to this
union is Truman C. Bledsoe, manager of
the Bledsoe-McCreery Lumber Company,
of St. Louis. He married Stella Farrell, of
that city, and they are the parents of two
children, Barbara Louis, and Truman C,
Jr. The subject was married in 1903, his
second wife being Lillie Mattox, of Terre
Haute, Indiana. One son has blessed this
union, Maurice William, who was bom on
September 2, 1904.
The following history of Mr. Bledsoe's
railroad career, which forms the lengthiest
and one of the most important chapters in
his life history, is based on a sketch which
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway
system issued in book form, containing a
history of the road's representative em-
ployes, which article shows the high regard
this company had for Mr. Bledsoe.
When only a lad of fifteen our subject
began working as a water boy for Howell's
corps of engineers in 1870. A survey was
then being made from Washington, Iowa,
to Princeton, Missouri, the line being an ex-
tension of the Chicago and Southwestern
Railway, which was later absorbed by the
"Rock Island System." The lad was famil-
iarly known as "Squire," which soubriquet
has clung to him through life. He worked
his way to more important positions in this
corps, having remained with them until the
survey was completed and the corps was
disbanded at Princeton. Our subject then
returned to Eldon, Iowa, to which point his
mother had moved during his absence. In
the fall of 1872 he determined to become a
brakeman, to which idea his mother strong-
ly protested, arguing that such a life was
too hazardous for her son to undertake, but
the son began his career as head brakeman
on a very cold night the following winter,
his duties being partly to watch for dangers
ahead and to watch the lights on the ca-
boose. The rear cars had broken loose on
this particular occasion and were running
down grade as if about to crash into the
section of the train ahead. There were no
air brakes on freight trains at that time,
and the old square draw bar was danger-
ous and hard to handle. It was up grade
and down grade from Eldon to Washing-
ton, but the boy stuck faithfully at his post
and all came out well, and from that night
of somewhat exciting initiation to the last
one on which he pulled the brakes, he proved
loyal to his trust, having laid off only about
ten days during his entire service. Mr.
Bledsoe was a model young man and soon
all who formed his acquaintance learned to
admire him. and up to this writing, 1908,
not a drop of intoxicating liquor has ever
touched his lips or a profane word ever
passed them, and up to the time of the death
of his first wife he had never used tobacco,
but since that time he has been accustomed
to smoke, having been greatly shocked at
27 8
P.IOGKAPIIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
her demise from which he has never fully
regained his former vivacity. His word
has always been as good as his note and he
has been all his life an exemplary character,
which is the result of careful teachings by
a Christian mother. He has always been a
modest and retiring man, unassuming and
never in the least pompous or found seek-
ing notoriety, according to the friends who
know him best. He has always been cool
and calculating and this fact has doubtless
saved him accidents while in the railway
service, however, death stared him in the
face twice during his service on the road:
once when he was assisting the fireman in
taking coal at Perlee, Iowa, he was caught
between the cob and the apron of the schute,
but the engineer, Frank Hudler, prevented
the accident. At Washington, Iowa, while
making a coupling he was pressed into a
very close place by the giving way of a draw
bar, but the rear car received the impact and
rebounded away preventing an accident. In
due time Mr. Bledsoe was promoted for his
faithful service and wore the badge of con-
ductor. When he resigned it was after nine
years of freight runs on the first Iowa di-
vision of the southwestern branch of the
Rock Island System, his resignation taking
place in 1881, which was tendered for the
purpose of retiring permanently from rail-
road life, but he was induced to accept a po-
sition on the St. Louis division of the Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with
which he remained for three years, and then
resigned to accept a position as sleeping car
conductor for the Pullman Palace Car Com-
pany. He remained with that company for
four years, during the latter part of which
he was inspector of all the company's cars
entering St. Louis. He had the distinction
of placing in the union station at St. Louis
the first Pullman vestibuled train, it being
under his personal inspection. He subse-
quently resigned this position to accept an
offer from the Huttig Sash & Door Com-
pany, of St. Louis, and in 1900 he was trav-
eling representative of this firm in southern
Illinois. He remained with this firm for
eighteen years, during which time he ren-
dered them services of the most efficient type
and was the cause of their business rapidly
increasing. And during his long services
with the above mentioned companies he was
held in the highest esteem by his employers
who placed in him implicit confidence and
had unqualified faith in his ability and in-
tegrity.
Mr. Bledsoe came to Salem, this county,
in 1904 and organized lumber companies
here and at Sparta, Illinois, known as the
Bledsoe Company, retail yards, wholesale;
the Bledsoe-McCreery Lumber Company,
being interested in all of them, and by reason
of his knowledge of this line of business and
his reputation for square dealing, coupled
with his courteous manners, he has built up a
very extensive business throughout this local-
ity which is constantly growing. In his fra-
ternal relations our subject is a member of
the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to
a lumber dealers' association, the Con-
catentated Order of Hoo-Hoo, and both
Mr. and Mrs. Bledsoe are members of the
RICH LAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
279
Christian church, and they are among the
popular and highly respected residents of
Salem.
SILAS CLOUD.
Among the venerable and highly re-
spected citizens of Denver township. Rich-
land county, Illinois, who deserve special
mention in a work of this character, is Silas
Cloud, for his life has been one of consecu-
tive and honest endeavor, resulting in good
both to himself and family and those of his
community, which he has seen develop
through all its stages.
Silas Cloud was born in Clinton county,
Ohio, January 7, 1833, the son of Henry
and Anna (Laymon) Cloud, the former a
native of Ohio and the latter of North Car-
olina. They were married in Ohio, settling
on a farm in Clinton county soon after-
ward, where they remained until the death
of the subject's father, which occurred in
1835, when Silas was two years old. Henry
Cloud was not fifty years old when he died.
He is buried in the old Masonic cemetery
at Lynchburg, Ohio. His widow remained
on the farm in Clinton county until about
1850. The subject was then seventeen
years of age. Mrs. Henry Cloud was re-
married, her second husband being Chris-
tian M. Foster, who was also a native of
North Carolina. They both remained in
Clinton county the remainder of their lives,
the subject's mother dying first in 1880,
when nearly seventy years of age. She is
buried in the same cemetery with her first
husband. Her second husband survived
her about three years. No children were
born to them. The subject's father and
mother were the parents of seven children,
all boys but one, all of whom grew to ma-
turity, Silas being the sixth child in order of
birth.
Silas Cloud's early education was ob-
tained in the common schools of Clinton
county, Ohio, having first attended a select
school and later a free school in the days
when pupils sat on rude benches, which
were usually too high for the feet to touch
the floor. He did not get much education
until after he became of age, then he fitted
himself for a teacher which profession he
followed with much success for a period of
twenty-eight years. The subject remained
at home with his mother until his marriage
on October 26, 1860, to Mary E. Montgom-
ery in Clinton county, Ohio, in which place
she was born, November u, 1839, the
daughter of William and Mary Ann (Ex-
tel) Montgomery, both natives of New Jer-
sey, the father of Irish descent. Mrs.
Cloud's parents were married in New Jer-
and moved to Ohio, buying a farm in Clin-
ton county, upon which they lived the re-
mainder of their lives, Mr. Montgomery
dying -in 1867, at the age of seventy years,
and Mrs. Montgomery survived until 1884,
dying at the age of eighty-one years. Both
are buried in the Masonic cemetery at
Lynchburg, Ohio. They were the parents
of twelve children, ten of whom grew to
maturity, two having died in infancy, the
280
lUnCkAI'HICAI. AM) KK.M I \ ISC'IC \T IIISTOKV OK
subject's wife was the eighth child in order
of birth. Mrs. Cloud attended the common
schools in Ohio. When she and the subject
were married they rented a farm in Clinton
county, Ohio, where they lived a few years,
the subject farming during the summer
months and teaching school in the winter.
In September, 1863, they moved to Illinois,
settling in Richland county, where they
bought a sixty acre farm of unimproved
land in Denver township, forty acres being
on the prairie and twenty acres in timber.
He at once erected a log house and other
similar buildings, making rapid and exten-
sive improvements and later buying an ad-
joining farm of forty acres. They finally
owned a substantial frame dwelling. Mr.
Cloud taught school during the winter
months in Richland county. In 1873 they
sold their principal farm and moved to the
eighty acres upon which they have since re-
sided. It is now well improved and nearly
all under cultivation. Mr. Cloud at one
time owned one hundred acres of good land
in Denver township, but he has since sold
twenty acres of timber land, now owning
eighty acres of improved land. He has
never lived out of Denver township since
coming to Richland county in 1863. Al-
though both Mr. and Mrs. Cloud have seen
may years of hardship and privation during
their lives, their old age is comfortable and
happy. They have always worked hard
and have been successful. Mr. Cloud's
record as a farmer is worthy of praise, but
that of school teacher is especially worthy
of commendation, for it covers a long
stretch of time, twenty-eight years in Ohio
and Illinois, and twenty-six years without
missing a year. After he had taught two
years he attended college in Lebanon, Ohio,
for two years. He intended teaching for
thirty years, but thought it advisable to give
it up on account of trouble with his eyes.
He won a wide reputation as an able edu-
cator and his services were in great demand.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cloud six children have
been born, three of whom grew to maturity,
only two of them now living. They are:
Ida, deceased; John L., living; William
Henry, deceased ; Thomas W., deceased ;
Albert, deceased ; Wylie L., living. John is
single and is living at home with his par-
ents. Wylie, who is also single, is engaged
in the laundry business in Chicago where he
has lived for eight years.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Cloud be-
longs to the Lynchburg lodge, No. 151, In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, at Lynch-
burg, Ohio, where he joined in 1855, in
which order he has passed through all the
chairs in the subordinate lodge. He has
also been a member of various other secret
orders, such as the Illinois Grange, and the
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. In
politics he is a Republican, and once ran for
the office of County Treasurer on the Farm-
ers' Mutual Benefit Association ticket in his
county. He has been treasurer of the Com-
mission of Highways for sixteen years in
Denver township, which position he has
very faithfully filled. He now holds the
office of School Trustee, and he has been
president of the School Board for nearly
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
28l
thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Cloud are
members of the Methodist church at Marion
chapel in Denver township. Mr. Cloud has
been active in church work and in the duties
of the same for many years, having been a
member of the church for thirty years. He
has been steward and recording steward for
twenty-five years, having never missed but
one meeting during that time. He has been
superintendent of the Sunday school for the
past fifteen years. He is now one of the
trustees of Marion chapel, also trustee of
the parsonage of the circuit. Mr. Cloud has
now reached the age of seventy-six years,
ad he has always been blessed with good
health, now being hale and hearty for one
of his age. His good life companion is now
sixty-nine years old and she has not enjoyed
her usual splendid health for the past few
years. They are a fine old couple and ad-
mired by all Denver township and sur-
rounding country for their lives of whole-
some influence and their kindness of heart,
and for the great good they have accom-
plished in material, educational and re-
ligious work.
JOHN W. LARIMER.
The gentleman whose name forms the
caption of this biographical review is now
recognized as one of the leading organizers,
promoters and all around business men and
representative citizens of Marion county,
Illinois, where he was born in what is now
Stevenson township, May 14, 1852. John
W. Larimer's father was Smith Larimer,
a native of Ohio who came to Marion
county, this state, about 1846. He devoted
his life very largely to agricultural pur-
suits. He was elected Treasurer and As-
sessor of Marion county, serving twelve
years with great satisfaction to his constitu-
ents. He moved to Salem in 1858. He was
a loyal Democrat and was elected to office
on this ticket. The offices of Treasurer and
Assessor were conducted as one at that
time. Smith Larimer died in Salem in 1887,
at the age of seventy-six years, after a use-
ful and very active life. Robert Larimer,
grandfather of the subject, was a native of
Ireland who emigrated to America when a
boy, devoting his life to the farm. He lived
to be an old man.
The mother of the subject was known in
maidenhood as Sarah Brown, a native of
Ohio, who traced her lineage to Scotland.
She was a woman of fine traits of char-
acter and she passed to her rest in 1861,
when the subject of this sketch was nine
years old. Mr. and Mrs. Smith Larimer
were the parents of eight children, six of
whom are living, namely: Andrew Jack-
son, who was first lieutenant of Company H,
One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry, which was mustered largely
in Marion county, and this brave young
officer met his death in the great battle of
Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Wilson S. was a
member of the same company, having gone
through the war, dying in the spring of
1888: Mrs. Sarah M. Kite, of St. Louis;
282
lUOC.RAIMIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Mrs. Xancy J. Moore, of Salem, Illinois;
W. F., of Denver, Colorado; John W., our
subject; Ann E. Irvin, also living in Den-
ver ; and Mrs. Kagy, wife of L. M. Kagy,
president of the Salem State Bank.
John W. Larimer, our subject, was born
on the farm, and when six years old moved
with his parents to Salem where he attended
school and when fourteen years old went
into the court house with J. O. Chance, who
was engaged in the abstract business and
who afterward became Clerk of the Supreme
Court of Illinois. Our subject began learn-
ing the abstract business at this early age,
and in 1870 he was appointed Deputy
County Clerk for one year under J. O.
Chance, who was then Clerk. Shortly af-
terward Mr. Chance and Mr. Larimer
formed a partnership in the abstract and
real estate business, which partnership con-
tinued for about four years, when Mr.
Chance was elected Clerk of the Supreme
Court, then Mr. Larimer continued the busi-
ness himself up to the present time, becom-
ing known as one of the ablest, most ac-
curate and reliable abstracters in this part
of the state and his office is always a busy
place.
Our subject was married May 6, 1871, to
Rosa Andrews, daughter of Seth S. An-
drews, now deceased, formerly a representa-
tive citizen of Salem. Three bright and in-
teresting children have been born to the sub-
ject and wife as follows: Dwight W., who
is associated with his father in the abstract
business ; Sarah Louise and Kathryn.
Mr. Larimer has ever taken an active part
in politics and as a result of his innate
ability and his loyalty to his party's prin-
ciples he has been chosen to positions of
public trust by his fellow voters, having
been elected Town Clerk in 1877. He has
also been City Clerk, and he represented
the old third ward as Alderman, also was
honored by one term as Mayor. He served
as a member of the Board of Education for
four years, and in 1896 he was a member of
the State Board of Equalization, serving
four years. This was an elective office and
Mr. Larimer carried Marion county by over
one thousand votes, which speaks for his
popularity in his home county. He received
ten more votes than William J. Bryan. He
was Secretary and a member of the Board- of
Directors of the Salem Building and Loan
Association, having organized this associa-
tion of which he has been secretary for
twenty-five years in 1908, or ever since its
organization. Our subject is also president
of the Business Men's Association, and
president of the Marion County Agricul-
tural Board. Thus we see that our subject
has the confidence and good will of the pub-
lic who have entrusted him with these vari-
ous positions of honor and trust, and that
he has conscientiously and ably discharged
his duties at all times goes without saying,
in fact, no man in the county is more popu-
lar than Mr. Larimer, who is regarded as
one of the county's most valuable men and
one of its foremost citizens.
His business interests have been varied;
he is one of the stockholders in the Salem
State Bank. He is a prominent Mason, hav-
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
283
ing been through all the offices in both the
lodge and the chapter, being a Thirty-second
degree member. He is also a member of the
Knights Templar. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Larimer are members of the Presbyterian
church. They reside at Walnut and Church
streets in a beautiful modern home which
they own.
EDWARD RICHARDSON.
Individual enterprise which is so justly
the boast of the American people is strikingly
exhibited in the career of the gentleman
whose name forms the caption of this sketch.
While transmitting to posterity the record of
such a life, it is with the hope of instilling
into the minds of those who come after the
important lesson that honor and station are
sure rewards of individual exertion. That
the career of such a person besides being
treasured in the hearts of relatives and
friends, should have its public record also, is
peculiarly proper because a knowledge of
men whose substantial fame rests upon their
attainments and character must exert a
wholesome influence upon the rising gener-
ation. The life of Mr. Richardson has in-
deed been a busy and successful one and the
record is eminently worthy of perusal by the
student who would learn the intrinsic essence
of individuality and its influence in mould-
ing public opinion and giving character and
stablity to a community.
Edward Richardson, the well known edi-
tor of the Olney Democrat, of which he is
owner, also publisher of the Olney Review,
both now popular, and one of the influential
men of Richland county, Illinois, was born
in Lawrence county, this state, October 7,
1867, the son of Thomas H. and Eliza J.
Richardson, the former a native of Kentucky
and the latter of North Carolina, both repre-
sentatives of old families of sterling char-
acter.
The early education of our subject was ob-
tained in the public schools of Olney, where
he carefully applied himself, evincing an ear-
ly liking for literary studies and deciding
when a mere boy to devote his life to news-
paper work in some form.
The business career proper of Mr. Rich-
ardson began October 22, 1891, when he
commenced the publication of the Olney
Democrat with C. L. V. Tinker, who sold
his interest to become city editor of the Vin-
cennes Sun. Since that time, twelve years
ago, Mr. Richardson has owned and edited
the Democrat alone, building up the paper
until it now has a wide circulation and its
mechanical appearance shows that he has a
modern plant, the office being one of the
best equipped in this section of the state.
The Olney Review was established by our
subject early in 1908 and it has been a suc-
cessful venture, supplying a long felt want in
the field it seeks to serve. These papers have
been especially noted for their strong sup-
port of all moral questions and they have en-
joyed the support of the best citizens. Aside
from the political phase of these papers they
are designed to vibrate with the public pulse
and in addition to the news of the day, their
columns teem with much of the best current
literature and they are clean, dignified family
I1IUCUAPHICAL AND RKM I MSCKNT HISTORY OF
papers as well as popular and influential po-
litical organs and their steady growth in
public favor bespeak for them futures of
still greater promise and usefulness under
the able management of Mr. Richardson,
who is not only an editorial moulder of pub-
lic opinion, but he also makes his influence
felt in directing the affairs of the county, be-
ing an enterprising, public-spirited citizen
with the affairs of his county at heart.
Our subject was united in marriage with
Hulda Strathmann, on February 9, 1898.
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph
Strathmann, who became Mrs. Richardson,
was born in St. Louis, Missouri, January 17,
1877. Her father is now deceased and her
mother is now Mrs. Emma L. Busefink. The
subject and wife are the parents of three
children, namely: Paul, nine years old in
1909; Martha and Mary, twins, who are
five years old.
Mr. Richardson is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and in his political
relations he supports the Democratic party.
He is a forceful factor in directing thought
along those lines which make for the en-
lightenment of the public and the highest
good of his fellow men.
JOHN H. VAWTER.
Improvement and progress may well be
said to form the keynote of the character of
our subject, and he has not only been inter-
ested in the work of advancement in indi-
vidual affairs but his influence is felt in up-
building the community, where he has al-
ways resided. Mr. Vawter has been a very
industrious man all his life, striving to keep
abreast of the times in every respect, and
as a result every mile post of the years he'
has passed has found him farther advanced,
more prosperous, more sedate and with a
larger number of friends than the preceding.
John H. Vawter was born in Salem, Illi-
nois, in 1860. His father was Reuben T.
Vawter, a native of Tennessee who came to
Marion county about 1850, when he was yet
a young man, settling in Salem, where he
established a tailor shop, having always been
a tailor by trade and a first class workman
in this line. He lived here and met with
worthy success until his death which oc-
curred in 1862. The mother of the subject
was known in her maidenhood as Eleanor
M. Kimball, a native of Tennessee, who was
a woman of many beautiful traits, who
was called to her rest in 1903. Besides the
subject of this sketch Mr. and Mrs. Reuben
T. Vawter were the parents of another child,
A. K. Vawter, now living in Oklahoma,
where he is known as a man of good char-
acter and much business ability. The sub-
ject's mother's second marriage occurred
about 1867, to William Metcalf. John
H. Vawter made a splendid record while
attending the common schools in Sa-
lem. After reaching maturity he went
into the coal and teaming business,
later entered the produce business, prosper-
ing at each of these, but he decided that the
hardware business was more to his liking
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and consequently he entered this field in his
home town in the spring- of 1901. His suc-
cess was assured from the first, and his busi-
ness has rapidly grown, making it necessary
for him to gradually increase his stock,
which he has done until at present he has one
of the most complete and carefully selected
hardware stocks in Marion county. He has
been in his present location ever since he en-
tered the business and he numbers his cus-
tomers from all parts of the county, and
owing to his courteous treatment and the
excellent quality of goods he handles, to-
gether with the fact that they are always
sold at reasonable figures, his reputation has
been firmly established and gained for him
not only hundreds of loyal customers, but at
the same time hosts of friends.
Mr. Vawter was married in 1883, to
Maggie T. Garner, the refined daughter of
Albert C. Garner, a well known and highly
respected family of Salem, and to this union
four interesting children have been born, as
follows : Lillian G., whose date of birth oc-
curred in 1886; Hattie N., who was born in
1889; Marietta's birth occurred in 1891;
and Irene first saw the light of day in 1901.
Mr. Vawter has always taken a conspicu-
ous part in public affairs and as a result of
his humanitarian impulses his fellow citi-
zens have honored him by electing him
Mayor of the City of Salem, which respon-
sible office he at present (1908) holds, the
duties of which he ably performs to the en-
tire satisfaction of this vicinity, and
during his administration he has done much
for the betterment and material progress of
the city, with the result that Salem is one
of the cleanest, most inviting and well gov-
erned cities in this part of the state. He
also served faithfully for four years as Al-
derman.
Mr. Vawter is a staunch Democrat and
well fortified in his political beliefs, being
at all times ready to lend his support to the
party's good, and his counsel is often sought
and always heeded in local conventions and
elections, for the public knows that Mr.
Vawter always stands for the best man pos-
sible in local offices, and whoever he places
the stamp of approval on is sure to be ac-
ceptable to the public at large. In his fra-
ternal relations, he is a member of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. Sa-
lem is glad to number him as one of her
leading merchants and among its representa-
tive citizens. The record of his busines ca-
reer might be summed up in the terse ex-
pression that he is "above want and below
envy."
L. B. KEITH.
It is not every man who succeeds in giv-
ing his name to a town, but this distinction
fell to Peter Keith, who emigrated from
Pennsylvania during the first half of the
last century and found his way to Noble
county, Ohio. He there entered a section
of land from the government and by hard
work eventually whipped it into the condi-
tion of a fairly productive farm. Gradual
286
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
increase of population in the neighborhood
led to the demand for a town, which was
eventually established on Peter Keith's land
and named in his honor. He continued to
reside there until his death in 1865. He
left a son, P. C. Keith, who was born on
the Noble county homestead, became a mer-
chant later in life and still resides in' the
town which bears his family name. He
married Susan Coffey, whose parents emi-
grated from Scotland to America in 1826
and settled near Caldwell, Ohio, where they
spent the remainder of their days, the father
dying in 1872, and his wife in 1876. Mr.
and Mrs. P. C. Keith had ten children,
whose births are thus recorded : Clara
Frances, deceased; L. W., deceased; L. B.
subject of this sketch; Mary Eliza Groves,
of Caldwell, Ohio; Charles, of Keith. Ohio;
Asa, of Waterford, Ohio ; Edward, of Gree-
ley, Iowa; O. W., a merchant at Water-
ford, Ohio; W. O., of Detroit, Michigan;
Raymond C., of Phcenix, Arizona.
L. B. Keith, who is number three in the
above list, was born in Noble county, Ohio,
October 12, 1862. He attended school at
Keith, and in 1888 he removed to Illinois,
locating at Reinard in the county of Wayne.
He engaged at once in the mercantile busi-
ness, which he prosecuted diligently until
his removal to Flora in 1900. At this point
he resumed in the same line and so con-
tinued for two years. Being appointed
City Marshal, he devoted two years of his
time to the duties of this office and then
accepted the position of lieutenant of police
in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad. This he held for one year and in
1904 engaged in the seed and implement
business under the firm name of Borders &
Keith. In politics he is a red hot Democrat
and always at the front when a campaign
is in progress. His fraternal relations are
with the Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Red Men,
Modern Woodmen and Maccabees.
In 1892 Mr. Keith married Miss Julia
A. Neff, a native of Reinard, and they have
three children; Harry, born in 1893, Marie
born in 1896, and Eddie Fay, born in 1898.
Mrs. Keith departed this life January 9,
1907, and was mourned as a good wife and
mother.
JOSEPH A PRATHER.
This venerable citizen of Raccoon town-
ship, Marion county, has been a very active
man in the development of this part of the
Union, having spent his long life in this and
her sister state on the east. He has seen the
wonderful growth of the country from its
wild prairies, dense forests, inhabited by
red men and wild beasts to one of the rich-
est and best countries in the world.
Joseph A. Prather was born in Clark
county, Indiana, January 31, 1824, the son
of Sihon and Elizabeth (Williams) Prather,
the former a native of North Carolina and
the latter of Virginia. The subject's father
grew up in the Tar Heel state and moved to
Clark county, Indiana, where he lived on a
farm and where he and his wife both died.
He was a Democrat and held the office of
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
28;
Justice of the Peace several years. He was
a member of the Methodist church, well
known and influential. They were the par-
ents of the following children : Louisa, de-
ceased; Samantha, deceased; Thomas, de-
ceased; John, deceased; Joseph A., our sub-
ject; William, deceased; Margaret lives in
Clark county, Indiana. Several children
died young.
Joseph A. Prather, our subject, had few
opportunities to become educated, however
he attended subscription schools for a time
and lived at home until he was twenty-one
years of age, when he went to Floyd county.
Indiana, and in 1844 married Sarah Ann
Patrick, a native of Clark county, that state,
where she was born December 3, 1827, the
daughter of William and Nancy (Harris)
Patrick, the former a native of North Caro-
lina and the latter of Virginia. They lived
and died in Clark county, Indiana, on a
farm. There were twelve children in their
family as follows : Jeremiah, Rebecca, John,
Elizabeth, Mary, William, Solomon. James,
Nancy, Lewis, Sarah Ann, and Eliza. They
are all deceased except the wife of our sub-
ject. Mr. and Mrs. Prather became the par-
ents of nine children, three deceased, name-
ly : Nancy, who married Roland Warren,
lives in Centralia, Illinois, and is the mother
of eight children : Margaret, who is now de-
ceased, having died January 24, 1908, mar-
ried Lewis Patton, having become the moth-
er of ten children, one of whom is deceased ;
John, who married Belle Oldfield. is a
fanner and teamster at Centralia, and has
for children: Eliza J.. who married Thomas
Shaw, of Centralia township, is the mother
of eight children; Emmons R., a farmer in
Raccoon township, first married Mollie Gas-
ton and later Lillie Blair, of Raccoon town-
ship, having had four children by his first
wife and two by the second ; Etha is the wife
of Charles Bundy, of Raccoon township, a
full sketch of whom appears in this work ;
Orville, who is living on part of the old
home place in Raccoon township, married,
first Laura May, and his second wife was
Annie Howard, had three children by each
wife; William died at the age of seven
years : George died when two years old.
The subject has fifty-three grandchildren
and thirty-four great-grandchildren. After
his marriage our subject lived in Floyd
county, Indiana, having come to Marion
county, Illinois, in 1854. where he pur-
chased two hundred and twenty acres of
land in sections 29 and 32. He made all
the improvements on the place, there having
been but very little when he took charge,
but being a good manager and a hard
worker he soon developed a most excellent
farm and established a comfortable home.
He carries on general farming, raising all
kinds of grain, fruit and stock and making a
success of all that he undertakes. He is a
Democrat in politics and has held some of
the offices in Raccoon township, always
taking much interest in the affairs of his
township. He is a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church at Walnut Hill. He
has always been a hard working man and
is still very well preserved for a man of his
years, having a good business mind and able
IIIOC.KAIMIK-AL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
to manage the many details of his fine farm
with profit from year to year. He is a very
well read man, keeping well posted on all
current topics. As a result of his life of in-
dustry, honesty and kindness he has scores
of warm friends and if a single enemy he
does not know it. Everybody in this part
of Marion county knows "Uncle Joe" Pra-
ther, as he is familiarly called and every-
body respects him very highly.
J. W. SKIPWORTH.
This venerable and highly hnored citi-
zen of Centralia is eminently entitled to con-
spicuous mention in this history, owing to
the fact that he might properly be called a
pioneer of this section, having seen and par-
ticipated in the development of the same
from the early days and the life he has led
is one of commendation and worthy of emu-
lation by younger generations, for it has
been led along lines of usefulness and integ-
rity.
J. W. Skipworth was born in Maury
county, Tennessee, September 25, 1823,
therefore he is at this writing in his eighty-
sixth year, hale and hearty as a boy, active
and in possession of all his faculties as if he
were many years younger. His parents,
Hosea and Cassander (Ward) Skipworth,
were both natives of North Carolina, the
former having been born in 1776. The pa-
ternal grandfather of the subject, Nathan
Skipworth, was in the American army at
the time of the Revolutionary war for a pe-
riod of six years. Our subject was present
at his death. Eight children were born to
the parents of the subject, four boys and
an equal number of girls. J. W., the
youngest of the number, is the only one liv-
ing in 1908.
Captain Ward, the father of our subject's
mother, owned and operated a merchant
sailing vessel on the Atlantic ocean from
Wilmington, Delaware, to Liverpool , Eng-
land. This was before the days of the Revo-
lution.
Hosea Skipworth, the subject's father left
Tennessee and came to Illinois because he
was opposed to slavery and the seceding of
the Southern states from the Union.
Our subject was five years old when his
parents moved to Lebanon, Illinois, settling
on a farm. Hosea Skipworth died at Leb-
anon in 1832, his widow having survived
until 1846, having died two miles south of
Centralia, Marion county. Our subject's
education was obtained at Centralia. He
lived in that vicinity until he was sixty years
old, when he moved to Centralia in 1873.
He followed farming, trading and stock
shipping. Our subject saw Centralia grow
from a wilderness which abounded in
wolves, deer, wild cats and some bear, when
there were no houses except cabins in the
woods, from one-half to three miles apart.
The country round about was open prairie.
Most of the residents of this community
lived on wild meats during the winter, such
as deer, prairie chicken, quail, wild turkey
and squirrels. Often as many as one thou-
sand prairie chickens were seen in one flock.
Deer was more plentiful than cattle is now.
J. W. SKIPWORTH.
Of THE
UNIVERSITY Of 1LLINOI.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
The wolves killed the sheep and pigs. The
bridges were all built by the nieghbors, being
constructed of heavy logs.
The subject recalls the campaign of James
K. Polk for President, when the wagons
throughout the country were decorated with
polk-berry stain and those taking part in
the parades and rallies used polk-stalks for
canes. The market post for all trade was
sixty-five miles away, St. Louis. The hogs
were fattened for the most part on wild
nuts or mast. It was then the custom for
several neighbors to place their hogs in one
drove and drive them to St. Louis for mar-
ket. Mr. Skipworth says that the amuse-
ments in those days consisted principally in
shooting-matches, dances or "hoedowns,"
also horse races. The first choice of a beef
was its hide, tallow and horns; meat was
the second choice. July 4th always called
for a big barbecue of beeves, mutton or
pork, cooked in large trenches. The Dec-
laration of Independence was always read,
the drum and fife were very popular and
the orator of the day was in evidence. Dur- '
ing election times the candidates furnished
kegs of whisky, which was poured into
buckets, by which sat a tin cup, and each
one helped himself. The bucket always
bore the name of the candidate. Where the
railroad yard is now located in Centralia
our subject says, he once saw a thousand
wild geese and as many ducks in the water.
The swampy place was filled with cinders
and made solid.
It was 1835 when our subject came to
Marion county, through which no railroad
19
was built until 1854. Coal mines were then
unknown and government land and "squat-
ter sovereignty" were the conditions prevail-
ing here. Not one man in twenty owned his
land. It was the cheaper not to own land,
for then there were no taxes to pay.
The first land sold for one dollar and twen-
ty-five cents per acre, then two dollars and
fifty cents per acre. When the Vandalia
Railroad came through in 1852 the farmers
bid in all their land; then came the specu-
lators. This land now sells for one hun-
dred dollars per acre.
Mr. Skipworth was married to Martha
Crabtree, daughter of William and Mary
Crabtree, who lived in Jefferson county, lat-
er moved to Southwest Missouri. They were
the parents of four children, the subject's
wife being next to the youngest in order of
birth. The date of the subject's wedding
was January 3, 1841. The subject's wife
had three brothers in the Mexican war. Four
children were born to our subject and his
first wife, namely: Julian, deceased; John
H., deceased; Ellen, living; Virenda, de-
ceased. The first wife of the subject passed
away April 4, 1854, and on May 29, 1855,
Mr. Skipworth was married to Nellie Hos-
kins. Eight children have been born to this
union, namely : Louisa, who married Phillip
Straus, living in Chicago ; Charles, who died
in 1875; Rhoda married Edward Root, liv-
ing in Chicago, and they are the parents of
one son, Charles. The other five children
of the subject and his last wife have all
passed away.
Mr. Skipworth ably served his commu-
2 9 2
1MOGKAIMIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
township, the former on August 9, 1838, the
son of John, known as Jack, Bundy. The
subject's father grew up and married in
Raccoon township and lived there all his
life. He was one of the prominent farmers
and stockmen. He was a Republican, was
Justice of the Peace and served in many
minor township offices. He and his wife
were members of the Christian church. He
died July i, 1904, and she died January 30,
1900. He was not only popular but high-
ly esteemed. The subject of this sketch was
their only child.
George Bundy was one of the patriotic
citizens of the Prairie state who responded
to the call for volunteers to save the na-
tion's integrity during the sixties, having
enlisted in the Union army, August 12,
1862, and served faithfully in Company H,
Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
he was mustered out June 19, 1865. He
was a flag bearer. He met with an acci-
dent while on duty in the service. While car-
rying the flag, he caught his foot on a grape
vine, fell and was very badly injured. After
the war our subject returned to Raccoon
township and being a hard worker he se-
cured two hundred and thirty-nine acres in
this township. He had only a common
school education in the home schools. He
has always lived on a part of the old home-
stead.
Our subject, Charles E. Bundy, was united
in marriage October 29, 1885, to Effie Jane
Prather, who was born in Raccoon town-
ship, the daughter of Joseph Prather, a na-
tive of Indiana. He was one of the old and
favorably known residents of Raccoon town-
ship. Eleven children have been born to-
our subject and wife as follows: Sarah
Gladys, Earl, Iva May, George Ashton,
Carroll Ashton, Thomas Oren, John Guy;
Lola Elizabeth; Ula Violet; Paul Sherman,
and Charles Deward.
Our subject has always been a man of
industry and has made many valuable and
lasting improvements on his place. He re-
modeled his fine home in 1908, making it a
very attractive, substantial and comfortable
one. He has a most excellent and valuable
orchard of forty acres. He carries on gen-
eral farming and stock raising with that
rare foresight that insures success.
While Mr. Bundy is a loyal Republican,
and anxious to see his county develop along
all lines, he has never aspired for public
office. He is a member of the Fanners'
Union. He is known to be a man of thor-
oughly honest principles, public-spirited and
agreeable to all his neighbors and many-
friends.
M. W. MICHAELS.
Mr. Michaels, of this review, is one of
those strong, sturdy characters who has con-
tributed largely to the material welfare of
the community and township in which he re-
sides, being a modern agriculturist and a
business man of more than ordinary sagac-
ity and foresight, and as a citizen public-
spirited and progressive in all that the terms
imply. For a number of years he has been
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
293
an important factor in promoting the prog-
ress of Marion county.
M. W. Michaels was born near Sumner,
Lawrence county, Illinois, May 19, 1861,
the son of Samuel Michaels, a native of
Pennsylvania, who was born in 1815, and
came to Illinois when a young boy, before
Chicago was known. He was a sturdy pio-
neer and braved the dangers, inconveniences
and obstacles of the early days, securing a
wild piece of land which he transformed
into a valuable and highly productive farm,
devoting his entire life to agricultural pur-
suits. He came to Marion county in 1880
and was called from his earthly labors in
Romine township, Illinois, in 1897. The
mother of the subject was also a woman of
the strongest mould and possessed the ster-
ling qualities of the typical pioneer woman.
Samuel Michaels was three times married
and had a family of twenty children, eight-
een of whom are living in 1908, a somewhat
remarkable record. His first wife was a Ea-
kas, who became the mother of six children,
all now living, as follows: Mary A., wife of
W. J. Jones, of luka, Illinois; Anna, the
wife of Joseph Clevy. of Pomona, Kansas;
Adline, the wife of Isaac Williams, of
Browns, Illinois; Mrs. Lafe Jones, of Cal-
houn, Illinois; Mrs. Martha Jones, of Sum-
ner, Illinois; William' B. lives at Kremlin,
Oklahoma. The second wife of Samuel
Michaels was Mary A. Collins, daughter of
William Collins, who was murdered near
Lawrenceville, Illinois, in the seventies. The
following children were born to this union :
M. W., the subject of this sketch; Samuel,
of Gettysburg, Washington; L. G., of
Franklin, Alaska; C. J., of luka, Illinois;
R. B., of Centralia, Illinois; W. N., of luka,
Illinois ; Rose, widow of John Meadows, liv-
ing in St. Louis, Missouri; Charlie, who is
living in one of the Western states. The
mother of these children passed to the other
shore December 13, 1879. The third wife
of the subject's father was Caroline Turner,
a native of Illinois, who became the mother
of the following children : Cora, wife of
Charles Bryan, of luka, Illinois; Elizabeth,
who was the wife of Charles Williams, is
now deceased; Alvin, Ida and Minnie all
live in Romine township ; Albert died in in-
fancy. L. J. Michaels, brother of 'the sub-
ject, has been in Alaska since about 1897,
and has made a great success at placer min-
ing, refusing fifty thousand dollars for his
claims.
The subject of this sketch lived with his
father, assisting with the farm work and
attending the neighboring schools in the
winter, until he became a young man, when
he went west, where he spent several years
in the railroad business, gaining a fund of
valuable experience and information. He
finally returned home and married, Novem-
ber 6, 1883, Maggie Taylor, daughter of
P. A. Taylor. Both he and his wife were
natives of Kentucky. Mr. Michaels went
west again in 1887 with his family and
worked from Colorado to New Mexico, but
was in California most of the time. He re-
turned to Illinois in 1897, and began farm-
ing in Romine township. He made a signal
success of farming, having improved a good
tract of land and skillfully managed the
same until he soon had not only a comfort-
294
1UOGKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
able living, but quite a competency laid by.
Mr. Michaels is a stockholder in the First
National Bank at Salem, however, he de-
votes his attention to farming interests
principally and is known as one of the best
and most painstaking agriculturists in the
township and his farm shows unmistakably
that a man of thrift and industry manages it.
Mr. Michaels is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, also the Woodmen, and
both he and his wife are members of the
Christian church. The subject and wife
are the parents of two children, namely:
Clarence, who was born July 18, 1885. He
is a bright young man who gives prom-
ise of a brilliant and successful future. The
second child, Everett, died in infancy.
Mr. Michaels has always taken consider-
able interest in political matters and of re-
cent years has been influential in local elec-
tions, being well grounded and well read in
his political opinions and on political sub-
jects. Having a laudable ambition for offi-
cial preferment, and being a popular man
in his party, his Republican friends selected
him for Sheriff, having been elected to this
important office in 1906, by a big majority
in a county nominally Democratic, which
shows that he is regarded as a strong man
in his community. He also served as a
member of the County Board for two terms,
representing his township. He has shown
himself eminently capable in all the offices
or positions of public or private trust that
have been proffered, giving entire satisfac-
tion to all his constituents and, in fact, every-
one concerned.
JOSEPH S. PEAK.
The state of Maryland contributed her
proportion of emigrants to form the army of
pioneers who crossed the Alleghanies in the
earlier part of the nineteenth century to grap-
ple with the western wilderness. Among
the number was Joseph Peak, whose birth oc-
curred about the time of the Revolutionary
war, and who, after marrying Lucy Leach,
started on the perilous trip to the "Dark and
Bloody Ground," south of the Ohio river.
He does not seem to have been pleased with
the opportunities offered by Kentucky, as we
find him soon crossing over to the more con-
genial soil of the Buckeye state. He settled
in Butler county, then as now, one of the
best sections of Ohio and made his living by
farming until his death in 1835. He had
eight children and among them William B.
Peak, whose birth occurred on the Butler
county homestead, September 25, 1812. He
also followed the occupation of farming, but
concluding late in life that the Illinois prai-
ries offered better inducements, he removed
to that state in August, 1864, and settled in
Flora, where he engaged in business until his
death, January 7, 1896. Aside from agricul-
tural pursuits, he became a preacher of the
Methodist Episcopal church and did much
religious work during the active period of
his life. He married Cynthia Planner, a
native of Butler county, Ohio, who made
him a faithful companion until her death
in 1874. This worthy couple had eleven
children, all but one of whom lived to ma-
turity and eight are still living. Of
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
295
these. Mrs. Angelina Chidester is a resident
of Flora, Mrs. Mary Floyd is a resident of
Dublin, Indiana. Rev. T. De Witt Peak is
a citizen of Litchfield, Illinois. Mrs. Caro-
line Major makes her home in Flora. Rev.
R. F. Peak holds forth at Oakland, Califor-
nia. Mrs. S. C. Manker is the sixth in order
of birth. Mrs. C. E. Beckett resides at Cen-
tralia, Illinois. Joseph S. Peak, the second in
order of birth of the surviving children, was
born in Butler county, Ohio, March 16, 1837.
He accompanied his parents to Clay county
during the latter part of the Civil war, after
obtaining a fair common school education,
partly in his native county and partly n Shel-
by county, Indiana, where the family so-
journed for a while. For many years after
reaching Illinois, he combined farming and
school teaching as a means of livelihood. In
August, 1 86 1, he enlisted in Company D,
Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, with which he served nine months,
being discharged on account of sickness. He
farmed and taught school in Indiana before
he came to Illinois, where he spent his time
on a farm until the winter of 1893, when he
removed to Flora, Illinois. In 1884 he was
elected Surveyor of Clay county on the Re-
publican ticket, in which office he served ac-
ceptably for four years. In 1888 he obtained
the nomination for the same office, but was
defeated, at the polls. He tried again
in 1894, and was triumphantly elected,
but after serving his term, aban-
doned politics for the real estate and gen-
eral notary business. In 1896 he was elected
Justice of the Peace and has continued to
exercise the duties of that office by repeated
re-elections. He had served in this capacity
also while a resident of the country, previous
to his removal to Flora. Mr. Peak is a hale
and vigorous man for his age and possessed
of a cheerfufl disposition, fortified by many
of the sterling virtues. He has resided in or
near Flora for forty-five years and is known
to every one in the county. He is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and for
five years was secretary of the International
Sunday School Association. He is com-
mander of the local post of the Grand Army
of the Republic. On October 7, 1857, Mr.
Peak Married Susan E. Lick, who was born
and reared near the town of Hope in Barthol-
omew county, Indiana. Their marriage re-
lations have continued harmonious for over
fifty-one years. Of their seven children,
those living are Mrs. Addie Lewis, of Oma-
ha, Nebraska ; Charles A. Peak, of the same
city ; Mrs. Mary Chapman, also of Omaha ;
W. B. Peak, Omaha ; E. E. Peak, of Detroit,
Michigan; Miss Stella Peak, of Flora.
FRANK LOOMIS.
Among those men of Marion county,
who by the mere force of their personality,
have forged their way to the front ranks
of that class of citizens who may justly be
termed progressive, is the gentleman whose
name heads this sketch, who has a fine farm
in Tonti township, which he has taken a
great interest in and which he has improved
29 6
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
in a most systematic way until it is the equal
of any in the vicinity where it is so admir-
ably located.
Frank Loomis was born in this township,
March 20, 1865, the son of S. E. and Mar-
garet (McMurray) Loomis, a highly re-
spected family and for several generations
well known in Marion county. S. E.
Loomis was a native of Ohio, where he was
bom October 12, 1841, and came with his
parents to Marion county, Illinois, in 1846,
and after a life of hard work in practically
a new country, he passed to his rest in 1885.
Almon Loomis, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, also came to this county from Ohio,
settling on the farm where Frank Loomis
now lives. He was one of the pioneers in
this part of the county and reclaimed the
farm in question from the wilderness. He
is remembered as a hard worker and a good
man in every respect. He passed to his rest
in this township July 26, 1893.
S. E. Loomis was married in Marion
county, his wife having come to this country
from Scotland, where she was born. Four
children were born to this marriage. Three
sons are now living, namely : Frank, our
subject; Byron C, and Louis L. Frank
Loomis was reared upon his father's farm
in Tonti township and worked during the
summer months on the farm, attending the
district schools during the winter months
until he had a fairly good common school
education. He remained at home until he
was twenty-one years old, and at the age
of twenty-three was united in marriage with
Ida M. Martin, the affable and congenial
daughter of Caleb and Martha J. (Mc-
Heney) Martin. Her father was born in
North Carolina, and he moved to Tennessee,
later coming to Marion county, Illinois.
The mother of Mrs. Loomis was born in
Tonti township, this county. Ida M. was
the sixth child in order of birth in this fam-
ily. She was educated in the dis-
trict schools, where she applied her-
self in such a manner as to become
well educated. Two children were born
to the subject and wife, namely: Glen
M., born September 12, 1890, and Omer F.,
who was born April 23, 1895. They are
both bright boys, and will, no doubt, make
their mark in the world. Mr. Loomis is
the owner of a farm consisting of one hun^
dred and twenty acres on which he carries
on general fanning which yields him a com-
fortable living from year to year and at the
same time permits him to lay up a compe-
tency for old age and to give his children
every necessary advantage in launching
them successfully in the battle of life. His
fields are well tilled, the crops of heavy
grain being rotated with clover so as to re-
tain the strength of the soil. He has a
comfortable and substantial residence which
is well furnished and nicely kept. Many
and convenient out buildings also stand on
the place, and much good stock of various
kinds is to be found in his fields and barns.
In politics Mr. Loomis is a staunch Re-
publican, but he does not take a very active
part in party affairs, being contented to
spend his time on his farm. Fraternally he
is a member of the Ben Hur lodge, Odin,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
297
No. 226. Mrs. Loomis is also a member
of this organization. He is regarded as one
of the substantial and best citizens of Tonti
township.
ROY H. MCKNIGHT, M. D.
The grandfather of this popular physi-
cian was James A. McKnight, a native of
Indiana, who became an early settler of Il-
linois. He located at Ingraham, in the
county of Clay, and prosecuted his trade as
a miller, a business of much importance in
a pioneer community. His death occurred
in 1895, when he was quite advanced in
years. He had been accompanied to Il-
linois by his son, Frank, who was born in
Indiana, learned his father's trade of mill-
ing, and continued in this calling during the
working period of his life, which ended at
Ingraham, in 1894, at the comparatively
early age of forty-seven years. Frank Mc-
Knight was married in early manhood to
Lou Shriner, a native of Ohio, who is
still residing in Chicago. The chil-
dren of this union, three in number, were:
Roy H.. Rolla, now at Minnie, Arkansas,
and Hazel, a resident of Chicago.
Roy H. McKnight was born March 14,
1 88 1, at Ingraham, Clay county, Illinois. Af-
ter the usual elementary course in the district
schools at home, he was graduated in 1899
from the Jefferson high school in Chicago.
In 1900. he matriculated in the medical de-
partment of the Illinois University and spent
three years in diligent prosecution of his
studies. After leaving this institution, three
additional years were spent at the Dearborn
Medical College in Chicago, from which he
was graduated in the class of 1906. After
practicing a year in Chicago, Dr. McKnight
opened an office in Clay City in the fall of
1907 and since then has continued in busi-
ness at that place. He had a lucrative prac-
tice in the hospital at Englewood, but was
forced to give this up and seek the country
on account of ill health. The doctor's early
career was at once a test of his ambitious
determination and a guarantee of his success
in life, as he early learned the valuable les-
son of self-denial and saving. When his fa-
ther died, he was thrown on his own re-
sources at the tender age of thirteen. He
bought a pair of overalls and a cap, took
a freight train to Chicago and found employ-
ment at four dollars per week. All but fifty
cents of this went for board, but on this scant
surplus he saved money. When by hard work
and faithful service he was promoted to a
stipend of four dollars and fifty cents a week,
he was correspondingly happy. His first
work was for the Thompson (bicycle) Man-
ufacturing Company and his next job was
with the Western Electric Company. His
hard labor extended through seven years, at
the end of which time he found himself in
possession of the, to him, munificent remuner-
ation of twenty-five dollars per week. In the
seven years he saved four thousand dollars,
every cent of which was spent in procuring
his education as a physician. It is hardly
necessary to add that the doctor is a pro-
gressive young man, of boundless ambition
2 9 8
HIOC.KAPHICAL AND KK M I X ISC K NT HISTORY OF
and possessing especial aptitude and ability.
Dr. McKnight is a member of the American,
Clay County and Cook (Chicago) County
Medical societies. He is a Mason and holds
membership in Union Park Lodge, No. 610,
of that order in Chicago.
In 1903, Dr. McKnight was married to
Bertha May Hill, of Wheeling, West Vir-
ginia, and they have one child, Mildred,
born July i, 1904. The parents are mem-
bers of the Christian church at Clay City.
GEORGE J. HEAVER.
The gentleman to whom the biographer
now calls the reader's attention was not fa-
vored by inherited wealth or the assistance
of influential friends, but in spite of this,
by perseverance, industry and a wise
economy, he has attained a comfortable sta-
tion in life, and is well and favorably known
throughout Tonti and surrounding town-
ships, Marion county, as a result of the in-
dustrious life he has lived there for over
a half century.
George J. Heaver was born in Crawford
county, Ohio, December 8, 1838, the son
of George Jacob and Christena (Fritz)
Heaver, both natives of Wertenburg, Ger-
many. They married in the Fatherland
where two children were born to them.
Deciding that greater opportunties were to
be found in the United States they landed
at Sandusky, Ohio, July 3, 1838, and be-
fore becoming hardly established in the new
country the father died December I, 1838.
His widow re-married in 1841, her second
husband being Levi Kline, of Crawford
county, Ohio, and in 1849 they emigrated to-
Marion county, Illinois, locating west of
Salem, where they lived until 1854, when
Mr. Kline died, and his widow was again
married, her third husband being George
Kline; both are now deceased.
The first marriage of Christena Fritz re-
sulted in the birth of four children, two
boys and two girls, all deceased but the sub-
ject of this sketch. George J. Heaver re-
mained at home under the parental roof-tree
until he reached maturity. His educational
advantages were very limited but he early
acquired enough schooling to read and write,
but being by nature an intelligent man, he
has succeeded admirably well without tech-
nical training. Our subject was one of
those loyal sons of the North, who, when the
fierce fires of rebellion were raging in the
Southland, felt it his duty to forsake home
ties and offer his services in behalf of the
stars and stripes, consequently he enlisted in
Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Il-
linois Volunteer Infantry, on August 12,
1862, under Capt. Amos Clark, of Salem, Il-
linois, and was in camp at that place. He
was called to Camp Marshall where he re-
mained until October 31, 1862, when his
company was sent to Columbus, Kentucky,
and was assigned to the Army of the Cum-
berland, later taking part in the battle at Re-
saca, Georgia, and the strenuous Atlanta
campaign, also in Sherman's famous march
to the sea. Our subject also came back with
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
299
Sherman's army through the Carolinas to
Washington City. He was mustered out
here after rendering conspicuous and valu-
able service, and returned to Springfield,
Illinois, on June 6, 1865. He was wounded
on May 13, 1864, which resulted in his be-
ing absent from duty for some time. He
rejoined his regiment at Rome, Georgia, af-
ter he had recovered. After his career in the
army our subject returned to Salem, this
state, and engaged in farming.
Mr. Heaver was united in marriage in
1866 to Maggie Williams, of Salem, who
was born in Ohio, February 13, 1838. She
was a woman of many fine characteristics,
and after a harmonious wedded life of
twenty-six years she was called to her rest
in the fall of 1902. Four children were
born to our subject and wife as follows:
George W. was born February 19, 1870;
Louie C. was born September 29, 1874;
William W. was born October i, 1869, died
aged seven years; Charles W. was born in
1879.
Mr. Heaver was in Texas for a period of
eight years where he made a financial suc-
cess of his labors, but he returned to this
county in 1885. He is now the owner of
sixty-five acres of land in Tonti township
which he farmed with the greatest results at-
tending his efforts, for he understands well
all the details of managing a farm success-
fully. His fields are well fenced and cleanly
kept. Most of the corn the place produces
is fed on the farm to various kinds of stock.
He has a nice and comfortable dwelling and
plenty of good out buildings. His son,
George W., and daughter, Louie C., live
with him.
In his social relations our subject is a
member of the Salem Post, No. 202, Grand
Army of the Republic, in which he takes
a great interest, as might be expected. He
is a member of the Presbyterian church, a
regular attendant at the local gatherings of
this denomination in which he has long
taken a delight. In his political affiliations
he is a loyal Democrat, and faithfully served
the public as Commissioner of Highways
and Road Supervisor. He is regarded by
every one who knows him as a man of sound
business principles, honest and kind.
JOSEPH K. MCLAUGHLIN.
Our subject is the present Supervisor of
Raccoon township where no man is better
known or is held in higher respect than he,
for his life has been led along honorable
lines and he has always had the interest of
his county at heart.
Joseph K. McLaughlin was born in Wal-
nut Hill, Marion county, September 26.
1850, the son of James and Ann E. (Lyons)
McLaughlin, both natives of Ireland, where
they married. They came to the United
States in 1845 an d settled in Randolph
county, Illinois, later came to Marion county
and in 1848 settled near Walnut Hill, about
1855 locating in Raccoon township. They
were members of the Reformed Presbyterian
church. The subject's father was a Repub-
3 oo
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
lican. He and his wife were the parents of
the following children: Ann Eliza, Eliza-
beth, Nancy, Thomas J., Joseph K., our sub-
ject; Annie E., Jane, James A. and Ann-
ette E. The subject's father devoted his
life to farming. He died February 7, 1878,
at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife
died February 14, 1908.
The early education of the subject of this
sketch was obtained in the home schools. In
1 882 he bought his present farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres in Raccoon township.
He carries on general farming and stock
raising in a most successful manner, being a
man of sound judgment and a hard worker.
His farm is highly improved and very pro-
ductive. He raises much good stock and his
dwelling and other buildings are substantial
and comfortable.
Mr. McLaughlin was united in marriage
in 1870 with Tirzah E. Morton, who was
born in Raccoon township, the daughter of
James and Mary Morton, a well known
family in their neighborhood. Nine chil-
dren have been born to the subject and wife :
Charles, who married Dorothea Huff, has
three children, Merlyn, Paul, Dorothea;
James C. married Mora Bennett and they
have two children, Bennett and Collin C. ;
Harry married Kate White; Stella married
Willis R. Burgess and they have two chil-
dren, Buford and Nellie ; Hugh Archie mar-
ried Lulu Kell; Joseph is a law student at
Champaign, Illinois; John is a member of
the family circle and is a teacher; Walter
is also teaching and living at home ; Elma
lives with her parents. These children are
bright and have received good educations.
Mrs. McLaughlin is a member of the
Presbyterian church and a faithful attend-
ant upon the same. Mr. McLaughlin is a
Democrat and is serving his second term as
Supervisor, giving his constituents entire
satisfaction in this capacity.
DAVID HERSHBERGER.
The subject of this sketch was reared to
the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm
and during all the succeeding years of his
life he has not wavered in his allegiance to
the great basic art of agriculture. To the
public schools he is indebted for the early
educational privileges that were afforded
him, and he duly availed himself of the
same, while he has effectually broadened his
knowledge through active association with
men and affairs in practical business life.
He has become the owner of a fine stock
farm and devotes his attention to diversified
agriculture with the discrimination, energy
and constant watchfulness which inevitably
make for definite success and prosperity.
He has spent practically all of his life in
Marion county.
David Hershberger, living two miles west
of Salem. Illinois, was born October 20,
1865. in Crawford county, Ohio, the son of
Henry and Catherine (Snavely) Hershber-
ger, the former being a native of Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, where he was born
February 14, 1824, and the latter of Leb-
anon county, Pennsylvania, both having
been reared in the Keystone state. They
moved to Crawford county, Ohio, where
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
301
they farmed for several years and then in
1 866 moved to Marion county, Illinois, set-
tling in Salem township where Henry
bought a large tract of land, becoming the
owner of about two thousand acres in Ma-
rion county. He improved this land and -it
became very valuable. He died August 29,
1898. He is remembered as a thrifty
farmer and a highly respected citizen. Both
he and his wife were members of the Ger-
man Baptist church, or Dunkards. Jacob
Hershberger, grandfather of the subject,
was also a native of Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania, and the great-grandfather of the
subject, Henry Hershberger, was also a
native of that place. Henry, the father of
the subject, and Catharine Snavely were
married February 10, 1848. They were
very active in the church and Henry was a
preacher for many years, having done a
great amount of good in his work. He was
a Republican in politics. He and his wife
were the parents of nine children, named in
order of birth, as follows : Jacob, a promi-
nent farmer in Marion county ; Samuel, de-
ceased; Mary, widow of John Schanafelt;
Elizabeth is the wife of W. J. Martin, a
prominent farmer in Marion county; Anna
is the wife of S. A. Schanafelt; Sarah is
the wife of C. W. Courson. who lives in
Marion county; John lives in Salem town-
ship on a farm; Henry lives in Centralia,
Illinois; David, our subject, is the youngest
child. The mother of the subject passed
to her rest April 14, 1906.
The subject remained at home on his
father's farm until he married. He was one
year old when he came to Marion county,
he was married December 31, 1888,
to Lida Dickens, the daughter of Eli-
jah and Elizabeth (Tate) Dickens, both
natives of Tennessee, but pioneer settlers of
Marion county, Illinois, both now deceased.
The subject's wife was born in this county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hershberger six children
have been born as follows: Leland, de-
ceased; Walter E., Lottie M., Loren D.,
Henry R., and Wayne D.
The subject and family are members of
the German Baptist church in Salem town-
ship, and the subject is a deacon in the
church. He is a loyal Republican, having
served his township as Highway Commis-
sioner in a most acceptable manner. He
lives on the old home farm, this together
with his own farm constitutes two hundred
and eighty acres. He is regarded as one
of the leading farmers of Marion county,
and always keeps excellent stock. He has
a beautiful home which is elegantly fur-
nished, and everything about the place is
kept in first class order.
MRS. JUDITH SINGER.
Words of praise or periods of encomium
could not clearly convey the personal char-
acteristics of the noble woman of whom the
biographer now essays to write in this con-
nection, for only those who have had the
good fortune to know her personally can
see the true beauty of her character and in-
3 02
ISIOCKAPHICAL AND RE MIXISCKXT HISTORY OF
dividual traits, which have been the resul-
tant, very largely, of a long- life of devo-
tion to duty, a life filled with good deeds
to others and led along worthy planes. Mrs.
Singer lives in Tonti township, Marion
county, where she successfully manages a
fine landed estate, exercising rare sagacity
of foresight and business acumen, which
always result in definite success, and as a
result of her commendable characteristics
she enjoys the friendship of a large circle
of acquaintances in this community.
Mrs. Judith Singer was bom in Berks
county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1838, the
daughter of Peter and Lyda (Mildenber-
ger) Beisel. The Beisel family came to
America from Germany in an early day and
settled in Pennsylvania, where they devel-
oped farms and made comfortable homes.
The parents of our subject always lived on
a farm, and when her father died, Grand-
father Beisel moved to Illinois, and the
mother of the subject was married and came
to Illinois in 1867, settling in Marion coun-
ty. She was a good woman and her home
life was calculated to foster right principles
in her children. The father of the subject
was a man of many sterling traits of charac-
ter, always bearing a good name.
Judith Beisel was given every advantage
possible by her parents, and while her early
educational training was not extensive, she
applied herself in a diligent manner and has
since been an avid reader of the best gen-
eral literature with the result that she is an
entertaining and instructive talker, especial-
ly when she elucidates on the pioneer clays
and the aftermath of commercial develop-
ment of this section of the country.
Our subject was married to Oscar Singer
January 2, 1858, the ceremony having been
performed in Northumberland county, Pen-
sylvania. Mr. Singer was born in Germany
on June 18, 1834. He was educated in the
Fatherland, and came to the United States
with his parents when eighteen years old,
where he learned to be a mechanic of no
mean ability. He worked at his trade in
Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, being re-
garded as one of the best men in the insti-
tution where he was employed. He later
moved to St. Louis, where he went into
business on his own account, and in which
city he was living when he was called from
his earthly labors on November 20, 1882.
His remains were interred in the cemetery
at Salem, Illinois. He was a good business
man, honest and industrious and made
friends wherever he went. He was a public
spirited man, being a loyal Republican in
politics.
Mrs. Singer purchased an eighty acre
farm in Tonti township, Marion county, in
1883, and moved thereto soon afterward,
having resided there ever since. It is a splen-
did place, well managed and highly im-
proved in every respect, producing excellent
crops from year to year and yielding a com-
fortable income for the family. Mrs.
Singer's home is one of the most attractive
in the community. Good stock of various
kinds and a fine variety of poultry are to be
seen about the place.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
303
Singer. Two boys and three girls are living
at this writing, namely : Ida is the wife of
Will W. Langridge, who lives in Terre
Haute, Indiana; Lillie is the wife of Lewis
Parks, who lives on a farm; Ollie travels
for an Indianapolis firm; Oscar married
Maude Kline and lives on a farm; Rose L.
is a bookkeeper at Salem, Illinois. All these
children had careful training and all re-
ceived a good common school education.
JOHN H. GRAY.
He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a
member of one of the oldest and most hon-
ored pioneer families of Marion county, Il-
linois, and he has personally lived up to the
full tension of the primitive days when was
here initiated the march of civilization, so
that there is particular interest attached to
his career, while he stands today as one of
the representative citizens of Tonti town-
ship, for his life has been one of hard work
which has resulted in the development of a
good farm which he owns and which yields
him a comfortable living.
John H. Gray was born in this county
January 14, 1839, anc ^ believing that he
could succeed as well here as anywhere de-
cided to stay in his native community where
he would have the added advantage of home
associations. He is the son of James and
Mariah E. (Nichols) Gray. Both the Gray
and Nichols families were born in Tennes-
see, being of that hardy pioneer stock that
invades new and unbroken countries and
clears the wilderness, developing farms from
the virgin land. It was for such purpose
that they came to Illinois. The parents of
the subject came to Marion county in their
youth and were married here, having first
settled in this locality during the Black
Hawk war. James D. Gray, our subject's
father, moved to Tonti township in 1851. He
was a man of many sterling qualities, a good
neighbor and citizen, and, as already inti-
mated, was industrious and a hard worker.
He was also a minister of the Methodist
church for many years. His family con-
sisted of nine children, three boys and one
girl living at this writing, 1908, all fairly
well situated in reference to this 'world's af-
fairs.
John H. Gray, our subject, received a lim-
ited schooling in his native community.
However, he applied himself well and did the
best he could under the circumstances. He
remained at home, working on his father's
place until he reached maturity. He was
united in marriage in 1860 to Susan Bal-
lance, a member of a well known family.
After a brief married life she passed to her
rest in 1864. This union resulted in the
birth of one child, which died in infancy. In
1866 the subject was again married, his sec-
ond wife being Rebecca A. Boring, who is
still living, having proven to be a most faith-
ful and worthy helpmeet and a woman of
gentle disposition. She was born in 1848
and attended the district schools in her
maidenhood.
Four children have been born to the sub-
304
IlIUGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
ject and wife, three girls and one boy,
whose names follow : Susan E., Mattie E.,
Etta and William A. They have received
what schooling that is available in their
community and are all interesting children
with every prospect for future success.
Mr. Gray in his political affiliations is a
loyal Democrat and has taken considerable
interest in local political affairs, his support
always being on the right side of all ques-
tions affecting the public good. He has
ably served as Highway Commissioner,
giving entire satisfaction in this work, and
he is known to all as a man of industry,
honesty and integrity, thereby winning and
retaining a large circle of friends.
ALLEN COPE.
For nearly half a century the subject of
this review was a well known resident of
Marion county. He was a man of many
talents, having been a successful lawyer for
several years prior to 1861, at which time
he located upon a farm in Tonti township
and turned his attention to agricultural pur-
suits. He also became an enthusiastic stu-
dent of horticulture and for many years was
recognized as one of the leading authorities
upon this subject in Southern Illinois, as well
as a practical demonstrator of the same. He
was one of the first citizens of Marion
county to engage in the fruit business upon
an extensive and systematic scale, develop-
ing one of the largest and most successful
fruit industries in the pioneer history of hor-
ticultural pursuits in the county.
Allen Cope was born near New Water-
ford, Columbiana county, Ohio, August 4,
1827, where he resided until 1845. For nine
years he resided at Salem, Ohio, where he
was engaged in a mercantile business. In
1854 he came to Fairfield, Illinois, where
he studied and practiced law with Judge
Charles Beecher.
Owing to ill health he retired from the
law in 1860 and the following year located
upon a farm in Tonti township, Marion
county, where he developed one of the finest
fruit farms in the county. It was here that
he passed to his reward, October 24, 1907,
at the age of eighty years.
Mr. Cope's career as a horticulturist be-
gan with his removal to Marion county. He
planted forty acres of apples in the springs
of 1861 and 1863, a very large area indeed
for that period. It is worthy of note, too,
in this connection that he was one of the
first to plant largely of the Ben Davis vari-
ety. This venture proved successful and as
this orchard began to fail he planted again
from time to time, and indeed his labors
ceased only with the coming of his long
rest. Mr. Cope was an active member of
the State Horticultural Society and of its
subordinate society, the Southern Illinois
Horticultural Society.
He was a member of the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows, and was born and
reared a Quaker.
Originally a Whig in politics and a strong
abolitionist, it was but natural that he should
ALLEX COPE.
SARAH A. COPE.
.HOIS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
305
become a Republican upon the birth of that
party, and for many years he was an ardent
supporter of its principles and an active
worker in the ranks. In late years, how-
ever, he espoused the cause of Democracy,
believing- that the latter party adhered more
closely to the principles of Lincoln Repub-
licanism. Having been a lawyer of more
than ordinary ability and always a student
and an observer^, Mr. Cope wielded no small
amount of influence in his community and
his opinions upon the leading questions of
the day were always treated with great re-
spect. He was a man of many sterling
qualities, successful in business and influen-
tial in his community, and was also known
as a public spirited man of the most scrupu-
lously honest type.
Mr. Cope was united in marriage at Sa-
lem April 16, 1856, with Miss Sarah A.
Ray, who was born near London, Madison
county, Ohio, June 30, 1834, Mrs. Cope be-
ing a daughter of Jesse and Helen (Warner)
Ray. The Ray family was of English de-
scent, the grandparents on the Ray side be-
ing natives of Virginia, who later settled in
Madison county, Ohio. The Warners were
of Scotch-Irish descent, the great-grandfa-
ther of Mrs. Cope having been born in Dub-
lin.
Jesse Ray, the father of Mrs. Cope, wa3
one of the well known and highly honored
pioneers of Marion county, having secured
land from the government near Salem and
locating thereon in 1839. He entered seven
hundred acres of land in Tonti township, the
present Cope home being a portion of the
20
original grant. Mr. Ray developed and im-
proved a good farm and became one of the
largest and most successful farmers and
stock growers in the county. He moved
from the farm to Salem in order to give his
children an education, where he operated a
hotel and also engaged in merchandising, in
the meantime carrying on farming opera-
tions. He finally returned to the farm, where
he died August 27, 1859. Mr. Ray was one
of those patriotic sons who participated in
the Mexicon war, having enlisted in 1847.
He was with his regiment until the close of
hostilities and experienced many hardships
and privations in the long and tedious march
across the desert to Santa Fe, New Mexico,
and back again, every mile of which was
covered on foot. He was a man of much
sterling worth and influence in his commu-
nity and accomplished much for the improve-
ment and development of his section of the
county.
Mrs. Cope was five years old when she
came with her parents to Marion county.
She attended the country schools and later
went to Salem with the family, where she
received a liberal education, having applied
herself in a most assiduous manner to her
studies. After her marriage with Mr. Cope,
as above indicated, she resided in Fairfield,
this state, for a few years, where her hus-
band was engaged in the successful practice
of his profession. Since locating on the
farm in Tonti township in 1861, Mrs. Cope
has continued to make this place her home,
where her children have also been reared.
Their names are as follows: Laura Isbell and
3 o6
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
Lenora are both deceased; Walter Lincoln
and William Abraham were twins, the lat-
ter dying in infancy.
Walter L. Cope, the only surviving child,
was born May 27, 1864. He received a
common school education and also attended
the University of Illinois at Champaign for
three years. June 6, 1888, he was married
to Miss Anna Vaughan, of Odin township,
Marion county, and seven children have been
born to them, as follows : Allen, Bessie, Lo-
rin, Leila, Howard and Margaret, all of
whom are living. One child, Raymond,
died in infancy. Walter Cope is a member
of the Masonic Order at Salem and his wife
affiliates with the Order of the Eastern Star
at that place.
The Cope home is one of the finest coun-
try houses in Marion county, being commo-
dious, comfortable and having modern im-
provements and conveniences. The house is
heated with hot air. A system of water
works has been installed, together with
baths, etc. The furnishings are up-to-date
and tastefully arranged, and this beautiful
home is presided over with rare grace and
dignity by the Mesdames Cope, who often
show their unstinted hospitality in enter-
taining their numerous friends.
HENRY C. BOTHWELL.
This family name was familiar among
the early settlers of three states and its
members figured both in Ohio and Illinois
during the pioneer period. James Both-
well, the founder, was a Pennsylvanian.
who migrated into Ohio at an early day,
settled on a farm purchased from the gov-
ernment, reared a family and ended his
earthly career about 1863. His son, James
K. Bo'thwell, was torn in Vinton county,
Ohio, near McArthur, during the first quar-
ter of the nineteenth century and removed
to Illinois in 1840, settling at old Maysville,
then the county seat of Clay. He was a
cabinet maker by trade, but afterward en-
gaged in the mercantile business. In 1863,
he removed his store to Clay City and con-
tinued in business until 1887, when he re-
tired to his farm of seventy acres, within
the corporate limits of the town. At this
homestead he passed peacefully away. May
24. 1899, in the eighty-first year of his age.
He married Mary A. Brissenden, who was
born near Albion, in Edwards county, Il-
linois, her parents being of English stock.
She died July 16, 1898, at the age of sev-
enty-seven years. This pioneer couple had
seven children, of whom four are living, the
complete list being as follows: Henry C.,
subject of this sketch; J. Homer, an attor-
ney at Sedalia, Missouri ; Florence ; Camil-
la, deceased, and William, who died when
ten years old; James K., in the loan and in
surance business at Seattle, Washington
and Frank, deceased.
Henry C. Bothwell, the oldest child, wa?
born in old Maysville. April n. 1847. Ht
was reared in Clay City, where he attended
the local schools. During the years 1863-
64, he was a student at McKendree College
RICHLAXD, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
307
in Lebanon, Illinois, afterwards attended
Nelson's Commercial College at Cincinnati,
Ohio, and then accepted a clerkship in his
father's store, folding this position and
later as a partner, he spent the years from
1865 to 1886 iii this line of business. In
the year last mentioned he became a can-
didate on the Republican ticket for Treas-
urer of the county, and was elected. In
1894 he was re-elected to the same office,
and served during the four following years.
After retiring he devoted some time .to the
abstract business, continuing in this line
until 1899, when he was made Chief Clerk
of the Joliet Penitentiary, which position he
held two and a half years. Returning to
Clay City he formed a partnership undei
the firm name of Bothwell & Gill, and this
business engaged his attention until 1907,
when he received the appointment of post
master at Clay City. This was no new ex-
perience, as he had previously served as
postmaster for sixteen consecutive years,
while in the mercantile business. Besides
this, he had served as Tax Collector of Clay
City township a number of times and was
county collector for eight years. He was
always popular and successful both in his
business pursuits and official holdings, be-
ing regarded as one of the prominent and
influential men of the county. His fra-
teral relations are extensive and conspicu-
ous, especially in the Masonic Order. He
is a member of Blue Lodge No. 488. at
Clay City, Chapter at Flora, Commandery
at Olney and the Shrine at Medina Temple
in Chicago. He is also an Odd Fellow and
a Woodman.
In 1869 Mr. Bothwell married Mary C.
Myers, who was born near Wilmington,
Ohio. They lost four children in infancy,
but have three living, to-wit: Lucy, E. L.,
who is practicing law at St. Joseph, Mis-
souri, and Ada, a teacher in the Hillsboro
(Illinois) high school.
JAMES R. RICHARDSON.
One of the sterling citizens of Marion
county is he whose name initiates this para-
graph, being engaged in farming in Tonti
township. As a result of his industry, in-
tegrity and genuine worth he is held in high
esteem by the people of this vicinity, mainly
as a result of his principal life work the
noble profession of teaching.
James R. Richardson, the son of John and
Sarah A. (Chandler) Richardson, was born
in Williamson county, Illinois, at Bolton,
December 19, 1841. The Richardson fam-
ily are of Irish descent. John Richardson
was born in Licking county, Ohio, and he
was eight years old when his parents died.
He was reared by a family named Decker,
a farmer at Groveport, Ohio. He received
his educational training in the public schools
in the Buckeye state, which was somewhat
limited, owing to the primitive condition of
the public schools of that early day. He
was a man of no extraordinary ability but
he was a hard worker and succeeded in
3 o8
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
making a comfortable living. He came to
Illinois about 1838, settling near Peoria,
where he remained a few years. He moved
to St. Clair county, Illinois, and thence to
Williamson county and later he came to
Marion county in 1853, buying a farm in
Tonti township, where he lived until his
death in March, 1856.
The Chandler family came from Penn-
sylvania. The father of Sarah A., our sub-
ject's mother, came to Ohio and engaged
in farming, but not on an extensive scale.
The mother of the subject was educated in
the public schools of Franklin county. She
was a woman of many estimable qualities.
Eleven children were born to this couple,
ten girls and one boy. Sarah A. was mar-
ried to John Richardson about 1838, and
she passed to her rest in 1870. Mr. Rich-
ardson was a large land owner in Marion
county, this state, and he was regarded as
a man of many sterling qualities.
James R. Richardson, our subject, was
the second child in a family of eight chil-
dren. He remained under the parental roof
tree until he was seventeen years old. He
refleiy^d his education in the district schools
and later at Salem. He was an ambitious
lad from the start and outstripped most of
his contemporaries. After finishing the
public school course, he was not satisfied
with the amount of text-book training he
had received and consequently entered the
State Normal School at Bloomington, Il-
linois, where he made a splendid record for
scholarship, and where he graduated in the
class of 1871, with high honors.
After leaving school Mr. Richardson at
once began to teach, first in the county
schools, having soon become principal, and
he was principal in several places. Becoming
known as an able instructor, his services
were in great demand. He was principal
of the schools at Woodson, Franklin, Stan-
ford, Morton and Marseilles, all in Illinois,
and he also taught a year in Kansas. He
gave the greatest possible satisfaction as an
instructor, being well grounded in the texts
then included in the public school curricu-
lums, and he was very popular with his pu-
pils, owing to his friendliness and kindness.
His teaching extended over a period of
twenty-six years during which time his
reputation extended not: only to adjoining
counties but he attracted -the attention of
the ablest educators of the state, receiving
much laudable comment on his work in the
school room.
Mr. Richardson could not restrain the
wave of patriotism that pervaded his whole
being when, in the dark days of the sixties,
our national integrity was threatened, and,
believing that it was his duty to sever home
ties, leave the school room and offer his ser-
vices in defense of the flag, he accordingly
enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Il-
linois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the
regiment assigned to Grant's army during
the first part of the war. He was in the
great battle of Stone River and the still
bloodier conflict of Chickamauga, and many
other smaller engagements. He was taken
prisoner at Chickamauga, and was in -prison
at Richmond and Danville for six months.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
309
He effected his escape, but was recaptured,
and later exchanged. After performing
gallant service for a period of three years,
he returned home and entered the Univer-
sity of Illinois in 1864, where he completed
his education.
Our subject's domestic life dates from
December 25, 1876, when he was united in
marriage with Sarah Martin Williams, a
highly educated woman, a native of Cass
county, Illinois, where she was born March
10, 1856. She lived in Morgan county, this
state until seventeen years old, when she en-
tered the State University at Bloomington,
and was a student there for several years,
where she made a brilliant record for schol-
arship. No children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Richardson is
a faithful member of the Christian church
in Salem. Our subject is a Prohibitionist
in his political affiliations.
JOHN I. McCAWLEY.
Few men on the threshold of the anniver-
sary of the eightieth year of their age pos-
sess the remarkable energy and activity of
the subject of this sketch, John I. McCaw-
ley, who is ^nd has been for years, the lead-
ing spirit in every big enterprise that has
been launched in Clay county, Illinois. He
is not only the wealthiest man in that
county, but has the distinction of being the
oldest native born citizen thereof. He is
the son of parents who penetrated the un-
broken wilderness of Illinois, when hidden
dangers menaced their every step. In those
early days the great forests of that state
were filled with hostile Indians and fero-
cious beasts. The subject experienced all of
the hardships and privations that fell to the
lot of the youth of those days, but he had
inherited many of the rugged qualities of
his courageous ancestors, and the great
wealth that he possesses today is the reward
of perseverance and industry.
Mr. McCawley was born on the Little
Wabash river, about two miles and a half
from Clay City, Illinois, August 20, 1829,
and has spent his entire life in Clay county.
He is a son of John McCawley, a native of
Kentucky, who came to Illinois in 1810.
Soon after this pioneer had located in Clay
county the Black Hawk war broke out, and
he was warned by friendly Indians to leave
the country, add realizing that to remain
meant sure death he heeded the admonition.
He started back to Kentucky with an escort
of Indians who accompanied him as far as
Vincennes, Indiana. In 1816, when peace
had been restored he returned to Clay coun-
ty, and remained there until his death, in
1854. He was one of the first settlers in
this section of Illinois, having been born
in Jefferson county, Kentucky, December
24, 1782. The grandfather of the subject
was James McCawley, a native of Scotland,
who afterwards moved to the north of Ire-
land, where he married, and came to
America, settling in Jefferson county.
3 io
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
The mother of the subject was Martha
Lacey, who was born in Jefferson county,
Kentucky, February 4, 1791. She died Oc-
tober 14, 1844. Her parents were of Irish
extraction.
Mr. McCawley remained upon his fa-
ther's farm until he was twenty years of
age, and then traveled about the country,
spending three or four years in St. Louis,
where he traded in stock. He finally en-
gaged in the grocery business at Maysville,
then the county seat of Clay county. He
was thus engaged for fifteen years, having
added dry goods to his stock, after starting.
When the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern,
then the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, was
finished, in 1856, he moved to Clay
City, where he re-embarked in the mercan-
tile business, and until 1898, he had one of
the largest establishments in the city. It
was at the close of that year that he retired
from active business affairs, although his
local interests are large and varied, and he
gives them personal attention.
On May 17, 1856, the subject was mar-
ried to Maria L; Moore, who was born in
Johnson county, Tennessee, February 9,
1840. Seven children were the fruits of
this union: Arthur H., born May 14, 1857,
resides in Clay City; Sarah L., wife of
John T. Baird, of Olney, Illinois, born De-
cember 7, 1858; Martha Maria, wife of Dr.
T. L. Leeds, of Michigan City, Indiana;
Mina Julia, wife of Oscar W. Gill, of Chi-
cago, born June 25, 1865; John G., born
March 5, 1871, lives in St. Louis, in the
commission business; Mary Eliza, wife of
Richard S. Rowland, lawyer of Olney, Il-
linois, born September 9, 1873; Lewis W.,
born February 24, 1871, died August 17,
1905.
Mr. McCawley is a director in the Olney
Bank, of Olney, Illinois. He has much
money invested in real estate, and owns sev-
eral large and substantial business blocks in
Clay City. At one time he was the owner
of three thousand acres of land, but .he has
disposed of the greater portion of this as it
required too much of the time that he de-
sired to devote to his other interests. His
wealth is the result of his own thrift and
enterprise. He was compelled to enter the
battle of life at a very early age, receiving
a limited education. The subject's father
was blind for twenty years previous to his
death, and dutiful son that he was, Mr. Mc-
Cawley gave him the most tender attention.
The subject belongs to both the Masons
and Odd Fellows' lodges, and in politics is
a Democrat. He was the candidate of his
party for State Senator ten years ago, but the
district being strongly Republican, was de-
feated with the rest of the ticket. Mr. Mc-
Cawley was the first Baltimore & Ohio
ticket agent at Clay City.
The subject is a man of commanding
presence, intellectual features, with a kindly
and genial disposition, and is held in high
esteem by the people of Clay City, regard-
less of class or condition. Few men have
done as much toward the material progress
of this community.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
JOSEPH WILLARD WALTON. M. D.
Indiana was decidedly a wild and wooly
territory when Joseph Willard Walton in-
vaded her borders in search of work and a
career. Born in North Carolina in 1801, he
left his native state in early manhood to cast
his fortune with struggling pioneers cf the
West, lie was lucky in his location, as the
county he chose was Washington and the
land he settled was a part of the alluvial bot-
toms which in later years gave fame to the
White river valley. Land was cheap when
this newcomer arrived from the South, and
he was able to secure a full section, which at
the present time is worth at least one hundred
and fifty dollars an acre. It is the region of
great corn crops, unsurpased in the produc-
tion of fine melons, as well as all the cereals
and varieties of fruit. The old pioneer pros-
pered as a fanner for those days, but wealth
was then out of the question for a tiller of the
soil, owing to lack of market and transporta-
tion facilities, which the prices of products
as well as the land placed at a low level. This
patriot survived until 1901, and had rounded
out a full century of existence before the final
summons. He left a son named Daniel R.,
who caught the roving fever in early man-
hood and decided to move farther west. He
formed a satisfactory location in Clay coun-
ty, Illinois, where he farmed until his death,
which occurred in Harter township, north
of Xenia, in 1862. After reaching Illinois
he met and married Ellen Golden, who
though a native of the state, was of Indiana
parentage. She survived her husband fifteen
years and passed away in 1877. Their 'five
children, all living, are Samuel, who resides
on grandfather Golden's place, northwest ot
Flora; Mrs. Maria Abel, of Santa Rosa,
California ; Joseph W., subject of this sketch.
Marlow Walton, of North Dakota; Thomas
J. Walton, of Eagle Grove, Iowa.
Joseph Willard Walton, third in order of
birth in the above list of children, was born
in Clay county, Illinois, July 5, 1869. As
he was only seven years old when he lost his
father, the struggle of this boy towards suc-
cess was rendered unusually difficult. He
was, however, a bright and courageous boy,
obedient to his uncle, with whom he lived
near Flora, and doing cheerfully the chores
that fell to him, while also proving a diligent
student in -the district schools. After the
usual elementary course, he entered as a pupil
in Orchard City College at Flora, and later
took a course in Austin College at Effing-
ham. For ten years subsequent to leaving col-
lege,, he taught school in his native county.
He had, however, always been ambitious to
become a physician, and in 1902 entered the
Medical Department of St. Louis Univer-
sity, from which he was graduated in the
class of May, 1906. On July, of the same
year he hung out his shingle in Clay City and
has since diligently prosecuted his profession.
Dr. Walton belongs to the American, State
and Clay County Medical societies and is
the official examiner for the New York Life,
Prudential, Springfield, Woodmen, Royal
Neighbors and other insurance orders. His
fraternal connections are with the Odd Fel-
lows, Woodmen and Ben Hur societies. He
I;KK;RAPIIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
has a commodious office well equipped with
all the modern appliances suitable for his
business. The doctor has made his own way
from orphanage and poverty to a command-
ing and prosperous condition in life.
In 1893, Dr. Walton married Miss Josie
Nash, a native of Clay county, and they have
had three children, Violet Evelyn, Daph-
ney Ruth, and Charles Willard, deceased.
The parents are members of the Christian
church.
ISHAM E. HODGES.
Among the sterling Tennesseans who
have settled in Marion county since the pio-
neer days, none have shown more worthy
traits of character or been more active in
the development of the county than the gen-
tleman whose biography we herewith pre-
sent. Mr. Hodges is the owner of a fine
farm in Raccoon township which has been
brought from a wild state to one of the
best in the locality through his skillful
management.
Isham E. Hodges was born in Sumner
county, Tennessee, July 30, 1840, the son
of Marcus A. and Elizabeth (Marcum)
Hodges, the former a native of Sumner
county, Tennessee, where he grew up, made
a farmer and where he died, and the latter a
native of Abbyville Court House, Virginia,
who died in Montgomery county, Tennessee.
They were members of the Christian church.
Our subject was their only child. His
father married a second time, his last wife
being Susan Hodges, of Sumner county,
Tennessee. She is still living there on the
old place. Nine children were born to the
subject's father by his second union. He
was a soldier in the Indian war in Florida in
1836, being a prisoner of that struggle.
Our subject's great-grandfathers on both
sides served in the Revolutionary war, being
in General Starke's and General Green's
command.
Isham E. Hodges had little opportunity to
attend school. However, he obtained some
education in subscription schools of the early
days. He left home when seventeen years
of age and came to Marion county, Illinois,
where he worked out and carried the mail
from Fairfield to Salem. He also farmed
in Salem and Raccoon townships. On Oc-
tober 31, 1865, choosing as a life partner
Frances Hays, of Raccoon township, the
daughter of Elijah M. Hays, whose sketch
appears in full on another page of this work.
Eleven children have been born, eight of
whom are living: Effie, deceased, married
Harvey England, who lives in St. Louis,
Missouri. She was born August 23, 1866,
and died August 8, 1883. Iva E., the sec-
ond child, was born October 28, 1867, mar-
ried Harvey Mercer; they live in Sadora,
Arkansas, and are the parents of five chil-
dren, Clinton, Sylvia, Stewart, Howard and
Opal. Clara B., the third child, was born
March n, 1869, died February 8, 1892,
married Charles Anderson, of Chicago, Illi-
nois; John D., who was born March 21,
1873, first married Lucy White and second
Lydia Kell, having had two children by his
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
313
first wife, Clayton and Robert, and one child
by his second wife, named Donald. He has
been postal clerk for several years on the Chi-
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. He was
first on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern
Railroad, his first run being between Mc-
Leansboro and Shawneetown, Illinois. He
runs between Marion and Villa Grove. Ralph
Waldo, the fifth child, was born June 6,
1874, and died October 25, 1875; Mark
Ainsly was born January 2, 1877, married
Indiana Stonecipher, and they have four
children, Delta, Isham, Charles and Mary;
Grace was born September 13, 1878, mar-
ried Levi Bigham, a farmer in Raccoon
township; Mabel J. was born August 28,
1880, married Henry F. March, station
agent at Cartter, Illinois, on the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois Railroad, and they are the
parents of three children, Everett, Franklin
and Marie ; Minnie Blanche, born September
26, 1882, married Elisha Harmon, a car-
penter of Raccoon township; Elaine E., born
November 8, 1884, who married Clara
Pitts, is a farmer in Raccoon township;
Dwight E., born October 28, 1886, is an
operator on the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad at Herrin, Illinois, married
Xellie Dukes, and they have one child, Clara.
The subject's children have been educated
in the home schools, John D. and Iva went
to Carbondale, and Elaine attended the agri-
cultural department of the University of
Missouri at Columbia.
In 1865, after the subject of this sketch
was married, he rented land in Raccoon
township. After farming here for a while
he went to Idaho, also the state of Wash-
ington, also the Shoshone agency and the
Red Cloud agency in Wyoming. He was
in the West from 1869 to 1871. He was a
clerk and did office work most of the time.
After 1871 he worked in the United States
Pension Agency at Salem, Illinois, under
Gen. J. S. Martin, from March 4, 1872, to
March 4, 1873, having given entire satisfac-
tion in this capacity, after which he entered
the railway mail service on the Baltimore &
Ohio Southwestern Railroad and run be-
tween Cincinnati and St. Louis for three
years, when he was transferred to the Illinois
Central Railroad, his run being between
Cairo and Centralia for three years, and on
the northern division from Centralia to Chi-
cago until April 20, 1889. During this time
he lived in Centralia, from 1878 to 1880.
In 1869 he bought the farm he now lives
on in Raccoon township. In 1880 he built
his fine brick house and made all the other
improvements on the place which is one
of the choice farms of this locality. It con-
sists of one hundred and forty acres in sec-
tions 24 and 25, Raccoon township. One
hundred and twenty-five acres are under
a high state of cultivation. He has a very
valuable orchard of one thousand apple
trees, three hundred peach trees as well as
pears, cherries and small fruits. He also
raises much good stock, horses, mules and
cattle and fine Chester White hogs. His
farm is also well stocked with fine chickens,
White Wyandotte and Rhode Island Red
chickens.
Mr. Hodges was one of the patriotic sons
IMOCKAl'lllCAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
of the North who fought to preserve the
Union during the dark days of the sixties,
having enlisted July 4, 1861, in Company
G, Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, under Capt. J. S. Jackson and Col.
Henry Dougherty, having been mustered in
at Casseyville, Illinois. He and his com-
pany were sent to Birds Point, Missouri,
and was in the engagement November 7,
1861, at Belmont, Missouri. They joined
General Pope and was at the surrender of
Tiptonville, Tennessee, where they cap-
tured about seven thousand prisoners. They
then went down the Mississippi river to Ft.
Pillow and after the battle of Ft. Donelson
and Pittsburg Landing, they went up
the Tennessee river and were at the siege of
Corinth, and, after several skirmishes,
marched to Nashville, Tennessee ; and oc-
cupied that city until December 26, 1862.
Our subject was in General Sheridan's di-
vision, McCook's corps, General Rosecrans
commanding. They were in the marches and
battles from Nashville to Murphysboro,
Tullahoma, Bridgeport, Alabama, and
Chickamauga, Georgia, being wounded in
the latter battle September 20, 1863, where
he was shot in the thigh and sent to the field
hospital at Crawfish Springs, where all the
wounded men captured were paroled next
day and sent to Nashville and Louisville,
later to Quincy, Illinois, and then to Benton
Barracks. Then the subject was on detail
duty and in the commander's office until
July i, 1864, and he was sent to Springfield,
Illinois, and mustered out July 7, 1864.
Mr. Hodges is a loyal Populist. He has
been Supervisor of his township for two-
years, has also been School Director and
held minor offices.
ISRAEL MILLS.
The streams of emigration, pouring from
Pennsylvania and Virginia in the pioneer
period usually united in Ohio, the first of the
western states to be reached. Marriages often
resulted between the descendants of the
northern and southern branches and the in-
fusion of blood often produced fine types for
future citizenship. We find this working out
well in the Mills family which, on the fa-
ther's side, came from the state of Pennsyl-
vania, and on the mother's side boasted of
origin in the Old Dominion state. It was far
back in the nineteenth century that Thomas
Mills, with his wife, Hannah, crossed the
Alleghanies from one of the counties of
Pennsylvania. To the same locality in Ohio
where he settled came Hugh and Mary
Downing from the western part of Virginia.
Jonathan Mills, a son of the first mentioned
couple, eventually found a wife in the
person of Sarah Downing, both the con-
tracting parties being natives of Ohio.
The former, who was a farmer, passed
away in the early seventies, but his
wife survived until 1894, being eigh-
ty-two years old at the time of her death.
This couple became the parents of twelve
children, the six still living being as follows :
Hugh, a resident of Clay City township:
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
315
Thomas, a resident of Oklahoma ; Israel, the
subject of this sketch; James D., of Carroll
county, Ohio ; Josephine Fry, of Tuscarawas
county, Ohio; and William, of Tobacco
Plains, Washington.
Israel Mills, who was the sixth in this
iarge family, was born in Tuscarawas coun-
ty, Ohio, April 18, 1843. He assisted his
father on the farm until June, 1862, when he
enlisted in Company K, Eighty-seventh
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and
served until taken prisoner at Harper's Fer-
ry in September of that year. Being speed-
ily paroled and discharged on October 3rd,
he took a rest until June 29, 1863, when he
re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred
and Twenty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served until the ex-
piration of his term, March 5, 1864. For
the third time, he took up his musket as a
private in Company H, One Hundred and
Seventy-Eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served until the close
of the war and was honorably discharged
June 29, 1865. . In October of that year, he
came to Clay City, where he has since re-
sided for forty-three consecutive years. He
settled at first one mile south of town and
engaged in farming, paying particular at-
tention to the breeding of stock, in which line
he acquired a high reputation. With the ex-
ception of seven years spent in merchandis-
ing, Mr. Mills has devoted practically all his
time to breeding, handling and dealing in
stock, with a preference for the fine grades
in all varieties. Though he has other and
varied interests, his heart has been set upon
and his attention always turned to the noble
animals that have brought wealth and fame
to Illinois. He is an extensive land owner,
his possessions in this line lying in Clay City
and Standford townships. At present he
owns five hundred and seventy-five acres,
though at one time he was proprietor of
twice that amount. He is a thorough-going,
practical and scientific farmer, well informed
in everything relating to advanced agricul-
ture, and an enthusiast in all movements to
educate and improve conditions in the farm-
ing industry. Appreciation of his qualifica-
tions was shown by Governors Tanner,
Yates and Deneen, when they appointed him
delegate during six years to the B'armers'
National Congress. He has held the position
of director from his Congressional district
for the State Farmers' Institute. He is an
able and forceful speaker in the debates at
county, state and national farmers' institutes.
It may be said in short, that there is not i
man in Clay county whose business judg-
ment is more highly valued than that of
Israel Mills. A man of the loftiest integrity
and most benevolent impulses, he has been an
honor and a treasure to his adopted county.
Mr. Mills is president of the Clay City
Banking Company, and for twenty years has
held the same position with the Clay City
Loan and Homestead Association. He is
also president of the Opera House Company
and president of the Clay County Farmers'
Institute. He has been frequently honored
with positions of trust in his township, serv-
ing as a member of the board of supervisors,
school trustees and as collector. He has
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
never desired office and never had a lawsuit
during all the years of his active business
life. He is a director of the Farmers' and
Merchants' 'Bank at Louisville, Illinois. As
president of the Clay City bank, he insisted
during the panic of 1907, that all depositors
should be paid on presentation of their
checks. ' He is a Mason, and Eastern Star
and a member of the Grand Army of the Re-
public.
September 10, 1867, Mr. Mills married
Elizabeth L., daughter of Thomas and Din-
iah E. (Whitman) Bogwell, very early set-
tlers of Clay county. The children from
this union were: Edna M., born July 2,
1870, died April 2, 1905. Edna married
Jabez Edwin Coggan, April 29, 1891. Ont
son survives her, Kenneth M., born June
23, 1896; James B., born October 22, 1881,
married to Annettie Crackles December 28,
1904. One child, a daughter, Ethel, was
born to them December 5, 1906. Mrs. Mills
is a member of the Christian church and the
entire family enjoy the highest social consid-
eration and popularity.
GEORGE W. HILTIBIDAL.
The subject of this biographical review
has well earned the title to be addressed as
one of the progressive, self-made men of
Marion county, being the owner of a very
valuable landed estate in Raccoon township,
where his labors have benefited alike him-
self and those with whom he has come in
contact.
George \V. Hiltibidal was born in Grand
Prairie township, Jefferson county, Illinois,
March 15, 1867, the son of George and
Elizabeth Bradford, both natives of Indiana.
They moved to Marion county, Illinois, and
finally located in Raccoon township. After
building a dwelling house and making ex-
tensive improvements on his farm here he
moved to Grand Prairie, Jefferson county,
where he died in 1869, on a farm which he
had improved, and where his wife also died
in 1876. He was a strong Republican and
he and his wife were members of the Chris-
tian church. They were the parents of five
children, namely: Mary is living in Wash-
ington county, this state, having married
Neil Kingsley ; Ella, who married Robert
Birge, lives at Walnut Hill, this county ;
John died young; Sarah, who married
James Sprouse, lives in Jefferson county,
Illinois; George William, our subject, was
the youngest child.
The subject's mother died when he was
nine years old. He had not been to school
up to that time. He then went to live with
his uncle, George Bundy, in Raccoon town-
ship, with whom he remained for eleven
years. He then located on his present farm
in Raccoon township, section 28, having
secured forty-five acres known as the May
place. It had an old log house and stable
on it. The subject has been a hard worker
and a good manager and he built his present
fine substantial and modern home in 1907,
and his excellent barn in 1906, and he has
made all the extensive improvements on the
place.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
317
Mr: Hiltibidal was united in marriage
April 5, 1888, to Josie Heyduck, the daugh-
ter of Jacob and Phillimina Heyduck, na-
tives of Germany, having lived in the River
Rhine country. They came to America and
secured wild land in Raccoon township,
which they developed and on which they
made a good home where they lived until
1903, when Mr. Heyduck retired and moved
to Centralia. The subject's wife was born
in Raccoon township, this county. Mrs.
Heyduck died in 1890. Ten children were
born to them as follows: Lizzie, who lives
in Decatur, Illinois ; Ricca is deceased ; Lucy
is deceased; Kate lives at Odin, Illinois;
Josie, wife of our subject ; John is deceased,
Emma lives on the old place in Raccoon
township ; Henry lives at Centralia ; Ben-
nie lives in Centralia ; Laura also lives in
Centralia.
Five children have been bom to the sub-
ject and wife as follows: George, Gracie,
Esther, Bertha, Julius. The subject carries
on a general farming business with great
success. He is considered an excellent judge
of live stock and raises some good horses.
He has always been a farmer, but for many
years has worked at the carpenter's trade.
He has put up all his own buildings and
done all his own work. He is regarded as
an excellent carpenter and his services are
frequently sought by those desiring to build.
Our subject has faithfully served as a
member of the local school board for six
years. He is a Republican in his political
affiliations. He is a member of the Farm-
ers' Educational Co-Operative union at Bun-
dyville, Illinois. He has gained his success
not through the assistance of relatives or
friends, but by his own efforts.
JOHN PETER XANDER.
Scientific methods of farming dissem-
inated through the medium of the agricul-
tural schools throughout the country have
come- as a great blessing to those pursuing
agricultural callings. Yet the farmers in
our younger days had no such advantages.
They had tc depend upon their own judg-
ment, their own foresightedness, their own
intuition, as it were, to overcome many a
perplexing agricultural problem; Their
success was more often than not almost phe-
nomenal ; and we can pardon them if they
look askance upon our newer methods. The
subject of the present sketch began his
farming career (on his own land) about the
Civil war period, and his well cultivated
land today shows that his efforts did not
go unrewarded.
John P. Xander, of Richland county,
Claremont township, was born May 26,
1833, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He
was the son of Joseph and Mary (Dorney)
Xander, natives of that state, who in the
year 1834, took a boat on the Ohio river
from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Evans-
ville, Indiana, enroute to Illinois. They
brought with them on the boat their horses,
wagons and all belongings. During the
voyage one of the deck hands happened to
I'.IOCUAPIIICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
throw one of their wagon wheels overboard
and the voyage had to be interrupted to
fish it but. They landed in Evansville, In-
diana, April 28, 1834, when they crossed
the Wabash river on the ferry boat and set
forth on a journey by land settled in Wabash
county, Illinois. Mrs. Xander's parents
also came along at the same time and set-
tled in Illinois. Grandfather Dorney took
a farm there at that time and Joseph Xan-
der and his wife went to live with them for
several years. Later they took up eighty
acres of government land, paying one dol-
lar and twenty-five cents an acre for it in
Wabash county, and on this place they con-
tinued to live until their death. John P.
Xander's mother died about five years be-
fore his father. He remained with his par-
ents assisting them on their farm until his
twenty-sixth year when he started on his
own account. At the age of thirty years he
married Mary Betebenner on August 23,
1863. He then rented a farm in Wabash
county, where he remained about seven
years, at the end of which period he bought
a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in
Claremont township, Richland county, and
moved onto same where he remained for
thirty years, again removing to the home
he now occupies. His farm life was all the
time marked with industriousness and his
improvements did much to enhance the
value of the land he settled on. He built
every portion of the substantial house he
now lives in.
John P. Xander's wife was born Novem-
ber 1 8, 1839, in Frederick county, Mary-
land. She was the daughter of Geor
and Lydia Betebenner, her mother's ov
name being Everheart, who were natives
Pennsylvania. She was the fourth of ni:
children. Her parents came to Illinois
the year 1856, coming by train over t
early railroad, where they settled in W
bash county, Mrs. Xander then being seve
teen years of age. She remained with h
parents on their farm until the time of h
marriage. Her mother died at the age
sixty and her father survived about fi
years, dying at the age of eighty-five. Bo
died on the farm they occupied and we
buried in the Lutheran cemetery in W
bash county, where the parents of Jol
Xander are also interred.
John P. Xander's married life has bei
blessed with seven children, one of who
died in infancy. In the order of birth h
children are: Ida A., who is the wife <
Peter Crum, and resides on her husbanc
farm in German township; Furman, wl
has married, and lives at home with his pa
ents; William H. is married and resid
near Altus, Oklahoma, on a farm. Ev
the wife of George Bragunier. who residi
in Emporia, Kansas. James E. is marri<
and lives in Lincoln, Illinois. John H.
single and resides in Ogden, Utah, whei
he is employed by a large meat packin
concern.
At the time of the Civil war John 1
Xander was drafted for service in 186
having responded to the call to arms, bl
upon arriving in Cairo, Illinois, he was r
turned home on account of a sufficier
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
319
number of soldiers having already been ob-
tained.
In his yonth and early life, John P. Xan-
der attended the subscription schools in
Wabash county, where he imbibed all the
knowledge that institution could give him.
His school days were at the period of the
elementary spellers, first, second and third;
and McGuffey's readers. Arithmetics were
also in use in the log 1 school-house. The
old hewn planks, pin supported, were the
seats, and the desks along the wall were of
the same quality.
In politics the subject of this sketch is
and has been a Democrat and a loyal sup-
porter of W. J. Bryan. The first Presiden-
tial candidate for whom he exercised his
right as a voter was James Polk. In for-
mer days he took a man's part in the poli-
tics of the township and county. He was
for three terms Township Assessor in
Claremont township.
John P. Xander, his wife and the mem-
bers of his family, belong to the English
Lutheran church. He has been very active
himself in church circles, holding both the
office of deacon and elder, and is a man
looked up to by all of his co-religionists.
The subject of this sketch is now living
quietly upon his farm of eighty acres which
through his industry and zeal has been
brought to its present state of cultivation.
His health, which has always been of a
rugged character, has failed somewhat
within the past year and he is consequently
a sufferer to some extent. He has always
"been unsparing in his hardworking efforts
to irnprove his land, and as a result his
labors have marked his frame. Aside from
his ill health, his home life is extremely
happy.
THOMAS B. NEAL.
The gentleman whose name heads this re-
view is one of the leading farmers in his
community in Marion county, and this
volume would be incomplete were there fail-
ure to make mention of him and the enter-
prise with which he is identified. Tireless
energy and honesty of purpose are the chief
characteristics of the man.
Thomas B. Neal, a native of Marion
county, Illinois, was born October 31, 1830.
the son of Thomas and Rossanna (Walters)
Neal. The former came to this county from
Kentucky about 1828 and located near
Owens Hill where he spent the remainder of
his life, having made a comfortable living
from his farming pursuits, being a hard
worker and a man of highest integrity. The
Walters people were born in Georgia and
came from that state to this county. The
father and mother of our subject were mar-
ried in Kentucky.
Thomas B. Neal, our subject, was reared
on a farm which he helped develop from
the wild country into which the father had
moved, but this was an industrious family
and soon a good and productive farm was
developed. His early schooling was some-
what limited owing to the fact that it was
necessary for him to work on the farm and
320
BIOGRAPHICAL AND KKM I X ISC H.\T HISTORY OF
schools were of the most primitive type in
those days, taught only a few months out
of each year. Our subject showed his
loyalty to the "old flag that has never
touched the ground" during the forties
when this country was in war with Mexico.
Being unable to restrain his patriotism when
he heard the call for troops to fight the
descendants of the Montezumas, and he is
today one of the few highly honored sur-
vivors of that famous conflict in this coun-
try, and it is indeed a privilege to meet and
to show proper courtesy to such heroes.
Mr. Neal enlisted in Company C, First Illi-
nois Volunteer Regiment, and served with
marked distinction in the same throughout
the war. He is now remembered by his
government with a pension of twenty dol-
lars per month, as the result of his valor in
this war. The only other living Mexican
war veteran in Marion county besides our
subject is William Bundy.
After his experience in the army, Mr.
Neal returned home and was married in
1851 to Julia H. Chandler, whpse people
were from Wilson county, Tennessee. To
this union eight children were born, all de-
ceased but four. Mr. Neal's first wife passed
away May 2, 1898, and he was married
again April 10, 1900, to Manda S. Cozad.
No children have been born to this union.
The names of the subject's children by his
first wife follow: Alexander, deceased;
John A., deceased; Etta, Delia, Rose A., de-
ceased ; Cora, Charley and Ben, deceased.
Our subject has six grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren, of whom he is justly
proud. Mr. Neal owns a fine farm of forty
acres in Tonti township, which he has de-
veloped to a high state and which has yield-
ed him a comfortable living from year
to year and enabled him to lay up a compe-
tency for his old age. This place shows that
a man of good judgment has had its man-
agement in hand, and while he is now in the
evening of life he is able to still successfully
manage his affairs. He lives in section 9
of Tonti township in a substantial farm
house which is surrounded by convenient
outbuildings, and his farm is properly
stocked with various kinds of live stock and
poultry. He delights to see the advance-
ment of his community and county, and he
formerly took an active part in the affairs
of the Democratic party.
LANDON M. BOSTWICK.
It is always pleasant and profitable to
contemplate the career of a man who has
made a success of life and won the honor
and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is
the record, briefly stated, of the well known
and progressive gentleman whose name
forms the caption of this article, than whom
a more whole-souled or popular man it
would be difficult to find in the business cir-
cles within the limits of Marion county,
where he has long maintained his home and
whose interests he has ever had at heart, for
in all the relations of life he has proven true
to every trust reposed in him and few cit-
iens of the county are worthier of the high
RESIDENCE OF L. M. BOSTWICK.
Centralia, Illinois.
L. M. BOSTWICK.
Of THE
0' 'LLINOIS.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
3 2I
:steem which they enjoy than Mr. Bost-
vick, who is known as one of the leading
umbermen of this part of the state.
The subject of this review is descended
rom a long line of sturdy ancestors, the
:arliest generations being easily traced to
he settlement of the Bostwick family at
stratford, Connecticut, prior to 1650. John
3ostwick, the subject's great-great-great-
>reat-grandfather, was born at Stratford,
Connecticut, May 4, 1667, and he became
deputy to the General Court of Connecticut,
erving during twenty-one sessions, from
September, 1725, to October, 1740, and he
icrved in the army as lieutenant and major,
fhe great-great-great-grandfather of the
ubject, Ebenezer Bostwick, was born in
693, and he was captain of the First Com-
iany or train band, of Danbury, Connecti-
ut, in October, 1743. Edmond Bostwick,
he great-great-grandfather of our subject,
vas born September 15, 1732, and died Feb-
uary 2, 1826. The subject's great-grand-
ather, Ebenezer Bostwick, was born June
!2, 1753, and died March 16, 1840. He
lad an excellent war record, like his an-
estors, having been an orderly sergeant in
he Revolutionary army and he was a pen-
ioner until his death. This family remained
ti the state of Connecticut through many
generations and the subject's grandfather,
Andrew Bostwick, was born at New Mil-
ord, that state, November 3, 1778, but he
nigrated to the West and died at Berrien
springs, Michigan, October 21, 1838. The
ather of our subject was a merchant at
>Iiles, Michigan, his store having been the
21
first brick building in that town. At Pres-
ident Lincoln's call for volunteers he en-
listed as a private in Company E, Twelfth
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and he was
made a prisoner of war at the battle of
Shiloh and served nine months in Ander-
sonville and Libby prisons. After his re-
lease he received several promotions and
finally was made captain of the company,
serving as such in a very creditable manner
until the close of the war. He died at Niles,
Michigan, in the year 1876, when fifty-six
years old, and was given a military and
Masonic funeral, which was very largely
attended.
. Among the subject's ancestors on the ma-
ternal side of the family was Rev. Peter
Pruden, one of the founders of the colony
at Milford, Connecticut, and in 1639 the
founder of the First Church of Christ.
When the two hundred and fiftieth anni-
versary of Milford was celebrated, a memo-
rial window was placed in the church in
honor of his memory. There is also in the
memorial bridge a stone in his memory,
bearing the text of his first sermon, "The
voice of one crying in the wilderness." Of
him the noted Cotton Mather says, "His
death was felt by the colony as the fall of
a pillar which made the whole fabric to
shake." Another distinguished ancestor of
the subject's mother was Capt. Thomas
Willets, the first Mayor of the city of New-
York.
Landon M. Bostwick, one of the fore-
most business men of Centralia, Illinois,
was born December i, 1862. He received
3 22
BIOGRAPHICAL AM) KI.M I X ISCKXT HISTORY OF
his early education in the public schools and
afterward was instructed in the higher
branches by a private tutor, the course of
study including some travel. The death of
the subject's father made it necessary for
him to give up study and seek means of
self-support, which he found in the locomo-
tive department of the Michigan Central
Railroad, becoming an engineer at the early
age of nineteen years. While serving in the
capacity of fireman and engineer, he took
a course in mechanical mathematics and
draughting, and otherwise fitted himself for
work other than locomotive engineering.
At the age of twenty-four he designed and
built the machinery plant at the Michigan
State prison at Jackson, Michigan, which,
at this writing, twenty-two years after com-
pletion, is still in active service with prac-
tically no alteration or change.
After acting as manager of this plant for
one year, Mr. Bostwick was offered, and
accepted, a position as engineer on the
Panama Canal, when it was owned by the
French government, and was being con-
structed by the famous French engineer De
Lesseps;,but by a curious turn of fortune's
wheel, Mr. Bostwick gave up the Panama
Canal project, while enroute and also the
mechanical line of business in which he had
so successfully launched. At this time the
South was just beginning to be called upon
to take the place of the North in supplying
lumber, and Mr. Bostwick grasped an op-
portunity to become a lumberman, making
his initial beginning in the backwoods of
Howell county, Missouri. The pay was
poor and the work was hard, but opportu-
nity had knocked at the door and the sum-
mons were willingly and gladly answered.
After working up through every depart-
ment to the position of manager and finally
stockholder in some of the best mills of the
South, he has no regrets over the humble
beginning in the backwoods of Missouri.
The Bostwick Lumber Company of Cen-
teralia, Illinois, is a corporation of which our
subject is president and the heaviest stock-
holder. He knows the lumber business thor-
oughly and always gives his customers a
fair deal, consequently his trade, which has
steadily grown, is now very extensive.
Landon M. Bostwick was happily married
February 3, 1892, to Frances Pease, a na-
tive of Wilson, New York, the daughter of
A. Douglas and Abigail Pease. One of her
ancestors received a grant of land from
King George, this family having been
originally from England. The subject and
wife are the parents of three children, name-
ly: Willard D., born January 26, 1893, ar >d
who is at this writing attending the public
schools; Dorothy was born November 17,
1900; the date of Allen L.'s birth is Oc-
tober 1 8, 1903. They are interesting chil-
dren and add much sunshine to the modern
and pleasant home of the Bostwicks.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bostwick
is a member of the Masonic lodge at Cen-
tralia, No. 201, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, Centralia Chapter No. 93; also
Centralia Council No. 28, and Cyrene Com-
mandery No. 23 ; he also belongs to the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
No. 493, and the United Commercial Trav-
elers; the Modern Woodmen and the Hoo-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
323
Hoo, the latter an organization of lumber-
men, purely social, now consisting of nearly
thirty thousand members. The mystic num-
ber of this association is nine, every mem-
ber having a number, and is fortunate if
there is a nine in it. President Roosevelt's
number is 9999. The Bostwick family for
nlany generations have been members of
the Episcopal church. Mr. Bostwick is now
and for many years has been senior ward-
en of St. John's Episcopal church at Cen-
tralia.
Our subject is a member of the Episcopal
church as is also his estimable wife. In pol-
itics Mr. Bostwick is a Republican, and
while he has not been prominent in the af-
fairs of his party, he has ever assisted in
whatever way he could the furthering of
good city government and the welfare of
his community. He is now president of the
Board of Education.
Whatever of success has attended our
subject's efforts has been entirely owing to
his own endeavors, his energy, industry and
natural ability. From small beginnings he
has gradually attained a prominence in his
county which entitles him to be regarded as
one of its leading citizens.
DANIEL BECK.
The name Daniel Beck, of Claremont
township, needs very little introduction to
the people of Richland county for it is a name
that has ever been associated with the mate-
rial and spiritual progress of the community
for an extended period. No aspersions can
be made on any action of his during a pil-
grimage of upwards of sixty-three years. He
has been one of the original promoters of
the establishment of St. James Lutheran
church, and he has lent himself at all times
to all movements for the betterment and ad-
vancement of the people of the locality in
which he resides.
Daniel Beck was born in Olney township
on the i gth of October, 1845, on what was
known as the "Hooverler'' farm. He was
the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Phillips)
Beck, both natives of York county, Pennsyl-
vania, in which county they were married.
His parents at the time of their marriage
soon moved to Ohio, where they lived for a
few years in Stark county. In the year 1842
they migrated overland in a one-horse wagon
to Illinois, where they settled in Richland
county and moved onto the "Hooverler"
farm in Olney township, which they rented,
living there for three years. In their family
they reared Bessie Hooverler for six years,
for which they received sixty dollars. With
this money they entered forty acres of tim-
ber land in German township, although they
had intended to enter the land where the St.
James Lutheran parsonage now stands in
Claremont township. There was not a sin-
gle effort at improvement made in the land
they entered. They set to work and cleared
enough space to build a log house, after
which they started to clear the rest for farm-
ing purposes, and bring it to perfection.
Here, Daniel Beck's parents remained until
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
the time of their deaths. His mother died
in April, 1872, having passed her sixtieth
milestone. His father survived her several
years, dying in April, 1882, at the age of
eighty-four. Both are laid to rest in Goss
cemetery, German township, which is about
two miles from the spot in which they lived
for so many years. They were the parents
of ten children, seven of whom grew to ma-
turity, three dying in infancy. Daniel, the
subject of our present sketch, was the ninth
in order of birth. He remained with his
parents on the home farm until his marriage
to Susan Ditch, which took place December
24, 1867. His wife, who was born Decem-
ber 25, 1851, in Stark county, Ohio, was the
daughter of John and Catherine ( Boatman )
Ditch, her father being a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and her mother of Ohio, their mar-
riage taking place in Ohio. Her parents
came to Illinois in the spring of 1852, com-
ing along down via the Ohio river to Evans-
ville, Indiana, thence overland to Illinois,
where they settled on a farm in Claremont
township, Richland county, where her father
bought forty acres, for which he paid two
hundred and fifty dollars, and which con-
sisted of unimproved land. He started in
and built a log house for his family, and put
the land into the shape of a farm. Here they
lived until the death of her mother which
occurred December 23, 1880, at the age of
fifty-four years. Her father survived five
years longer, dying January 16, 1885, at the
age of sixty-six. Both were buried in Goss
cemetery, German township. They were the
parents of fourteen children, of whom half
the number arrived at maturity ; seven dying
in childhood. Mrs. Daniel Beck was the
seventh in order of birth.
For a year after their marriage Daniel
Beck and his wife lived with his parents on
the German township homestead. At the end
of that time Daniel took a lease on ten acres
in German township. This was all timber.
He built a log house, a rather small one, and
cleared the land, remaining there for four
years. He then moved upon the farm he
now occupies in section 28, Claremont town-
ship. During his early days in Richland
county, as is well known, deer and wild tur-
keys were very numerous, and the many
wolves which inhabited the timber made life
precarious for the sheep.
In his early days Daniel Beck met with
some hardships and ill-luck which might
have daunted a weaker man. Application and
industriousness brought prosperity, however,
and he has now a well kept farmstead. In
order to build his house there he cut the tim-
ber on his land, hauled it to the saw mill, and
had it sawed into lumber, and hauled it back
again, unaided. He employed his brother-
in-law, John Ditch, to build the house.
He and his wife have had six children.
Four grew up and two died in early life.
Sarah E. is the wife of Eli Sager in Clare-
mont township; Rachael C. died at the age
of fifteen ; Mary Matilda married Sam Cer-
ber, deceased, and is now the wife of Adolph
Scherer in German township; John Luther
died aged eight years; Ira J. lives on a farm
in Madison township ; and Emma Eunice
died in infancy. Daniel Beck and his wife
RICHLAND, CLAY AXD MARION* COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
325
also reared three orphan children, two boys
and one girl. One of the boys, Charles
Smith, is now married and lives in California
near Long Beach. Leslie Dickerson, the
other boy, and Carrie Shaw, the girl, still
live at home on the farm. They are receiv-
ing a good education; Miss Shaw is a grad-
uate of home schools and possesses three
diplomas.
Daniel Beck before he was quite five years
old attended subscription school in Clare-
mont township ; afterwards at a subscription
school in German township ; and for another
term in Claremont township with Ben Law-
yer as teacher. He attended school off and
on irregularly until his twenty-first year. The
"three R's" were principally the studies en-
gaged in, and considering the schooling of
the day he received a very good education.
The hewn pin-legged seats, without backs,
were then in use, and wide planks set against
the sides of the wall were the desks used to
write on.
In politics Daniel Beck is a Democrat,
with a lasting admiration for both Stevenson
(once Vice-President) and the silver-tongued
William J. Bryan. He is, or at least has been,
somewhat active in local affairs. He was
once elected poundmaster, an office which he
declined. He served several terms as a
School Director in the school district of Hick-
ory Point. He lives in section No. 28. He
has never sat on a jury, and though he was
summoned several times as a witness the
few cases never came to trial.
He and his wife and family have always
been members and faithful workers of the
St. James Lutheran church in Claremont.
He is an elder of the church, having been
chosen to fill a vacancy. He can lay the
claim also, as before stated, to be one of the
originators of the church, which is now in
its third building, being at one time an old
log structure.
In everyday life, Daniel Beck is a man
whose word is as good, if not better, than the
bond of many. Honesty and integrity are
no meaningless words with him and his
records as a man and citizen are without
blemish.
HENDERSON BOYAKIN WHAM.
A native of Haines township, Marion
county, and having spent the sixty years
of his life there, naturally the subject of
this sketch is known to every man, woman
and child in that section of the state. Mr.
Wham has been very much in the public eye,
in various capacities, having on more than
one occasion been closely identified with
the affairs of the township in an official way,
and it may not be amiss to state, in this
connection, that his constituents never had
cause to regret the fact of having conferred
upon him their suffrages. He is known as
a devoutly religious man.
Mr. Wham was born in Haines township
March 25, 1848, being the offspring of Wil-
liam and Louisa (Rainey) W r ham, the for-
mer a native of Tennessee, while the latter
was born in Kentucky. The grandfather of
the subject was a native of Ireland, and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
came to America shortly after the Revolu-
tionary war, settling in South Carolina on
a farm. Later he went to Tennessee, where
he died, and the father and grandmother of
Mr. Wham moved to Marion county, set-
tling in Haines township, where later the
former was married. The couple entered a
farm of prairie and timber land in Haines
township that was purchased from the gov-
ernment. He broke the land and built upon
it what was then considered a very com-
modious dwelling. He was a very progres-
sive man, and did much to develop the
region. After improving his own land he
did much work for his neighbors in the way
of breaking the sod, using an ox team, and
to him was also due the construction of
many good roads. He was a Whig and
later a Republican. His wife died in 1883,
and he survived her ten years. He was born
in 1817, and his helpmate in 1818. They
were both devout members of the Presby-
terian church for many years, but in later
years became members of the Methodist
denomination. There were born to the
couple eight children, namely: Margaret
Ann, widow of James M. Mount; Martha,
widow of William K. Storment, living at
Cartter, Illinois; Elizabeth, deceased, was
the wife of John R. Morrison ; Minerva, de-
ceased, was the wife of Thomas J. Holt;
Jerusha, deceased, was the wife of Mathew
M. Gaston; H. B., our subject; Mathew R.,
deceased, and William R., living at Cartter,
Illinois.
The early life of the subject was spent on
a farm in Haines township. He attended
the common schools and later the high
school at Centralia, Illinois. In 1871 he
married Nancy Jane Stonecipher, daughter
of Joshua and Nancy A. (Hall) Stone-
cipher, both being natives of Tennessee and
early settlers of Marion county. The sub-
ject and his wife had ten children, viz. :
Prof. George D., a teacher of pedagogy in
the State Normal School at Carbondale,
who married Edith Page, of Olney, Illinois,
and who is the father of one child, John
Page Wham; Nellie Eunice, wife of T. E.
Maulding, East St. Louis, has one child,
Howard B. ; Phoebe, wife of E. P. Gaston,
Centralia, Illinois, has one child, Helen,
Edgar B., a successful merchant of Cartter,
Illinois, married Anna Blair; Frederick,
senior in law department of the University
of Illinois at Champaign, Illinois; Charles,
in school at Champaign, taking a literary
course; Florence, at home; Benjamin in
school at Carbondale, normal course; Wil-
liam J., died in infancy; infant, unnamed,
deceased.
Joshua Stonecipher and wife, parents of
Mrs. Wham, had fourteen children and
they are all dead but five, Hiram, Phoebe,
Mary, Curtis and Mrs. Wham. The Stone-
cipher family is very highly respected in
Marion county. William Wham, grand-
father of the subject, was the father of eight
children, Joseph, John, Benjamin, William,
Isabella, Ann, Jane and Elizabeth. Mathew
Rainey, the maternal grandfather of the
subject, also had eight children, all of whom
are dead. They were: Louisa Ann, Jeru-
sia, Jane, Sarah, Patsey, William, Robert
and Samuel.
The subject has one of the most attractive
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
327
farms in Haines township. He has con-
structed a spacious dwelling and ample
barns. He has been a stock raiser for many
years, and handles the very best grade of
horses, mules, cattle and sheep. Although
he is a very busy man Mr. Wham has a
great love for literature, and spends much
time among his books. The subject began
teaching school in 1867, and spent alto-
gether twenty-five years as a pedagogue.
He was a successful instructor and did
much for the cause of education in Marion
county, and particularly Haines township.
He early became an enthusiastic champion
of the State Normal School located at Car-
bondale, and it is a matter of record that
Marion county stands first in the state out-
side of the county in which the school is lo-
cated in the number of students attending
that institution. It is also a fact, of which
Mr. Wham may feel justly proud, that
Haines township, where he taught for so
many years, has furnished more students for
the State Normal than any other township
in Marion county. He is a Republican and
has been Supervisor of Haines township
twice, Town Clerk one term, besides serving
as Assessor. As an evidence of his popu-
larity it may be stated that Haines town-
ship is Democratic normally, but Mr.
Wham received an unusually large plurality.
He has rarely been defeated for public
office, but when he ran for County Treasurer
in 1906 he was defeated by forty-two votes.
Mr. Wham has been a Sunday school
teacher and superintendent for a number of
years, and has taken a great interest in
church work.
LYDIA PHILLIPS GERBER.
Of the older residents of Claremont
township there are few that are better
known and more widely respected than the
subject of this brief notice, who was born
July 14, 1834, in Stark county, Ohio, the
daughter of David and Sarah Phillips, her
mother's name being Hosier and a native of
Stark county. Her father was a Pennsyl-
vanian and moved from there with his par-
ents when almost at the age of manhood.
His parents settled in Stark county, Ohio,
where they lived for some years before
coming to Illinois. About the year 1840,
they moved and settled in Claremont town-
ship, Richland county, one year before
Richland county was surveyed. Lydia
Phillips was then but six years of age. In
Richland county her parents entered forty
acres of unimproved land, the greater part
of which was covered with timber. This
land he (her father) bought from the gov-
ernment at one dollar and twenty-five cents
an acre. He started to clear and improve
the land and built a crude log house of
hewn logs. Industriously he kept adding
to his property until he had two hundred
acres at the time of his death. When two
years in Illinois his parents left Ohio and
made their home with the younger family,
where they remained until their deaths,
which took place when they were well on
in the eighties.
Lydia Phillips remained with her parents
on their farm until her marriage to Wil-
liam Gerber, which was celebrated on June
20, 1856. She and her husband settled on
I'.lor.KAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
forty acres of land in Claremont township,
at a later period they bought more, making
a total of one hundred acres. Here they
remained in peaceful married life and work-
ing hard until the death of William Gerber,
which event occurred on January 3, 1896,
when he had reached his sixty-sixth year.
He was the son of Phillip and Susannah
Gerber, his mother's name being Sager,
both of them being natives of Pennsylvania,
where William was born on February 24,
1830. He moved with his parents to San-
dusky, Ohio, then to Indiana, and later re-
turning again to Ohio. Afterwards they
moved to Illinois and settled in Richland
county, where his parents died. They are
buried in Claremont township cemetery.
Lydia Phillips was the eldest of eight
children born to her parents, all of whom
grew to maturity. She herself was blessed
with eight children. All of them grew to
maturity, but four have since died. In the
order of their birth, they are : Sarah Jane,
Elizabeth, Matilda K., John P., George W.,
Levi D., Ellen and Henry. George is the
only child who married. He and his wife
live on the homestead with his mother and
are the parents of four children, all of whom
live. They are: Inez Myrtle, Charles Os-
car, Grace A., and Francis W.
Lydia Phillips Gerber attended in her
early days the free schools in Claremont
township near her home. The building was
an old log house with a fireplace which was
built of mud and sticks. The seats were
four log slabs balanced upon four pegs
which stood for legs. The books used were
McGuffey's readers and the elementary
speller and a few others which were the
principal text-books of the time. Here she
attended school for seventeen years and ob-
tained a good share of information.
Her husband during his life was a Demo-
crat in politics. In religion she and her
husband and the grandparents were mem-
bers of the Lutheran church in Claremont
township. During her long life she has
never omitted to give her church duties a
proper share of attention. She has always
been respected in the congregation to which
she belongs.
JAMES M. DACE.
Among the representative business men
of Marion county is the subject of this
sketch, who is at present proprietor of a well
known and flourishing restaurant in Odin,
and who is carrying on his line of business
with that enterprise and discretion which
are sure to find their sequel in definite suc-
cess.
James M. Dace was born in Monroe City,
Monroe county, Illinois, on April 18, 1861,
but was educated in the public schools of
this county, where he applied himself in a
careful manner and received a good educa-
tion. He later took a commercial course in
the Bryant and Stratton Business College
of St. Louis. After leaving school, our
subject devoted himself to fanning, having
while attending school worked on his fa-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
329
ther's farm. This he followed with success
attending his efforts until 1888, then he
traveled for a period of seven years for the
D. M. Osborn Company, successfully han-
dling a line of agricultural implements, and
obtaining a large amount of trade for them.
In 1895 Mr. Dace gave up his position on
the road and opened his present business in
Odin, that of conducting a restaurant. His
success was instantaneous, and he has since
conducted the same with much satisfaction
attending his efforts, his neat, well equipped
and carefully managed restaurant being
known far and wide to the transient visitors
to Odin, as well as to numerous local pa-
trons. Here is served the very best grade
of materials that the market affords and all
guests are accorded the kindest considera-
tion and most courteous treatment, so that
a customer is never lost, but all speak in
praise of our subject's place of business,
which would be a credit to any town, much
less one the size of Odin.
Mr. Dace has long taken considerable in
terest in public affairs, his unusual talents
having been recognized early by his many
political friends, so that he was sought out
for public office, with the result that he has
been Supervisor of his township for the
past twelve years which position he has
held with great credit to himself and with
satisfaction to all concerned. In politics
he is a loyal Democrat.
The married life of Mr. Dace dates from
1884, when he was united in the bonds of
wedlock with Lulu Charlton, a native of
this county and a daughter of Sidney and
Henrietta (Gaines) Charlton, natives of
this county. The paternal grandfather ot
our subject's wife came to this county in an
early day, taking up twelve hundred acres
of land, which he developed and on which
he raised his family and where he died, hav-
ing lived to an old age. His wife, who is
still living, is very old.
The subject and wife have no children
living. Mrs. Dace belongs to the Christian
church. Our subject in his fraternal rela-
tions is a member of the ancient and honor-
able order of Masons, the Knights of
Pythias and the Woodmen, having filled
many of the chairs in the latter. He at
present holds offices in two of these lodges.
He also belongs to the Red Men. Mr. Dace
has always been known as a man of sound
business principles, kind hearted, liberal and
pleasant to all.
JACOB BURGENER.
It is almost unnecessary at this time to
speak of the part played by European exiles
in the upbuilding of this nation. They came
here prior to the Revolution, the stream grew
larger and more constant at its close, and
they have still continued to come in large
numbers. We have always plenty of room
for them and they pay us back, and have
paid us back, by their industrious and frugal
lives and by their contributions to the pros-
perity of our United States.
The subject of this sketch comes of a mid
European race the hardy Swiss mountain-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
eers. Jacob Burgener was born in the Can-
ton of Bern, Switzerland, on June 3, 1845,
the son of Jacob and Anna Burgener. His
parents were both natives of Switzerland,
where his father was born. In April of the
year 1847 the subject of this sketch came
with his parents to the United States, land-
ing in New York harbor. The voyage across
the vast stretches of the Atlantic ocean was a
tedious one in those days and their trip in a
sailing vessel was of forty-six days' duration
having been beaten out of their course sev-
eral times by storms; many hundred sharks
followed at times in the wake of the ship;
and many, of the emigrants died at sea, their
bodies being sewed in a sack in lieu of a
shroud and then thrown overboard to make
food for the sharks.
On their arrival in New York they set out
for Richland county, Ohio, where they rent-
ed a farm and remained for two or three
years. In the year 1850 they migrated over-
land in wagons from Ohio to Illinois, where
they settled in Richland county, Preston
township. Here they worked on the farm
of an old inhabitant named Jacob Yoggy,
and some few years later they entered eighty
acres bought from the government at the
current price of one dollar and a quarter an
acre in Preston township, and later added
forty acres. Eighty acres of this land was
mostly prairie land, and forty acres con-
tained timber, and there was not even a fence
or a well on the property. Jacob Burgener
began at once to improve his holding and
built a log house with a long shed on the side
running the full length of the house. In
this shed the cows were kept and the noise of
the cow-bells ringing every night sounded
almost like alarm clocks to the family. A log
stable was also built and fences were put up,
and in this work the family were helped by
an uncle, William Van Alman, who broke
many an acre of the ground. At this time
the subject of our sketch was nine or ten
years old. His grandfather Burgener was
also with them, having come from Switzer-
land. He also settled in Preston township
where he lived until his demise, being buried
in the German Reform cemetery, Preston
township, aged eighty years.
Jacob Burgener was about fourteen or fif-
teen years old when his mother died. She
is buried in the German Reform cemetery
in Preston township. Her mother and fa-
ther were born in Switzerland, when mother
died father came to the United States,
and she had two brothers and three
sisters who helped to swell the tide of emi-
gration to the United States. Some time
after his mother's death his father mar-
ried again, his second wife's name being
Margaret Stucchi. She died in the year
1903 and is also buried in the German Re-
form cemetery in Preston township. Jacob
Burgener remained with his father on the
farm until about twenty-two years of age.
During his years on his father's farm rattle-
snakes abounded there. Herds of wild deer,
wolves and wild game were also in evidence,
the wolves, especially, being so numerous
and ferocious that they did not dare let the
sheep out at night.
At the age of twenty-two Jacob Burgener
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
331
left his father's farm and went to work for
some neighbors, obtaining a wage of about
thirteen or fourteen dollars per month. In
December, 1871, he married Anna Combs,
who was born in Claremont county, Ohio.
She was the daughter of Abner and Eliza-
beth Combs, her mother's name being Eliza-
beth Smizer, natives of Ohio, who came to
Illinois and settled in Preston township in
the year 1860, where they built a fine house
and barn and spent about two thousand dol-
lars in improvements upon their farm of over
three hundred acres. Mrs. Burgener's fa-
ther died in 1884 and her mother still sur-
vives, living in Preston township at the age
of ninety-two years.
On his marriage Jacob Burgener settled
on a farm of forty acres in Olney township,
which his father-in-law had given him, and
there he remained until his removal to his
present farm of two hundred acres in Clare-
mont township in the year 1881. While liv-
ing in Olney township his wife died on Feb-
ruary 23, 1878, in her thirty-first year, and
was buried in Olney. Three children were
born of the marriage, two boys and one girl,
all of whom are now married and have fami-
lies of their own. Their names are: Wil-
liam A., Harry L., and Winona. William
A. lives in Olney township on a one hundred
and sixty acre farm. Harry L. lives in Clare-
mont township on forty acres of fine im-
proved land. Winona is the wife of Charles
Elliott and lives in Montana.
Jacob Burgener re-married on October 15,
1 88 1, Sophia (Fritchle) Garber, widow of
John Garber. She was born September 2,
1845, in Olney township, Richland county,
Illinois, being the daughter of Jacob and
Lydia (Strathe) Fritchle. Her father was
a native of Germany and her mother of
Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio
and lived for some time near Canton, Ohio,
afterwards, about the year 1839, coming to
Richland county, Illinois, and settling on the
farm on which they lived until their deaths.
Her mother died in the year 1857 an< ^ ner
father in 1899, at the age of eighty-one or
eighty-two years. Both lie buried in the
Lutheran cemetery in Claremont township,
situated near where the old log church used
to stand. By her first marriage the second
Mrs. Burgener had four children, only one
of whom is living. They were: Jake P.,
Daniel, Charles, all deceased, and Mary E.,
who is living and is married to William H.
Haulterman, the owner of a splendid farm
in Jasper county, Illinois.
Jacob Burgener in his young days attend-
ed about two winter terms at the free school
in Preston township. His work at home on
the farm interfered with his school attend-
ance and he consequently did not receive
much education. He was quick to learn,
however, and became proficient in reading,
writing, spelling, and some arithmetic. He
has been active in the life of the township and
county, is a Democrat in politics, and has
served a term on the county grand jury at
Olney. He and his wife and the members
of their family all belong to the Lutheran
church, his first wife being a Methodist. The
Burgeners have always been known to take
an active part in church affairs.
332
BIOGRAPHICAL AND RKM I MS( ' I-.NT HISTORY OF
During his lengthy life Jacob Burgener
has worked hard and prospered and as a re-
sult has two hundred acres of fine farm land
well improved. He is now past his sixty-
second year, with his present wife the same
age, and he enjoys fairly good health. He
is an influential man in the township and well
known and respected by his neighbors.
BENJAMIN F. NORFLEET.
This venerable and highly honored citi-
zen of Raccoon township, represents that
class of noble American citizens who spend
their lives in the rural districts, the great
producers, on whom the rest of the world
depends, and his life has been so active and
carefully lived that success has attended al-
most his every effort.
Benjamin F. Norfleet was born in Mont-
gomery county, Tennessee, May 29, 1832,
the son of Marmaduke and Malinda (Mc-
Fadden) Norfleet, natives of Montgomery
county. The subject's grandfather was
James Norfleet, a native of North Carolina.
He married in that state, but lived in Mont-
gomery county, Tennessee, most of his life.
He was a farmer and raised a good deal of
fruit. He was noted for the fine apple and
peach brandy which he made. He and his
wife died in that county. They were the
parents of three sons and four daughters.
He was of Welsh descent. There were three
brothers of the Norfleet family who came
to America, namely: James, Marmaduke
and Starkey. They settled in North Caro-
lina. The subject's grandfather, David
McFadden, was a native of Ireland. He
married Elizabeth Elliott. He came to
America shortly after they were married.
He came first to this country and in six
months sent for his wife. He settled in
Montgomery county, Tennessee, on the Red
river. He got six hundred and forty acres
of government land. He cleared a great
deal of the land and built a fine home on it.
He was a farmer and a successful business
man. They lived the rest of their lives in
Montgomery county and reared a large
family. The subject's father and mother
were both born in Montgomery county,
Tennessee. The former was educated in
the home schools and was a self-learned
man and became a good scholar. He was
a carpenter and farmer. In 1855 he went
to Stewart county, Tennessee, and bought
a farm there. He was Justice of the Peace,
was active in Democratic politics. He and
his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mrs. Norfleet died in
Stewart county, Tennessee. They were the
parents of thirteen children, namely : Ben-
jamin Franklin, our subject; David, a
farmer in Stewart county, Tennessee; Hen-
ry A., a farmer in Stewart county, Tennes-
see; George, a farmer in the same county;
Virginia, who lives in the same county;
Josephine L. also lives in that county ;
Mary Elizabeth became a resident of Wil-
liamson county, Illinois, where she died.
The rest of the children are all deceased.
The subject of this sketch had only a lim-
ited education, obtained in the subscription
schools. He lived at home until he was
RICHLAND. CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
333
twenty-two years of age. He was united
in marriage October 10, 1855, to Josephine
Hamlett, of Montgomery county, Tennes-
see, the daughter of James and Jane (At-
kins) Hamlett, the former of North Caro-
lina, and the latter of Montgomery county,
Tennessee, to which county the former went
when ten years of age. He was a carpen-
ter and cabinet maker, and he and his wife
lived in that county the rest of their lives.
They were the parents of eight children,
namely: James, deceased; Frank is a car-
penter in Marshall, Texas; Mary Jane is
deceased; the fourth child died in infancy;
Jackson is deceased; Josephine, the sub-
ject's wife; Maria, of Nashville, Tennes-
see; Margaret, of Clarksville, Tennessee.
Eleven children have been born to the
subject and wife, one of whom is deceased,
namely : Emma is the wife of F. G. Boggs,
of Raccoon township, whose sketch appears
in full on another page of this volume;
Marmaduke, a farmer in Raccoon township,
married Lucy Boggs ; Edgar, who is con-
nected with "The Houston Post," at
Houston, Texas, married Belle Clayburn;
Ella died young; Jefferson, who married
Minnie Brown, is a farmer at Springfield,
Illinois; Dora, who married Ira Richard-
son, lives at Muskogee, Oklahoma ; Thomas
M., who is an engineer in a coal mine at
Springfield, Illinois, married Hattie Few;
Sidney, a carpenter living at St. Louis, Mis-
souri, married Nettie Stader; Beulah, the
widow of William Stewart, lives at Centra-
lia, Illinois; Benjamin F., Jr., who lives in
Lexington, Kentucky, married a Miss Mc-
Murphy. He is a well known professor in
that city, being connected with a correspon-
dence school there. Starkey, the youngest
child, who married Ava Davis, is a farmer
at Muskogee, Oklahoma.
After our subject married he and his wife
lived in Montgomery county, Tennessee,
until 1865, when he went to Trenton, Ken-
tucky, where he purchased a farm. He also
worked at the carpenter's trade until 1870.
He came to Marion county, Illinois, lo-
cating in Raccoon township, on Tennessee
Prairie, where he rented land for one year
and bought eighty acres in section 22 and
twenty acres in section 27, on which he
built a house and lived there for twenty
years, when he bought his present place of
forty acres known as the Wesley Willis
place in Raccoon township. He has worked
at the carpenter's trade since he was sixteen
years old, and, being thus naturally gifted,
he became a very fine workman. He has
worked at his trade with much success. He
has been a most excellent farmer. He re-
tired in 1905. He learned his trade from
his father. A great deal of the time he pre-
ferred to rent his land and follow carpentry.
Mr. Norfleet has served as Highway
Commissioner for five years, and two terms
as school trustee; also two terms as director.
He is a Democrat in his political relations.
Mrs. Norfleet is a member of the Christian
church and the subject is a member of the
Free Will Baptist church. Members of the
Norfleet family are well known in Marion
county and they have a modern and nicely
furnished home.
334
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
LUTHER HOLT, M. D.
Although but in the meridian of life the
subject of this sketch has had wonderful
success in alleviating the ills and sufferings
of his fellow men, and in Haines township,
Marion county, he is regarded as a credit
to the noble profession in which he has been
engaged for more than twenty years. His
boyhood days were spent on a farm, but
early in life he showed a desire to become a
medical practitioner, and when his school
days came to an end his parents decided that
the longing of his heart should be realized.
Dr. Holt was born in Haines township,
May 14, 1862, the son of Charles Wesley
and Violindia (Wilkins) Holt. The father
of the subject first saw the light of day in
West Virginia, November 20, 1834, and
was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Jack-
son) Holt, the latter a native of South Caro-
lina. Joseph, after going South, where he
was married, settled in Virginia, and final-
ly removed to Tennessee, where he lived
until 1837, when he decided that he could
better his condition by moving further west,
and as a result, emigrated to Marion coum
ty, settling at Centralia. Later he took up
his residence in Washington county, Il-
linois, and remained there until the death
of his wife, Elizabeth (Jackson) Holt,
which occurred in 1847. After this sad
event he went to Texas, and died there a
few years later. The couple were survived
by eleven children, Joseph, John, Eliza,
Gordon W., Lee, Sarah J., Thomas J.
Charles W., Nathaniel. Albert and Fletcher
L.
Charles W. Holt, father of the subject,
has spent all of his life in Marion county,
Illinois. He was only three years old when
the family removed to the state, making the
trip with an ox team and pack horses.
When a young man he worked on farms,
and was employed at times as a laborer on
public improvements. He helped to grade
the Illinois Central road when it was con-,
structed, and this work was done with shov-
els and wheel-barrows. Later he began
farming for himself on forty acres in sec-
tion 12, settling on his present farm in sec-
tion 15, in 1865, which was almost an un-
broken prairie at the time. This farm now
consists of 220 acres of well tilled land.
The mother of the subject is a native of
Marion county, being the daughter of Ben-
jamin and Cloanna (Brewer) Wilkins, the
latter a native of Kentucky. Her parents
were early settlers of Marion county, and
are both dead. The father and mother of
the subject are members of the Baptist
church at Pleasant Grove. Mr. Holt is a
Democrat and has served in the capacity of
school director. In connection with the cul-
tivation of his farm, he gives considerable
attention to stock breeding, raising a high
grade of mules, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs.
Dr. Holt, the subject of this sketch, lives on
the farm with his father and mothW, upon
which is a building which is utilized by him
as an office. He received a common school
education, and in 1884 entered the St.
Louis Medical College, and three years later
graduated in medicine and surgery. He
then returned to Illinois and began prac-
ticing with Dr. A. P. Kell, at Fortville, but
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
335
after a short time went to Xenia, Illinois,
where for one year he practiced with T>r.
Shirley. At the end of that interval he re-
turned to his father's farm, and since then
has conducted his practice from that place.
In 1889 the subject was married to Josie
Huff, who was born and raised in Haines
township, and is the daughter of Thomas
and Emma (Fulton) Huff. Seven children
were born to the subject and his wife, six
of whom survive. They are Hallie, Althia,
Edna, Earl, Edgar, Ida and Roy. Althia
is dead; Edna lives with her parents, and
Hallie is a teacher in the Marion county
schools. Dr. Holt is a member of the Ma-
rion County Medical Society, and in politics
he is a Democrat. He has served as School
Director, and is a stockholder in a Salem
bank. He has always taken a great interest
in public affairs.
WILLIAM VAN ALMAN.
One of the owners of extensive farming
interests in Richland county is the gentle-
man whose name initiates this sketch, who
resides in Preston township. His valuable
property has been acquired through his own
efforts his persistency of purpose and his
determination, and the prosperity which is
the legitimate reward of all earnest effort
is today his.
William Van Alman was born in
Switzerland. July 5, 1828. the son of
Christian and Anna (Milliman) Van Al-
man, also natives of Switzerland, where
they lived and died. The father of the sub-
ject was a farmer and died when the latter
was ten years old, and he was only three
years old, when his mother died. They
were the parents of seven children, four
girls and three boys, William being the
youngest. He was reared in his native land
and received a common school education.
When nineteen years old he went through
the regular drill required of all able bodied
young men. He had left home when six-
teen, having secured the required passport
to leave his native section of Switzerland.
He worked on farms and at dairy work for
several years. In the latter part of 1849
in company with two older brothers and a
cousin, he came to the United States in an
old-fashioned sailing vessel, being fifty-four
days making the ocean voyage, landing at
New Orleans, where he says he saw his first
"nigger." He came up the Mississippi and
Ohio rivers to Louisville, Kentucky, where
he arrived January i, 1850. He soon went
to Ripley county, Indiana, where his cousin
lived, and in the following March went to
Mount Vernon, Illinois. That same spring
he came to Richland county, and went to
work on a farm for seven dollars per
month. He saved his money which he add-
ed to what he had when he came to the
United States. In 1852 he entered one
hundred and sixty acres of land in Preston
township, eighty acres of prairie and eighty
acres of bottom land. He at once built a
log cabin and began improving his place,
having bought a yoke of cattle and began
336
inOGKAPHICAL AXU REMIXISCEXT HISTORY OF
breaking the prairie land, and being a hard
worker, he was not long in making many
changes on his farm. He bought more
oxen and continued breaking land for his
neighbors for ten years rover one thousand
acres in all. He operated a threshing ma-
chine for thirty years, wearing out six ma-
chines during that time, and doing a large
and prosperous business in this line. He
became prosperous and at one time owned
three hundred acres. He is at this writing
the owner of two hundred and fifty acres.
Olney was a hamlet of only a few houses
mean wooden structures when Mr. Van
Alman came here. William Van Alman
was united in marriage October 7, 1862,
to Elizabeth Mattingly, who was born in
Jasper county, Illinois, the daughter of
George and Elizabeth Mattingly. The sub-
ject and wife are the parents of thirteen
children, six of whom grew to maturity.
They are, Matilda, Stephen, died when thir-
ty-two years old ; Charles, Emma is the wife
of William Lamkin, who lives in Louis-
ville, Kentucky; Fred W. is a farmer in
Preston township ; Louise is the wife of Ed.
Williams, living on the old homestead.
Politically Mr. Van Alman is a Demo-
crat, having always supported the principals
of that party. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the German Reformed church in
Preston township.
Mr. Van Alman was the first person to
break the banks of the Ambrose river to
cross with a wagon in this section. He was
the first person to subscribe fifty dollars for
the construction of a bridge across this
stream, where a ferry used to be main-
tained. He built the first ferry across the
Ambrose river in the pioneer days; in fact,
he built four ferries before a bridge was
constructed. His name is associated with
progress in the county of his adoption and
among those in whose midst he has so long
lived and labored, he is held in the highest
esteem by reason of an upright life of fidel-
ity to principles.
WILLIAM F. BUNDY.
Holding distinctive prestige among the
enterprising citizens of Marion county, is
William F. Bundy, whose record here briefly
outlined, is that of a man who has been the
architect of his own fortunes, a self-made
man, who, by the exercise of talents with
which nature endowed him, has successfully
surmounted unfavorable environment and
rose to the position he now occupies as one
of the influential attorneys of the city hon-
ored by his residence. He is a creditable
representative of one of the old and highly
esteemed pioneer families of southern Il-
linois, and possesses many of the admirable
qualities and characteristics of his sturdy
ancestors who figured in the history of the
early days in this section of the great
Prairie state. Isaac Bundy, the subject's
father, was born October 4, 1828, in Rac-
coon township, this county, where he de-
voted his manhood years to agricultural
pursuits and became known as a most ex-
emplary citizen, for many years a minister
in the Methodist Episcopal church, always
doing his full share in the promotion and
RICHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
337
growth of his part of the county. On June
7, 1849, he was united in marriage with
Amanda M. Richardson, after he had re-
turned home from the Mexican war, in
which he served with distinction, having en-
listed in Colonel Newby's First Regiment,
on June 8, 1847, and soon afterward began
the long and arduous march from Kansas
City, Missouri, to Albuquerque, New Mex-
ico; after the close of hostilities, marching
back over the same route. John A. Logan,
afterwards a conspicuous general in the war
between the states, was then a second lieu-
tenant of Company H, of the famous First
Regiment, which did such effective work in
the land of the ancient Montezumas, in
which regiment Mr. Bundy served until his
honorable discharge on October 13, 1848,
having been a member of Company C. This
was usually referred to as the Illinois Foot
Volunteer Regiment, in which General
James S. Martin, whose sketch appears in
this volume, was a private. Isaac Bundy
was also in the Civil war, having enlisted
as a private at Springfield, Illinois, Novem-
ber 1 8, 1 86 1, remaining at Camp Butler, near
that city for a time. He was appointed
chaplain, October 7, 1862, and after serving
faithfully until October 24, 1864, resigned
on account of illness and returned home in
Raccoon township, where he spent the re-
mainder of his life, passing to his rest De-
cember 13, 1899, his death having been
deeply lamented by the people among whom
he had so long lived and by whom he was
held in such high esteem.
Amanda M. (Richardson) Bundy, moth-
22
er of the subject, was the daughter of Rev.
James I. Richardson, of the Methodist Eis-
copal church, who came to this state in an
early days, and for some time was presiding
elder of the Southern Illinois Conference,
of the above mentioned denomination, hav-
ing been located at Salem, McLeansboro,
Benton, Spring Garden, Central City and
many other charges in the southern part of
the state. Although his education was
gained by the pine knot and tallow candle,
with a short term in the common schools,
he developed a strong mind, and this, coupled
with an indomitable will, enabled him to sur-
mount many obstacles and accomplish much
good. He was a large man physically, hav-
ing stood six feet two inches in height. Be-
ing a strong Abolitionist, he took an active
part in "underground railroad" work, as-
sisting to free the negro from slavery when-
ever an opportunity came. His talents at-
tracted public attention wherever he went,
and he was sought for positions of public
trust and very ably served as a member of
the sixteenth General Assembly, from Ma-
rion county. Many of his associates in the
House at that time later became noted in
many walks of life. Reverend Richardson
served in the Black Hawk war of 1832, hav-
ing been a member of the Spy Battalion,
Mounted Volunteers, under Capt. William
Dobbins, which was mustered in June 17,
1832, taking part in the battle of Kellogg's
Grove, eight days later, June 25th, under
eral Atkinson, in which engagement this
company had fourteen horses killed, six
wounded and three captured. The Spy Bat-
338
mnCKAl'IIlCAI, AXI) KKMIMSCKNT HISTORY OF
talion, which was first organized in Marion
county, May 4, 1832, was mustered out on
August i6th, following. For his war rec-
ord, his political service and his ministry,
covering a period of over thirty years, Rev-
erend Richardson was a noted character in
Southern Illinois.
The subject's paternal great-grandfather,
Jonathan Bundy, was also a well known
character in this part of the state in its earli-
est pioneer period. He came from North
Carolina in 1817, having made the trip over-
land with his family, consisting of the fol-
lowing sons: William, Robert, Frederick
and John. William, who remained single
all his life, was a soldier in the War of 1812,
having fought at New Orleans, under Gen-
eral Jackson. Robert and Frederick reared
families, the descendants of whom still live
in Marion county, among whom is Wil-
liam K., the oldest son of Frederick Bundy.
John Bundy's family consisted of five sons,
namely: Isaac, Bailey, Alexander, George
and Samuel.
To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Bundy, parents
of our subject, the following children were
born: Elizabeth Jane, who married Noah
E. Barr, is living near Salem, Dent county,
Missouri, their family consisting of four
boys and three girls; Asbury and Samuel
both died in infancy; Laura Alice married
James N. Adams, and they are the parents
of four boys and one girl, namely: Ernest
J. Sanford, James O., Rollin and Maud, all
living in Centralia, with the exception of
James O., who is living in Idaho. William
F., the subject of this sketch, was fifth in
order of birth, having been born in Rac-
coon township, Marion county, Illinois,
June 8, 1858. He was educated in Southern
Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale,
Illinois, and decided to study law. He was
married to Mary E. McNally, daughter of
James J. and Sarah A. (Carter) McNally.
Mr. McNally was born in Ireland, Septem-
ber 8, 1836. After coming to America, he
located in New York state, and when the
Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Thir-
ty-fifth New York Infantry and later in the
Twentieth New York Cavalry. In the latter
he became second lieutenant in Company E.
Mrs. McNally was born in Constableville,
Lewis county, New York, April 16, 1843.
She married Me McNally September 21,
1862.
To Mr. and Mrs. William F. Bundy the
following children have been born : Donald
M. (deceased) ; Dorothy E., Sarah Pauline,
and Margaret M.
Politically Mr. Bundy is a Republican,
and he has been called upon to serve in va-
rious official capacities, among which was
that of City Attorney, also City Clerk of
Centralia, for several terms each. When he
was young in the practice of his profession
he represented the Forty-second District of
Illinois in the General Assembly in the
House of Representatives, both in the forty-
second General Assembly (1901 to 1903),
and in the forty-third General Assembly,
(1903 to 1905). During the forty-second
General Assembly he was chairman of the
important committee of Senatorial Appoint-
ment and he was also a member of the
Steering Committee of the Republican
party, and in the forty-third General As-
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
339
sembly he was chairman of the Committee
on Judicial Department and Practice. Mr.
Bundy took a very active part in the Legis-
lature while a member and won a record of
which anyone might be justly proud. He
was a member of the Republican State Cen-
tral Committee for the Twenty-third Con-
gressional District of Illinois from 1906 to
1908. Under the appointment of the Gov-
ernor, our subject is serving as one of the
trustees of the Southern Illinois Normal
University at Carbondale, his alma mater,
having been appointed early in 1908. He
has ever kept in touch with the interests of
his city and county and is an ardent advo-
acte and liberal patron of all worthy enter-
prises, making for their advancement and
prosperity. As a lawyer he is easily the peer
of any of his professional brethren through-
out the southern part of the state and the
honorable distinction, already achieved at
the bar is an earnest of the still wider sphere
of usefulness that he is destined to fill, as
he is yet in the prime of manhood and a
close observer of the trend of the times and
an intelligent student of the great questions
and issues upon which the thought of the
best minds of the world are centered.
CHARLES W. HOPKINS.
Charles W. Hopkins, retired hardware
merchant of Clay City, Illinois, is well and
favorably known at the present time as the
owner of one of the "banner" farms, for-
merly the property of his parents, of Clay
county. For fifteen consecutive years Clay
City was the scene of his successful en-
deavors as a hardware merchant. He has
not yet reached his fiftieth year, and while
he has already "made good" as a citizen
and a business man, many years of in-
creased prosperity await him in his farming
pursuits.
The subject of our sketch was born in
Mason county. West Virginia, on January
12, 1860, and was the son of William and
Adriana (Donnelly) Hopkins. Both par-
ents were natives of old Virginia, and came
of good stock. William Hopkins married
in his native state, resided on a farm there,
and was a member of the convention called
to partition the state into the present di-
visions of east and west. He ran boats on
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for thirty-
five years. During that time he was cap-
tain of "The Tigress," which General Grant
pressed into service at Cairo, Illinois, dur-
ing the progress of the Civil war. All
through its meteoric career in the military
service he remained its captain under com-
mand of the gallant Grant. At Pittsburg
Landing, Grant made his headquarters upon
on the boat, and he and the elder Hopkins
had many chats together. Later then ran
the blockade at Vicksburg successfully, but
when they had safely passed the last battery
"The Tigress" sank, having been shot
through the hull. At this time Captain
Hopkins was home on a furlough, and ow-
ing to the loss of his boat was discharged
from the service. He then moved with his
340
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
family to Illinois, and settled in Clay
county, in the winter of 1865, having
bought nearly one thousand acres of land.
This he was easily able to do as at the time
of his arrival in Illinois his capital amount-
ed to something like seventy-five thousand
dollars. He had previously sold a farm in
Virginia for forty-three thousand dollars.
The farm settled in Clay county is now the
property of the subject of our sketch. In
1883 William Hopkins retired from his
farming activities and moved with his fam-
ily to Flora, Illinois, where he afterwards
died on July 25, 1887, aged sixty-nine
years. William Hopkins married three
times. Our subject was the youngest of
three children, and his mother died when he
was only three years of age. One of his
brothers, Andrew, by name, is now dead.
His father afterwards married Marian Kel-
ly, who died in 1873. Later he espoused
Kate Wilson, who still continues to survive
him. His second marriage brought Wil-
liam Hopkins three children, all of whom
grew to maturity though only one is now
living. His third marriage brought him
one son, Frank, who lives with his mother
in Evansville, Indiana.
Charles W. Hopkins remained in the pa-
rental home up to the time of his marriage
which occurred on the I5th of March, 1883,
with Mary E. Brissenden in Clay county,
Illinois. For a number of years he lived
on a farm near Clay City. In the spring
of 1886, he and his wife removed to Fur-
nas county, Nebraska, where he purchased
a farm of three hundred and twenty
acres. There they remained three years,
when Mrs. Hopkins returned to Clay coun-
ty, Illinois, on a visit. There she died on
May 25, 1887, being buried in the Clay
City cemetery. Our subject soon sold his
Nebraska property and went back to live in
Illinois in the fall of 1888. His marriage
resulted in the birth of two girls, Adrianna,
now the wife of Clayson Black, of Clay
City, who is engaged in the grocery busi-
ness, and Sarah A., who lives at the family
residence. Shortly after his return to Il-
linois, Charles W. Hopkins engaged in the
hardware business in Clay City, continuing
in the same for fifteen years to a day. De-
cember 24, 1889, he married Mary Barnes,
of Clay county, where she was born April
i, 1 86 1. She was the daughter of Joseph
and Ellen (Gardner) Barnes, natives of In-
diana. They married in the Hoosier state
and came to Illinois in 1857, settling in
Clay county, where they remained until
their deaths. Mrs. Barnes died December
i, 1866, aged thirty-three years. Her hus-
band married secondly Lou Chapman, a
widow, but their married life was of short
duration as she died within two years. Jo-
seph Barnes died April 27, 1891, aged fifty-
five years, and was buried in Xenia. His
first wife was buried in Oskaloosa. They
were the parents of five children, of whom
two died in infancy, our subject's wife be-
ing the third in order of birth.
Charles W. Hopkins sold his hardware
business on February 19, 1904, remained in
Clay City until April 29, 1906, and then
moved to the old homestead of his parents.
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
341
where he now lives. He owns approximate-
ly five hundred and seventeen acres of some
of the best land in Clay county. His pres-
ent married life has also been a happy one,
three children having been born to him;
two boys and a girl William B., Charles L.
and Hazel all of whom live at home with
their parents.
Our subject has always been politically a
Republican and has served as Supervisor,
as member of the County Board in Clay
county for two years, as President of the
Town Board in Clay City for three terms.
He is a member of the Modern Woodmen
of America, Jefferson Lodge No. 1437, at
Clay City. Mrs. Hopkins is a. member of
the Methodist church in Clay City, and has
always taken an active part in church af-
fairs.
JOSEPH A. ENGLE.
The present Mayor of Claremont, Rich-
land county, Joseph A. Engle, is a veteran
of the Civil war. He was born December
12, 1829, in Vigo county, Indiana, and was
the son of John and Hannah Engle. His
father was a native of the Blue Grass state,
coming from Kentucky to Indiana with his
parents in early life. There they settled
upon a farm in Vigo county, where subse-
quently the older couple died. John Engle
at the time of his marriage bought a farm
of eighty acres in Parke county in the same
state. The newly married couple remained
there but a short time, returning to Vigo
county and purchasing a farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres. About this time
Joseph A. Engle, the subject of our present
sketch, was born. Later ninety-six acres
adjoining land was added to the family
property. Work upon the farm went on
steadily with good results, and it became
the permanent family residence. Here his
father's death occurred in 1863, and his
mother's the following year. At the time
of his father's death he was in the army,
but was home on wounded furlough when
his mother's death took place. His parents
are buried in Sulphur Springs Meeting-
house cemetery, which is but a mile and a
half from the farm where they died. Jo-
seph worked manfully on the farm in early
life and was of much assistance to his par-
ents. In his youth the homestead was a log-
cabin and the land was in a very raw state.
He helped materially to change the existing
condition of affairs.
His mother was born on the loth of Jan-
uary, 1812, and belonged to an old Indiana
family. Up to the time of her marriage she
lived with her parents on a farm on the
banks of Deer creek in Perry county. Her
father's death preceded her mother's by
several years. During her married life she
reared ten children, the oldest of which was
Joseph.
In his sixteenth year Joseph A. Engle
was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade in
Terre Haute. At the end of his term he
opened shop for himself, where he contin-
ued to work and prosper until the outbreak
of the Civil war. His business as a black-
342
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
smith necessitated the use of three furnaces
and the help of several skilled assistants.
Plows were manufactured in his establish-
ment and numerous wagons and buggies
were quipped. At this period of his life his
marriage with Rhoda C. Howell took place
in February, 1851. His wife was born in
the state. Her father died when she was
quite young; her mother, whose maiden
name was Gookins, survived him for sev-
eral years.
His marriage resulted in a family of five
children three boys and two girls. Four
grew to maturity, one child dying at the
age of two years, while its father was
away on active military service. His wife
closed a happy life at the age of sixty-six
on June n, 1897. She is buried at Sod-
dom cemetery. Her children's names are:
Olive, John H., Samuel A., William and
Mary, who died in infancy, as above record-
ed.
Joseph A. Engle in July, 1862, joined
Company B, of the Eighty-fifth Regiment
Indiana Volunteers, under Col. John P.
Beard, in the western division of the army
commanded by Sherman. His company
moved to the front via Indianapolis, Cin-
cinnati and Covington, his company first
engaging the enemy at Thompson Station.
Being unwell at this crucial period he did
not participate, but his brother, who was
also on the ground fought in the engage-
ment. He was a flag bearer to the company
and was captured, being immediately shipped
to Libby prison, from which place he was
later discharged on account of chronic sick-
ness. Joseph's indisposition, however, was
only temporary. He was destined to go
through the thick of the struggle. He par-
ticipated in nine of the fierce engagements
which took place in the vicinity of Georgia.
He fought at Buzzard's Roost, Georgia,
May 8, 1864; at Burned Church on May 26,
at Calfsville, May igth to the 22d; Gulp's
House, June 22d; Dallas, also known as
Burnt Hickory, May 25th to June 5th ; Dai-
ton, May 9th and August I4th to i6th and
October I3th; Lost Mountain, June Qth to
30th; near Dalton, January 21, 1864; New
Hope Church, May 25th to June 5th ; Battle
of Resaca, May I3th to i6th; Peach Tree
Creek, July 2Oth. In this last encounter
he received a serious wound, a ball striking
him on the head. After he had lain uncon-
scious on the field for half an hour he was
found and taken to a hospital. From there
he was shortly afterwards invalided home,
where he remained. He received his dis-
charge at Indianapolis during the latter
part of 1864.
On recovering from his wound and the
wear and tear of the terrible conflict, he
moved with his family to Richland county,
where he had some time before acquired
one hundred and twenty acres. At the end
of seventeen years of a peaceable farm life,
he moved to Olney, where he engaged in
the grocery business for a few years, when
he once more moved to Claremont town-
ship, where his wife died in 1897. Shortly
afterwards he again sold his farm and
moved into Claremont, where he purchased
property. Here a second marriage took
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
343
place on January 18, 1898, when he es-
poused Laura Stevens, daughter of Edward
and Melissa ( Shepherd) Stevens, natives of
Illinois. She was born in Lawrence coun-
ty, February 7, 1860. Her father was a
Civil war veteran. Her mother still lives
in Lawrence county with a young daughter.
Her mother was born in 1835, an< ^ ner
father in 1836. On the mother's side the
grandfather of Mrs. Engle was the first
white child born in Lawrence county. In
after life this relative took an active part
in the Black Hawk war.
Joseph A. Engle's second matrimonial
venture has proved to be as much a success
as his first. He has been blessed with two
more children, Joseph L., and Mary Jo-
sephine, aged nine and six years respective-
ly.
In early life the subject of our sketch at-
tended about three terms in the old sub-
scription schools in Parke county, and after-
wards attended for an equal period the
schools at Sulphur Springs, Indiana. The
old time elementary speller and Ray's arith-
metic were then used ; blackboards were un-
known; plain rough planks, propped with
stout wooden "pins," were used as seats,
and the high desks ranged along the sides
of the room for the pupils to write upon.
Joseph A. Engle's mind is still as vig-
orous as ever, his health also, though not
as robust as formerly, is still good. His
public life has been a most popular one and
he well maintains his place as Claremont's
premier citizen. He is well and favorably
known in fraternal and social circles. He
was formerly a member of the Ancient Or-
der of United Workmen, and is a member
of the Grand Army Post at Olney, Illinois.
Joseph A. Engle's public life began as a
Ward Supervisor in the Third ward at Ol-
ney, serving in that capacity for four years.
The esteem in which he is regarded by his
fellow citizens may be determined from the
fact that he is now serving a third term as
Mayor of Claremont. In politics he has
been an active Republican from the days of
the Civil war, and is a vigilant party
worker. The first time he cast his vote at
a Presidential election it went to Henry
Clay, who was then running in the old
regime as a Whig candidate. He and his
wife are both active and devoted members of
the Christian church. They are diligent
church workers.
DAVID M. HESTER.
Among the men of Marion county who
have appreciated present day opportunities
and have profited by his ingenuity and per-
sistency in the business world as a result of
the favorable conditions existing in the
great commonwealth of Illinois, is the sub-
ject of this sketch, David M. Hester, who
was born in Centralia township, this county,
August 16, 1841, the son of Milton P. Hes-
ter, of Clark County, Indiana, who married
Christina Copple in 1840 in Centralia town-
ship. Matthias Hester, the subject's grand-
father, was born in Hanover, Germany, and
344
ISKHiKAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
came with his parents to America. He mar-
ried a Susannah Huckleberry. He was a
farmer and he and his wife lived and died
in Clark county, Indiana. They were the
parents of twelve children. Grandfather
David Copple lived near Walnut Hill, Illi-
nois, on a farm. The father of the subject
came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1839
when he was still single and settled near
Centralia on a farm, remaining here until
his death in 1905. His first wife died in
1855 and he was again married, his second
wife being Martha O. Johnson, of near Mt.
Vernon. She died in 1890. He was noted
as a great stock raiser. In politics he was
a Republican, and was active in church
work. He was also a promoter of the gen-
eral good of the public. There were eight
children born to him by his first union,
namely: David M., our subject; Julia, de-
ceased, who married Mark Young, who
lived in Salem township; William A. is liv-
ing on a farm near Mt. Vernon; John C.
is a farmer near Jefferson, Kansas; Sarah
E. married A. H. Young, of Centralia;
Isaac is single and living on a farm in
Centralia township ; Samuel M. is living on
a farm in Clinton county, Illinois; Mary is
single and living on the old place. Four
children were born to Milton P. Hester by
his second wife, namely : Ella is single and
living in Centralia ; Albertus V. is farming
near Dallas, Texas; Carrie married Mark
Anthony, who is a lumber dealer in Streator,
this state; Lillian, the fourth child, is the
wife of George Cams, a locomotive engi-
neer, living in Centralia.
As already intimated the subject's father
located on a farm which he secured from
the government near Walnut Hill, Marion
county, in 1839, securing from five hundred
to eight hundred acres. Our subject lived
at home attending the common schools in
the winter months until he was twenty-one
years of age. He then went to Kansas and
located in the eastern part of that state,
where he remained a short time. When the
call for troops was issued to put down the
rebellion he was one of the patriotic sons of
the North who responded, having enlisted in
November, 1861, in Company H, Ninth
Kansas Cavalry, under General Blunt, re-
maining in this branch of the service for two
years. He was in many battles and skir-
mishes in Arkansas and Missouri, being
wounded in the left arm and shoulder at
Cain Hill. He was laid up at the camp
hospital for some time and came home on a
furlough, but returned to the service, re-
maining three years and three months, hav-
ing re-joined his regiment at Duvalls Bluffs,
Arkansas. He served in such a gallant man-
ner that he became first lieutenant. After
the war Mr. Hester returned to Kansas and
resumed fanning for one year then he came
back to Centralia. He had a farm in Kan-
sas consisting of eighty acres.
Our subject married Sarah A. Young,
of Salem township, in 1867. She was the
daughter of Matthew and Sarah (Ware)
Young. Nine children have been born to
the subject and wife, four of whom are de-
ceased. Their names are: Ella, who mar-
ried J. P. Rogers, of Salem township; Rose,
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
345
who married William Gaines, of Stevenson
township; Mathew married Pearl Hopkins
and is living in Salem township ; William is
living on a farm, having married Effie Mc-
Coy; Daisy is living at home. These chil-
dren received good educations at the home
schools. Mr. Hester is considered one of
the best farmers in his community, having
made all the improvements on the excellent
farm which he has owned for two score
years. He successfully carries on general
farming and raises some excellent stock of
all kinds. He has about five hundred acres
of excellent land all in Salem township. He
is a loyal Republican, but has held no offices,
being content to lend his influence in placing
the best men available in the local offices,
but prefers to manage his business affairs
and keep out of politics as much as possible.
He is a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, Chandler Post, at Salem.
Both he and his wife attend the Christian
church. They are both pleasant people and
they have a comfortable home.
JUDGE ALBERT M. ROSE.
A member of one of the honored pioneer
families of Clay county, the name Rose has
long been closely associated with the history
of this section of the state, and the subject
of this review, like his father, is numbered
among the worthy citizens of this locality.
In business he has always been known to be
straightforward and reliable, is patriotic in
citizenship, and his social relations ever
wholesome. He is esteemed for these com-
mendable traits of character together with
his cordial disposition and genuine worth,
but his name stands out more prominently
in connection with the bench and bar of
Southern Illinois, where he has long been a
prominent figure.
Albert M. Rose, Judge of the Fourth Ju-
dicial Circuit, was born in Bible Grove
township, Clay county, September 26, 1862,
the son of Drury Rose, a native of Grayson
county, Kentucky, who came to Illinois in
1856, settling first in Edwards county, then
in a short time removed to Clay county. By
trade a carpenter, but he always took an
interest in local public affairs and very ably
served his community as Justice of the
Peace for a period of sixteen years. He
moved from Bible Grove township to Clay
City in 1891, where he lived until his death
in 1897, closing a busy and useful career,
mourned by a host of people to whom he
was known as a kindly and honorable man.
the paternal grandfather of the subject
was also a native of Kentucky, who came
to Illinois when a young man, settling in
Clay county among the pioneer element,
where he played well his part in the early
struggles of the locality and established a
good home amid primitive conditions. The
mother of Judge Rose was known in her
maidenhood as Caroline Ackison. whose
people were from Pennsylvania. She was
born in Illinois, spent her life here and
passed to her rest in 1905, remembered by
a wide circle of friends as a woman of many
346
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
beautiful attributes of character. To Mr.
and Mrs.. Drury Rose the following chil-
dren were born : Mary Jane, wife of Henry
Crum, of Bible Grove township; Albert M.,
the subject of this sketch; Rosa, wife of
George Stang, of Watertown, Illinois;
Ophelia, wife of Frederick Lyons, of Water-
town, Illinois; Stephen H., also living in
Watertown, where resides the next child,
Addie, the wife of William Ausbrook; La-
vina, Althea, wife of Godfrey Peterson.
The ninth and tenth children are deceased.
Thomas B., died in the Philippine Islands,
while a soldier in the regular United States
army in 1904. George died in infancy.
Judge Rose spent his boyhood days on
the farm, where he remained until twenty-
one years of age, assisting with the work
about the place and storing up the qualities
of a sturdy manhood, successfully managing
the farm while his father, who was a car-
penter, as already intimated, worked at his
trade. Not satisfied with a common
schooling and actuated by a desire to fol-
low the legal profession, Albert M. Rose
entered Vincennes University from which
institution he graduated in 1888, having
made very creditable grades and estab-
lished an excellent record for scholarship.
After leaving college Mr. Rose turned his
attention to teaching which he followed
with much success until 1891, winning the
hearty approbation of both pupils and pa-
trons, studying law in the meantime, first
under Barnes & Ramsey, attorneys of
Louisville, in 1888, making rapid progress.
He was admitted to the bar in August, 1890,
at Mount Vernon, and began practice in the
spring of 1891 in Louisville, where he has
been practicing continuously ever since, his
success having gradually increased until he
now has a liberal patronage and has be-
come one of the leading attorneys in the
southern part of -the state.
The local leaders of the Democratic
party early noted his talents and general
favor with the public and sought him for
office, first serving as Trustee of Louisville
for a period of six years, during which
time he assisted in securing the installation
of electric lights and water works, also se-
cured sidewalks and in many ways rendered
lasting good to the town. In November,
1906, Mr. Rose was elected to fill a vacancy
in the Fourth Judicial circuit, the term ex-
piring in June, 1909. He has so ably and
faithfully performed the duties of this re-
sponsible position, that he is regarded by all
concerned as one of the best jurists in the
district, his decisions showing a trained and
acute legal mind and a desire to be fair and
unbiased in all cases, weighing carefully in
the judicial balance all details of whatever
case he has in hand, feeling the weight of
his responsibility and ever desiring to dis-
charge his' duties in a manner that meets
the approval of his constituents.
The domestic life of Judge Rose began
December 28, 1892, when he was united in
marriage with Lulu Branson, of Wayne
City, Illinois, the talented daughter of Dr.
J. M. Branson, a well known physician of
that place. To this union one son, Robley
Branson Rose, now a bright lad of fourteen
years, has been born.
In his fraternal relations the judge is a
HIGHLAND, CLAY AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
347
member of the Masonic Brotherhood, also
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and in politics he affiliates with the Demo-
cratic party, as intimated in a preceding
paragraph. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are faith-
ful members of the Christian church.
The law office of our subject is always
a busy place where numerous clients and
friends of the judge gather, and it is
equipped with one of the most extensive law
libraries to be found in this locality. When
he first began practice, he formed partner-
ship with John A. Barnes in 1891, the firm
being known as Barnes & Rose, but the for-
mer left the firm in 1896, and the subject
has had different partners since then. Yet
in the prime of vigorous manhood and hav-
ing accomplished so much that merits the
praise of his fellow men and gained a firm
standing in the affections of the people of
this vicinity, the future to such a man as
Judge Rose must necessarily be replete with
honor and success.
HON. THOMAS E. MERRITT.
During the dark days of the Revolution,
the colonies had no defender more loyal
than Ebenezer Merritt, our subject's grand-
father, who served with valor until captured
by the British when he was placed in an old
hulk of a ship in New York harbor. In
after years he was wont to say that the
sweetest morsel of food he ever tasted was
a rotten Irish potato, which he found in his
prison.
The father of our subject, Hon. John W.
Merritt, was born in the city of Albany,
New York, July 4, 1806, and in his early
youth evinced a very decided literary taste,
contributing articles to many of the most
prominent magazines of that day. Entering
the practice of law, he built up a lucrative
business in that line in connection with J.
J. Brady. Meantime he also invested in
real estate and so fortunate was he in his
speculations that he became independent at
a comparatively early period of life. How-
ever, the crisis of 1837 destroyed the value
of his investments and made him a poor
man once more. Deciding to seek a home
in the West, Mr. Merritt came to Illinois
in 1840, and settling in St. Clair county es-
tablished The Belleville Advocate, which he
successfully conducted from the year 1848
until 1851. Meantime he also superin-
tended the management of his farm and con-
tributed to eastern magazines and New York
papers. He also wrote and published a
novel called "Shubal Darton." Coming to
Salem in 1851, he established The Advo-
cate, of which he was proprietor and editor
for many years.
In 1 86 1 he was elected Assistant Secre-
tary of the Constitutional Convention and
in the following year became a member of
the Legislature.
The State Register at Springfield having
lost its prestige, Mr. Merritt with his son,
Edward L., assumed editorial charge of the
paper in January, 1865, and attempted to
place it upon a substantial footing. The
enterprise though not prudent proved a sue-
348
BIOGRAPHICAL AND REMINISCENT HISTORY OF
cess. For some years Mr. Merritt conducted
its editorial columns with great ability and
during a portion of that time supplied The
St. Louis Republican with its Springfield
correspondence. As an editor he justly at-
tained celebrity throughout the country and
was one of the most successful journalists
of the day. His county may well feel proud
of his life and labors. He was modest, un-
assuming, never ambitious for worldly dis-
tinction and preferring the success of his
friends to his own. In politics he was an
old-school Democrat and was one of the
most influential workers in his party
throughout the state. He was devoted to
the doctrines of the Episcopal church and
was a faithful member of that denomination.
In disposition mild, he never used profanity
and was also a man of temperate habits,
never tasting intoxicating liquor through-
out his life. He married in Rochester, New
York, in August, 1827, Julia A. De Forrest,
who was born in Oswego, New York, and
there received a good education. Ten chil-
dren blessed this union, of whom five are
now living.
During his residence in New York, John
W. Merritt served as Alderman and aided
in formulating a new plat of the Fifth Ward,
which he represented in the Council. In
1860 he was a member of the state dele-
gation to the National Democratic Conven-
tion at Charleston, South Carolina, later
was present at the recall of that convention
in Baltimore, Maryland, where Stephen A.
Douglas was nominated for the Presidency.
He was president of the first Press Associa-
tion held in the state of Illinois, and was
at the time of his demise the oldest Odd
Fellow in Salem. While uniformly success-
ful in business enterprises, he nevertheless
met with reverses and at one time lost by
fire two valuable blocks of buildings in
Brooklyn. By his long and virtuous life he
left a name to which his descendants may
point with pride and when, November 16,
1878, he departed this life, he left many
warm friends to mourn their loss. The fu-
neral services were largely attended by the
citizens of Salem and Marion county, as
well as many friends from a distance.
Thomas E. Merritt, our subject, was
born in the city of New York, April 22,
1832. He was brought in childhood to
Illinois and received a good education in
the schools of Belleville. Before attaining
his majority he went to St. Louis, where he
learned the trade of carriage and omnibus
painting in the shops of Theodore Salo
