Full text of "Past and present of Christian County, Illinois"

'L I B R.AFIY

OF THE
UNIVERSITY
or ILLINOIS

977.381

Ml2p

111. Hist. Surv.

PAST AND PRESENT

Christian County,

Illinois.

By HON. J. C. McBRIDE.

ILLUSTRATED.

'A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never
achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by

remote generations." — Macauley.

CHICAGO;
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO,

19C4,

Dedicated to the Pioneers and to the Living Representative

Citizens of Christian County. \

PREFACE.

THE undersigned, at the request of the pubhshers, The S. J. Clarke
Pubhshing Co., herewitli sulmiits to the reader a brief history of many
of the important events that have transpired in the County of Christian
since its organization. He is satisfied that many events have transpired quite
as important, if not more so. than the ones submitted, but having to depend
upon information received from (hfferent sources, it would be impossible to
gather all of the matters that should be included in a history of this character,
and the limited space would prohibit chronicling the many other things that
might be of interest to the public. The early events being beyond the memory
of the most of the present generation, the reader can appreciate the difficulty
in gathering them together.

The writer desires to ackn(jwledge the valuable assistance received by him
from the notes compiled by the late Dr. Calvin Goudy, in a former work edited
or prepared by him. Had it not l^een for the preservation, by him, of the inci-
dents pertaining to the early 'settlement of Christian county, it would have
been almost impossible to have obtained a correct or extended idea of the early
events. The writer also desires to acknowledge the valuable assistance ren-
dered by the late A. D. Wel;b, in the preparation of the article upon " The
Press " and for other assistance rendered; to John W. Dappert for the assist-
ance rendered by him in the contribution of the article upon " Drainage."
and to Miss Anna Lois Barbre. County Superintendent oi Schools, for the
valuable assistance rendered by her in the contribution of the article upon
" Schools." He would also tender thanks to J. P. Walker, E. A. Miller, W. T
Vandeveer, T. J. Langley, Mrs. Edward Forrester, T. W. Brents and W. O.
Wilcox for valuable information received from them from time to time in
the preparation of this work.

We are also under obligations tr. The Courier Printing Co. and Taylorville
Journal for copies of their files, and to Mr. Benjamin Winters for copies of
the paper called The Indcpcndait Press, published at Taylorville at an early
day by his father, B. F. Winters, from the files of which papers much valuable
information was obtained. The reader will doubtless realize the difficulty
attending the compilation of a work of this character, and of selecting such
as should be included. It has 1;etn classified as best the writer could so as to
present to the reader as ready reference as possible of the chronicled events,
and hope that it will prove beneficial to the public as a book of reference con-
cerning the past of the county, covering the incidents, accidents and misfortunes

192858

iv TT^F.l'ACE.

of the past as well as its ])resent resources. No douht the work will he criti-
cisech hut iu all criticisms 1 hope the reader will appreciate the dilliculties that*
have >urrounded the preparation of the woi-k, and the diflicult}- attendiiii;- the
description of an e\ent with which the writer had no jjcrsonal ac(juaintancc.

W'hatexer your criticisms may Ijc, we desire to assure the reader that, with
the lii^ht gi\en us, we ha\'e tried to chronicle a fair and impartial statement
concerning' the organization, growth and prosperity of Christian county and its
inhahitants. Hoping this will meet the approval of the readers and patrons
of The S. j. Llarke I'uhlishing Co., I respectfully suhmit it to you for a fair and
impartial consideration.

J. C. McBride.

D
O

D
O
O

PAST AND PRESENT

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

INIRODUCTORY.

All history is a record of past events.
Eacli day and each h(Uir adds to the ex-
periences of men and increases the amonnt
of human knowledge. To "catch the shadow
ere the moments fly" and tell of them
through history serves to perpetuate the ex-
periences of the past, and thus. create a fund
of human knowledge hased upon all that
has orone before. It is a work of love in
that it bequeaths to those who are to come
all the wisdom gathered from the experi-
ences of those who were here yesterday but
to-day are gone. Enough of human ex-
perience lies buried 'neath the sod to have
made the world many fcdd wiser than it is
had it been recorded.

The early pioneers are nearly gone, and
their names and what they did and endured
will soon be forgotten, unless somebody
writes. The record must be made lest we
forget. The wisdom of the past nuist be
preserved.

No portion of this country has changed
more than the vast prairie region with the

IVIississippi river running th.rough near its
centre. The northern and southern por-
tions of this vast plain are undulating and
much rougher than the central part, and
have been changed less by the hand of man.
But through the central portion occupying
more than half the state of Illinois is a
vast level plain containing t!ie most produc-
tive land in the world, which little more
than hfty years ago was a ^'ast morass or
swanij), unfitted for the habitation of man
or beast. The land was so level and the
STowinp- veiretation so rank that the falling
rain could scarcely find its way to the
sluggish streams. From a part of this
semi-submerged countr}-. Christian county
was carved. Surrounded as it was by miles
and miles of country of a similar nature,
the isolation of the early settlers was al-
most complete. It was only along the
lianks of the streams, which were tordered
with trees and upon the more elevated re-
gions, which were few, that it was possible
for men to live.

PAST AXl) I'KRSENT

Tall grasses that would scarcely permit a
man to see above them when riding upon
horse-back (the usual means of travel)
grew nearlv all over this vast plain, and to
travel from jilace to ])lacc during the rai-
season it was necessary to cross miles of this
semi-swamp land and horses had often to
swim with their riders. To travel with the
ordinarv wagon or vehicle was simply im-
possible. The old canvas covered schooners
were seldom seen by the early settlers, be-
cause they ci^nld not be used. And the
black loam form.ed from the luxurious de-
caving vegetation of centuries was scarcely
less penetrable than the water: a horse could
scarcely walk through it. and the surface
would tremble for several feet around when-
ever a man or beast would attcm])t to travel
upon it.

Roads there were none and the trails led
along the ridges and always sought the
hiirhest eround. It was seriously thought
most of the prairie land would never be
taken up or cultivated as it was too wet.
Therefore most of the early settlers located
along the streams, and when they visited a
neighbor in some other part of the county,
they encountered all the perils of the navi-
gator as well as tho.se of the cavalier, but
it was not the elements of land or water that
they feared.

They were neither sailors nor soldiers,
but they were boih. and the combination pro-
duced another sort of being that had the
hardihood and courage of both combined
with the indomital)le pluck of an explorer in
a new element. Had the north pole been
.sought bv these earlv navigators in this new
element of mud, it would certainly have been
found; if there was no channel opened
they would have opened one; if there was
ice they would have produced a machine to
navigfate it, or thev would have subdued and

transformed the elements as the earl)- j^io-
neers did in this county and created an ele-
ment with Avhich they were familiar and
then made that element subservient to the
will of man. A machine to melt all the ice
about the north pole would work no greater
change than has been made in this county.
These early settlers knew not how to use
mud and so they transformed it into soil
and reaped golden harvests. The Christian
county pioneer has changed the nature rnid
conditions of the soil and then reaped gold
as a result.

What Christian county was could never
be guessed by what it is to-day. The great-
ness and productiveness of this county is
more the result of what was done 1)>- the
pioneers than what is being done to-day.
But these changes required a peculiar kind
of man, and the circumstances created the
man here as it always has and always will.
The Christian county pioneer was a man of
a peculiar type. He possessed all the qual-
ities of the pioneers of the mountain fast-
nesses, the solid plain, the rolling hill to])
and added to them the conqueror of land and
sea, and beside that the new element which
he has subdued and transformed into wealth.
He has found the rich alhu ial mixture of
land and water to be most precious, al-
though simply Christian county mud.

And it is of these pioneers and what they
did that we would write. It is of these men,
yellow-skinneci, ague-haunted, jx^orly clad,
big-hearted, generous-minded, fearless pio-
neers that have subdued both land and
water we would tell. It is the chronicle of
a generation that is almost gone, and these
pages and others like them will soon be
all that will be left to tell the story. And
how difficult that story! Each of these men
was self-contained. Each of them was sep-
arated bv miles of almost inpenetrable

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

morass from their closest neighbor and were
compelled to live nearly alone. None of
them dreamed of the wealth upon which
they trod. None of them knew that the
quivering mire that they learned to navi-
gate was worth as much pound for poiuid as
the most valuable food and only needed
subduing. To tell all of the deeds, many
of which have never been recorded, would
be impossible, but we can tell a few things
— only a few — and we hope we may giA'C
those who read, a slight impress of the
early pioneers of one of the most valuable
counties of the state. Truly these hardy
men budded better than they knew.

Early Settlement.

Before entering upon a history of the set-
tlement of this county it might be interest-
ing to many of our readers to know that
the locality now composing Christian county
at one time belonged tO' the colony of Vir-
ginia, and was included in the territory that
was authorized by the act of 1783 of the
Commonwealth of Virginia to be conveyed
to the U. S., and on March i, 1784, Thomas
Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and
James Monroe by virtue of the power vested
in them by the commonwealth of Virginia
conveyed to the government of the LI. S.
all that part of the Virginia commonwealth
"lying and being to^ the northwest of the
river Ohio," which included a vast territory
now composing many of the states of the
Union, including Illinois.

By an Act of Congress of May 7. 1800,
this territory was again divided and it was
enacted by Congress "that from and after
the 4th day of July next all that part of
the territory of the United States north-
west of the Ohio river which lies west of
the line beginning at the Ohio opposite the
mouth of the Kentucky river and running

thence to Fort Recovery; thence north until
it shall intersect the territory line lietween
the U. S. and Canada shall for the purpose
of temporary government constitute a sep-
arate territory and to be called the Indiana
territory;" and by this name was this sec-
tion of country known until February 3,
1809, at which time this territory was
again divided, and on that date it was
enacted by Congress "that from and after
the first day of March next, all that part
of the Indiana Territory which lies west of
the Wabash river and a direct line drawn
from said Wabash river and Post Vincennes
due north to the territorial line between the
U. S. and Canada shall for the purpose
of temporary government constitute a sep-
arate territory, and to be called Illinois!'
and thereafter on April 18, t8i8, Congress
passed an act authorizing the people of the
Illinois territory to form a constitution and
state srovernment for the admission of such
state into the Union on an ecpial footing
with the original states. This ordinance
was adopted by the people of the Illinois
territory on August 26, 18 18, at Kas-
kaskia, in convention assembled; a formal
ratification took place and a constitution
known as "the constitution of 18 18" was
adopted and became a fundamental law for
the government of the people of the state
of Illinois, and in this ordinance passed by
Congress, the sections numbered 16 in every
township, except where the same had been
sold, and in that case other equivalent lands
were granted to the state of Illinois, for the
use of the inhabitants of such township for
the use of schools.

While it is true that the constitution had
been adopted and the state organized, yet
the settlements throughout the state were
very few, in the locality composing Chris-
tian county, there were in fact no settlers

PAST AND PRESENT

to speak of. and this country was then occu-
pied and nscd In- the In(hans as a luinting-
ground, hut as locahties along- the W'aliash.
Mississippi and llHnois rivers grew nK^rc
tliickly populated, they gradually began to
reach out into the more fertile prairies and
localities of central Illinois. Some settle-
ments had about this lime reached the bor-
ders of Christian county and as these settle-
ments advancefl. the Indians reluctantly but
quickly yielded to the civilization of the
white man. and as has been said in former
histories of this county "they perished when
they came in contact with our civilization
almost as the hues of sunset wdien you look
at them through the telescope; or as the
odor of the rose vanishes while you attempt
to analyze it. Before they could be studied
as men or as nations, as families or as
tribes, either by their traditions and litera-
ture, by their customs and affinities, they
had disappeared, or at least had been so
degraded as to seem to have fallen below
the level of even scientific observation."
However mysterious may have been their
origin, they certainly recorded but few events
of their progress or want of progress while
they occupied this beautiful land.

The manners and customs of their ances-
tors are but traditional ; any history of these
early people must be at best uncertain, and
few events, except the accidental ones re-
corded by the white man in his pursuit of
this foe of civilization in his attempt to lay
a foundation, for the building up and sup-
porting of a higher type of manhood are re-
corded.

Whatever may have been the nature of
the first denizens of the soil of America, or
of the inhabitants of those who preceded the
white man, there certainly exists a dearth of
records as to their customs, their govern-
ment, their religion or their homes, if they

had .-my, and as has been well said "a few
mounds, some beads, a small variety of
earthmade ware, stone hammers, implements
for dressing skins and n(!W and then one
of their own idols of religious wcjrship, to-
gether with a few personal articles of luxury
or dissipation or ornament, are all of their
domestic or public life left to us. We find
scattered in many parts of the country their
gimlets, arrow heads, spear heads, saws, flesh
scrapers, and hammers all made of stone,
and demanding almost infinite patience for
their manufacture. It seems a wonder that
a people having power to concentrate the
mind on such difficult work as shaping flint-
stone should have been so barren in all the
graceful and elevating arts. We alternately
pity and despise them : admire their sublime
stoicism and sicken at their cruelties; we
praise their valor and denounce their sel-
fishness.

They gave us their country and left us
none of their customs. \Ye use the maize
wdiich they sometimes culturetl and stupefy
ourselves wdth the smoke of tobacco, wdiich
they taught us to consume. These are tlieir
sole contributions to the ' world's progress
in profit and comfort. Is it strange that
we should forget them, or that we should
readily persuade ourselves that such an idle
unprogressive people should scarcely have
a right which an enterprising, ambitious and
needy race should respect? Their whole
ideas, habits. Avants, aspirations and beliefs
were so different from those of our race that
we can scarcely arise to any sympathy wdth
them or their interests.

This portion of country was known in an
early day as the "Black Hawk hunting
ground, and was widely noted as a fine
hunting region, (lame of all kinds was very
al)undant." and many tribes gathered upon
this hunting ground to hunt the Iniffialo and

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

(leer that roamed over and fed upon these
lieaiitiful prairies.

The whole hTe and energy of the Indian
tribes who occupied this, as well as the great
northwestern country, were devoid of all ac-
quisitions for the future, destitute of all
ideas o^f morality, their minds were barren
and uncultured, except to prepare themselves
for battling one with another.

No pretensions of the cultivation of a
higher and noljler part of man, no ideas of
the beautiful or conceptions of their future
welfare seem to have existed among them,
and the poet has well said :

"Lo, the poor Indian, wdiose untutored

mind.
Sees God in the clouds and hears him in the

wind ;
His soul, pr(xid science never taught to

stray.
So far as the solar walk or milky way.''

It seems that the Indian when not at war
with the white man, admired him, seems to
have recognized his superior ability and
readily yielded his happy hunting ground to
the strong arm of culture and civilization.

It is said "even after a few of the settlers
had located here, there still remained as resi-
dents of the county a fragment of the Kick-
apoo tribe; 'Basseina' the chief said this land
was theirs ; that they had occupied the ter-
ritory of South Fork 'more moons" ago than
there are tracks of the buffalo upon the
plain, or feathers upon the wild fowl's back."

An amusing anecdote is related in con-
nection with one of the pioneer settlers oi
this county by the surveyor general when
passing through this section in 1818; "he
had formed the acc|uaintance of young Mar-
tin Hanon, and wishing to play a joke- he
went to the chief and told him Hanoii was
about to enter some of the land he was
measuring off, and that he wanted a wife;

upon hearing this news the young scjuaws
gathered around the young candidate for
matrimonial honors as if they meant busi-
ness. All of them wanted a white man 'if
he would hunt" : the survevor relieved him-
self of the difficulty by informing them,
much to his regret, that Hanon was a 'poor
hunter,' and so would make a sorry hus-
band."

The temptations for the settlement of
most parts of Illinois, including this county,
were great. The richness of the soil, the
beauty of the country and the tales of pros-
pective wealth existing here that were told
to the people of the eastern and southern
states were many and magnified, but these
accounts of this wonderland worked like
magic and caused many people to leave their
homes for the settling up of this country.

Many were the hardships endured by the
early settler ; perhaps all of the hardships
that were undergone will never be known,
Init it is at least certain that many people
came, but few remained.

Many of them after reaching this prairie
co'untry filled with malaria as it was, re-
mained some of them six months and some
perhaps a year, becoming discouraged by
the many hardships endured, sickness and
often death brought on by exposure, readily
sacrificed their all to get out of this country
and return to their native home. It is al-
most impossible for the inhabitants of the
present day to conceive of the sickly condi-
tions, brought on principally by malaria, that
existed upon these prairies at an early day,
especially during the fall of the year.

The writer well remembers that even as
late as the year 1865 when this county had
been partially broken out and to some ex-
tent sulxlued, that during the fall of that
year nearly every family and every member
of the family ui)on the prairie between the

PAST AND IM^^ESENT

South Fork and Ihe Chicago & Alton rail-
road Avere more or less aftlicted with fever
and ague which caused the people as a rule
to have what was called "every other day
chills," and in nearly every household these
chills wmild conic upon alternate days, so
that one niemher of the fruuii}- would miss
to-day and chill to-morrow, and the sick of
to-day would ;idminister to the wants of the
sick tivmorrow.

Quinine and other fever and ague reme-
dies were in great demand and were sup-
plitMl to this country by cart loads, and these
remedies were e\'en more hitter and unpalat-
able, if i>ossible. than "Kirk's Malarion" of
this day. So great was the destruction of
the health of many of the early settlers, so
distressing this everlasting fever and ague
that came upon many of the people, so dis-
couraging was it to the father and mother
to see their entire family afflicted with this
dread disease, that in many cases valuable
farms, partly paid for, were abandoned that
they might return to their old home and
health, and as much as they coveted the fer-
tility of the soil of this great prairie, they
could not endure the hardships.

The most of the earlier settlements were
made along the streams and on the higher
lands, which was more beneficial to the
health of the inhabitants; the prairies were
subdued by the people who after becoming
acclimated, gradually pushed out into the
higher spots ujx^n the prairie lands. The
lands most valuable of that day are tlie
cheaper lands of to-day.

These people were a great distance from
market, for the products they raised ; they
were compelled to drive their hogs to the
markets of St. Louis or other places equall\-
distant and haul their grain to these points,
returning with wagons loaded with groceries
and provisions.

The generations of the earK- settlements
of Christian county have practically all
passed away, and it is impossible at this late
date to gather very many of the incidents
and anecdotes of the early settlement, ex-
ce])t the few that ha\c been noted by some
of the prior generations for the purpose ot
being published, and in giving the incidents,
anecdotes and customs of the early settle-
ments, we have taken most of them from the
notes and writings of Dr. Calvin Goudy,
which we think will prove interesting to
our readers. It is said by him "The first
men of our race so far as is known whose
glad eye looked upon the beautiful prairies
of Illinois now embraced within the Ixnuid-
aries of Christian county, w^ere a band of
hunters and trappers, who left Vincennes
in the fall of 1811 and following an In-
dian trail traversing this county in a north-
westerlv direction to the Illinois river and
stopping for the winter at Peoria Lake to
trap, hunt and fish. They were Frenchmen
and belonged to the Mission at Vincennes.
On their return trij5 the following spring,
they were robbed of a portion of their furs
and peltries and two of the members slain
by the Indians.

First Settlement and Ex\rly
Settlements.

"The honor of being the first white resi-
dent of the country now comprised within
the limits of Christian county belongs to
Martin Hanon. He was a native of Ten-
nessee, born in April, 1799. near the city
of Nashville. He came to the territory of
Illinois with his father. Michael Hanon, in
the year 18 12, and settled in Gallatin county
where he resided until his father's death in
1817. The year following his father's
death, young Martin in charge of his mother

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and family emigrated and settled in Chris-
tian county in the fall of the year 1818. At
first he pitched his tent on the south side
of a large fallen tree; their meat in one end
of the sack and their provisions in the
other end were balanced in the crotch of a
tree until a log cabin was extemporized.
The scent of the meats soon attracted a
pack of hungry wolves, and they were only
kept at bay by occasionally throwing a hre
brand in their midst."

The wolves of that day, going in great
bands as they fref|uently did, were very an-
noying to the early settlers, sometimes at-
tacking people, frequently attacking stock,
especially after night. It is said by Mr.
W. A. Goodrich that even as late as 1840,
it w^as dangerous to cross the prairie after
nioht between here and Mount Auliuru, es-
pecially along about Buckhart Grove where
the wolves were so numerous ; that they fre-
quently attacked men upon horseback and
one who was so unfortunate as to come in
contact with a band of these ravenous wolves
was indeed in great danger of losing his
life.

"Martin Hanon first settled and improved
what afterw^ards was known as the Squire
Council farm. John S. Sinnet, a brother-
in-law of Hanon's and Claiborn Matthews
with his family, Jacob Gragg, Eli Alexander
and Kenchen 'the well digger" all came to
and settled in the county November 21,
18 18, only a few days after Hanon. Their
nearest neighbor in this county in 1820 was
Ephraim Cooper, living on the north fork.
Martin Hanon, realizing that it was not
good for man to be alone, soon after im-
proving his claim, determined to take unto
himself a wife. He went down into Egypt,
wooed and won one of the fair daughters
of that land, and was married in Shawnee-
town on the loth of October, 1823, to Miss

Sallie Miller. Among the usual attractions
presented on sucli occasions to^ his young
bride was that he possessed on his farm
1,000 bearing apple trees; judge of her feel-
ings when on reaching her new home, of
which she had become joint proprietor, her
husband directed her attention to^ 10 acres
of thrifty crab apple trees. Yonng Hanon's
wife proved to he a thrifty, industrious
woman ; she frequently delighted in tell-
ing how she spun her dozen cuts of yarn
in a day, and at the same time performed
her other household duties.

"The walls of her cabin home w^ere lined
with numerons bundles of spun yarn and
flax, which she wove into cloth, using a part
to clothe the family and bartering the bal-
ance for articles of household use at the
store.

"Calico at that time cost 37^/2 cts. per
yard," 1>ut it should be remembered that a
lady dressed in calico in that day with a
poke-bonnet in a newly settled conntry was
equallv as nicely dressed and as gayly at-
tired as the lady of to-day attired in silk
and an umbrella hat.

"There were no educational facilities in
the territory when Hanon was a boy, and
his education was consequently limited. For
a short time he attended a school taught by
Timothy Rogers, on Horse Creek in Sanga-
mon county ; Eli Matthews and James Fun-
derbm-k, formerly of this county, were his
classmates ; the schoolhonse was a regnlarly
built cabin with paper windows, and one
end open, forming a huge fireplace; this is
said to have been the second school taught
in that (Sangamon) county.

It is related that Hanon was very fond of
attending all the rail maulings and corn
shuckings far and near; he was a lover of
athletic sports and he and Moses H. Brents
w^ere accounted the most popular gallants of

PAST AND ['RESENT

tlie (lay. They often extended their tours
far into tlic lv)clK'stcr prairie until wilhin
hailing- distance of the cajjital of the state.

Martin was one of the hest hunters of
that day. On one occasion John S. Sinnet,
Jake (--rag-g- and himself were out hunting.
Sinnet wandered off and hecame lost from
his companions..

They came across three Indians, which
mo\-ed tliem to hunt for Sinnctt ; the In-
dians followed close upon them: they
stopped and dismounted, so did the Indians;
Hanon, not being well ac(|uainted with the
Indian character, became somewhat alarmed
at their strange actions; they examined their
guns, and picked their flints; and the In-
dians did likewise; Gragg then, in a threat-
ening manner, ordered them to "puckachee"
(that is. light out), and they did. Gragg
turned to Hancjn and said, if Sinnett had
been present, he would have shot one of the
Indians ; it was the opinion of Hanon that
they made a narrow escape.

In that day Indians were quite numerous
in this ])art of the country. On one occa-
sion, while Hanon was out hunting alone,
he saw a number of them on the banks of
South Fork -near the old Elgan mill, they
had killed 68 musk rats and were skinning
and eating them. In one of his hunting ex-
cursions, about the year 1825, when skirt-
ing the timber 'west of Taylorville, he killed
a panther, near 1)y a small stream, which
measured 9 feet from top of the nose to
end of the tail; this circumstance caused the
stream to lie called Panther Creek, l)y which
name it has been known to this day.

During the '"deep snow," he in company
wdth Vandeveer and three or four others of
the "Richardson settlement." in South
Fork .started for 0"P)anning's horse-mill,
then located on a farm about three miles
northeast of Taylorville (at that day the lat-

ter ])lacc did not exist) ; they made a bee
line, ])assing through the prairie north of
the present county seat; Vandeveer had a
horse and the others ox teams; they had to
l.rerik the snuw ahead, thus making poor
headwa}-. They finally abandoned their
wagons, placing the sacks on the backs of
the oxen and mounting on top of them, re-
sumed their journey ; -VandeN-eer ha\ing a
horse pushed through first, and when night
came, built signal fires to guide the others;
they all battled their way through that
night, hut suffered much from the intense
cold.

Many such hardships did the pioneers
hnve to brave in securing a subsistence. The
summer following the "deep snow" there
was frost during every month, rendering
the corn raised unfit for seed ; Hanon gave
a yearling heifer for one bushel of old seed
corn in the spring of 1832. It was that
spring that the steamboat (Talisman) as-
cended the Sangamon ri^•er to Springfield
w'ith a cargo of corn; it sold readily for
$2.50 and $3 per bushel for seed corn. In
the year 1826, Hanon l)uilt a cabin and
lived in it a sh.ort time on the west side of
Spring Branch., where afterwards stood the
old "Forest Mill," south of Taylorville; he
returned again as a resident of South Fork.

In 1834 he ]nnxhased an interest in the
"Knuckols and ^^'allace" water mill, after-
wards more familiarly known as the "Elgan
mill." Fie moved his family and settled on
the hanks of the Sangamon near the mill.
It was here his aged mother died in 1838.
Soon after this sad event, he sold out his
interest in the mill to Jesse Elgan^ and in
1839 settled permanently on his farm, five
miles northwest of Taylorville; it was on
the north side of Horseshoe prairie, lately
owned by Josiah A. Hill. On this farm he
resided nearly a (juarter of a century ; here

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

his aged partner died on the 28th of May,
1862; she was l)uried in Horseshoe grave-
yard. He had a family of 1 1 children ; after
the death of liis wife, the children having
grown up and gone to houses of their own,
he sold tlie old homestead and retired from
the active cares of life. Mr. Hanon w-as a
man of fine physical development and con-
stitution, and was highly respected for his
many virtues. The latter years of his life
were spent with his daughter, Mrs. Mason,
of Sharpsburg, this county, where he died
A|)ril 5, 1879, t'''^is ending a most eventful
life; he would have been 80 years old dur-
ing that UK^nth.

Captain Jesse Hanon, Jr., is the oldest
son of Martin Hanon, the first settler. He
was 1)orn in this state and is now^ a resident
of Clay county.

As mentioned above, Hanon's brother-in-
law, John S. Sinnett, Claiborn Matthews
with his family, Eli Alexander and Ken-
chen Matthews, his sons and Jacoli Gragg
all came and settled in the county soon after
Hanon's arrival, the exact time of the ar-
rival of these parties seems to be uncertain.

Some circumstances indicate their arrival
in 1 8 18, and others in 18 19, but from the
best information obtainable, they arrived
late in the fall of 18 18, and a short time
after Martin Hanon settled, as has been
stated.

John S. Sinnett was a native of Lexing-
ton, Kentucky, born March 10, 1796.
When three years of age, his father moved
to Missouri, where yoiing Sinnett remained
until the w^ar of 1812; he enlisted, and
served his term in that w-ar, and was hon-
orably discharged. Soon after leaving the
army, he came to Illinois, then a territory.
In the year 18 18, he w'as married to Miss
Rhoda Hanon, a sister of Martin Hanon.
Soon after this event they settled in what is'

now Christian county; he located on land
now including the southeastern part of Tay-
lor\'iIle. built a cabin on the east side of the
old fair grounds spring in 1826. He sold
this to Col. Thomas S. Young in 1829, and
built another in the ravine a little southeast
of what is now^ the junction of the B. & O.
and Wabash R. R. ; Mary Sinnett, daughter
of John Sinnett, was the first white child
born in this county ; her birth occurred early
in 1820. On the 8th of March, 1840, he
moved from Christian to Tazewell county,
where he resided until his death, January 13,
1872, in the 76th year of his age.

Sinnett w^as twice married; the second
time to a Miss Elizabeth Perdue; he had 10
children by his first wdfe and three by the
last one. He was a great hunter; Mr. Sin-
nett was a member of the Methodist church
over 50 years and died in that faith ; he was
a member of the Pioneer M. E. church of
this county, w hicli held its meetings at John
Brents' and Father Young's.

Of the early history of Jacob Gragg, bet-
ter known as Jake Gragg and the "tall
man," there is Init little known. He was a
ranger in the war of 1812; at one time, dur-
ing the war, he, w-ith others, were taken
prisoners by the Indians ; some were in-
stantly killed and others were reserved for
more severe torture; Gragg used to tell that
he successfully ran the gauntlet from one
end to the other without receiving serious
injury. This secured his safety and he sub-
sequently escaped. Gragg first settled in
Illinois in 1803 near Troy, in Madison
county, and afterward squatted on the place
owned by Martin Hanon on Horseshoe
Prairie in Christian county ; he, too, was a
celebrated hunter, and with Martin Hanon
and John vS. Sinnett hunted tb.e deer and the
honey of the wild bee in the forest.

Alexander Matthews was a native of

PAST AND PRESENT

Tennessee; was the son of Claiborn Mat-
thews and one of the first settlers in the
county ; his mother's maiden name was
Moore; his father and mother were natives
of North CaroHna : they were married in
that state and emigrated to Tennessee,
thence to Ilh'nois in 1817. They first located
in the sontliern part of the State and when
Alexander was about five years of age his
parents settled in this county. They settled
in what is now South Eork township, near
the stream known by that name. • He died
many years ago. at his home in this county,
having resided here ever since he was of
the age of five vears; he was twice married
and raised a family of four children and
served as Justice of tlie Peace in the town
of Buckhart. At the time of his death he left
a large circle ot triends and accjuaintances.

The Brents family were an old pioneer
family in this county, settled here in 1820.
William C. Brents w^as born in Livingston
county, Kentucky, in 18 14, and came to
this county with his w^idowed mother and
family wdien about six years of age. They
settled and improved a farm about five miles
northwest of Taylorville in 1824. The fam-
ily removed to the farm half a mile south
of Taylorville. where ^^'illiam C. died Feb-
3. 1861. at the age of 47 years. Many of
the old settlers remember the old Brents'
cabin and its hospitable inmates, all of
whom have passed away. William C. Brents
was held in high esteem and was the recip-
ient of several offices of trust : he was sev-
eral times elected as constable and served
as Sheriff in 1854-5; he was generous to a
fault; the latch string of his house was al-
ways out and many a one he aided and suc-
cored in time of need. His brothers, Simeon
and John, came here at the same time; the
latter owned and made the first improve-
ments on the Hall farm, two miles east of

Taylorville, before the deep snow in 1830.
He sold out in 1834 to Jesse Langley and
returned to Kentucky. In 1831 the first
Methodist meeting in Taylorville township
was held at his house. Joshua, Simeon and
Moses Brents were in the Black Hawk war;
Simeon was married Nov. 19. 1839, to Miss
Mary W. Blalock. at the residence of Mor-
gan Goode, J. P. ; this was tlie first marriage
in Taylorville.

The land on which Taylorville is located
was entered by Daniel C. Goode in 1835;
Goode was a Kentuckian by birth; he set-
tled in Horseshoe Prairie, this county, in
1 82 1 ; was a resident of Sangamon county
as early as 1819. Daniel C. Goode was a
true type of the j:)ioneer: in person, he was
portly and erect, his l)earing noble and com-
manding, his forehead high and broad, his
features regular, expressive, strong and
masculine. Pie was possessed of many
marked traits of character, firm, decided and
uncompromising in liis own views, he
quailed at no danger; a warm friend, a bit-
ter enemy. He was what might be termed
a pioneer statesman. His judgment of men
and things was good; in ix)litics, he was a
Democrat and maintained the doctrines of
the party without fear, and exercised a great
influence at elections. He was also a great
hunter, and fond of sport; he assisted in
raising the first log house in Springfield.
It was often his custom to wear a buckskin
hunting shirt and breeches. He died March
28, 1845. and was buried at the root of a
tree on his farm that he had selected as his
last resting place.

Miss Hannah Hanon, a sister of Martin
Hanon, married Samuel Miller in Ken-
tuckv. They emigrated to this State in the
fall of 1823, and settled in South Fork
township on a farm near Elgan's mill ;
Miller died in 1833. E. .\. Miller is a son

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of Samuel Miller, and the only living mem-
ber of the family, and now resides in Tay-
lorville; he was born and raised in this
county. Samuel Wyodick, a native of Penn-
sylvania, emigrated and settled on the Flat
Branch in Prairieton townshijj in 1824;
he was about the first white man in that sec-
tion, coming one 3'ear before his nearest
neip-hbor. Peter R. Ketcham, who settled
about six miles lielow him. Game was then
so plentiful in that section tliat he often
stood in his cabin door and shot the deer.
He was a soldier in the war of 18 12 and also
in the Black Hawk war. At seeing the sol-
diers mustered for the contest of the late
civil war. his neart was fireu with all the
patriotic spirit of old; he joined Captain
Long's Company in August, 1861, and
marched to Decatur; the "boys in blue" had
gTeat respect for the aged veteran ; so ro-
bust and active was he that he passed muster
easily, giving his age at J i — though 81
years old — at Camp Pugh, Decatur. His
company formed a part of Colonel Pugh's
regiment, which marched to .St. Louis the
same week. A correspondent says of him :
"He endured the hardships incident to the
tented field with as much bravery and spirit
as did his more youthful companions in
arms." He died in his country's service, in
St. Louis, April 22, 1862, at the ripe age of
82 years. This was a remarkable man, thus
to have served his country in three wars so-
far apart, and died in the country's service
at the age he did.

Thomas Dawson was a pioneer settler of
this county, and built the first cog mill in
this section of the country on the Dixon
Hall farm, now owned by W. M. Wally.

Daniel Miller was a man familiarly
known to the early settlers and is well re-
membered by those who ha\T survived ; he,
like many of our pioneers, was a self-made

man and arose to considerable prominence
in the county. He was born in Kentucky
in 1 8 18, and at tlie age of five years, came
with his father's family to this county, set-
tling in South Fork township in 1823. His
early years were spent on his father's farm,
devoting his leisure hours to writing and
study. He attended school about four
months in all; was a pupil of Elijah Hanon
( a brother of Martin Hanon ) , who taught
the first school in Christian county in 1827.
in a log caljin two- miles northeast of Tay-"
lorville. After this, he built a small cabin
on the Reese farm in South Fork, below
Squire Council's old homestead, where, in
1828, he mastered arithmetic and made
progress in other studies. At the early age
of 17, he taught school; took an active part
in the formation of the county; under the
non de plume of "East Sangamon" he wrote
and published in the Springfield Republican
several able articles advocating the division
of Sangamon county, and in 1843 he was
elected Constable of South Fork precinct;
also served for a time as Treasurer of the
school fund. Soon after the location of
Taylorville he made it his place of resi-
dence; was elected county school coinmis-
sioner Aug. 4, 1845, without opposition. At
one time served as deputy sheriff, was ad-
mitted to the bar in this county and as a
practicing attorney received a liberal share
of the cases in court. In August, 1847, he
was elected County Clerk for a term of four
years, but died the following year, Nov. 9,
1848.

Gabriel McKinzie was born in j 797 and
died in Taylorville Oct. 22, 1862; he settled
in this county at an early day; was a great
fiddler and played for all the dances and
frolics ol this part .of the country, and
helped the young people to break the mo-
notony of 'a pioneer life and enjoy the inno-

PAST AXJ) I'RESExXT

cent .imusenienls that the CiHiiUrv then af-
forded.

R. Preston Lanoley came to this county
in 1831 ; resided on a place owned hy him in
Horseshoe Prairie for more tlian 50 years,
where he (hed at a ripe old at^e : lie was the
brotlier of Jesse, Josiah and 'Jdiomas Lang-
ley.

Another old pioneer was Jesse Mnrpliy;
he came here in 18J9 and sojourned for a
short time in Horseshoe Prairie; taught
school in 1831. about two miles west of
Taylorville.

We will here gi\e a passing notice of a
few of the other early settlers who lived in
close ])roximity to Horseshoe: among the
numl)er was John B. Pitman, father of Mrs.
R. P. Langiey; he was born in Ireland in
1776; came to A.merica and settled in Chris-
tian county in 1830 and died in 1834. He
lived and died on Clear Creek, one mile
north of Horseshoe. Thomas Jones and
family lived one mile west of Pitman's in
1829 and moved to Missouri in 1840.

Joseph Denton, father of Isaac Denton,
lived on Clear Creek, before the "deep
snow," and not far distant from Horseshoe.

In 1824, Solomon Meade and his brother
Joseph came to tliis county and first located
below "Elgan's mill," in South Fork Town-
ship, where they lived a few years, then
moved to Bear Creek. Solomon died Dec.
12, 1 87 1, at the age of 90 years and up-
wards, and was buried in the Catholic ceme-
tery on Bear Creek.

The Young family emigrated from Ken-
tucky to Christian county in 1825, and con-
sisted of "Old Johnny Young," his sons,
William (father of Peter Cartwright
Young), Ezekiel, commonly called "Black
Zeke," and Jarret, all came together. The
father, John Young, settled and improved

the John S. Fraley farm, four miles east of
Taylorville. where he died in 1834.

His son, Thomas, familiarly known as
"15ig Tommy Young," came here in 1829,
purchased a sm:ill improved claim and set-
tled on it. which was a short distance south
of the R. P. Langiey place on Horseshoe
Prairie. He was celebrated for breeding
fine hogs and also keeping the best stock in
the country.

Jarret Young was only 14 years of age
wh.en he came with his parents to this coun-
try.

"Old Field Jar^'is" is well remembered
by man}- of the older settlers ; he came here
in 1825; was tall in stature, often had to
stoop to pass through the doors of many of
the cabins, and when within not infre-
(juently his head would be above the loft.
On one occasion, when thus situated, he
asked "who lives here?" The lady of the
cabin replied, "come down and see."

Peter and Christopher Ketchum were na-
tives of Alabama. Peter Ketchum was born
about 1805, and at the age of 20, came to
this county and settled on Flat Branch,
about 18 miles northeast of Taylorville in
1825 ; was one of the early settlers in that
part of the county ; was a Methodist minis-
ter, and is said to have organized the first
M. E. church in the county in 1828, at his
own residence, where meetings w-ere held
for a number of years. He was elected
Justice of the Peace for Buckhart precinct
(Sangamon county) in 1835, and re-elected
in 1839. after the organization of Christian.
He administered the oath to the commis-
sioners selected to locate the county seat of
Christian at the town of ^Mlenton before
they located Taylorville as the county seat;
was elected a member of the County Com-
missioners' Court, Aug. 4, 1845, and his
son. Green B. Ketchum, was elected Coro-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ner of the county in 1844. Before the Civil
war the family moved to Texas, where most
of tliem were killed by Indians; his brother
Christopher, who came to the county with
him, improved a farm adjoining where he
resided until his death. It is said that Isaac
Ketchum (whether of this family or not)
moved to Alton, Illinois, and there formed
a partnership with Unah Cheatam, and they
displayed the novel sign of 'T. Ketcham and
U. Cheatam," which was certainly very at-
tractive.

William S. Ricks, a native of Kentucky,
came to Illinois in the spring of 1835 and
settled on Bear Creek ; he was a prominent
character in the organization of the county ;
was the first Sheriff of Christian county,
and represented this county in the legisla-
ture in 1844, and filled many other positions
of honor and trust.

He had great confidence in the future of
the county, and did much to encourage his
many friends and early pioneers to remain
here as permanent settlers. There was born
to him II children; prominent among whom
was the late Hon. John B. Ricks, William
S. Ricks, N. D. Ricks and Richard S. Ricks,
one of the early members of the Taylorville
bar, and was the grandfather of the Hon.
James B. Ricks, now Justice of the Supreme
Court of this state. He subsequently moved
to Sangamon county, where he died March
7> 1873.

Martin Miller, a native of Kentucky, born
Oct. 6, 1820, came to the territory now
embraced within this county when only five
years old, in company with his father. He
was one of the pupils of the first school
taught in the county, by Elijah Hanoii in a
log house, twO' miles east of Taylorville.

William Wallace, a native of North Caro-
lina, emigrated with his wife tO' Sangamon
county in 18 19, from which place he moved

to this county in the fall of 1825, and upon
a small farm, one mile east of Taylorville,
Mr. Wallace died on his farm, Dec. 6, 1844.

A hardy old pioneer was John Durbin,
better known as "Stumpy John." He, with
his sons, John Z., Josephus and Leonard
emigrated from Kentucky in 1828, and
pitched their tent in the "Richardson settle-
ment," lower South Fork precinct. He died
in 1 83 1 and was buried on Bear Creek.

The year they came, 1828, was the excit-
ing presidential contest between General
Jackson and John Quincy Adams, and John
Z. Durbin walked all the way to Spring-field
and cast his first vote for the old hero of
New Orleans. He raised fine crops of flax
and cotton in 182Q. It is said that John Z.
was the first person married in Christian
county. He was quite a hunter in his
younger days; many wolves and deer have
been brought to grief by his trusty rifle;
was at one time proprietor of the "Durbin-
Owaneco" business house on the county
road from Pana to Taylorville.

Jesse Langley was born in Kentucky
April 18, 1796; emigrated to this county in
1828 ; purchased and settled on a small im-
provement made by a Mr. Armstrong on the
south side of Horseshoe, about 6 miles west
of Taylorville.

In 1834, he moved to and improved the
place formerly occupied by John Brents, one
and a half miles east of Taylorville (now
known as the Dalby place), where he set-
tled permanently; here he erected a horse-
mill and built a distillery in 1837. He often
wore the garb so common with pioneers, a
seal-skin cap, buckskin hunting shirt and
breeches; he died March 4, 1S47, ^t 51
years.

In 1827 William George, a native of Vir-
ginia, emigrated to this county and settled
in Buckhart township, a few miles north of

PAST AND PRESENT

Edinburg. He died soon after he had lo-
eated there in the same year, aged 94 years,
lie had a family of six children, three 1)oys
and three girls; his son. John (leorge, was 8
years of age when he came to tliis connty
with his father, and has since tliat time re-
sided in this connty, except a few years that
lie lived in the state of Kansas. During a
great portion of this time he lived on his
farm in Ihickhart; in 1874 he moxed to
Taylorville and subsequently j)urchased an
interest in a tloui" mill in Pana, which
burned down in 1875. In ccjnnection with
W. T. Minnis, the mill was red)uilt and
went into operation in I'ebruary, 1876.
During the latter part of his life he lived in
Edinburg, where he died a few years ago.

James Baker, father of W. T. Baker, a
Kentuckian by birth, came here in 1828 and
settled in Mt. Auburn township. He built
a saw-mill on the north fork of the Sanga-
mon ri\er, familiarly known as Baker's
mill: was a constable and Justice of the
Peace for many years; also took great inter-
est in all agricultural movements and intro-
duced some of the first thoroughlired stock
in the ccnuity ; was an industrious farmer,
good citizen and a kind neighbor; died at
the advanced age of 82 years, on the 4th of
Feliruary, 1869. His wife died three years
later, at the age of 82 years.

1die first settlement of the I'ear Creek
region of the county began in 1829; three
families, Squire Joseph P. Durbin, a native
of Kentucky; Nathaniel Painter, and Old
Grandfather Durbin, all came together in
one wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, and
settled near each other on Bear Creek. They
suffered many hardships incident to the pio-
neer ; were compelled to go 30 or 40 miles
to mill and to do their trading. Squire Dur-
bin dressed a pair of mill-stones and con-
structed a rude horse-mill which did good

ser\ice during the "deep snow;" was Justice
of the Peace for many years; first elected in
y\ugust, 1835, '^1- which time that locality
was a i)art of Montgomery county. In
1850, he moxed to Locust township, and
settled one mile south of Ovvaneeo, where
be continued to live until his death, Oct. 5,
1875. At one time there was a large con-
nection of the Durbin family lixing in this
county; they were nearly all adherents of
the Roman Catholic religion, and they
looked u]) to the Esquire as a kind of spirit-
urd father and adviser, in the absence of a
priest. He was the father of Hiram Dur-
bin. a prominent man of the county at the
])resent time.

The Richardsons all came from Christian
County, Kentucky, and formed what has
been known as the "Richardson Settlement"
in 1829. Isaac Richardson, Jr., came with
his parents to this county; lost his arm by
accident in a threshing machine. He was a
member of the firm of Amos Richardson &
Bro., in the dry-goods business in Taylor-
ville at the time of his death, Jan. 19, 1851 ;
he was a bachelor.

William Richardson, brother of Robert
Richardson, was a native of North Caro-
lina; emigrated to Kentucky and from there,
with his brother, to this county in 1829,
and settled on the east side of the prairie.
His wife's name was Jemima Richardson;
they had nine children born to them.

Isaac Richardson, Sr., died Jan. 18,
1872; Harvey Richardson died May 10,
1873. These two brothers lived about a
nnle northwest of "Ralston's Bridge," and
both lie buried in the old b^inley graveyard.

Robert Richardson, a native of North
Carolina, born July 3, 1785, married a Miss
Elizabeth West in 1805; emigrated to Ken-
tuckv in i8o<; and from there to Illinois in
1829; settled on a farm ten miles west of

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Taylorville, where he Hvecl until his death,
Nov. 17, 1855. His farm was on the west
side of the nrairie, and his brother Wihiam's
on the east ; they both had large families and
many of their descendants are still living in
the county.

Robert was a great friend and supporter
of religion, and through his energies a
Methodist society was organized at an early
date. Services were held in the school-house
near b}- until the erection of a new house
of worship ; it is now known as the Bethany
M. E. church. When he arrived in this
count}'. South Fork had but few inhabitants;
he put up a double log house with an entr}'
Ijetween late in the fall and c^id not get time
to make doors, but hung up quilts instead,
which afforded poor protection against the
cold winds and drifting snow.

Amos Richardson was born in Ken-
tucky Nov. 6, 181 1 : was married in Sanga-
mon county and had a large family born
to him ; he held several offices in the county ;
was elected Constable Aug. 5, 1839; was
the first Deputy Sheriff in 1839; was elected
Sheriff Aug. i. 1842, and a member of the
County Court Nov. 6, 1849; ^^'^s an active
member of the Methodist church, a good
citizen and highly esteemed for his moral
v.'orth; died in Taylorville Nov. i, 1852.
He was the father of I. W. Richardson, at
present a merchant in Taylorville.

Jesse Richardson lived on a farm near his
father for many years, but subsequently
moved to Taylorville; he came with his par-
ents to the county in 1829; was never mar-
ried; he was elected County Treasurer in
1849, ^"d died Sept. 23, 1855.

James Minnis came to this county also in
1829 and settled and improved a farm on
"Horseshoe Prairie," six miles northwest
of Taylorville, where he died in i860. His

wife survived him until 1873; they had 10
children, some of whom are still living.

Shadrick J. Campbell was a veteran of
the war of 1812, and a soldier of the Black
Hawk war ; was born in East Tennessee
and emigrated early in the fall of 1829 with
his family to this county, and settled on
Section 3, Township 14, 3 West.

The South Park timber projected out into
the prairie at his place, and it took the name
of "Campbell's Point," by which it was
familiarly kno\\n for years; soon after his
settlement, he was elected a Justice of the
Peace, probably in 1831 ; he held that office
until his death in 1836. He was a candidate
for the legislature, w-hich then held its ses-
sions in Vandalia, but was defeated by only
one vote. His wife, known as "Aunt
Milla," was a noble, self-sacrificing, kind
and hospitable woman and survived him
over 33 years. Col. Thomas S., Marcus L.,
and John Young, natives of Kentucky, all
came to this county in 1829 and settled on
Flat Branch, south of Taylorville.

John Finley, his w'ife and son Andy, na-
tives of Kentucky, moved to this county the
same year; Andy was a great deer hunter.

J<esse Murphy, who figured quite promi-
nently in the organization of the county,
was a native of Tennessee, born Feb. 6,
1792 ; came to this county in 1829. He set-
tled and improved a farm about two miles
west of Taylorville: raised a large family,
some of whom still reside in the county.
He was appointed, April 16, 1839, the first
Collector; in 1843 ^^^ "^"^'^^ elected Assessor
and Treasurer for the county, and re-elected
in August, 1847; i" 1856 was elected to the
office of Coroner, a term of two years ; died
in Taylorville Nov. 3, 1865, aged y-i^ years.

John Gore, Sr., known as the 25-cent
man, settled on a farm four miles w^est of
the county seat in 1830. He was called the

PAST AND TRESENT

"t\veiity-fi\'c cent" man from the fact that
in sellins^ liis surphis corn crop, he wouUl
nc\'er take less than twenty-five cents per
l)usliel, nt^r woiikl he ever charge more, even
if the market price was 50 cents per bushel;
he was a zealous member of the j\I. E.
church, and his house was a noted stopping
place for the preachers of that denomination.

The second school in the county was
taught by William jMcCollough in 1831, in
an old log house, about two miles east of
Taylor\-ille, above the Hall's wood pasture
on h'lat Branch road. The school-house
was on the land then owned by J<:hn Brents;
McCollough is .-.aid to ha\e been a good
teacher, but at times a little intemperate, and
on such occasions many amusing things
would happen in his school.

The hrst settler on East Bear Creek was
\\'alter Clark. l)orn in \"irginia, April 12,
1788; married a Miss Young, daughter of
Peter Young of Ohio, by whom he had six
children; his son. l^ennis Clark, was Judge
of Knox county, Illinois, for a number of
years. ]\Ir. Clark came with his family to
Illinois in 1821 ; after several removals tO'
different parts of the state, he settled on
Bear Creek in this county, J\Jarch 26, 1831.
He located on the east side of the creek
timber, not far from Palmer; they came
from Sangamon county on foot, not able to
own a team, bringing with them a yearling
heifer, a gun, ax and hoes; they soon built a
log cabin. 16x18 feet in size, with large fire-
place and puncheon floor; that spring they
cleared five acres in tlie eds-e of the timber,
and with their hoes dug places in the
ground, dropped the corn and attended it
the whole season with nothing but the hoe
and raised a fair crop. The following win-
ter was a trying one on the family; with no
team to go to mill, they beat their corn in
a mortar and used a piece of punctured

buckskin, (h'awn o\'cr a hoop, for a sieve.
At this date, deer and all kinds of game
were plentiful in this section, and they did
not want for meat; in 1832, John Baker,
who settled about three miles north, was his
nearest neighb(jr. Christopher Durbin was
also living in the neighborh(jod. At one
time there were 350 Indians encamping over
Sunday on Bear Creek. They were very
religious and held services ou the Sabbath.
An Indian ]:)reached. Clark was at onetime
arrested at the instance of the Durbins for
killing an Indian, who was very ti"otible-
some in the neighborhood, but he was ac-
quitted on trial, and those causing his arrest
again secured the friendship of Walter
Clark. He moved to Alton in 1836, and
died in St. Louis. April 12. 1846.

John Davis was one of the earliest set-
tlers of Mt. Auburn Township in this
county ; was a native of Nashville, Tenn. ;
eniigrated to Illinois in 1818 and settled in
Mt. Auburn township, three and a half
miles west of Mt. Auburn in 1832; he mar-
ried Miss Sarah D. Milligan and there were
born to him four sons, Henry, Dial, Will-
iam and John, and a daughter named Sarah,
now the wife of M. V. Swick; these chil-
dren have been residents of this cotmty most
all their lives, and William. Dial and Henry
died but a few vears ago.

Escjuire W. M. Thomas was a Kentuck-
ian, and emigrated to this county in 1832;
his first WM"fe died in 1846; their daughter
was the wife of Samuel Brents. December
6, 1847, Thomas married Mrs. Polly Wal-
lis. both of whom are now dead. The Es-
quire was a soldier in the war of 1812 under
General Jackson, to whom he was devotedly
attached. He was elected Justice of the
Peace on the organization of the county in
1839. and held the office successively for
over 15 years and until his death. A great

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

many amusing stories are told about
Thomas that occurred during his official
life; lie was greatly respected.

In 1833 Thomas Young, Sr., a native of
South Carolina, settled about one mile
southwest of the county seat. Five of his
sons came to this county; Col. Thomas S.
in 1829, James in 1830 (mentioned above)
and the other three. Frederick, Ezekiel S.
and John W., came with their father in
1833. "Old Father Young" died on his
farm March 24, 1845 < !'•'•'' '^^ife followed
him a year or two afterwards.

Gavin Ralston, Sr., was a native of Scot-
land; married Miss Cynthia Vandeveer in
Indiana ; emigrated and settled in South
Fork on the banks of the Sangamon in 1834.
The bridge over the stream has taken his
name (Ralston) ; a member of the first
County Court; he died in 1846.

J. M. Wilkinson, a Kentuckian, and
James Harris, from Tennessee, were among
those who' settled in this county during the
same year.

Gabriel R. Jernigan, liorn in North Caro-
lina, May 9, 1802, came with his family to
this county early in 1835, settling on Bear
Creek; they lived with Walter Clark until
a cabin was built on his place ; he was an ac-
tive Democratic partisan and took a promi-
nent part in the formation of the county.
On its organization he was appointed by
the County Court the first County Treasu-
rer; in 1840 he was elected to the same
office for a term of two years ; was also'
elected Sheriff of the county, and in No-
vember, 1849, was elected one of the asso-
ciate justices of the County Court for a
term of foiu" years ; was also honored with
an election as State Senator in November,
1852 ; he held the office of Police Magistrate
of Taylorville in 1858, and other minor of-
fices; died Aug. 3, 1866.

Jesse Elgan, a native of Maryland, came
here in 1835; located 10 miles northwest of
Taylorville, near Elgan's mill, which he
owned for a time. He was one of the con-
tractors in building the first court-house;
was twice elected a member of the County
Court. He was married to Miss Nancy
Vandeveer.

John C. Whitecraft, a native of Tennes-
see, was born in November, 1784. His
father emigrated and settled in Kentucky
when he was a boy, where he lived to man-
hood ; he was married in Kentucky in 18 16
to Miss Rachel Arnett. Being attracted
with the glowing accounts of the great
"Prairie State," he emigrated with his fam-
ily in the fall of 1835 ^"<^ settled in Chris-
tian county on Clear Creek, about twelve
miles west of Taylorville. He purchased
160 acres of land of a Mr. Rathbone, which
he improved as his homestead. He com-,
pleted and run the mill which was partly
built on his place for a number of years;
in time his children grew up and most of
them settled around him. They were among
the prominent and respected citizens of the
county; from numbers and position, the lo-
cality has been known as the "Whitecraft
settlement." Tlie old gentleman was gath-
ered to his fatliers on the 25th of July,
1847, ^^ ^^^^ ^§^ o^ ^3- -^^'s widow was ac-
cidentally killed by being thrown from a
wagon with a runaway team in Springfield,
111., Sept. 23, 1875.

Elder A. D. Northcut was a native of
Montgomery county, Ky. ; was born Sept.
II, 1813; was married on the 25th of Au-
gust, 1835, to Miss Salena IMasterson, and
emigrated to this county in 1836. He first
located and li\'ed for many years on a farm
in Mosquito Township; at that early day
there were but few settlers living in that sec-
tion, probably not over 8 or 10 families.

PAST AND PRESENT

In speaking of tlic many hardships and in-
conveniences of the early settler, he says
thev had no milk, no stores, no markets for
their surplns produce; St. Louis, Beards-
town and Springfield were the nearest trad-
ing points. I'.ldcr Northcut attended the
first religious meeting in the county, and
was among the first to preach the truths of
the gospel in this section of the county. 1 le
was several times honored with official ][X)-
sitions by his fellow citizens; was a Jtistice
of the Peace in Sangamon before the for-
mation of this county, and was one of the
first justices after its organization in 1839.
which office he continued to fill for eight
years; was a member of the first board of
supervisors in 1866, and served in that ca-
pacity for a term of four years ; he had lieen
a life-long Whig and Republican. In 1854,
he changed his residence to Prairieton
Township, settling on the Esquire Hammer
farm on Flat Branch, wdiere he resided for
many years. He was highly respected for
his ability and integrity.

Another early settler wdiom we mention
with pride and as one of the most distin-
Sfuished citizens of this count v in the earlv
days, and in fact up to the time of his death
was Judge H. M. Vandeveer; he came here
in the pioneer era and began life a poor boy,
and with commendable energy and industry
became an honored and useful citizen of
the county at an early day, and retained
this position until the day of his death.
He was undoubtedly a man of great wis-
dom; his knowledge of human nature was
equal to, if not exceeding, that of any man's
I ha\'e ever known ; was manv times hon-
ored by his fellow citizens with positions of
honor and trust, and for many years prior
to the date of his death, w^as the w^ealthiest
man in the county.

In the latter vears of his life he had

grown so wealthy and his interests so mul-
ti])licd"thal they became identified with that
of man\- citizens (^f the county, so much so
that it became a matter of general remark,
and the w-riter at one time heard Governor
Palmer remark that it was as impossible to
enter upon any enteri)rise with the citizens
of this countv and not encisuntcr the inter-
ests of Judge Vandeveer as it was to stick
a knife in the human body without severing
some of the veins of the body. With all
his acquisitions of wealth, he was a very
indulgent man to those in whom he had con-
fidence and believed to l>e treating him
fairly, so much so that this indulgence fre-
quently permitted men to take undue ad-
vantages and in protecting his own rights
frequently brought upon him criticisms that
were in many instances unjust. His name
became a household word in this county;
he was called by those who knew him inti-
mately by the name of "Horatio" or "Rash"
Vandeveer, and to this day he has many
namesakes in the county. H. M. Vande-
veer was a native of Indiana, born in Wash-
ington county, March i, 1816; his father,
Aaron Vandeveer, removed to Sangamon
county. 111., in the fall of 1829, and im-
proved a farm on Horse Creek. Here the
Judge lived until the age of 21 years with
his father, most of the time laboring on the
farm ; he attended a pioneer log-cabin school
about three months; most of his education
was acquired during his hours of leisure,
at night and at other convenient times,
which he never failed to improve. His taste
for reading and study of books was ac-
quired at an early day in life, and his in-
dustry and ability attracted the attention of
the Hon. John T. Stewart of Springfield,
who tendered him the use of his law library,
h\ means of wdiich he acquired some knowl-
edge of the law. In 1836, he taught school

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

in a log cabin on Andy Finlev's farm, about
12 miles west oi Taylorville.

In time be was admitted to the practice
of law and soon became prominent in the
profession. For many years and up to tbe
time he was elected Judge of the Circuit
Court, was the leading lawyer of tbe county,
always employed upon one side or the other
of every case that came up before the courts
for investigation, and so prominent did he
become that a litigant felt sure of winning
his case if he could only secure the services
of "Rash Vandeveer." Mr. Vandeveer par-
ticipated in the organization of the county,
and at the first election held on the first of
April, 1839, was elected County Recorder;
a few days later was appointed by the
Co'Unt}^ Court as School Commissioner.
June ist of the same year was appointed by
Judge Treat Clerk of the Circuit Court,
which office he held for many years. He
was elected a member of the House of Rep-
resentatives in 1842 over ]\lartin White, the
former representative, and Henry T. Lucket.
both popular men. On his return home, at
the close of the session, 1843, ^^^ '^^''^^ re-
appointed Clerk of the Circuit Ccurt and
was the same year elected Justice, and sub-
secjuently appointed postmaster at Taylor-
ville, and it has been said of Judg'e Vande-
veer by the early settlers that at one time
he held all of the offices of the county, and
while this may not be strictly true, it is cer-
tain he did hold many of the important of-
fices at the same time.

In 1846 he answ^ered to the first call of
his country and raised a company of sol-
diers for the Mexican war, and was elected
its Captain, but the company was rejected
by the Governor, as the call of the govern-
ment had been filled ; he was shortly after-
wards appointed by President Polk as .As-
sistant Quartermaster in the United States

army, with the rank of Captain, and served
in that position in the Mexican war. Upon
his return home, he was oue of the promi-
nent candidates for Congress, but withdrew
his name. He had been twice elected as
County Judge of the county ; in i860 was
again returned to the legislature, and two
years later was elected to the State Senate,
and while in the State Senate he showed
liimself to be the peer of any in that 1)ody.
The writer has read with pleasure one of
the speeches delivered by him while in that
body, and it certainly was a remarkable ef-
fort, and one of which his constituents could
\vell be proud.

In the fall of 1870 he was elected Judge
of the 10th Judicial Circuit, to fill the unex-
[jired term of Judge E. Y. Rice, and again
in 1873, which position he held for a term
of nine years, l)ut owing to the great pres-
sure of his private business he refused re-
election. In politics he was a stanch Demo-
crat, and no resident of the county has ever
enjoyed the confidence of the people more
than did Judge Vandeveer.

James Funderburk came to Christian
county in the spring of 1836 and settled
two miles west of Taylorville, where he re-
sided until about 15 years ago, when he
sold his farm and moved to Kansas; his
father, Henry Funderl)urk, came from Ten-
nessee to this state in 18 15, and settled first
on "Turkey Hill," in St. Clair County,
where he resided for t^^'0 years and moved
to Sangamon county in the spring of 181 7
and settled on Horse Creek, built a cabin
and raised a crop that year, with the assist-
ance of William Nelson. He was probably
the first settler in that part of Sangamon
county, and probably raised the first crop
in that part of the county and was among
the earliest settlers of the countv. His son

PAST AND PRESENT

James was quite young wlien his father
moved to this state.

James R. Lucas also came to Christian
county in 1836 and first located on the west
side of Elat Branch tinil)cr. \vlierc he lived
ahout the years, when he moved to Taylor-
ville in April. 1840. He was the first land-
lord of the "Lucas Tavern." afterwards
known as the "City Hotel." and located on
the north side of the square where the Jayne
& Cheney huilding now stands.

Lucas was horn in Tennessee. Oct. 7.
1807, and came with his father, Edward
Lucas, to Sangamon c(^unty, and settled on
Horse Creek in 1827. He was married to
Miss Elizahetli M. Harris, daughter of
Isaac Harris, in 1828. V.r. Lucas was
elected the first constahle in Taylorville pre-
cinct, after the organization of the county ;
he died June 2. 1862.

Frederick Hammer was also a prominent
settler in 1836; he lived to an advanced age
and died Nov. 26, 1866.

James Waddell. an old settler, settled
upon and improved a farm now adjacent to
Taylorville; he died on this place and the
farm passed into the hands of James Young.

Lewis H. Jernigan was lx)rn in Tennessee
in 1S08: emigrated to this county and set-
tled on Bear Creek in the year 1836; was
married in Tennessee to Miss Sallie Currie.
They came to this country in wagons drawn
by oxen.

Isaac Harris, a native of Nashville, Tenn..
was born in 1780; married to ]\Iiss Rhoda
Parker of \'irginia in 1802. and emigrated
to Sangamon county, Illinois, in December,
1820; moved to Christian county in the fall
of 1836; located and improved a farm four
miles east of Taylorville where he spent the
remainder of his years.

Among others who came to this county
during the year 1836 were Ellington Adams,

a native of Kentucky, who emigrated with
his family and settled and improved a farm
on the ridge five miles above Stonington;
Hiram Walker, a native of Virginia, pur-
chased and located on a farm six miles
northeast of Taylorville, near the Flat
Branch timber; Rev. Isaac Haines, a native
of Virginia, born in 1809, emigrated to this
State and preached for two years, 1836-7,
on the Buckhart Circuit. He was highly
esteemed for his many Christian virtues.
Died in September. 1838, and left descend-
ants residing in this county.

Henry Dickerson came also in the spring
of this year. He served as Constable and
Justice of the Peace in Taylorville precinct
for many years and died in Johnson town-
ship. He was a man of strong convictions
and had the nerve to follow them. At one
time when summoned to serve upon the jury
in Circuit Court he refused to serve and
]mblicly stated that he would not serve be-
cause "there were two murderers on the
jurv and he would not serve with them."
He was excused.

Judge \\'m. S. Frink figures prominently
in the early history of this county; was
born in Connecticut in December, 1790;
moved with his father to Stonington, Conn.,
where he lived until he was forty-one years
old; in 183-1, he went to New York City,
where he engaged in business for three
years; in May, 1837, he with his family
emigrated to this state and settled at Allen-
ton in this county, where he resided until
January, 1853, when he moved to Taylor-
ville: he was a soldier of the war of 18 12.
He took quite .an active part in the organi-
zation of the county, and by his efforts as
much as any one else, was due the acqui-
sition of the towns of Pana, Assumption
and Prairieton to Christian county; he was
elected Probate Judge Aug. 7, 1843, for a

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

term of four years, and it is said that on
Court days, the Judge would be seen enter-
ing town with the archives of the office in
a basket on his arm; he also held other posi-
tions of honor and trust ; he resided in Tay-
lorville until his death, which occurred about
sixteen years ago. He lived to the ripe old
age of ninety-seven and was much honored
and respected by all who knew him.

Wm. L. Hammer, who recently died at
Decatur, was also one of the pioneer settlers
oi this county; he was born in Kentucky,
Nov. 2, 1817, and at the age of ten years,
emigrated with his father to Sangamon
county, Illinois, in 1827, where he lived
until the spring of 1837; ^^ this date he re-
moved with his father and family and set-
tled on the Flat Branch in Prairieton town-
ship. At the first general election held after
the organization of the county in August,
1839, 1^^ was elected Constable of Stoning-
ton precinct and was selected as bailiff of
the grand jury at the first term of the Cir-
cuit Court. It held its session in the open
air where the present brick jail now stands.
He served as Deputy Sheriff in 1844, and in
1846 was elected Sheriff. He was politically
a Whig, and was very popular and influ-
ential in that party. October 11, 1853, he
was married in Taylorville to Miss Isabella
East. In December, 1854, they moved to
Decatur, where he held manv positions of
honor and trust, and resided there until the
time of his death, which occurred about two
years ago.

In 1837, Thomas P. Chapman came to
this county, and joined the Stonington col-
ony at Old Stonington, where he continued
to live until his death, Jan. 16, 1867, at the
ripe age of 75. He was born in Stonjngton,
Conn., Sept. 12, 1791. He served his coun-
try in the war of 18 12 in the capacity of
■ drummer boy. In early days he was a

strong Democrat. Upon meeting a new ac-
Cjuaintance, a familiar question with him is
said to have been, "Be you a Whig or a
Democrat?" liis strong patriotic feelings
led him, during the late rebellion, to be a
"War Democrat,'' which culminated in his
becoming a Republican and voting for Abra-
ham Lincoln for President in 1864. On
the formation of the county in 1839, he was
chosen one of the first members of the Court,
which station he filled with honor to him-
self and credit to his constituency. To his
industry and perseverance, the citizens of
Stonington settlement were much indebted
for the establishing of a post office in their
midst;, he was first postmaster and carried
the mails weekly to and from Taylorville
on horseback ; he held several offices of trust,
and was extensively known throughout the
county and highly esteemed for his many
social virtues. He was a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and at his death was
buried with Masonic honors.

Nicholas Sanders was a native of Rhode
Island; born April 7, 1805; emigrated to
Christian county in the spring of 1837, and
improved a farm on Flat Branch ; he opened
a store of general merchandise at this point
in March, 1852, and remained in business
for 16 years; his store formed the nucleus
of the town called Sandersville in Stoning-
ton township.

Among others who came tO' this county
this year, were Elijah Behymer, a native
of Virginia; Presley Peak, born in Ken-
tucky; Rev. Paris Pray of Connecticut;
John Hill, Sr., from Kentucky, with his
sons, James H., Terry and Gabriel; and
Thomas S. Leachman, also from Kentucky.

Among others who came tO' this county
in 1838 were Joseph A. Hailey of Kentucky,
S. B. Sheldon of Massachusetts, Frank
Haines and James Ferguson of Virginia.

PAST AND PRESENT

Diirinj^ the year 1839 the coiint\- was organ-
i^ed and there was a great itilhix of popu-
lation. Prominent among tliosc wlio ar-
rived at this date were Morgan ( ioode, at
one lime County Treasurer; Win. Margis.
a Kenluckian; Joel Traylor, a nali\e of
South Carolina, an<l Le\ i W. ( iooden.

David Rutlidge, the "deer slayer" and
"Nimrod" of the Mat P)raneh, was a native
of Tennessee, born in Dickinson County in
1813. He emigrated to Christian County in
1840; was married to Miss .\nna Harris,
a dauohter of Silas Harris, in 1844; he was
a resident of May township; was very fond
of the chase and devoted much time to hunt-
ine-; it is said that he killed in one winter 48
deer, besides a large amount of smaller
game.

lohn W. \y\u"A{ was born in New York,
Sept. J5, 18 19, and came to this county in
1840. In that year he taught the first school
in Taylorvi/le; was by profession a lawyer
and was elected the second school commis-
sioner of the county.

Daniel DeCam]) settled in the county in
June, 1843; was born in Virginia in 1824.
For several years he was connected wiih
Allen's Great Eastern Stage Line, whicli
passed through the county. Was married,
Oct. 7, 1847, to Miss Ternccy Langley, a
daughter of Jesse Langley. He purchased
the Blue Point farm and "stage stand" in
February, 1851, and moved there the March
following. His farm embraced over 200
acres of choice land, on which the town of
Edinburg is now located. Mr. DeCamp is
said to have been fond of hunting in his
younger days ; has been Justice of the Peace
and held other offices of trust in his town
and township. He served as Captain of
Company D of the 130th Regiment Illinois
Volunteers in the late rebellion.

Mr. DeCamp was highly respected 1)y his

i:co])k' and was of that peculiar ty])e that at-
1 rat-ted men to him; made warm friends and
strong enemies. Jle died in i-.dinburg a
few years ago at a ripe old age.

In recording the nrunes of those men who
Iia\e been connected with the history and
de\elopment of Christian County among its
earlier days, that of the late Maj(-)r D. D.
Shumway must not be forgotten. Though
he did not become a resident until 1843, ^'^^
made an bonoralile record, but like man\
others, did not live long afterwards to en
joy it; he was born in Massachusetts Sept.
28, 18 1 3, where he resided until he reached
the years of n.ianhood. In 1834 he came
west and settled first in ZanesVille, Ohio,
where he remained until 1837 when he came
to Montgomery county, Illinois. While
there, was elected and served a term as one

f the County Commissioners' Court of
Montgomery County; was also appointed
Major of the State Militia. June 3, 1841.
he was married to Miss Emily R. Roun-
tree, daughter of the late Hon. Hiram Roun-
tree of Hillsboro', 111. In the spring of 1843,
he removed to Christian County, first set-
tling on w'ild prairie land about four miles
east of Taylorville, where he improved a
farm of several hundred acres. In 1851,
he became a resident of Taylorville, where
he engaged in merchandise, this being his
occupation in former years, wdiich he con-
tinued with success until 1858. He then
retired from active business life, having ac-
cumulated considerable wealth. He was a
member of the legal profession, and for
many years held the office of Master in
Chancery of the county. The Major was a
gentleman of culture and taste, possessing
a noble, genevous disposition, and was
highlv esteemed auKMig his fellow citizens.

In politics he was a Democrat. During his
residence in the countv he was elected in

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

1845 ^ member 01 the legislature from the
counties of Lliristian and Shelby, and at the
following session was elected Clerk of the
State Senate. In 1848 he was a member of
the State Constitutional conventinn, and
took an active part in its deliberations; was
elected County Judge in November, 1857,
for a term of four years; he was also inter-
ested in both the County and State Agricul-
tural societies and one of the incorporators
and directors of the Springfield & South-
eastern R. R., and discharged the duties of
many minor offices. Much credit is due
him while in the legislature for the location
of the Terre Haute & St. Louis R. R.
through the southern ]^art of this county,
where have sprung into existence tlie flour-
ishing towns of Pana and Rosemond. He
was a prominent Mason, and in fact held the
positions of W. M.^o-f Mound Lodge and
High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter at Tay-
lorville for many years, and is said to have
been a very bright Mason. While the writer
had no personal acquaintance with him, he
is informed that Major Shumway was a
bright and intelligent man. a fluent speaker,
good conversationalist and was very popu-
lar and much loved by those with whom he
associated. He died in 1870. and was buried
at the old homestead in Taylorville, where
his body remained until a few years ago,
when it was removed to the Taylorville cem-
etery.

Dr. Calvin Goudy was a native of Ohio;
born June 2, 1814; emigrated with his
parents to Indiana in 1826, thence to
Illinois; in 1832 locating at Vandalia. He
graduated at the St. Louis Medical College
in the spring of 1844. Soon thereafter, in
May, 1844, he located in Taylorville, where
he acquired a lucrative practice and con-
tinued to reside until his death. Dr. Goudy
was a very scholarly man and the people

of this county are indebted to him for pre-
serving in the form of notes and manu-
script the names and other biographical
sketches of the earlier settlers of this county,
together with the incidents connected with
the early settlement. Had it not been for
the foresight of Dr. Goudy in preserving
these matters, it would be impossible at this
day to give the citizens any accurate idea
of many of the early settlements or of the
hardships they endured.

The writer of this article feels more than
grateful to the forethought and wisdom of
Dr. Goudy for preserving such facts and
incidents as makes it possible to give the
generations of the present day an insig'ht
intO' the character and history of the early
settlers of this county.

Dr. Goudy was the publisher of the J. N.
Picks Gazeteer of Illinois in 1834; also
Wakefield's History of the Black Hawk war
and Goudy's Almanac for several years, and
issued a journal known as the Common
School Advocate, which is said tO' have been
the first journal devoted exclusively to^ the
cause of education in the Great North-west.

In 1847 he was elected Probate Judge
of this county; in 1856, was elected tO' the
legislature from Christian and Montgomery
counties, and it is said that great credit is
due him for having obtained the passage of
the bill creating the ''Normal LTniversity'*
and the Chicago Times of i860 in speak-
ing of that bill gives much credit to Dr.
Goudy of Christian county. He, at one
time, was Professor of Chemistry in the
Rock Island Medical College and delivered
a course of lectures on Chemistry before a
class of some eighty students. He erected
the first steam mill in Taylorville in the
year 1850, which was a great public benefit
and added largely to the improvement of the
town ; he served the county in many official

PAST AND PRESENT

capacities, and is said to have l)een an effi-
cient officer and a man of integrity. He took
a great interest in church work, and csjjc-
ciallv in Sahhatli scho^jls, and represented
the Preshyterian churcli at its General As-
semhly in New York. In May. 1876, he
was married to Miss Martha A. Mayhood
of Codaz, Ohio, to wliom were horn eight
children, and it has heen said of him, "the
record of his life is complete. It is that
of one who amidst the toils and hardships
of onr early history held fast his integrity
and manhood, and moulded upon his asso-
ciates the virtues of his character. This is
the reward of the righteous, and many arise
to call him blessed."

Dr. J. 11. Clark, a Kentuckian, settled
first in Johnson township in the spring of
1844. and was a member of the County
Court when the second courthouse was built.
He moved to Taylorville and there engaged
in the practice of medicine for a great many
years prior to his death.

Joseph Edwards, a native of Ireland, set-
tled on Coal Creek in this county March
26, 1845. He was one of the noted eighteen
voters of ''Stone Coal Precinct" ; was a man
known for his candor and integrity and ex-
ercised a commanding influence in that sec-
tion of the county.

Another early and prominent settler in
Stone Coal, now Pana, was Wm. Pryce;
ham in F.ngland in 1817; came to this coun-
ty in 1845; taught the finst school in that
part of the county ; was deputy tax collector
in 1845 '^'I'l ^^^1^^ other offices of trust.

Fdijah Duncan, a native of North Caro-
lina, settled on the west side of Bear Creek
in 1847; there was IxDrn to him sixteen
children. Wm. A. Welsh, a native of Ten-
nes.see, settled on South Fork in 1849; ^Vm.
S. Berry settled four miles south of Tay-
lorville in T840.

In the foregoing we have attempted to
gi\-e tlie names of the early settlers of this
county, together witli the date of their ar-
ri\al in the county, and the characteristics
and jmblic ix)sitions held by them; and in
giving these facts or sketches of the lives of
these people, we have been compelled to rely
largely upon the notes of Dr. (joudy. We
have found some whom he had failed to
mention, and it may be that there are others
that we have failed to learn of, Init the
writer has done the best he could to ascer-
tain the names and date of the coming of
the early settlers. It is certainly gratifying
to those who are friends and descendants of
the early settlers to have due credit given
to them for their participation in the early
events of the county.

The writer feels that great credit is due
to these noble men who were willing to make
the sacrifices they did for the purpose of set-
tling up a wild countrv, barren of comforts
and even the necessaries of life; these people
were brave and courageous ; they saw in the
character of the country the fertility of the
soil the probalile outgrowth of the county
and the prospect for making their children
and their descendants comfortable and
hap[)}- homes, and in the subduing of this
country from a wild and almost uninhal>
itable waste, they builded better than they
knew, and we have for them the profoundest
respect and admiration, and take pleasure
in expressing it.

The Organiz.\tion and Growth of
Christian County.

In the year 1839, the legislature of the
State of Illinois, then in session at \^andalia.
created Dane County under an act entitled
"An act to establish the County of Dane,"
.and this act gave the boundaries of the

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

county as "all that tract of country lying
within the following boundaries, to-wit :
Beginning where the third principal merid-
ian crosses the north fork of the Sangamon
river; thence down said river to- the line
between Sections Nine and Ten, in Town-
ship Fifteen (15), North of Range Three
West ; thence south tO' the southeast corner
of Section Four in Township Fourteen
North, Range last aforesaid; thence West
three miles by the surveys ; thence south
three miles by the surveys ; thence west
three miles by the surveys ; thence south to
the southern boundar}- of Township Eleven
(11), Range last aforesaid; thence east
with the surveys to the Third Principal Me-
ridian ; thence north to the place of begin-
ning, shall constitute the County of Dane."

"Approved Feb. 15, 1839. Thos. Carlin,
Governor."

It will be observed that the County of
Dane, as created by this act of the legisla-
ture, did not include that territory no-w
known as towns of Pana, Assumption, and
Prairieton. The first petition was entrusted
tOi Colonel Bond to present to the legisla-
ture, and when the act was passed, making
the Third Principal Meridian the eastern
boundary of the newly formed county, the
inhabitants of the district, especially those
residing east of the boundary, were not well
pleased. It was expected that the county
would extend six miles further and take in
the towns above enumerated, but for some
cause this part of the petition was ignored,
and this left the east tier of townships now
belonging to Christian county still a part of
Shelby county. By the efforts of Judge
Fink, William B. liall and Aaron McKen-
zie petitions w'cre circulated over Shelby
county favoring the annexing of these
townships to Christian.

Proper certificates were obtained from

Jesse Oliver, County Clerk of Shelby
county, showing the willingness of the
people of that county to make this tier of
townships a part of Dane county, and
thereupon a law was enacted adding to the
County of Dane, Townships Eleven, Twelve
and Thirteen and the south half (>4) of
Fourteen, North of Range One, East of the
Third Principal Meridian, thus extending
the County of Dane tO' the present bounda-
ries of the County of Christian, and added
thereto 80,640 acres more than was allotted
to it by the original act. This was indeed
a wise provision as it made Christian (then
Dane) of better proportions and of sufficient
size to properly maintain its organization,
buildings and other expenses incident to the
carrying on of county government without
burdening the people with taxation.

We are pleased to. note that the addition
of these townships proved a very valuable
acquisition to Christian county, upon which
are now located some of the most important
cities and villages in the county — many rail-
road facilities, and the lands are very fer-
tile; besides it has been demonstrated that
they contain a very valuable coal deposit,
and no part of the county can be said tO' be
any richer, more productive or enterprising
than this acquisition. The act creating the
County of Dane also provided for the ap-
pointment of commissioners to locate the
county seat, and in pursuance of such act,
Benjamin Mitchell of Tazewell county,
John Henry of Morgan county and New-
ton Walker of Fulton county were ap-
pointed commissioners to locate the county
seat of Dane.

The town of Allenton", then located about
a mile and a half northeast of the present
county seat, and on what was recently
known as the David Hall farm, and the
town of Edinburg, then located about a mile

PAST AND PRESENT

and a half northwest of the present county
seat on what is now known as part of the
George W. Vollentine "farm, were toth com-
petitors for the count}- seat. The commis-
sioners met at the town of Allenton on the
joth (lay of May, 1839. were sworn by
Squire Ketcham to faithfully and impar-
tially discharge the duties imposed upon
them and proceeded to locate the seat of
justice. They at last determined upon the
West Half (i/>) of the Northeast Quarter
(yi) of Section Twenty-seven (27), Town-
ship Thirteen (13) North, Range Two (2)
West of the Third Principal Meridian as
the most eligible place. A man by the name
of M. Eastham, then being the proprietor
of said land, Avas recjuired to give bond and
security conditional for the conveyance of a
public square of not less than two acres of
said land to said county, on which to locate
a courthouse, and for the payment of Three
Thousand Dollars in cash. This record was
filed by the said commissioners in the office
of C. R. Matheny (Clerk of Sangamon
county) on May 24, 1839. This fixed the
county seat in its present location, and the
town was shortly thereafter named Taylor-
ville; the land upon which it was located
was entered by Daniel C. Goode, a former
citizen of this county, in the year 1835, and
conveyed by him to Marvellous Eastham
and others. This deed was acknowledged
before Eli Matthews. J. P., on May 24,
1839, and was witnessed by the Hon. Ste-
phen A. l^ouglas.

The county seat was surveyed and platted
b\- T. M. Neal, County Surveyor of Sanga-
mon county, by a company composed of
Dr. Richard F. Barrett, Hon. John Taylor,
Marvellous Eastham and Robert Allen, citi-
zens of Springfield. 111.

As the county seat was located upon pri-
vate property, it became neccssarv under the

law for the owners of such pri\-ate property
to pay a bonus of Three Th(jusand Dollars,
to be used in public improvements, and this
company agreed t(j pay said amount and
executed their obligations therefor. The
obligations were not ])aid at maturity, and
suit was instituted thereon and settlement
was made. By the terms of the settlement \
the company agreed to convey to the county
"the public square and seventy-eight towm
lots in Taylorville" ; it is said that these lots
were afterwards sold at merely nominal
prices by the count}' authorities to persons
agreeing to impro\-e them, and we are in-
formed from the pen of an old settler that
"the location of the seat of justice was
looked upon by the old settlers as an impor-
tant event in the history of the county. It
was determined to honor the occasion in a
suitable manner ; therefore a sumptuous din-
ner was given to the proprietors at the house
of Daniel C. Goode, the former owner of
the land. The dinner was supplemented
with an ample supply of 'old Mononga-
hela." Some of the guests, feeling its ex-
hilarating effects, proceeded to name the
new county seat, and that in so doing, it
should be in honor of one of the notable
guests present. The proposition was re-
ceived with hearty eclat. In response to a
toast it was named 'Taylorville,' in honor
of Hon, John Taylor of Springfield, 111.,
one of its proprietors."

It is said by some tliat there is nothing in
a name; by others, that the name is every-
thing. In this case, however, it must ap-
])ear to ha\e been unfortunate that the "old
Monongahela" caused the guests of that oc-
casion to have conceived the idea that Tay-
lorxille would always remain a small vil-
lage; they did not understand the capacity
of the country surrounding it, and if the
City of Ta}-lorville should grow to a popu-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

latioii of 100,000 or more, the word "ville"
would still carry with it the idea of a small
village and keep the inhabitants constantly
explaining that it is not such, but has grown
to be a city.

The location of the county seat at Tay-
lorville undoubtedly created considerable
comment and more or less dissatisfaction,
as it is said by the Springfield Journal of
the date of Sept. 20, 1839, which seemed to
be in touch with matters in this county at
that time, "that the county seat was not lo-
cated in accordance with the implied wish of
nine-tenths of the citizens, is a proposition
which has never been denied by any person
residing therein, but on the contrary, was
located in opposition to their wishes. The
citizens held a meeting' ( and there was cjuite
a respectable collection of people before the
location was made), expressing" a desire to
have Allenton or Edinburg selected. There
was not a dissenting voice in the meeting.
Yet the commissioners wholly disregarded
this expression of the citizens."

It may be that as the population of the
county at that time was mostly in the west-
ern part thereof that the location of the
county seat at Taylorville created some dis-
satisfaction, but it certainly was not an un-
just act of the commissioners.

The commissioners doubtless realized that
sooner or later other parts oi the county
would be fully populated, and in view of the
possibilities of a settlement of the county
in all its parts at some future period, and
the centrality of the location of Taylorville,
that the choice was a wise one. By reason
of the county seat being centrally located
Christian county has avoided the bitter
county seat contest that has grown up in
other counties where the county seat had
been located to one side or the other.

We are told by Dr. Goudy that this

county was called Dane "in compliment to
Nathan Dane," who had been a member of
Congress and rendered prominent as the
author of that celebrated Northwestern Or-
dinance by which that large territory was
forever consecrated to freedom.

The act was passed by Congress on the
13th of July, 1787. In a speech at Boston
shortly after the nullification times of 1832
Daniel Webster, in referring to Hayne's
speech in an ironical manner of "oue Nathan
Dane," exclaimed scornfullv, "Mr. Havne
calls him 'one Nathan Dane !' I tell you,
my fellow citizens, that Nathan Dane was
no Federalist, and, that as author of the
Northwestern Ordinance, his name is as im-
mortal as if it were written on yonder firma-
ment, blazing forever between Orion and
Pleiades."

This statement is made, as on it hinged
the changing of the name Dane to that of
Christian. It was rumored that Dane was
a rank old "Federalist," and effectually used
by those seeking the change. The county at
that time, as now, was Democratic, and the
term "Federalist" was distasteful — often
used as a term of opprobrium towards their
opponents in those partisan days.

The name Dane w^as suggested and first
put in the original petition, asking for the
new county, by William S. Frink, a promi-
nent "Whig" politician at that period, who
took an active nart in tlie formation of the
co'unty. This fact gave coloring to the
charge. At the time he thought little about
the political proclivities of the author of the
celebrated ordinance, Imt selected the name
from his known national reputation ; and
from the fact that in the great Northwest
there was no county by that name, thus
avoiding a toO' frequent use of names com-
mon in counties and toiwns in this and other
states. Since, however, a county in Wis-

PAST AND PRESENT

cousin has been called Dane. Daniel C.
(ioode, an nld settler and an uncompromis-
ing' Democrat, circulated petitions to have
the name changed. In aid of the movement
a mass meeting of the citizens of the county
was held on the open prairie where the
court-house now stands; Thomas P. Bond
addressed the meeting; made the motion
which was adopted, substituting the name
"Cliristian" for that of ''Dane." This name
was suggested from the fact that many of
the inhabitants at that time were from
Christian county, Ky. The change was ef-
fected and legalized by an act of the legisla-
ture passed Feb. i, 1840. Hon. Thomas J.
Nance was the representative of the district
in the legislature, and it was through his
efforts that the prayer of the petitioners was
granted, and the bill became a law. The
records and proceedings of the county for
the first year after its organization appear
under the name "Dane." There was no
particular notation of the change of the
name of the county upon the records. It
does appear u^xju the records of the County
Commissioners' Court that on Dec. 11,
1839. the County Commissioners' Court con-
\ened as commissioners of the County of
Dane, and on that day adjourned until court
in course; then on March 2, 1840, the
County Commissioners' Court again con-
\ened as the County Commissioners' Court
for the County of Christian, and no men-
tion or other record is made of the change
from Dane to Christian.

At a later term, however, several reix)rts
of commissioners appointed as road view-
ers, and several orders for services of the
different officers of the court were allowed,
and in these it is recited that they w^ere for
the "County of Christian alias Dane." And
this is the only mention that is made of the
change.

It seems strange that a matter of so much
importance, and in which so much interest
was l)eing taken by the inhabitants, that the
change from Dane to Christian county was
not particularly noted upon the records. No
one man has any particular claim over oth-
ers in the organization of the county.

Many of the inhabitants then residing in
all parts of the county took an active part,
and were very much interested in this or-
ganization, and it is said that prominent
among them was Col. Thomas P. Bond,
Judge W. S. Frink, Daniel Miller, Gabriel
R. Jernigan, Jesse Murphy, William S.
Ricks, Aaron McKinzie, A. D. Northcut,
Amos Richardson, William B. Hall and
others.

/\fter the county seat had been located it
then became necessary to arrange the courts
and offices for the transaction of the busi-
ness of the county.

The first election for county officers was
held on the first Monday of April, 1839.
The county was divided into three pre-
cincts, the north precinct, with the voting
place at Buckhart Grove; centre precinct,
with voting place at Allenton, and the south
precinct, with voting place at the house of
John Z. Durbin.

The judges of this election for Buckhart
were James Fletcher, George D. Pearson
and John George; clerks, Samuel Virden
and Gustavus A. Kilbourn. For Allenton
judges were John Estes, Joshua Brents and
Isaac Harris; clerks, Thomas S. Leachman
and Jesse Murphy. At Durbins the judges
were Richard Simpson, Isaac Logston and
Thomas Durbin; clerks, William Durbin
and Christ K. Durbin.

The officers elected at this time were
Thomas P. Chapman, Peter Porter and
Gavin Ralston, Sr. Members of the County
Commissioners' Court, E. S. Young, Clerk

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of the County Court ; Thomas W. Davis,
Probate Justice ; Wilham S. Ricks, Sheriff ;
Benjamin Wilhams, Coroner; LI. M. Van-
(leveer, Recorder, and Jolin S. Stockton,
County Surveyor.

The law required the judges of the sev-
eral precincts to meet at Allenton and can-
vass the votes and deliver to the officers
elected a certificate of their election, which
they did, and declared the officers above
named as elected.

The poll books were retained by the
judges until the County Clerk was cjualified,
when they were to be delivered to the Clerk,
and it became his duty to make a transcript
of the ^'Otes so returned and transmit the
same to the Secretary of State, which was
done, and we are informed the returns were
mailed at Blue Point, the then nearest post-
office, being about 12 miles distant.

S. Stockton was ap])ointed Assessor of the"
first district, Daniel C. Goode of the second
district, Thomas P. Bond of the third dis-
trict and A. Council of the fourth district.
The County Commissioners then ordered
the Clerk to purchase a county seal for Dane
county.

On the next day, April 16, the Court
again met and appointed Jesse Murphy Col-
lector for the County of Dane ; Gabriel Jer-
nigan. Treasurer of the County of Dane, and
Horatio M. Vandeveer, School Commis-
sioner of the County of Dane. It then pro-
ceeded to divide the county into seven road
districts and appointed Martin Hinkle, Su-
pervisor of the first road district, John G.
Fletcher of the second road district, David
Simmons of the third road district, Allen
Peabody of the fourth road district, Will-
iam B. Hall of the fifth road district, Pres-

The total number of votes polled at this j^^ p^^j^ q,£ ^j-,^ ^-^.^^y^ ^.^^^ district and Fran-

election was 160; the population of this
county was then only about 1,400.

The County Commissioners' Court at that
time, so far as the business transactions of
the county was concerned, corresponded
with our present Board of Supervisors, and
was composed of three commissioners. The
first commissioners selected for the county
were Gavin Ralston, Peter Porter and
Thomas P. Chapman. They met and held
their first session of court at Taylorville on
Monday, April 15, 1839. Their first act
was to order the Clerk to procure blank
books for keeping of records of the county
commissioners', recorder's office and school
commissioners' office; they next divided the
county into four districts for the purposes of
assessment, numbering the districts from
one to four inclusive, beginning with the

cis Adams of the seventh road district, and
assigned to each of the supervisors so ap-
pointed a particular road, being principally
parts of the road then described as extend-
ing from Springfield to Terre Haute,
Springfield to Charleston and Springfield to
Taylorville. This was all of the business
transacted at that meeting.

The County Commissioners' Court again
met on June 24, 1839, this being the June
term thereof. At this meeting they drew
lots as to who should be next elected. Gavin
Ralston drew No. i, Peter Porter No. 2 and
Thomas Chapman No. 3.

At this meeting the county commissioners
made the following order : "Ordered, that
the courthouse be let out to the lowest bid-
der, the undertaker giving bond with ap-

north part of the county and dividing the proved security. Description of the court-
territory of the county as well as they could house being 36 by 30 ft., 21 ft. high, and to
between these four districts ; thereupon John be fenced in a workmanlike manner."

PAST AXl) I 'RESENT

Notices were then directed to be issued
for the August election.

On Afonday. Aug. iJ, 1839, the county
commissioners ordered the Treasurer to col-
lect from the proprietors of Taylorville
$1,000, to ajjply t(i the building of the court-
house in Taylorville.

In speaking (d' the road sui)ervisors being
assigned to certain districts and their duties
to look after particular roads in the countw
it must be remembered that the county, at
that time, had less public highways than
there are naw railroads in the county. The
road known as the Springfield and Tcrre
Haute road traversed the northern part of
the countr}', passing through Mt. Auburn
and the highway known as the Springfield
and Shelbyville road passes through the
more central part of the coimty, striking
Blueville, Old Edinburg and Allenton and a
])oint near I'ana. After the location of Tay-
lor\ille this road was changed so as to pass
through Owaneco, Taylorville, Blueville,
thence to Rochester and Si)ringfield ; after-
wards there was a road laid out from Tay-
lorville to llillsboro. These constituted
perhaps the entire public highways of the
county at that time: the public was then
served by running stage lines along these
roads at such seasons as was practicable, and
people living off of these highways were
compelled to reach different parts of the
county l)y tra\eling through the prairie
grass. In some instances, trails had been
formed so as to form a kind of a path along
which the peo])lc traveled, but in most cases
the travel was across swampy, fiat prairie
without anything to guide or direct, except
known points of timber. The inhabitants
of Christian county, however, were instinct-
ively progressive and were not slow in dis-
covering that to constitute a habitable coun-
trv it was necessarv to build roads and

bridees. As soon as the revenue of the
county would permit, the good work began,
and we are told by the old settlers that a
road was surveyed and located between
Tavlorville and Mt. .\uburn and l)etween
Tav!or\illc and many other jjoints in the
counts' as rapidly as it could be done, l-rom
an e.Naniination. of the County Commission-
ers' Court it ap])ears that the (piestion of
builiiing and repairing roads constituted one
of the main objects to which the attention
of this Court was called.

The trail was sufiicient for the savage
who raised no crops, nothing to be hauled
u])on the highway and cared for nothing but
the present, but to the man of energy, of
care for the future and looking forward to
an age of prosperity, the trail would n(jt an-
swer the purpose, consequently it became
necessary to build these highways travers-
ing the different parts of the county and
connecting the people with other localities
bv whicli they could exchange their com-
modities. From the small Ijeginning .of
highways thus described, few, imperfect and
rude as they were, a system of commercial
intercourse was started between the early
settler of this county and the localities more
favorably situated along the river and used
for trading posts, and as business centers,
and from that day until the present there
has been a steady improvement ncjt only in
the numbers of the highways, but in their
condition until nearly every section of land
in the county is almost, if nt;t entirely, sur-
rounded by good highways, suital)le for the
convenience of the farmer, and for the most
parts of the year constitute the best high-
wavs in the world, excluding the macadam-
ized roads; as the value of lands advance
and the people become more prosperous it
is to be hoped that good roads for all sea-
sons of the year may take the place of the

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

dirt road that can not be made to serve the
interests of tlie travehng- pubhc dnring very
muddy seasons. There is no improvement
that would develop a country more rapidly,
more surely increase the value of its land
than a good system of roads so built as to
afford easy and rapid traveling at all sea-
sons of the year. Even if such roads were
built by special assessment of the lands ben-
efited the increased value of the farm, the
pleasures and benefits accruing to the home
would more than compensate for the ex-
pense. Let us Jiai'C a better class of romds.

Township Organization.

In the early 6o's there began to grow in
this community a feeling that the business
interests of the county should not be left tO'
be determined alone by the County Com-
missioners' Court. That court, being com-
posed of only three members, was not able
to appreciate the wants of the several locali-
ties of the county, and that a want of a rep-
resentative from man}' of the localities pre-
vented such localities from receiving the at-
tention that they felt was needed. A feeling
to adopt township organization sprang up
and grew rapidly, desiring" to distribute the
power for the making of public improve-
ments and apportion the objects for which
the finances of the county were disbursed.

Township organization had been adopted
in New York and many of the eastern states,
and was highly approved in many of these
states, and so much were the people of many
counties of Illinois pleased with the work-
ings of township organization that a rapid
demand for the adoption of township or-
ganization sprung up all over the state.

Many of the people of Christian county
were also thoroiighly imbued- with the idea
that township organization was best for the
entire interests of the communitv, and sO'

persisted in their demands for the submis-
sion of this Cjuestioii that it was finally sub-
mitted to a vote of the people to adopt or
reject township organization. It was de-
feated at twO' elections, but at the third elec-
tion, held on Nov. 7, 1865, the proposition
to adopt township organization was carried,
and A. G. Neel of Pana, Dial Davis of Mt.
Auburn and J. H. Vandeveer of Taylorville
were appointed commissioners to divide the
comity into towns.

At the March term, 1866, the commis-
sioners reported that they had divided the
county into 17 towns, as follows:

Assumption, Bear Creek, Buckhart,
Adams, Douglas, King, Locust, Moscptito,
Mt. Auburn, Pana, Nevada, Ricks, Rose-
mond, Stonington, South Fork, Smith and
Taylorville. At the April special term,
1866, the name of the town of Adams was
changed to Prairieton ; the town of Smith to
May ; the town of Douglas to Johnson, and
the town of Nevada to Greenwood. With
these changes the names adopted, that the
judges suggested, have remained as the
names of the sex'cral towns of this county
to the present time. The first board of su-
pervisors was composed of Jacob Overholt
of Assumptiou, James H. Hill of Bear
Creek, John Sharp of Buckhart, George W.
Traylor of Greenwood, T. B. Anderson of
Johnson, William A. Potts of King, B. C.
Cochran of Locust, John S. Fraley of May,
James M. Davidson of Mosquito, John M.
Hill of Mt. Auburn, W. B. Little O'f Pana,
W. K. Eaton of Prairieton, James H. Cisne
of Ricks, Thomas E. Simpson of Rosemond,
Gavin Ralston of South Fork, Asa Bowman
of Stonington and W. W. Anderson of Tay-
lorville.

W. W. Andersou was elected chairman
of this board of supervisors and from that
time until the present the business interests

PAST AND PRESENT

have been conducted and controlled l)y a
Ijoard of supervisors, and they have bail the
complete control of the finances of the
county, which ha\e at all times been man-
;i^ed with reasonable econoni}'.

This board has bad charg-e of all public
buildings and improvements of every kind
and character and assisted in the building
of bridges in the several localities of the
county, so that it may 1>e said that the pub-
lic improvements and bridges over the larger
streams of the county are in a reasonably
good condition, and the county has not at
any time had a heavy indebtedness imposed
upon it. The people have at no time suf-
fered because of taxation for county pur-
poses, and to-day no indebtedness exists
against the county, and all public improve-
ments have been made at such times and
under such circumstances as not to burden
the people with heavy taxation.

Finances of the County.

It is 1)ut natural, and we presume com-
mon, that the finances of all counties at their
organization are meager and require the
most rigid economy to carry ou the county
g-overnment. In the year 1839 H. M. Van-
deveer, who was then Clerk of the Circuit
Court, was by the County Commissioners'
Court authori^^ed to purchase such records
as were necessary for the recording in the
several departments: the bill rendered by
him showed that he purchased supplies for
the Recorder's office to the amount of
$24.37: Circuit Clerk's office. $82: County
Clerk's office, $93.25 : School Commission-
er's office, $8.87: jury lKH:)k, $1.25, and
county seal. $12, making a total of $221.74.
The bill rendered by him shows the rigid
economy exercised lx)th by him and those
with whom he was associated in the pur-
chasing of equipments for the several of-

fices. It is said by Dr. Coudy "that the
clerks used a wooden bench with a screw
fixed in a fr.'une for more than twenty years
to take impressions of the official seal. It
cost $2.50. This economical outfit lasted
for sex'cral vears."

"The cf)urt appropriated at the rate of $4
])er month to pay rent for the use of the
Circuit and Count}' Clerks. The Ralston
building was the first one in Taylorville used
for that purjjose after its location as the
county seat. It was moved from Edin-
burg."

The writer, in a conxersation with \V. A.
Goodrich, one of the early settlers who came
to this county in 1840 and resided at Mt
Aul^urn, learned that the county was not
only economical with reference to the pur-
chasing of records and the payment of sala-
ries, but Goodrich says the county actually
had nothing", not even a hitching post, near
the old court-house: that he came here in
1840 to have a deed recorded, and not find-
ing a ]iost. fence or tree in the vicinity of
the courthouse, was compelled to tie his
horse to the door latch while he went up to
have a deed recorded, and says that is the
first tin^e he met H. M. Vandeveer, who was
then recorder, both of wh(^m afterwards be-
came life-long friends and prosperous citi-
zens of the county.

The necessity of this economy was well
understood by the officers in charge of the
finances of the county. .At the June term,
1839. ^^ ^^^^ Commissioners' Court, they
levied a tax of 70 cents on the $100 of all
the real and personal jiroperty of the
County of Dane.

It should be borne in mind that the title
to much of the lands, in the county at that
time, was in the government, and not yet

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

subject to taxation, which made the real
taxable property of the county very small.
The valuation for taxation of that year was
$108,630, uiwn which the 70 cents was lev-
ied and broug-ht a total revenue of $760.41.
This is but a mere pittance when compared
with the taxable property and revenue of
the county at the present day.

An examination of the record discloses
that the total valuation of the property of
the county for the year 1903 was 39^57 !»'
875 dollars; the assessed valuation, 7,914'-
375 dollars, and the total taxes raised by
this assessment were 351.587.28 dollars.
By contrasting- these figures with those of
the assessment of 1839, we appreciate, to
some extent, the vast improvement that has
taken place in the county since its organiza-
tion. It should be borne in mind that such
lands as were taxable and the best lands of
the county in tliat day were worth only from
$1.25 to $5 per acre. The same lands are
now worth from $100 to $125 per acre.

The scanty revenue made it impossible to
construct therefrom a courthouse and other
public buildings, and the policy of requiring
the proprietors of the county seat to contrib-
ute $3,000 to the funds of the county to
assist in Iniilding a courthouse was a wise
one, as was r.ecphred when the county seat
was located at Taylorville.

At the June term, 1839, of the County
Commissioners' Court, an order was made
to build the first courthouse at Taylorville,
in the following language: "Ordered, that
the courthouse be let out to the lowest bid-
der, the undertaker giving bond with ap-
proved security; description of the court-
house to be 36x30 ft. X2I ft. high, and to be
fenced in a workmanlike manner." At the
August term, 1839, of said court, the
County Treasurer was authorized to collect
from the proprietors of Taylorville $1,000,

to he used in the building of the court-
house; this courthouse was completed in
September, 1840, at a cost of $2,350, l)ut
the proprietors of Taylorville failed to pay
the money, according to contract.

At the March term, 1840, of the County
Commissioners' Court, they ordered the
Treasurer to demand immediate payment of
Eastham, Taylor, Allen and Barrett of the
moneys they had agreed to pay, and if not
paid to sue the said proprietors for the
same. Suit was brought and a committee,
consisting- of H. M. Vandeveer, T. P. Boud
and Jesse Langley, was appointed by the
commissioners to settle the suit and accept
in payment thereof Taylorville real estate.
The suit was finally compromised by the
1)roprietors of Taylorville deeding to Chris-
tian county 78 lots, including the public
square in the Village of Taylorville, "or j4
of the present town of Taylorville," all of
which, except the public square, were after-
wards sold, by order of the County Com-
missioners, and the money paid into the
treasury.

While the courthouse that had just been
completed was not a costly structure nor of
great proportions, it was all that was needed
by the citizens of the county at that time.
It answered their purposes; furnished of-
fices for the county officers and a courtroom
commensurate with the wants of the people;
was hailed by the inhal)itants of the county
with probably as much delight and satisfac-
tion as the new courthouse that was com-
pleted at Taylorville in the year 1902. The
offices and court up to this time had appar-
ently been of a transitory character and lo-
cated wherever couvenient, but now they
were all gathered under one roof and the
people appreciated the benefits that accrued
from having the officers of the county as-
sembled at one place, and a courtroom that

PAST AND PRESENT

was snfficientl)- lai\s:e to accommodate the
few trials tliat were then instituted in our
courts. The offices were on tlie second floor
and courtroom on the first.

County Jail.

On April 4. 1846, the cnmmissioners di-
rected that a contract be made on Monday.
the first day of June next, to erect a jail of
the length of 20 feet, the width of 16 feet
and two stories high, with two rooms on the
first floor and one on the second, the lower
walls to be made of hewn timbers 10 inches
thick and to be constructed l)y building two
walls 8 inches apart and the space betw-een
the walls filled with timbers 8 inches thick
set on end : to be built of white or burr oak
with two doors to the lower story and one to
the upper; all to be placed upon a stone
foundation. There was to be one window
in each rcwm in the first floor 12x18 inches
with iron grates, two windows in the sec-
ond story, 24x30 inches, with iron grates;
the shutters were to be of the thickness of
three one-inch |)lank lined on the inside with
sheet iron.

The contract for the building of this jail
was awarded to James C. Morrison about
June 2, 1846. for the performance of which
he executed a bond, and while the records
are silent as to the price to be paid for this
jail, orders were drawn payable to J. C.
Morrison upon the contract to the amount
of $394.80; this jail was erected near the
southeast corner of the square and located
probably on the back of the lot now occupied
l)y Ahlman's meat shop. This Avould not be
a very safe place for the incarceration of
criminals at the present daw but in those
days the criminals did not have the many
inventions and contrivances of escape that
they do now. and this was reasonably safe
for the prisoners of that day. I am in-

formed, however, that a negro who had es-
caped from his master in one of the South-
eni states was incarcerated in this jail and
held for some time, but made his escape,
luckily for him, the day before his master
arrived.

Prior to the construction of this jail the
prisoners of Christian county were confined
in the jail at Springfield, as the records dis-
close that bills were paid by the county com-
missioners of this county to Saiigamon
county for the food and care of prisoners.

The next building erected by the county
was a courthouse, being the second one built
by the county. The records are not entirely
clear as to the date at which the contract for
this building was made. Some confusion
ofro'ws out of the fact that a contract was
first made with Squire & Overholt for its
erection, wdiich for some reason was not
carried out, and afterwards a contract was
made with Dennis & Ream of Springfield,
111., to complete the building of the court-
house at a cost of $13,526; under this con-
tract the courthouse was completed in the
year 1856. This courthouse, when com-
pleted, consisted of an oflice for the Circuit
Clerk and Recorder, and a County Clerk's
ofiice. Afterwards vaults were added to
each of these offices, and were sup])osed to
be fire-proof. On the other side of the Imild-
insf on the lower floor were three rooms set
apart, one for the Treasurer, one for the
Sheriff, and one for the County Judge and
for the Superintendent of Public Schools.
There was a large hallway of the width of
about 10 feet, running north and south the
entire length of the building and separating
the Clerk's offices from the other offices;
there was an upper story consisting of the
Circuit Court room, a small room for the
jury, which was afterward converted into
an office for the Circuit Judge; also a grand

CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

jury room; the grand jury and Circuit
Judge's rooms were used, when not other-
wise occupied, by the petit juries in consid-
ering the cases sulimitted to them. This
building served the purposes of the county
until the year looi, when it was sold to Mr.
L. D. Hewitt and removed. This was the
courthouse in which much of .the important
litieation oi the inhabitants of the county
was conducted; it was the scene of many a
forensic battle; was the room in which many
O'f the present members of the bar made
their maiden effort ; many were the trials of
criminal cases in which the pAiblic were in-
tensely interested upon (Mie side or the other,
and often did litigants assemble in this room
with a host of friends arrayed upon each
side, a feeling of bitterness of sufficient in-
tensity existing to precipitate a battle be-
tween these friends had there not 1>een some
way of giving vent to the pent-up feelings
of the contestants, but in the courtroom,
before the court and jury, their rights and
interests were submitted, passed upon and
determined, and although in some cases jus-
tice may have miscarried, yet upon the
whole, it can be well said that justice was
reasonably well meted out. and IkuI it not
been for the courtroom and cool headed ad-
vocates employed upon each side to repre-
sent the interests of their respective clients
and allay the intensity of the feeling that
existed, many of these contests would have
resulted in bloodshed, and by this means,
the spilling of blood was averted and satis-
faction given that was far above any that
could have been realized by a hand to hand
combat or settlement of the affray by battle.
The liberties and rights of many a poor,
downtrodden and oppressed man and
woman have been here preserved to them ;
the court, jury and bar have here stood like
an impenetrable wall, protecting many in-

nocent victims from the ravages of an in-
fiu'iated populace, from the frauds of the
sharp, unscrupulous villain, from the con-
spiracies of the wicked, from the greed of
the shylock, from the unfortunate position
brought about by accident or ignorance, and
while it is the pride of many that they have
been al)le to spend a life without having
been engaged in a law-suit, and many dread
a contest in court, yet it is equally true that
the courtroom is the asylum to which we
all rush for safety in the hours of greatest
peril, selecting the lawyer for our guide and
the judge our arbiter. If there is one thing
that the people of any county should remem-
ber above all others, it is that the courts
finally determine and settle all of their dif-
ferences, and that each man owes to every
other an obligation to perform his duties as
juror, when selected, or in any way, when
called upon to aid the courts in the adminis-
tration of justice, without flinching, without
seeking to be excused because of some triv-
ial matter, wdthout shirking the duties that
the laws have enjoined upon him as a good
citizen.

Every citizen should remember that when
he himself is in peril, his greatest desire is
that his rights be determined by an upright
judge, a just jury and a conscientious ad-
vocate.

These ciualities are best preserved by an
unflinching adherence of every citizen to the
duties enjoined upon him by law.

The old courthouse is gone, but to the
bar, many are the pleasant memories that
cling around the scenes that transpired in
that old courtroom, and while it has given
way to a better and more pretentious build-
iup- and courtroom, this will not, in all
proliability, be the scene of greater contests
or produce brighter or more pleasant memo-
ries than the one that has passed away.

PAST AND PRESENT

While Christian county has made such
improvements and constructed such build-
ings as were necessary and convenient for
the business interests of the county, it has
not been unmindful of the poor; in 1870, a
poor farm of 160 acres was purchased in
the northern part of the town of Rosemond,
for which the county paid $6,400. and lo-
cated thereon a building at a cost of $3,534>
which was burned in 1892, and a new one
erected at a cost of $4,500. A keeper is in
charge of this poor farm and raises grain
and other products thereon, and raises meat
and vegetables to supply the inmates of the
lxK)r farm, and it is said that those who are
so unfortunate as to become inmates of this
house are well cared for.

During the same year (1870) the county
erected the present jail at a cost of $5,360,
which took the place of the old one above
described, and has since that time made
quite a valuable addition thereto, practically
doubling the capacity of the jail and making
it more convenient ; has improved its sani-
tary conditions; it is now a safe and whole-
some place for the unfortunate ones who are
incarcerated therein, and since the erection
of the new jail the Sheriff or keeper thereof
has constantly resided in rooms connected
with it, and under the same roof. The jail
is at ])resent occupied by T. W. Brents, the
present Sheriff of the county.

For several years prior to 1900, it be-
came evident to all thinking people that the
old courthouse was not sufficient to accom-
modate the courts of the county, preserve
the records and files of the different offices
and to meet the wants of the people, and
that the time had come when a new court-
house should be built. The question was
agitated, at least two or three years, before
it was submitted to a vote of the people, and
while it had nianv advocates, there were

(|uite a few who opposed the building of the
courthouse, hecause they feared that it
would burden the county with an indebted-
ness that it could not easily rid itself of; the
Board of Supervisors had no money with
which to build the courthouse, and they
were powerless to levy a greater tax than
was ])eing levied for general purposes, ex-
cept by a vote of the people. It therefore
1>ecame necessary to submit to the voters of
Christian county the question of authoriz-
ing the levy of a sufficient tax for this pur-
pose. Accordingly A. S. Martin, Super-
visor of the Town of Taylorville, introduced
a resolution in the Board of Supervisors au-
thorizing the levy of a courthouse tax to
the amount of $100,000, to be used in build-
ino- a new courthouse. This resolution was
adopted by a vote of 13 to 5 of the super-
visors, but was, at the March meeting, 1900,
reconsidered and rescinded l>y a vote of 12
to 5. However, at the June meeting, 1900,
of the Board of Supervisors, a resolution to
authorize the submission to a vote the levy-
ing of a special tax of $75,000 for court-
house purposes, v/as introduced by the com-
mittee on public buildings and adopted by
the vote of the following named super-
visors : G. W. Adams, G. F. Barrett, T. T.
Berry, J. E. Downs, O. B. Fraley, R. A.
Gray, H. H. Herdman, A. S. Martin, H.
O. Minnis, J. H. Morgan, F. F. Weiser, W.
O. Wilcox and Joseph Hale, and this propo-
sition v^as submitted to a vote of the people
at the November election in 1900, and car-
ried by a majority of 990 in a vote of 7,408 ;
10 townships gave a majority for the proix>-
sition, one had a tie vote and this gave a
majority against the proiX)sition; a major-
ity of the votes of the county being in favor
of the appropriation, the old courthouse
was sold and immediate ste])S taken for its
removal.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The board immediately advertised for
plans and specifications for the new court-
house, many of which were submitted, but
the plans of J. W. Gaddis, an architect of
Terre Haute, Ind., were adopted by the
building- committee in February, 1901, and
a contract for the Ixiilding of the new court-
house was macfe upon the recommendation
of the building committee by the Board of
Supervisors with V. Jobst & Sons of Peo-
ria, 111., on June 3, 190 t, for the amount of
$80,000. Owing to the increase in the price
of building materials, it soon became evi-
dent to the committee and members of the
Board of Supervisors that the amount au-
thorized to be levied would not be sufficient
to build such a courthouse as was needed,
and the supervisors, after having respect-
ively canvassed the matter with their con-
stituents, determined that the appropriation
would when desired be increased, and ac-
cordingly laid its plans for the construction
of a courthouse with the furniture that
would cost about $100,000. The building
was constructed as speedily as possible and
completed Sept. 29, 1902, at a total cost of
building and furniture of $100,535.80.
While the building was being built a vote
for a future appropriation was had and
adopted, and by the time the building was
completed, the taxes had been levied and
collected. When the courthouse was dedi-
cated, it was fully paid for. The construc-
tion of the courthouse was under the im-
mediate supervision of the building com-
mittee, which during the first year was
composed of the following named gentle-
men : Robert A. Gray, chairman ; J. H.
Morgan, A. S. Martin, A. B. Fraley and
P. M. Klinefelter, but owing to the fact
that during this time, an election was held
to fill the places of the Supervisors whose
term of office expired, some of them were

not candidates for reelection, and a new
committee was composed of A. S. Martin,
chairman; G. W. Adams, John Kennedy, O.
B. Fraley and C. D. Cutler. It can be said
to the credit oi both of tlie committees,
they carefully watched over the work as it
progressed, investigating every detail and it
may be well said that every dollar of the
money appropriated by the people for the
building of this court house, actually went
into its construction, and as a result the
money expended has produced a building
that is a credit to the county and is estimat-
ed by many people to cost much more than
it really did.

The corner stone of this building was laid
with the usual formalities of the Masonic
craft, the Grand Master C. F. Hitchcock
of A. F. & A. M. of Illinois being present
and participating in its exercises. The little
box placed in the corner stone was filled with
a short history of Christian county, pre-
pared by the Committee, together with a
copy of practically all of the papers pub-
lished in the county, and a history of many
of the churches, secret orders, building as-
sociation and many other enterprises in
which the people were interested, and this
box was placed in the northeast corner and
sealed by the Grand Master who pronounced
the work to^ be "good work, true work and
square work" and thereupon addresses were
made by the Hon. James B. Ricks, Justice
of the Supreme Court, Hon. Wm. T. Van-
deveer, the Hon. W. M. Provine, all resi-
dents of Taylorville. The occasion was a
memorable one, and the addresses were ex-
cellent, and well adapted to the occasion.

After the court house had been completed,
it was duly and formally accepted by the
Board of Supervisors, the Hon. R. W. Mor-
rison presiding, and dedicated on the day
of its acceptance.

PAST AND PRESENT

The dedicatory exercises consisted of the
usual and necessary action of the Board of
Supervisors, music, and of adch^esses made
by the Hon. I. \V. Kitchell of l^ana and
J. C. McBride, of Taylorville, and closed
by the address of U. \\\ Morrison, Chair-
man of the Board of Supervisors.

The writer of this article, J. C. McBride,
desires to record the fact that lie made the
last address in the oKl c( urt house rnid the
first one in the new.

Christian county now has a beautiful and
commodious courthouse of the length of
I 17 feet and of the width of 90 feet, three
stories hioh with a room for the Board
of Supervisors. Count}- Superintendent of
Schools, State's Attorney and a rest room
for the ladies of the count}' oii the lower
flexor; rooms for the County Judge, County
Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk
on the second floor with a private office for
each of the officers all nicely furnished with
the l)est steel furniture; on the third Acmm"
is the Circuit Court room. Judge's room,
room for the attorneys, library, grand jury
room, two petit jury rooms, two^ witness
rooms and other rooms not now needed or
used ; all of these rooms are supplied with
the modern conveniences; it is remarked by
man}- that the courtroom is of convenient
size, and beautiful in appearance; in fact
the whole courthouse frf)m top to bottom
is a credit to the county, and reflects honor
upon its builders.

This courthouse would appear to a casual
observer to meet the conveniences and re-
quirements of this county for 100 years to
come, but who can tell ; measured b}- the
progress of the past, the ingenuity of man,
its wealth producing capacitv, it may not
supply tlie wants for a half century, but
one thing is certain, it will meet the require-
ments for manv vears to come.

. Justices Districts.

The County Commissioners' Court at the
June term, 1839, divided the county into
four districts called by them justices dis-
tricts, and an election for selecting Justices
of the Peace and Constables of the respec-
tive districts was called for August 5, 1839.
For the first district Thomas Young, Jesse
Murphy and Isaac Harris were appointed
Judges ; for the second district Thomas And-
erson, Robert Richardson and Francis
Adams were ap])ointed Judges: for the third
district James Fletcher, Geo. Fearson and
Geo. Dickerson were appointed Judges, and
for the fourth district Elija Palmer and
Peter Ketchum were appointed Judges.
These districts were known as the Taylor-
ville or Central District, Stonington District,
North Fork District and South Fork Dis-
trict, and there were to be elected two Jus-
tices and two Constables in each of the
districts, except the Taylorville or Central.
which was to have three; the election was
held at that time and at the respective vot-
ing places in the different districts, and for
the Taylorville District W. yi. Thomas, Eli
Matthews and Richard Simpson were elect-
ed as Justices and James R. Lucas and
John P. Nelson as Constables; for the Ston-
ington District Peter R. Ketchum and David
Simons were elected as Justices and Wm. L.
Hammer Constable; for the North Fork
District A. D. Northcut and James Baker
were elected Justices of the Peace, and J.
M. Fletcher and 1'. ¥. Farris Constables;
for the South Fork, Presley Peck and Aquil-
la Council were elected Justices and Amos
Richardson and J. L. Cagle were elected
Constables.

It appears from the records that J. I. Vol-
lentine and Samuel Brents were also elected
as con.stables at this election, but it is un-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

certain from which ch'strict. The highest
vote received Iw any of those elected was
55 and the lowest 23, and the highest vote
received by any of those defeated was 23
and the lowest 12, and while it is difficult
to determine the exact number of voters,
'owing to the absence of the poll book, it is
estimated that there were about 200 votes
cast at this election in these four precincts,
which shows the voting population of the
coimty at that lime; the voting was not l>y
ballot as at the present time, but by viva
voce, which vote when given was recorded.
At the election succeeding this one and held
August 3, 1840, the highest vote being for
State Senator, shows E. D. Taylor, Demo-
crat, to have received 208 votes and E. D.
Baker, Whig, to have received 1 1 1 votes,
making a total of 319 votes.

At the presidential election in November,
1840, Martin Van Buren received 147 votes
and Wm. H. Harrison 89 votes, making the
total number of votes cast at this election
236. At that time, however, the local of-
ficers were elected at the August elections,
and not in November.

The above is a sufficient amount of the
statistics of the elections held at about these
times to show the number of electors in the
county. The first Representative elected
from this county was Martin White, and at
the same election, Aquilla Council was elect-
ed County Commissioner, Wm. S. Ricks,
Sheriff ; Jacob Lovely, Coroner ; John C.
Goode, Clerk of County Commissioners'
Court, and Gabriel Jernigan, Treasurer, all
Democrats, and at the election held August
2, 1841, Overton Williams and Richard
Simpson appear to have been elected for
County Commissioners and Leonard Kil-
burn for Treasurer (to fill a vacancy) and
John W. Wheat for School Commissioner.

At the August election in 1842, H. M.

Vandeveer was elected Representative,
Amos Richardson, Sheriff; and in October
of the same year A. B. Peabody was elected
County Surveyor and Thomas Dougherty
County Recorder, to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of LI. M. V^andeveer, who
had just been elected to the legislature, and
at the election held August 7, 1843, W. S.
Erink was elected Probate Justice, P. C.
Eerguson, County Clerk ; Thomas B. Dough-
erty, County Recorder; Jesse Elgan, Coun-
ty Commissioner; Wm. A. Goodrich, County
Surveyor, Thomas S. Leachman, • School
Commissioner, and Jesse Murphy Assessor
and Treasurer; at the election held in Aug-
ust, 1844, Wm. S. Ricks was elected as Rep-
resentative from this county. The total
votes cast at that election were 431 ; at the
same election, Henry Hardin was elected
Sheriff; Geo. Dickerson, Jesse Elgan and
John H. Bilyeu, County Commissioners ; G.
B. Ketcham, Coroner, and O. B. Eicklin,
Democrat, received a majority of 70 votes
over U. E. Linder, Whig, as a candidate for
Congress.

A review of the officers elected as above,
and the votes which they received at the
different elections will give to the reader
a fair idea of the men who assisted in the
organization of the county, with its early
counselors, and carried the burden of the
b/eginning of a wild and practically unset-
tled county.

It is quite clear that the offices held by
the different men were anything but lucra-
tive; in many instances it required a great
sacrifice upon the part of the individuals to
fill the offices of the county, but some one
had to perform these duties, and no one
was better qualified or more interested in
having the duty faithfully performed than
these men who were striving to build up a

PAST AND PRESENT

conntv s:^ovcrnniciit in the wild i)rairie.s of
Christian.

Tn many instances tlic record (hscloscs
that the officers remitted tlie small pittances
allowed them by law for the services per-
formed for the j)nrpose of aiding the connty.

Circuit Court.

In the year 1839, the counties of Sanga-
mon, Tazewell, McLean, Livingston, Macon,
Dane, Logan, and Menard comiwsed the
Eighth Judicial District of the State of Illi-
nois, with the lion. Sam'l H. Treat, presid-
ing Judge; he held the first term of court
at Taylorville on November 4, 1839, in a
small frame house 12x14 owned by H. M.
X'andeveer, and situated on the north side
of the public scjuare, and it is said that this
small house had to serve the ])urpose of
hotel, stage office and courtroom; from the
representations of the oldest citizens, it is
clear that houses were very scarce in Tay-
lorville at th.at time. It is said in jury cases,
that iMxly had to retire for its deliberations
out r)f doors under a black-jack tree where
now stands the calaboose, accompanied by
Deputy \\'. I-. Hammer, who provided the
jury with the necessaries of life, and such
refreshments as the jury desire and the court
will permit.

This improvised courtroom will be re-
membered by many of the older citizens as
Dr. Chapman's office, and the old landmark
has given place to a large brick building.
The officers of the court were the Hon.
Sam'l H. Treat, Judge; H. M. Vandeveer,
Clerk; Wm. S. Ricks, Sheriff; David P.
Campbell, State's Attorney; Benjamin Will-
iams, Coroner,

The only attorney attending this term of
court from abroad was the Hon. James C.
Conkling of Springfield, and it is said the
panel of grand and petit jurors made at the

first term of the County Court seemed to
be based upon an assumed census of 100
jjcrsons, that is, single men and heads of
families; these, with the county officials
added, comprised nearly all the names in the
county, excepting only some half dozen
wdiom it was the intention to indict.

The first grand jury was composed of
John Young, foreman; Berry Rose, Thomas
r. Bond, Geo. D. Pearson, John Martin,
David Cagle, James Weeden, Thos Young,
[vobert Richardson, John Finley, Jacob Wy-
dick, E. J. Leigh, A. B. Peabody, Christo-
pher Ketcham, Joshua Brents, Alfred Curry
and Louis Jernigan, who, after being duly
sworn, were charged by State's Attorney
Campbell.

This grand jury retired, and after sol-
emnly deliberating, returned into court an
indictment against Thomas Farris, indicting
him for challenging Thomas VV. Davis to
fight a duel with deadlv weapons, and was
based upon the following letter written by
Farris tO' Davis ;

"Dear Sir: — I take this method of finish-
ing our career. I will give you the chance
of a dewel. I would rather fight manley
than to do any other way. I will give you
a shott at 12 o'clock P. M.

"(Signed) T. V. E. Farris."

He was required to give bond, and at the
June term, 1840, of said court, the case was
again continued upon the affidavit of the
defendant until the October term, 1840,
when the case was tried and the defendant
found not guilty.

There was also found at that term of
court an indictment against Samuel McKin-
sey and Gabriel McKinsey, charging them
with riot, who were tried at the June term,
1840, of the Circuit Court and found guilty,
and sentenced to pay a fine of $10 each;

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

this was all the work done l)y the grand jury
at that term.

As appears from the records of the county
there was no petit jury empaneled for the
November term, 1S39; the first petit jury
ever empaneled in the county as appears by
the records was at the June term, 1840,
for the purpose of trying the case of the
People vs. Samuel and Gabriel McKinsey,
indictment for riot, and this jury was com-
posed of Geo. Oiler, Overt(jn Williams,
Simeon Brents, Wm. Sheldon, Ezekiel
Young, Robert P. Langley, Wesley West-
brook, Henry Dixon, Henry Judy, Wm.
Wallace, Isaac Richardson and Wesley
Blount.

There was at the same term another jury
empaneled and tried John Gilliert for selling
liquor without a license, but the jury were
unable to agree and were discharged, and
these were all of the jury trials at that term
of court.

In giving some of the reminiscences of
this court. Mr. Goudy says of some of the
early trials of the court : "Another case was
Peter R. Ketcham vs. Gabriel McKenzie, ac-
tion for slander ; damages laid at $2,000. J.
C. Conkling, attorney for plaintiff. In the
declaration, it was alleged that the defendant
had used wortls to this import : "Old Pete
Ketcham is a d — d old hog thief." This
trial seemed to involve the whole county and
elicited a great deal of interest. It was
known to many as the Methodist preacher
against the Roman Catholic; attorney B. S.
Edwards conducted the defense. The jury
found for the plaintiff $47.08.

In making up their verdict, the jury
seem to- have entertained a very nice esti-
mate of a man's character so as to take into
consideration the fractional part of a dime.

Juries occasionally returned to the court-
rooir. for further instructions from the

Judge. In one case, the jury failing to
agree as to the facts in the premises re-
turned for instructions. The Judge in-
quired as to the difficulty. The foreman re-
sponded with apparent honesty and simplici-
ty : "Why, Judge, this 'ere is the difficulty :
Some of the jury want to^ know whether
that ar w4iat you told us, when we first went
out, was raley the law, or whether it was
onlv just vour notion." The ludge havinef
informed the jury that such was the law in
the premises, a verdict was reached accord-
ingly.

In these days, Mr. Lincoln was a frequent
visitor of the Christian County Court, and
was at one time associated with Judge Van-
deveer upon the trial of an important case
with Judge Robbins of Springfield on the
other side, and in reply to a point made.
Judge Robbins said, "If that is so, I will
agree to eat this desk." Mr. Lincoln very
promptly replied: "Well, Judge, if you do

eat that desk, I hope it will come out a
brand new manufactured wagon."

Mr. W. A. Goodrich infoims the writer
that the convening of court was a great
holiday with the people at that time, and
everybody was anxious to attend court; it
offered an opportunity for people to meet
one another and talk of the many hardships
that were endured by them ; he says that on
one occasion, probably in the year 1841, he
came from Mt. Auburn to Taylorville to
attend court and to his utter disgust found
the one lodging place in the town fully oc-
cupied, but a friend invited him tO' go out
with him to a log cabin that was then situ-
ated near where the Wabash depot is now
and he would find a bed. When he arrived
there he found a bed for them to occupy;
the bedstead was made by boring a hole in
one of the logs that formed the cabin, put-
ting one end of a pole in the log and the

PAST AND PRESENT

other resting on wooden forks standing on
the floor, and the remainder of the hed was
made u]) in the same crnde manner, hnt he
assured me tliat it formed a good restini^
place for a man who had traveled from Mt.
Anhnrn in those days, and that he enjoyed
the night's sleep very much.

It is said that hardly had the last peg
lieen driven in the location of the county
seat when James Harris commenced prep-
arations for the erection of a two-story
frame hotel, formerly known as a part of
the CAuhe Hotel, and located on the north
side of the puhlic square. The want of ac-
commodations compelled the use of it at first
in an unfinished condition; a ladder, was
used to reach the upper story with its loose
boards for a floor ; its accommodations were
necessarily limited.

The landlord was under the necessity of
dividing his guests into scjuads or divisions,
some retiring early only to be aroused to
give place to another division as time
crowded on to midnight. About the latter
hour, the stentorian voice of the landlord
could l)e heard calling the first lot to get up
and give place to others: "that Judge Treat
and other noted lawyers wished to turn in;"
Judge Edwards of Springfield relates that
he preferred the luxury of wrapping him-
self in the folds of his coat and taking the
courthouse floor for it, where he could have
the whole night to himself. In the early
days of Christian county, and before Lin-
coln, Douglas, Davis and others had ac-
quired the notoriety they afterwards en-
joyed, they were often seen in attendance
at the court of Christian county, and many
and amusing are the anecdotes that the early
settlers told concerning these honorable vis-
itors. Of course evervthing that anv of
them said or did (and many things that
never happened) are remembered by the

early settler and told hy him, and notwith-
standing the man}- hardshi]:)s endured, he
loves to recall these early days, and with
pleasure recites his many adventures. There
is nothing so pleasant to mankind as the
memory of times and events in which he
participated that tried men's souls.

1die writer frequently conversed with
Judge H. M. Vandeveer in the latter part
of his life, and many were the interesting
and ]:)rofitable as well as amusing incidents
that he could tell concerning the people of
the early day, their struggles, and concern-
ing the men who afterwards became so noted.
He, too, looked upon the trials and tribula-
tions of the early day, his struggles with
poverty, his battling against inconveniences,
as being happy days, and those which he
loved to recall, which he did with credit to
himself and pleasure to the listener.

BENCH AND BAR.

There is no class more intimately con-
nected and associated with the public events
of a community than the bench and bar.

The courts are the final arbiters of the
disputes that arise in an}- community. Prop-
erty rights, rights of personal liberty and
all other matters over which a contention
exists are finally determined l)y the courts,
and these courts are valuable in proportion
to the legal learning and integrity of the
bench and bar and those summoned before
this tribunal to assist in the administration
of justice.

Inasmuch as the liench and bar sustains
such a relation tO' the public events, it is
proper in a work ni this character to give
a short history of the courts and of the
bar, especially of the niemhers of the bar that
have passed away. It is fitting only to com-
ment upon the records and events of the
lives of the deceased members of the bar

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and bench, leaving the events of those now
h'\'ing and the work that may have Ijeen
performed, whether good or bad, to- be
judg'ed by the people and recorded by an-
other pen.

In times of pubhc excitement and strife,
the Judge upon the bencli, and the advocate
at the bar are the people to whom those
connected in such strifes look for protection
and are wdlling to confide their interests;
the sterling qualities c^f the Judge, the able
and earnest advocate always have and always
wm'11 be admirefl by the people of the com-
munity not only for their character and abil-
ity, but for the power they possess of aiding
in the building up or destruction of the
rights of mankind, and for that reason, it
for no other, they are entitled to have their
names enrolled upon the history of a com-
munity and the good or evil that was per-
formed by them in their lifetime recorded.

As has before been said, at the organiza-
tion of this county Samuel H. Treat was the
first Circuit Judge and presided over the
term of court held at Dane county on Mon-
day, November 4, 1839.

He was at one time Judge of the Supreme
Court of the State of Illinois, and in the lat-
ter years of his life filled the position of
Judge of the Federal Court for the South-
ern District of Illinois, wdiich position he
occupied until his death, and was always
regarded as an able, honorable and upright
Judge, and fair to litigants. He was more
closely associated with the people of Sanga-
mon County than with this people. At the
first term of court there were present Hora-
tio M. Vandeveer, Clerk; Wm. S. Ricks,
Sheriff; David B. Campbell, State's Attor-
ney; James C. Conkling, an attorney at law
of Springfield, was also present. At that
time the counties of Sangamon, Tazewell,
Woodford, McLean, Livingston, DeWitt,

Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Edgar, Moul-
trie, Christian, Logan and Menard composed
the Eighth Judicial District.

Judge David Davis, of Bloomington, suc-
ceeded Judge Treat and presided over the
courts at Taylorville from 1849 to 1853,
after which time the home of Judge Davis,
McLean county, was eliminated from this
circuit. He was succeeded as Circuit Judge
by Judge Emerson ; Judge Emerson was
succeeded by Judge E. Y. Rice. He in turn
was succeeded by Judge H. M. Vandeveer.
\n 1877 the Legislature passed a law es-
tablishing Appellate Courts in each circuit
and providing for the election of three
Judges for each circuit, and out of the
Judges of the several circuits in this state,
four Appellate Courts, consisting of three
Judges each were selected by the Supreme
Court. At the election in June, 1879, Judge
W. R. Welch of Carlinville, Judge Chas. S.
Zane of Springfield, Judge J. J. Phillips of
Hillsboro was elected for the circuit of
which Christian county composed a part.
Judge Zane w^as afterward appointed to a
Federal Judgeship in Utah, and his decisions
upon the Mormon question, wdiile presiding
there, lirought him into much prominence
throughout the United States ; Judge Wm.
L. Gross of Springfield was appointed to
fill the unexpired term of Judge Zane, and
he filled the position of Circuit Judge about
one year ; he was succeeded by Judge James
A. Creighton, wdio presided over the courts
-of Christian county for many years, 'and
since that time the county has been thrown
into different circuits, and its Circuit Courts
have been presided over by Judge Robert
Shirley, of Carlinville, Judge Jacob Fouke
of Vandalia, Judge Wm. Farmer of Van-
dalia. Judge- S. L. Wright of Centralia and
Judge T. E. Ames of Shelbyville, of whom
the last three are now presiding Judges in

PAST AND TRESENT

the circuit: of the Judges mentioned alx)ve,
Judge J. J. l^hilHps, Judo-e W. R. Welch,
Judge Creighton and judge l'"ainier were
from time to time selected as Judges of some
(jf the \])pellate Courts of the state, and
Judge J. J. IMiillips was elected one of the
Justices of the Supreme Court of the state,
which iX)sition he held until his death. He
was succeeded in the Supreme Court by the
Hon. James B. Ricks, of Christian county,
who is at present one of the Justices of said
court.

Many of the Judges above mentioned have
died and passed to a jurisdiction where no
errors can be assigned or judgments re-
versed, and where each of them will receive
the reward they merit.

We have spoken of Judge Treat and his
work upon the bench of the State and Fed-
eral Court ; his name is familiar with the
bar of the state, and many of the decisions
rendered by him have been recorded upon
the records of the state; he enjoyed the
reputation of being an honorable, upright
Judge.

David Davis enjoyed an enviable reputa-
tion both as a Judge of the State Courts
and of the Federal Courts. He was ele-
vated to the position of Justice of the Su-
preme Courts of the U. S. l)y his personal
friend and former as.sociate. Abraham Lin-
coln. He afterwards resigned and was
elected as U. S. Senator from the state of
Illinois. He was a man of marked ability,
and filled several positions to which he had
been elevated w-ith dignity and honor.

It is said of Judge Chas. Emerson by
those who knew him that he was a plain,
unassuming man, a matter of fact lawyer.
He had but little sentiment, and dealt very
largely in facts; yet withal was kind and
accommodating on the bench, and particu-
larly to the younger and inexperienced mem-

bers (jf the* bar. Very few of Judge Em-
ers(jn's decisions were reversed b)' the higher
courts.

Judge E. Y. Rice was of Montgomery
count)', and ])rominently connected in that
county ; he presided as Judge in this cir-
cuit for several years, wdiich position he
resigned in 1870, and was elected to Con-

gress.

Judge H. M. Vandeveer was elected in
1870 to fill the unexpired term of Judge
Rice and was re-elected in 1873, and con-
tinued in the position as Judge until the
year 1875, at wdiich time he refused to be
a candidate for re-election.

Judge Vandeveer w^as a good lawyer, an
excellent judge of human nature and was
able under almost all circumstances to as-
certain the true facts in the case that was
being heard before him. and w-as not easily
deceived. He was an able, upright Judge
and while upon the bench by his kindness
to the younger members of the bar and his
appreciation of their inexperience drew them
very closely to him.

The writer remembers that while linger-
ing in his last sickness, and his death was
daih- expected, a young man of Macoupin
county, who began his practice before Judge
\"andeveer, requested the writer to notify
him of the Judge's decease as he desired
to attend his funeral and said that no man
was ever kinder to the young men upon
the bench than Judge Vandeveer. At the
close of his career as Judge, he resumed the
practice of law ; it was a recognized fact
with the members of the bar that the Judge
could draw^ the best series of instructions,
connect them closer and get nearer to the
lines of dispute with them than any mem-
ber at the bar, and he was frequently called
upon to perform that dut}-.

In the latter years of his life he was

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

badly afilicted with rheumatism, died at Tay-
lorvihe at a ripe old age, and was buried by
the legal profession.

Judge Phillips presided over the Circuit
Court of Christian county a great number
of years, and until he was elected to the
position of Justice of the Supreme Court.

He was a brilliant man, an excellent law-
yer and a great reader ; he kept in touch
with all of the literature and legal learning
of the age; while on the bench he was a
rapid worker and enjoyed the reputation of
being a man of integrity.

Judge W. R. Welch of Carlinville was an
excellent lawyer, a man well read in the
law, thoroughly conversant with the recent
holdings of the courts and was a man of in-
tegrity, an able, conscientious and painstak-
ing Judge.

His was the life of a lawyer; he lived in
the law, and had rather converse about legal
propositions than any other subject. His
mind seemed to feed upon the law. He was
loved and admired by all the members of the
bar.

We could say good words for the many
of the Judges that are now living, and have
presided over our courts, but it is not the
purpose of this work to record the events
of the living.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

David B. Campbell was the first public
prosecutor of Christian county, and is said
to have been an able lawyer. He served
from 1839 tO' 1852 ; after him came Elam
Rust, who was elected in 1853, and served
until 1856. J. B. White served as prose-
cuting attorney in the District from 1857
until 1864; he afterwards moved on tO' a
farm near Morrisonville in Christian coun-
ty, and there lived for a great number of
years until his death, which occurred about

a year ago. He is said to have been an
able prosecutor and a man of good ability.

C. M. Morrison served as prosecuting at-
torney from 1865 to 1868.

Horace Gwin was elected in 1868 and
served until 187 1 . Horace Gwin was a very
able lawyer and enjoyed the reputation of
being more thoroughly accjuainted with the
elementary books of Blackstone and Chitty
than any lawyer of his day.

In 1872 the old plan of electing Dis-
trict Attorneys for the several counties
was abandoned, and the Legislature passed
an act providing for the election of a
State's Attorney in each county, and under
this act Alexander McCaskill was elect-
ed prosecuting attorney for Christian coun-
ty in 1872, and served until 1876. He
was afterward elected County Judge.
Judge McCaskill was one of the noble men
of our county, and was loved and ad-
mired by all who knew him, and he loved
the people and constantly drew from na-
ture and the everyday practices of the
people lessons \\hich he at times used wdth
great effect in his advocacy at the bar.
Judge McCaskill's speeches were not at all
times masterpieces, but when he became
thoroughly aroused in a case and fully im-
bued with the guilt or innocence of his cli-
ent, he at times made most excellent speeches
to the jury. The writer has heard Judge
McCaskill make speeches that were not easily
surpassed. Notably his speech in the prose-
cution of Newton Crafton at Decatur, which
gave him- more than a local reputation as
an advocate. He died as he lived, loved
by all who knew him and was indeed a good
man and honest in all his purposes in life.

V. E. Foy was elected State's Attorney
in 1876, and served until 1880; was after-
wards twice elected County Judge of the
county. Judge Foy was a whole-souled.

PAST AND PRESENT

good-hearted man ; was honest and consci-
entious in his work and was loxed hy the
people, and in his pahiiy days no one had a
hetter or stronger hold upon the people po-
litically than did Judge Foy. In fact, he
came nearer knowing how to reach the peo-
ple and control them than any man that has
ever been in the county since the writer has
lived there. Judge Foy died April 2-. 1900,
and was buried by the profession. His
death was regretted by many of his excel-
lent friends.

Judge Foy was succeeded as State's At-
torney by the Hon. John G. Drennan, who
was elected in 1880 and served two terms.
He was an able lawyer and vigorous prose-
cutor and is now connected as associate
counsel with the Illinois Central Railroad.
Joseph C. Creighton was elected State's
Attorney in 1888. and served until 1895,
w^hen he w^as compelled to seek another cli-
mate on account of his health. Joe, as he
was familiarly called bv all who knew him.
was a good lawyer, and had his health per-
mitted, would doubtless have won distinc-
tion at the bar.

While acting as prosecutor he served the
public well. Few attorneys had a much more
difficult time in getting a start in his pro-
fession than did Joe Creighton, but he had
the tenacity to hold on until he acquired a
foothold; he died in Utah a few years ago.
respected by all who knew him.

Mr. Creighton left here in June, 1895.
and the Hon. James B. Ricks filled his place
as public prosecutor until December, 1896.
The Hon. E. A. Humphreys, of Pana, w^as
elected State's Attorney in 1896, and has
served from thence up to the present time.
He is now livin"- and engaged in the prac-
tice of law at Pana. and in the courts of
Christian count v.

RESIDENT LAWYERS.
i

John W. Wheaf- came to Taylorville in
iS_^o where he engaged in teaching school
and the practice of law. but sought a more
hicrali\e practice in other parts at an early
day.

licnjaniin Mason of Greene county. III,
came to Taylorville in 1852:- was elected
Justice of the Peace soon after he came
here. It is said that he was a l)rilliant
voung man with a fine legal mind and soon
obtained considerable practice, and would
have succeeded well in the law. but unfor-
tunately for him, fell into bad habits and
soon lost his practice. He remained here
until 1858: left this county at the time of
the gold excitement in Pike's Peak and re-
turned to his home in Greene count\- in 1862
and died there in 1870.

Thomas Shumaker was the fifth resident
lawver : he came to Taylorville in 1852 ; was
somewhat "irregular" in his practice and re-
mained here until 1854 when he removed to
Kansas, and while there achieved some noto-
riety and wealth.

*A\'as one of those restless, energetic men
and was peculiarly adapted for the stirring
times incident to the histor}^ of Kansas w^hile
vet under territorial government. His prom-
inencv. however, proved his death ; he w^as
shot and killed in one of the riots that dis-
p-raced the earlv historv of that state."

J. H. Dawdy located in Pana in 1856; was
a native of Illinois and became a law^yer
from force of circumstances; there being no
attorney at Pana, when he first located there,
and a lawyer being, very much in demand,
he concluded to study for the profession;
w^as admitted to the bar in 1856. Soon after
he was elected Associate Justice for the
county, and thereafter Justice of the Peace,
which office of lustice of the Peace he held

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

for a great many years; he died at Pana a
few years ago.

George Pease was the second lawyer in
Pana ; was a native of Massachusetts and a
' graduate of Yale college. Came to Pana in
1857. and continued there in practice until
1861 ; enlisted in the army and elected cap-
tain of his company, and after serving his
country for two years returned to this coun-
ty and resumed his practice. After leaving
Pana he removed to Taylorville, and from
thence to Colorado, where he now resides,
unless he has died recently.

James O. Connor was also a resident law-
yer of Pana. He was a native of New
York; located at Pana in 1858 and continued
in the practice until 1861 when he entered
the army and was elected as Lieutenant of
a company in the 3rd Illinois Cavalry; was
subsequently promoted to the rank of Major
and continued in the service until the close
of the war and when last known was resid-
ing at Helena, Ark.

Harrison Havens read law while a clerk
in the office of W. S. Moore, Circuit Clerk ;
was admitted to the bar, but practiced very
little. He went to Iowa and then to Spring-
field. Mo., where he permanently located and
continued in the practice. Since becoming a
resident of the latter place he has twice rep-
resented his district in Congress.

D. K. Hall came to Taylorville in 1859.
LTpon the breaking out of the war he en-
tered the service as First Lieutenant; was
promoted during the war to the rank of
Major. At the close of the war he settled
in the State of Missouri where he still lives
so far as known.

Hon. D. D. Shumway was a native of
Massachusetts. Came to Christian county
in 1843; he studied law and was admitted
to practice in 1860. Then formed a law
partnership with the Hon. H. M. Vande-

veer, and was for many years a prominent
man in the county and this section of the
state, and held many offices of honor and
trust; he died in 1870. His history and
character are given fully in other chapters
of this work.

D. T. Moore was another member of the
bar. Was admitted to practice and remained
here until 1864 when he removed to Wash-
ington, Iowa, but now resides in York, Neb-
raska.

David McWilliams came to Taylorville in
1863. Lie remained here until 1866 when
he removed and located at Monticello, Piatt
county, 111.

S. P. Davis was a member of the Chris-
tian county bar, and was also a journalist
and is better known as the latter than the
former. In 1868 he removed to BellevilTe,
then to Denver, Colo., where he died.

J. G. Murdock, an attorney, also came to
this county and made an effort to obtain a
practice, but for some reason was not able
to do SO', and left the place. It is said he
moved to Texas.

Dan'l McFarland, an attorney from O'Fal-
lon, in St. Clair county, came to Taylor-
ville in 1871 and opened a law office; he
left here soon afterward.

A. D. Rich, located in Pana in 1870. Is
said to have established the Pana Palladium,
a newspaper that still exists. He practiced
law to some extent, and remained in Pana
until 1872 when he removed to Iowa, thence
to Missouri.

J. A. Tyler, formerly a resident of Macon
county, was admitted to the bar in Decatur ;
came to Taylorville in 1872 and remained
for several years. While here he contracted
a fatal disease and died soon thereafter.
The writer was personally acquainted with
Mr. Tavlor, and knew him to be a brilliant
young- man, a ready speaker and if his

I'AST AND PRESENT

health had permitted he no doubt would
ha\-e made a brii^lit aihocatc at the bar.

S. vS. Hibbard came to Taylorx'ille in
about 1874. but did not remain a great
length of time ; he afterwards abandoned
the practice of law and engaged in the min-
istr}-; was a quiet unobtrusive gentleman
and a good lawyer.

IT. AT. \^andeveer must be regarded as
the "Nestor" of the Taylorville bar. He
began the practice of law here at an early
day. and soon became the leading lawyer
at the bar, and continued such until his
election as Judge. Special mention has been
made of the history of Judge Vandeveer in
connection with him as Judge of the Circuit
Court, and in other parts of this history
w^hich will not be repeated.

A. B. Hammer located at Assumption in
about the year 1868; shortly thereafter
moved to Taylor^alle where he formed a
partnership with J. M. Simpson, and was
engaged in the practice of law here for
some time, but left in about the year 1874.
Hammer now resides in Oklahoma, and
Simpson at AlcPherson, Kansas.

In about the year 1873, Messrs. Hayes &
Zollars located at Taylorville, but were u.t.-
able to secure the practice anticipated, ana
soon left.

Chas. A. Shirley commenced the practice
of law in Taylorville in 1877, but remained
here but a short time.

G. W. Hinman came to Pana in 1877; ^^'
mained one year and removed to his former
home, Pike county. 111.

J. W. Stanley practiced law in Pana; was
elected City Attorney at that place and after-
wards removed to Lawrence county. Til.

Daniel Miller was Clerk of the Court of
Christian countv, and studied law durine-
his term of office. He is said to have been
a good lawyer and quite popular; died in

Taylorville; was a brother of E. A. Miller
J. M. Penwell located in Pana in 1867;
had a limited practice and died in 1878.

Wm. n. Dawdy was a resident of Illi-
nois ; was admitted to the bar in 1866. Read
law with Judge Henry of Vandalia ; was
elected city attorney of Pana, and at the ex-
]Mration of his term of office located in
Greenville, Illinois, where he has since re-
sided. Has been State's Attorney of that
county, and has filled other positions of
prominence.

A. C. McMillen practiced law in Pana;
came there in 18^/1. Was a bright, ener-
getic fellow, and met with some success in
the practice of law; he died at Pana in

1875-

Andrew Simpson was one of the older

members of the bar; was a native of Ken-
tucky and came to Illinois in 1835. Was
admitted to the bar in 1857, and continued
in the practice of law until his death. He
was honored with offices of trust in the
county ; was elected to the office of County
Judge prior to township organization ; as a
lawyer he ranked high at the bar. His
superior knowledge of human nature, the
motive and springs of human action made
him a dangerous antagonist to cope with
before a jury. As a man, he was plain and
unassuming ; had a way that was peculiarly
his own, and was quite humorous at times.
He was an excellent advocate; was a man
of integrit} , and w'as especially strong be-
fore a jury.

Wm. S. Randle was a native of North
Carolina ; studied law in the office of A. W.
Metcalf of Edwardsville; was admitted to
the bar in 1858. Came to this county in
1869, and engaged in farming as well as the
practice of law.

S. G. Lewis was a native of Delaware;
emigrated to Greene county. 111., in 1844;

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

was admitted to the bar in Carrollton in
i860, and began the practice of law in Tay-
lorville in 1878.

J. M. Birce was a graduate of the Univer-
sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor ; was admit-
ted to the practice of law in 1861 ; in 1865
he came to Assumption, and was admitted
to the bar in 1866. He engaged in the gen-
eral practice of law ; was a painstaking, ear-
nest lawyer: always resided at Assumption
after coming to this county, and was re-
garded as an* honorable, upright lawyer. He
died at his home in Assumption a few years
ago.

Hon. WuL Edgar Morrison was admitted
to the bar in 1867; began the practice of
law at Springfield, 111., shortly thereafter.
After engaging in business for four years
at Springfield, he then moved to Morrison-
ville in this county where he has since re-
sided. He was a good speaker, and in trials
before a jury they were well entertained
by the speeches of Mr. Morrison.

Hon. John B. Jones was a native of Ohio ;
he came to Christian county in 1864. Read
law here and was admitted to the bar in
1868 and Ijegan the practice of law at No-
koinis, 111. Shortly thereafter he returned
to Taylorville, where he opened an office and
continued in the practice of law at Taylor-
ville until about 1882, at which time he re-
moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he
now resides. Mr. Jones while in Taylor-
ville enjoyed a very lucrative practice; he
was an earnest, painstaking lawyer.

Mr. D. F. Murray studied law with Mr.
J. B. Jones; was admitted to the bar in
187 1 and began the practice of law at Mor-
risonville where he continued in the prac-
tice for several years. He then moved to
Washington, where he continued to reside
until his death, which occurred about two
years ago. Mr. Murray was at all times

a gentleman, honest, conscientious in his
work, and ever diligent in protecting the in-
terests of his clients, and was a good lawyer
and safe counsellor.

Mr. Geo. B. Crooker was a native of Illi-
nois; was admitted to- the bar in 1874,
formed a partnership with J. C. McBride
and continued in the practice with him un-
til Mr. Crooker's removal to Kansas in
about the year i88.|, at which time he re-
moved to Anthony, Kansas, and there con-
tinued in the practice of law, where he is
now living.

W E. Foy read law in the office of J. B.
Jones; was admitted to the practice of law
in 1874, and was shortly thereafter elected
State's Attorney for this county. His char-
acter as a lawyer and man have been treat-
ed in this chapter in his connection with the
office of State's Attorney.

Daniel McCaskell came to Christian
county in 1865; read law with his brother,
A. McCaskell; was admitted to the bar in
1870 and commenced the practice of law
in 1872 at Taylorville. In 1874 he formed
a partnership with his brother, which con-
tinued until about the year 1876, when he
was compelled on account of ill health to
abandon the practice and move to Colorado.
He regained his health, and since then has
moved to Chicago, and now enjoys a lucra-
tive practice in the city of Chicago.

James B. Ricks was educated at Wesleyan
University, Bloomington, 111.; studied law
in the office of Andrew Simpson; was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1874. He was a good
lawyer, a nice, smooth talker, and enjoyed
a lucrative practice up to the time of his
election as one of the Justices of the Su-
preme Court.

John G. Drennan studied law in the of-
fice of John B. Jones; was admitted to the
bar in 1878. Formed a partnership with

PAST y\ND PRESENT

Mr. Junes which continued for several years
anil nnlil the election of Mr. l^rcnnan as
Slate's Attorney. A more complete history
of Mr. Drennan as a lawyer was given in
this chapter in connection with his office as
State's Attorney; he now resides in Chica-
go, and is assistant counsel for the Illinois
Central Railroad.

j. C. Essick hecame a memher of the har
in 1870; practiced law at Pana, 111., for
many years. Was a good lawyer and tluent
talker; he afterwards uKned to Chicago,
where he now lives and enjoys a lucrative
law practice.

W'm. Kelligor was admitted to the bar in
1878, and after practicing law at Pana for.
a short time removed to Nebraska where
he now resides and is said to have become a
good lawyer, and to enjoy a lucrative prac-
tice.

S. R. Tippey was admitted to the bar in
1877, and resided in Pana for some time.

W. T. Houston was admitted to the bar
in 1879; practiced law at Edinburg for
many years; he afterwards moved tO' Spring-
field, where he continued in the practice un-
til his death a few years ago.

E. Copperthwaite was admitted to the bar
in 1879, and formed a partnership with J.
M. Birce at Assumption, where he continued
in the practice of law for several years. He
was a bright, fluent talker; was elected to
the Legislature where he earned for him-
self f|uite a reputation as a public speaker.

P). I''. Burnett was, admitted to the bar in
the state of Michigan, in the year 1836;
practiced laAv in that state for over 20
years. Pie afterwards moved to Litchfield,
111., where he engaged in the publishing of
a newspaper, and moved to Taylorville in
the year 1880, where he lived until his death.
Mr. Burnett was a well read lawyer and
great student, and had the faculty of saying

pleasant things, but when th^ occasion re-
(pnred he could use as poisonous terms as
an}- one, but he did not engage in the prac-
tice of law many years 1)eforc his death;
he died at Taylorville many years ago.

\V. S. Moore was a native of Ohio; came
to Taylorville in 1848; read law with H.
M. Vandeveer and was admitted to the bar
in 1852, and continued in the practice of
law and filling the office of County Judge
and Circuit Clerk until his retirement from
the profession in 1878. After that he en-
gaged in the mercantile business until the
latter years of his life, when he removed
to Morrisonville, where he was engaged in
keeping hotel until his death.

A. McCaskell was admitted to the bar in
1857, and soon thereafter removed to Tay-
lorville where he engaged in the practice of
law until 1859, when he removed to Colo-
rado, returning here in 1861, where he again
engaged in the practice of law in this coun-
ty, and continued in the profession until the
time of his death ; he was elected State's
Attorney and County Tudge. A more com-
plete history is given of Judge McCaskell in
another portion of this chapter.

Frank Reed is a native of Taylorville, 111.,
born in 187 1 ; was educated at public schools
in Taylorville; admitted to the bar in the
year 1893.

O. W. Reed is a native of Taylorville,
born in i860; was educated in the schools
at Tavlorville; admitted to the bar in abo-ut
the year 1890; shortly thereafter he accept-
ed a position in the pension department at
Washington, D. C, and continued in that
position for many years. PTc now resides in
Texas.

Present Members of the Bar.

We will not undertake to give a biograph-
ical sketch of the present members of the

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

l)ar; neither shall we nnfokl their greatness
or expose their weakness ; we shonld dislike
very much to tell any of their bad traits, if
they had any, and to undertake to tell all
of the good acts we know al)out them might
require more space than can be devoted to
this work, so^ w'e shall content ourselves w-ith
giving their place of birth, education and
dates of admission to the bar, and allow the
reader to follow them in their daily walk
through life and judge for liimself of their
character and ability.

James M. Tavlor is a native of Scotland ;
was educated in Academy of Waukegan, 111.,
and Kenosha High School ; was admitted
to the bar in 1868, and began the practice
O'f law in Taylor ville in 1868, and is prob-
ably the oldest practitioner in the comity.

W. M. Provine is a native of Illinois; was
educated in common schools, concluding at
Macomb Seminary ; was licensed to prac-
tice law in the year 1868. Shortly there-
after he moved to Taylorville and has been
since that time engaged in the practice of
law here.

J. C. McBride is a native of Illinois; w^as
educated at Earlham College and Lincoln
University of Lincohi, III, graduating in
1S69; was admitted to the bar in 1870, and
shortly thereafter began the practice of law
at Taylorville, and continued therein to the
present time.

Wm. T. Vandeveer was born in Christian
county ; educated at Shurtleff Upper Alton ;
was admitted to the bar in 1871, and for a
time practiced law at Taylorville; he still
resides at Taylorville, but abandoned the
practice several years ago.

John W. Kitchell is a native of Illinois;
was admitted to the practice of law in Iowa
in 1852 and afterwards in this state, and
shortly thereafter located at Pana, where he
has resided ever since.

J. C. McOuigg is a native of Ohio ; was
educated at the Fredericksburg Academy
and Vermilion College of Ohio, graduating
therefrom in 1865. Graduated from the law
department of Michigan University in 1867,
and was at once admitted to the bar and
soon located in Pana where he has resided
and practiced law to the present time.

E. A. Humphreys is a native of Illinois ;
was educated in the schools of Christian
county ; admitted to the bar in the year
1872, and shortly thereafter began the prac-
tice of law at Pana, where he has continued
to reside to the present time.

John E. Hogan is a native of this coun-
ty. Was educated at Taylorville; admitted
to the bar in the year 1888; and shortly
thereafter entered upon the practice oi law,
and is engaged in the work of his profes-
sion at the present time.

Erank P. Drennan is a native of Chris-
tian county ; was educated in this county
and admitted to the bar in 1881; and soon
thereafter entered upon the practice of law
at Taylorville, where he now resides and is
engaged in his chosen profession.

R. M. Potts is a native of Christian
county; was educated in public schools; ad-
mitted to the bar in 1892; and shortly there-
after began the practice of law at Taylor-
ville, where he has continued to the present
time ; he served one term as County Judge.

L. G. Grundy is a native of Macoupin
county; was educated at Ann Arbor; was
admitted to the bar in 1893, and shortly
thereafter entered upon the practice at Tay-
lorville, and still resides at Taylorville. He
also served one term as County Judge.

J. E. Sharrock is a native of Towerhdl;
was admitted to the bar in 1886 and shortly
thereafter entered upon the practice of law
in Shelby county, from which place he
moved to Taylorville in 1893, and has been

PAST AND PRESENT

engaged in the practice of law ever since;
he served two terms in the Legislature.

J. A. Merry was born in Bond County,
111. Attended the Greenville High School,
and afterwards gratluated at the Valparai-
so, Indiana, Normal School, and pursued
the law course at Hayward College, Fair-
field. Til. Admitted to the bar in the year
1893, and began practicing law at Vandal ia,
111., and remained there until the year 1894,
at which time he moved to Taylorville, 111.,
and since that time resided in the City of
Taylorville, and is now engaged in the prac-
tice of law at Taylorville.

John P). Colegrove is a native of Illinois;
was educated in Christian county; admitted
to the bar in the year 1889 ; soon thereafter
entered upon the practice of law at Taylor-
ville and is at the present time pursuing his
profession.

James L. Drennan is a native of Chris-
tian county; was educated in the schools of
Christian county; was admitted to the bar
in the year 1893. and has since that time
l>een engaged in the practice of law until
about two years ago, when he accepted the
position of Secretary to Judge Ricks, which
place he now holds.

Alfred Adams is a native of Illingis; was
educated at Fairfield and Greenville, Hay-
ward and Almira colleges ; admitted to the
bar in the year 1893, and thereafter after
his admission to the bar moved to Taylor-
ville and entered u])on the practice at this
place, and is at the present time engaged in
the practice of law here.

Edward Adams was educated at Dixon
College; admitted to the bar in 1897; soon
thereafter began the practice of law at Tay-
lorville and continued in his profession un-
til about the first of January last, when he
accepted a position in the Pension Depart-
ment at Washington.

F. O. Edler was born and educated in
h'rancc; emigrated to Illinois about 15 years
ago; shortly thereafter admitted to the bar
but removed from 'i'aylorville to Oklahoma
about the first of January last, where he
now resides.

W. S. Greer is a native of Illinois; was
educated in Christian county, and was ad-
mitted to the bar about 10 years ago; en-
gaged in the practice of law at Taylorville
for several years, but moved to Chicago
about the first of November last, where he is
now engaged in the practice of law.

Fred O. Waggoner is a native of this
county; educated in the schools of this
county and admitted to the bar in about the
year 1890; entered upon the practice of law
at Morrisonville and continued at that place
until about the year 1895 when he moved to
Oklahoma Territory, where he now resides.

Paul Dowdel was born and educated in
Illinois; admitted to the practice of law in
about the year 1895; and for awhile prac-
ticed at Taylorville; afterwards moved to
Assumption thence to Memphis, Tenn.,
where he now resides, and is engaged in the
practice of his profession.

James B. Abrams is a native of Chris-
tian county; educated in the county; ad-
mitted to the bar about 10 years ago, and
commenced the practice of law in Taylor-
ville, where he continued in the profession
until about the month of November last,
when he moved to the state of Washington,
where he now resides.

C. E. Abrams is a native of Christian
county, and educated here and Shurtleff Col-
lege; was admitted to the bar in about the
year 1901 ; engaged in the practice of law
at Taylorville until al)out the month of No-
vember last, when he moved to the state of
Montana, where he now resides.

Leroy Anderson is a nati\'e of this county.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and educated here; was admitted to the liar
in 1897 and practiced law at Taylorville un-
til the spring of 1903, at which time he
moved to Prescott. Arizona, where he now
pursues his profession.

A. D. Sitler was born in Shelby coijnty,
Illinois; educated at Fort Scott, Kansas,
Normal College; admitted to- the practice
of law in the year 1892 and shortly there-
after began the practice of his profession at
Taylorville, where he has since that time
resided.

C. H. Shamel was born in Christian
county ; is a graduate of the University of
Illinois, and shortly after his graduation was
admitted to the bar and immediately com-
menced practicing law at Taylorville. and
has been engaged in the practice ever since
that time.

James H. Forrester is a native of Chris-
tian county ; was educated at LIniversity of
Pennsylvania and Normal ; admitted to the
bar in 1897 and shortly thereafter began the
practice of law at Taylorville where he still
resides. He is at present serving as County
Judge of the county, having been elected in
1902.

Geo. Wallace is a native of Christian
county; was educated at Lincoln University
at Lincoln, 111., graduating therefrom in
1894; was admitted to the bar in the year
1899, and has since that time been engaged
in the practice of law at Taylorville, where
he now resides.

Walter M. Provine is a native of Illinois;
was educated at the High School in Taylor-
ville, graduating therefrom in 1895 and af-
terwards graduated in the law department
of Cornell University, N. Y., in 1897, and
was soon thereafter admitted to the bar in
this state, and has since that time been en-
gaged in the practice of law at Taylorville.

W. B. McBride is a native of Qiristian

county; born at Taylorville; was educated
at Illinois University and Ada College, Ada,
Ohio, graduating from the latter college in
civil engineering in 1895; was admitted to
the bar in 1898, since which time he has been
engaged in the practice of law at Taylor-
ville.

W. R. Dexheimer is a native of Christian
county ; was educated at Dixon, 111. ; ad-
mitted to- the bar in the year 1901, shortly
thereafter commencing the practice oi law
at Taylorville, and is still engaged in his
chosen profession.

Arthur Yockey was born in Christian
. county ; educated in the common schools and
high school .at Taylorville; graduated at
Valparaiso, Ind. Attended law school in
Chicago; admitted to the bar in 1899. Been
practicing in Taylorville since that time.

R. C. Neff is a native of Sangamon coun-
ty, 111. ; was educated at common schools,
Valparaiso, Ind. ; admitted to the bar in the
year 1899 and has since that time been en-
gaged in the practice of law at Taylorville,
where he now resides.

D. O. Potts was born in Christian coun-
ty, 111.; educated in common schools; ad-
mitted to the bar in Atchison, Kansas, in
1898; recently admitted to the bar in Illi-
nois, where he is now practicing.

Leslie Taylor is a native of Taylorville,
was educated at ShurtlefT College, Upper
Alton and John Marshall Law School, Chi-
cago ; admitted to- the bar in the year 1903
and soon commenced the practice of law at
Taylorville, and is at the present time en-
gaged in the work of his chosen profession.

C. A. Prater was born and educated in
Christian county, 111., and was admitted to
the bar in 1882, and began the practice of
law at Edinburg, 111., and since that time
he had resided and been engaged in the
practice of his profession at that place.

PAST AND PRESENT

J. H. Morgan is a native of Indiana;
was educated at Marion College, Marion, In-
diana; admitted to the l)ar in 1895, and
shortly thereafter began the practice of law
at Pana. at which place he has since that
time resided, and been pursuing his chosen
profession.

C. E. Springstun is a native of Indiana;
was educated in ln(hana and Illinois; admit-
ted to the l)ar in 1893, and shortly thereafter
commenced the practice of law at Pana, and
is now engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession.

J. H. Fornoff \vas born in Illinois; edu-
cated at Wesleyan Law School; admitted
to the bar in the year 1892, and has since
that time lieen engaged in the practice of
law at Pana.

E. E. Dowel was born at Shell)yville, 111. ;
graduated at Pana High School; admitted
to the bar in the year 1900 and has since
that time been engaged in the practice of
law at Pana, where he now resides and pur-
sues his chosen profession.

M. J. Fitzgerald was born and educated
in Fayette county. 111. ; was admitted to the
bar about ten years ago, and practiced law
for a while in his native county, but after-
ward removed to Assumption, 111., at which
place he has been engaged in the practice of
his profession for several years.

Frank L. Taylor was born in Macon
county. 111. Was educated at the Normal
University of Varparaiso, Ind., where he
was graduated on the com])letion of a busi-
ness course; was admitted to the bar in
1902, and immediately thereafter engaged
in the practice of law at Decatur, 111., where
he continued until June, 1903. at which time
he moved to Assumption, and has since then
been engaged in the practice of law at that
place.

A. E. Gowan was born in Jersey county,

111. Graduated in the commercial depart-
ment of the liillslioro Academy. He read
knv at Morrisonville and later attended law
school at Ann Arbor, Mich. Was admitted
to the bar in the s])ring of 1883; moved to
Morrisonville and there engaged in the prac-
tice of law and has continued in the practice
at that i)lace almost continuously since that
time.

Edwin F. O'Farrell was born and edu-
cated in Shelby county, 111. Admitted to
the l)ar in 1901, and immediately entered
upon the practice of law at Pana, III, at
which place he has been engaged in his pro-
fession since that time.

David M. Sharp was born in Christian
county. 111. ; was educated at the Illinois
College of Jacksonville, where he was grad-
uated ; he was admitted to the bar in the
year 1889, and shortly thereafter began tlie
practice of law at Taylorville, III, at which
place he continued in the business of his
profession for several years, but has recent-
ly occupied his attention with farming.

Incidents of Early Days.

The early settlement of the locality now
composing Christian County was com-
menced as early as the year 1827, and those
settling here between that date and 1848
are what in fact compose the early settlers
of this locality. To appreciate the real per-
ils undergone, the reader must imagine this
as a locality without any houses or fields or
even any signs of civilization and then take
the first settler who came to this locality and
see what he did after arriving here; of
c(nu-se he brought with him his axe and saw
,'md such other tools as he had or could se-
cure, and a small supply of provisions which
could in no event be very extenf^ive, select-
ed the locality upon which he desired to
build, in the timber, then the first thing he

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

did was to build a house to- live in : this
was done by cutting log's, hewing and
notching them and then laying them one
u^Don the other in the same manner that a
rail pen is built until the cabin was of the
desired height, usually 6 to 8 feet. Large
timbers were, laid across the building, taking
the place of sleepers which supported the
puncheon floor when laid ; in some instances
floors were not laid for a long time after the
building of the cabin, then on top of these
logs rafters or something to support the
roof were placed and the building roofed
with clapboards which were rived out of
the timber. A large fireplace was built in
one end oi the building, and the chimney
built of sticks covered with mud, for plas-
tering, inside and out ; clay was pounded in
to form a fireplace, hearth and jambs and
to build the chimneys to a sufficient height
to prevent the fire from burning the build-
ing. This done, then the next thing was
tO' dig a well, and build some shelter for
the stock. It frequently happened that the
construction of the log cabin and the raising
of a crop for feed for the next year was
carried on at the same time and frequently
two or three families would come and set-
tle together, build a house together and live
together until their buildings could Ije con-
structed.

At the first opportunity, the owner with
his axe and saw and an auger would build
the furniture for the house, which consist-
ed of bedsteads made of poles with one end
fastened in the log of the house and the
other frequently resting on a fork or bed-
post constructed and extending out into the
floor. These improvised beds were so con-
structed in many instances that they could
be taken down during the day time and
readily put up at night, thereby giving more
room for the occupants of the small cabin.

As soon as the cabin and the reasonable
conviences of this one were constructed, then
the work of constructing a cabin for a neigh-
bor began. The families from this little
cabin in a short time would begin improve-
ments upon farms for themselves, by erect-
ing their cabins, and in many instances, a
neighborhood of three to half a dozen fami-
lies would soon be formed consisting of those
who came and located in that particular
place ; and for many years it frequently hap-
pened that the nearest neighborhood would
be from 5 to 15 miles, and in some instances
the settler and his family lived alone and
without any neighbor nearer than two- to
five miles, and thus along the timbers of
Bear Creek, of Soiith Fork, North Fork
and Flat Branch, the settlements gradually
grew and the distance between neighbors
was within 10 or 15 years reduced to that
of a mile or less.

It is related that some of the early settlers
did not see the face of a white man more
than once or twice during the whole year.
Some of these inhabitants were without a
horse, or even a yoke .of oxen, and in some
instances they raised the crops to feed them-
selves and family with the hoe; in others
they had rudely constructed plows and ex-
changed work, which enabled them to more
readily till the soil and get from it better
results.

They were not required to raise their
meat, as at that time the lands abounded
in wild deer, turkey, chicken and all other
kinds of game to such an extent that the
pioneer was always certain of his meat at
any time.

It is related by an old settler that even
after Taylorville had been located and peo-
ple residing here and the first courthouse
constructed that Wm. Darner, an expert
hunter made a "stand" for deer in a little

PAST AND PRESENT

grove located in al>out the place where the
West school building- now stands, and that
many were the deer that he killed from that
''stand." Jt is said that you could stand in
the first courthouse .and look out over the
prairie and observe deer passing around the
little village in herds of 20 to 50; they were
indeed abundant, and the meat thus obtained
b\- the settler was very much relished. It
is also said that bees were very plentiful
in this country at that time, would hive in
the hollow trees and make large quantities
of honey, and the early settler was able to
supply himself and family with honey from
the cutting of these bee trees; in many in-
stances, large cjuantities of honey would be
obtained from a single bee tree; experts in
l)ee hunting were able to find these trees
\-erv readily. It is said of one early settler
that on a trip taken by him from Campbell's
Point to Buckhart Grove and Mosquito
Creek that in the course of a few days they
found a great number of bee trees and se-
cured about 45 gallons of honey and 60
pounds oi beeswax ; that at another time on
a trip over on the North Fork, Okaw and
Ivaskaskia rivers, they found about 40 bee
trees. This w^as as early as 1822, and it
was said that this settler, Samuel Williams,
in all his bee hunting found no traces of
any settlers along the several streams and
that he went for weeks without seeing even
the face of a white man, except one rnan
who accidentally rode into their camp in
crossing the prairie. This honey was also a
source of revenue for the people, as they
could obtain for beeswax in the market 25
cents a pound and a fair price for the honey.
It was more difficult for them to secure
l>readstuff th:m meat ; while the settler was
able to raise his corn and in some instances
wheat, it was very difficult to get it ground
and ready for bread ; it is said that in many

instances they used a mortar for powdering
the grain so as to make it fit for bread; at
other times they boiled the corn and grated
it into meal on an improvised tin grate.
Corn bread was not a luxury in those days,
but was the staple bread of the early set-
tler.

Later, mills were located principally for
grinding corn, btit in most instances they
were a long way from the settler, and being
practically "destitute of wagons or other ve-
hicles of conveyance, it was very difficult to
secure a grinding of the corn, and often
two or three days would be consumed in
getting to mill, and when there they had to
take their turn, but the sturdy miller always
took out his toll, which at times seemed ex-
orbitant, yet, under the circumstances, was
probably not unreasonable.

Mr. J. P. Walker informs me tha,t in
1847 tl"^^ whole neighborhood in which he
lived was without bread along in the spring
of the year ; in fact it had been a wet, muddy
winter and it was impossible for the people
to have any grinding done; in many in-
stances the families had subsisted upon such
corn meal as they were able to obtain from
boiling and grating the corn; that in March,
he in company with another neighbor went a
distance of 22 miles to a horsemill owned
by Lipe in Montgomery county where they
obtained the grinding of two or three sacks
of corn to supply the neighborhood; when
they returned, half of it was loaned in less
than 24 hoMrs.

It is also related that Jesse Hinkle went to
old man Traylor's over on Bear Creek about
the same time to borrow some meal and Mrs.
Traylor said to him, "We are out, and have
been grating corn for three wrecks," and
Ilinkle replied, "Thank God, we arc all
alike."

While the trip of going to mill was a long

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

one and in many instances attended with
hardships, yet in many cases it was an en-
joyable affair, as the settler could there meet
with his friends from the other parts of the
country and learn what they were doing-
in that section, for it must be remembered
that it took news a long time to travel
about the circuit of even as small a locality
as Christian county in those days.

From information obtained from Mr.
Walker, one of the first mills built in this
county was erected in about the year 1842
by Jesse Elgan on South Fork, near what
is now known as the Ralston Bridge, and
what was generally known as the Elgan set-
tlement ; this was a water mill, and built for
grinding wheat, corn and sawing lumber.
Levi Henkle built the next mill near
where Willowford Bridge is now, but the
exact date the mill was built is not known,
but erected prior to 1846.

Dr. Goiidy also built a mill in the south-
west part of Taylorville in 1850. At an
early day, the people of the northern part
of the county went to what was known as
the Archer mill just across the line in San-
gamon county, and on the north fork of
the Sangamon River. We. are also inform.ed
that in other places there were constructed
what is known as horse or cog mills built
of wooden rollers with wooden cogs, and
so constructed as to be operated by means
of levers to which horses were attached.

This was of course all in a rude form, but
was very acceptable to the people of that
day; it supplied them with bread.

While it is true that these mills were very
rudely constructed and of limited capacity,
thev were sufficient, however, for the time,
and essential in sustaining life while the
settler strove to improve his home.

The demand for these mills was so great,
that in a comparatively short time they were

constructed in the different localities all over
the country, and some of them were con-
structed earlier than some of the mills men-
tioned above, so that in time it became much
more convenient for the settler to obtain his
grinding and his lumber.

The more difficult problem, however, was
that of marketing the products raised and
purchasing supplies for the family. The
people of this locality usually in the early
(lay marketed their products at St. Louis;
after hauling their wheat that distance, were
only able to procure from 40 to 45 cents
a bushel for it, and usually could haul not to
exceed 25 to 30 bushels at a time; there were
regular stopping places on the road, but most
generally the farmer would camp out during
this trip. The expense of the trip was com-
paratively light; it required many, some-
times 7 or 8, days to make it, but he would
usually return with groceries, tobacco and
not unfrequently with a little Old Bourbon
as that was one of the necessaries of those
days to cure snake bites, and most every-
body used a little of the cure. Hogs were
driven to the same market and hog driving
time was always regarded as a holiday occa-
sion ; the people of the neighborhood would
bunch their hogs, drive them to St, Louis,
and then realize only from ^2 to $2.50 per
cwt. after they were dressed — but the drivers
had a good time; told of the fine country
they lived in and many interesting stories
incident to the early settlement of the coun-
try. Some of them even told Indian stories
and their narrow escapes from scalping; it
all had a kind of wild, romantic atmosphere
that, notwithstanding its perils, was exciting
and being of that adventurous cast, was very
alluring, but wherever the lot of the early
settler was cast, you always found that free
hearted hospitality that comes to people
who are depending one upon the other and

64:

PAST AXl) PRESENT

forsakes them when tliey reach a point or
station in hfe in which thc\- feel that they
are independent.

The want of conveyances, the compara-
ti\e isohition of the people, the necessity of
depending" npon your neis^hhor to a great
extent : the common moti\e of securing a
home, that inchiced this people to take u])
their ahode in tlic wilderness, were all ele-
ments that educated them in the line of
free hearted, unselfish citizens, the same as
the elements of ])lenty and the ability to
puixhase whatever you desire, the want of
a comuKJU motive, except to see who can
get rich the quickest are educators of selfish-
ness and greed that exist to such an extent
with the people of today. On the one
hand, we have the warm, open-hearted, un-
selfish pioneer, who li\ed not for himself
alone, but for his neighbors as well and
was ready at all times to make any sacri-
fice to benefit his neighbor, and it seems
to liaxe been an unwritten law with these
people that they w^ere honest w'ith one an-
other ; on the other hand, the citizen of to-
day is selfish, unwilling to accommodate a
neighbor; unable to appreciate a friend's
distress and his actions in life are promoted
largely Ijy greed, and the more congested
the population the greater seems to be this
characteristic in the human family.

The fame of the fertile prairie of Illi-
nois had reached even to the state of Con-
necticut, and as early as 1836 a band of
people sent Rev. Gideon B. Perry and
Thomas H. Hewitt to Illinois to prospect,
locate and enter a large lx)dy of desirable
land. It is said these representatives trav-
eled over most of the northern part of the
state, as well as Christian county, and
finally decided to locate in the northeastern
part of this county, on the west side of
Flat Branch. They entered 10,000 acres

of land, which was dixidcd and allotted by
auction among the members oi the colony
in North Stonington, Conn.

Some of these colonists came in the year
1837. and others in llie year 1838. but
before leaving home they had selected their
location and determined ui:)on laying out
a site for a city upon the lands entered, and
also upon the erection of some public build-
ings. The principal persons composing this
colony were Thomas P. Chapman, Nicholas
Sanders, William S. Frink, Benj. F. Chap-
man, Gideon Wilber, Elija Palmer, Allen
P. Peabody. Frederick Fitch, Wm. S. Pea-
body, Rev. A. Ackley. Elias S. Peabody,
Amos Peabody, Thomas Skiff, Thomas
Millard, Samuel Peabody. Samuel N. Pea-
body, Paris Pray, Horace Morgan, John
D. Brown, Deacon Smith, John P. Will-
iams, Andrew B. Chapman and C. Tyler
Chapman.

Immediately upcjn their arrival they began
the work of building their homes; a large
six-room house was built by the company
as the w riter is informed, in which Thomas
B. Chapman resided.

The gatherings of the colony were held
in this house ; this was the \i\ace where they
assembled for a long time for public wor-
ship. This house or home w^as the centre
to which all of the colonists in that locality
were attracted; 160 acres of land entered
by this colony was appropriated, before di-
vision, for the founding of a city, to be
called "Stonington City." It w\as surveyed
and platted in lots and blocks, under the
direction of Gideon B. Perry, "chairman
of the executive committee of Stonington"
colony. It contained a public square, park,
42 blocks and 504 lots, with many streets,
and is recorded on l)age 390 of book 47
in the recorder's office of Christian county.
This is a transcribed record.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

This city never materialized ; the lots were
used for agricultural i)urposes and after-
ward the plat was vacated and the land
disposed of as a farm.

A charter was secured for the founding
of a school, to be known as "Brush Col-
lege," which was never founded. They
did, however, provide for good schools in
that localitv, and because of the number
of people that came together they had many
advantages that did not come to the settlers
who came single handed or in smaller
numbers. The large house spoken of above
is remembered by many of the children that
were born in Christian county belonging
-to that colony. They say it was a place to
which they would all go for pleasure, re-
ligious service and pul)lic meetings gener-
ally. It sat upon a high knoll, and in the
early days, when occupied l)y Mr. Chap-
man, was a guiding star to those who trav-
eled across the prairies.

Springfield was the point to which these
people mostly went to do their trading and
frecjuently upon their return it would be
after night before they reached their homes
— when it was known that any of the people
of the colony had gone to Springfield or
elsewhere, Mrs. Chapman, commonly known
as "Aunt Martha," would place a light in
the window to serve as a guiding star for
those who were trying to cross the prairie.
It was very difficult to keep 3^our course
in traveling across the prairie after night,
and the light in the window kept by this
old lady was to the traveler upon the prairie
what the lighthouse is to the mariner upon
the sea.

Paris Pray and B. F. Chapman resided
on the opposite side of Brushy Branch, and
had to cross this branch to reach this home
in the colony : they were great church goers,
and in times of high water the only way

which the Ijrancii C(juld be crossed was by
canoe, so they prepared, from a hollow log,
a canoe, that was kept for use on all occa-
sions ; Chapman and Pray used to cross this
creek in this canoe, and it is said that Chap-
man was a large man and somewhat awk-
^var(l, and Pray used to make him lie down
in the canoe and keep still for fear he would
tip it o\'er, while Pray would row across.

No doubt the peo])le of this colony had
many good times and they had the correct
idea of the early settlement of a new coun-
try. The committee who selected the lands
for this colony acted judiciously, as these
are today among the most valuable lands
of Christian county, and many of them are
occupied at the present time by the de-
scendants of these colonists.

The peo])Ie composing this colony were
thrifty, energetic and law-abiding citizens.
They were of a religious character, and ob-
served the law^s of God and their duties as
Christians with as much scrupulousness in
the wild west as they did in their old stead-
fast home in Stonington, Conn.

This colony was a blessing to Christian
county, and aided very much in building it
up, and in inculcating a spirit of fairness
and a due observance of the laws ; many of
the important offices of the county have
from time to time been occupied by mem-
bers of this colony.

From the best information that the writer
can •obtain, a general settlement of the
prairie land did not begin until after the
building of the Illinois Central Railroad,
and of the Alton & Terre Haute Railroad
(now the Big Four), and Mr. Walker in-
forms me that even as late as 1854 that
there was no settlement between his home,
then in the south part of Johnson township
and Robinson creek in Shelby county, ex-
cept one place owned by Lane, afterwards

PAST AND PRESENT

known as the McCoy farm ; that tlie towns
of I'ana and Rosemond were not then in ex-
istence; it was about this time that the
prairies began to be settled.

The town of Pana w^as first laid out and
settlement commenced in about the year
1855, and the postol^ce for that locality that
had been located near Stone Coal was then
removed to Pana, and shortly after, in
about the year 1856 or 1857, the town of
Pana was incorporated, which is now a
prosperous city. Prior to 1856, the only
families then living in Rosemond towm-
ship, were those of Reed, Wolf and
Blackburn, then li\ing in or near Bell's
Grove. In 1856 the colony from Massa-
chusetts, composed of Benjamin Hawley,
O. M. Hawks, Brainard Smith, Mr. Mar-
vin, Benjamin Warner and John Putnam,
came to this county and purchased a tract
of about 2,000 acres of land in Rose-
mond township, and named the town Rose-
mond. The five houses for these families
were framed in St. Louis and all alike, and
were brought across the river on the ice and
shipped out on the Alton & Terre Haute
road on the first train that came to Rose-
mond.

These houses w'ere erected near the village
now^ called Rosemond ; the name of Rose-
mond was selected by this colony before
they left Massachusetts. The first Sunday
after arriving in the village, these families
organized a Sunday school and held public
worship, the Congregational church was
organized there in the summer of 1856; set-
tlements at about this time liegan to spring
up along the Alton & Terre Haute Rail-
road and the Illinois Central Railroad ;
with the coming of the Illinois Central Rail-
road a colony of French settled near what
is now known as the village of Assump-
tion, and the town was then called Tacusah.

The other railroads traversing the county
were not located until much later, and the
towais on these roads sprung up after 1868.

The credit for the early settlers of this
county is not due to the man alone, but
the woman of that day was equally as cour-
ageous, and is, perhaps, entitled to even
more credit, the man could relieve the
monotony of the routine work by the many
excursions to mill and to market, but the
wife and daughter were compelled to re-
main at home and in practical solitude dur-
ing these days of anxiety ; the husband
raised the sheep and flax, the wife carded
and spun the \vool and spun the cotton, and
wove it into linsey for dresses for them-
selves and into jeans and made out of that
raiment for the husband.

"Every house contained a carding, loom
and spinning wheel, which were considered
by the women as necessary for them as the
rifle for the men. The loom in use was a
rudely-constructed one, consisting of two
pieces of scantling running obliquely from
the floor to the wall ; later, the frame loom
came into use and was a great improve-
ment." It is said that the rattling of the
loom, the whirr and buzz of the spinning
wheel and the song of the maid at the wheel
w^ere among the delights of the household,
and the w^omen were proud of their ability
to perform this work and the amount they
could do and the i)erfection of the cloth
that they could make by these processes.
It is also said thai in many instances w^hen
the men w^ould gather together for the pur-
poses of having a log-rolling or house-
building or corn-husking or occasions of
that character, the women also assembled
with their spinning wheels and that the
music of the many spinning wheels was de-
lightful to listen to.

They had no stoves upon which to do

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

their cooking; that was done before the fire-
place, and usually the Johnny cake and other
species of corn bread were served up for din-
ner while mush and milk was the favorite
dish for supper; in the fireplace hung the
crane; the Dutch oven was used in baking.
The streams abounded in fish, which formed
a healthful article of food; many kinds
of greens, such as dock and polk, were
eaten. The truck patch furnished roast-
ing ears, pumpkins, beans, squashes and
potatoes, and these were used by all. For
reaping-bees, log-rollings, house-raisings,
the standing dish was pot pie; coffee and
tea were used sparingly, as they were very
dear and the hardy pioneer thought them
a drink fit only for women and children.
They said it would not "stick to the ribs,"
but you talk to an old settler today and he
will tell you that the bread baked in the
old fireplace in the old fashioned way was
the best bread lie ever ate; that nothing
equalled it. In those days many wild fruits
o-rew in the timbers and berries which were
gathered and prepared by the housewife
and every effort made upon her part to
make the^ meals palatable, and indeed they
were palatable and healthful. There being
no church house or regular services of any
kind to call the people together, they no
doubt "cheerfully accepted invitations to
house-raisings, log-rollings, corn-huskings
or a bee of any kind ; to attend these gath-
erings, they would go ten and sometimes
more miles. Generally with the invitation
to the men went one to the women to come
to a quilting ; the good woman of the house
where the festivities were to take place would
be busily engaged for a day or more in
preparation for the coming guests. Great
quantities'of provisions were necessary, as
dyspepsia was unknown to the pioneer, and

good appetites were the rule and not the
exception."

"The bread used at these frolics was baked
generally on Johnny or Journey cake boards,
and is the best corn bread ever made. The
board is made smooth, about two feet long
and eight inches wide; the ends are gen-
erally rounded. The dough is spread out
on this board and placed leaning before
the fire; one side is baked and then the
dous:h is changed on the board so the other
side is presented in its turn to the fire. This
is Johnny cake, anct\is good if the proper
it-omaterials are put into it and it is properly
baked."

Reynolds' History.

"At all log-rollings and house-raisings,
it was customary to provide liquor; ex-
cesses were not indulged in, however. The
fiddler was never forgotten. After the
day's work had been accomplished out
doors, and in, by men and women, the
floor was cleared and the merry dance
began. The handsome, stalwart young men
whose fine forms were the result of their
manly out-door life, clad in fringed buck-
skin breeches and gaudily-colored hunting
shirts led forth the bright-eyed, buxom
damsels, attired in neatly-fitting linsey
woolsey garments to the dance, their cheeks
glowing with health and eyes sparkling of
enjoyment, and perhaps of a tenderer emo-
tion."

Log-rollings, house-raisings and corn-
huskings are not entirely out of the memory
of persons living at the present day; many
of the older inhabitants remember well oc-
casions of the character of these, and that
they were very enjoyable affairs. The amuse-
ments were simple, but pleasant, and af-
forded a great deal of pleasure to those
who participated therein.

PAST AND PRESENT

A good description is given of a corn-
shucking of the olden time in Reynolds'
Pioneer History of Illinois, in the following
language :

"In pure pioneer times the crops of corn
were ne\er husked on the stalk, as is done
at this da}', hut were hauled home in the
husk and thrown in a heap, generally l)y
the side of the crih, so that the ears, when
husked, could l)e thrown direct into the crih.
The whole neighlx)rhood, male and female,
were invited to the shucking, as it was called.
The girls, and many of the married ladies,
generally engaged in this amusing work.

"In the first place two leading expert husk-
ers were chosen as captains, and the heap of
corn divided as nearly equal as possihle.
Rails were laid across the pile so as to desig-
nate the division, and then each captain
chose, alternately, his corps of huskers, male
and female. The whole numher of working
hands present were selected, on one side or
the other, and then each party commenced
a contest to heat the other, which was in
many cases truly exciting. One other rule
w^as, that whene^•er a male husked a red ear
of corn he was entitled to a kiss from the
girls. This frequently excited much fuss and
scuffling, which was intended by both parties
to end in a kiss. Tt was a universal practice
that taffia or Monongahela wliisky was used
at these husking frolics, which they drank
out of a bottle, each one, male and female,
taking the l)ottle and drinking out of it. and
then handing it to his next neighl)or. without
using any glass or cup whatever. The cus-
tom was common, and not considered rude.
Almost always these corn-shucks ended in
a dance. To prepare for this amusement
fiddles and fiddlers were in great demand;
and it often required much fast riding to
f)btain them. One violin and a performer

were all that was contemplated at these in-
nocent rural games.

"Towards dark, and the supper half over,
then it was that a bustle and confusion com-
menced. The confusion of tongues at Babel
would have been ashamed at the corn-shuck-
ings. The young ones hurrying off the table,
ancl the old ones contending for time and
(jrder. It was the case nine times out of
ten, that hut one dwelling house was on the
premises, and that used for eating as well
as dancing.

But when the fiddler commenced tuning
his instrument the music always gained the
\ictory for the young side. Then the dishes,
\ictuals. table and all. disappeared in a few
n.iinutes. and the room was cleared, the dogs
drixen out, and the floor swept off ready
for action. The floors of these houses were
sometimes the natural earth, beat solid,
sometimes the earth with puncheons in the
middle over the potato-hole, and at times
the whole floor was made of puncheons.

The music at these country dances made
the young folks almost frantic, and some-
times much excitement was displayed to get
on the floor first. Generally the fiddler on
these occasions assumed an important bear-
ing and ordered, in true professional style,
so and so to be done; as that was the w'ay
in North Carolina, where he was raised.
The decision ended the contest for the floor.
In those da}-s they danced jigs and four-
handed reels, as they were called. Some-
times three-handed reels were also danced.

In these dances there was no .standing still
• — all were moxing at a rapid pace from the
beginning to the end. In the jigs the by-
standers cut one another out. as it was called,
so that this dance would last for hours.
Sometimes the parties in the jig tried to tire
(^ne another down in the dance, .and then it

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

would also last a long time before one or the
other gave up.

The cotillion or stand-still dances were not
then known. The bottle went around at
these parties as it did at the shuckings and
male and female took a dram out of it as
it passed around. No sitting was indulged
in, and the folks either stood or danced all
night, as generally daylight ended the frolic.
The dress of these hardy pioneers was gen-
erally in plain homespun. The hunting
shirt was much worn at that time, which
is a convenient working or dancing dress
Sometimes dressed deer-skin pantaloons
were used on these occasions, and moccasins
— rarely shoes — and at times bare feet, were
indulged in.

In the morning all go home on horseback
or on foot. No carriages, wagons or other
vehicles w-ere used on such occasions, for
the best of reasons — because they had none.

Dancing was a favorite amusement and
was participated in by all.

"Alike all ages; dancers of ancient days.

Have led their children through the mirthful
maze,

And the gray grandsire, skilled in gestic
lore.

Has frisked beneath the burden of three-
score."

There were many other amusements in-
dulged in by the settlers of that day, and
while it is said that they were more athletic
and rude than those of today, they certainly
had the virtue of being as innocent as the
amusements of today, and w-ere not suscepti-
ble of being called demoralizing.

"Among settlers in a new country, from
the very nature of the case, a higher value
is set upon physical than mental endow-
ments. Skill in woodcraft, superiority of
muscular development, accuracy in shooting
with the rifle, activity, swiftness of foot.

were the qualifications that brought their
possessor fame. Foot-racing was often
practiced, and often the boys and young men
engaged in friendly contests wath the Indi-
ans. Every man had a rifle, always kept in
good order ; his flints, bullet moulds, screw-
driver, awl, butcherknife and tomahawk
were fastened to the shot-pouch strap or to
the belt around the waist. Target shooting
was much practiced, and shots were made
l)v the hunters and settlers with flint-lock
rifles that cannot be excelled by their de-
scendants with the improved breechloaders
of the present day. At all gatherings,
jumping and wrestling were indulged in
and those who excelled were thenceforward
men of notoriety. Cards, dice and other
gambling implements w^ere unknown. Danc-
ing was a favorite amusement. It was par-
ticipated in by all. At the shooting matches
which were usually for the prize of a turkey
or a gallon of whisky, good feeling gener-
ally prevailed. If disputes arose they were
settled often by a square stand-up fight, and
no one thought of using other weapons than
fists. They held no grudges after their fight,
for this was considered unmanly ; it was
the rule that if a fight occurred between
two persons the victor should pour water
for the defeated as he washed away the
traces of the fray, after which the latter was
to perform the same service for the former.
The early settler that became a permanent
fixture or attachment to this county was of
a peculiar type. As before explained, some
of these localities were settled by colonists,
others by neighborhoods coming from the
same locality in other states, and with these
they brought many of the customs of the
particular locality from which they came.
Some of them were fond of hunting, others
of horse-racing. I am told that in an earlier
day the horse-racing gatherings were great

PAST AND PRESENT

occasions, that people would come from all
parts of the county to a horse-race, and much
time, money and energy were spent upon
this class of amusement, hut with the men
fond of horsc-racmg and other amusements
came also the church-goer, and those who
delighted in assemhling for religious wor-
ship. True, they had no church houses, but
the home of the Christian settler was readily
converted into a place of religious worship,
and his larder not un frequently supplied the
attendants on such occasions. The Sabbath
dav was duly observed by many of these
peojile, and the man of God. with his bible
in his hand, was an instrument for doing
good, and in fact did much in the education
and training of the young.

We can refer to two men of central Illi-
nois, who were typical preachers of that
day : Peter Cartwright and Aaron Vande-
veer — and while they differed much in their
habits and type, yet they were both strong-
minded, fearless ministers, and went about
doing much good, with but little remunera-
tion.

Vandeveer was a resident of this county,
Cartwright of Sangamon, and these men
more than once i)ut to shame and routed
"the common bully." who prided himself in
Ijeing a terror to the community in which
he lived : while the ministers, of which these
mentioned were two types, were not highly
educated, yet they were men of good sense,
sound judgment, with a deep-rooted con-
viction of right from wrong, and just such
men as were needed for the building of
this county; too much cannot be said in
praise of the early settler who revered the
laws of God. and sought to do unto others
as he would they should do unto him.

Tt is said that the Rev. Aaron Vandeveer
and the Rev. Peter Cartwright had often
heard of one another, but had never met.

Tt was customary in those days to travel on
h(irse-back. and almost every person had a
pair of saddlebags that he threw on the back
(if his saddle. As they were riding along
in the same direction, Cartwright overtook
Vandeveer; they conversed for some time;
each concluded that the other was the man
be wanted to see. and finally Vandeveer
turns to Cartwright and says : "I would take
you, sir, to be a Methodist preacher." "Ah."
said Cartwright, "and why?" "Well, from
the tone of your conversation and the white
cravat you wear." Without making any
answer, and after riding n little further
along, Cartwright says to Vandeveer : "And
I would take you to be a Baptist preacher."
"And wdiy?" says Vandeveer. "Well, from
the tone of your conversation and the bottle
I see sticking out of your saddlebags." It
must be remembered that Vandeveer was a
Baptist preacher of the old persuasion, and
with that denomination at that day it was
not uncommon for them to take a little for
the stomach's sake, lint did not use it to
excess.

The lands of Christian comity were not
all registered for entry in the same office.
Some of them were registered at Spring-
field, some Edwardsville and some Van-
dalia : the selecting and entering of the better
lands by the earlier settlers and speculators
was in that day one of the leading business
interests of this locality, and was to some
remunerative.

The records of the county disclose that
some speculators entered thousands of acres,
]nu"chased at a very low price ; it often hap-
pened that on account of the location, beauty
or fertility of a particular tract of land ob-
served by different persons at about the same
time, that great racing contests were had
as to who should reach the land office first
and enter that tract of land, something sim-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ilar to the contests that have been going on
in the territories for the last few years,
which have attracted the attention of the
whole world.

An amusing incident is told of two old
settlers near Clarksdale, W. T, Hewitt and
Y. B. Clark, who were leading citizens in
that locality. A spirit of emulation, if not
rivalry, grew up between these men; each
of them desired to l)e the more prominent,
to obtain the larger landed estate, and this
at times led each of them to oppose the other
in obtaining what he desired ; it is said that
there was a nice tract of land located near
Clarksdale that Mr. Hewitt wanted and Mr
Clark also desired this piece of land, and
by some means he had learned that Mr
Hewitt was icoing the next day to the land
office to enter it. so Mr. Clark, instead of
waiting until the next day, started that
night,^ rode all night, reaching the land office
early in the morning and obtained the much
coveted prize. They were both hearty,
strong-minded, level-headed, active men,
and while they were not classed among the
earlier settlers, they came here at a day
when the county needed such men, and both
did a great deal towards the advancement of
the part of the county in which they lived.

The wolves, other wild game and malaria
were not the only things dreaded by the early
settler. After the biting frosts had killed
the prairie grass, then there was nothing
more dreaded than the prairie fires ; it is said
by some of those who witnessed them that,
at times when the wind blew a good strong
breeze, the fire would run so ''apidly through
the prairie that it would be impossible for
persons caught out in the midst of the
prairie to escape from the fire by running,
even on horseback ; much property was fre-
quently destroyed and sometimes human life
by these great prairie fires, people Avho had

homes that were in possible range of these
fires took the precaution to burn a large strip
of grass around their homes to prevent their
destruction. Mr. Goodrich tells me that the
early settler in attempting to cross these
prairies always went prepared to protect
himself in case a fire should break out,
and if, wdiile traveling along in the midst
of a large scope of prairie grass, he discov-
ered fire coming towards him, he would 1t€-
gin where he was and liurn out a large
scope of grass and then when the fire came
up would protect himself by standing in
the midst of the tract that he had burned
off; this he says was common and proved
effectual.

Major Wm. T. Vandeveer tells me that at
one time just prior to the civil war there
was but one Democrat in the town of Rose-
mond ; his name w^as Joshua Peffer — they
were having quite a hotly contested cam-
]iaign in the county. The Democrats pre-
dominated in most of the towns; Vande-
veer's father (who was then an officeholder
of the county) and some of the other politi-
cal leaders concluded that they would have
a Democratic rally at Rosemond to please
Mr. Peffer. The day was fixed and Wm.
T. Vandeveer was sent by his father all
over the county to notify the people of the
great Democratic rally in Rosemond. The
Democrats from all parts of the county
gathered, with their wagons and other modes
of conveyances, at a point near Rosemond,
and made a grand parade, and had a big
time, and while they failed to make Rose-
mond Democratic, they pleased Mr. Peffer
with their efforts upon that occasion, but
Major Vandeveer says he never was as tired
riding horseback in his life as when through
his trip over the county gathering the peo-
ple in, and did not care to repeat the effort
to make Rosemond Democratic.

PAST AND PRESENT

The state road, which passed from Tcrrc
Haute to Spriiiiificld, and wliich passed
through the town of Mt. Auhurn. was one
of the great thoroughfares of the travelers
from the states east of Ilhnois to the great
west; it is said that thousands of Mormons
wlio lirst went to Nauvoo and afterwards
to Sah Lake City passed through the county
at an early day; one of the old settlers visit-
ing Salt Lake City a few years ago met
while there many people who had stopped
over night with him (Mr. (loodrich) and
they recalled the heauties of this locality
and the field that was apparently open for
prosperity liere.

They failed, however, to take advantage
of the great opportunities offered to them
here — they were religious enthusiasts seek-
ing a kingdom backed by Joseph Smith and
his apostles — and to live a life in conformity
with the creeds of the Mormon church.

At the organization of the county the peo-
ple voted viva voce; this plan by many was
considered as the most independent one ;
others viewed it in a different light; if
the system had no other merit it certainly
gave a controlling influence to intriguing
politicians; with the admission of the ballot
system their power was dwarfed. While the
ballot system of that day may have been
an improvement, under the old mode of vot-
ing, the people can congratulate themselves
that the .Australian ballot system of the
present day is a decided improvement over
the old mode of balloting.

The voter of today by the Australian
ballot can absolutely vote as he chooses
without being intimidated by any person
or body, and when the system of voting
machines is perfected, which is being done,
.so that the ballot can be registered as de-
posited, and the dishonest and unscrupulous
"ward heeler" prevented from changing the

i)allot after (lc'i)osiled in the 1)0.\, this will
be an additional impro\-ement upon our vot-
ing system, and will give additional faith
and credit to the ballot box. Independence
and purity of the ballot should be encour-
aged and the l)allot box; safely guarded.

The pohtical and business interests, re-
ligious and moral sentiments of the people
of this country today are so diversified and
so many different interests to consult the
independent voter is more numerous and
the difficulty of either party securing an
election without reference to the qualifica-
tions and standing of the candidate is be-
coming more and more hazardous, but it is
said "in this county at that early day there
were two^ large family connections by the
name of Durbin and Young that composed
a large part of the voting population ; it
was not an uncommon remark that as these
two families voted, so went the election.

Politically, they were in sympathy with
each other, and with the Whig party. Gal-
\'in Ralston, a old-line Whig, and a candi-
date for the office of county commissioner,
being interrogated as to his prospects for
election, replied : "Very good, as both the
Durl)in and Young wing are with me in a
solid column." It is scarcely necessary to
say he was elected.

Daniel Goode and Wm. O. Brents, both
old .settlers and ])olitical leaders, exercised
great influence over the political parties.

The constitution (jf 1848 substituted the
ballot for the viva voce sy.stem. This worked
well .and the people have been enabled to
vote their honest convictions without being
branded as tm-n-coats. The old i)arties were
well discii)lincd and very powerful. If a
member of either broke ranks he was soon
hounded down.

At this remote day it is difficult to se-
cure anecdotes of that early day, because

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of that generation having all passed away
and for the reason we here repeat a few of
the anecdotes and incidents given by Dr.
Goudy in a former history of this connty.
and while we have not deemed it necessary
to verify these, we have been told that in
most instances thev actnallv occnrred as

given.

In the trials before the jnstices of the
peace in the county many amusing incidents
and anectodes have occurred.

About forty years ago, in the region of
Bolivia, in the northwestern part of this
county, lived one John S. Thompson, a jus-
tice of the peace. He was a large, stout,
big-fisted Kentuckian. Sam Smith was
lirought before him on a charge of assault
and battery. Sam soon liecame boisterous
and began to abuse the justice. Esquire ad-
monished him to keep quiet, but all to
no purpose. Sam grew worse and worse,
until the burly esquire's patience was ex-
hausted. "Sam," said the esquire, "I know
but little about the power the law confers
in keeping order in court, but 1 know very
well the power the Almighty has given me,
and so shall you." Suiting the action to
his words, the esquire seized a chair and
sent Sam whirling to the floor, and then
at the end of his boot relieved the office of
his presence. Smith then went before an-
other justice, filed an affidavit of assault
and battery and had Esquire Thompson ar-
rested. The defense set up a plea that the
justice was a relative to the prosecutor,
which point was adjudged well taken, and
the justice entered a judgme'it of acquittal.
Not satisfied with the decision. Smith filed

another affidavit before Esquire C. .

Thompson was again arre.sted and arraigned
before the justice. He employed counsel,
who moved for his acquittal on the ground
that he "could not be put in jeopardy twice

for the same offence" under the constitu-
tion. The esquire, after consulting various
evidences, sustained the plea, and Esquire
Thompson was again triumphantly acquit-
ted. From that time forward there was
as good order in the office of Esquire
Thompson as in the supreme court room of
the state of Illinois.

In another case, about thirty-five years
ago, in the western part of the county, a
suit was instituted before Esquire John R.
against John W. , then re-
siding within three miles of Hillsboro, in
Montgomery county. Summons issued to
Constable William Torrance, with instruc-
tions to serve the same, which he accord-
ingly executed, ancl judgment was en-
tered up by the esc[uire for forty dollars and
costs of suit.

The execution was issued in due time and
Constable Torrance, who again entered
Montgomery county, made a levy, took a
delivery bond and in time made the debt and
returned the execution satisfied, neither party
knowing the force of the county line between
them.

It was told the writer by an old settler
that at another time an execution was is-
sued and delivered to a constable in this
county, whose name he did not know, and
the constable was directed to levy upon a
hunch of hogs but was told that a mere pen
and ink levy was not sufficient ; that he must
actually seize the property and do such acts
as would constitute a trespass, so^ the consta-
ble, with the writ in his hand, went to the
pen, lit astride a hog, took out his execution
and says, "Now, Mr. Hog, I levy on you,"
and so on, until he struck a male hog, which
showed fight, and dangerous to catch, so
the constable took out his execution and
said. "Now, Mr. Hog, d — n you, I levy on
vou at a distance."

PAST AND PRESENT

It is useless to say that this levy was not
questioned, and broui^iit satisfaction to the
execution.

A Pathetic Spefxh Spoiled.

In the case of M , arraigned for

larceny, his lawyer, from Springfield, a
bombastic speaker, informed his client that
the case was desperate, and that he must be
governed strictly by his directions. Said
he: "My speech will be divided into four
parts. First, historical ; second, argumenta-
tive; third, the reply; fourth, the pathetic.
You and your wife and children must sit
quiet until I come to the fourth, or pathetic,
part, and then I want you all to burst out
aloud and cry, groan and take on as I pro-
ceed to the close. The moment I stop, arise
and throw your arms around your wife's
neck and kiss the baby." The trial was
opened ; the jury empaneled and evidence
heard. The prosecuting attorney opened the
case with a speech of great power. Lawyer
Bombast arose with all eyes centered on him,
and began as follows : "If the court please,
gentlemen of the jury, look at my client;
look at his poor wife and little babe; look
at the afilicted parents, weighed down with
sorrow and brief, sinking as it were to their
graves. Oh, gentlemen of the jury, can
you find il in your hearts to send him to the
penitentiary?"

As he uttered these last words the prisoner
set up a loud howl, threw his arms around
his wife's neck, and kissed the babe, while
the rest of the family joined in the chorus.
The lawyer was- dumbfounded ; the court
looked in astonishment, the jurors looked
at each other and wondered what it all
meant, but the bombast took in the situation
at a glance and explained : "Nothing only a
mistake of my client, your honor and gen-
tlemen of the jurv. He mistook the 'his-

torical' for 'i)athetic' part of my speech,"
Tlic blunder lost his case.

A number of very interesting and humor- .
ous stories are told of William M. Thomas,
J. P., two or three of which we will relate.
In a trial l)efore him a man by the name of
( iuim was a witness. 1'he man hesitated
not a little and seemed unwilling, after
much persistent questioning, to tell what he
really knew, when the esquire became im-
patient and said : "Come, Mr, Gunn, don't
hang fire." After the examination closed
the bystanders were convulsed with laughter
by the old esquire adding, "Mr. Gunn, you
can go off; you're discharged."

The esquire is also credited with the fol-
lowing decision: "The fact is, Peter Smith,
the jail is an old rickety affair, as cold as
an iron wedge. You applied to this court
for release on bail, giving it as your opinion
that you would freeze to death there. It is
the desire of this court to be humane, and
as the weather has not moderated and to
keep you from freezing, I will direct the
sheriff to hang you at 4 o'clock this after-
noon."

In another case before Thomas ,

James Funderburk vs. Sam Brents — In trial
of Right of Property. It was a jury case,
composed of old Dicky Simpson and others.

Capt. H suggested to the plaintiff to

take a jug of good old bourbon and treat the
court and jury. Funderburk acted on the
suggestion and it proved to be a happy
thought. The court drank; the jury drank;
and all felt good. The esquire gave an ink-
ling of his decision in advance. He said:
"There's no use going into trial in this case,
for the Right of Property is not in Sam
Brents, and he is subject to the execution
by G— d, sir."

The jury nodded assent, as they were in
a nodding mood. The constable retained

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

possession of the property and the plaintiff,
Funderburk, got his money.

Another case before Esquire Thomas, in
which Benjamin VVilhams was defendant.
The trial did not result to the satisfaction
of said defendant, and he charged that the
esquire did not do him justice. His insult-
ing remarks were overheard by the esquire,
and on his comng out of the court house he
gathered hold of a hoop-pole, exclaiming :
"By God, sir, I'll give you more substantial
justice," and lampooned him most unmerci-
fully.

Le Roy Hill, of Sangamon, was a defend-
ant in a suit instituted before Thomas. He
asked for a change of venue, giving as a
reason that "he didn't like to be tried by
steam," over which the esquire became
wrathy, and "by the eternal," swore a per-
fect streak. However, the change was
granted and the case taken before another
justice. i

The "Bull Pen" or Pugilistic Times.

No sooner had the county seat been lo-
cated than it became a rallying point for all
the belligerent spirits of the county. Ben

W and William W had a fight a

few minutes after the "locating peg" had
been driven by the commissioners. This was
the inauguration of affrays, which contin-
ued for several years at the county seat,
greatly to its discredit. Persons harboring
ill-feeling or any grievance against a neigh-
bor would, on meeting him, throw out a
challenge to meet on "muster day" or some
other public occasion and settle the matter.
Time did not seem to abate their hostility;
the hate once engendered still rankled in
their bosoms, and public opinion deferred
to this mode of settling old grudges, and it
required no little moral courage to with-
stand it. The combatants at the appointed

time would, with their friends, be on hand;
draw their coats, gird their loins and enter
the "bull pen," which at that time consisted
of the public square, in the absence of a
"stray pen." It was not uncommon for a
half dozen such cases to be adjusted in one
day. On such occasions large crowds often
assembled and there was usually on hand a
bountiful supply of "sod corn."

Capt. H was sure to be present with

his two-wheeled cart, containing a cask of
"tanglefoot," and his stentorian voice could
be heard far and near to repeat, "Ho, all ye
thirsty, come and drink. It is warranted to
keep you cool in the summer and warm in
the winter. Indians say there are 'fifty fights
in every barrel of fire water.' "

There were times when some of the most
prominent men in the county would be
engaged in these melees. It was on one
of these memorable occasions when Gabriel

and others were engaged that Thomas ,

county collector, supposing himself clothed
with the necessary authority, mounted the
court house steps and in tones of thunder
"commanded the peace." His admonitions
not being heeded, he threw off his coat,
waded in, exclaiming that he would "be
d — d if he didn't have peace" and made for
Gabriel, when he suddenly "right about
faced" and left on "double quick," with his
long ringlets streaming .in the air, as the ex-
cited crowd and the captain's commissary
closed in the rear. These sovereigns would
suffer no interference on these war-like oc-
casions. It was looked upon as cowardly
to use knives and pistols, and it was very
seldom that such was the case.

The Militia System.

In the earlier history of the county the
military spirit ran high, and many aspirants
for position used it as a "stepping-stone"

PAST AND PRESENT

to power. Previous to the fdniiation of the
county the people liad to travel fifteen or
twenty miles to Kochester to do military
duty. This was a i^reat inconvenience, and
at length the county was laid off into mili-
tarv districts. Inflections were ordered in
each of the company districts for one cap-
tain, (inc fir^t lieutenant and one ensign.
Soon after the organization of the county the
following order was issued :

"Militia in. Dane, Notice :

Lieut.-Col. White's regiment, including
all the county of Dane, will parade for re-
view and inspection at Taylorville on Fri-
day, June 2y^ 1839.

By order of A. G. Henry,

Springiield, 111. Brigade Major."

By this order the captains were required
to he in the field with their respective com-
mands, "armed and e(|uipped as the law
directs." The great and memorable day
came. The parade ground was early filled
with waving plumes and crowds of anxious
citizens. The ground where Taylorville
had been located a month previous was dot-
ted with white tents. Soon the adjutant, on
a s])len(li(l charger, came galloping into the
field with orders: "Officers, to your places,
marshal your men into companies, separating
the barefooted from those who have shoes,
placing those wdio have guns, sticks and
corn-stalks in separate platoons, and then
form the line ready tf^ receive your superior
officers." Thomas T\ P)ond had been elected
colonel of the regiment. The order was
executed. Col. Bond was seen coming in
the distance, accompanied by the old lieuten-
ant colonel, with his aides. 1die lines were
wheeled into a column and made to ])erform
.some fine military evolutions, and , were
eventually brought into position for review
by the colonel and his staff.

The strand column then moved with the

colonel at its head to a field hrdf a mile west
of town, with its l)a_\-onets, sticks .and corn-
stalks "littering in the sunshine.

After exhibiting a fine military display
thcv formed into line of battle, under the
command of the gallant colonel, and a sham
battle, with corn-stalks, was fought, with
great furv, much to the delight of the by-
standers.

Sam Brents was placed under arrest by
his commanding officer for disobedience of
orders, in not poising his corn-stalk at an
angle of forty-five degrees, in accordance
with military usage. A guard was placed
over him, who was compelled to hold an
umbrella over his head to protect him from
the intolerable heat of the sun. then 96 de-
o;rees F. in the shade.

A Deep Snow.

One of the mile-stones or epochs of Chris-
tian county and Central ' Illinois was the
period of the deep snow which fell in the
winter of 1830-31. For many years the
period of the deep snow was referred to
for the purpose of determining who were
and were not old settlers, at the old-settlers'
meetings held a quarter of a century ago,
the question frequently asked was, "Was
you here before the deep snow?" If so,
then you are entitled to all honors of an old
settler. This probably more thrm any other
event made a lasting impression upon the
minds of the people who lived in Christian
countv and Central Illinois at that time. We
ha\e grown so far from that period, how-
ever, that if the old settlers are to be desig-
nated as those living here during the deep
snow, then they are becoming very few, as
that generation is ])ractically gone.

From the acc(^unts given of this period
and the hardships endured by those living
here at that time, it is not remarkable that

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the sncnv created such an impression uppn
the minds of the inhal)itants ; nothing hke
it ha^ heen seen since and prohably not
Ijefore.

It is said that the Indians had a trath-
tion that al)ont seventy-five years before a
snow fell which swept away the immense
herds of buffalo and elk that roamed the
prairies, hut this tradition, h'ke many others
of the Indians, may have been greatly mag-
nified as it was handed down from genera-
tion to generation, yet the immense quantity
of buffalo and elk bones found on the
prairies when first ^'isited ])v the white man
may have been an evidence of these animals
having been starved to death by reason of
some calamity and it may have been a deep
snow.

It is said that this snow began falling
early in the autumn and continued at inter-
vals throughout the entire winter. A fall
of snow would frecjuently be succeeded by
heavy sleet, forming crusts of ice between
the layers of the snow strong enough in
many places to bear up people and animals,
and permitted them to travel on the top of
the snow or crust.

It was a dark, dreary, cold winter, and
so intense w-as the cold that the snow did
not melt even on the sunny side of the
buildings; it is said by those who lived here
at that time that during the winter the snow^
had olitained a depth of five feet on the
level, and many places drifted to a depth
of twenty feet or more, frequently drifting
up against the house to such a depth that
they were compelled to burrow out under
the snow to secure a^ passage of ingress and
egress to the house; these, of course, were
seldom, but it serves to illustrate the depth
of the snow fall. By reason of the depth
of the snow the inhabitants, when they be-
gan to travel, were enabled to drive any-

where regardless of the fences, driving over
them without even knowing they w^ere there,
l)ut for weeks the people were blockaded or
housed up, and remained so until starva-
tion compelled them to go forth in search
of food.

In a former chapter we .have given an
incident of the difiiculties and suffering en-
dured by the settler during this snow in
endeavoring to procure food for his family
Before that time deer, prairie chickens,
quails, rabbits and other birds and animals
had l;een abundant and furnished the settler
with a good supply of meat, but for years
afterwards game of all kinds was very
scarce, having perished in the snow^ It is
not easy to perceive wdiy nature should re-
quire a people so illy prepared to bear the
burdens of such a phenomena, Imt it is no
less difficult to determine why nature should
give such a down-pour of rain as to cause
the valleys of the Mississippi to overflow
and' the great crops growing thereon de-
stroyed, and at the same time permit the
plains of Nebraska, Kansas and other re-
gions to be dried up and parched, but we all
know such things to transpire in nature.

The period of the deep snow of 1831, with
the cold and suffering followdng in its wake
will never he forgotten by those who wit-
nessed it, and it is well that an event of this
magnitude should be so chronicled and in-
scribed upon the pages of history that gen-
erations yet unborn may know the powders of
nature and learn as best they can as they
journey through life to prepare for such
events, for what nature has done she may
again do, for according to the tradition of
the Indian that a snow of this kind had fal-
len seventy-five years before it may be that
an epoch of snow may come upon us within
a short period, not in the course of tradi-
tion, but as a result of a disturbance of the

PAST AND PRESENT

elements by the changes in the great plan-
etary system.

The Sudden Freeze.

One of the natural phcnunicna that is
more wonderful than that of the deep snow
is said to have occurred a little after noon
one day in January, in the year 1836, and
is known as the sudden freeze.

A lady who is an old settler has left the
following record of her recollections of this
wonderful change in the atmosphere. The
lady says "she and her family had finished
the noon-day meal, and were sitting around
and in front of the old fashioned, large, open
fire-place, enjoying its generous warmth,
chatting and discussing the state of the
weather, as during the morning it had been
snowing and raining a little; presently the
lady, in looking from the window in her
cabin, noticed a heavy black cloud lying
off to the west, which seemed to be rapidly
approaching. Needing some water, she took
a bucket and went to the well, at a distance
of about one hundred yards, lowering the
bucket with a long 'sweep,' then used in
drawing the water, filled it, and started
home. Before reaching the house the wind
and rain struck her; blew and upset a por-
tion of the water on her clothing; the cold
air seemed to cut like a knife and before
she reached the house her dress and apron
were frozen stifT in a solid sheet of ice. Ponds
which a moment before were free from ice
were frozen over in a few minutes. Many
persons were frozen to death who happened
to be caught away from home, and many
others before they could get to a place of
shelter had their faces, ears, hands and feet
frozen. Immediately preceding the storm
the ground had been slightly covered with
snow, which from rain falling in the morn-
ing had become 'slushy.' Cattle that were

in the fields were held fast by the 'slush'
freezing aljoul tlicir feet, and it was neces-
sary to cut away the ice to liberate them.
Ducks and geese were imprisoned in the
same way. It was scarcely ten minutes
after the cold wave swept over the place until
the water and melting snow was hard enough
to bear u]) a man on horscliack."

The Rainy Season.

During the years of 1876 and 1877 Chris-
tian county was confronted with two of the
rainiest seasons that had ever lieen known
in the history of this locality. Prior to
this time and since, people have witnessed
many freshets and heavy rain-falls, but they
v.ere of short duration, and the waters fall-
ing soon mov.ed away and left the farms in
fair condition for the raising of their crops,
but during the years 1876 and 1877 very
early in the spring and until very late in
the season, the rains were continuous, the
streams were alb swollen and the farms all
flooded. In most localities the farmers w'ere
unable to plant their land to corn, except on
the high patches; all the low- lands that were
planted were never cultivated, and the crops
never matured. As a farmer remarked to
me this morning, in many instances they
would not be able to get ten bushels of corn
off of eighty acres of land that had been
j^lanted, and this succession of bad crops
had a terribly depressing influence upon
the farming interests of Christian county,
so much so that tenants by the hundred
moved from off their farms. lea\ing the
whole of their crops to the landlord to pay
the rent, and out of the whole of it he ob-
tained but a scanty rent. Many of the
owners of land who mortgaged them prior
to the rainy season, owing to the want of
crops, were unable to meet their payment,
and as a restilt, mortgages w'ere foreclosed

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

upon Inindreds of farms in the county, and
many good and valuable homes sacrificed.
Lands that, prior to this, had been worth
from $35 to $40 an acre dropped in value
from $15 to $25 per acre, and much of the
land that could have been purchased at that
price is now worth $100 to $125 per acre.

After the railroads were installed in this
county it looked as if the time had come
when the farmers and those interested in
agricultural pursuits would reap a rich
liarvest and lands did, in fact, rapidly ad-
^•ance in value, but the county lacked drain-
age ; even open drains were very few ; tile
drains absolutely none, so that when the
rains of these wonderful seasons of '76 and
'yy came farmers were unable to get the
water from their lands and as a result the
crops were wholly destroyed.

Drainage was one of the absolute neces-
sities for Christian county, and its improve-
ment and the thorough drainage system
which has since been adopted in several
townships in the county and treated of in
another chapter, will in all probability avert
another calamity like that of '^(^ and 'yj.

Those who were able to withstand the
struggle and hold on to their homes were
well rewarded, for during the year 1878 and
1879, such wonderful wheat crops and
other crops as were grown in this county
had never been seen, and lands in a short
time almost doubled in value.

Men who had bought farms during the
time of depression realized enough ofif of
one wheat crop in many instances to pay
for the farm, and much of this money was
utilized in the drainage of the lands and
placing them beyond the probability of hav-
ing their entire crops destroyed in conse-
quence of a rainy season.

Christian county at that time looked al-
most solely to her agricultural products for

its income, and as a result the depression
felt in these years was not confined to the
farmer, but was visited upon the merchant
and laborer as well. Many people who had
before this time supposed themselves to be
in a position that would enable them to
battle with and survive any ordinary dis-
aster, were horrified and amazed at the de-
pressing influence of these years upon the
community. It is said that everything
works together for the common good of all,
and perhaps it is well that these scourges
are inflicted upon us at times to remind us
of our weakness and of the necessity of
economy and thrift in more prosperous
times. Every young man and woman should
learn from these lessons that "in times of
peace they should prepare for war" — that
in times of thrift they should so economize
and husband their resources that they may
be able to bear their burdens in times of
adversity and want of prosperity that happi-
ness, independence and manhood are not ac-
cjuired by the wasting of the whole of their
earnings ; while ito criticism can be offered
in any endeavor to make life comfortable
and happy, it is at all times to be praised,
yet a squandering and wasting of the pro-
ducts of our labor is at all times to be con-
demned.

In the journey of life we are almost cer-
tain to meet with disappointment and mis-
fortune through natural causes, or other-
wise, that call upon us for the preservation
of our health and an economy in the man-
agement of our affairs in life to be able to
withstand these misfortunes when they be-
fall us, ever remembering that old adage
"that a wilful waste makes a woeful want."

The Cyclone of 1880.

Near the hour of sunset of Saturday,
April 24, 1880, the western part of Chris-

PAST AND PRESENT

tian county was xisitcd willi a tcrrilile cy-
clone, which swept e\er)thini;" in its patli
and was very (lestructi\ e of ht'e and proj)-
erty.

The storm entered Christian county about
inw or Uvc miles northwest from Morri-
sonxille and traveled in a northeasterly di-
rection, crossing the south fork of tlie San-
gamon ri\er at W'illowfcM'd bridge, and
thence passing about two miles west of Tay-
lor\-ille to a point about li\e miles north of
Taylorxille, where it apparently lifted up
and i)assed away.

In its course it passed o\er and destroyed
many comfortable homes and much valu-
al)le property.

News of the storm was received at Tay-
lorxille, shortly afterward, and the excite-
ment that prevailed among the inhabitants
was simply wonderful. There was a great
demand for horses and rigs of every kind
and character to ^•isit the scene and care for
those who were injured, but owing to the
darkness of the night and th.e downpour of
rain, it was almost impossible to obtain any
definite results until daylight on Sunday
morning.

As soon as it was possible, the wounded
and dead were cared for, and the scene of
destruction w^as visited on Sunday by thou-
sands of ]ieople, and w ith one accord it was
acknowledged bx' all to be by far the e^reat-
est .and most destructive storm that ever
visited this section of the country.

The unsightly wa.ste and evidences of the
power of the cyclone made the stoutest
hearts (|nail and xxondcr at the power of the
destructive forces of nature.

After the storm reached the i)rairie, the
cloud became more visible to those in and
near its path than xvliilc in the heavy tim-
ber.

The writer has learned from Mr. E. A.

.Miller, who xvas in the path of the storm
and xvatched it for some distance 1>efore it
reached his place, many important facts ob-
served by him xx ith reference to this cyclone.
He says he observetl it first at a distance of
txvo or three miles mox-ing in a direct line
of his jjremises; that it a])peared to be a
cloud of funnel shape and of the density of
the darkest coal smoke, relieved by streaks
of light xvhich xvere taken to l)e electricity;
it had a rotary motion as well as a forward
motion, and while the rotary motion must
have been exceedingly rapid, the forward
motion did not exceed perhaps 30 miles an
hour, and it apparently traveled in a straight
course. There accompanied it a rumbling
sound resembling somewhat that of a heavy
train passing over a wooden bridge. As it
reached Mr. Miller's place it passed to the
west of his residence and over a tenant house
that was occupied by Mr. Andrew Oyler.

The rotary motion seemed to have cov-
ered the space of about /^ of a mile, and
the cyclone moxed from right to left, or
from east to west, through-^the north, the
eastern side of the cyclone drawing the prop-
erty and trees and human beings forward
and toxvards the centre, the west side of the
cyclone drawing the property backward and
toxvard the centre. The house occupied by
Andrew Oyler xvas on the xvest of -the cen-
tre of the storm, xvas entirely destroyed,
but a portion of the roof and the chimney
of the house xvere carried backward the dis-
tance of about seventy-five yards, and there
dropped in a i)ilc in the xvake of the storm
as if they had been dumped from a wagon.
.\t a hedge fence running east and west
north of Mr. Miller's residence in the track
of the storm on the east side of the centre
of the storm, the debris was deposited on the
south side of the hedge and on the w^est side
of the storm centre, the debris was depos-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ited on the north side of the hedge, and the
exact centre of the storm could he observed
as it passed over fields liy a light line of lit-
ter of husks, corn shucks and things of tliat
character of the width of ahout three feet.

Mr. Miller had a beautiful maple grove
through which the storm passed, and on
the east side of tlie centre of the sUn'm the
trees were blown down and turned to the
north and northwest, while on the west side
of the centre the trees were Ijlown down and
twisted and turned to the soutli and south-
east.

The well at the tenant house of Mr.
Miller was curbed in two sections, the up])er
section being of tb.e length of about lo feet;
this section was drawn from the well l)y
the storm and utterly demolished.

There were standing in the barn at this
tenant house occupied liy Mr. Oyler, two
horses ; one was tied to the manger and the
other to a post that was set in the ground ;
the barn was entirely destroyed and every
vestige of it swept away, except the one
post at which the horse was tied. The horse
tied at the manger was picked up by the
storm and carried the distance of about 30
rods northeast and liadly crippled while the
horse tied to the post remained there and
was not injured. In the wake of the storm
Mr. Miller found chickens, rattlesnakes, to-
gether with many other objects of interest,
and he says. the feathers were picked from
the chickens as close as though they had
Ijeen prepared for market, but it was a mys-
tery where the rattlesnakes came from, evi-
dentl}' carried there from the timber.,

A neighbor living north of him had cattle
pastures upon the south side of a large
hedge fence ; some of these cattle were
picked up and actually carried over the top
of this hedge fence, a distance of many rods,

and dropi)ed uikju the other side, many of
them being killed, some badly injured.

Smith Oyler's residence was completely
torn down, and carried away; yet a cone
shaped wood-pile cut into stove lengths and
being within the same distance of the storm
centre ns the house was not disturbed. A
n.ew wagcjn upon the place of Mr. Miller
was utterly demolished, the wagon spokes
separated from the hub of one wheel, while
the tire of this wheel was found wrapped
around a tree further along in the line of
the storm.

In the track of the storm for some distance
up(m each side of the centre the ground was
in most places swept perfectly clean, in
places had the appearance of a swept street;
where it passed through the wheat field of
Andrew Oyler, the wheat which was about
eight inches high was cut and cleaned up so
that you could scarcely observe that any-
thing had e\er lieen planted there.

At the home of Mr. T. J. Langley, who
resided near the timber, the family sought
protection by running to the orchard, lying
down upon the ground and taking hold of
trees ; one of his sons, a boy of the age of
about seven years, was picked up by the
storm and carried out over the trees the dis-
tance of about 200 feet, and there dropped
in a wheat field ; the l)oy was crippled, but
not killed, and he says that as he was being
caVried away he observed by the streaks of
lieht in the storm cloud the trees below him
as he passed along; the mother of the boy,
Mrs. Langley, was killed, anrl Mr. Langley
and the other son were badly crippled, and
Mr. T. W. Brents, our present sheriff, was
there at the time and was also injured. His
head was badly cut and hand broken.

Mr. Langley says they were all of them
literally covered and plastered with mud, so
much so that they could scarcely open their

PAST AND PRESENT

eyes after the storm had passed by, and Mr.
P.rcnts and Mr. Langley l>oth descrilie the
storm passing- over them as \i there was a
terrible weight resting upon them.

At Mr. Cutler's, two children were killed,
and Mrs. Cutler badly cripi)led ; at Frank
Peters', the family took refuge under a
manger in a log stable, and the storm blew
down this log stable even with the top of
the manger and the family miraculously es-
caped. The storm swept o\'er and destroyed
the home of Mr. Thomas Smith l)y lifting
his JKnisc from the foundation and partially
turning it around; the home of Mr. S. W.
Hawkins, a little further north in the course
of the storm, was badly wrecked and al-
most entirely demolished, but the family,
havinsr s:athered in a southeast room, mirac-
ulously escaped injury.

The home of the widow Carlton was not
<lislurl)cd, except the roof was blown away.
It seems that as the storm passed along it
would raise and lower at places.

The residence of Mr. Edward Leigh was
entirely swept away, together with- much
property, l)ut the family escaped by seeking
refuee in the cellar; likewise the house of
Mr. Jf^hn Gessner. but the family was pre-
served by having gone to the cellar for safe-
ty. The home, barn, orchard and every-
thing surrounding the home of Mr. T. J.
Langlev were totally destroyed, and the
family injured as above described.

Tt is said that Mr. A. Elliot had several
ril)s broken, and that Mrs. Elliot, with n
mother's devotion, sought to shield her off-
spring from harm by clasping the children
under each arm, and with another in her
lap waited the onset ; that the children were
unhurt, and that Mrs. Elliot was severely
wounded.

The escape of Rinaldo Carlton and his
wife, was simply miraculous; they attempt-

ed to hold the door from being blown open
by the storm, but being unable to do so,
rushed out into the storm and the house was
entirely destroyed. Fortunately they re-
ceived only slight injuries.

The Willowford bridge was totally
wrecked and many of the heavy timbers
caught up and carried a distance of a mile.
At the residence of Mr. J. J. Williams he
and his family sought refuge in a cave and
avoided injury, but the house and buildings
were entirely destroyed.

Mr. J. J. Cutler lived a quarter of a mile
north of Mr. Williams, and at the time of
the approach of the storm attempted to
reach liis home, but was overtaken by the
hurricane, and found himself amidst flying
rails, boards and timbers, and on nearing his
home he saw the tornado lift the house from
the ground, and the form of his little daugh-
ter carried away high above the tree tops.
The body was found the next morning quite
a distance from the house in a brush pile
with the upper part of the head gone and
the skull crushed, and his little son was
found a short distance from the house hor-
ribly mutilated and dead.

Frank Peters and his family were saved
by taking refuge in a log stable. The home
was entirely destroyed.

At the home of John Hayes the house
was lifted from over the heads of himself
and family, leaving them on the floor; no
one was seriously injured, except Mr.
Haves, who received a fracture of the skull ;
also at the home of William Welsh the roof
was taken off the house, but the family was
uninjured.

Mr. and Mrs. George Higgins were found
a few hours after the storm had subsided,
a cjuarter of a mile away from where their
house had stood, locked in each other's arms.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

covered with nuul, inseiisi1)le, bleeding and
horribly mutilated.

James Watts and wife were both seri-
ously injured, and their home and effects
entirely destroyed: the home of Mrs. Holf-
ner was also destroyed, and she, with her
five children, were caught in the falling
building; Mrs. Holfner and two of the chil-
dren were seriously injured.

At Frank Harket's, one end of the house
was blown out and the roof lifted, leaving
the other end of the house and the occu-
pants uninjured.

Buildings were also destroyed and the
farms of Mr. Miller, Mr. Oyler, Mr. Jonas
Kemmerer and Mr. Perkins ; also the school
house known as the Perkins' school house
was completely demolished, and here near
the Perkins home is where the storm seems
to have lifted up and sailed away, and so
far as the writer has been able to ascertain,
no other damage was inflicted by this storm.

The writer will not attempt to make any
deductions from this great and wonderful
phenomena of nature, but has sought to
give in detail, as best he could, the peculiar-
ities of this wonderful cloud, with its move-
ments and effects, and such incidents as ap-
pear strange or peculiar, so that every one
wdio reads this article may study and deter-
mine for himself, if he can, how or why
nature moves in such wondrous ways.

The writer has not attempted to give a
description of the entire amount of prop-
erty that was destroyed, but it is sufficient
to say that in this county hundreds of valu-
able animals and much valuable property,
amounting in all to prol)ably hundreds of
thousands of dollars, were destroyed by this
wonderful cyclone.

The impressions made l)y this storm upon
the minds of the inhabitants residing in this
vicinity perhaps never will be eradicated ;

the people prepared caves and regulated
their cellars for protection, and for years
afterwards, upon the approach of almost
every storm, the people sought refuge in
these caves and cellars, and it is well, for
there seems to be no protection from them
except by taking refuge in a cave or cellar.

Christian County's Heroes in War.

The people of this locality, before and
after the county was organized, have al-
ways shown themselves to be loyal, brave
and true to the interests of their county, and
have at all times been ready and willing
to make all necessary sacrifices for the good
of the country. She has furnished her quota
of soldiers for the Black Hawk war of
1832, the Mexican war, the Civil war and
the Spanish war, and no history of the
county would ])e complete without giving a
detailed history of those of its citizens who
eng-ae-ed in these recent wars. While it is
true, it is to some extent a matter merely
of statistics, yet these are very dear to the
hearts of many of the people of our county,
and should be recorded, even though
lengthy.

These statistics have been collected by a
former historian of this county, for all of
the wars except the Spanish-American w'ar,
and w^ill be given as therein designated xvith
the addition of the soldiers of the Spanish
war.

Before entering into detail of the causes
and results of the Black Hawk war, we give
our readers a brief sketch of the celebrated
w-arrior who figured so conspicuously in
those sanguinary campaigns. Macuta Ma-
hicatah is the Indian name for Black Hawk.
He was born in the Sauk village in the year
1767. and was an Indian of considerable tal-
ent and sagacity, shrewd and eloquent in
council; he, how'ever, deported himself in

I'Asr Axi) i'KJ<:sEN'r

that (Icimirc. "raxe and formal manner in-
cident tu almost all Indians. It is said lie
possessed a mind of more than ordinary
strength, hnt slow and ]ilodding jn its op-
erations. In comparison he conld not he
classed with the great Indian characters,
such as riiilip. Brant. Logan. l>cumseh
and such illustrious men. \\y the ])ortraits
of him now extant, the reader of character
will readilv ohserve in his large, high fore-
head and the lines ^vorn hy care in his face,
massive jaw and compressed lips, a charac-
ter indicati\e of more than ordinary ability.
I lis ambition was to distinguish himself as
a great warrior; yet he was merciful to the
weak, the women and children. The only
road for an Indian to distinguish himself
and become a great man is in war. So soon
as he kills an enemy he may paint on his
blanket a blood hand, \vhich will entitle him
to a seat in the councils. In 1810 and 181 1
Black Hawk and comrades were "nursing
their wrath to keep it warm" against the
whites. A party of Sacs, by invitation, went
to see the prophet of Tippecanoe. They re-
turned more angry against the Americans.
A party of W'innebagoes had massacred
some whites, which excited for murder tlie
Sac band headed by Black Hawk. A pa.rt
of his band and some W'innebagoes attacked
h'ort Madison in i.Sii. but were repulsed.
Black Hawk headed the Sacs in this at-
tack.

In i<Sij emissaries from the British ar-
rived at Kock Island with goods and se-
cured Black Hawk with five hundred war-
riors to go with Col. Dixon to Canada.
When they reached Green Bay there were
assembled there bands of the Ottowas, Pot-
tnwatcwfities, ■>'Winnebagoes and Kickapoos.
ulider! the'lcommand of Col. Dixon. Black
HiaUikMand-jliland participated in the battle
oifi RlivtniiRdJsin, the Lower Sandusky and

other places, but, getting dissatisbed with
the hiird lighting and small amount of
spoils, he and twenty comrades left for the
Sauk \illage at Rock Island, where he re-
mained for many years at peace, with the
exce]jtion of a small battle on the Quiver
river settlement in Missouri, in the present
limits of St. Charles county, where one
white man and an Indian were killed.

The principal cause of the Indian trou-
bles in '3 1 -'32, better known as the Black
Hawk war, was the determination of Black
Hawk and his band to remain in their an-
cient village, located on Rock river, not
far from its junction with the Mississippi.
The government, having some time previ-
ously, by ^'arious treaties, purchased the vil-
lage and the whole country from the Sac
and Fox tril)es of Indians, had some of these
lands surveyed, and in 1828 some of the
lands in and around the ancient village were
sold ; the collision between the two races for
the possession of the property produced the
first disturbance between the Indians and
the government. Seeing that war was in-
evitable, the Governor of Illinois made a
call on the militia of the state for seven
hundred men on the 26th of May, 183 1, and
appointed Beardstown, on the Illinois river,
as the place of rendezvous. The call was
responded to with that promptness charac-
teristic of the early pioneers of this state.
Their habits of life were such that all were
familiar with the rifle. After marching
eight days, the mounted militia reached a
point a few miles below the Sac village on
the Mississippi, where they joined the
United States forces under Gen. Gaines and
encamped in the evening. The next morn-
ing the forces marched up to an Indian town
])repared to give the enemy battle, but in
the night the Indians had escaped and
crossed the Mississippi. This ended Black

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Hawk's Ijravadu and his determination to
die in iiis ancient village. The number of
warriors under his command was estimated
at from four to six hundred men. Black
Hawk and his hand landed on the west side
of the Mississippi, a few miles below^ Rock
Island, and there camped. Gen. Gaines
sent a ])eremptory order to him and his war-
riors that if he and his men did not come
to Rock Island and make a treaty of peace
he would march his troops and give him
battle at once. * * * In a few days
Black Hawk and the chiefs and head men
to the number of twenty-eight appeared in
Fort Armstrong, and on the 30th of June,
1831. in full council with Gen. Gaines and
Go\ernor John Reynolds, signed a treaty of
peace.

The Black Hawk War in 1832.

During the winter of '31 and '32 rumors
were rife that Black Haw^k and his band
were dissatisfied, restless and preparing for
mischief. A chief of the Winnebago In-
dians, w^ho had a village on Rock river,
some thirty miles al)ove its confluence with
the Mississippi, joined Black Hawk, who
was located on the west bank of the Father
of Waters. The chief had great influence
with Black Hawk and his band. He made
them believe that all the tribes on Rock
river would join them, and that together
they could bid defiance to the whites. By
this unwise counsel Black Hawk resolved
to re-cross the river, wdiich he did in the
winter of 1832. That move proved to be
their destruction. Through his influence and
zeal, Black Hawk encouraged many of the
Sacs and Foxes to join him at the head of
his determined warriors. He first assem-
bled them at old Fort Madison on the Mis-
sissippi ; subsecjuently marched them up the
river to the Yellow Banks, where he pitched

his tent April 6, 1832. This armed array
of savages soon alarmed the settlers, and
a general panic spread through the . whole
frontier from the Mississippi to Lake Mich-
igan. Many settlers in terror abandoned
their homes and farms, and the Governor
decided, on the i6th of x\pril, to call out a
large number of volunteers to operate in
conjunction with Gen. Atkinson, who was in
command of the regular forces at Rock
Island. The Governor ordered the troops
to rendezvous at Beardstowai on the 22d of
April.

Among those who enlisted from Chris-
tian county w'ere Samuel Wydick, John S.
Sinnet, Martin Hanon, Jake Gragg, Jesse
Gragg, John Baker. Shadrack J. Campbell
was a soldier of the war of 18 12, and also
was a volunteer in the Black Hawk war in
the campaign of 1832.

The force marched to the mouth of Rock
river, wdiere Gen. Atkinson received the
volunteers into the United States services
and assumed command. Black Hawk and
his warriors w^ere still on the Rock river.

The army under Atkinson commenced its
march up the river on the 9th of May. Gov.
Reynolds, the gallant "Old Ranger," re-
mained with the army, and the President
recognized him as a Major-General, and
he was paid accordingly. His presence did
much toward harmonizing and conciliating
those jealousies which generally exist be-
tween volunteers and regular troops. Major
John A. Wakefield and Col. Ewing acted as
spies for a time in the campaign of '32 to
discover the location of the enemy if possi-
ble. A Mr. Kinney acted as guide for
them ; he understood the Sac dialect. On
the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's
command had a sort of running battle with
the Indians at or near wdiat is now known
as Stillman's Run, a small sluggish stream ;

PAS r AND PRESENT

in the eng'agenicnl eleven wliilc men and
eight Indians were killed. I'.lark I lawk and
his warriors fought with the spirit Ixirn ot
desperatii m. lUack llawk says in his Ixuik
that he tried at Slilhnan's Run to call hack
his warriors, as he thought the whites were
making a sham retreat in order to draw him
into an amimscade i>\ the whole army under
Gen. Whiteside.

The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman
and his armv was, in a measure, demoraliz-
ing to the entire force; undoul)tedly the
cause of the defeat was a lack of discipline.
When Gov. Reynolds learned of the disas-
ter of Major Stillman. he at once ordered
out two thousand additional volunteers.
With that promptitude characteristic of the
old "War Governor," he wrote out by can-
dle-light on the evening of Stillman's de-
feat the (M'der for the additional troops, and
by daylight dispatched John Ewing, Robert
Blackwell and John A. Wakefield to distrib-
ute the order to the various counties. The
\-oluntecrs again ]iromptly responded. On
the loth of July the army cbsbanded for
want of i)ro\isions. Gen. Scott arrived soon
after with a large force at the post of ("hi-
cago, to effect if possible a treaty wdtb the
Indians. Small detachments of Black
Hawk's warriors would persistently hang
on the outskirts of the main body of the
ami}-, thie\e and plunder, and pounce upon
and kill the lonely sentinel or straggling
soldier. On the T5th of July the soldiers
were reviewed and those incapable of duty
were discharged and returned home. Po-
quette, a half-l)reed, and a W'innebag-o
chief, the "White Pawnee," were selected
for guides to the camp of Black Hawdv and
band. Several battles and skirmishes oc-
curred with the enemy, the i)rinci]:)al of
which was on the banks of the Mississippi,
where the w .arriors fought with great des-

])eralion: o\er one hundred and fifty were
killed in the engagement and large numbers
drowned in attempting to swim the river.
After the battle the xolunteers were marched
to Dixon, where ihey were discharged. This
ended the campaign and the lilack Hawk
war. At the battle oi the Bad Axe, Black
1 lawk and some of his warriors escaped the
Americans and went U]) the Wisconsin
ri\er. laU subsequently surrendered him-
self, h'ort Armstrong, on Rock Island, was
the i)lace appointed where a treaty would
he made with the Indians, but before it was
ciTected that dreadful scourge, the cholera.
of '32 \isited not only the regular army,
depleting its ranks far more rapidly than
the balls of the Indians had done. 1mt it also
soueht out its manv victims in the duskv
bands of the Black Hawk tribe. On the 15th
of Sei)tember, 1832, a treaty was made with
the Winnebago Indians. They sold out all
their lands in Illinois and all south of the
Wisconsin ri\-er and west of Green Bay,
and the goxernment ga\'e them a large dis-
trict of country west of the Mississi])pi and
ten thousand dollars a year for seven years,
besides i)ro\iding free schools for their chil-
dren for twenty years, oxen, agricultural
implements, etc., etc.

Se]:)tember 21, 1832, a treaty was made
with the Sac and Fox tribes, on which they
ceded to the L^iited States the tract of coun-
try out of w hich a few years afterwards the
state of Iowa was formed. In consideration
of the above cession of lands, the govern-
ment ga\-e them an annuity of twenty thou-
sand dollars for thirty years, forty kegs of
tobacco and forty barrels of salt, more gun-
smiths, blacksmith .shop, etc.. etc. ; six
thousand bushels of corn for immediate sup-
l^ort. mostly intended for the Black Hawk
band.

The treaties above mentioned terminated

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT

Erected at Rosemond Grove Cemetery, near Rosemond, Illinois. Consisting of
a pedestal formed from a single granite block, surmounted by figure in bronze,
after the design of Charles J. Mulligan, sculptor. The gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. W.
Kitchell, of Pana, 111. Dedicated October 29. 1903.

" In memory of the Union Soldiers and Sailors and of their Beloved Commander in Chief and
Noblest Friend, Abraham Lincoln."

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

favorably and the security resulting there-
from gav-e a new and rapid impetus to the
development of the state, and now enter-
prising towns and villages and beautiful
farms adorn the rich and alluvial i)rairies
that before were (Mily desecrated by the wild
bands who inhabited them.

The Mexican War.

In the war with Mexico in 1846-47 Illi-
nois furnished six regiments of men as fol-
lows : First regiment, commanded by Col.
John y. Hardin; Second regiment, com-
manded by Col. William H. Bissell ; Third
regiment, commanded 1)y Col. Ferris For-
man ; Fourth regiment, commanded by Col.
Edward D. Baker; Fifth regiment, com-
manded by Col. James Collins ; Sixth regi-
ment, commanded by Col. Edward W. New-
by.

As the records have not yet been trans-
cribed from the War Department at Wash-
ington, we have had to rely solely on the
facts furnished by those now living in the
county who served in the war.

This county had no regular organization
in that war, Imt had several volunteers, who
enlisted in other regiments. A company
was raised and rei)orted liy its captain, H.
M. Vandeveer, l)ut it was not accepted as
the companies and regiments were all or-
ganized. Several of her sons, however, en-
tered the ranks and did good service for
their country in helping forward the cause
in which they were enlisted. H. M. Van-
deveer liecome assistant (|uartermaster', with
the rank of captain. He was at the liattle
oi Buena Vista on Gen. Wool's statT, and
bore Gen. Taylor's famous dispatch, "A lit-
tle more grape, Capt. Bragg." Among those
who went to that war from this county (and
some others who have been residents of
this county) may be mentioned Dial Davis,

John Sanders and Wesley White, who en-
listed in the Fourth regiment, Company C,
commanded l)y Capt. Isaac C. Pugh ; George
Horworth, enlisted in Company A, same
regiment; Christopher C. Hollier, enlisted
in Company E, Fourth regiment ; Henry
Sanders and J. W. Wise in Capt. Roberts'
company; A. P. Miller, enlisted in Capt.
Hurt's company ; others were Reuben Wil-
kinson, Joseph Wydick, Henry Sharp, John
Sharp, Fletcher Haines, James C. Christian,
Henry Ferguson, John Craig.

The War of the Rebellion.

The War of the Rebellion commenced
with the firing or. Fort Sumpter in April,
1861, and ended with the surrender of Gen.
Lee and his army to Gen. Grant, near Rich-
mond, Va., on the 9th of April, 1865. The
war over, at once the reduction of the army
began. Illinois had in the field 156 regi-
ments of infantry, seventeen regiments of
cavalry, and two regiments of light artil-
lery. The total aggregate force in the field
was: in infantry, 185,941; cavalry, 32,082;
artillery, 'y,2'// — making a grand total of
225,300. men. Apprehensions were ex-
pressed by many that the disbanding of so
many soldiers among the people, fresh from
the army, and the withdrawal of all military
restraint and control over them would be
productive of disorder, misrule and crime
to an unprecedented degree in the country.
But time has shown that all such anticipa-
tions and fears were groundless ; for with
a wonderful rapidity these vast armies of
the Union melted away and returned to their
varied peaceful ])ursuits of civil life; and
the "legions that a few years ago, in num-
ber, in solidity, discipline and proof were
without antetype in the world's history, may
today be fcmnd- in the work-shop, at the
bench, in the busy marts of trade, in tlie

PAST AND PRESENT

manufactories and on the larm ; and their
memljers have manifested to tlic world that,
as citizens at home, they know as well how
to respect the nation's laws as they know
how to vindicate them in the field against
armed rehellion or invading forces."

Draft.

At first it was determined to rely upon
the spontaneous movement of the people to
furnish the necessary quotas of soldiers by
volunteering, but this w^as found inadequate,
and the magnitude of the contest made it
necessary to resort to the draft. This was
very unpopular and distasteful to the peo-
ple. Every appliance was made to evade
it. Desertions were not infrequent. But
the strong arm of the government enforced
the measure. The draft was based on the
census of i860. Christian county had a
population of 10,475. Several enrollments
were made. The first, in 1863, show^ed a
force of 2,155 persons subject to military
duty in this county ; a second enrollment in
1864 showed 2,512 men. The latter en-
rollment was viewed with distrust and
looked upon as excessive, inasmuch as it
exhibited a marked increase, when, during
the same time, the county had been depleted
of large numbers who had already entered
the service. "■ %

The officers in charge of the duty, act-
ing under instructions, took in all classes
between the ages of 21 and 45; the blind,
the hall and ilie lame, without regard to
their manifest unfitness for military duty;
thus putting them to unnecessary trouble
and expense to be excused. A revised en-
rollment was demanded, and made January
1st, which reduced the number to 1.5.32
men.

President Lincoln called for 300,000 men
October 18, 1863; for 500,000 February i.

1864; for 200,000 March 4, 1864; for 500,-
000 July 18, 1864; for 300,000 December
19, 1864 — in all 1.800,000. Illinois' cjuota,
177,747. Christian county's quota, 1,449;
raised by volunteers and draft 1,369 — leav-
ino- a deficit of 80 when the war closed, and
recruiting ceased by order of the Secretary
of War, under date of April 13, 1865.

The first draft was ordered to be made
September 19, 1864, in the several precincts
in the county where the quota had not been
filled by volunteers. Silas Chadwick and
James M. Crabb were among the con-
scripted from the Taylorville precinct. Silas
Chadwick was killed soon after the battle
of Franklin, Tennessee, and James M.
Crabb furnished a substitute at a cost of
$500, paid by himself. The county did not
come to the relief of those first drafted, but
reser\'ed its charity for the benefit of those
taken in the second draft, at Jacksonville,
under the call of December 19, 1864. The
course adopted was manifest injustice to
those first drafted. All drafted men in the
county should have shared alike in its ben-
efits.

The quota of Christian county, under the
call of December 19, 1864, was 257, appor-
tioned to the precincts as follows :
Sub. Dist's.

No. Precincts. Quotas.

19. Buckhart 38

20. Stonington 18

21. Pana 12

22. North Fork 42

23. Tacusa (Assumption) 19

24. Rosemond 9

25. Low^er Bear Creek 19

26. Taylorville , 51

27. Nevada •#..... 12

28. Upper Bear Creek 12

29. Lower South Fork 16

30. Locust 9

Total 257

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The County court in special session Feb-
ruary 20, 1865, adopted measures looking
to the relief of the 257 conscripted men of
this county. They ordered a tax of $2.50 on
the one hundred dollars' worth of taxal^le
property of the county, and directed a boun-
ty of $350 to be paid to any volunteer or
drafted man until the quota of the county
was filled. The bonds were issued in March,
payable in one year. The war closed, and
all recruiting was ordered by the war de-
partment to be suspended on April 15, 1865.
But 149 bonds had been issued, aggregating
a cost to the county of $52,150, and inter-
est of $5,215. The public mind was restive
about the bonds. The County court, at their
December term, 1865, appointed H. M. Van-
deveer and Jas. C. Morrison as agents to
examine the records and ascertain the num-
ber of men furnished by this county, who
would legally be entitled to the war bonds.
When Richmond fell on the first of April,
1865. not a bond had gone out of the office
of the county clerk. Prominent men of the
county urged the withholding of the bonds
for a few days to see the issue of events.
But it was not heeded. Those in charge
of the matter at Jacksonville managed, in
the course of ten days, to throw out 149
war-bonds, and burden the county, at their
maturity, with a debt of $57,365. These
agents were appointed to probe the matter
to its bottom. They re])orted to the court
that "they had made some progress in re-
gard to the number of bonds issued, but
they encountered difficulties at Springfield,
as Col. Oakes had packed up the papers to
send to the war department, but proffered all
the aid he could furnish in the premises."

A tax was levied by the County court,
and the bonds paid off at maturity in 1866,
without the citizens seemingly feeling it.

Soldiers' Aid Society.

A society under this caption was organ-
ized by the ladies of Taylorville. Its object
was to furnish mittens, socks and articles
for the hospital, for the use, benefit and
comfort of the "sodger Ijoys gone to the
wars" from this portion of the county.
Their object was laudable; and it was very
natural for a mother's heart to feel for her
boy as the cold, bleak days of winter began
to approach. How cold would be his hands
as he bore his musket in the weary marches
of the day. They held their meetings fre-
(juently, and entered on their work with
commendable zeal, and soon had a box of
these necessary articles prepared and sent
forward to the front. The "boys in blue"
were then camped at Rolla, Mo., and were
glad to think they were held in dear remem-
l)rance at home; l)ut the United States com-
missary had anticipated the ladies in fur-
nishing these comforts.

The officers of the society were Mrs. Dr.
Goudy, President; Mrs. W. W. Anderson,
Vice President ; Mrs. Dr. Rockwell, Secre-
tary ; Mrs. W. A. Goodrick, Treasurer, and
Hattie Goodrick, Mrs. Maj. Shumway and
Mrs. Paden, Directresses.

14TH Infantry.

This regiment was organized under the
call of May 15, 1861, and was mustered
into the United States service for three
years at Jacksonville, 111., on the 25th of
May, 1 86 1. It remained at Camp Duncan,
Jacksonville, until the latter part of June,
for instruction, when it moved to Quincy,
and thence to Missouri, July 5th, where it
did good service. It left Rolla, Mo., for
Jefferson City, under Gen. Fremont, on his
memorable campaign to Springfield, Mo.,
after Gen. Price, and went intO' winter quar-

!MI

PAST AND PRKSKNT

ters at Olterville. In l-cljruary, 1862, it
was ordered to Vnv[ IXmelson, and ar-
rived the (lav after its surrender, and was
placed in Cien. S. A. Hurlburt's brigade.
C0I. Palmer was promoted to brigadier-gen-
eral, and Major Hall was made colonel. It
was in the sanguinary engagements of the
fttli and 7th of April, 1861, when the regi-
ment lirst smelled gunpowder from the en-
emy. Here it lost half its number. The
colors had forty-two bullet holes through
them, which attest the dangers and gallan-
try of the command. It was in the last
grand charge, in the advance led by Col.
Hall, on the evening oi the 7th of April,
that (len. Veatch, in his official report, says:
"Col. Plall, of the 14th Illinois, led his regi-
ment in that gallant charge on Monday
evening, which drove the enemy beyond our
lines and closed the struggle of that mem-
orable day."

The regiment took an active part in the
siege of Corinth. After the evacuation it
proceeded to Memphis, and thence to Bo-
livia, Tenn. It was in an eight-hours fight
on the Hatchic ri\cr. and went into winter
quarters, 1862-3. at Lafayette, Tenn. Early
in the spring it was ordered to Vicksburg,
where it took part in the siege of that
stronghold, until its final fall on the 4th of
July, 1863. It was at the siege of Jack-
son, Miss. In August it moved to Natchez,
and from thence across the swamps of north-
ern Louisiana to Harrisonville, on the Wa-
chita river; captured Fort Beauregard and
accompanied (len. Sherman on his raid on
Meridian, Miss.

After its return, a Inrge portion re-en-
listed as veterans, their time being nearly
out. The \eterans were furloughed, and
many returned home. On their return they
formed part of the army in advance on At-
lanta. Here the 14th rmd 15th Illinois, who

were together since the fall of 1862, sharers
of each others' son-ow s and joys, weary
marches and hcjuorably earned laurels, were
consolidated into the

14T11 AND 15T11 Illinois Veteran
Battalion.

In October, 1864, rebel (ien. Hood at-
tacked Gen. Sherman's rear forces, guard-
ing the railroad, when a large number of
the battalion were killed, and the major part
of the balance were taken prisoners and
sent to Anderson vi lie prison. Those who
escaped capture were mounted and acted as
scouts on Gen. Sherman's grand march
through Georgia to the sea, ami were at the
battle of Bentonville, N. C.

At Goldsboro, N. C, in the spring of
1865, the battalion organization was dis-
continued ; and seven one-year companies,
new recruits were assigned March, 1865,
from the north to fill up the two regiments.
Col. Hall was again assigned to the com-
mand of the 14th regiment. It was in the
grand review of Sherman's army at Wash-
ington City, May 24, 1865. It then pro-
ceeded by rail and river to Louisville, Ky. ;
thence by rail to Fort Leavenworth, Kan-
sas ; thence marched to Fort Kearney and
back. It was mustered out at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kansas, September 16, 1865, arriv-
ing at Springfield, Illinois, September 22,
1865, wdiere it received final payment and
discharge. The commanding officer at the
close of service was Brevet Brig.-Gen. Cyrus
Hall, and the aggregate strength since or-
ganization, 2,015.

The aggregate number of men who be-
longed to the 14th regiment was 1,980. and
the aggregate mustered out at Fort Leaven-
worth was 480.

Durino- its four vears and foiu" months
of arduous service the regiment marched

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

4,490 miles, traveled by rail 2,380 miles,
and by river, 4,490 miles — making an ag-
gregate of 11,360 miles.

In this regiment was Company H, from
Christian county, commanded by Capt. An-
drew Simpson, who was wounded at Pitts-
burg Landing, in the battles of the 6th and
7th of April, 1862 — and in consecjuence
thereof resigned October 4. 1862. This
company participated in all tlie hardships
and battles before described.

The company was organized, under many
adverse circumstances, after the fall of Fort
Sumter. It was then styled "The Chris-
tian Union Guards."

The hide pendent Press of April 19, 1861,
says of it : "Immediately upon the receipt of
Gov. Yates' proclamation, calling out six
regiments of volunteers, several chi\'alric
young men of Taylorville, inspired with pa-
triotic ardor, promptly set about forming a
light infantry corps; and, upon the fact be-
coming known about town, the annexed can-
didates for martial glory came forward and
signed the muster roll :

Andrew Simpson, Edward Percy, John
Durbin (Biscuit), Robert E. Doyle, John
McKenzie, D. R. Jay. John W. Hartley,
Silas B. Root, Reuben A. Beard, John G.
Haines, A. E. Barnes.

"Mr. John W. Hartley is acting as a re-
cruiting officer during the absence of Mr.
Simpson, who has gone to Springfield to
see Gov. Yates on matters pertaining to
the organization of the company. On Mr.
Simpson's return, Mr. Hartley assures us
the Light Infantry corps will have a 'grand
rally.' "

One of the men who signed the call was
not in sympathy with the cause, and prob-
ably did it in burlesque as will appear from
the following published in the Press of the
same date :

"A Card to the Christian Public/''

"Mr. Editor : To put myself right be-
fore the world, I deem it due alike to my
character as a man and my standing as a
democrat and a patriot to state that I signed
the muster roll of the Light Infantry com-
pany, now forming" at Taylorv^ille, only con-
ditionally. I will state my conditions, and
leave it to impartial posterity to pronounce
me 'sound upon the goose.'

"ist. I will not join the army of coercion
if Dick Yates appoints the officers.

"2d. I will join if the members of the
company are allowed the privilege of elect-
ing their own officers — company and regi-
mental.

"3d. I will continue with the company
'for and during the war' — provided I am
elected captain.

"4th. If I am not elected captain of the
company, I'll see 'the institution' d — d first,
before I budge a step from Taylorville. I
have no idea of setting myself up as a tar-
get to l^e shot at for the insignificantly-con-
temptilile sum of $11 a month, rations and
medical attendance thrown in. No-sir-ee,
Bob; not in the day time.

"R. A. Beard.

"P. S. — If the above arrangement is not
entirely satisfactory to my brave compan-
ions in arms of the Taylorville Light In-
fantry corps I shall remain at home and
continue, as usual, to build houses and stairs
— cheap for cash or country produce.

"R. A. B."

Taylorville, April 19, 1861.

Whilst this chivalric gentleman of tem-
porary residence in Christian was sending
forth broadcast this ironical patriotic letter,
tending to embarrass Capt. Simpson in his
recruiting efiforts, on the same day a class
of his way of thinking were shooting down
a portion of a Massachusetts regiment in
Baltimore, on their way to Washington City
to protect the capitol of the nation from seiz-
ure by the enemy.

A union meeting was held in Pana, April
22, 1865, at which Rev. H. R. Lewis pre-

PAST AND PRESENT

sided, and riddresses were made by J. H.
O'Connor, (Ico. K. Pease, j. E. Southwick
and others. A series of resolutions were
passed without a dissenting voice. The /;/-
dependent Press, in commenting on it, says:
"The fourth smells strongly of gunpowder
and subjugation." It further says: "John
B. Butler, well and favor.ahly known to the
people of Christian, has abandoned the
peaceful pursuits of life, donned a military
attire, and like a 'howld sojer boy; as he
is. gone ofif to the wars, gaily singing as he
went the |)atriotic old ditty of —

a i

Come all ye lirave Americans,
I'd have you for to know
That for to fight the enemy

Pm goin' for to go.' '

But Cai)t. Simpson succeeded in raising
his company, composed of 12 officers and
65 privates. They were duly organized and
ready for the march on the loth of May,
1861. The citizens of Taylorville gave
them a sumptuous collation on that day at
the courthouse. On that occasion the ladies
were more than soldiers, vieing with each
other in doing honors for the brave boys.
Speeches were made by H. M. Vandeveer,
C. Goudy, D. T. Moore, T3. E. Hall and
W'm. Singer. A select choir, under the di-
rection of A. S. Rockwell, sang the beauti-
ful airs, Star Sj^angled Banner, Red, White
and l)lue, y\uld Lang Syne, on the court-
house steps; after which D. T. Moore, on
behalf of the ladies, i)resented a beautiful
flag, accompanied with a neat and appropri-
ate speech. Maj. D. D. Shumway, as ex-
pressive of his good wishes, presented to
the company, through Ca])t. Simpson $20 in
gold.

The company marched to Pana on that
day and took the cars on the Central rail-
road. A good dinner was served up to the

boys in blue at Pana. They moved by rail
to Decatur the same evening, where they
were jammed into two freight cars and
rolled away to Jackson\'ille. The company
was mustered into service on the 25th of
May, i<Sr)i, and went into (|urirters at Camp
Duncan. The boys then oi)ened the "Mys-
terious box" sent along with the commis-
sary department filled with cake and other
nice things. This disposed of, the company
gave "three cheers and a tiger" to the ladies
of Taylorville.

The 14th regiment, Illinois volunteers, as
sworn into the United States service at Jack-
sonville, PL, May 25, 1861, for three years.
Jno. M. Palmer, colonel.

Muster-roll of Company H :

Andrew Simpson, captain, resigned Oc-
tober 4, 1862 ; John W. Hartley, ist lieu-
tenant, resigned May 21, 1862; Oliver P.
Squiers, 2d lieutenant, promoted captain;
Z. Payson Shumway, ist sergeant, promoted
2(1 and ist lieutenant, mustered out 1864;
James W. Reed, sergeant, drowned July,
1861 ; Henry McKenzie, sergeant, mustered
out October 31, 1864; Edw. W. Percy, ser-
geant ; Charles Poleman, corporal ; John C.
Isbell, cor])oral; Elias C. Banning, corporal;
John Durbin (Biscuit), corporal; Edwin A.
Salter, corporal, killed at Shiloh April 6,
1862; Robert M. Logan, corporal, dropped
from the rolls October 29, 1863; Geo. M.
Lunison, corporal ; Charlesworth Powel,
wagoner, promoted ist lieutenant, then ad-
jutant; Edgar Chapman, musician; Morris
Ray, musician, rc-enlisted as veteran ; Wm.
T. Brawley, pri\ate. died July 30, 1862;
Andrew U. Behimer, private; Uriah Barofif,
])ri\ate; Wm. \V. Baldman, private, mus-
tered out October 21, 1864; Christopher C.
Bonds, private, mustered out October 31,
1864; John D. Bankston, private; James M.
Bisby, private, re-enlisted as veteran; de-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

serted 1865; Wm. T. Blythe, private; Wm.
C. Broadshaw, private; Almond F. Barnes,
private; Chas. \V. W. Clark, private; Hen-
ry Ciindiff, private, re-enlisted as veteran
M. O. July, 1865 ; Henry H. Campbell, pri-
vate, re-enlisted as veteran; Robert E.
Doyle, private; William Drory, private;
William Thomas Elam. private, promoted
corporal, killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862;
East. Cincinnatns. private ; Joseph Free-
man, private; William George, private:
Lafayette George, private ; Owne Gillon,
private; Archibald Hatchett, private; Chris-
tian K. Hamel, private; Benjamin F. Hal-
ford, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Har-
mon H. Hatfield, private; Henry H. Hig-
bee, private ; W. John Herstm, private; Dan-
iel R. Jay, private; James Kelso, private,
discharged September 2, 1862, disability;
Samuel Logan, private, re-enlisted as vet-
eran ; Alfred Lovejoy, private ; Levi Loser,
private; John McKenzie, private; Samuel
McKenzie, committed suicide May 19, 1863 ;
Thomas Meeter, private; Cyrus Murphy,
private ; Lyttle McCracken, private, trans-
ferred to Inv. Cor. Oct. 21, 1863, and mus-
tered out Oct. 25, 1864; Edmond Malony,
private; Jefferson Osborn, private; Eli Par-
rilh, private, discharged Oct. 13, 1862;
wounds; Silas H. Polly, private, re-enlisted
as veteran ; James S. Ruby, private, dropped
from rolls Oct. 29, 1862; Cyrus Rush, pri-
vate, transferred to Inv. Corps, M. O., May
25, 1862; Mortimer Rice, private; Silas
B. Root, private; Corwin Shephard, private,
discharged Sept. 28, 1862; James ■ M.
Stewart, private, re-enlisted as veteran: Wm.
O. Stephens, private, discharged Sept. 28,
1862: wounds: Absalom Stine, private, died
in Andersonville prison, Oct. 2, 1864.

No. of Grave 10828 :

Charles Seelover, private, killed at Shi-
loh, April 6, 1862; Albert B. Taylor, pri-

vate ; Alexander Thompson, private : Charles
B. Tettfick, private; Franklin M. Truster,
private: Alfred Westbrooks, private: Rid-
ley Westbrooks, private: Edward Branch,
recruit ; Simon Bartley, recruit ; Robert
Burris, recruit; Paul Connor, recruit; Hols-
ton, recruit ; John Meeter, recruit, see Co. A,
veteran battalion ; John McCracken, recruit ;
David McLaughlin, recruit ; Anthony Mans-
field, recruit, died Sept., 1862; Jerry Miller,
recruit ; Jesse McKenzie, recruit, transferred
to Inv. Cor., Oct. 21. 1863; Matthew Pers-
inger, recruit ; Isaac Rutledge, recruit, trans-
ferred from 2d Kansas Co. F, Aug. 28,
1861 ; Sidney Sweet, recruit, deserted June
25, 1865, from veteran battalion; Morris
Ray, recruit, fife major in 14th re-organ-
ized infantry.

Forty-first Infantry Regiment.

Company G, of this regiment, Francis M.
Long, captain, was from Christian county.
The officers of the regiment w^ere : Isaac C.
Pugh, of Decatur, colonel ; Ansel Tupper,
of Decatur, lieutenant colonel, killed at bat-
tle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862 ;
Capt. Francis M. Long, of Taylorville, pro-
moted major and killed in action, near
Jackson, Miss., July 12, 1863 ; AVilliam
C. B. Gillispie, of Grove City, in this county,
adjutant from March 17, 1862, till his time
expired, August 20, 1864; John Baughman,
of Christian county quartermaster from Sep-
tember 4, 1863, till his time expired, August
20, 1864.

This regiment was organized by the sec-
retary of war, in July, 1861, at Decatur, Til.,
on the 9th of August, 1861. August 7,
Captain Long's company, with the regiment,
moved to St. Louis, Mo. ; the 29th, moved
to Bird's Point, Mo., and was assigned to
the command of General Prentiss ; Septem-
ber 8, moved to Paducah, Ky. ; assigned to

L»4-

PAST AND PRESENT

(Icn. C V. Smith's aminiaiul November 6.
1861 ; marched to Melbourne and returned;
to Lovelettsville and returned November
K), 1861; to Crown Tdinl and returned
December 31. 1861.

Three members of Company G died at
Paducah. Ky. : Corporal Wm. M. Petty, Oc-
tober 13. 1861, of typhoid fc\cr. was brought
home and buried, on Bear Creek, aged 23
years: Trrvate John M. Jordan, of the same
company, died of measles. December 22.
1861 ; deceased were two of the five wh.o \-ol-
unteered from P.ear Creek; Jortlan was bur-
ied at Paducah, Ky. ; Geo. B. Ryan, of Tay-
lorville, died at Paducah, Ky.. April 5. 1862;
was brought home and now sleeps close to
his captain in the Oak Hill cemetery, near
Taylorville.

b\'bruary 5, 1862. the regiment took up
its march for acii\e service to Fort Henry,
and on the 1 ith marched to Fort Donelson,
and was engaged in the siege under Coloiiel
McArthur, on the 13th. 14th and 15th days
of February. 1862. None of Company Ci
were killed in this fight, and only eight
wounded. The\r names were; Ben L.
Bowles, of Rosemond, in his leg; Curtis
Kimmerman, of Bear Creek," in the leg;
Sergt. Robert W. Hopper, of Buckeye
Prairie, in foot; James Brow-n, of Taylor-
ville, in finger, and the others slightly. Fort
Donelson surrendered on the morning of the
1 6th of February, 1862.

The regiment immediateU' after the sur-
render of Fort Donelson moved up the Ten-
nessee river, ddie following letter from ].
B. Young, a private in Company G. under
date of March 26, 1862. to a friend in this
county, we take from the Independent Press :

'A\'e are now encamped within a mile
and a half of Pittsburg. Tenn., near the
lines of the states of Mississippi and Ala-
bama. There are about ioc,ooo men here

in the heart of 'Dixie," ready to move at
an hour's notice u])on the enemy. The Con-
federates are fortified, about 80,000 strong,
at Corinth, twenty miles west of us. If
the do not evacuate their position soon you
will, perhaps, hear of a battle, compared
with which that of Fort Donelson was
child's play. When 200.000 men meet in
ccmtlict 'somebody will get hurt.' Our
course, in all probability, will be westward
to the city of Memphis. This, however, is
but the speculaion of a 'high private' in
L'ncle Sam's army-rear rank. The boys,
from exposure to wet. fatigue, hard crack-
ers and bacon, are not in as good trim for
the fray as might l)e desired. But the
warm spring weather and the forwardness
of vegetation (for the peach trees have been
in full l)lossom for the past ten days and the
May ai)ples nearly ready to bloom) is in-
vigorating, and the health (^f the troops
shows a marked improvement since we land-
ed at this point.

"We were nine days aboard the steam-
b(^ats, ex])osed to drenching rains most of
the time. Th.ere were one h'undred and thir-
tv-two steamboats of the largest class in the
line, conveying the troops and military stores
up the river — the 4Tst Regiment and Com-
])anv G among the number. The country is
rolling and heavily timbered. In the valleys
and bottoms there are canebrakes and
cvi)ress swamps.

"On the 24th, General Buell's divisic^i of
the armv, from Cumberland Gap. by the
way of Nashville, formed a juncti(Mi with
(ieneral Grant's forces, at Savannah, fifteen
nules below us, on the Tennessee river. It
we succeed in taking Island No. to in the
Mississippi, which we will, most likely.
Corinth will be evacuated for the i)urpose of
strengthening Fort Randolph and Memphis.
'We shall see what we shall see.' "

CHRISTIAN GOUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The l>att]e of Pittsburg Landing, or
Shiloh, as named in official reports, was
fought on Sunday and Monday, April 6
and 7. i86j. It was a long and desperate
conflict. Lieut. John B. Butler, of Com-
pany G, correspondent of the Independent
Press,, of Taylorville, gives the following
graphic account of the two days' battle:

"General Grant has been concentrating
his forces at this point for the last four
weeks, preparatoy to an advance upon the
enemy's stronghold at Corinth, Miss. We
were only waiting a junction with the troops
under General Buell to commence the work.
The enemy, reported 130,000 strong, en-
deavored to cut us off before General Buell's
arrival, and thereby command the naviga-
tion of the Tennessee river, give his troops
the spirit and eclat of a victory, cheer and
encourage the despondency of the enemy,
replenish their exhausted ordnance and com-
missary stores, and fight General Buell at
their leisure. They have been signally dis-
appointed, although they fought like devils
incarnate for thirty-six hours.

"On Sunday morning, about 4 o'clock, the
enemy drove in our pickets, and the can-
nonading commenced with round shot,
shrapnel, shells and otlier projectiles, grape,
canister, etc. The enemy in force were in
the camps almost as soon as were the pickets
themselves. Here began scenes which
hardly have a parallel in the annals of war.
Many, particularly among the officers of
the army, were not yet out of their beds ;
some w^ere dressing, others washing and
cooking:, and a few eating their breakfast.
Many guns were unloaded, accoutrements,
lying pell-mell, ammunition was ill-supplied
- — in short, the camps were completely sur-
prised — and taken at almost every possible
disadvantage.

"The first wild cries from the pickets rush-

ing in, and the few scattering: shots that
])receded their arrival, aroused the regiments
to a sense of their peril: an instant after-
ward, rattling v(illeys of musketry poured
through our tents and liefore there was
thought of preparation there came rush-
ing through the woods, with lines of battle,
swee]:)ing the whole fronts of the division
camps and bending down on either flank,
the fine, compact columns of the enemy.

"Into the just-aroused camps of the union
forces, thronged the Confederate regiments,
firing sharj) Nolleys as they came, and
springing forward upon our laggards with
the bayonet: for while their artillery, al-
ready in position, was tossing shells to the
further side of the encampment, scores were
shot down, as they were running without
weapons, hatless, coatless, towards the river.
The searching bullets found other poor un-
fortunates in their tents and these, unheed-
ing- now, thev slumbered, while the unseen
foe rushed on. Others fell, as they were
disentangling themselves from the flaps that
formed the doors to their tents; others as
they were A-ainly trying to impress on the
critically exultant enemies their readiness to
surrender.

"Officers were bayonetted in their beds
and left for dead, who. through the whole
two days' fearful struggle, lay there gasping
in their agony, and on Monday evening were
found in their gore, inside their tents, and
still able to tell the tale.

"Thus the battle raged by 8 o'clock in the
morning-. The roar of musketrv and rifles,
the infernal din of two or three hundred
thousand small arms continued all day and
ceased not until darkness ]nit an end to the
strife. \A'e halted in line of battle and
remained there during the night, notwith-
standing it rained torrents throughout the
latter part of it.

dii

PAST AND TRESENT

"Colonel rui^li commanded the First Bri-
i^ade of the hV)iii"lh l)i\ision. Company G.
with the I'^orty-first reiiiment, in the Fourth
l)i\ision, took their position in line of hattle
hy S o'clock a. m., the eneniv showed him-
self, and Commenced firing" upon our hattery,
which I'cplied promptly, and for two hours
they ke])t up a most incessant roar. About
12 o'clock our hattery changed jjosition right
in front of Company G, of Forty-first Regi-
ment. Illinois Volunteers, and for fifteen
minutes kept up a brisk fire; but the enemy
disabled one gun. killed several gunners and
horses, ^\hen the hattery retired. This had
draw 11 the gra]:)e and canister upon us and
several men were killed out of Company G
— not all. however, from Christian county —
close by my side and in my rear.

"Our division was posted near the left
wing of our lines. For two hours and a half
our regiment presented the appearance of a
young- \-olcano ; nor did it give one inch of
ground until our ammunition was ex-
hausted, when we retired behind the sec-
ond line, refreshed ourselves with water and
replenished our ammunition. Lieutenant-
Colonel Tupper, of the Forty-first Regiment,
was killed early in the action. The com-
mand then devolved upon Major Warner,
who led us during the remainder of the
fight on Sunday afternoon.

"The enemy outflanked us on the left,
and dro\-e us in until 5 o'clock in the after-
noon, when one or two brigades of General
Buell's command landed from the boats, and
a masked battery of heavy guns was planted,
which o])ened in easy range; and such a
cannonading from that time till dark was
never excelled, if equalled, in modern war-
fare. The enemy's batteries were silenced,
and they were forced to retire some dis-
tance for the night. General Buell's forces
continued landing all night and taking their

position in the field, and as soon as daylight
made its ai)pearance they 'cried ha\'oc, and
let slip the dogs of war,' and kept it u\) till
three in the afternoon of Mondav, when the
enemy broke and retreated from the field.
Col. Tugh's brigade, on Monday, the second
da)' of the fight, were ]:)oste(l in support of
the right wing, and here it was that the
heaviest fighting was done. The enemy had
erected l)reast-works of fallen timber, from
Ijehind which they kei)t up a severe firing
for a long time, but we routed them at the
])oint of the bayonet. In fact a great pro-
])()rtion of the fighting in the afternoon w^as
with the bayonet.

"Among the prisoners were several offi-
cers of distinction ; and among the dead
were the bodies of Gen. A. Sidney John-
son, of Virginia fame, and Gen. Bragg, of
hattery notoriety at Buena Vista. We lost
man}- prisoners on Sunday, at the com-
mencement of the battle. The enemy took
many of our guns on the first day, but were
retaken on the day followin.g, together with
forty of the enemy's guns.

"Tuesday and Wednesday after the Ijat-
tle were occupied in burying the dead. The
battle ground was covered, Uiore or less, for
three or four miles in diameter, wdth dead
and wounded, men and horses. Some
twenty-five or thirty mile<^ were fought
over. The country was hilly and cut up l)y
deep ravines. The enemy had the advan-
tage of a thorougii knowdedge of the coun-
trv, of its geography and topography, which
our men had not, with the exception of the
commanding generals.

'*Al)out five o'clock of the first day's
fighting, when we were marching to the
right wing, to take position, Gen. Hurl-
hurt paid the 41st regiment a very high
compliment; many regiments were broken

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and in confusion, and the (ieneral seeing ns
all in ranks in line of battle, called out

'What regiment is this?' '41st Illinois,'
was the response. 'That is as it should be
— the 41st is in line. I expect always to
find them in line.' "

The following letter was w^ritten by Capt.
F. M. Long, on the 8th of April. 1862, after
the battle, to his aged fathei in Taylorville,
Illinois :

"Forty-six of my company G, went into
the fight; and sixteen of the number were
killed and wounded. The names of the
killed were : Geo. C. Funk. John C.
Wright, Wm. J. Johnson, Wm. H. Ready
and Charles A. Craimer. The wounded
were : Capt. F. M. Long, slightly in the
foot: Lieut. John W. Cox, mortally, in the
right thigh, died April 9th ; Capt. Leander
East, severely in the right shoulder; Gab-
riel McKenzie, slightly in the head ; Gabriel
C. Butt, seriously in the back ; Wm. L.
Miner, slightly in the head ; George Stanley,
slightly in the face; Geo. Cabill, slightly in
the ear; James Brown, slightly in the
breast ; Edmund Wilson, severe w^ound in
the left arm and bone broken, and Wm. J.
Sisson, flesh wound in the leg.

"The killed fought bravely till they fell.
The rest of my men went through un-
harmed; every one did his duty. I jias^^ed
over the battle-field the next morning after
the dreadful contest and such a sight I
never beheld before; dead men are lying all
around over the ground for miles."

After the battle of Shiloh, the regiment
was next engaged in the siege of Corinth,
Miss., July 6. 1862, marched for Mem-
phis via Holly Springs, Lagrange and
Grand Junction; arri\Td at Germantown
20th, and at Memphis 21st July, where it
remained till the 6th of September, and
then marched for Bolivar, arriving on the

14th of September; on the 19th marched to
the (irand Junction, and returned October
4, and marched to Hatchie river. On the
5th of October, 1862, was reserved during
the battle of Corinth. On the r)tli marched
to Bolivar; on the 7th marched from Boli-
var, arriving at Lagrange Nov. 3. On the
6th of November in Colonel Pugh's brigade ;
moved out on a reconnoissance to Lamar
on the 8th and Somerville on the 24th ;
Nov. 28, 1862, again marched to Lamar;
on the 29th to Holly 'Springs ; on the 30th
to Waterford; Dec. 10, 1862, to Beaver
Creek ; ( )n the 1 i th to Yocono Creek, pass-
ing through Oxford and crossing the Talla-
hatchie; on the 22d marched from Yocona
to Water Valley, and returned via Oxford,
Beaver Creek, Tallahatchie, and arrived at
Holly Springs, Jan. 5, 1863.

The 41st Regiment w-as in the first bri-
gade. Colonel Pugh; fourth division, Brig-
adier-General Lauman ; right wing. Gen-
eral McPherson; 13th army corps. Major-
General Grant. The regiment went into
camp at Moscow% Tenn., and remained until
March, 1863. On March 5, 1863, ordered
to Memphis, Tenn., where it arrived on the
loth. The regiment before this had been
transferred from the 13th army corps,
Major-General Grant, to the i6th army
corps, Major-General Hurlburt command-

ing-

On the 1 2th of April, 1863. proceeded on
an expedition to Hernando, Miss. At Cold
Water, seven miles lieyond the latter place,
met the enemy, under Generrd Chalmers.
Here the 41st was under a heavy skirmish
fire for about seven hours. On the i6th
returned to Memphis. Valentine Hinkle.
of Company G, died at Memphis, April 28,
1863; moved to Vicksburg; disembarked at
Young's Point; on the 19th transferred to

Pv\ST AXl) I 'RESENT

(ienera! AlcClernaiKrs coniiiiaiid. Was en-
j^aj^ed in the sici^c of Xickshur;^".

July 5. 11^63, moN'ed towards Jackson,
Miss.: cnj^aged in the battle of Jackson.
The loss of the regiment in this action was
40 killed upon the field and 122 wounded.
Major V. M. Long fell, mortally wounded,
while gallantly leading his men into action.
This great sacrifice of life was by a mis-
taken order of General Lauman's. It was
iHicailed for and effected notliing. Among
the killed were Corp. Elijah J. Shirrell.
John II. Williams, William B. Russell
John A. Orr. William X. Robinson. Names
of the wounded could not be obtained.
After this disaster the regiment returned to
V^icksburg- on the 25th of July.

November 18. 1863, moved to Natchez.
Miss., and remained until the 28th, when
it retin-ned to Vicksburg; Dec. 3, 1863,
marched to Big Black river, where it re-
mained and erected winter quarters ; the
41st regiment being in the ist brigade. Gen.
Thomas Kirby Smith; fourth division, Gen.
M. M. Crocker; 17th army corps, Major-
Gen. James B. McPherson. commanding
veterans and recruits on the 41st Illinois,
consolidated with the 53d regiment.

The'4Tst mustered out Aug. 20, 1864, at
Springfield, 111.; numlier in the regiment,
1,21 T.

Such is a brief and hasty sketch of the
movements of the 41st Illinois regiment,
in which was company (i, Capt. E. M.
Long, from Christian county.

A brief account of the early formation of
this company and the obstacles it had to
encounter may be a matter of interest.
Ca])t. E. M. Long, on his own motion, com-
menced recruiting for a company in July,
1 86 1, to be attached to Colonel Pugh's regi-
ment, forming at Decatur. The Independ-
ent Press savs :

"A meeting to further the interests of
the movement was held in the courthouse
on the afternoon of the 2r)th of July, 1861.
.\ddresses were made by Elder A. McCol-
Inni, Captain Vandeveer arid Dr. (Joudy.
It was stated that the i)ay would lie liberal
— 320 acres of land; a bounty of $100, be-
sides the regular wages in the army. The
boys of the company styled themselves
'L'ncle Sam's Nephews.' Among those en-
listing was Samuel \\A'dick. an old settler
of this county and 81 years old. He re-
ported his age at 41. and ])assed muster
He was in the war of 1812; and also in the
Black Hawk war. He is apparently as ac-
tive as any man in the company, and en-
dured the hardshi])s incident to a life in the
tented field w ith as much spirit as most of
his younger companions in arms. He died
in the hospital at St. Louis on the 22d of
A])ril. 1862. Peace to the old warrior's
ashes."

Muster Roll

of Company G. of the 41st Regiment of
Illinois Volunteers, as sworn into the
United States service, at Decatur. 111., Aug.
5. 1861, for three years: Erancis M. Long,
captain, promoted major; Daniel K. Hall,
captain, promoted ; Thomas J. Anderson,
captain, term expired .Aug. 20, 1864; John
B. Btitler, ist lieutenant, resigned June 18,
1863; Charles G. Young, Tst lieutenant,
term 3 years, expired Nov. 11. 1864: John
\y. Cox. 2(1 lieutenant, died April 9. 1862,
at Shilf^h: James M. Boyd, ist sergeant,
term expired Aug. 20, 1864; George Hall,
sergeant, M. O., term expired Aug. 20.
1864: Lander East, sergeant, discharged
Jan. 2(). 1863; W. B. Russell, sergeant;
J(^hn J. Benope, sergeant, time M. O., Aug.
20, 1864; Elijah J. Shcrill. corporal, killed
at Jackson. Miss.. July 12. 1863; Andrew J.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Bailey, corporal, died at Memphis, Tenn.,
April 20. 1863; John H. Wilhams, cor-
poral, killed at Jackson, Miss., July 12,
1863; John C. Young, corporal, re-enlisted
as veteran ; Robert R. Earnest, corporal,
discharged Nov. 28, 1862 (disability) ;
William R. Russel, corporal, promoted ser-
geant, killed July 12, 1863; William M.
Petty, corporal, died at Paducah, Ky., Oct.
13, 1861 ; Thomas Bowling, musician, mus-
tered out A])ril 20, 1864; John Brannon,
private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Elias F.
Bowman, private, died at Vicksburg, July
7, 1863; Gabriel C. Butt, private, M. O.,
Aug. 20, 1864 (wounded) ; Dias Butt, pri-
vate, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864 (wounded) ;
Benjamin L. Bowls, private, M. O. Aug.
20, 1864 (wounded) ; James Brown, pri-
vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; John D. Claw-
son, private, discharged Aug. 15, 1862 (dis-
ability) ; Benjamin F. Cheney, private, dis-
charged Nov. 29. 1863, to accept promotion
as 2d lieutenant, 7th La. A. D. : DeWitt C.
Cowgill, private discharged for disability;
John H. Cooper, private, re-enlisted as vet-
eran ; Henry L. Clapp, private, discharged
Oct. 22, 1862; William W. Durbin, private,
re-enlisted as veteran : Frederick Drind,
private, discharged April 6, 1863 (disabil-
itv) : George C. Funk, killed at Pittsburg
Landing, April 6, 1862 ; George \^^ Gil-
bert, private, discharged Sept. 13, 1863;
Elijah E. Gimlin, private, M. O. Aug. 20,
1864 (wounded) ; Anderson Gray, private,
mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; William
Goodan, private, mustered out Aug. 20,
1864; William C. B. Gillispie, private, pro-
moted commissary sergeant ; Robert W
Hopper, private, Aug. 20, 1864, as ser-
geant ; Abram Halderman, private, dis-
charged Oct. 10, 1862 (disability) ; Leo-
nard Hoover, private, mustered out Aug.

20, 1864; William J. Johnson, private,
killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862; John M.
Jordon, private, died at Paducah, Ky., Dec.
22, 1861 ; James T. Jones, private, dis-
charged Dec. 16, 1863 (disability) ; Curtis
Kimmerman, private, discharged Sept. 19,
1862 (disability) ; William S. Knott, pri-
vate, deserted Sept. 13, 1861 ; Joseph Lev-
anther, private, mustei^ed out Aug. 20,
1864; Thomas J. Langiey, private, dis-
charged Aug. 14, 1862 (disability) ; Dan-
iel E. McGarrah, private, mustered out
Aug. 20, 1864; Thomas Marshall, private,
discharged Sept. 18, 1862 (disability) ;
William L. Miner, private, mustered out
Aug. 20, 1864; John H. Peppers, private,
re-enlisted as veteran; Benjamin Pilate,
. private, deserted July 30, 1862 ; George B.
Ryan, private, died at Paducah, Ky., April
5, 1862 ; William Rutledge, private, desert-
ed Sept. 28, 1861, and went into 115th
regiment, killed at Chickamauga ; Thadeus
T. Smith, private, discharged March 5,
1862. as corporal; Theodore F. Storey, pri-
vate-corporal, died at home, September,
1862 ; George Stanley, private, mustered
out Aug. 20, 1864; Eli S. Scribner, re-
enlisted as veteran ; Augustus Weller, pri-
vate, re-enlisted as veteran; David Wooley,
private, died at St. Louis, March 19, 1862;
Edmund Wilson, private, discharged June
12, 1862; David F. Welch, died at Mound
City, April 15, 1862; George W. Waddelb
transferred to invalid corps Sept. 12, 1863;
Samuel Widock. private, died at St. Louis,
April 22, 1862; John Wheeler, private, mus-
tered out Aug. 20, 1864; John B. Young,
private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; John Bran-
non, veteran, transferred to Co. A, Veteran
Battalion; James Brown, veteran, trans-
ferred to Co. A, Veteran Battalion ; John H.
Cooper, veteran, transferred to Co. A. Vet-

KM)

PAST AND PRESENT

eran I'attalion : William \\\ Durbin. vet-
eran, transferred to Co. A. X'eteran Battal-
ion ; Gabriel McKenzie, \eteran, transferred
to Co. A, W'teran Battalion: John TT. Pep-
pers. \eteran, transferred to Co. A, Veteran
Battalion ; Eli S. Scril)ner. \eteran, desert-
ed May I J. 1X64: :\ugustiis W'cller, vet-
eran, transferred to Co. A, Veteran Battal-
ion : John C. \'onng'. veteran, transferred to
Co. A, W'teran Battalion; John B. Butler,
recruit, promoted 2d lieutenant; Valentine
Hinkde. died at iMemphis, Tenn.. April 28,
1863; Charles Langley. recruit, discharged
June 2T, 1862 (disability) : Gabriel McKen-
zie. recruit, re-enlisted as veteran ; Wright
Nash, recruit, transferred to Co. A. Vet-
eran Battah"on ; Robert R. Ryan, recruit
transferred to Co. A, \^eteran Battalion;
Alfred Spates, recruit, transferred to Co.
A. Veteran Battalion ; Robert S. Simpson,
recruit, discharged April 4. 1862 (disabil-
ity ) ; John Throckmorton, recruit, trans-
ferred to Co. A. Veteran Battalion;
Thomas Whitton, recruit, transferred to
Co. A, Veteran Battalion ; James R. W^ill-
iams. recruit, transferred to Co. A, Veteran
Battalion ; A\'illiam Westley, recruit, trans-
ferred to Co. A. Veteran Battalion; Jose]^h
Catherwood. 1st lieutenant. Co. E, 4th Reg.,
term expired Aug. 21. 1864.

Muster Roll

of Company D. ^;^(\ Regiment. Illinois Vol-
unteers, more familiarly known as the
"Normal Regiment" of Teachers. It was
organized at Camp Butler. 111.. Aug. 15.
186 1. Charles E. Hovey, colonel. Company
D was made up in the western part of
Christian county, by Henry H. Pope, its
captain : Plenry H. Pope, captain, pro-
moted major and lieutenant-colonel ; Will-
iam W. Mason, ist lieutenant.' term expired
Aug. 28. 1864; Hiram V. Algur, 2d lieu-

tenant, resigned Sept. 18. 1864; Abiel
kosengrant, ist sergeant, promoted captain
Oct. II, 1864; Thomas Mason, corporal,
killed in Mississippi, May 28, 1862; John
Kuykendali, corporal, wounded, M. O. Oct.
II. i860; George Griffon, wagoner, re-
enlisted as veteran; Ephraim G. Allen pri-
vate; Henry Boden, private, re-enlisted as
xeteran : Louis Com])ton. private, re-enlist-
ed as xeteran ; Charles Chorndor, dis-
charged Sept. 4. 1865 (disability) ; John
Connor, private; William Earles. private,
died at Ironton. M(x, Dec. 13, t86i ; John
J. Hawk, died at St. Louis. Oct. 18, 1862;
William Hennesy, private; Daniel C. Mat-
thews, died Jan. 28, 1865, near Buckhart ;
Alfred McCoy, private, discharged April 3.
1862; Lucas Michael, private, killed at
Vicksburg, May 20, 1863; John C. Noe.
private, mustered out Nov. 24, 1865; James
Reed, private, discharged April 8, 1861
(disability) ; George W. Robinson, private,
discharged Oct. 31, 1862 (disability) ;
Timothy Regan, private, re-enlisted as vet-
eran ; Thcjmas Simondson, ])rivate ; Gec^rge
Smith, private, died at St. Louis, March
24, 1863; Henry Smith, private, discharged
Jan. 16, 1864 (w'ounds) ; Henry Shaw, pri-
vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; Charles Wal-
lace, died at fronton. Mo., Nov. 4, 1861 ;
Marion Berry, recruit, M. O. Nov. 24,
1865 ; Wm. H. Grain, veteran recruit. M. O.
Nov. 24, 1865, as corporal; Joseph S. Cook,
recruit, discharged Nov. 8. 1862 (disabil-
ity) ; Adam Coffman, recruit; John Dur-
bin. died at River Station, Mo., April 22,
T862; Jasper N. Good, recruit; William G.
Ginger, recruit, discharged March 8, 1865
(term expired) ; Henry Jodence, recruit,
mustered out Nov. 24, 1865 ; Augustus C.
Jolinson, recruit; Charles Miller, died at
Terre Bonne, La., Jan. 12, 1865; Napoleon
B. Pherigo, veteran recruit, M. O. Nov. 24,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

101

1865; Hiram H. Painter, recruit, M. O.
Nov. 24, 1865; Montgomery Shaw, recruit,
discharged April 9, 1863 (disabihty) ;
James Thomas, veteran, died at Terre
Bonne. Sept. 17, 1864; Joseph Walden,
killed, accident N. O. & O. R. R., March
2, 1865.

Muster Roll

of Company i, 41st Regiment, Illir.ois Vol-
unteers. Was organized in Decatur, in
Colonel Pugh's regiment, and sworn into
the United States service, Aug, 5. 1861.
This company was recruited at Mt. Auburn,
in the northern part of Christian county, in
the month of July, 1861, by Capt. Benja-
min B. Bacon. This company was in the
same regiment with Capt. F. M. Long.
They styled themselves "Mt. Auburn Ti-
gers" : Benjamin B. Bacon, captain, re-
signed March 4, 1862; Francis M. Green,
captain, term expired Aug. 20, 1864; Ben-
jamin R. Parrish, ist lieutenant, resigned
Sept. 25, 1862; Leander Green, ist lieuten-
ant, term expired Aug. 20, 1864; Philip J.
Frederick, 2d lieutenant, term expired Aug'.
20, 1864; William Batterson, ist sergeant,
died at LaGrange, term expired A'larch 11,
1863; George C. Baugh, ist sergeant, died
at Memphis, xA.pril 9 (wounds) ; William
Cochran, ist sergeant, M O. Aug. 20,
1864; James R. Dickson, sergeant, died
May 14, 1862 (wounds) ; Melcher Repp,
sergeant, died home, April 5, 1863 (pris-
oner) ; Henry C. Porter, sergeant, mustered
out Oct. 20, 1864: Robert W. Richards,
corporal, re-enlisted as veteran ; Benjamin
Blankenbaker, corporal, M. O. Aug. 20,
1864; George C. Baugh, corporal, wound-
ed, promoted ist sergeant; Hiram Hoag-
land, corporal, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864;
Marion R. Shade, corporal, M. O. Aug. 20,
1864, as sergeant; David Crompton, cor-

poral, killed at Ft. Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862;
Michael Clark, corporal, deserted Jan. 28,
1862; Joseph White, musician, discharged
Nov. 25, 1 86 1 (disability) ; Lewis White,
discharged Sept. 25, 1861 (disability) ;
Frank A. Lindsley, wagoner, killed at
Jackson, July 12, 1863; Jeremiah Barchell,
private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864; John Baugh-
man, private, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864, as cor-
poral ; Henry Batterton, private, died April
24, 1862; Isaac Borley, private, M. O. Aug
20, 1864, as corporal; James H. Bibler, pri-
vate, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; John
Baughman, private, promoted commissary
sergeant ; Paul Baughman, private, mus-
tered out Aug. 20, 1864; William H. Copp-
ley, died at LaGrange, Tenn., July .12,
1862 ; Henry C. Crawford, private, mus-
tered out , 1864; John Churchill,

private, re-enlisted as veteran : William
Clink, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Ben-
jamin F. Grand, private, re-enlisted as vet-
eran ; Barney Conner, killed at Ft. Donel-
son, Feb. 15, 1862; Henry Campbell, dis-
charged Jan. I, 1863 (accidental wounds) ;
William Dickerson, died March 26, 1862
(on furlough) ; Barney Druin, private,
mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Abraham
Decker, private, re-enlisted as veteran ;
Samuel Erwin, mustered out Aug. 20,
1864; James D. English, private, re-enlist-
ed as veteran ; John G. Fletcher, private,
mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; George W.
Fowks, private, died July 22, 1863
(wounds) ; Jonathan Grider, private, dis-
charged Jan. 20, 1862, as corporal; John
Goodrich, private, re-enlisted as veteran ;
Chauncey G. Goodrich, private, M. O. Aug.
20, 1864; Charles Henderson, private, mus-
tered out Aug. 20, 1864; Randolph Hav-
oner, private, re-enlisted as veteran ; Joseph
Hill, private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864;
John B. Hopkins, private, mustered out

102

PAST AND PRESENT

Aug. 20, iSr»4; John narmiin, private, mus-
tered out Aug. 20, iSf)4; John I). Hum-
phrey, private, mustered dut Aug. 20, 1864;
George ITrirwortli. pri\ate. re-eulisted as
veteran: llenrv hinder, private, died at
\'icksl)urg. June 4. \^(\^: John H. Lout-
zenhouse, i)ri\ate, M. O. Aug. 20, 1864;
[ohn Lawton, private, mustered out Aug.
20. 1864; Eliel T. Lee. private, re-instated
as veteran: Charles Morgan, ])rivate,
kihed at Ft. Donelson. Feh. 15, 1862;
Harrison Miller, ])rivate, re-enlisted as vet-
eran : John ]\IcKaig, jjrivalf'. mustered out
Aug. 20. 1864; Alexander Marshall, pri-
vate, mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Charles
McCluskey, private, discharged April 25,
1862 (died) ; John Slurry, private, died at
Ft. Donelson. Feh. 15. 1862; Jacoh McCoy,
private. discharged Jan. 27, 1862
(wounds) ; Charles Modcalf, private, died
at Paducah, Ky., Jan. 15, 1863; James L.
Nance. i)rivate, ]\1. O. Aug. 20, 1864, as
sergeant; James Oshorn, private, mustered
out Aug. 20, 1864; Peter Patrick, private,
transferred to Invalid Corps, Sept. 15.
1863; Henry L. Patrick, private, re-enlist-
ed as veteran : William R. Pete, pri\'ate, fle-
serted Feh. lo, 1862; John Pontis, private,
mu.stered out Aug. 20. 1864; Martin
Pilaris, died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 30,
1864; Jacoh Ransomer, private, mustered
out Aug. 20, 1864; Theodore Sherman, pri-
vate. M. O. Aug. 20. 1864, as sergeant;
Davis Shanafell, private, M. O. Aug. 20,
1864, as sergeant : James W. Stobaugh,
private, mustered out Aug. 20, 1864; Al-
fred Shatza. private, re-enlisted as veteran;
Lerhan Swisher, died at Fort Donaldson,
March 3, 1862; Michigan C. Scott, private,
mustered out Aug. 20. 1864; Andrew J
Sergeant, private, mustered out Aug. 20,
1864; Wesley Taylor. ])rivate. mustered
out Aug. 20. 1864; Aaron 1"roxel, private,

killed at l"t. Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862;
(leorge W'ikox, ])rivate, died at Memphis,
Tenn.. April 2.S. i8r)3: Jnhn P. Williams.
at ,\nna])()lis. Oci. 2, 1863 ( was prisoner) ;
Joseph W'athrook. private, discharged June
10, i8h2: Joim W'ilhelm. mustered out
Aug. 20, J 864; Carl is Ware, killed at Jack-
son, Miss., July 12, 18O3; William Clink,
veter.an, transferred to Co. B. Veteran Bat-
talinn: \liraham Decker, \-eteran, trans-
ferred to Co. B, Veteran Batt.alion ; James
D. fLnghsh, \eteran. transferred to Co. B,
Veteran Battalion; John Gocjdrich, veteran,
transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion;
George Harwith. veteran, transferred to
Co.,B, Veteran Battalion; Harrison Miller,
veteran, transferred to Co. B, Veteran Bat-
talion; Maxwell M. Miljer, veteran, trans-
ferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion; Henry
L. Patrick, veteran, transferred to Co. B,
Veteran Battalion; Robert W. Rickard,
transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion;
Rol)ert* W. Blankenship, transferred to Co.
B. Veteran Battalion; Daniel Baughman,
recruit, transferred to Co. B. Veteran Bat-
talion ; Jacob Henshie, recruit, transferred
to Co. B, Veteran Battalion ; Presley D.
Housley. recruit, transferred to Co. B, Vet-
eran Battalion; Henry G. Miller, recruit,
transferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion;
Maxwell M. Miller, recruit, re-enlisted as
veteran : iM-ancis M. Miller, recruit, trans-
ferred to Co. B, Veteran Battalion.

A letter, written just after the battle of
lM)rt Donelson, by a private in Captain
Simi)son's company, referring to the man-
ner in which some of our Christian county
bovs bore themselves in that memorable en-
gagement, states that George Funk fought
like a hero; Benjamin Pilate stole off before
the fight and was never seen until the fort
was surrendered. Captain Bacon of the
Mt. Aul)urn company ran like a coward.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

103

He has been sent home. Lieut. John Davis
(Job's John) had command of his company
and he went in with a Sharp's rifle, coohy
g^iving orders to. his men and laughing all
the time.

One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment
Illinois Volunteers, Gen. Jesse H. Moore,
colonel in command.

Company A of this regiment was recruit-
ed from Christian county, by Capt. J. W.
Lapham, and others, at Camp Butler, vScpt.
13, 1862. The regiment was organized
and sworn into the United States service
Sept. 19, 1862; ordered into the field on
the 4th of October, 1862; reported to
Major-General Wright at Cincinnati, Ohio,
on the 6th of October, and on the same day
crossed the ri\-er into Kentucky and report-
ed to Gen. A. J. Smith; marched through
Kentucky and reached Naslnille, Tenn.,
Fel). 10, 1863. The regiment moved to
Tullahoma and held that ])ost till Sept. 5,
1863. Septeml)er 14, by a forced march
across the Cumberland mountains, reached
Rossville, Ga., five miles south of Chatta-
nooga; remained four days. On the i8th
of September, 1863, engaged the enemy on
the extreme left, upon the field of Chicka-
mauga. In this engagement the regiment
lost six men. September 20, crossed to the
support of General Thomas, on the extreme
right, leaving camp at sunrise ; engaged the
enemy on Thomas's right at i o'clock P. M.
with Steadman's division, loth Regiment's
reserve corps ; after a most fearful struggle
held the ground till night. Half the entire
command was cut down. Colonel Moore
and his regiment were commended for their
bravery in orders. It participated in all the
engagements around Chattanooga and Mis-
sion Ridge. The regiment lost in killed,
wounded and captured, in the campaign
around Chattanooga, in the fall of 1863,

about 235 men and 10 officers. About 21st
of February, 1864, marched with a detach-
ment of the Army of the Cumberland, un-
der General Palmer against Dalton, Ga. ;
spent ten days feeling the enemy, and tct
turned to camp near Cleveland, Tenn. The
regiment lost six men ; remained here till
the 3d of May, when, with General Sher-
man's grand army, started on the Atlanta
campaign. The 115th regiment, on the 7th
of May, led the charge upon Tunnel Flill,
Ga., driving the enemy through Buzzard
Roost Gap. The 15th and i6th of May
engaged in battle at Resaca, Ga. ; sustained
stubbornly a charge upon the left flank, for
which the regiment was commended in or-
ders; lost in this contest about thirty men
and oflScers.

All the principal engagements of the mil-
itary divisions of the Mississippi v^ere in-
scribed by orders, upon the regimental ban-
ner. The regiment lost during the Atlanta
campaign about 100 men. When General
Sherman marched to the sea, General
Thomas' command was detached and or-
dered to Tennessee, to watch the move-
ments of General Hood. The 115th Regi-
ment was with this force in the second bri-
gade, first division, fourth army corps.
The regiment took an active part in the en-
gagements, which, in November and De-
cember, 1864, resulted in the destruction of
Bragg's old veteran army, known as the
"Army of the Tennessee," and then com-
manded by Confederate General Hood.
The brigade to which the 115th Illinois
Regiment belonged for nearly two years,
without material alteration, was known
throughout the department as the "Iron
Brigade," and was, for the most part, up to
the 23d of December, 1864, commanded by
Gen. Walter C. Whitaker, of Kentucky,

104

PAST AND PRESENT

who neglected no opportunity to win dis-
tinction for liiniself and his command.

On the 23rd of December, 1864, while
pursuing General Hood, in his retreat from
Nasliville. Col. J. IT. Moore, of the 115th
Illinois Regiment, tt)ok command of this
splendid brigade, and continued its com-
mander till it was mustered out of the serv-
ice, at the close of the war. Colonel Moore
was breveted brigadier-general before leav-
ing the army.

General Hood, having been driven, after
his defeat at Nashville, Tenn., with the re-
mains of a broken army, across the Tennes-
see, the 1 1 5th Regiment, with the Fourth
.\rmy Corps, marched to Huntsville, Ala.,
and went into camp on the 5th of January,
1865 ; marched thence, on the 14th of March
into East Tennessee, thence expecting to
mo\-e by the way of Lynchburg, Va., to as-
sist in the capture of Richmond. But
while in the vicinity of Greenville, Tenn.,
Richmond fell, and General Lee surren-
dered.

The regiment then moved with the
Fourth Army Corps and went into camp
near Nashville, Tenn., and there remained
until mustered out of the service, June 11,
1865. Arrived at Camp Butler, 111., 1865,
and receixed final pay and discharge June
23, 1865.

Thus it will be seen that Company A,
from Christian county, was engaged in
many hard-f (night battles, nnd did honor
to itself and the couiit\- which gave it birth.
Captain Hanon and Lieut. J. B. Gore were
taken prisoners.

Muster Roll of Company A.

J. W. Lapham, captain -major, M. O.
June IT, 1865; Jesse Hanon, Jr., captain,
mustered out June 11, 1865; Arthur C.
Bankston, ist lieutenant, resigned Dec. 30,

1862; Joseph I). Gore, 1st lieutenant, mus-
tered out June II, 1865; William F. Gore,
M. O. June I I. 1865. as ist sergeant; Will-
liani J. Jones, sergeant, discharged July,
18^)3; Sandford G. Hammer, sergeant, dis-
charged April 30, 1863; Edward W. Paine,
sergeant, transferred to the V. R. C, May
I, 1864: William Young, corporal, dis-
charged March 18, 1863 ; Ferdinand F
Young, died Richmond, Ky.. Dec. 25,
1862; Horatia N. Keep, corix)ral-sergeant,
died Oct. 4. 1863 (wounds) ; David J. Den-
ton, corporal, mustered out June 11, 1865;
Edwin Young, corporal, mustered out June
IT, 1865; James McSpates, corporal, mus-
tered out June Ti, 1865; George Large,
corporal, M. O. June 11, 1865, as sergeant;
Christian D. Cowgill, riiusician, discharged
April 30, 1863; Joseph Large, musician,
M. O. June 21, 1865 (prisoner) ; Francis
M. Sherrill, died at Covington, Ky., Oct.
22, 1862; Samuel L. Allen, private, mus-
tered out June II. 1865; Robert S. Ala-
mon, private, mustered out June ii. 1865;
Samuel T. Anderson, private, drowned
Sept. 24, 1863; John M. Baker, private,
M. O. June 11, 1865: Martin V. Baker,
died at Lexington, Ky., Oct. 10, 1862;
Joshua B. Bankston, discharged April 25,
1864 (wounds) ; Winfield S. Bankston,
private, discharged Feb. 4, 1863; Jo.shua
Bowman, private, M. O. June 11, 1865;
Leander Bradley, private, M. O. June 11,
1865; William Bugg, private, M. O. June
IT, 1865 (furlough): James Broderick,
private, M. O. June it, 1865; Bonaparte
Coffey, died at Danville, Ky., Jan. 23, 1863;
Isham Coffey, private, M. O. June 11,
1865; Achilles R. Calloway, discharged
March 25. 1865 (accidental wound) ; Ed-
ward D. Cowgill, died Chattanooga, Tenn.,
Sept. 30, 1863 (wounds) : William H.
Childs, private, M. O. June 19, 1865 (war

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

105

prisoner) ; Edwin Clark, died Philadelphia,
Tenn., March 24, 1865 (wound) ; Thomas
Chastain, Jr., private, M. O. June 11, 1865;
James Devine, private, discharged May 25,
1865 (wounds) ; Micager Denton, private,
M. O. June 22, 1865; Micager Denton,
mustered out June 11, 1865: Leonard Dem-
ming, died at Richmond, Ky., Jan. 14,
1863; Joseph Easley, private, discharged
July 19, 1864 (wounds) ; Jerome B. Fra-
ley, private, discharged May 11, 1863 (dis-
ahility) ; Benjamin Flemming, private, M.
O. June II, 1865; John Gore, private, M.
O. June II, 1865; Charles \V. German, pri-
vate, M. O. June 11, 1865; Francis M.
Hanon, private, discharged June 4, 1863;
John H. Hatfield, private, M. O. June 11,
1865; George Haslett, private, died Cleve-
land. Tenn., March 28, 1864; Charles Hill,
private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal;
John Jones, private, discharged Jan. 19,
1863 (disability) ; David Jarvis, private,
M. O. June 11, 1865, as corporal; James D.
Johnson, private, discharged Dec. 10, 1864
(wounds) ; Isaac Johnson, private, died at
Lexington, Ky., Nov. 11, 1862; Stanton
Kelsay, private, transferred to Engineer
Corps, July 29, 1864; Jasper N. Kelley, pri-
vate, discharged April 20, 1863; Daniel L.
Ketchan, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as
corporal; John Large, private, M. O. June
II, 1865; Alfred Langley, private, M. O.
June II, 1865; James Lawton, private, M.
O. June II, 1865; Richard Lee, private, M.
O. June II, 1865; Alfred B. Leepei", pri-
vate, M. O. June 11, 1865, as sergeant;
Daniel Lane, private, transferred to V. R.
C. ; James Morrow% private, M. O. June 11,
1865; James McElroy, private, M. O. June
II, 1865; James McCrary, private, June 11,
1865; James H. McCoy, private, June 11,
1865 ; Wm. McCune, private, killed by guer-
illas, March 11, 1865; Jesse G. Milligan,

private, M. O. July 11, 1865; Daniel M.
Mitchell, private, al)sent (wounded) ; V-Zm.
A. Morris, private, absent, sick at M. O. of
regiment ; Nicholas C. Madison, private, M.
O. July II, 1865; Samuel G. McDonald,
died Frankton, Tenn., y\pril 2^, 1863; Vin-
cent Messier, died at Chattanooga Novem-
ber 4, 1863 (wounds) ; Samuel M. Orr, pri-
vate, discharged June 19, 1863; Anson
Raine, private, discharged April 20, 1863;
Joseph Russell, private, M. O. June 11,
1865 ; James Shaw, died at Nashville, Tenn.,
Feb. 21, 1863; Edward F. Sowers, private,
M. O. June 11, 1865; Thomas Spindle, pri-
vate, discharged April 20, 1863; Jeremiah
Shetler, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; John
Sullivan, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, war
prisoner; Robert M. Shaw, private M. O.
June II, 1865, as sergeant; David Throck-
morton, private, M. O. June 11, 1865, as
corporal ; Enos Watkins, private, M. O.
June II, 1865; Wm. B. Williams, died at
Nashville, Tenn., March 24, 1863; Benja-
min F. Willard, private, M. O. June 11,
1865; Philip Barnhart, recruit, M. O. De-
cember 16, 1865; Geo. W. Bradley, recruit,
transferred to 21st Illinois Infantry; James
M. Chastain, recruit, transferred to 2i.st
Illinois Infantry ; Charles Demass, recruit,
transferred to 21st Illinois Infantry; Alvin
Haverfield, died at Huntsville, Ala., March
5, 1865 ; Daniel A. Halloway, recruit, trans-
ferred to 2 1 St Illinois Infantry; Jno. L. Jef-
frey, recruit, M. O. December 16, 1865;
Thomas J. Langley, recruit, transferred to
2ist Illinois Infantry; Newton J. Russell,
recruit, transferred to 21st Illinois infan-
try; Andrew J. Stevens, recruit, transferred
to 2 1 St Illinois Infantry.

Muster Roll of Company E.

Captain Lane; Captain Whitaker; Benj.
Ramsey, corporal, died at Danville, Ky.,

lOG

PAST AND PRESENT

June 17. 1863; Michael Ramsey, died at
Lexington, Ky., November 11, 1862; Ran-
dall A. Adams, corporal, M. O. June 11,
1865; Geo. X. Junken, corporal sergeant,
wounded and missing in action Chickamau-
ga, September 20, 1863 : Wm. H. Hores-
ley, M. O. June 11, 1865, as sergeant (pris-
oner) ; Jno. T. Stark, M. O. June it, 1865,
as sergeant (war prisoner) ; John Cum-
mings, private, absent, sick, M., O. of regi-
ment; Geo. W. Crooks, private, died in
Christian county November 6, 1865; John
Crafton, private, died at Nashville, Tenn.,
March 4, 1863 ; John O. Darmer, private,
discharged May 15, 1865 (wounds) ; Wm.
C. Darmer, private, M. O. July i, 1865 (was
prisoner) ; Alfred H. DeAsty, died at Nash-
ville, Tenn., March 3. 1863; Joseph R. Ed-
monds, private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Ira
Goodrich, private, M. O. June 11, 1865;
Oliver P. Goodrich, died in Christian coun-
ty, Illinois, October 16, 1862; Frederick S.
Gilhousen, private, M. O. June 11, 1865;
Robert L. Green, died at Nashville, Tenn.,
February i, 1865; Wm. G. Henry, private,
M. O. June 11, 1865; Shelby Hollings-
worth, transferred to Company A., 21st Illi-
nois Infantry ; William M. Hurst, dis-
charged August 3, 1863, as corporal;
(wounds) ; Charles B. Hammil, private, M.
O. June II, 1865; Bement Hurst, private,
transferred to V. R. C. April 30, 1864;
John H. Herdman, private, M. O. June 11,
1865, as corporal ; Samuel L. Lovel, died at
Franklin, Tennessee, May 10, 1863; Joseph
W. Long, private, M. O. June 11, 1865
Eli McVey, private, M. O. June 11, 1865
Levi McVey, private, M. O. June 11, 1865
Newton W. McReynolds, private, dis-
charged February 25, 1864 (w^ounds) ;
Zachariah Pope, died at Lexington, Ky.,
November .10, 1862: Thomas B. Patrick,
private, M. O. June 11, 1865; Daniel H.

l^rettyman, private, died at Danville, Ky.,
I'ebruary, 1863; Garrett B. Randall, pri-
vate. M. O. June it, 1865: Henry J. Ruby,
killed at Chickamauga September 26,
1863; Silas Routledge, private, M. O. May
23. 1865; William Routledge, private,
wounded and missing" in action at Chicka-
mauga, September 20, 1863: James Ram-
say, private, died at Danville, Ky., January
IT, 1863; Wm. E. Rush, private, died at
Danville. Ky., January 31, 1863; Levias
Rul)y. private, died at Franklin, Tenn.,
April 23, 1863; Francis M. Rush, private,
mustered out June 11, 1865 ; Isaac B. Smith,
died at Richmond Ky., January i, 1863;
Jesse M. Stark, private, M. O. June 11,
1865; Samuel Teter, private, discharged
June 24, 1863 (disability) ; James E.
Traves, died at Franklin, Tenn., April 22,
1863; Wm. D. Thompson, private, wound-
ed and missing in action at Chickamauga.
September 20, 1863; Wm. White, private,
discharged February 4, 1863 (disability) ;
Loton G. Williams, private, M. O. June 11,
1863; Francis E. Wood, private, discharged
December 27, 1862 (disability) ; James M.
West, private, discharged July 9, 1862 (dis-
ability) ; Geo. T. White, private, discharged
April 18, 1863 (disability) ; Joseph W.
Waddle, private, M. O. June 11, 1863;
Peter C. Young, private, M. O. June 11,
1863.

One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry
Regiment.

This regiment was organized by Col. Na-
thaniel Niles, at Camp Butler, in October,
1862, and mustered into service Oct. 25,
1862. Company D of this regiment was
mostly from the northw^estern part of Chris-
tian county. It was recruited mainly
through the efforts of Capt. Daniel De-
Camp, of Edinburg. The regiment moved

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

lOT

from Camp Butler, Nov. lo. 1862. and ar-
rived at Memphis, Tenn., the i8th of the
same month, and was assigned to Provost
(kity. It was moved from this point to
Louisiana. Was with Gen. Banks' army
1)onnd for Shreveport, La. On marching
fn^ii Alexandria up Red river, driving the
enemy until Sabine Cross Roads was
reached on the 8th of April, 1864, when
the enemy made an attack and defeated the
Union forces. The next day another battle
was fought at Pleasant Hill, ending in the
complete defeat of the Confederates after
which Gen. Banks retreated down the river.
This is known in history as "Gen. Banks'
Disaster on Red River." The part Com-
pany D bore in this fight is more particular-
ly detailed in a letter to the Independent
Press of this county, written by Aaron V.
Davis, a private from Camp Ford (near Ty-
ler), Texas, dated April 20, 1864. It says:
"The character of the fight and the fate of
the 130th regiment and the part our Com-
pany bore in it you doubtless have learned
ere this. Company D, of Christian county,
went into the fight at Mansfield, April 8,
1864, with thirty-one men, under the com-
mand of Lieut. Paulen (as Capt. DeCamp
was under arrest for some trivial offence
and in consecjuence was not with us).

The following are the losses in killed
and wounded of Company D :

Killed — Elijah J. Bankston of Edinburg.
Wounded — G. W. Westbrook, badly; Cy-
rus Murphy, Allen Moore, Jacob E. Berry.
Prisoners — Jasper Gagle, Nathan C. Potts,
Alexander May, Aaron V. Ralston, Aquilla
M. Council, G. W. Young, Aaron V. Davis,
William Kelsey, Othniel McKenzie,
Thomas W. Orr, Joseph Murray, Charles
Gonzeal, Ben K. Prater and Geo. Bunn.
The rest of the Company is missing, .and
their fate at present is unknown,"

In October, 1864, the regiment was or-
dered to New Orleans for Provost duly.
Whilst here, by- an order issued Jan. 21,
1865, the 130th regiment was consolidated
with the 77th Illinois Volunteers. Some
of the ofticers w^ere retained and others
mustered out. On the ist of March, 1865,
the consolidated 77th regiment was assigned
to the First Brigade, 3d Division, 13th
Army Corps, and transported for duty be-
fore Mobile, Ala. The regiment was then
witli Gen. Canby's army during the entire
siege and capture of the Spanish Forts
Blakeley and Mobile, and was under fire
during the entire time. The day following
the entry into Mobile, the 77th regiment was
with forces in their march up the Tombig-
bee river, in search of Gen. Dick Taylor's
army. After proceeding up the river some
sixty miles, it was recalled to Mobile, the
Confederate forces throughout the country
having surrendered.

On the 7th of July, 1861;,, an order was
issued to revive the 130th regiment, and it
was moved to New Orleans, where it was
mustered out of service, Aug. 15, 1865, and
arrived at Camp Butler, 111., Aug. 26, 1865,
where it received final payment and dis-

charge.

Roll of Company D.

Daniel DeCamp, Captain, resigned June
nth, 1864; Robert W. Orr, Captain M.
O. at Consolidation Jan. 25, 1865: Abra-
ham May, I St Lieutenant, resigned Feb.
2, 1864; Jasper Cagle, ist Lieutenant, M.
O. as Sergeant, 77th Inf., Aug. 15, 1865
(prisoner of war) ; James B. Halford. 2d
Lieutenant, discharged July 3, 1863 ; Sam-
uel S. Prater, Sergeant ; Jacob A. Cook,
Sergeant, discharged Feb. 3, 1863; Wm.
T. Crosswait, Sergeant, discharged May 5,
1864 for Pro.; Nathan C. Potts, Corporal,

108

PAST AND -PRESENT

J\I. O. June 17, i8^\t (prisoner): Charles
Smith. Corporal, M. (). Aug-. 14. 1865;
William T. Hill, Corporal, deserted Jan. 26,
1863; John Hazlett, Cori)oral ; Alex. May,
Corporal, M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner);
Charles W. Graham, Ccirporal, M. O. Aug.
T5, 1865; Uriah Phares, Corporal, absent,
sick at AT. O. Regt. ; Jas. M. Redfern, Cor-
poral, deserted Jan. 26, 1864; Rufus D.
Langley. wagoner, deserted Jan. 26, 1863:
Isaac Bishop, private, deserted Jan. 26,
1863; Jas. F. P>erry, ])rivate; Charles P>ev-
erly, private, killed at Vicksburg, May 22,
1863; Jesse Blount, private, died at Vicks-
burg. June 4. 1863; Benj. X. Berry, private,
M. O. -Aug. 15, 1865: Nelson Burris, pri-
vate, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865; Geo. Bnnn, pri-
vate, M. O. June 17, 1865; Aquilla M.
Council, private, M. O. June 17. 1865
(pri.soner) ; John W. Casey, private; Will-
iam M. Casey, private, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865; David M. Cagle, private, M. O. Aug.

15. 1865; Leander J. Duncan, M. O. Aug.

16, 1865 as 2d Lieut.; John A. Davis, pri-
vate, died Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1863;
Oliver DeAuglish, private; Thomas N.
Dickson, deserted Jan. 26, 1863; Aaron V.
Davis, private M. O. June 15, 1865 (pris-
oner) ; Daniel N. Dodd, private, killed at
Vicksburg, June 2, 1863; Johu' W. Ed-
wards, died at Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 12,
1863; Amos D. Finley, private j\I. O. Aug.
15, 1865; John M. Fleming, private, M. O.
Aug. 15, 1865; Samuel Gaines, private, M.
O. Aug. 15, 1865; Charles Gonzeal, private,
M. O. June 15, 1865 (prisoner of war) ;
Elam Gulden, private, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865 (furlough) ; John Hicks, private, M.
O. Aug. 15, 1865; Charles Hildebrand, pri-
vate, de.serted Jan. 26, 1863; James Hanon,
private; John R. Halford. died Memphis,
Tenn., Jan. 8, 1863; Wm. H. Halford, pri-
vate, discharged March 21. 1864; David L.

Harris, ])rivatc. died New Orleans, March
21. 1864; William D. Harvey, private;
W'm. M. Harris, private; William Joy, pri-
vate: David Jessup, private, killed at Vicks-
burg, May 22, 1863: William Kelsey, ])ri-
vate. M. O. Aug. 15, 1865 (prisoner of
war) ; Thomas Knave, private, M. O. Aug.
15, 1865; William .\. Knave, private, M.
O. Aug. 15, 1865: Robert B. Kerns, pri-
vate, transfer to Inv. Corps I-'eb. 23, 1864;
Wm. H. D. Lancaster, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865 as Corporal; Wm. E. Leisure, private,
died at Memphis, Tenn., 1863 ; Edv.-ard L.
Leigh. ])rivate; Othoniel McKenzie, pri-
vate. M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of
war) : Joseph Murray, private, M. O. June
17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Levi Miller,
private, died in service in Laf. ; Allen Moore,
private, absent, sick M. O. of Regt. ; Cy-
rus Murphy, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865;
Allen May, private, absent, sick at M. O.
Regt.; William S. Matthews, private, M.
O. Aug. 15, 1865; Thos. W. Orr. private,
M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ;
Benj. F. Overton, private; James H. Odell,
private, killed accidentally July 15, 1865;
Jesse H. Potts, private, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865; Samuel R. Prater, private, discharged
Dec. 12, 1863 for promotion; James Pul-
len, private, deserted Sept. 28, 1863; Eli-
phas Prater, private, died at Memphis, Jan.
21, 1863; Peter P. Peters, private, killed at
Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; John H. Rich-
ardson, private: Aaron V. Ralston, private,
trans, to 77th Regt. : Hiram Randolph, pri-
vate : Wm. E. Richardson private; John
W. Stamphill, private, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865: Hiram M. Smith, private, discharged
Tan. 22. 1863 (disability) ; John B. Smith,
l)rivate; Wm. J. Smith, jirivate, M. O. June
17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ; Elijah T.
Westbrook. trrms. to Inv. Corps Feb. 23,
1864; Joseph Workman, private; Geo. W.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

109

Yoiing', private, M. O. June 17, 1865 (was
prisoner) ; Elijah J. Bankston, killed on
Red River, La., April 8, 1864; Godfrey P.
Knave, recruit, died at Memphis, Decem-
ber, 1862; Perry Prickett. recruit; Richard
T. Phips, recruit; Benj. K. Prater, recruit,
M. O. June 17, 1865 (prisoner of war) ;
Wm. F. Sampson, recruit, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865 ; Stephen White, recruit, died at Mem-
phis, Feb. 19, 1863.

Company A — 130TH Regiment.
Sinnct Matthews, Corjioral.

Company C — 124TH Regiment.
Alfred H. Titus, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865.

Company K.

Peter C. Rape, ist Sergt., M. O. Aug. 15,
1865 ; George W. James, 3d Corporal, M.
O. Aug. 15, 1865; Joseph Wagoner, 4th
Corporal, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Cor-
poral ; Geo. W. Easley, 6th Corporal, M. O.
Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Wm. B. Han-
kins, 7th Corporal. M. O. Aug. 15, 1865,
as Corporal ; John Y. Easley, private, M.
O. Aug. 15, 1865, ^^ Corporal; George
Hardin, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as
Corporal ; Joseph B. Hardin, private, M. O.
Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Shephard Hud-
son, private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865. as Cor-
poral ; Jacob B. Proctor, private, M. O.
Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal; Samuel Peek,
private, M. O. Aug. 15, 1865, as Corporal;
Wm. R. Pugh, private, M. O. Aug. 15,
1865, as Corporal ; Wm. H. Craddock, pri-
vate, discharged May 5, 1863 (disability) ;
John M. Robinson, private, discharged
March 20, 1863 (disability) ; John D. Til-
ley, private, discharged Dec. 13, 1862 (dis-
ability) ; Benj. K. Proctor, Sergt., died
Jan. 23, 1864, Pawnee; Harrison T. Easley,
died December 4, 1862, Black River, Miss.;

Joseph Kirk, jirivate, died at Memphis,
Tenn., March 3, 1863; Presley Peek, died
of wounds at Vicksburg, June zy, 1863;
Presley T. Peek, died Lake Providence,
La., March 28, 1863; Wm. J. Pugh, pri-
vate, died at Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 6. 1863;
John W. Galyen, deserted at Vicksburg,
July 31, 1863; Jasper Hudson, deserted at
Vicksburg, July 31, 1863; Gilbert H. Han-
kins, private, died at home, Dec. 23, 1864

Company F — 59TH Regiment.

Joseph Logan, recruit, drafted, M. O.
Oct. 16, 1865; Joseph Handle, recruit;
Calvert Thompson, recruit, sub.. M. O. Oct.
16, 1865; Morgan Milligan, recruit sub.,
M. O. Oct. 16, 1865.

Company H — SQth Regiment.

Reuben G. Coffey, sub.. M. O. Oct. 16,
1865; Samuel Oram, M. O. July 17, 1865
(drafted).

Company K — 59TH Regiment,

Robert M. Stockton, private, deserted
Oct. 25, 1862.

Company G — 620 Regiment.

Geo. W. Beard, died at Camp Butler,
Feb. 12. 1864.

Company H — 62D Regiment.

Jno. W. Allsman, Sergt.. M. O. May 2,
1865, as private; Marquis Allsman. veteran,
M. O. March 6. 1866; Thos. B. Harris,
died at Duvall's Blufif. Ark., Aug. 20, 1864;
Joseph Vinmore, M. O. March 6. 1866.

Company D — 63D Regiment.

Andrew L. Anderson, veteran, M. O.
July 13, 1865; Aden E. Cherington. vet-
eran, M. O. July 13, 1865, 1st Sergt.;
Com. I St Lieut., but not mustered; Leroy

PAST AND PRESENT

H. Cherington. veteran. ]\r O. July 13.
1865; Leon L. H. Cherington, veteran, M.
O.. July 27, 1865; Loraine C Cherington,
veteran, M. O. jnly 13. 1865; John A.
Tsaminger, veteran, promoted Sergt.-Major ;
WilHam D. Orr. veteran, M. O. Jnly 13.
1865.

CoMl'AXV C r)4TTT 1\ F.C.I MK. XT.

John Smith, discharged I'>1). 8. 1865.

Miscellaneous.

W'm. ^^. Provine. ist Lient.. Company
P). 84th 111. Regt.. Vermont. 111.. ]irisoner of
war. taken at Atlanta, da., and confined at
Colnm1)ia, he was lionorahly discharged
May 13, 1865. Now a resident of Taylor-
ville. W. E. Rosemond. of ist Ohio Cav-
alry, Company B for one year ; then pro-
moted to 2nd Lient. in Company A, 97th
Ohio. Inf. Regt. ; n(nv a resident of Taylor-
ville. W'm. H. Kani), i)rivate in Capt. A.
I'ovd I Intchinson's Company C, 49th Penn
\'ol. ; entered Ang. 31. 1861, and honomlily
discharged Oct. 2T,, 1864; served in the
Army of the Potomac, nnder Gen. Sedg-
wick; saw his general fall. James M. Tay-
lor, of Warren county. 111., Sergt. in Com-
pany C, 96th Til. Regt. ; in the service near-
ly three years ; lost an arm in an engagement
at "Buzzard Roost Cia])." north of Dalton,
Ga.. in 1864; discharged March 18, 1865,
as Sergeant on account of wounds; this
regiment was organized at Rockwood, 111.,
Sept. T), 1862, ])y Col. Thomas E. Cham-
pion; James M. Taylor is now (1880) a
resident of Taylorville, engaged in the prac-
tice of the law. Benj. Doinhlazer, Adju-
tant of 46th 111. Regt. ; promoted Major and
then Colonel of Regt. Brevet Brig. Gen. ;
now a citizen of Assumption, v

Third C.w.m.rv Regiment.

The Colonel of this regiment was Eu-
gene Carr, of the regular army. Company
M. from Christian county, comi^osed a part
of it. The regiment was organized at Camp
Ihitler, in .\ugust, 1861. Its first move-
ment was to St. Louis, Septemher 25th, and
thence up the Missouri river to Jefferson
Cilv. .'uid thence to Warsaw, in the direc-
tion of Springfield, Mo. Under Gen.
Hunter it reached Rolla, November 19.
where it remained till the 29th of Decem-
ber, 1861, when it moved in advance of
Gen. Curtis' army for the southwest. .

On the 13th of Febriiary, 1862, near
Springfield, the Third Cavalry fought the
fir.st engagement and won the first victory
of Gen. Curtis' campaign.

On the 14th of February, 1862, occupied
S])ringfield. Mo. On the 15th came up with
Gen. Price's retreating army and took some
prisoners. On the i8th at Sugar Creek,
.\rk.. the Third battalion ]iarticipated in a
cavalrv charge, routing the enemy. TTad
various skirmishes and .short marches dur-
ing the summer and fall in Arkansas and
west of the Mississippi ri\er, when on tlie
23d of December, 1862, Company M, with
other companies, reported to Brig. Gen.
Steel, at the mouth of the Yazoo river,
formed part of the force and did good ser-
vice in the disastrous attack on Vick.sburg,
Miss., under Gen. Sherman. Company M
was among the last to leave the field and
embark on the boats after the battle.

The Battalion of wdiich Company M
formed a part, under Col. McCrillis of
Springfield. III. took a part in the Western
Louisiana campaign under Gen. Banks. Li
December. 1864, Major O'Conner, of Pana,
took command of the Battalion and it moved
to Port Hudson, and from thence to Mem-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Ill

jibis, Tenn., rejoining the regiment, which
liad been separated into three (hvi.sions. In
the month of Jnly a large portion of the
regiment re-enHsted as veterans. The non-
N'eterans, nnder INIajor O'Conner, were sta-
tioned as garrison at Germantown, Tenn.,
On the 2 1 St of Angnst the regiment partici-
pated in the repulse of Gen. Forrest, in his
attack on Memphis. On the 24th of Au-
gust, 1864, the non-\'eterans ha\'ing been
mustered out, the veterans were consoli-
dated into a Battalit)n of six companies.
Part of Company M went into the new ar-
rangement and the remainder were mus-
tered out, their time having expired.

The Battalion operated below and around
Nashville and took part in tiie battles with
Gen. Hood's army in December, 1864. In
May, 1865, it embarked for St. Louis, Mo.,
thence to St. Paul, Minnesota, reporting to
Major Gen. Curtis. On the 4th of July,
1865, it was ordered on an Indian expedi-
tion over the plains of Minnesota and Da-
kota, north to the British lines, and then
returned to Fort Snelling, October ist, ar-
riving at Springfield, 111., Oct. 13th, 1865,
and was mustered out of service. Such are
some of the leading movements of the
Third Cavalry Regiment, ' in which Com-
pany M largely participated.

Muster Roll of Company M.

James H. O'Conner, Major, M. O. June
1865, as Lieut. ; Geo. E. Pease, Captain,
resigned Dec. 17, 1861 ; Shuler Vrooman,
Capt. in Vet. Bat., time exp. March 9, 1865 ;
Henry M. Condee, ist Lieut., resigned Nov.
2^, 1861 ; Chas. F. Russell, ist Lieut., term
expired Sept. 5, 1864; Joseph Horseman,
2d Lieut., died, commission not sent.

Fifth Cavalry Regiment.
This regiment was organized at Camp
Butler, Nov. 8, 1861, and Hall Wilson, for-

merly of Buckhart, appointed its Colonel.
Company G of this regiment was recruited
partly in Pike county, 111., by Capt. J. A.
Harvey, and partly by First Lieut. Wm.
N. Elliot of Pana, Christian county, 111..
September i, 1861. Left foi Jefferson Bar-
racks, Feb. 20, 1862. On the 3d of March
reached Pilot Knob. On the 27th marched
to Doniphan, and arriving April 1st, had a
skirmish with the enemy, captured their
camp, killing three and taking seven pris-
oners. April 17th marched to Pocahontas
and on the 27th of June started on the
march for the Mississippi river, reached
Jacksonport 29th and joined Gen Curtis'
army, had a fight at Cotton Plant, in which
the enemy lost 300 killed and wounded.
Arrived at Helena, Arkansas, July 13th,

1862. On the 22d of October. 1862, a
forage train was attacked liy the enemy,
and Lieut. Elliott and 78 men of the cavalry
(13 of these were of Company G) were
captured, after losing i killed and 6 wound-
ed. November 27, 1862, Company G burned
l)ridge near Grenada, Miss. On Jan. 11,

1863. the regiment made an expedition to
Duvall's Bluff, and in April Marmaduke,
who was retreating from Missouri, May
29th, 1863, left Helena, Ark., and embarked
for Vicksburg. and June ist landed at
Haines Bluff. June 3d made a reconnois-
sance to Mechanicsburg; drove the enemy
ten miles, skirmishing heavily, capturing 43
prisoners losing i killed and 7 wounded.
In July, was with Gen. Sherman's army at
Jackson, Miss. Was in the expedition to
Meriden, Canton, and Grenada. In Au-
gust at the Yellowbush, destroyed 40 en-
gines and 320 cars by burning. On the 21st
August encountered Blythe's cavalry at
Coldwater, and defeated them, the regiment
losing I killed and 5 wounded. Arrived
at Memphis 22d August, 1863. On the

112

PAST AND PRKSENT

jyth August cmUarkcd for Vicksburg. In
October with (leu. McPberson's i/th Army
Corps, at Jackson, took part in a cavalry
cbarge at Brownville, routing General
Wirt Adams. Tn this the regiment lost two
wounded and one prisoner. January ist,
1864. many of the regiment re-enlisted as
veterans. On 1 7th March, the veterans
were furloughed till May loth, 1864. On
May 27th, Col. John McConnell, of Spring-
field, took command of the regiment. Eight
Companies dismounted and did garrison
duty. Companies A, B, C an.d D, were fully
mounted and equipped. During the months
of July and Se]itember, the Battalion w-as
at Jackson and Port Gibson, skirmishing
and fighting frequently. From Natchez,
with the 4th Illinois, cavalry and a battery,
moved to Tonica Bend. Landed and moved
to Wood\'i]le; surprised and captured a
camp of the enemy. During the night the
enemy adxanced with three cannon and 600
men. Thev were met next morning bv
Col. McConnell. and dri\en in confusion,
and 3 cannon were captured. Returned to
Vicksburg, Oct. nth, 1864. In January,

1864, moved to Memphis; was in an ex-
pedition to Southern Arkansas and North-
ern Louisiana, returning February 13th.
July 1st moved to Texas via Red River;
reached Hempstead, Texas, August 26th.
Remained at this post until October 6th,

1865, when the regiment moved to Spring-
field. 111., was mustered out, receiving final
payment, October 30, 1865. The follow^ing
persons in this regiment were from Christian
county :

Muster Roll.

Wilson Hall, Colonel, resigned Jan. 19,
1863 ; John McConnell. Colonel, promoted
Brvt. Brig. Gen. ; Joshua Tuthill, Adjutant.

Ijromoled Ca])t. Co. -A; Charles W. Sibley,
Commis. Sergt., dis. Oct. 26, 1862.

Company A.

Joshua Tuthill. Captain, M. O. as Ad-
jutant, Oct. 27, 1865.

Company B.

Win. N. Elliott, 1st Lieut., M. O. Nov.
8, 1864; Charles W'. Sibley, Sergeant, pro-
moted Commis. Sergt. 2d Battalion, M. O.
Oct. 26, 1865; John F. Heath, died at Po-
cahontas, Ark., June 22d. 1862; Wm. P.
Slack, bugler, discharged Aug. 17, 1862;
Samuel Y. Anderson, private, discharged
(disability) ; Stephen D. Cooper, private,
re-enlisted as veteran ; Allen Johnson, pri-
vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; Henry John-
son. pri\ate; John P. Lemons, private, dis-
charged May 12. 1862; Henry J. Luckin-
bill. pri\ate, re-enlisted as veteran; William
A. Skiles, private, mustered out Nov. 8,
1864; Chas. K. Slack, private, re-enlisted
as Vet. M. O. November, 1864; Stephen
D. Cooper, veteran, mustered out Oct. 27,
1865 ; Allen Johnson, veteran, M. O. Oct.
2'j , 1865 ; Henry Johnson, veteran, died at
Vicksburg, Nov. 16, 1864; Henry G. Luck-
indell. died Sept. 25, 1863: Shelfy Corn-
hert. recruit, absent sick at M. O. of Regt. ;
Joel N. Garrison, saddler, recruit ; Jas. K,
P. Garrison, recruit, M. O. Oct. 27, 1865;
Levi Walker, recruit, regular discharge.

Company M.

W'illard C. Davis, recruit, re-enlisted as
veteran; John J. Kaddle, recruit, died at
Helena. Ark.. Oct. 8. 1864.

Sixth Cavalry Regiment.

Among the unassigncd recruits is noted
one from Christian county. Wm Hobbs.
mustered out May 12^(\, 1865.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

113

Seventh Cavalry Regiment.

This regiment was organized in Septem-
1)er. 1861, with Wm. Pitt Kellogg, of Ful-
ton county, as its Colonel. The names of
a few Christian county soldiers appear in

it.

Company H

James W. Patrick, re-enlisted as veteran ;
Americns Patrick, discharged Nov. 10,
1862 (disability) : John R. Patrick, dis-
charged June 2, 1862 (disabilitv) ; Wm.
R. Tabler, discharged Oct. 15, 1862 (dis-
ability) ; James W. Patrick, veteran, M. O.
Nov. 4. 1865; Albert Fowks, recruit, dis-
charged ; James A, Tabler, died at Mound
City, 111., June i, 1862; Peter Hamilton,
unassigned, recruit, dis. May 11, 1865;
Daniel Murphy; Charles D. Roberts, en-
tered service April 15, 1865.

Eighth Cavalry Regiment.

This regiment was organized at St.
Charles, 111., in September, 1861. with J.
F. Farnsworth, as its Colonel. Its field of
operation was with the Army of the Po-
tomac. Was in the battle of Antietam. A
few names appear in it.

Company M — Unas.signed Recruits.
Joseph Bennett, entered the service Ap-
ril 15, 1865; John Carney, entered the ser-
vice April 12, 1865; Joseph Hyzer. entered
the service April 12, 1865; David Lee, en-
tered the service April 12, 1865 ; John Mur-
phy, entered the service April 12. 1865;
Clarence Williams, discharged February.
1864 (disability) ;

Tenth Cavalry Regiment.
This Regiment was organized at Camp
Butler, Illinois, Nov. 25, 1861. James A.
Barrett was its first Colonel, who resigned
May 15, 1862, and was succeeded by Colonel
Dudley W^ickersham of Spring-field, Illinois.

On the 20th of December, i86t, it moved to
Ouincy, Illinois, and from thence to Jeffer-
son Barracks. Mo., on the 13th of March,
1862. It operated in southwest Mis.souri
till November 13th, when it formed a part
of the .\rmy of the b^rontier, and was in
line of duty from Springfield, Mo., to Cane
Hill, Arkansas. It participated in the battle
of Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862. Was
at Jackson\'ille, Ark., July 4, 1862; Helena,
Julv 12, and August 7 moved tO' Old Town
Landing. Oct. 6, 1862, returned to Helena
and No\'ember 16 marched with the expedi-
tion to the mouth of White river; and on
November 27th to Oakland. Miss. Had a
skirmish with the enemy and returned to
Helena Dec. 7, 1862.

The original service tern.i of the Tenth
and Fifteenth Regiments, Illinois Cavalry
Volunteers having expired, an order of con-
solidation was issued January 26, 1865, for
the re-enlisted men, and recruits of the same,
to be formed into twelve companies, and
reorganized as the Tenth Regiment, Illinois
Cavalry.

The regiment was mustered out of ser-
vice Nov. 22d at San Antonio, Texas, and
ordered to Springfield, 111., for final pay-
ment and discharge. The following sol-
diers in it are from Christian county, in
different companies :

Muster Roll — Company A.

Thomas Bradley, Veteran-Commis. Sergt.
in Co. A, of Veterans, as re-organized;
absent on detached duty at M. O. of the
Regt. ; Henry N. Graham, Veteran, M. O.
Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jesse W. Holman, died at
Baton Rouge, La., July 22, 1865.

Company B.

John H. Peters, mustered out Dec. 30,
1864; Fletcher Romeril, re-enlisted as Vet-

114

PAST AND PRESENT

eran ; (ieorge Steel, mustered out Dec. 30,

1864; Henry Steel, mustered out Jan. 6,

1865; Henry Warner, mustered out Dec.

30, 1864; Isaac N. Watts, re-enlistcd as

Veteran; Joseph Westbrooks. re-enlisted as

Veteran; Fletcher Romeril. trans, to Co. B

Vet, AI. (). Nov. 22, 1865; Isaac N. Watts,

trans, to Co. B. Vet., prom. 2d Lieut.;

Josei)h Westbrooks, trans. Co. B Vet., M.

O. Nov. 22, 1865; Andrew B. Apple, died

Little Rock, Ark., Nov. 19, 1863; Jno. W.

Westbrooks, trans. Co. B Vet., M. O. Nov.

22, 1865.

Company E.

Owen T. Athey, Recruit, deserted April
30, 1863; David A. Barnhart, trans, to Co.
E Vet.. M. O. 1865; Milton H. Clements,
trans. Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1864;
Chas. T. Bledsoe, trans, to Co. E Vet., M.
O. Nov. 22, 1865; Francis M. Lowery,
trans, to V. R. C, May 4, 1865; Geo. M.
Markwell, trans, to Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov.
22, 1865 ; Jesse H. Toothaker, trans, to Co.
E Vet., M. O. June 6, 1865 ; W^m. J. Terry,
recruit, trans, to Co. E Vet. ; Wm. White,
trans, to Co. E Vet., M. O. Nov. 12, 1865.

Company G.
^^^illiam Elgin, recruit, re-enlisted as Vet-
eran ; Alexander Jones, mustered Dec. 30,
1864. as Corpl. ; Uz. Judd, re-enlisted as
Veteran ; John Maloney, re-enlisted as Vet-
eran ; Wm. S. Workman, M. O. Dec. 30,
1864 as Corpl. ; William Elgan, Vet., trans.
Co. G, M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Uz. Judd,
Veteran, trans. Co. G, M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ;
John Maloney, trans. Co. G, M. O. Nov. 22,
1865; Wm. Shumate, trans. Co. G Vet.,
died March 3, 1865; Joseph Workman, re-
cruit, died at Rolla. Mo., May i, 1862.

Company L.
Tames C. McGinnis, Sergeant, re-enlisted
as Veteran : Francis McGinnis, Corporal,

re-enhsted as Veteran; Aar(jn B. Shick,
Cor])ora], re-enlisted as Veteran; George B.
Conner. Private, re-enlisted as Veteran;
Wm. H. FLU. Private, re-enlisted as Vet-
eran; Miller Kelley, Private, mustered out
Dec. 30, 1864; Aaron V. Matthews, Pri-
vate, mustered out Dec. 30, 1864; Floyd
Peters, Private, died at Marshfield, Mo..
October, 1862; Jefferson S. Smith, Private,
re-enlisted as Veteran; Lorenzo J. Van
Winkle, Private, re-enlisted as Veteran.

Veterans.

James C. McGinnis, promoted 2d Lieut.
Co. L; Francis M. McGinnis, trans. Co. B
Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Aaron B. Shick,
trans. Co. I Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865;
Geo. B. Conner, private, trans. Co. F Vet. :
William Matthews, private, trans. Co. H
Vet.; John Rice, private, trans. Co. H Vet.,
M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jefferson L. Smith,
trans. Co. H Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865;
Lorenzo J. VanWinkle. trans. Co. H Vet.,
M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Samuel Bunstein,
trans. Co. D Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865;
Horatio M. Davis, recruit, trans. Co. D
Vet. ; Geo. W. Feugett, recruit, re-enlisted
as veteran ; Geo. W. Ford, trans. Co. D
Vet., mustered out Nov. 22. 1865 ; Egbert
A. Ford, trans. Co. D Vet., mustered out
Nov. 22, 1865; Henry Hinton, recruit, de-
serted April 7, 1863; Stephen A. Huns-
ley, recruit, transferred Co. D Vet.,
Jesse Lanslev, recruit, mustered out Dec.
30, 1864; William Matthews, recruit, re-
enlisted as veteran ; John Rice, recruit, re-
enlisted as veteran ; William Smith, trans.
Co. F Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; Jas. M.
Taylor, trans. Co. F Vet.. Dis. March 29,
1865, disab. ; Jno. White, trans. Co. F Vet.,
M. b. Nov. 22, 1865.

Company M.
Geo. W. McDonald, private, died Ark.,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

.115

Sept. 13, 1863; William M. McDonald, pri-
vate, re-enlisted as veteran ; John Pummil,
private, re-enlisted as veteran : William S.
Peel, private, discharged Aug. 18, 1862,
disab. ; Wm. H. McDonald, trans, Co. C
Vet., M. O. Nov. 22, 1865 ; John Pummill,
died at Little Rock. Ark., May 26, 1864;
Geo. B. Richardson, trans. Co. C Vet., Nov.
22, 1865 ; Edward J. Bingham, trans. Co.
C Vet., M. O. Nov. 22. 1865; Matthew H.
Copple, trans. Co. C Vet., M. O. Nov. 22,
1865 ; James M. Fleming, trans. Co. C Vet.,
M. O. Nov. 22, 1865; Wm. R. GoodJDy.
trans. Co. C Vet., M. O. June 22. 1865;
James H. Cowan, nnassigned recruit;
James H. Doroon, unassigned recruit ; John
T. Easley, unassigned recruit, trans. Co. E
Vet. ; Harrison Gregory, unassigiied recruit ;
Charles H. Turhill, unassioned recruit, see
Co. E Vet.

iiTH Cavalry Regiment — Company H.
Levin Johnson, recruit, mustered out
Sept. 30, 1865.

Company M.

Columbus Lenasters, unassigned recruit,
mustered out May 23, 1865.

14TH Cavalry Regiment — Company E.

Isaac Steel, transferred Co. C, M. O.
July 31, 1865.

i6th Cavalry Regiment — Company D.

Gaines Lament, recruit, deserted Nov.
21, 1863.

1ST Artillery — Battery D.

Jasper N. Kelley, recruit, mustered out
July 28, 1865 ; Daniel Lockwood, recruit,
deserted March 7, 1862.

2D Artillery — Battery B.

Alfred C, Lovejoy, recruit, term expired
June 20. 1864; promoted 2d. Lieut. Co. B,
M. O. July 15, 1865.

Battery C.

Wm. A. Dawson, Corporal, deserted
July 12, 1862; Henry H. Behymer, Cor-
poral, M. O. Oct. 22, 1864; Enoch C Behy-
mer, Corporal, deserted July 20, 1862 ;
Charles Humphreys, Corporal, discharged
for promotion to Lieut, in 8th U. S. Col-
ored Heavy Artillery; Charles F. Hum-
phreys, Corporal, promoted ist Lieut. Co.
C, M. O. Aug. 3, 1865; Henry Hardtner,
Corporal, M. O. Oct. 22, 1864, as Sergt. ;
Geo. W. Lawton. Corporal, re-enlisted as
veteran ; Jno. A. Suttle, re-enlisted as vet-
eran ; George W. Lawton, veteran, mus-
tered out Aug. 3, 1865.

Battery C.

Robert Deegen, recruit, M. O. Aug. 3,
1865; Wm. T. Peters, recruit, discharged
May 29, 1865, disab.

Battery F.
David J. Fleming, died at Annapolis,
Mel, Feb. 14, 1865.

Battery K.

Geo. W. Ritzman, recruit, M. O. May
26, 1865.

Battery M.

Alexander Allen, unas;?igned recruit;
John Smith, unassigned recruit.

29TH U. S. Colored Infantry.

Company I.

Geo. Ag-ee, M. O. Nov. 6, 1865.

Company K.

John Pillow, unassigned recruit ; James
Smith, unassigned recruit : Henry Van
Pierce, unassigned recruit, substitute.

13TH U. S. Colored Artillery. .
William Chandler, enlisted April 11,
1865; Charles Long, enlisted April 11,
1865.

116

PAST AND PRESENT

Miscellaneous Organizations.

Jas. W. Anderson, Cavalry, 9th Kansas
Cavalry.

First Army Corps.

Roster of Enlisted Men oe Company 10.

Assigned to Company K, 8th Regiment
U. S. Veteran Volunteers :

Joseph Hoffman. M. O. April 11, 1865,
as Corporal; Andrew J. Ballns, private,
mustered out April 1 1. 1865; Aimers Coch-
oran. private, mustered out April 11, 1865;
Patrick Byrne, private, mustered out April
11,1 865 ; Henry Knapp, private, mustered
out Ai)ril II, 1865; James Kervin, private,
mustered out April 11. 1865; John Paulus,
private, mustered out April 11, 1865; Wm.
R. Burnett, private, mustered out April 11,
1865; ^^'illiam Singsfield. private, mustered
out April 12, 1865; William Quielesh, pri-
vate, mustered out April 13, 1866; Joseph
Guenther, private, mustered out April 13,
1866; Leonard Miller, private, mustered
out April 13, 1866; Martin Engle, private,
mustered out April 13, 1866; Howell G.
Trogdon, prixate, mustered out April 13,
1866; John Graves, private, mustered out
April 13, 1866; Jacob Hellwig, priva.te,
mustered out April 13, 1866; James Gun-
ion, private: Wm. Jennings, private, mus-
tered out Ai)ril 13, 1866; Walter Sjiangler,
private, mustered out Aj)ril 12, 1866.

Enlisted Men of Co. No. 12.

Christopher Brammel, enlisted April 14.
1865; Abraham Burgen, enlisted April 14,
1865; John Becker, enlisted April 14. 1865;
Joseph A. Crawford, enli.sted April 12,
1865; James O. Douglas, enlisted April 14,
1865; Simeon Dabozyinsky, enlisted April
14, 1865; Michael Goedert. enlisted April
14. 1865; Keller Heist, enlisted April 13.
1865; John Halshizer, enlisted April 12,

1865; John Peppercorn, enlisted April 14,
1865. ■

Spanish-American War.

War is to be dreaded and the governing
power of any nation should never permit
its people to be plunged into a terrible war
unless for tlie preservation of the nation,
its people, property and integrity. When
these are attacked, war. terrible as it is,
may be resorted to by any nation for the
preservation of its rights and honor. The
Spanish-American War of 1898 between
Spain and the United States was doubtless
precipitated by the blowing up of ou.r battle
ship Maine in the harbor of Havana on
Feb. 15, 1898, and the destruction of 260
of her sailors. A history of the causes
which led to this w-ar is not necessary to be
recounted here in detail, but it is sufficient
for the purposes of this article to mention
that the relations between the United States
and Spain had been for a long time strained.
The ])eople of the ETnited States were dis-
gusted \\ith the conduct of the Spanish gov-
ernment towards the Cuban inhabitants, es-
pecially that of Capt. Gen. Weyler, by
whose orders many of the inhabitants had
been driven into the towns and a large part
of the island became a wilderness.

The "reconcentrados" were dying of star-
vation, and .our countrymen, deeply moved
at their suffering, began to send them food
and medical aid, and while engaged in this
humane effort, they were horrified to hear
of the destruction of the "Maine." Al-
though a court of inquiry was unable to fix
the responsibility for the explosion, many
people believed it had been perpetrated by
the Spaniards, and to so high a tension had
the feeling of ho.stility been wrought be-
tween our government and that of Spain,
the thread snapped and war was upon us.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

117

Immediately upon the declaration of war,
a call for volunteers was made and Chris-
tian county immediately responded with
Company B of the 5fh Regiment of Illinois
Volunteers. So readily did the boys of the
North and South respond to this call that
in a short time the whole Yjuota was filled
and many of the regiments were held in
reserve and never went forward to the seat
of war. The Fifth Regiment was enlisted
at Springfield, 111., and soon thereafter re-
ceived orders to go south to Chickamauga
Park, Ga., and wait disposition by the com-
manding officers.

This they did, but were never called upon
to engage in battle, but they had experi-
ence of campaign life, and many of them
became sick. Some of them died, and the
remainder at last were honorably discharged
and returned to their homes, and w^ere here
welcom'ed in the most pleasing manner by
their former friends and companions and
their names appear upon the muster roll
as having offered themselves as a sacrifice
for the maintenance of the integrity of this
government. The health of the regiment
was usually good. Eugene Bricker became
sick and died while in the service; Abner
Orr became sick in camp and died after the
company was mustered out, never having
recovered.

This company was officered as follows:

Chas. A. Parrish, Capt. ; Clifton G. Mag-
ner, ist Lieut. ; Joe C. Michaels, 2nd Lieut. ;
Wm. J. Flynn, ist Sergeant.

Sergeants — Frank O. Nicodemus, Clar-
ence A. Parish, Leroy Anderson, Alonzo
H. Ranes, Eugene E. Rucker.

Corporals — L. Jean Perkins, Homer
Chastain, T. Lead Hewitt, Chas. T. Jacobs,
Howard M. Raines, Charles C. Thompson,
Julius S. Michels, John T. Brown, Eugene

Denton, Fred O. Edler, Harry Reitzer,
Howard J. Roof.

Musicians — J. Clark Waddell, Wm. P.
Minnis.

Artificer — Forest C. Carriker.

Wagoner — John Seifert.

Privates — Barton G. Anderson, Charles
F. Bair, Ismer Bruce, John M. Bayly,
Charles Cole, Harry G. Clay, G. Cook Ca-
ward, Joseph H. Claywell, William L. De-
hart, Joy T. Danford, Charles H. Diamond,
James W. Dempsey, Pharis B. Denlinger,
Benjamin J. Daigh, Perry F. Easly, Claude
Easly, James Ewing, William P. Ellett,
Thomas V. Flock, John George Green, Clin-
ton G. Harris, Worth Hendricks, Alvin D.
Hawley, Jacob Huebner, William C.
Knight, Charles Kellev, Charles C. Kester-
son, Peter Larson, George McKee, George
W. Matkin, Clinton Maddox, Orrie B.
Nichols, James W. Neff. George S. Neer,
Irwin Norred, George Oddy, Benjamin
Oglesby, Abner Orr, Samuel Peabody,
Lewis C. Prouty, Oscar Porter, Reuben
Powel, Simon Raines, Charles A. Reeves,
Manfred C. Reed, Robert Roper, Lewis
Radford, John C. Stoy, Robert J. Slater,
William J. Swick, Otto W. Simpson, John
C. St. Clair, Frank B. Thompson, John P.
Thompson, Al Tolle, William E. Welch,
Fred Wilson, Eniil L. Wulfmeyer, Leigh
Wones, Orville Ward.

Afterwards the following were mustered
in, June i8, 1898: Richard W. Alspaugh,
Herbert Adams, Owen Barbre, Marcus L.
Fulton, Ira A. Honefenger, George W.
Hintou, Rudolph Hargis, Albert W. Hud-
dleston, Joseph Huddleston, Chester Jones,
Henry Keister, Gordon Kirkpatrick, Frank
Leach, Robert H. Mason, Edgar Matthew,
David A. McAdoo, Clarence Saunders, Au-
brey Speer, Dwight Shehan, Mason Thomp-
son, Cloyd H. Wallace, Tony H. WVitzel.

118

PAST AND TRESENT

The Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, J. S.
Cnlvcr, was a fornicr cili/cn of tliis connty,
and was engaged at business for many
years. He afterward moved to Sprniglield,
and was resi(hng there at the time of the
mustering of the regiment into service.

A perusal of the foregoing pages and a
scanning of the several muster rolls, will
demonstrate that Christian county has al-
ways been in the front ranks in the raising
of her quota of soldiers for defending the
rights of her ])eople. The people of the
county are proud of the war record of her
soldiers, and with a deep sense of their duty
to the hoys who have taken up arms in de-
fence of their country, have erected at Tay-
lorville and other places beautiful monu-
ments in memory of their valiant and heroic
deeds. The writer, appreciating how the
soldiers enlisted from this county in many
wars are held in esteem by the people,
ascribes to them all honor and records their
names upon- the pages of this history that
future o-enerations mav know to whom
honor is due as soldiers of Christian county.

The Press.

It was on the 23r(l day of December,
f857, that the first number of the first i)aper
ever printed in Christian county made its
appearance. And never since that time has
the county been freed from the influence
of this mighty engine of discord or of
peace. Never since then has the voice of
Christian county been hushed even in the
councils of the state and nation. Never
since then has there been a home so sacred
but that its innermost doings may have been
revealed to the gazing v^'orld through this
faithful, if often mistaken photograph of a
"local press." Of cour.se this local press
mav often have been mistaken in its policies
of national as well as locrd affairs, but it has

never been silent. On that day appeared
before a gaping world

The Pana Weekly Herald.

Tlie business of this pa])er was to sing
the i)nuses of this county regardless of
truth, but more particularly of Pana, the
new-born child whose name and fame was
to be i)roclaimed to a sleeping world. Its
editor was Milan S. Beckwith and he pur-
chased the material for the new^ venture of
Dr. Chenoweth of Decatur. Mr. Beck-
with was at that time largely interested in
real estate near the location of his paper
and its pages sang of the fertility of the
soil and the desirability of the climate in
no uncertain tones. But it failed to record
the deaths from chills or fevers unless the
person so dying possessed more than a lo-
cal reputation. It was independent in poli-
tics when it was first started but in 1858
it became Democratic. It lived almost two
years, dying with the 41st issue of Volume
two.

The Pana Plaindealer.

It was horn because of the death of the
Herald. The first number was issued Oc-
tober 7, 1859, by Eli F. Chittenden. He
continued its publication to November i,
i860, when it was discontinued and the
office was removed to Shelbyville.

The Independent Press.

This paper w^as first issued in Taylorville
on fanuary 19th, 1858. It was the second
paper printed in the county It was pub-
lished by Benjamin Winters, who was a
l)ractical jjrinter, and he luade the Indchciid-
ciit Press intensely Democratic. Mr. Win-
ters was an independent thinker and a vigor-
ous writer and his invectives and bitter de-
nunciation of his own party when he believed
it to be wrong lost him the support of

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

119

many. When the publication ceased, which
it (hd on November 28th, 1868, the type
was worn (Xit and most of the material was
useless. The press had done duty in the
office of the Missouri Republican as early
as 1808 and in 183 1 this same pre^s was
used in establishing the Sangamon Joiir-
iid at Springfield, Illinois. It was brought
from Springfield to Taylorville where it
was finally broken up. Complete files of
this paper are yet to he found in the county.

The Taylorville Journal.

It was at about this time that a paper
bearing the above name appeared in Taylor-
ville. It was Democratic but as there was
one other paper published in the town bear-
ing the same political stamp, the Journal
soon died of want of proper support. It
was born January, 27, 1859, and only ap-
peared upon this storm tossed world of
journalism nine times. The publishers
were Messrs. Corr, VanKirk & Co, The
office was sold under a mortgage and taken
to Pana, where the

Central Illinois Democrat

was issued from its material and presses
on January 7, i860. It was issued by E. P.
Sanders as ])roprietor and publisher and J.
B. Butler as editor. On the 23d of Febru-
ary VV. F. Phelon was added to the editorial
staff and on the 9th of November, i860, the
office changed hands and G. W. Harper and
F. J. Back appeared as editors and pub-
lishers. They at once changed the name
to the

Pana Weekly Enterprise,

but only one paper was issued under that
name and on the 24th of the same month
O. F. Morrison and M. M. DeLevis pur-
chased the office and again changed the
name to the

Pana Public.

Mr. DeLevis was editor. It was inde-
pendent in politics. The paper was well
gotten up and flourished till June i, 1862,
when the office and paper were moved to
Clinton, Illinois.

The Taylorville Flag.

On July 26, 1864, appeared the first Re-
publican paper in Christian county. It was
edited and managed by I. D. Munday but he
remained but three weeks when he resigned
and Paul Conner was placed in charge, and
soon purchased the office. Mr. Conner con-
tinued as editor till April 12, 1866, when
John J. Squier purchased a half interest.
On November 15, 1866, Mr. Scjuier pur-
chased Mr. Conner's interest and became ed-
itor and publisher. On the 24th of March,
1870, Mr. Squier changed the name of Tlie
TayUyrvillc Flag to that of the

Illinois Republican,

w Inch name it continued to bear for many
years. On the i8th of November, 1870,
Mr. Scjuier sold a half interest in the Re-
publican to W. B. Squier, his brother, which
partnership continued till March 19, 1874,
when John J. Squier again became sole
owner.

The Saturday Republican.

On Augu.st 19, 1876, Mr. Squier com-
menced the publication of the above jour-
nal in addition to the Illinois Republican
and continued it several years. Some- time
during the year 1887 Mr. Squier sold the
paper and all things pertaining to it to Jo-
seph Torrey who continued its publication
for a year or more when the plant was
again sold to The Courier Printing Co., and
became the nucleus around which the pres-
ent dailv and weeklv Courier was built.

120

PAST AND PRESENT

This occurred some time (hiring the year

1893.

The Pana Gazette.

The First niimlier of this paper was issued
lulv _'7, 1865. The editors and proprietors
were Richard Couch and R. M. Carr. Mr.
Couch and Mr. Carr purchased some new
material and added it to a joh office owned
hy Mr. Couch and from the combination
was issued the Gazette. On April 17, 1866,
Mr. Carr purchased the entire interest in
the paper and remained editor and publisher
until December 11, 1868, when he sold a
half interest to R. W. Coon. The partner-
ship of Carr & Coon continued till Feb-
ruary, 1871, when Mr. Coon retired. Mr.
Carr then continued the publication of the
Gazette till some time in 1889, when J. C.
Essick, a lawyer of ability who wished to
try journalism, purchased the outfit and
greatly improved the plant. A year or two
later he sold to Kelliger & Son, who soon
sold to Burch & Merry, but in a few weeks
Mr. Merry retired and Mr. Burch continued
the paper for several years, when he sold
to E. Gorell.

After keeping the paper but a short time
Gorell disposed of the Gazette to W. S.
Childers, who retained control of it but a
sort time when it passed into the hands of
Mrs. Lizzie Weaver. This was some time
during the year 1895. Mrs. Weaver con-
ducted the paper for some time, but not
meeting with the success anticipated, she
sold the material and plant to Mr. C. N.
Walls, who removed it to Assumption.

The Christian County Democrat.

This paper was established by John J.
Smith and the first number appeared on
August 13, 1868. He remained editor and
publisher till November 20 of the same year
when he sold to Jonas Suttle. Mr. Suttle

conducted the paper till Sei)tember 17, 1869.
when he sold the office to S. P. Davis of
Belleville and E. L. Powers of Decatur.
The firm of Davis & Powers continued to
publish the paper till February 11, 1871,
when W. S. Martin became the purchaser.
On May 21, 1874. the words "Christian
County" were omitted and tlie word "Tay-
lorville' substituted in the name of the paper.
On August 2, 1875, George W. Webber
became a partner in the Democrat and con-
tinued so till June i, 1877, when Mr. Web-
ber retired and Mr. Martin continued the
publication till January i, 1880, when he
sold to Benjamin A. and Philip A. Rich-
ards. In 1884 J. E. Harner purchased the
plant and in 1886 V. E. Foy became owner.
Mr. Foy was owner and editor for but a
short time when C. N. Walls, a veteran
newspaper man, became its owner by pur-
chase. Some time during 1898 The Tay-
lorviUe Democrat was aljsorbed by The
Courier Printing Company and it ceased to
have a separate identity.

The Central Orient.

This paper was first issued June 20, 1866,
in Pana. It was Democratic in tone and
had J. F. Harner as publisher and C. S-.
Hilburn as editor. The Orient continued
till May, 1868, when it was discontinued
for want of proper support.'

The Pana Palladium.

From the exit of the Orient Pana was
without a Democratic paper till the PaT
ladium made its appearance. It was first
issued by S. B. Rich some time during the
latter part of 1869. On April 23, 1870,
Mr. Rich disposed of the office and the
paper to Messrs. P. A. and J. J. Farley.
After several years' connection with the
paper Mr. P. A. Farley retired and the pub-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

121

lication was continued by J. J. Farley. On
March 15, 1877, A. W. Chal:)in became the
purchaser of the Palladium. Three months
later Mr. Chabin sold a half interest to
Jacob Swallow. In three months from that
time Mr. Swallow retired, and Chabin
again became proprietor and so continued
until March 10, 1879, when tlie office revert-
ed to b^arley Brothers, who sold it to Jacob
Swallow. And Mr. Swallow has been the
owner and publisher of the Palladium e\^er
since. At this date (February, 1904) Mr
Swallow has seen the longest continuous
service on the same paper of any editor in
the county.

The Assumj'Tion Independent.

This paper was at first printed in the of-
fice of the Pana Gaccttc and was shipped to
Assumption. R. M. Carr was the publisher
and J. M. Birce the local editor. The first
number was issued on April 22, 1871. Mr.
Carr continued the publication till April 15,
1872, when he sold to I. V. Park sufficient
material to continue the publication at As-
sumption, but six months later when the
notes became due Mr. Park was unable to
meet them and the sureties paid the notes
and issued shares of stock in a printing
company. They placed John M. Marnell in
charge as editor and manager. He was a
bad manager and the Indcpcndeni appeared
semi-occasionally. In July, 1874, the stock-
holders secured the services of Richard
Couch and he changed the name of the
paper to the

Assumption Record.

Mr. Couch pu1)lished the paper one year
and then A. W. Chabin assumed the man-
agement. He continued nine months and
sold to A. M. Anderson and the presses and
material were removed to Shelbyville.

The Assumption News.

Since that time H. E. Bixby conducted
the Assumption Ncivs for something about
six years and made a financial success of
the venture. Mr. Bixby died and his widow
and administrator continued its publication
till January i, 1904, when it was absorbed
by Hodge Brothers and became a part of
the

Prairie State Tribune.

This paper is now being managed by
Hodge Brothers, who came to Assumption
from Indiana. They are making a success
of the Tribune and attained their first noto-
riety by publishing several books of the old
testament scriptures as a serial. They have
been publishing a paper in Assumption for
alx)ut four years under various names and
the name is never changed oftener than the
moon. But no matter under what name
they may appear, the paper is always newsy
and reliable.

The Morrisonville Times.

The Times was first issued August 20,
1875, with Thomas Cox as editor and pro-
prietor. Mr. Cox sold the Times to M.
J. Abbott the last day of December. 1875.
The latter gentleman remained owner and
publisher until May, 1877, when he sold
to George H. Palmer & Son. F. M. Pal-
mer assumed editorial control. In the
spring of 1878 F. Grundy became associate
editor. August 16, 1879, the office was
leased to Messrs. Said & Poorman. On Oc-
tober 2, 1879, Steen Brothers purchased
the office. Later the Times passed into the
hands of S. W. Gulp, who has been con-
ducting a consistent Democratic paper ever
since. Mr. Gulp has managed the Times
for more than fifteen years.

122

PAST AND PRESENT

The Independent.

The first number of this paper appeared
in Taylorville on Alarch 2=^. ^^7S- ^^■ith
Messrs. Malloroy & Danley, proprietors,
and R. V. Maloroy as editor. It died for
want of support with the ]3tli number so
far as its old e(htors were concerned, but
Air. .\oyes B. Chapman of Stonington con-
tinued the publication with C. F. Tucker as
editor and afterwards with AI. A. Bates,
but on January 14. 1876, it was discon-
tinued.

The Farmers' Journal.

This paper first appeared on March 2,
1876. Messrs. Lewis & Brown were its
first editors and publishers. The paper was
published as a grange or greenback organ.
On August 31. 1876. the office came into
the possession of J. F. Harner, who changed
its political tone to Democratic after pub-
lishing the paper for a year. After this sev-
eral changes occurred in the manasfement
of the Journal, its name being changed to
that of the

Taylorville Journal

in 1880 and its politics to Republican, with
a strong greenback tendency. At one time
Messrs. Sanford & Kelley were its editors
and later for a short time Mr. W. H. Kel-
ley, but in 1886 the paper came into the
liands of A. D. Webb as editor and pub-
lisher and it is still (February, 1904) be-
ing published l)y the same party. It is Re-
publican in politics and fearless and 'nit-
-spoken in its dealing with all public ques-
tions.'

The Christl\x County Coitrier.

• This paper was founded by the Courier
Printing Co. by those opposed to the man-
agement of the Tavlorville Democrat in the

year 1894. .\s a starter the job office be-
longing to A. O. Murphey and the material
of the Illinois Rcpuhlicau formed the out-
fit. .\ new i)ress and some type were pur-
chased and the Taylorville Courier was
launched with D. O. W'itmcr as editor and
A. (). Murphey as business manager. As
recorded in another place, in a few years it
absorlied The Dcuwcrat and has been suc-
cessful in printing a daily as well as a week-
ly edition for the past seven years It is
the best newspaper office in the county arid
is well equipped to do all kinds of work.
It is Democratic in politics.

The Taylorville News.

This paper was founded about the year
1896 by several gentlemen from Pawnee
and vicinity. They published a daily ex-
clusively Ijut the venture was not a success
financially and the plant was sold after
publishing the first daily paper in Taylor-
\ille for less than a year. It was purchased
by Messrs. Reed & Kelley, who changed its
name to that of

The Breeze.

This paper has appeared regularly since
its first publication in 1895. Frank Reed
is the editor and manager and it is run by
a stock company. They publish both week-
ly and daily editions. It is Republican in
politics and quite "breezy."

The Weekly Argus.

This paper was first published by A. W.
Chabin on March 15, 1879. Five numbers
were printed in Shelbyville and taken to
Pana and distributed, after which Col. J.
A. Hayward purchased material and presses
and became joint owner with Mr. Chabin.
The paper was Democratic in politcs. The
partnership continued till June i. 1880,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

123

when Colonel Hayward became sole pro-
prietor and editor. He continued to pub-
lish it for several years, when the plant and
paper were remo\ed to another city.

The Pana Beacon Light.

Soon after Mrs. Weaver acquired the Ga-
!:cttc Mr. Childress, through the assistance
of Mr. Hayward, bought a new outfit and
commenced the publication of a pape^, both
daily and weekly, with the above title. Mr.
Childress was an energetic and fearless
writer. He disposed of the plant to E. O
Gilmer, an old newspaper man, who con-
tinued to publish the paper for several years
with varying success. He finally sold to
Arthur E. Paine & Co., who changed the
name of the paper to

The Pana News,

and the paper has been issued for the past
five years with the above management.
The paper is Republican in politics and ap-
pears ably managed.

The Edinburg Herald.

This paper was established in Ed-
inburg on May I, 1883, by F. T. Kauerauf,
who was both editor and owner. Mr. Kau-
erauf is a practical printer and the paper
has been a financial success from its very
first issue. It is a deserving sheet and the
people of Edinburg seem to appreciate it.
Mr. Kauerauf has made some money with
the Herald.

The Owaneco Progress.

In the spring of 1902 this paper. was es-
tal)lished by Clinton G. Griggsby, a practi-
cal printer from Taylorville. It was first
published in Taylorville, but later Mr.
Griggsby secured material and continued
the publication in Owaneco. It is a very
creditable sheet and reflects the progress of

the town in which it is located. Mr.
Griggsby appears to be making some money.

The Mount Auburn Tribune.

This paper was established by P. T. Dan-
ford in the fall of 1901. Soon after C. O.
Gates purchased the plant and still continues
its publication. It is a six-column quarto,
well filled with advertising and appears to be
well managed.

The People's Choice.

This paper was published at Palmer for
a year or two by H. E. Davis & Co. Mr.
Davis was so unfortunate as to contract tu-
berculosis and was forced to leave his plant
and business some time during the year
1903. The paper was discontinued and Mr.
Davis has since died.

The Stonington Star.

This paper was established about May
I, 1896, by P. T. Danford & Son. After-
ward the father withdrew and the son, H.
A. Danford, continued its publication. It
is neutral in politcs, has a good advertising
patronage as well as a good subscription list
and has been of great service to the rapidly
growing town in which it is located.

The School News and Practical Edu-
cator.
This is an educational journal for teach-
ers, parents and school officers. It was es-
tablished in the year 1887 by C. M. Parker,
who is editor and proprietor. Erom a small
beginning it has grown so that it now is one
of the few leading educational publications
in the United States. It is issued monthly,
except during August. It has been a great
success as a money maker. In addition Mr.
Parker publishes many other books and
magazines, among which are The State
Course of Study, Select Rote Songs and

124

PAST AND PRESENT

Elementary Music Teacher, Gala Day St^r
ies, Persimmons, Long-an's Primary Arith-
metic, and others.

A review of the journals printed in Chris-
tian county since 1857 shows that the great
political parties, Democrat, Whig, Repub-
lican, as well as the IndciJendcnt and Green-
back elements, liaxe been ably represented
by the newspapers.

The local newspapers are frequently se-
verely criticised for the articles at times
published by them, and in many instnnces
these criticisms are well taken. Editors are
not at all times sufficiently careful to ascer-
tain the accuracy of the statements pub-
lished before displaying them to the world,
;ind too frequently does it happen that tlie
reputation of an innocent person is injured
by reason of the carelessness of the editor.
In some cases he even so far forgets iiim-
self as to permit malice and revenge to enter
into his publication. An able editor of a
newspaper is always, or should be, high-
minded and broad enough to avoid unneces-
sarily injuring the feelings or reputation of
any citizen.

Newspapers of Christian county have for
the most part been devoid of this narrow-
contracted abuse of the peaceable and in-
offensive citizen.

Newspapers when conducted upon the
proper basis are a great benefit to the com-
munity; they are educators, putting their
readers abreast of the times, and even the
local papers place in the hands of their na-
trons the means of ascertaining what is go-
ing on in all ])arts of the world ; an able
press like that of Christian county should
be encouraged and patronized by its inhabi-
tants.

Schools.

Three quarters of a century have passe'l
since the first public school was conducted

within the borders of Christian county. It
was held in a log-house which stood two
miles northeast of the present site of Tay-
lorvillc and which was built after the fash-
ion of the homes of the pioneer settlers — a
rude building with the fireplace occupying
the most of one end of the house, a log sawed
out of one side to furnish light and ventila-
ticMi, its only furniture consisting of rough
puncheon benches and a slat fastened to one
wall for a writing desk.

During the winter of 1826-27, Elijah
Hanon taught here the first school of which
we have any record. The district boundary
seems to have been indefinite since it is
known that Daniel and Martin Miller who
lived near Elgan's mill in Southfork town-
ship, fourteen miles away were two of his
pupils that winter. They walked to school
on Monday morning, boarded with a family
near the school and walked home again on
Friday evenings.

In 1831-32 Archibald McCollough, who
is said to have been a fine scholar, taught
at the same place, and again in 1832-33 a
Mr. Crossthwaite, who was a professional
teacher, conducted a school there.

The next school on record was held at
Campbell's Point, in 1831-32 in a log house
built on land owned by Joseph Matthews,
and it is said to be the first house erected
in the county, especially for a school house.
The first teacher was Robert White. In
the same year, Michael Archie taught a
school in a house on his brother's farm in
Mt. Auburn township near the Springfield
and Decatur road.

In 1834-35 Hon. H. M. Vandeveer
taught the first school in Mosquito town-
ship in a house also situated on the Spring-
field and Decatur road. He also taught in
Southfork township.

Thus we see how the pioneers struggled

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

125

bravely to educate their children with the
limited means afforded them. Whenever
two or three families formed a settlement,
a school was opened as soon as a teacher
coukl be secured. Many of the first schools
were subscription schools.

The work of the pioneer teacher con-
sisted largely in teaching reading, writing
and arithmetic ; schools were of short dura-
tion ; books were crude and scarce and the
older children could attend only two or
three months of the term. The salaries of
teachers in those days of pioneer life ranged
from eight to ten dollars per month, or a
dollar and a half per pupil.

From these small beginnings has been
evolved the present day system of elemen-
tary schools, and from such educational
conditions, disadvantageous as they were,
have come many of the most substantial
professional and business men.

With the organization of the county in
1839 came the appointment of the first
school commissioner, Hon. H. M. Vande-
veer, who had been a pioneer teacher in
Mosquito and Southfork townships.

The "Enabling Act" of 18 18 appropri-
ating section 16 in each township to the
state for school purposes gave an impetus
to education. In 1828 the Legislature au-
thorized the sale of these lands, and bor-
rowed the money. But the returns were too
meager to support the schools and taxes had
to be levied. In 1835, a county fund was
created by an act of the Legislature which
also provided that the teachers should not
receive from the public fund more than half
the amount due them, and that the surplus
should constitute the principal of the county
fund, which amounted to $348,285.75 and
in the same year the interest on school
moneys borrowed by the state was first dis-
tributed to the counties.

In 1824, the balance of the overflowed
and swamplands, after paying for drainage
and levees, was granted to the counties for
educational purposes. Thus gradually the
state came to realize the need of fostering
free public schools and gradually too im-
proved methods for controlling them were
adopted.

In Christian county the first township or-
ganized for school purposes was Southfork.
In 1839 the December term of the county
court appointed as trustees Robert Richard-
son, Sr., Benjamin Robertson and William
Harvey, Esq. Council was appointed treas-
urer and continued in that oftice for many
years.

In 1866 the township organization was
effected and trustees of schools were ap-
pointed for the seventeen townships of the
county. Each township was then divided
into districts to accommodate the rapidly
growing population and the log school house
gradually gave place to the more comfort-
able frame houses.

With the incorporation of the townships
came the requirement for a certificate of
qualification from the township trustees be-
fore a teacher could be paid out of the school
funds. Besides a knowledge of reading,
writing and arithmetic, the teacher was re-
quired to have also an elementary knowl-
edge of history and geography.

The spirit of progress was aroused and
frequent legislation on school matters was
demanded by an enlightened and earnest
public. In 1854 the separate office of State
Superintendent was created and Hon.
Ninian Edwards was appointed at a yearly
salary of $1,500.

To supply the demands for more efficient
teachers, the first State Normal School was
established in 1857, and the Southern Nor-
mal in 1869; and since then the legislature

126

PAST AND PRESENT

has established three other State Normal
schools. The Eastern Xornial at Charles-
ton, Coles connty. the Xdrthern at DeKalb,
DeKalb county, and the Wc^^tern at Ma-
comb, McDonoiioh countv.

In a former sketch of the schools of Chris-
tian connty. i;ivcn in iS8o by ex-County
Superintendent R. W. Orr, and from which
much of the data of the article was gath-
ered, stress is laid upon the efforts made to
encourage better and more thorough prep-
aration for teaching by those who were en-
Qfae'ed in the work as well as bv those who
expected to teach by insisting upon their
attendance at county normals and institutes.
But of all the excellent work done by Mr.
Orr during his long term of office which
extended from 1873 to 1898, with a break
of only four years, the most important and
most influencing act was the introduction
into the elementary schools of the State
Course of Study in 1889.

The Manual and Guide for the common
schools had its beginning in Macon county
about 1879 or 1880 with john Trainer who
was then County Superintendent. His
work soon spread to Piatt, Champaign, and
other counties. As the idea developed it ap-
pealed to the good judgment of educators
all over the state and at a meeting of the
Central Illinois Teachers' Association in
March, 1889, the plan was discussed and
Hon. Richard Edwards, Superintendent of
Public Instruction, issued a call to county
superintendents to meet in Spring-field April
10, 1899, to discuss the advantages of a
uniform State Course of Study.

As a result of that meeting a committee
of county superintendents was ap])ointed to
compile a course of study for the state, con-
sisting of eight years' work of eight months
each. This course was completed and ]uib-
lished in time for the opening of schools in

September of that year. Mr. Orr immedi-
ately introduced the course in this county
and most of the teachers strove zealously to
adaj)t it to the needs of the schools under
tlicir control and to secure the aim which
the friends of th.e course claim for it and
which are as follows :

First : To furnish, as a basis for work,
to sui)erintendents, teachers and directors an
outline of the various branches required by
law to be taught in the schools of the state,
arranged in the several grades, in accord-
ance with established and approved meth-
ods.

Second : To advance pupils, step by step,
through his school life, giving him credit
for work done, and thereby lessening the
e\-il effects of a too frequent change of
teachers.

Third : To unify the work in the com-
mon schools of the county by furnishing the
basis for a close and more effective direc-
tion and supervision, and for comparing by
means of examinations or written reviews
the results in the different schools.

Fourth : To enable directors and parents
to know better what the common schools
are accomplishing for their children and to
co-operate with teachers in the work.

By " means of monthly examinations,
Avhich serve not only as tests but suggest
good methods of teaching, the county su-
perintendent who can visit the schools not
oftener than once or twice a year has an
opportunity for keeping in touch with the
schools.

For many years central examinations
were held in the center schoolhouse in each
townshi]). Here the advanced pupils of all
the schools in the grouji met and compared
work. In recent years the central exam-
ination has been abandoned because of the
almost unpassable road encountered in the

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

127

months of March and April. Instead the
examination qnestions are sent to each
teacher, who liolds her own examination and
after grading the papers recommends those
who have made the reqnired grades to the
hnal examination held later in Tavlorville.
Since the adoption of the course of study
in 1889, nearly 1,000 children have gradu-
ated from the elementary schools and have
a diploma of same. Since the days of the
three R's, there has heen an increase in the
numher of studies taught in school. The
suhject of language and grammar has he-
come so generally recognized as important
that no one now questions whether or not
it should he a part of the course of study.
History and geography ajipeahso strong-
ly to the child mind that every school boy
now knows at twelve years of age the lead-
ing facts in American history, and the re-
lation which the United States bears to the
rest of the world.

The growing" evils arising from the use
of alcoholic drings and tobacco have led
the State Legislature to pass a law requir-
ing that physiology and hygiene shall be
taught in the schools of the state. Later
nature study, music, morals and manners,
agriculture and domestic science are finding
a place in many schools. In fact the times
demand that a person now to be rated as
intelligent as his fellows must know some-
thing of many more subjects and facts than
his father was required to know. Hence
the course of study by suggesting broader
and deeper lines of study has tended to im-
prove the work done in the elementary
school and bring it to the level of the work
done in cities, where better teaching is usu-
ally required.

There has been a wonderful advance too
in school equipment. The log school house
gradually gave way to the frame house —

long and narrow — usually 26x30 feet, with
three windows on a side, the stove in
the middle of the room and no provision
for ventilation except Ijy the windows.
These are an improvement o\ei' the log
house, for they are warmer, l)ctter lighted
and better furnished.

Many of these frame houses were built
between i860 and 1870 and are now become
old and dilapidated, and are fast being
abandoned for more pretentious houses
which are not only more pleasing to the
eye but are more sanitary. The puncheon
blenches have given place to patent seats
and desks which provide for the physical
rest and bodily comfort of the children.

At Willey Station in 1898 a new modern
building 30x36 feet with a hall 12x24 <'^nd
two porches, was erected at a cost of about
$1,200. The interior arrangements pro-
\k\e for the comfort and health of the chil-
dren. The principal windows are massed
upon one side of the room so as to bring
most of the light over the left shoulder
of the pupils; a jacketed stove sets in a
corner of the room over a box which ad-
mits fresh air from the outside. This fresh
air is heated as it rises betw^een the stove
and the jacket and is diffused evenly over
the room. Ventilators set in the floor per-
mit the passage of the impure air from the
room under the floor to an opening in the
ventilating flue which -is a part of the chim-
ney. There are fly screens at windows and
doors, sliding doors divide the cloak hall
from the main room, the woodwork is fin-
ished in oil, the walls are tinted; tliere are
single desks, slate blackboards and organ,
a well filled bookcase of reference and juve-
nile books, and se\'eral appropriate pictures
on the wall. Since this house was built,
nine other districts have abandoned their
old houses and have eercted new houses

128

PAST AND PRESENT

somewhat after the plan of the Willey Sta-
tion House.

Eagle and Hedge Row districts in Mos-
quito township; Davis, Blake, and Mont-
gomery districts in Mt. Auburn township ;
George and Central Point in Buckhart
township ; Adams in South Pork, and
Friendship in Taylorville township. In
these buildings, the three essentials to health
— liirht. heat and ventilation — have been
carefully considered and the latest and best
thought on these subjects has been consid-
ered. The buildings stand as a monument
to the enterprise and advanced ideas of their
respective communities.

Many other communities have greatly
improved their schoolhouse by adding cloak
rooms and porches, by changing the stove
from the middle of the room, by putting in
a ventilating system, by papering and paint-
ing and otherwise cleaning the room, by
adding blackboards and libraries and pic-
tures.

Teachers, directors and patrons have all
taken pride in most districts to make the
schoolhouse as clean, as healthy and as at-
tractive as the best homes in the community.

The rapidly decreasing enrollment in
many rural schools is turning the minds of
the people to the subject of consolidation
of districts, which will certainly decrease
the expenses of schools in many townships,
but which can hardly be realized in this
county until the roads are greatly improved.

There is no one other item on the tax
list which shows so much expenditure of
public money as for the support of the pub-
lic school and from no other expenditure
of money is so much expected. The state
has undertaken the task of educating all of
the children. When shall we consider that
task completed? Shall it be when the child
has learned to read, write and cipher? Is

it fair that scjme communities furnish am-
ple opportunities for high school privileges
and others will furnish means for no more
than a five months' term with an illy paid
and poorly prepared teacher.

The educational demands of to-day have
kept pace with the industrial and commer-
cial demands; the boy and girl of to-day
is no better prepared to meet the demands
of modern life educationally after comple-
tion of a thorough course in a high school
than were the boy and girl of fifty years
ago prepared for the demands of life in that
day who had merely learned to read, write
and cipher.

"We do not seek education in order to
earn money or accumulate property, but
for the same reason as we seek money and
property, namely, so as to possess and main-
tain a more complete and happy life, to es-
cape the pauperism of an impoverished
mind, a destitute personality : to become the
possessors of life's highest wealth."

It is the purpose of the public school
system, which includes the rural schools,
the graded schools and the high schools of
the county, to furnish not only the facilities
for study and recitation, but, through ear-
nest, qualified teachers, to instill those ideas
of culture and good citizenship which shall
repay an hundred fold for every dollar ex-
pended.

Daniel Miller, the fourth commissioner
of schools for Christian county, reporting
to Campbell Thomas, Secretary of State
and ex-oflicio State Superintendent of
Schools, in 1846, gives the following sta-
tistics :

Whole number of schools in county 6

Whole number of scholars attending 173
Whole number of children under 21.. 1,236
Whole amount of school funds $69.03

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 129

Ave. paid male teachers per mo. .. .$14.00 R. W. Orr, elected 1895.

Ave. paid female teachers per mo. . .$10.00 D. O. Witmer, elected November, 1898.

The annual report of Hon. Alfred Bay- Edith Witmer, appointed August, 1899.

hss, Superhitendent of Public Instruction, ^^""^^ L. Barbre, November, 1900.

for the year ending June 30, 1903 : ^nna L. Barbre, November, 1902.
Number of school districts.... 142 Churches.

Number of school houses 153 , , . ^ , ...

^^ , , ., 1, , ^ ,„ As noted m a former chapter of this

Number of i)upils enrolled .... 7-947 , r , , , r

„,, , , , , 1 work, many of the early settlers were ot a

Whole number of males under . . ■' ,.,,,,. , • ,,

reliGiious turn of mmd, and l^elieved m the

„„ , ''''■*'''""' ' due observance of the Sabbath, the estab-

Whole number of females un- . , , ,01 11

ft^c hshment of churches and Sunday schools.

''*'", 11 ' "^ Church organizations and Sabbath schools

Number of teachers employed. 230 * 1 , • ^1 ^

, , r were formed at a very early day, m the set-

Amount of money used tor , , .1 t^ .• ^

a- ^ ^A ^^ tlements of the county, notably, the Baptist

school inirposes $13^,356.66 , , ^ . ' / ,. ,

^ . 1 1 r 1 1 church at Stonington, the Congregational

Estimated value of school prop- , , ^ ° , , .

d, church at Rosemond, and other congrega-

erty $299,305.00 • ,

. , , , 1 tions which were established almost simul-
Average wages paid male teach- , . , , ^ r i.i

jK o taneously with the commencement of the

, ^^^ .■■■■■■■■," settlement of these particular localities.

Average wages paid female • 1 1 r ..i

, ^ r^ These two are mentioned because of the

teachers . . . •. $40 66 • - 1 •

fact that enough people were associated in

School Commissioners of the County the colonies that emigrated to these places

Since Its Organization. to immediately begin the church work.

H. M. Vandeveer, appointed May 16,. 1839. the facts are that the Methodist church,

John W. Wheat, elected Aug. 2, 1841. the Baptist church, the Christian church,

Thos. S. Leachman, elected Aug. 7, 1843. the Roman Catholic church and the Cum-

Daniel Miller, elected Aug. 4, 1845. berland Presbyterian church, established

James C. Morrison, elected Aug. 2, 1847. congregations in many settlements at a very

James C. Morrison, elected Nov. 6, 1849. early day, and as soon as the congregations

James C. Morrison, elected Nov. 4, 185 1. were of sufficient strength, either alone or

Richard Sparks, elected Nov. 8, 1853. united with other congregations, church

Jesse Hanon, elected Nov. 7, 1855. houses were builded for the accommoda-

S. S. Cisna, elected Nov. 3, 1857. tion of the church-goer.

S. S. Cisna, elected Nov. 5, 1861. In the early settlement of the county, at

James A. Ryan, elected Nov. 3, 1863. ' proper seasons when the weather would

A. McCaskill, elected Nov. 7, 1865. permit, camp meetings were held in the dif-

W. F. Gorrell, elected Nov. 2, 1869. ferent localities, and these camp meetings

R. W. Orr, elected Nov. 4, 1873. were a great source of pleasure to the re-

R. W. Orr, elected Nov. 6. 1877. ligious element of the county. At these

Francis .W. Boyd, elected November, 1881. camp meetings, the families would procure

R. W. Orr, elected 1885. a tent and go and stay for a week or ten

R. W. Orr, elected 1889. -days, services would be held in the open

130

PAST AND PRESENT

air sheltered fmm snn and storm by a brush
covering", or under a large canvas; at these
meetings, preachers of notoriety visited the
people, and preached to them. Prominent
among the ministers of the early day that
delighted the people with their learning and
the expounding- of the divine word were
the Rev. Peter Cartwright and Elder North-
cut. Soon congregations were organized
and churches built at Pana. Assumption.
Mt. Auburn. Taylorville, Edinburg and
Rosemond and other localities in the county.
As time progressed and tlie people pros-
pered schoolhouses and ])laces of worship
were matters to which the attention of the
people would turn. The religious senti-
ments of the different churches one toward
the other were liberal, and in instances the
same church house was used by different
cong-regations as places of public worship.
In some localities the schoolhouse was upon
the Sabbath day converted into a meeting'-
house where Sunday school and church
would both be held. People came there a
great distance to attend these services. Min-
isters of the gospel were zealous in the
cause they had espoused, and the general
rule was that the ministers preached to the
peoj^jle l)ecause they loved them, and be-
cause they loved to expound to them the
laws of God, even though they were unable
to compensate them for their services.

It is true that in the earlier days, when
starvation was staring the pco])le in the face,
they had i)ractically all they could do "to
keep the wolf from their own door;" they
were not able to contribute to the salaries
of ministers as they are now-a-days, and
if a minister received a small compensation,
or a few donations through the year, he
was satisfied, and was content to till the
soil and secure his li\ing for the most part
by "the sweat of his face." (The writer

would not be understood as condemning
the payment of salaries to ministers; that
is right arid proper and should be enc(jur-
aged as. at this day and age, the whole of
the time of the minister is required in
his lal)or. and the only means he has of
subsisting is through the salary he may
receix'e. ) In those days when the meet-
ings were held in the little log schoolhouse
or log church and the people gathered
in. they had familiar songs of praise that
they loved to sing ; many sweet and me-
lodious voices joined together in this de-
votional exercise ; they sang with a spirit
that made the welkin ring ; the service and
and the song were enjoyed by the happy
throng; they listened with interest to the
minister, who t(jld them in plain, unvar-
nished language of the golden streets of
Jerusalem, and the pleasures of the happy
throng that W(iuld by and by gather around
the great white throne.

These people were in earnest, zealous,
were not there for show. Init to enjoy the
hour in the worship of Almighty God.

Nothing can be more conducive to a real,
Ii\e religion than to have a whole congrega-
tion join with one accord in the exercises
and in the songs of praise. Perhaps it
would not do in this day and age for all
the people to jon in the song, and for all the
people when church was over to meet, shake
hands with one another, renew their ac-
fiuaintance and have a social minute or two,
but I can not see why it would not do: I
can not see why the choir in the corner
should be called upon to do the singing
alone and for the whole congregation; I can
not see why so much formality should be
obser\-ed in the jjulpit and with the congre-
gation ; it is not taught in the Bible; it does
not engender a spirit of kindness and good
feeling and is not the way, in my judgment.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

131

to extract true happiness from a religious
exercise. I do not mean by this that an
exercise should consist of enthusiasm alone,
but should carry with it a sufficient amount
of zeal and warmth to prevent icicles from
accumulating- in the midst of the congrega-
tions.

The writer is not sure but what the re-
ligion of forty or fifty years ago was as
pure as it is to-day, and is not sure but
what the church member and minister en-
joyed the religion of Christ as much in that
day as they do at the present. It is not
always the 'fine pew, the dressy pulpit and
the retained choir that produce the greatest
amount of happiness or good in the re-
ligious world: as the people prosper, we
concede that there arises a greater demand
for I letter churches, and more highly edu-
cated ministers. This is all right, and
should be encouraged, yet with a fine church
and the highly educated minister, it shou.ld
be the place in which everybody should be
made to feel at home, and enjoy the wor-
ship.

The growth of Christianity has kept pace
with the prosperity of the county, and to-
day we have many denominations over the
county that are doing much good.

The Baptists have congregations and
churches at Taylorville, Pana, Edinburg,
Stonington and Salem.

The Methodist Episcopal church has
churches at Mt. Auburn, Taylorville, Pana,
Assumption, Millersville, Rosemond, Buck-
eye Prairie, Owaneco, Fair view, Palmer
and perhaps other places.

The Roman Catholics have churches and
congregations at Taylorville, Pana, As-
sumption, Stonington and Morrisonville.

The Christian church has congregations
at Taylorville, Assumption, Edinburg, Mt.
Auburn, Pana, Liberty church in Prairie-

ton township, and the Christian church in
South Fork.

The Congregationalists have a church at
Rosemond, erected there by the early set-
tlers of that locality.

The German Evangelical denomination
has a church at Pana, and doubtless other
places in the county.

The Free Methodists and Salvation Army
also have congregations in several parts of
the county, which are doing good work, and
there are perhaps many other churches lo-
cated in different parts of the county that
the writer is not apprised of, but it is suffi-
cient to say that all of these churches are
a blessing to the community. All men,
whether they are Christians or not, recog-
nize the fact that there is nothing so bene-
ficial to a community and nothing that tends
more to upbuild and strengthen a people and
to invite others into a community than the
fact that such community is blessed with
ofood churches and schools.

Christian county is proud of her church
record, of her Sunday school record, of her
church-going people, and the many attrac-
tions and advantages induced by the relig-
ious element.

Transportation.

Scarcely less important than the subject
of production is the one of transportation.
Without means of easy and rapid transpor-
tation the valuable products of any section
would be comparatively valueless. And it
is to this fact, second only to that of pro-
duction, that this county owes its promi-
nence among the counties of the state and
nation. The productiveness of our soil and
mines will soon be far greater than any esti-
mates ever yet made by the mind of man,
but their value depends upon the ease, rap-
idity and cheapness, by which they can be

132

PAST AND PRESENT

transported to those who need, hut have
not, that which we pnxhice in great ahnn-
dance. h'or a portion of the year, truth
compels us to state, that tlie wagon roads of
this country are almost impassahle, hut they
are heing fast impro\ed and it i^ not a
vision of a s])eculati\e fancy merely, to state
that in the not distant future the entire ]>ro-
ductixe area of this county will he spanned
hy electric railroads, which will enah.Ie the
products of our soil and mines to he trans-
ported from the liomes of our people to an
open market, hoth cheaply and ex])ec1i-
tiously.

Already an electric railroad. The Amer-
ican Central Traction Company, has heen
planned and incorporated penetrating the
county from east to west and from north to
south with Taylorville as a center, and with
the western terminus in St. Louis, that at
all times of the year will place the products
of this garden of central Illinois cheaply
within the reach of a ready market.

This is not a visi(m, hut a scheme that is
being actually realized. But upon the com-
pletion of the electric railroad our trans-
portation facilities does not alone depend.
As early as the year 1853 the first ground
was broken and the great

Illinois Central Railroad

was built through this county and the cars
were running the following year. The line
enters the county from the north on section
36, township 14, range 1, east, traverses
the county in a southwesterly direction and
leaves it on section t,^, townshij) it, range
I, east, and passes through Assumi)tion and
Pana. By an act of congress passed in
September, 1850, approved by President
Eilmore, an aggregation of 2,595.053 acres
of land was granted to build the road. The
riuht of wav was "ranted and everv alter-

nate section of land for six miles on either
side of the road. The grant of land was
made directly to the state. The legislature
of Illinois, thereafter granted a charter to
an eastern com])any to Imild the road with
a capital stock of $1,000,000. The legis-
lature in granting the charter transferred
to the company the lands obtained from the
general government, hut stipulated that 7
per cent, of the gross earnings of the road
should be paid semi-annually into the state
treasury, forever. This wise provision
yields an immense revenue to the state.
The road is one of the great trunk lines of
the west, reaching from Chicago in Illinois
to New Orleans in Louisiana and to Sioux
City in western Iowa. The first ground
was broken in 1853 and cars were runnmg
the following year. It was at this time that
Assumption and Pana were located.

TiiK Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad,
Now THE Big Four.

This road extends between the two towns
indicated by its name and was completed hi
1855. not far from the same date that the
Illinois Central was built. It enters Chris-
tian county on the northern line of section
24 in Pana township and traverses the
■ county in a southwesterly direction, leaving
it in section 33 in Rosemond township. It
was known as the Alton & Terre Haute R.
R. wdien constructed. The stations in this
county are Pana and Rosemond. The point
of crossing of the Illinois Central and the
Bio' Four railroads determined the location

f Pana.

The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Rail-
way.

This is probably the most important rail-
road in the county, and does an immense
Ijusiness between St. Louis and Chica.go

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

138

and other eastern points. The length of the
hne in this county is more than thirty-one-
miles. The principal towns in the county
on this road are Taylorville, Morrisonville,
Palmer, Clarksdale, and Stonington. It
enters the county on section i, in Stoning-
ton township and leaves it at Harvel, on
section 4. in King township. It crosses the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Taylorville.

The road was built under a charter
granted to The Decatur & East St. Louis
railroad and was commenced in 1869 and
completed through this county in 1870. The
Wabash is one of the best roads in the west.

The Springfield Division of the Bal-
timore & Ohio Railroad.

This road runs diagonally through the
county from the northwest to the south-
east. It enters the county on section 10,
Buckhart township, and leaves it on section
24, of Pana township. Taylor\^ille, Pana,
Edinburg and Owaneco, Sharps, Millers-
ville and Velma are the stations. The road
was formerly known as the Springfield &
Pana railroad, afterward as the Springfield
& Southeastern, and in April, 1875. it was
sold to the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad
company. It was again sold to the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad company and now
forms an important branch of their trunk
line. It was built under a charter obtained
in 1865 and was completed in 1870. The
first train entered Taylorville at 5 o'clock
P. M., on Oct, 25, 1869. The first through
train from Beardstown to Shawneetown
was run on March 28. 1872. " The first tele-
graph office opened in Taylorville was the
office of tliis road and was opened on March
II, 1872.

The Indiana, Decatur & Western.

This road was extended from Decatur to
Springfield, 111., during the summer of 1901.

It extends from Indianapolis, Ind., to
Spring-field, Illinois. It follows the Wa-
bash from Decatur to Boody, 111., and then
extends westward across the northern part
of the county. Its most important station
is the old town of Mt. Auburn, which it
has been the means of reinvigorating and
greatly enlarging. The stations on this
road in this county are Osbornville, Mt.
Auburn, Bakersville and Roby.

The Eastern Illinois Railroad.

This line (February, 1904) is being built
from Dan\-ille, 111., to St. Louis. It is a
part of the great "Friscoe" system. It en-
ters Pana township from the east not far
from the center line, runs southeasterly to
Pana and then follows The Big Four rail-
road out of the county. It is now thought
that the Big Four system may be used from
Pana to St. Louis. It affords anoth.er
through line from Chicago to St. Louis, and
will doubtless be completed during the year
1904.

Thus it will be seen that the county is
well supplied with railroads, without the
contemplated electric lines which will prob-
ably be built within the next year or two.
More than fifty trains daily now traverse
the county transporting the freight and pas-
sengers through this fertile region to its
destination. These roads, scarcely more
than in their infancy, now transport mil-
lions of tons of freight and thousands of
passengers annually. Over our prairies now
ride the civilization and culture of the
world. The future holds promises more
wonderful than can be imagined. Our pro-
ductive capacity has hardly been touched.
Food and fuel— the two great essentials-
will flow from our soil and mines as milk
from the bosom (^f a generoUs mother.

134

PAST AND PRESENT

Who can even imagine what is in store for
this people in the future?

Coal.

One of the greatest inckistries of the coun-
ty, second only to that of agriculture, while
yet in the infancy of its development, is the
mining of coal. It is certain that at a depth,
of from three to eight hundred feet an im-
mense vein of an excellent quality of bi-
tuminous coal from six to eight feet in
thickness stretches all over the nvn-e tha>i
720 square miles of this county. Only in
about a dozen places has it been reached
by digging, but suflicient has been done to
demonstrate the truthfulness of the above
statement. It is undoubtedly true that this
count}' possesses enough coal to supply the
entire United States with a cheap fuel for
a period of time, were it found necessary
to use it. Beneath the ground lies this
munificent Init necessary commodity but it
will be many years before much of this \'ir-
gin fuel will ever be touched by miner's
pick or drill. A vast, untold and almost
unlimited field of power and wealth lies be-
neath us while above grows that which will
feed the men while they are digg-ing out this
treasure. And as if nature had been most
profuse in her gifts to this region, above
these immense veins of coal is a rock cover-
ing man}- feet in thickness, thus insuring to
the laborer beneath the surface that protec-
tion so much needed and desired by those
who toil for this latent and almost limitless
product, that was stored for the use of man
when the earth was young. It is an ideal
mining county and one which should always
possess cheap fuel.

All over the county there may be obtained
water in abundance, so that the three essen-
tials to a manufacturing center, viz., cheap
fuel, abundant water and cheap food, are

everywhere present, W^ith a large home
consumption for our food, and an abundance
of coal there is no reason why this should
not become one of the great manufactur-
ing counties of the west. But it was not
always known that we possessed these great
treasures. For years most of these lands
were- thought to be untillable and the ex-
istence of coal in any considerable quantity
was unknown.

It was not til the year 1882 or 1883 that
this vast field of wealth was discovered. To
lie sure, small veins not to exceed 22 inches
in thickness had been known to exist on
Coal creek in the southern part of the coun-
ty. At White's Bank on section 34. town-
ship II north, range i east, the largest vein
was found and the coal was dug out by
drifting into the hillside about thirty feet
above the level of the creek. Another ten-
inch seam was found near Greenwood's mill
on the South Fork, but the coal w^as of poor
quality. Near the North Fork mills, a 17-
inch \ein was known to exist several feet
below low water mark.

But these evidences of coal w^ere incon-
sequential and it w^as not until 1882 that the
Pana Coal Company sunk a .shaft some-
thing more than 700 feet deep, found a vein
of coal from seven to eight feet thick, and
in 1884 began taking out coal.

Other mines followed in rapid succession.
The second shaft of the Pana Coal Com-
pany was sunk in 1887. The Penwell Coal
Comi)any sunk a shaft in 1888 and began re-
moving coal in 1889. The Springside Coal
Company was started in 1889 and coal was
removed in 1890.

In Taylorville ihc meeting of the first
stockholders to perfect the organization of
a company was held on Monday, ]\Iarch i,
1886. W. \\\ Anderson was chosen presi-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

]35

dent of the directors, A. G. Barnes treas-
urer and D. D. Shumway secretary.

On May ii, 1886, a contract for l)oring-
was let to S. A. Warner of Wadsworth,
Ohio, to prospect for coal, but coal was
not found till some time in 1887.

On January 6, 1888, a contract was made
with Mr. S. Ainsworth for sinking a shaft
and the shaft was completed Ijefore the close
of the year.

Numerous other shafts have been sunk
since that time.

One was at Edinburg and was in opera-
tion for several years, one in Assumption
which furnishes a peculiarly valuable quality
of coal and in 1900 the Christian County
Coal Company in Taylorville, which works
a large force of men.

And still others are in course of construc-
tion. A drill hole is being rapidly sunk near
Clarksdale and a mine just outside the
county, at Blue Mound, and still others are
contemplated.

From the mines in the county about 15,-
000 tons of coal contribute to the uses of
man daily, and many mills and factories
from all over the west pour forth their
smoke, telling of this immense industry in
Christian county that is yet in its infancy.
From a beginning in Pana, when Mr.
Julius Broehl sold the first carload of coal
in 1884 and Ijut few men were employed,
n(nv but little less than 3,000 men are kept
busy and the output is transported by five
or six trains of cars each day. And what
of the future? Who can tell ? The amount
to be produced is unlimited by any concep-
tion of man. The ease with which it may
be raised to 'the surface, the comparative
safety of the location of the veins, the cheap-
ness and the nearness of the food needed,
the abundance and superior quality of the
water, all proclaim this county as not only

an agricultural center, as not only a mining
center, but in the near future the place
where many manufactories will be located
l)ecause the raw products can be turned into
wares for the uses of men cheaper here than
elsewhere. The rich glimmerings of pros-
perity now experienced are but the faint,
polden orlow of the richer realizations that
may be looked for in the future.

Drainage.

' Back in the sixties and early seventies, if
you will allow me to take you back that far
in your imagination, you could have wit-
nessed some very unusual sights, and not the
least interesting of these would have com-
prehended a view of the flat landscape, cov-
ered literally with water, and in fact a
"water-scape" if the term may be properly
used. If you had happened upon the scene
at a propitious moment, you could have seen
George Waggoner with 16 yoke of oxen
hitched to an enormous plow, one which
would cut a furrow 24 inches wide and 16
inches deep — w-ith a crew of drivers and a
few onlookers, slowly wending his way
along the wettest and lowest places in these
prairies, and this was the beginning of
drainage in Christian County. Not less
than twenty-five drainage districts were be-
gun by George Waggoner back at this early
date, and by the method described. Perhaps
no other man in Central Illinois has been
oftener in court during later years, to testi-
fy to the beginning of these drainage enter-
prises, than Mr. Waggoner, and he has a
faculty of recalling vividly and minutely the
details of the work done by him in these
early days, recounting his experiences in a
very interesting manner.

Back in the early days of the settlement
of this county, it was thought that most of
the prairies were a waste, and not susceptible

13G

PAST AND PRESENT

of ever Ijeing utilized for agricultural pur-
poses. Most of our sturdy pioneers settled
along and in the timber, preferring to clear
out the trees and brush rather than risk the
perils of water, nioscjuitoes and malaria.
\\ ilh the advent of more settlers from the
east, it became necessary that the prairie
lands should he invaded, and incident to the
inllux of settlers came the beginning of
drainage. Lands upon the prairie were
cheap and abundant, a large amount thereof
belonging to the Illinois Central Railroad
Company, donated to it to induce it to con-
struct a railroad through the flat prairie
lands, thus connecting the prosperous and
fertile country down about Cairo in Lower
Egypt with the rolling prairies and prosper-
ous communities about Freeport in North-
ern Illinois.

These lands were gladly disposed of to
eastern and southern settlers, at from 50
cents to $2.50 per acre, and considered
"good riddance" by the railroad company.
Nothing was valuable except aw^ay down
in "Egypt" and the high rolling lands of
northern Illinois, and except also a few
timber tracts about "Hell's Half-Acre," the
"Bloody Island," and the white oak bearing
timber lands along the South Fork and
Flat Branch generally. This has all been
changed now. The redeemed swamps are
now selling for from $100 to $140 per acre,
depending upon the class of improvements
they have, while the good old timber lands
are worth from $30 to $70 per acre.

The real value of farm lands depends
largely upon the character and quality of
their soils, and their proper drainage de-
pends very largely upon the character of
subsoil.

This is a subject which is of very great
im]iortance, and is being investigated most
thoroughly by an army of experts in the em-

plf)y of the L\ S. r3epartment of Agricul-
ture, who are collecting samples of soil from
nearly every locality of the United States,
for chemical analysis, reports of which can
be secured free b)' those interested in the
subject. Therefore, before entering more
fully upon tlic subject of land drainage, it
will not be amiss to glance at the origin
of soils, although matters of a rather tech-
nical nature are generally not very popu-
lar.

The earth revolves upon its axis in an el-
liptical orbit, inclining 23^ degrees to the
plane of the celestial equator, and which
it crosses twice each year, being about the
2 1 St of March and September respectively,
or the season of the vernal and autumnal
equinoxes. These "crossings" are never at
the same point, but retrogress about five-
sixths of one minute westward each year,
which, measured at the earth's equator,
would be not quite one mile. Thus, vast
earth changes running through a period of
25,868 years follow, and during which time
each and every point in the earth's orbit
has its perihelion and aphelion passage.
Now, how does all this afTect the origin of
soils, you may ask. Well, the eccentricity
of the earth's orbit brings us 3,112,560 miles
nearer the sun when the earth is at its peri-
helion passage about December 21st, then
when at its aphelion passage six months
later. By the procession of the equinoxes
the time presently comes when the perihe-
lion passage of the earth comes at a time
when the earth is 3,112,560 miles farther
away from the sun than it was formerly in
mid-winter ; then look out for a "cold snap."
The hands of the geological clock will then
point to the hour of universal winter. That
such periods of time have come and gone
and \\\\\ come again is proven in the "Book
of Nature" if we but read the lx)ok aright,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

137

and during- these earth-winters there have
been in agTs past mountains of ice and snow
covering all the country from the Ohio and
Missouri rivers north in places, miles in
depth. It scooped away the solid mountains
of the north, ground and crushed them into
minute particles, and covered the face of the
upper Mississippi River valley with a man-
tle of debris ranging from 20 to 200 feet
in thickness, and interspersed with vege-
table and animal remains, many of which
are found every year in sinking wells in this
locality. The very soil we have here owes
its origin to the ice epoch, with such other
forces as have been at work in nature modi-
fied by the action of running or standing-
water, when this sea of ice was again melt-
ed, and covered our Hat prairie lands to
perhaps 100 feet or more in depth at various
places, and jjefore the drainage channels
were eroded.

The great lakes, holes and l)asins, and in
many instances the stream valleys were
gouged out by the plowing action of the ice
in its resistless march southward durins: the

ice age.

The soils we have here are a result of
the drift l)rought by the ice from the north-
west, a soil good, black, rich and deep.
Further east, and skirting the southeasterlv
portion of this county, the ice l)rought its
debris from the northeast or from Wiscon-
sin, and the soil is of a different character
and much less fertile, and in places inter-
mingling with that l)rought from Iowa and
the northwest. Other forces in nature have
also operated to induence the composition
of our soils, such as weathering, freezing,
thawing, disintegrating, baking in the sun
while wet, and redissolving again, mixine
with vegetable litter, at such periods as when
this part of the earth had eternal summer,
and when vegetation flourished luxuriant-

ly, for there have been more than one cycle
of recurring changes, and more than one
season of eternal cold. Thus, our soils are
a result of an almost endless comminution
and co-inixing of materials, derived from
a number of different forces in nature. ^

At the end of the last ice invasion, the
whole country was left with a mass of
debris from 20 to 200 feet in depth, brought
down by ice and water, and deposited ir-
regularly over the earth's surface. Only the
high points were, at first, dry land, such
as Pope's Hill, Badger Mound, Blue Mound,
Mt. Auburn, and a few others, the rest of
the land gradually emerging as the waters
cut drainage channels throughout the land,
and receded therefrom.

The highest point in Christian county is
at Badger's Mound (near Rosemondj and
is 750 feet above sea level. The lowest
point upon the natural surface is near the
northwest portion of the county, and it is
530 feet above sea level. Another point
nearly ecpially as high as the "Badger
Mound" is the West Blue Mound, in the
northeasterly portion of the county. The
general topography of the country largely
determines its drainage, and thus we see
the Mosquito creek entering the county
about four miles north of 'the West Blue
Mound and sluggishly winding its way in
a westerly and northwesterly direction, un-
til it empties into North Fork of the San-
gamon river. The North Fork of the San-
gamon river forms the northerly boundary
of the county, and opposite Mt. Auburn
makes a long detour to the nc^rth, influenced
l)y the high land in that vicinity. In the
vicinity of Rosemond, a small branch of the
upper South Fork of the Sangamon river
rises on either side of Badger Mound, unit-
ing somewhat to the west thereof, and with
many small tributaries running first wester-

138

PAST AND TRESENT

ly and northwesterly until it strikes a high
plateau of flat lands near the southwest por-
tion of the county, then gracefully curving
northeasterly until tlie junction with Flat
Branch, then again deflecting westerly and
southwesterly and finally after its confluence
with Bear Creek going northerly and north-
westerly to its junction with the North Fork
and thence forming the Sangamon river.
Many smaller trihutaries. all with a general
northerly, westerly or northwesterly course
traverse the county. Where the streams
flow westerly the drainage areas upon the
north side are usually not very w^ide, while
that upon the south side comes from quite
a distance. This is again a result of the
morraines thrown down hy melting ice,
causing a ridge of sandy and gravelly soil,
mostly overlaid with a sheet or black or
Sangamon soil as it is technically termed.
Such a ridge starts a little southwest of
Taylorville and is followed, in the main, by
the A\^abash railroad up to and beyond
Boody. keeping S(omewhat to the north
thereof in the vicinity of Stonington, and
this slight ridge is the divde or water shed
of this portion of the county.

Another example of a ridge of like char-
acter is that of the divide between Mosquito
creek and the North Fork of the Sangamon
river passing through Mt. Auburn. Many
other examples might be named.

As stated near the beginning of this ar-
ticle, most of the earlier systems of drain-
age upon the flat lands were started by
plowing a furrow or a double furrow^ along
the line of sloughs and low lands. Later
these were improved generally, by mutual
co-operation, using teams and scrapers for
the work at such extreme dry seasons as
were now and then available for doing the
work. j\s the lands became more in de-
mand, and consequently more valuable,

other methods of construction were used,
and organization of drainage districts em-
ployed. One of the earlier districts formed
in the county was that of Taylorville No.
I, leading from near the paper mill, north-
erly and crossing the north lane about 2/2
miles north of the city of Taylorville. The
w^ork of construction was begun in July,
1882, and was finally completed in the au-
tumn of 1883. The cost of the improve-
ment was about $3.00 per acre for the lands
involved, and was considered a very great
price to pay for drainage. Many other re-
deepenings and recleanings have been done
upon this system of ditches since then, and
no doubt the ditches have repaid their total
cost a hundred fold. About the same time,
1882 and 1883, there were three drainage
districts started in Stonington township,
and after much opposition were completed in
1884. There was at time, as now, consid-
erable opposition to these drainage districts
and the subject generally misunderstood,
and after prolonged litigation it was finally
settled by the Supreme Court by a decision
in favor of the drainage districts. The way
was then well opened for this class of w^ork.
Following almost immediately upon the
completion of these three districts were or-
sranized the Lake Fork District, north of
Pana. another district in Stonington town-
ship, three others in South Fork township
and many other ditches constructed by mu-
tual arrangement of the parties interested.
Most of the improvements made up to 1888
was by deepening and enlarging the George
Waggoner plow ditches and the cost to the
interested lands ranged from $1.00 to $5.00
per acre. Not many really perfect jobs of
ditching had yet been done. The ditches
were through very flat lands, could
not be given good gradients or great depth,
and consequently filled up with deposits

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

139

more or less and had to he frequently re-
paired and recleaned. The farmer land qwn-
ers were nearly all yet in debt upon their
lands, and felt that they could not well af-
ford to pay out enormous sums of money
for ditch construction, and the systems of
drainage were generally a compromise be-
tween perfect plans for drainage on the one
hand, and dollars cost upon the other, and
were not always, and in fact were rarely
what they should hax'c been, in size, dejith
or capacity.

Of later years, as the lands have advanced
in value, the improvements in the way of
drainage have become of a more permanent
character. Five miles of large dredge-boat
ditches were constructed in Stonington and
Buckhart townships ; ten miles of dredge-
ditch work was done in the Hog Lake, in
the easterly portion of Ricks township.
Seven miles of large ditches were construct-
ed in the South D'Arcy lands in King
Township with a dredge-boat ; and eleven
miles of large open drains in northerly King
township; also seven miles of ditch recon-
structed by a dredge in the upper "Big
George" creek through portions of Assump-
tion and Pana townships ; the aggregate of
dredge ditches in the county being about 40
miles, costing on the average $2,500 per
mile, or in all about $100,000.

The open ditches constructed by teams
and scrapers in the various drainage dis-
tricts aggregate 235 miles. Those con-
structed by mutual cooperation number
more than 100 miles, not taking into ac-
count those constructed for lateral drain-
age upon the lands, privately, which num-
ber into the thousands, and probably com-
prise over 4.000 miles more of open ditches.
Thus it will be seen that the sum total spent
for drainage has, in fact, been enormous,
and it was, generally, well expended.

During more recent years, the demand
has been for better drainage and works of
a more permanent character. Thus the plan
of under-drainage by tiles has now come
into general use. Pipes of clay, moulded
like brick, and afterward dried and burned
are now generally employed. The subsoil
of all these flat prairie lands is of a porous
texture, being covered upon the surface, and
from two to four feet in depth, with a black,
decomposed vegetable soil, the underlying
subsoil being of a "joint clay" whose com-
position is such that it is permeated with
numerous partings or seams, and has a
cuboidal fracture, which admits water easily
into the seams, and is an ideal subsoil for
the employment of under-drains. Other
sections of Illinois have not always the
proper character of subsoil to admit of good
under-drainage, but with few exceptions,
where the Wisconsin drift has left a mantle
of white tile, invading our precincts from
the northeast, we have an excellent top soil,
fertile and inexhaustible, and underlaid with
an excellent "joint clay" subsoil. It is par-
ticularly notable that such character of sub-
soil is an almost universal accompaniment
of the low, flat prairie lands of this county.

Without going too minutely into details,
the first tile drains laid in the county were
in about 1878, being then employed where
the gradients were, without question, excel-
lent, and looked upon with a degree of sus-
picion, until time had demonstrated their ef-
fectiveness. With constant experimenting
and a general advance of enlightenment the
work of under-drainage has gone on until
now the demands for drain tile are such that
we have ten tile factories in the county,
mostly engaged constantly in the manufac-
ture of drain-tile, and besides, buy outside
and ship in upon the average 600 carloads
every year. The earlier open ditches are, in

PAST AND PRESENT

many instances, being reconstructed, using
large tile, going farther down stream where
necessary to secure greater fall, and laying
the tiles in the hed of the former open
ditches. A notable example of this sort of
recent construction is to be found north of
Stonington, where a drain-tile 28 inches in-
side diameter, so large that a .small-sized
man can crawl into, turn ril)out and come
l>ack from the same, was laid from the Buck-
hart creek northeasterly a distance of one
and seven-eighths miles, at a cost of over
$7,000. This system of drainage continues
for .some four and one-half miles further,
the tiles decreasing in size as the principal
laterals enter the same, and comprises in all
over fourteen miles of tile drains, all the
costs having been borne by funds derived
from special assessments of the lands inter-
ested, at a total cost of about $14,000 and
embracing 2,790 acres of land. The lateral
drainage tributary to this includes more than
25 miles of smaller tile drains. The v.'ork
and materials cost some of the land holders
more than $8.00 per acre for this improve-
ment alone, they having previously contrib-
uted more than $5.00 per acre for the orig-
inal open drain. The land owners, some
twenty-five in number, are all satisfied with
the results obtained, and express their ap-
proval of completing a system of drainage
which, being properly done, is done for all
time, and requires no expenditure constantly
to maintain the .same. In like manner a
very great number of drainage districts
have empkned tile for perfect drainage.
One of the earliest districts to u.se tile al-
most exclusively w-as Locust and May Union
Drainage District No. i. 'Scjuire Mink.
C. A. Stattner and others w'cre among the
liromoters. and after excavating an open
ditch for about one-half mile, the rest of
the drainage was effected by means of tiles.

using an 18-inch and 14-inch tile for a dou-
ble outlet. It comprises 12 miles of tiles of
various sizes, whose outlet is upon the lands
of Lee Bradley in section i of Locust
township, thence northerly and northwester-
ly in an open ditch to the middle fork of
Brusli}- Branch. Tlie district comprises
3,390 acres of what were formerly very wet
lan.ds ; has miles of lateral tiles throughout
the \arious farms, laid in a regular net-
work, cost about $4.50 per acre upon an av-
erage for all the lands, has cost compara-
tively little to maintain the system, and that
mostly for extensions, and has given gen-
eral satisfaction to the interested land own-
ers. The benefits, in the way of reclama-
tion of swamp lands, amount to thousands
of dollars and at least tenfold its cost.

These are but examples of what has been
done in the way of drainage. To enter into
the details fully would require more time
and space than are at my command. The
importance of the subject of drainage and its
])ractical application in our county in suffi-
cient to justify volumes being written, and
its results are greater, broader, deeper and
more far reaching than would at first glance
be appreciated. It has made fertile fields
and farms out of watery wastes. It has
transformed a wilderness of slough grasses
and rushes into smiling fields of corn and
happy homes. Its financial results may be
summed up in millions of dollars benefits to
Christian county, in increased productive-
ness of thousands of acres of lands, other
thousands of acres absolutely redeemed
from ])rairie swam])s and miasmatic pools
and lakes. More than half the lands of the
county were practically worthless, and one-
fourth, at least, were valueless, before it
was ascertained that drainage of these
wastes could be accomplished. With even
the first crude drainage systems, came en-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

hanced values, dou1)lc producing capacity,
and a oeneral betterment of health. With
further and more perfect systems of drain-
age, has come still greater land values. l)et-
ter roads, and very greatly improved gen-
eral appearance of the farms from elimina-
tion of the small and o.ften irregular waste
])atches of swamps. By drainage the natur-
al habitation of the mosquito has been de-
stroyed. The mosquito, it has been shown
by Dr. O. L. Howard, an eminent expert
in disease germs, is the harbinger and trans-
mitter of the malaria germ, and the drain-
age of the stagnant ponds has decreased by
manv millions the numbers of these insect
])ests, to say nothing" of dispensing with the
obnoxious and poisonous odors which for-
merly emanated therefrom.

There are 63 regularly organized drain-
age districts in Christian county, distributed
among the various towns as follows : As-
sumption, 8 ; Buckhart, 4 ; Greenwood, i ;
King, 6 ; Locust, 3 ; May, 4 ; Mosquito, 4 ;
Pana, 4 ; Prairieton, i ; Ricks, 6 ; Rosemond,
3 ; Stonington, 9 ; South Fork, 3 ; and Tay-
lorville, 7.

Some of these are counted twice, as they
include lands frequently lying within por-
tions of two or more towns. The towns
of Bear Creek, Johnson and Mt. Auburn
only have no such regular organizations,
but have each done a great deal in the way
of drainage improvement, either by mutual
agreement of the land owners or by indi-
vidual effort. The latter remark also ap-
plies to each of the other towns, there hav-
ing been very many of even rather compli-
cated systems of drainage effected without
organization under the law. The time is
not long past when many honest men looked
upon the tile-draining question with sus-
picion. They affirmed that the great amount
of drainage work done was the direct cause

of drouth, and during seasons of great pre-
cipitation il was the great promoter of flood
conditions in the main streams of the coun-
try. There is some truth in the theory that
better drainage facilities have accentuated
the flood conditions, but what matter if the
rixers rise an inch or two or even a foot or
two higher than formerly? The sooner
come the sooner gone, and the floods do not
now continue so long as formerly, even if
they become higher.

The 20th century fanner is a man who
will use any means within his power to
"make two blades of grass grow where only
one grew before," regardless of what were
the opinions of his forefathers, and the
great and constantly increasing demand for
drain-tile tells the story more forcibly than
words can express.

Experience in all affairs of life is the final
test, and now that we have the experience
of hundreds of our best citizens, farmers,
land-owners and capitalists who have tested
thoroughly the various methods of drainage,
who have w^atched its effects upon the soil
and crops, and who pronounce uneciuivo-
cally in favor of thorough under-drainage,
the question would seem to be certainly set-
tled.

What are the real tangible benefits of
drainage? Briefly told, upon well drained
lands, those with deep drains, or where un-
der-drained by tiles, dry out earlier l)y days,
and in some instances by weeks, than those
which are not drained, thus enabling their
proprietors to get out early crops at the
proper season, and this of itself often means
a great advantage; then where one rain is
followed by another at intervals of a few
days, the under-drained lands are dry with-
in a very short time so that farming opera-
tions can proceed at the proper times, and
with less loss of time. Again, where any

142

PAST AND PRESENT

kind of fertilizer is used, with nnder-drain-
age and not surface drainage, all the plant-
producing food is absorbed by the soil, and
used for vegetable growth.

yVnother l)enefit derived from under-
drainage is that crops grown upon drained
land, such as described, by reason of earlier
seeding, better conditions of soil and other
adxantages, are matured earlier in the fall,
and out of the way of early frosts, which
during many seasons means a very great
loss to crops upon lands not under-drained.
P)y being under-drained, the soil becomes
warmer by admission of air through the soil
pores, which upon undrained lands are filled
with water during the early season, and the
warmth with just sufficient moisture and
not too much is most conducive to plant-
growth. Crops upon such lands grow with-
out intermission, and if a dry season comes
are hardier and ranker, shade the ground
better, thus conserving such moisture as is
available from dew\s or slight show^ers dur-
ing periods of drouth. Then, to sum up
the benefits of tile-drainage, they are as fol-
lows : It renders the soil open and porous,
makes it absorptive, thus retaining the nu-
tritive elements, gives a circulation of air
through it, thus increasing the temperature
and depth of the available soil, and makes
it a fit home for the roots of all plants, and
last but not least, renders the land more
accessil)le for going about upon, and more
sightly to the view.

I cannot say anything more appropriate
in closing this article than to quote a poem,
entitled "The Tile Drain's Soliloquy" by
Clayton Melville, and published some years
ago in TJic Dnmuigc Journal, w'ith apolo-
gies to Hamlet.

"Here I am resting,
In (|uiet and peace,
At last.

^'es, and doing more good

Lying still in the ground,

Sa)ing nothing,

Than in all my existence

P)efore.

I'm fragmentary, 'tis true,

1 hit not broken ;

Made up of joints of burnt clay

Called tiles;

Yet I am one

Drain.

]'\e been talked alx)ut

In the papers,

And at conventions;

Aye, even roasted.

But care I for that, do you think?

Not I.

Why should I?

I'm faithfully doing my duty.

With no one to hinder

Or help me ;

I'm content.

'Still w^aters run deep,'

Yes. just four feet,

In this bit of soil

Where I am.

Do they think of me now.

At the factory,

I wonder?

WHiere the man with the patent

Kiln

Made it hot for me,

l^humped me soundly.

And said,

'That's a good tile —

Has the right ring

And color,

Etc'

Does he care for me now ?

I guess not.

He's selling kilns,

And I—

Am draining land.

And making my ow^ier richer

Each year.

r\-c found my work.

And am going to

Stick to it.

I suppose some men

Still talk about me

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

143

As they always have talked
And say
I cause drouths.
And floods in the Ohio valley,
And elsewhere,
Of course !

\u)Y nothing of that kind occurred
Before I got in
My work.
Oh, no!

But they'll understand
What I'm doing-
Sometime.

I'm a Twentieth Century drain,
And am doing business
According to lately
Revised laws of
Soil physics !

And getting along all right,
Too.

The tile-makers likewise.
Time once saw me proud,
With few friends, and
Choice,

But now, many
Know me.

And speak well of me.
One is always well spoken of
After he's buried,
I know,

But it's true, with me.
That I do more good
Under the ground than
Above.
Far more."

Conclusion,

A review of this short, though imperfect,
history of Christian county will doubtless
impress the reader that from a small be-
ginning Christian county has rapidly ad-
vanced, and is now entitled to be classed
among the leading and best counties of the
state of Illinois ; her system of drainage has
rapidly developed the agricultural condition
of the county, improved the health and the
roads. Today the farmers are, as a rule, en-
entirely out of debt ; most of them have more
or less money in the bank; almost every

farmer has his carriage or buggy, a spare
team with which he can take the wife and
the daughter to church or town with ease
and comfort ; most of the farmers are
blessed with good comfortable homes ; most
of them have good sheds for the shelter of
the stock; nearly all of the horses, cattle,
hogs and sheep raised in the county are of
a high order or class, from which the pur-
chaser realizes the greatest possible profit.

The farms are cultivated by the best im-
proved machinery, and the farmer of today
can do more work, raise more grain, than
three farmers of a few years ago.

Everything used by the farmer tends to-
ward economy in time and the employment
of labor-saving machinery, all of wdiich
when properly cared for and used economi-
cally tends to better the condition of the
country ; also the tenantry of Christian coun-
ty have good comfortable houses to live in,
and comfortable barns for their stock, and
th(y too are able, as a rule, to have their
se] arate teams and buggies to give their
families more pleasure.

Merchants and business men of the coun-
ty enjoy large and profitable trade ; many of
them have grown wealthy at the county, and
many of the older merchants have retired
and given place to younger men; today you
an article of merchandise as can be obtained
ca) purchase in Christian county as good
in the great cites of St. Louis or Chicago.

The merchants of the cities and villages of
Christian county have as fine a display of
goods, as large a stock on. hand as will be
seen in any county or city outside of the
larger class of cities. Nearly all of the cities
and villages of the county have their streets
lighted by electricity, using the most im-
proved lights ; modes of conveyance by elec-
tricity arc being projected for the benefit of
the different localities of the county. The

144

PAST AND PRESENT

cities have an excellent class of bnildings
for business pin-poses, and. all over the
county in every city, village and on almost
every farm, can he found many beautiful
homes with the most modern improvements
therein: where but a few years ago the
wealthiest men of the county had but a few
thousand dollars, today there are hundreds
of men worth more than $100,000 and thou-
sands of men worth from $15,000 to $50.-
000 each ; this wealth has not been the re-
sult of speculation or of a sudden accumu-
lation, but has been produced by a steady and
effectixe growth which was brought about
bv bountiful crops and the development of
the interests and natural resources of the
county, which lias produced wealth for the
cofifers of many of the inhabitants.

The larijer cities of the countv have two
and three banks, and in nearly every town
and village in the county there is a bank
located, yet all of these banks are today
overfiowinu" with monev, have more than
they can use, more than they can loan, and
it has all been accumulated l)y a deposit of
the surplus money of their i)atrons. Chris-
tian county has grown rapidly in population
and today it has a population of nearly forty
thousand souls.

The health is good, business of every kind
and character in the county is apparently
prosperous ; the people are law-abidin.g, and

w bile we have friction, some misunderstand-
ings, and. as some people say, many law-
suits, yet it must l)e remembered that the
business of the courts dei)ends largely upon
the business transacted in the county; a per
cent of the business can be reckoned as re-
sulting in litigation and this ])er cent wnll
l)roduce a greater amount of litigation where
much Imsiness is done than where a small
amount is transacted.

Christian county indeed has a record of
which its people can be proud, its people are
proud of it; and every inhabitant of Chris-
tian county is as bold to say that he be-
longs to Christian county as the old Roman
was to say that "T am a Roman," and while
many of our people have from time to time
sought other communities to better their
condition, very many of that number have
returned to Christian, and say that they
have not been able to find any country or
community better to live in than Christian
county. While it may not be very judicious
for us to be "praising our own wares," yet
as this l)Ook is intended more particularly
for circulation in Christian county, and as
its patrons are residents here, there can be
nothing improper in confidentially saying to
one another that we have one of the best
counties on God's green earth.

J. C. McBride.

I. C. McBRlDE

BIOGRAPHICAL.

J. C. McBRlDE.

The profession of law is one to which
many aspire, hnt in which few succeed to
any remarkal)le degree. The snhject of this
sketch is one of the few who have won suc-
cess, and he is now^ recognized as one of the
best attorneys in central Illinois and is the
dean of the Christian county 1)ar. Taylor-
ville has l)een his home for a third of a cen-
tury and no man wiihin its l)orders is bet-
ter known or has a ^^ ider circle of friends
and acquaintances.

The McBride family is of Scotch ances-
try, the great-g-reat-grandfather of our sub-
ject coming to this country at a very early
day. General James McBride, one of his
ancestors, was contemporary with Daniel
Boone in Kentucky, and Grimshaw, in his
"Historic Days," says "General McBride
antedates Daniel Boone." Thomas W. Mc-
Bride, the father of our subject, however,
was born in Tennessee. He married Mar-
gery A. H. Wiggins, a native of Kentucky,
from which state they emigrated at an early
day, locating in Macoupin county, Illinois,
where he engaged in farming and stock-
raising, becoming one of the leading citizens
of the county. They reared a family of
eight children, four boys and four girls, of
whom five are yet living, James C. being the
only one living in Christian county.

James C. McBride was born on his fath-
er's farm near Palmyra, Macoupin county,
Illinois, July i6, 1845, ^"^1 in the public

schools of the neighborhood received his pri-
mary education. 1-ater he attended for a
time the Quaker College, at Richmond, In-
diana, after which he entered Lincoln Uni-
versity, at Lincoln, Illinois, from which in-
stitution he graduated in the class of 1869
with the degree of B. S.

In his boyhood and youth, Mr. McBride
assisted in the cultivation of the home farm,
but after graduating from the university he
taught school in the neighborhood of his
father's home for oi^.e term. While teach-
ing he took up the study of law, and after
the expiration of the term in which he was
employed as a teacher, he entered the
office of Judge W. R. Welch, of Carlinville,
Illinois, and continued his studies for about
one year, when he was admitted to the bar,
being the first one admitted after the eleva-
tion of Judge H. M. Vandeveer to the cir-
cuit bench.

In the spring of 1871 Mr. McBride took
up his residence in Taylorville and at once
commenced the practice of his profession.
Like young attorneys generally, he had at
first a hard time to get along, clients being
a little averse to giving their patronage to
those untried, but by and by they began to
come in, and now for more tl;an twenty
years he has stood at the head of the bar,
and few cases of any great importance tried
in the courts of Christian county but found
him retained on one side or the other. Law
with him has been a study, a profession, and

148

PAST ANU PRESENT

to ihal i^rofession he has j4ivcn the greater
part of his Hfe and energy. There has never
heen any incentive placed before him to make
him swerve from his chosen work. aUhough
he has l^een associated in some outside busi-
ness enterprises, but in nothing that would
take too much of his time to the neglect of
the law. L'ntil tlie admission of his son to
a partnership v^'ith him he had always prac-
ticed alone, except for a period of about
three years, and his prominence has been se-
cured by his own merits and not from the
borniwed light of others. In 1898 he gave
his son an interest in his practice, since
which time the f^rm of J. C. & \\\ B. Mc-
Bride lias been in existence and has won the
greatest prouiinence at the Christian county
bar. But not alone at the l)ar (^f his adopted
county, but in the supreme court of his state
and in the federal courts of the nation has
he been prominently identified. •

For manv years Mr. McBride was iden-
tified with the Taylorville Coal Company,
and for some years acted as president of the
corporation, liut in 1896 disposed of his in-
terest. He has also been a stockholder and
director in the First National Bank of Tay-
lorville for many years. With five other
gentlemen he is a large landowner in Missis-
si])pi, in one of the most productive parts
of the great cotton belt. He has also ac-
(|nirc'd by his own efforts sexeral hundred
acres of \'ery productive land in Christian
count}'.

On the 17th of May, 1871, Mr. McBride
was united in marriage with Miss Mattie
Wheeler, of Lincoln. Illinois, daughter of
Aaron and Almira Wheeler, of that city.
She has Ijeen truly a heliimeet to him and
encouraged and assisted him in all his un-
dertakings. They became accjuainted wdiilc
they were students in the Lincoln Uni-
versitv. Their union has been an exceed-

ingly ha])py one, and four children came to
bless it Willis B., now tlie partner of his
father, married Miss Rose Schultz, and
they have one child. Katherine. He is a
graduate of the Ada. Ohio, University, and
has a bright fntm-e before him. Horace is
now a resident of Carlinville, Illinois, and is
manager of the Shale Brick & Tile Works.
He married Miss Belle Wheeler, and they
have one child, Clarabel. Elma is the wife
of Adelbert Buckley and is the mother of
one child, Helen Elizabeth. He is a busi-
ness man in Tayloi-ville. Marcel-la is at
home with her parents.

Li politics Mr. McBride espouses the
princii)les of the Democracy, and is a fear-
less advocate of them upon the stump. He
has never aspired to. nor would he accept
public office outside the line of his profes-
sion, preferring to give his time to his busi-
ness affairs. As a delegate he has been in
many conventions and was one of the Bli-
nois delegation to the national Democratic
con\entiou at Kansas City in 1900. As
. city attorney, he served several years with
satisfaction to the citizens of liis adopted
citv. Pie also served as master in chancery
for two years and some years ago was nom-
inated by his party for circuit judge but
was gerrymandered out.

iM-aternally Mr. McBride is a member
of Mound Lodge. No. 122, A. F. & A. M.,
of Taylcjrville; of 1'aylorville Chapter. No.
102. R. A. M., and of Elwood Command-
erv. No. 6, K. T., of Springfield. He is
now past master of the blue lodge. For
manv years he has been a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in
i(;(X) he received a veteran jewel for hav-
ing been a member in good standing for
twenty-five years.

Mr. McBride stands deservedly high
among the legal fraternity, his ability being

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

j49

recognized by all. He is the peer of any
man at the bar in central Illinois, and the
ability of the members of that bar is un-
qnestioned. He is able, painstaking and
conscientious in his wcM'k, and to secure him
as an advocate the man is indeed fortunate.
He has many warm friends, and it is pos-
sible some enemies, as what man has not
that possesses any force of character. As
a citizen he is ever ready to assist in any
and every thing that will tend to the ad-
vancement of his adopted city and county,
and evidence of that interest is shown on
every hand.

J. N. C. SHUMWAY.

One of the most prominent and influential
citizens of Taylorville is J. N. C. Shumway,
who has been and is actively connected with
its business affairs. He belongs to that class
of representative men who while ]3romoting
individual interests also advance the gen-
eral welfare. Energetic and progressive in
business life he has at the same time been
active in public interests and has represented
his district in the state senate. He is now the
secretary of the Taylorville Savings & Loan
Association, of which he was the organizer
and of which he has been secretary from
the beginning. In 1889 he was made secre-
tary and manager of the Taylorville Electric
Light Company, which office he still fills
and he was one of the original directors of
the First National Bank, with which he is
still associated.

Mr. Shumway was born in Christian
county on the 28th of September, 1850, his
parents being D. D. and Emily R. (Roun-
tree) Shumway, a sketch of whom will be
found on another page of this volume. He
acquired his education in the schools of

Taylorville and afterward spent four years
as a student in the United Presbyterian Col-
lege of Iowa. When nineteen years of age
he went to Nebraska in company with his
sister and brother-in-law, who journeyed in
a covered wagon, while Mr. Shumway drove
a sulky. They were five weeks upon the •
road but ultimately reached their destination
and our subject assisted in improving his
brother-in-law's land there. At a later date
he returned to Taylorville, where he re-
mained up to the time of his father's death
in 1870. He then went to Lincoln, Nebras-
ka, and opened the first exclusive carpet store
in that city. He spent three years there
and afterward went to South America, but
in January, 1875, he again came to Taylor-
villle, where he took up the study of law un-
der the direction of W. M. Provine, with
whom he remained two years. For a sim-
ilar period his reading was directed by J. G.
Drennan, but because of ill health he was
obliged to abandon the law and with Mr.
Drennan engaged in the real estate and other
business interests. In the year 1877 he was
elected justice of the peace, which position
he filled for twelve years, during which time
he tried between five and six thousand cases.
His rulings were strictly fair and impar-
tial and his official career was one which
gained him the high commendation of the
public. In 1884 he organized the Taylor-
ville Savings, Loan & Building Association,
of which he has since been secretary. This
company has been largely instrumental in
improving the city, many houses having been
erected through the assistance gained from
the organization. In 1889 Mr. Shumway
became secretary and manager of the Tay-
lorville Electric Light Company and still acts
in that capacity. He has also been one of
the directors of the First National Bank
since its organization. He has been engaged

150

FAST AND PRESENT

ill llie real estate ami insurance business in
Tayloi-\ille fnr tlie past twenty-six years.

In February, i!^//. occurred tlie marriage
of Mr. Sliuniway and Miss Filly Rotlicbild,
of Salem, Illinois. Fnto tlieni liave been
born two daugbters: Nemniie 1\., tbe elder,
at bome : and (Iene\ie\e (I., wbo is now at-
tending tbe b^irest Park LIniversity at St.
Louis, Missouri.

Fi bis social relations Mr. Sbumway is a
Mason, bis membersbi]) being witli tbe lodge
in Fincoln, Nebraska. Fie is also connected
witb tbe Knigbts of Fytbias fraternity and
witb tbe Red Men at Taylorville. In poli-
tics be is an earnest Deiuocrat and in i89<S
be was elected u])on tbat ticket to tbe state
senate, wbere be was active in su])port of
mucb im])ortant litigation, being largely in-
strumental in tbe restoration of tbe old
garnishee law, wbicb bad been on tbe statute
books since the adoption of tbe first consti-
tution of Illinois, but which had been greatly
changed to tbe detriment of the working
classes. In 1903 Mr. Sbumway was a]5-
pointed Illinois commissioner for the Louisi-
ana Purchase Exposition and served as a
member of the committees on Iniildings,
mines and minerals, and w^as chosen chair-
man of the committee on grounds, interior
and exterior decoration and furnishing of
building.

Mr. Sbumway ])urcbased tbe corner lots
in Taylorx'ille where the old Foiig Flotel
once stood and erected thereon a good brick
building, in which he has his o.Pfice. Tie
also owns property on the west side of the
square and other real estate in various parts
of the town. He has ever been public spir-
ited, taking a deep and helpful interest ir.
that which pertains to tbe public good. In
business he has been actix-e, energetic and
progressive and as tbe result of his carefully

directed efforts be has gained a place among
the substantial and representative citizens of
Taylor\Ille.

W. J. SAFING, M. D.

Dr. \V. J. Saling, wbo is engaged in tbe
practice of medicine in Stoningtoii, was born
in Marshall county, Kentucky, April 9, 1865.
and is a son of W. j. and M. J. Saling. Tbe
father was born in JMlmonson county, Ken-
tuckv, in tbe year 1819 and there followed
farming and mercantile pursuits through-
out bis business career. He died in tbe
year 1890, while his wife passed away in
1891.

Dr. Saling obtained his early education
in tbe schools of Kentucky and prepared
for tbe practice of medicine as a student in
the medical department of the University
of Fouisvllle, Kentucky, where he was grad-
uated with the class of 1892. Well qualified
for his chosen calling, he entered upon the
practice at Smithland, Kentucky, wdiere be
remained for three and a half years, gaining
broad experience through tbe varied prac-
tice that comes to a member of the medical
fraternity in a small tow'n. He afterward
removed to Ellsw-orth, Illinois, where he re-
mainetl until 1899, when he came to Ston-
ington. It was not long before he gave evi-
dence of his thorough understanding of the
science of medicine and bis correct applica-
tion of his knowdedge to the needs of suffer-
ing humanity. A liberal patronage has there-
fore been accorded him by the public and
be has now' a large practice which has as-
sumed profitable proportions. He is con-
tinually studying to enhance his proficiency
and his broad reading, experience and in-
vestigation have made him one of the able
memliers of the profession in Christian coun-
ty. He has been particularly successful in

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

151

the treatment of typhoid fever and of chronic
cases. He is now medical examiner for the
John Hancock Life Insurance Company, of
Boston. Massachusetts, also the Franklin
Life Insurance Company, of Springfield,
Illinois, and the Illinois Life Insurance Com-
pany. He has written a number of articles
for publication in the Medical World and
he belongs to the Christian County Medical
Society. His entire time and attention has
been devoted to his chosen calling and he
has a well equipped office, in which he does
considerable microscopic work, taking a
great interest in it.

In March, 1892, Dr. Saling was united in
marriage to Miss Alice Webb, of Litchfield,
Kentucky, and unto them was l)orn a daugh-
ter, Edna, who now resides at home. On
the loth of May, 1900, the Doctor was again
married, his second union being with' An-
gelene Solliday, a daughter of Mrs. J. H.
Solliday. The Doctor and his wife are val-
ued members of the Reformed church and
the hospitality of the best homes of Ston-
insfton and the surrounding district is ex-
tended to them. He has recently completed
a beautiful residence which cost thirty-three
hundred dollars. It is heated with furnace,
supplied with a hot and cold water system
and excellent sanitary arrangements and is a
most modern home in every particular. Fra-
ternally the Doctor is connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Frater-
nal Army and the Court of Honor. In his
political affiliations he is a Democrat, but
he has never sought or desired office, pre-
ferring to devote his time and energies t^) his
chosen profession, in which he has met with
signal success. In manner he is kindly, in
disposition genial and the sterling traits of
iiis character are such as win for him the
good will and confidence of those with whom
he has been brought in contact.

ALLEN PEABODY.

Allen Peabody is the owner of an excel-
lent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on
section 16, Prairieton township, and the im-
provements on the place are largely a monu-
ment to his enterprise and business capacity,
for he has developed the farm to its present
prosperous condition. A native son of Chris-
tian county, he was born in 1865. His
parents were Dr. E. S. and Sarah Peabody,
the former a native of Connecticut and the
latter of Kentucky. The father was born
in 18 1 2 and came to Illinois in the early '30s.
He was a physician and surgeon and prac-
ticed his profession in Springfield for a time,
after which he removed to Danville and in
i860 came to Christian county, where he
purchased four hundred and eighty acres of
land. Abandoning the practice of medicine,
he turned his attention to the occupation of
farming, which he followed until his death,
which occurred in 1900. His widow still
survives him and now makes her home in
Taylorville.

Mr. Peabody of this review pursued his
education in the schools of Decatur and of
Taylorville and manifested considerable
aptitude in his studies, so that, at the age
of seventeen years, he was qualified for
teaching. Securing a school he was identi-
fied with educational work in this county
for three years, after wdiich he spent one
year in Kansas and then returned to Chris-
tian county. He has since been engaged in
farming. He lx>ught one hundred and sixty
acres of land on section 16, Prairieton town-
ship, where he now lives and began the im-
provement of the property, carrying on the
work of cultivation until he has to-day a
very fine farm. The fields are rich and
productive and yield a golden tribute to the
owner for the care and labor he bestows

152

PAST AND PRESENT

upon them. He has tiled his laiul, huilt
fences, divicHng the place into fields of con-
venient size and carried forward his work
in a most progressive manner, resulting in
making him one of the leading agricultur-
ists of the township.

In 1888 Mr. Peabody was united in mar-
riage to Miss Dora Oliver, a daughter of
Michael Oliver, a native of West Virginia.
Unto our subject antl his wife have been
born nine children, but only two are now^
living. Grace and Verna. Mr. Peabody
gives his political support to the men and
measures of the Democracy, and is now
serving as supervisor of Prairieton town-
ship. For one year he was tax collector in
his township and in all public positions of
trust and responsibility he has l)een most
faithful, prompt and accurate in the dis-
charge of his duties. Fraternally he is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of
America.

HENRY DAVIS.

The present generation owes a debt of
gratitude to the pioneers of the Prairie
state that can never be repaid. The trials
and hardships endured by them to make the
state what it is to-day. one of the foremost
in all the Union, cannot be realized by those
enjoying the present comforts of an ad-
vanced civilization.

Henry Davis was a pioneer of Sangamon
and Christian counties, one who, in early
life, knew^ nothing of present day comforts,
and who. in his lx)yhood and youth, never
dreamed that there was much else in this life
but hard work and a struggle for existence.
He was born wdthin six miles of Nashville,
Tennessee, April 24. 181 7, and when three
years of age came with his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. John Davis, to Sangamon county,

Illinois, the family locating on a farm near
Mechanicsburg. Here he grew to manhood,
receiving his education in the old log school-
house so often pictured by the old pioneer
in relating his life's struggles to his chil-
dren and grandchildren, but from whose
doors went forth some of the grandest men
that ever walked the earth, and whose
names are written high on the roll of fame.

Mechanicsburg and Mount Auburn town-
ships, within who.se boundaries the greater
part of the life of Henry Davis was passed,
was not, in that early day the highly cul-
tivated, the prosperous section now known,
but was covered in greater jiart by a heavy
growth of timber that had to be cleared
away that in its place might be planted the
corn and sown the wheat that has made
Illinois famous throughout the whole civil-
ized world. In that work the toyhood,
youth and early manhood of our subject
were passed, and those that were personally
acquainted with him know how well he ap-
plied himself to the work and with what re-
sults. At the age of twenty-three years, on
the 29th of May, 1840. he was united in
marriage with Caroline Kipper, a native of
Lexing^ton, Kentucky, b<irn near the beauti-
ful city of Lexington, July -!3. 1820, and
daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Kipper, pioneer
settlers of Christian county.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis Ijegan their married
life with little of this life's goods. They
waited not to acquire large possessions be-
fore entering the matrimonial state, but with
love in their hearts one for the other, and
a steadfast determination to at least ac-
quire for themselves a comforta1)le home,
they commenced life's journey together. He
had health and strength, ambition and great
natural ability. Together thev worked hard,
lived frugally, sometimes even denying
themselves what are considered the neces-

C^t^ L-/Z,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

165

saries of life, l)nt they had the satisfaction
of seeing their possessions accumulate, the
boundaries of their farm reach out, and to
know that in old age they would be secure
from want and have the means to secure the
luxuries denied them in early life.

After living on a farm in Mechanics-
burg township, Sangamon county, for some
years, Mr. Davis acquired a farm in Chris-
tian county, to which he removed with his
family. In general farming and stock-rais-
inp" he became extensively engaged and suc-
cess crowned all his efforts. In 1868 he
moved into the village of Mount Auburn,
where he remained for about six years and
then moved to Spiingfield, Illinois. From
there, in 1877. he went to Detroit. Michi-
gan, where some years were spent and later
took up his residence in Lafayette. Indi-
ana, where his death occurred Sunday, Feb-
ruary 3, 1901. Ilis last moments were
peaceful and his mind was clear until a few
hours before he died, when he lapsed into
unconsciousness. He was survived by his
wife and two children, Henry Davis, Jr.,
of Springfield, Illinois, and Mrs. David
Hoover, of Taylorville. From Lafayette
his remains were taken to Taylorville, and
from the Christian church, which is a
memorial to his generosity, he was laid
away to rest.

After the death of her husband, Mrs.
Davis removed to Taylorville, where she
made her home until she, too, "fell asleep
in Jesus," Thursday, June 12, J902. She
was a faithful wife, a loving mother, and her
life work, her untiring energy in deeds of
righteousness, together with her beautiful
character, blends well with the ever exem-
plary career led l>y her husband. She was a
charitable woman, a devout worker in the
Christian church, and was imbued with all
the characteristics of a noble woman.

In his political views Henry Davis was
a stanch Democrat, and he was not only a
life-long friend of Stqjhen A. Douglas, but
was also an intimate friend of Abraham
Lincoln, Judge Logan, Milton Hay, Ninian
Edwards and other prominent men of Illi-
nois. As a citizen he was ever ready to
discharge any duty devolving upon him, and
while advancing his own interests he also
materially aided in ])romoting the general
welfare of the community in which he lived.
Ilis death removed a strong, cf^mmanding,
unifpie figure from life, but while he has
"jiassed on before" his memory will be held
in lasting" remembrance bv those who knew
him best, and his life is well worth emulat-
ing.

W. W. MORRISON.

One of the most highly esteemed and hon-
ored citizens of Pana is the gentleman whose
name introduces this review. He was born
on the 8th of A])ril, 1835, in Concord, New
Hampshire, of which .state his parents, Will-
iam and Roxana (Wilson) Morrison, were
also natives. By occupation the father was
a farmer. In 1838 he brought his family
to Illinois, making the journey in a covered
wagon and located in the western part of
Pike county, where he built a home on the
prairie and converted a wild tract of land
into a good farm. At that time there were
many wolves and deer in this part of the
country, while prairie chickens and other
feathered game was very numerous. In
those early days Mr. Morri.son tcxjk a very
active and jjrominent part in public affairs
and served as supervisor of the county for
about twenty-five years. He was lx:)rn in
1799 and died at the age of eighty years, and
his wife, who was born in 1800, passed away
in 1875. 1'hey were most estimable people

ISO

PAST AND PRESENT

and were liighly respected by all wiio knew
them. Of their seven children only our
subject and his older sister, Mrs. Mary
lane Corey, of Bay lis. Pike county, are now
living".

W. W. Morrison was only three years old
on the removal of the family to this state
and amid pioneer scenes he grew to man-
hood upon the home farm, being educated
in the public schools of Pike county. His
earlv training well fitted him for teaching
and he successfully engaged in that pursuit
for several vcars. devoting his time and en-
ergies to that occupation through the win-
ter months, while he followed farming dur-
ing the summer season. Vnv two winters
he drove three and a half miles to and from
school each day.

On South Prairie, Pike cc^unty. Mr. Mor-
ris(Mi was married February 9, 1859, to Miss
Eleanor ]\Iegaw. a daughter of James and
Elizabeth Megaw. She was born in Harri-
son county, Ohi(\ October 18, 1835, and was
there reared and educated. By her marriage
she became the nuither of two children but
George F. died at the age of eleven months
and Mary Elizalieth died of consumption at
the age of sixteen vears after a lingering ill-
ness.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison began their mar-
ried life upon a farm in Pike county, where
thev remained until 1865, when they came
to Christian county and located three miles
north of Rosemond. Vov ten years our sub-
ject continued to engage in agricultural pur-
suits but in March. 1875, took up his resi-
dence in Pana, where he engaged in the
grocerv business for two years. He then
sold out and took his family to Wisconsin
with the hope of benefiting his daughter's
health. He did all in his power to prolong
her life, employing the best medical skill and
trying different climates, but all to no avail

and she finally passed away in her sixteenth
vear, leaving a vacancy in the home which
never can be filled. Mr. Morrison still re-
sides in Pana. where he owns property .and
where he is now living retired, enjoying the
fruits of former toil. He still has a good
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Rosa-
mond township, ruiother of two hundred
seven and a half acres in Tana township, and
a third of two hundred and forty acres in
Fayette county, Illinois, lie has a nice mod-
ern residence at the corner of INIaple and
East Second streets, Pana.

W'hile living in Pike countv, Mr. Morri-
son served as town clerk for several years
but has never sought political honors. Both
he and his wife are prominent and influential
members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and take a very active part in its work. ]\Ir.
Morrison was secretary and treasurer of the
building committee at the time the new house
of worship was erected in Pana and is now
chairman of the board of trustees and super-
intendent of the Sunday-school, He has
filled the latter office many years, being su-
])erintendent of the Sunday-school at Rose-
mond and a member of the building com-
mittee at that place while living in that local-
ity. He is also greatly interested in mis-
sionary work and does all in his power to
])romote the moral and social welfare of his
community. Both he and his wife greatly
enjoy the company of young people and are
loved and respected alike l)y old and young,
rich and poor.

BENJAMIN H. HAILEY.

For a third of a century Benjamin H.
Hailey has been numl)ered among the pro-
gressive and energetic citizens of Christian
countv and is at present successfully en-
gaged in the grocery business at Palmer.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Following in the for>tstcps of his father, who
was a soUHcr fjf the I>lack flawk war, he
fought for over three years in the Rebel-
lion, partiripating in some imjjortant en-
gagements. In years of pe^ice, no less than
in lhr)se of war, he has bravely performed
his duty and is justly entitled to a place on
the nation's roll of honor.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Hailey was born
in Sangamon county, January 9, 1841, and
is a son of Thomas J. and Melvenia M.
THiggins) Hailey. His paternal grand-
father was Edmund Hailey, who spent his
entire life in Virginia and died at the age
of seventy-six years. He was twice mar-
ried and was a soldier of the war of 18 12.
William Higgins, the maternal grandfather
of our subject, was also a native of Vir-
ginia and was twice married, becoming the
father of eighteen children. In 183 1 he
came to Illinois and died in Sangamrm
county at the age of seventy-five years. 1 i e
served in Anthony Wayne's campaign.

Thomas J. Hailey, our subject's father,
was born in the Old Dominion and during
boyhood removed to Tennessee with the
family of the man to whom he was appren-
ticefl to learn the carpenters' trade, which
he followed in early life. In 1830 he be-
came a resident of Sangamon county, Illi-
nois, and assisted in putting on the first
shingle roof in Springfield. He took part
in the first Black Hawk campaign in 1832.
In 187 1 he came to Christian county and
made his home in Palmer until called to his
final rest in 1887 when nearly eighty-two
years of age. He first married Miss Nar-
cissa Moore, by whom he had two children
but only r,ne is now living — Mrs. Emeline
E. Thomas, who is now a widow. For his
second wife Mr. Hailey married Miss Mel-
venia Higgins, who died in 1885, at the age
of sixty-eight years. The two children born

of this union were our subject and his
brother Edward, who died in 1864 shortly
after Ix^ing discharged from the army on ac-
count of disease contracted in the service,
lie was a member of Company A, Third
Illinois Cavalry.

During his brn'hood and youth Benjamin
IT. Hailey lived on a farm in Sangamon
county six miles from Springfield. When
the country l)€came involved in civil war he
offererl his services to the government, and
at the age of twenty years enlisted in Com-
])any A, Third Illinois Cavalry, with which
he served for three years and fourteen days,
taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge,
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Cham-
pion Hills, Black River Bridge, the sieges
of Vicksburg and Jackson, and in over forty
skirmishes. For thirteen successive days he
was engaged in the skirmishes of Green's
cavalry. Fortunately he was never injured
or confined in the hospital but has always
been extremely healthy and .strong and never
apjjlied for a pension. He was mustered out
as quartermaster sergeant.

Returning to his home in Sangamon
county, Mr. Hailey engagefl in farming for
one year and then, feeling the need of a
better education to qualify himself for his
future life work, he attended the Illinois
State University at Springfield for three
terms and also took a commercial course at
Bryant & Stratton Business College of that
city. Forming a partnership with George
E. Stake, he opened a general .store at Cot-
ton Hill and was afterward appointed post-
master, serving in that capacity for a year
and a half. In 1869 the busine.ss was re-
moved to Palmer and alx)ut two years later
Mr. Hailey Ixjught his partner's intere.st and
has since continued in business alone, with
exception of a year and a half during the
panic of 1873. He soon surmounted all dif-

158

PAST AND PRESENT

ficulties, however, and is to-day enjoying
an excellent trade.

On the 29th of June. 1871. Mr. Hailey
married Miss Mary E. Wood, a native of
Ohio and a daughter of George and Sarah
(Hodge) Wood, of Blue Mound, Illinois.
Her father is a native of Virginia, while
her mother claims Ohio as her birthplace.
Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Hailev, two, Frances E. and Elenora E.,
died in infancy. Those still living are Lil-
lian C, wife of Ed H. Shake, of Spring-
field; Stella May, wife of J. H. Hill, of
this county: and Cora E., deceased, who
was killed in a runaway in September, 1895.

Air. Hailey is an honored member of Wil-
liam A. Higgins Post, No. 400, G. A. R.,
and served as its commander for seven
years. By his ballot he supports the Repub-
lican party and its principles and his fellow-
citizens recognizing his worth and ability
have called upon him to fill several import-
ant ofificial positions. He was town clerk for
two years and president of the village toard
at one time. For four years during Har-
rison's administration he served as postmas-
ter of Palmer, retiring from that office on
his own accord in June, 1893. For several
years he has been notary public and in 1887
was a popular candidate for the position of
sheriff and only missed the nomination by
one vote. He was again appointed post-
master in May, 1897, and is still serving in
that office. His public and private life are
alike above reproach and he has left office
as he entered it with the entire confidence
and respect of his fellow-citizens. He is
emphatically a man of enterprise, indomita-
ble energy and strict integrity and is thor-
oughly identified in thought and feeling with
the growth and prosperity of his town and
county.

HENRY N. SCHUYLER.

Henry N. Schuyler, a well known banker
and prominent and infiuential citizen of
Pana, of which city he has been mayor for
six terms, was born on the 4th of February,
1844, in Montgomery county. New York,
and is a son of George S. and Clarissa (Van
Schaick) Schuyler, both of Holland descent.
The father, who was a farmer by occupation,
spent his. entire life in Montgomery county,
New York. Politically he was identified
with the Republican party from the time
that General Fremont was a candidate for
president, and religiously he was a member
of the German Reformed church. In his
family were seven children, namely : Sarah,
now deceased ; Jacob, a resident of Mont-
gomery county. New York; Henry N., of
this review ; and Nettie, Frederick, Anna
and Frank, all residents of Montgomery
county. New York.

During his boyhood Henry N. Schuyler
remained on the home farm, assisting his
father in its operation, and his early educa-
tion was acquired in the public schools of
his native county. He was twenty years of
age when he left the parental roof and
started out in life for himself. In the fall
of 1864 he made his way westward and
after spending a few months in Iowa came
to Illinois, locating in Hillsboro on the 7th
of March, 1865. For three years he was
in the employ of the American Express
Company at that place and for one year was
with the Merchants Union Express Com-
pany. At one time he was associated with
a partner in the establishment and conduct
of a lumber yard at Greenville, Illinois,
which proved a profitable investment.

Coming to Pana, in March, 1870, Mr.
Schuyler embarked in the hardware business
with John A. Hayward, who sold out two
years later and they then formed a partner-

s-^s^ip^sff^iitJ^a-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

101

ship and entered into the real estate Inisi-
ness and the loaning of money for three
years. At the end of that time the firm
opened a private hank, which was organized
in 1876 under the style of Hayward &
Schuyler and was capitalized for fifty thou-
sand dollars with a paid up capital of forty
thousand dollars. Two years later Mr.
Schuyler purchased his partner's interest in
the hank, which he has since carried on with
marked success, it now having a paid
up capital of two hundred thousand dol-
lars. In 1896 he admitted his son to a
partnership in the husiness and the firm
name has since heen H. N. Schuyler & Son.
Although he gives his attention principally
to his banking husiness, he is interested in
other enterprises and is the owner of con-
siderable valuable property, including lands
in Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois.

On the 25th of February, 1874, Mr.
Schuyler was united in marriage to Miss
Adelaide H. Hayward, a native of Illinois
and a daughter of John S. Hayw-ard. Her
father was born in Massachusetts and at an
early day came to Illinois, being one of the
pioneer settlers of Hillsboro, where he made
his home until his death, which occurred
May 3, 1869. For many years he was
actively identified with husiness affairs and
at one time owned fifty thousand acres of
valuable Illinois land. The old Hayward
homestead in Pana was built under his di-
rection but was never occupied by him and
now belongs to his son, William E. Hay-
ward. a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. In
his family w'ere four children but only Will-
iam E. is now living. Another son, John
A. Hayward, was our subject's former part-
ner. He died in 1879 in Pana, where his
widow still resides, and left three daugh-
ters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler were
born two children: George Hayward, the

elder, was born in Pana, January 8, 1875,
and (lie<l of appendicitis in New York city,
February 22, 1904. His early years were
spent with his father in Pana, where the
rudiments of his education were acquired.
His college preparatory course was taken
at the Northwestern University, Evanston,
Illinois, and he was graduated at Yale Uni-
versity in 1896. He entered the Harvard
Law^ School in the fall of 1897 and received
his degree therefrom in 1900. After
a few months spent in Pana, he located in
New York city the same year and began the
practice of his chosen profession. He gave
his constant and unremitting attention to
its duties and was succeeding to a degree not
(Mily satisfactory to himself but which jus-
tified the hopes of his friends that his efforts
would be crowned wdth the highest success.
He was endowed by nature with a vigorous
mind, retentive memory and a strong phy-
sical constitution, aided by habits of tem-
perance. Planting his feet firmly at every
successive step, he was led onward and up-
ward by a laudable ambition to achieve hon-
orable distinction through his own efforts,
by industry, patience and the use of means
fair and praiseworthy, but his career was
cut short at its very threshhold. His death
was a terrible blow to his father, whose
hopes had long centered in his almost idol-
ized son. The only surviving child is Ruth,
the wife of Dr. Albert M. Cole, of Indian-
apolis, by whom she had one child, H. S.
Mrs. Schuyler, who was an earnest member
of the Presbyterian church, died on the loth
of November, 1877. leaving many friends
as well as her immediate family to mourn
her loss.

For thirty years Mr. Schuyler has been
connected wdth the Masonic fraternity, be-
longing to the blue lodge and chapter at
Pana. In politics he is a stanch Republican

1G2

PAST AND TRESENT

and has ever taken an active and prominent
part in pnMic affairs. He has lieen a dele-
gate to all C(nmty conventions of his party
since coming to Pana with one exception
and was also presidential elector for Mc-
Kinlcy in 1896. Tn 1876 he was first elected
mayor of Pana and so acceptahly did he fill
the office that he was called npon to serve
in the same capacity for four consecutive
terms. Later he was re-elected and again
in 1903 he was chosen chief executive of the
city, making six terms in all. The reins of
city government were never in more capahle
hands, for he is pre-eminently ])nblic spirit-
ed and progressive and does all in his power
to promote the general welfare. He stands
high in ])oth political and business circles
and is regarded as one of the most promi-
nent citizens of Pana.

J. W. MURPHY.

The occupation of farming has always
claimed the attention of J. W. Murphy,' who
is an extensive and successful raiser of grain
on section 18, Taylorville township. He was
born in Glasgow, Kentucky, in 1832, and
has been a resident of Illinois since 1836.
His paternal grandfather was a native of
Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish lineage.
He emigrated from the northern part of the
Emerald Isle to the new w^orld, being-
obliged to leave that country on account of
religious persecution. Settling in Anierica
in colonial days he joined the colonists in
their struggle to win liberty and valiantly
aided in obtaining independence for this na-
tion. During the Revolutionary war his
wife killed a Tory, wdio had entered their
house and was trying to overpower her hus-
band, (irasping an old gun l)arrel she struck
the man a blow which terminated his life.
Dr. J. R. Murphy, the father of our sub-

ject, became a resident of Illinois in 1836,
settling about two arid a half miles from
Crows Mill on Sugar creek in Sangamon
county. There he lived for two years and
on the expiration of that period removed to
Carlinville. He continued in the ])ractice
of medicine at Chesterfield up to the time
of his death, which occurred in 1859. y\s
one of the early pioneer physicians of the
county he deserves great credit for what he
(lid for his fellow'men. The practice of
medicine at that time necessitated much
hard work for the physician who had to
make long rides in all kinds of weather. His
sacrifice of personal comfort was frequently
as great as that endured by the soldier upon
the field of battle.

J. W. Murphy accjuired his education in
a private school in Chesterfield, which he
attended through three wnnter seasons. On
completing his education he began work as
a farm hand, being at the time but sixteen
vears of age. He worked upon a farm
which was held for him by his sister until
he attained his majority. He remained near
Chestei-field until 1867, when he came to the
farm on section 18, Taylorville township,
on which he now^ resides. He lias always
given his attention to agricultural pursuits
and his labors have been attended w'ith a
gratifying measure of success. His mother
resided with him until the time of her death
and now his niece, Mrs. E. A. Brayden, is
acting as his housekeeper. His farm was
unimproved when he took posession of it — a
tract of wild prairie land on which not a
furrow had been turned or even a fence
built. With characteristic energy, how^ever,
he began its development and cultivation
and in the course of years has made a splen-
did i)roperty, now sui)])lic(l with all modern
equipments and accessories. He formerly
devoted his attention to the raising -of both

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

103

grain and stock, but now gives his energies
largely to the cultivation of the cereals best
adapted to soil and climate. His place com-
prises one hundred and twenty acres.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Murphy
was a member of the Union League. He
could not enter the army because of im-
paired eye sight. The Union League was
formed as an opposing society to the Knights
of the Golden Circle, which advocated the
Confederate cause. In his political views in
early life Mr. Murphy w^as a Whig, but
when the Republican party was formed to
prevent the further extension of slavery he
joined its ranks and cast his ballot for Lin-
coln. He was well acquainted with the mar-
tyred president and would often sit in the
office of the law firm of Yates & Smith in
Spring-field and listen to Mr. Lincoln as he
would entertain his auditors with stories.

HENRY T. GARDNER.

Henry T. Gardner, who is now serving
as supervisor of Buckhart township, was
born in Maury county, Tennessee, on the
1 2th of J^ine, 1 84 1. His father, Nathan
Gardner, was born in the same state in 18 17
and was a son of Briton Gardner, an old
settler of Tennessee. The mother of our
suliject bore the maiden name of Frances
Harris and was a daughter of Richard Har-
ris, a native of Virginia. Her birth occurred
in 1818 and in June, 183 1, in Tennessee she
gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gardner.
They began their domestic life there and re-
mained in Tennessee until ten years had
passed, when, in 1841, they came to Illinois,
taking up their abode in Fayette county,
where they resided until 1856, wdien they
came to Christian county. Here they estab-
lished their home in Buckhart township and
Mr. Gardner continued to engage in farm-

ing up to the time of his death, which oc-
curred on the 22d of January, 1889, his wife
surviving him until July 3, 1896.

Henry T. Gardner is the third in order
of birth in a family of eleven children, of
whom four sons and two daughters are yet
living. When he was an infant bis parents
came to Illinois, where he remained until he
attained his majority. He obtained his edu-
cation in the common schools and acquired
a good knowledge of the branches of learn-
ing which fit one for the practical and re-
sponsible duties of business life. His train-
ing at farm work was received fiom his
father and he early learned the value of in-
dustry and perseverance in the active affairs
of life.

Mr. Gardner was married in August,
1864, to Miss Clarinda Doak, who, how-
ever, died the same year. He was again
married July 18, 1866, to Miss Harriet
Ward, a native of Macon county, Illinois,
and a daughter of Lewis Ward, a prominent
farmer of that county. Unto them have
been born three sons : William, born April
19, 1867; Louis, March 5, 1869; and Frank-
lin, June 15, 1 87 1. The former married
Ada Whitmer of this county and they have
two children — Russell R. and Orelia Al-
berta. Louis married Etta Young of Tay-
lorville, and their children are Mervel L.
and Ural H. Franklin married Grace Hed-
den, of Buckhart township, and they have a
little daughter, Nola Gladys.

Mr. Gardner owns one hundred and sixty
acres of land and continued its cultivation
until 1897, when he removed to Edinburg,
while his sons now carry on the farm. Their
main products are corn and hay but they
also feed cattle for the market. The farm
has always been a very productive one, and
from its cultivation Mr. Gardner derived the
competence which now enables him to enjoy

164

PAST AND PRESENT

rest from further active lal)or in the hne of
agricultural pursuits. In politics he is a
stanch Democrat, never faltering in his al-
legiance to the party and its principles and
in various public ofTices he has served, being
elected on the Democratic ticket. For fifteen
years he was road commissioner. On the
I St of January, 1903, he was appointed to
fill the position of supervisor left vacant by
Henry Minnis, who had been elected to the
state legislature. In April of the same year
Mr. Gardner was elected supervisor and is
now serving in that capacity, being most
faithful in the discharge of his official du-
ties. For twelve years he has been the agent
for the Mosquito Township Mutual Fire &
Lightning Insurance Company. Fraternally
he is connected with Blueville Lodge No.
647, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the
Royal Arch Chapter No. 102, in Taylorville,
while he and his wife belong to Edinburg
Lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star.
They also hold membership with the Bethel
Baptist church and their influence is strong
on the side of right, justice and truth. In
all life's relations and under all circum-
stances Mr. Gardner has been found true to
manly principles and he stands to-day an
excellent example of the highest type of our
American manhood.

ERVEL W. HIGHT.

Throughout his entire business career
Ervel W. Hight has been connected with the
banking interests of Christian county and
is to-day the ef^cient and jwpular cashier of
the Illinois State Bank of Assumption, of
which he is one of the leading stockholders.
He entered business life as an employe in
his uncle's establishment, having no spccral
advantages because of his kinshi]) ; on the
contrary winning his advancement because

f liis close application, ready adaptability
and earnest purpose. He has Imilt up a
reputation that has made his name a
synonym for integrity and ])robity in the
business world, while the substantiality of
the institution with which he is connected is
everywhere acknowledged in banking cir-
cles, the enterprise having made a most cred-
itable record throughout the twenty years
of its existence.

The Hight family has long l)een a prom-
inent and influential one in ])ul)hc life and
business circles in this i)art of the state. R.
W. Hight. father of our subject, is one of a
family of five l)rothers, three of whom are
living in the village of Macon — Robert
Hight being seventy-eight years of age.
His brothers, J. L. and William, are both
retired. Another brother, B. F., the organ-
izer of the first bank of Assumption, died
December 18, 1899, and J. R. Hight died
in Decatur in 1903. All became well-to-do
citizens and reared large families. The resi-
dence of Robert W. Hight is one of the
finest in Macon county, Illinois. He is a
native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, as is
his wife who bore the maiden name of Mar-
tha J. Wonroe. In their family were six
children.

Ervel W. Hight, the third in order of
birth and the eldest son, was b<3rn, reared
and educated in Macon county, save that he
completed his studies by a commercial course
in the Springfield Business College, of
Springfield, Illinois. On the 15th of De-
cember, 1888, he entered the employ of his
uncle, B. F. Hight, who was associated with
S. D. Moore in a ])rivate banking concern,
the first enterprise of the kind in Assump-
tion. He began work as a bookkeeper at a
salary of one dollar per day, but gradually
he was advanced as he mastered the busi-
ness. He is to-day the oldest banker, in

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

165

years of continuous service, in Assumption,
and has made a record which reflects credit
"■ upon the banking circles of the state. The
Bank of Assumption began business in the
Chestnut street building now owned and oc-
cupied by W. T. Wallace as a music store.
This was erected l>y the banking firm and
was occupied by them until 1889. In the
meantime the site of the present building
was purchased from the Illinois Central
Railroad Company and a new two-story
business block was erected, into which the
business was moved. This building was oc-
cupied by the bank for more than ten years,
or until January i, 1900, when it was de-
- stroyed by fire. It was quickly succeeded
by the present handsome structure, one of
the most commodious and best equipped
modern d^ank buildings in central Illinois.
It has large vault space, also a safety deposit
vault with a large number of boxes for the
use of private individuals. The bank was
reorganized on the ist of July, 1897, under
the name of the Illinois State Bank, with
B. F. Hight as president ; D. Lacharite, vice-
president ; E. W. Hight, cashier; and J. A.
Lacharite, assistant cashier. At the death
of B. F. Hight, D. Lacharite succeeded to
the presidency and R. W. Hight became
vicepresident. He retained that position,
however, only until January, 1900, when he
retired and was succeeded by Wade F. John-
son, the present incumbent, one of the
wealthy farmers of Assumption township.

The deposits of the bank now amount to
more than a quarter of a million dollars and
are continually increasing, while the surplus
is more than twenty-five thousand dollars.
The institution is thus placed in the rank of
the most prosperous banking concerns in the
state and now ranks seventh. From the day
when B. F. Hight and S. D. Moore opened
a bank in Assumption down to the present

time it has enjoyed an era of unbroken pros-
perity and has the entire confidence and
trust of the public. It issues letters of credit
which are honored throughout the world
and the citizens of Assumption are justly
proud of this institution.

Mr. Hight is not only one of the largest
stockholders of the bank, but is also inter-
ested in many other business enterprises and
is a wide-awake, energetic and thorough-
going business man. As a citizen he is
deeply interested in public progress and not
alone by promoting prosperity through busi-
ness interests, but also in many other ways
has he contributed to the improvement and
development of Assumption.

On the i6th of June, 1893, Mr. Hight
was married to Miss Margaret Morrison,
daughter of Robert Morrison, of Assump-
tion, chairman of the board of supervisors
of Christian county and one of its leading
and influential citizens. Mrs. Hight was
educated in the public schools and after
completing her high school course engaged
in teaching. They now have one child,
Ervel Wayne. Mr. Hight is a member of
the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Mod-
ern Woodmen Camp, of which he is now
serving as clerk, the Royal Circle and Court
of Honor. Few men in the county are bet-
ter known than is Ervel W. Hight, and none
have the regard of their fellowmen in a
higher degree. He has utilized his time to
the best advantage, made the most of his
opportunities and in business circles -as well
as in social life has become prominent and
popular.

J. S. EATON.

J. S. Eaton is one of the native sons of
Christian county and throughout his busi-
ness career has been identified with enter-

lt)6

PAST AND PRESENT

prises which have not only proiimicd his in-
dividual success but have alsd advanced gen-
eral pmsperity. Anunii; the most energetic
and public-spirited citizens and business men
of Owaneco he is numljcrcd, Inr in him arc
embraced the characteristics of an unabating
industry, unfaltering perseverance and in-
flexible probity.

Mr. Eaton was born in Prairieton town-
ship, January 22, 1847, '^"<^ '-^ '^ ^*"^ ^^^ Wi\-
liam K. and Elizabeth (Peter) Eaton. The
mother was a direct descendant of James
Peter, a missionary who was sent to this
country by John Wesley to i)reach the doc-
trines of Methodism. William K. Eaton
came to Christian county in 1845, 'vlien it
was still a frontier district, the work of im-
provement and development being largely in
the future. He secured a tract of land and
engaged in school teaching in addition to
farming, leading a very active and useful
life. He was the first supervisor of Prairie-
ton towaishii) and a man prominent and in-
fluential in public affairs, aiding in the early
development of the county along lines that
have led to its present progress. He died
in 1867 and his wife, long surviving him,
passed away in the year 1900.

Tn the district school of the neighborhood
J. S. Eaton pursued his education and
through the summer months he worked en
the home farm, early becoming familiar with
all the duties and laljors that fall to the lot
of the agriculturist. W'lien he had com-
pleted his studies his entire attention was
given to the farm w^ork and he continued
the operation of the old homestead with ex-
cellent success until 1901, when he came to
Ow-aneco and established the Eaton Broth-
ers' Bank, a private banking institution w^ith
which he is actively connected, conducting it
along lines that awaken public confidence
and therefore secure the public patronage.

He is (juick to see the Inisiness needs and
possibilities and his enterprise has been of
marked value to the community. He is now
interested in the Eaton Telephone Company,
afffjrding telephonic communication with
surrounding towns as well as with the dif-
ferent homes of the city. He also has val-
uable realty holdings, including part of the
old homestead of one hundred and eighty
acres in Prairieton township and one hun-
dred and sixty acres in Macon county. He
l)uilt a nice brick two-story building, in
which his bank is located, and also erected
a fine modern residence of nine rooms, sup-
plied with a bath room, heating plant and
a gas plant for illuminating purposes. It
is a most attractive residence and would be
a credit to a city of much greater size.

On the 2d of September, 1903, Mr. Eaton
w-as united in marriage to Mrs. Maggie
Large, a daughter of Andrew^ Barrett, one
of the pioneer settlers of Christian county.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church and he be-
longs to Owaneco Lodge. No. 623, A. F. &
A. M. He is very loyal to its teachings and
is regarded as one of the leading representa-
tives of the craft in his town. His public-
spirited interest in the general welfare, his
honorable business record and his deference
for the opinions of others, combine to make
him a popular citizen of Christian county.

ROBERT W. ORR.

For twenty-one years Professor Robert
\\\ Orr was the county superintendent of
schools in Christian county and ranked w^ith
the leading educators in the state. His in-
terest in his work was deep, sincere, zealous
and unabaling and the present splendid
school system of the county is a monument
to him, more enduring than any tablet of

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

167

granite could be. His lal^ors were progres-
sive, and practical in character and proved
of the greatest benefit to the county. Dur-
ing his educational career he resided in Tay-
lorville. True to every puljlic and private
trust reposed in him, he led an honorable,
upright and useful life and his memory is
enshrined in the hearts of many who knew
him and benefited by his efforts for the in-
tellectual development of the county.

Professor Orr was born in St. Clairsville,
Ohio, September 30, 1833, and was the eld-
est child of Andrew and Ann (McNary)
Orr, who were natives of eastern Ohio. In
1854 the family left that state and became
early settlers of Christian county, Illinois,
settling on Buckeye prairie in Locust town-
ship, wdiere the father carried on agricul-
tural pursuits until his death, which occurred
two years later when he was fifty-seven
years of age. He lived a quiet, unassuming
life and had the esteem of all who knew him.
His wife spent the last ten years of her life
in Pana, Illinois, and died in 1882, at the age
of seventy-four years. By the death of her
husband she was left with the care and sup-
port of their nine children, but though it
was a hard struggle to provide for them she
nobly took up her burden discharging it to
the best of her ability. Well was she worthy
the filial love and devotion given her by her
sons and daughters. The members of her
family were : Margaret I., the wile of Henry
Kirk; Mary J., the widow of G. W. Turn-
ham, of Springfield, Illinois; John, of Pana;
Thomas A., of Mancos, Colorado; Andrew
J., of Warren, Ohio; Kate M., who is living
in Denver, Colorado; Samuel, who died at
the age of fifty years ; and Hugh, w1io was
a soldier of the Civil wdv and died when
home on a furlough, at the age of twenty-
six years.

Professor Orr of this review began his

education in the public schools of his native
state and later attended tlie seminary at
Bloomingdale, Ohio, in which he spent one
year. He began teaching in Ohio and when
twenty-one years of age he cau'ie with his
parents to Illinois, assisting his father in the
operation of the home farm until the bitter's
death. He also folloAved teaching in this
state and successfully carried on the work
of the schoolroom until the time of his en-
listment in the Union army, in the Civil war,
on the 14th of August, 1862. He joined
Company D, One Hundred and Thirteenth
Illinois Infantry and on the organization of
the company at Edinburg was elected or-
derly sergeant. The regiment went into
camp at Taylorville, later was sent to Camp
Butler and in October of that year joined .
the army at Memphis, Tennessee, where the
troops went into winter quarters. The One
Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois joined
Grant's forces and jjarticipated in the siege
of Vicksburg and the battles of Champion
Hills and Black River Bridge. After the
surrender of Vicksburg the troops proceeded
to Jackson, Mississippi, and thence to New
Orleans. While at New Orleans there came
an order for Professor Orr to return to
Spring'field on recruiting" service and there
he remained until May, 1864. On the ist
of March of that year he was commissioned
first lieutenant and subsequently command-
ed his company as captain. During his
absence in Springfield many of his company
were killed or captured at Sabine Cross
Roads, Texas, the regiment losing so heav-
ily that it was divided into three divisions.
Captain Orr being" given command of Com-
panies A, F and D. In February, 1865, the
regiment was consolidated with the Sev-
enty-seventh Illinois Infantry, under which
consolidation Captain Orr was mustered out
of service.

1G8

PAST AND PRESENT

Returnino- to Illimiis he resumed his work
in the schooh-oom and successively taught in
the schools of Sharpsburg, Owaneco and
Tayl(»r\ille, having charge of the west side
sch(X)ls of this city for three years. He then
returned to his farm in Locust township and
while there residing was elected county su-
perintendent of schools in the fall of 1872.
filling the office for nine years. He then
retired from the office and after an interval
of four years he again spent one year on
the farm, following which he was once more
elected to the position of county superin-
tendent. In 1890 he was again chosen and
by re-election was continued in the position
until his incumbency covered a period of
twenty-one years. The cause of education
indeed found in him a warm friend. With
a just appreciation of its value as a prepara-
tion for life's responsibilities, he made it his
constant aim to so improve the schools that
the instruction would be of the greatest pos-
sible benefit to the young. He was con-
tinually ]iromoting the standard of the
schools until Christian county has every
reason to be proud of her educational sys-
tem, which is most thorough, practical and
beneficial.

Professor Orr was married July 13, 187 1,
to Mrs. Harriet E. Shumway, the widow
of Z. P. Shumway, of Taylorville. She was
born in Connecticut and bore the maiden
name of Harriet E. Pray, 1)eing a daughter
of the Rev. Paris Pray, who came here on
a ministerial mission and about 1858 or-
ganized the Taylorville Baptist church, of
which he was the pastor for many years.
By her first marriage Mrs. Orr had a daugh-
ter, Lou A. Shumway, now a teacher in the
public school. Unto the Professor and his
wife were born four children : Lillie, the
wife of George W. Zimmerman ; Daisy, the
wife of h'rank Wheeler; Prank W., who is

engaged In tlie mail service; and Charles R..
of Taylorville.

Professor Orr was reared in the faith of
the United Presbyterian church but became
a member of tlie Baptist church, in which
he served as a deacon, while in the church
work he took an actixe and helpful part. He
was a Royal Arch Mason, having been
initiated into the blue lodge in Taylorville
in 1867, and he also belonged to the Grand
Army of the Republic. He voted with the
Democracy but was extremely popular
among the Republicans, numbering many of
his warmest friends among the representa-
tives of the latter party. He passed away in
Taylorville, March 26, 1903, and high trib-
ute of respect was paid to his memory, while
resolutions were passed by the teachers of
the city and county as well as by the fra-
ternal organizations w'ith which he had been
connected. He was a man whom to know
was to respect and honor. His broad hu-
manitarian principles were manifest in his
devotion to the general good, whether as a
soldier upon the field of battle, a private citi-
zen or as the official in charge of the educa-
tional interests of the county. His name
stands as a synonym of all that w'as honor-
able in his relations with his fellow'-men and
thus his memory is cherished by those who
knew him. and his acquaintance was ex-
tremely wide.

YOUNG B. CLARK.

To the Taylorville Courier we are indebt-
ed for the following brief sketch of Young
P>. Clark, who was one of Christian county's
most honored pioneers and highly esteemed
citizens.

Tn the death of Y. B. Clark, of Clarks-
dale, which sad event occurred at the late
residence Thursday morning. January 5,

Y B.CLARK

■,'. J«

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

171

1899, at 8:05, Christian county suffered
llie loss of one of its most widely known
citizens — a man of uni(|ue though remark-
ably strong personality. He was one of the
county's earliest settlers and from the time
he came here until his fatal sickness over-
took him he stood second to no man in the
exertion of indi\-idual force as applied to
material advancement of humanitarian re-
sponsibility. His business sense and capac-
ity were remarkable. This trait in his char-
acter was apparent to all with wdiom he
came in contact. His grasp of affairs, his
keen insight into men and things, his virile
intellect and great physical powder attracted
the attention and admiration of his fellows,
and the strict sense of justice which con-
trolled all his actions won him their respect
and confidence. A man of great determina-
tion of purpose he was persistent and even
aggressive in his opinions, but in all the re-
lations of life he strove earnestly for the
right, never wilfully wronging any man.
The philanthropic side of his character was
well developed and probably no man whp
ever lived in the county extended more char-
ity to the poor or more assistance to the
struggling unfortunate. He was as widely
known for his beneficencies as for his great
business ability. His purse was ever open
to the needy and his practical wisdom at
the disposal of any one who sought it. A
vital force — material and philanthropic —
went out to the community with the death
of Boley Clark. One of the county's great
characters has passed away.

His family was a remarkable one. His
great-grandfather, Bolin Clark, was killed
by the Indians, probably in North Carolina,
before the Revolutionary war. He left six
sons, all of whom served with General Na-
thaniel Greene in the southern campaign.
Thev were in Greene's retreat before Corn-

wallis and two of them were killed in the
memorable battle of Guilford Court House.
The other four survived the war and drew
pensions as Revolutionary soldiers. One of
these sons was Joseph Clark, the grand-
father of our subject.

Y. B. Clark was born in Christian county,
Kentucky, September 9, 182 1, and was mar-
ried there November 2, 1843, to Tabitha W.
Hardy. Shortly after his marriage he went
to Arkansas and from there, in September,
1845, 1"'^ came to Christian county, Illinois,
entering forty acres of land a half mile east
of Clarksdale. His w^as the first house built
on the prairie, the settlers of that period
building in the timber or close to it. His dis-
play of remarkable business ability began on
this forty acres. Reverses came of course but
his courage and energy readily overcame
all obstacles and at his death he owned about
sixteen hundred acres of land and a large
amount of personal property. From 1845
up to the time of his death, a period of fifty-
three years, he lived within a mile of his
first habitation. He laid out Clarksdale and
built the depot there and gave it with its
ground to the Wabash Company.

By his first marriage ten children were
born, three of wdiom are living, as follows:
Mrs. Ann America Gladish, of Kansas City;
C. A. Clark, of Taylorville; and Mrs. Lou
C. Caldwell, of Clarksdale. His first wife
died September 21, 1859, and on the nth
of March, i860, he married her sister, Ellen
A. Hardy. One child was born of this union
but died at the age of one year. His second
wife died May 22, 1861, and on May 29,
1862, he married Melinda M. Anderson, of
this county, by w^hom he had five children,
but only one of them, James T. Clark, of
Clarksdale, is now living. His third wife
died in September, 1871, and on October
28. 1873. he married Elizabeth S. McGinnis,

172

PAST AND PRESENT

of Sancamon coiintv. Three cliildren were
born of this union, as f(»llo\vs: I lenr}' T.
Clark, Sallic Clark and Inez Clark, all of
Avliom are at home with their mother.

Mr. Clark's illness was of ten days' dura-
tion. Up to Tuesday eve his mind was clear
but he suffered a good deal and an opiate
was given him to induce sleep. lie never
woke to consciousness from that sleep. His
lungs filled and hardened and at 8:05 o'clock
he breathed his last.

J. J. CALDWELL.

j. J. Caldwell a well known and highly
esteemed citizen of Clarksdale. was born in
Vinton. Iowa, on the 23d of October, i860,
and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Cald-
well, also natives of that state, where the
mother continues to make her home. The
father died in 1900. Our subject was reared
and educated in Iowa and on starting cut
in life for himself at the age of sixteen years
went to Cedar Rapids and engaged in the
hotel business, having charge of the North-
western Hotel at that place until 1891. He
then went to Quincy. Illinois, and conducted
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
eating house for eight years, at the end of
which time he came to Taylorville and car-
ried on the Antlers Hotel for one year. At
present he is not actively engaged in any
business but is living on his farm, which is
a valuable tract of two hundred and eighty
acres in Bear Creek township near Clarks-
dale, his home being in the village wdiere he
owns a nice residence.

On the 2'nd of February, 1884, Mr. Cald-
well was united in marriage to Mrs. Lou C.
Moffat, a daughter of Young B. Clark,
whose sketch appears on another page of
this volume. Having no children of their
own they adopted a nephew, Roy Ed O'Neil,

a son of Robert K. and Mildred O'Neil, both
of whom are now deceased. Roy is now a
tclegraj)!! operator. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Caldwell are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and are people of prominence
in the comnumity wdiere they reside.

C. D. WINKLEPLECK.

After years of active labor, mostly de-
voted to agricultural pursuits, C. D. Winkle-
pleck is now living a retired life on his farm
on section 11, Locust township. He was
born on the 22d of March, 1838, in Ohio, of
which state his parents, James and Barbara
( Resler) Winklepleck, were also natives.
The mother died in 1848, and the father,
who long survived her, passed away in 1883.
The first of the Winklepleck family to come
to America was a native of Germany who
crossed the Atlantic in 1732 and located in
Pennsylvania. Our subject's paternal grand-
father. Christian Winklepleck, was born in
that state and from there removed to Ohio
in 1806. There he continued to make his
home until his death, wdiich occurred in

1857-

In the state of his nativity C. D. Winkle-

])leck was reared and educated and after
leaving school at the age of seventeen years
he commenced learning the miller's trade,
which- he follow'ed for twelve years. He
then rented a farm in Ohio and operated the
same for eight years. At the end of that
period he came to Illinois and settled in
Christian county, purchasing at that time
eighty acres of his present farm in Locust
township. He has since bought an adjoin-
ing eighty-acre tract and to-day has a fine
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well
improved with good buildings. Although
he continues to reside upon his farm he has

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

178

retired from its active management and is
now enjoying a well-earned rest.

Mr. Winklepleck was married in 1863 to
Miss Sarah Hehvig, a daughter of Samuel
Helwig. of Ohio, and to them were born
six children, as follows : Carrie, at home
with her father; Horace, who died at the
age of thirteen years ; Alice, wife of Charles
Dorr, who is living on our subject's farm;
Ida. wife of Herman Schmidt, a farmer of
Christian county; Bertha, who died at the
age of tw^o years; and Bird, at home. Mr.
Winklepleck has been called upon to mourn
the loss of his estimable wife, who died on
the 5th of February, 1902. She was a con-
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, to which her husband and children
also belong. Since casting his first presi-
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Win-
klepleck has supported the Republican party
and its principles. Since 1873 he has been
a resident of Christian county and in that
time he has made a host of warm friends
who esteem him highly for his sterling
worth.

HENRY J. YARNELL.

Henry J. Yarnell, one of the representa-
tive and prominent citizens of Mosquito
township, his home being on section 22, is
a native of Illinois, born near Carlinville,
Macoupin county, January 8, 1844, and is
the fourth in order of birth in a family of
seven children, whose parents were Isaac A.
and Rebecca B. (Bonham) Yarnell. His
father was born near Knoxville, Tennessee,
on the 13th of December, 1810, and came to
Illinois in 1833. It was not until 1867, how-
ever, that he became a resident of Christian
county, where he spent the remainder of his
life, dying here August 7, 1887. His wife
passed away in 185 1. Her parent? were

Benjamin and Olive Bonham. Our sub-
ject's paternal grandfather was Mordecai
Yarnell, who was born April 17, 1767, and
died July 30, 1846. The great-grandfather
was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

As soon as he had attained a sufficient age
Henry J. Yarnell entered the public schools
of this state, where he pursued his studies
until eighteen years of age. By that time
the country had become involved in civil war
and he resolved to strike a blow in defense
of the Union. Accordingly he enlisted on
the 8th of September, 1862, as a private in
Company K, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, for three years. His first service
was in Kentucky and he was later taken pris-
oner at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, by John
Morgan, December 27, 1862. He was sent
to the parole camp at Benton Barracks, St.
Louis, where he was exchanged June 3,
1863, and on the 7th of the following July
went to Vicksburg. On the 14th of August
they arrived in New Orleans and later were
sent to Morganza, Louisiana, but afterward
returned to New Orleans, where they em-
barked on transports for Texas. They
crossed the Gulf of Mexico and after a voy-
age of ten days landed at Brazos, Santiago
Island. They next went up the Rio Grande
river to Brownsville, Texas, where they re-
mained for some time and then returned to
New Orleans. About the close of the war
they were ordered to Mobile, Alabama. The
march to that place was a very difficult one
as there were many streams and swamps to
cross and the soldiers were forced to build-
ing bridges and corduroy roads along the
way. They were in an engagement near a
station on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad,
which is said to be the last fight east of the
Mississippi river. Mr. Yarnell w-as under
fire at Spanish Fort for fourteen days. The
war having ended and his services being no

174

PAST AND PRESENT

longer needed lie was Ikhk iralil\' discharged
on the 1 2th of July, 1865. and returned
home.

Mr. 'N'arnell then attended a private
school at Scottville, Illinois, Utv one term,
and for sixteen years thereafter he alter-
nated farming with school teaching, devot-
ing the summer season to the former occu-
pation., while during the winter months he
taught. Ill 1867 he came to Christian coun-
ty and located on his ])rcsent farm in Mos-
quito township, where he has since carried
on agricultural pursuits with marked suc-
cess.

On the 4th of April. 1872. I^fr, Yarnell
was united in marriage to Miss Jane A. Wil-
kinson, a daughter of Thompson and Mary
Wilkinson,, who were early settlers of Ma-
coupin county, Illinois, and were from Eng-
land and Vermont, respectively. Our suh-
ject and his wife have two children : Oscar,
a physician of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, who is
now pursuing a special course of study in
the line of his profession in Berlin, Ger-
many ; and Maud, who is attending the 1 lome
school. The son is now married.

Religiously the family hold memhership
in the Baptist church and socially Mr. Yar-
nell helongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 682
and the Grand Army Post, hoth of Blue
Mound. Although a stanch Penuhlican in
his ])olitical views he is now servino- his
llurd term ;is supervisor of Mosquito town-
ship, which is strongly Democratic, a fact
that plainly indicates his popularity and the
confidence reposed in him hy his fellow-citi-
zens. During his incumhency the court
house at Taylorville was completed. His
official duties have l)een most promptly and
faithfully discharged, winning for him the
commendation of all concerned. No trust
reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the

slightest degree and he well merits the con-
fidence and high regard in which he is held.

WILLIAM CHAMBERLAIN.

\\' illiam Chamberlain was one of the most
respected and esteemed residents of Taylor-
ville and the county owes much to him for
what he did in its behalf along lines of
material upbuilding and intellectual and
moral advancement. As the day with its
morning of hope and promise, its noontide
of activity, its evening of completed and suc-
cessful efifort, ending in the grateful rest and
quiet of the night, so A\as the life of this
man. He left the impress of his individual-
ity upon pul)lic thought and action and the
world is certainly better for his ha\'ing lived.

Mr. Chamberlain was born on Christmas
Day in 1844 in Rochester, Indiana, and
died on the ist of September, 1903. His
residence in Taylorx'ille covered more than
thirty years. He pursued his early educa-
tion in the common schools and spent his
boyhood days in his parents' home, remain-
ing- there until after the inauguration of the
Civil war, wdien his patriotic spirit was
aroused and he joined the army, although
but eighteen years of age at the time when
he donned the blue uniform of the nation.
He fought valiantly to protect his country's
Hag until the close of the memorable struggle
and displayed valor equal to that of many
a veteran of twice his years. After his re-
tiu'n home he determined to prepare for a
business career and to this end entered Bry-
ant & vStratton Business College in Chi-
cago. There he completed a regular course '
and soon afterward was given employment
in the wholesale dry goods house of John
V. Farwell. A contemporary biographer in
speaking of his early business' experience
said: "As an evidence that Mr. Chamber-

/fu^Ou^ QJfaH^^Jioia^

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

177

lain early in his career displayed the traits
that afterward made him a success in the
hiisiness world — when A. G. Barnes, of this
city, sent to John V. Farwell for a 'sober,
industrious and capable young- man' to give
a partnership in his dry goods house, Mr.
Farwell picked out Mr. Chamberlain from
more than a hundred clerks and sent him to
Taylorville. Taylorville people have seen
the success that has attended the Chamber-
lain & Barnes dry goods house and to Mr.
Chaml^erlain's able management was the suc-
cess due. He certainly sustained the confi-
dence Mr. Farwell reposed in him." In the
conduct of his store he always followed pro-
gressi\e methods, studied closely the wishes
of the general public and endeavored to
meet the demands of his patrons in every
possible way. His business methods, too,
were strictly honorable and straightforward.
He was also one of the organizers of the
Taylorville Coal Company and held consid-
eral)le stock therein. Mrs. Chamber'ain
worked with her husband in the store for
twenty-seven years, so that its success may
also be attributed tO' her earnest efforts and
co-operation.

It was on the 25th of July, 187 1, that Mr.
Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss
Sadie L. Phelps of Logansport, Indiana, a
daughter of Hiram and Messina Phelps.
Her father was a native of Virginia and her
mother of Kentucky, wdiile Mrs Chamber-
lain was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. She
was a maiden of eleven summers when she
accompanied her parents to Indiana and in
the seminary in Logansport she was edu-
cated. By her marriage she became the
mother of two children : Roy and Flossie,
but both died in childhood. Mrs. Chamber-
lain has always taken an active part in social
and public life in Taylorville and her in-
fluence has been a potent factor along lines

of intellectual and moral culture. She was
the first worthy maiden in the Eastern Star
here and she has also been a member of the
grand chapter. Deeply interested in the
cause of education and anxious for the ad-
vancement of every improvement along that
line, she made the speech placing Mrs. Laura
B. Evans in nomination for the position of
a trustee of the State University at Cham-
paign. Her speech was delivered at the
convention in Springfield and is spoken of as
one of the most 1)rilliant oratorical efforts
ever made by a woman in Illinois. At all
times Mrs. Chamberlain supplemented her
husband's efforts along benevolent and moral
lines and they also worked together in per-
fect harmony as they did in business life.
The relation which existed between them
was largely ideal and theirs was a most
happy union.

In matters pertaining to the public prog-
ress and upbuilding Mr. Chamberlain was
very prominent and influential. He was
among those who labored earnestly and in-
defatigably for the establishment of the
water-works system and secured this public
improvement in the face of strong opposi-
tion. A co-operant factor in many meas-
ures for the general good Taylorville owes
much of its advancement to him and his ef-
forts. In Masonic circles he was prominent
and honored. He belonged to the Royal
Arch chapter in l^aylorville and to Elwood
Conimandery, K. T., at Springfield. He held
most of the offices in the blue lodge and all
in the chapter, being high priest for a num-
ber of years, and for twenty years prior to
his death he acted as marshal at every Ma-
sonic funeral held in Taylorville. If we
would investigate his life record, however,
and find the real secret of his worth and the
motive that prompted his honorable actions
we will find it in his religious faith. He was

178

PAST AND PRESENT

a member of the Baptist church and served
as one of its deacons. He took a most active
part in its work, contributed generously to
its support and gave of his time for the
advancement of the cause. The church was
very dear to his heart and his Christian
principles permeated all that he did. shaping
his every relation with his fellow men. He
did not regard religion as merely attendance
u^wn church services Init as a guide for
every-day life and he closely followed the
golden rule. He won success in business,
l)ut he gained it so honorably that the most
envious could not grudge it to him. He
also used it worthily and many a needy one
has profited by his benevolent spirit and
kindly sympathy. In speaking of his de-
mise one of the papers of Taylorville said :
"The passing of Mr. Chamberlain removes a
prominent figure from the business, church
and social life of Taylorville. He had been
identified with Taylorville and its best in-
terests so long that his departure will be
keenly regretted and his place difficult to fill.
Since coming here more than thirty years
ago he had been a leading factor in nearly
every movement that tended toward the im-
provement of the town, both commercially
and morally. Of excellent judgment, en-
terprising, conscientious and charitable — he
proved himself a valuable citizen and earned
the right to l^e esteemed and respected by
every one."

ROBERT JOHNS.

Few men are more prominent or more
widely known in the enterprising city of
Pana than Robert Johns. He has been an
important factor in business circles and his
success in all his undertakings has been so
marked that his methods are of interest to
the commercial world. He is energetic,
prompt and notably reliable, and tireless

energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose,
a genius for devising and executing the right
thing at the right time joined to every-day
common sense are the chief characteristics
of the man. His success in business from
the beginning of his residence in Pana has
been uniform and rapid and he has perse-
vered in the ])ursuit of a persistent purpose
and gained a most satisfactory reward, being
now numlD€red among the capitalists of
Christian county.

Mr. Johns was born January 4, 1850, near
Greencastle, Indiana, a son of Stephen M.
and Sarah (Parks) Johns. His father was
a native of Pennsylvania, while his mother's
birth occurred in Ohio. They were married
near Oxford, Ohio, and the father engaged
in the operation of a flour and saw mill in
that state for a time. He afterward turned
his attention to farming and stock-raising
and in the year 1869 he came to Illinois,
settling in Pana township. Christian county.
He was, however, not long permitted to
enjoy his new home for his death occurred
in 1870. In the family were eight sons and
two daughters and all are yet living with the
exception of one son, whose health was un-
dermined by the arduous experiences of a
soldier of the Civil war.

Robert Johns obtained his early education
in Indiana and in the year 1866 came to
Litchfield, Illinois, being at that time a youth
of sixteen years. He was a resident of In-
diana at the time of Morgan's raid through
that state. In the fall of 1866 he resumed
his education, begun in the public schools of
his native county, in the old Lawrence build-
ing in Pana, and in 1870-71 he was a stu-
dent in the State University at Champaign.
Lfe afterward attended night school in No-
komis, and thus gained a broad and practical
education well fitting him to cope with the
responsible and intricate duties of a business

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

179

career. During a part of his school Hfe he
was connected with the himber business and
in 1870 he and his brother became pro-
prietors of a kimber yard in Nokomis, which
they conducted successfully until 1879, when
they sold out to the Paddock Lumber Com-
pany. In 1876 their yard was destroyed by
tire, causing a loss of about twenty thousand
dollars. This disaster left them with an in-
debtedness of seventeen thousand dollars,
but with renewed energy and strong purpose
they set to work tO' retrieve their lost posses-
sions and in course of time had their busi-
nes again upon a good financial basis. After
selling the lumber yard in Nokomis Mr.
Johns and his brother, S. P. Johns, became
proprietors of a similar enterprise in Pana
and were engaged in its management until
1 88 1, wdien our subject purchased the inter-
est of liis brother, who then removed to
Sedalia, Missouri, where he is now engaged
in the conduct of lumber business in connec-
tion with his sons.

Robert Johns continued in the trade at
Pana and was also in the management of his
yard until 1896, when he sold out to the
Phelps Lumlier Company. In connection
with the trade he had the largest stock of
lumber and building materials in central Illi-
nois and his annual sales reached an ex-
tensive figure. Previous to this time he had
become extensively interested in the electric
light plant of Pana and eventually purchased
the controlling interest. On his retirement
from the lumber business he took charge of
tlie electric light plant, of which he is now
the owner. This is one of the best ecjuipped
plants in central Illinois and has a capacity
of eight thousand lights. As the years have
advanced and his financial resources have
increased Mr. Johns has also made large in-
vestments in real estate and his holdings
to-day are greater than those of any other

individual in Pana. He owns a number of
business houses and dwellings in the city and
has contributed in marked deg'ree to the ma-
terial improvement of the city. When he
came to Pana there were only two brick
buildings in the town and he hauled a part
of the lumber used in the construction of
the East schoolhouse. He has been the di-
rect cause of building more residences than
any other one man in Pana and he certainly
deserves great credit for what he has done
for the city in this direction. He built the
first telephone line in this part of the country
extending between Pana and his sawmill.
He is a man of resolute purpose and unfal-
tering determination and carries forward to
successful completion whatever he under-
takes. The word fail has no place in his
vocabulary and through his unfaltering per-
severance and industry he never fails to win
the success which is always the goal of his
efforts.

In 1880 Mr. Johns was united in mar-
riage to Miss Nora Ekridge, a daughter of
Mrs. Mary S. Ekridge, of Pana. Fifteen
months later a son was born unto them and
both mother and child died. In 1890 Mr.
Johns was -again married, his second union
being with Miss Augusta Flemming, a
daughter of J. B. and Mary Flemming, of
Pana. They have two daughters : Ruth
and Helen, aged twelve and four years re-
spectively.

Mr. Johns is a Mason in his social afiilia-
tions and belongs to the Knight Templar
commandery at Mattoon, Illinois. He also
holds membership with the Knights of
Pythias at Pana and his* wife is connected
with the auxiliary organization. In politics
he is a stalwart Republican and has served
both as city treasurer and as mayor of Pana.
In matters pertaining to the general welfare
he is always progressive and his efforts have

180

PAST AND PRESENT

been of marked value in promoting the wel-
fare of his city along political as well as
material lines. He find his chief source of
recreation in fishing and hunting, taking
o-reat interest in both. J\Ir. Johns started
out in life for himself when about thirteen
years of age, working for twelve dollars per
month. By the time he had attained his ma-
jority he had saved his money, but this he
gave to his father and again started out in
life empty handed. As has been truly re-
marked after all that may be done for a man
in the way of giving him early opportunities
for obtaining the requirements which are
soueht in the schools and in books or the
advantages of wealth, he must essentially
formulate, determine and give shape to his
own character, and this is what Mr. Johns
has done. He possesses untiring energy, is
quick of perception, forms his plans readily
and is determined in their execution and his
close application to business and his excel-
lent management have brought to him the
high degree of prosperity which is to-day
his.

WILLIAM W. ANDERSON.

William W. Anderson figured so con-
spicuously and honorably in connection
with the public interests, business activity
and substantial development of Christian
county for many years that no history of
this locality would be complete without the
record of his career. To say of him that
he arose from comparative obscurity to rank
among the most successful men of this por-
tion of the state is a statement that seems
trite to those familiar with his life, yet it
is but just to say in a history that will de-
scend to future generations that his busi-
ness record was one that any man might
be proud to possess. P>eginning at the Ixjt-

tom round of the ladder he steadily ad-
vanced step by step until he occujjicd a posi-
tion of trust and ])rominence reached Iw
few. Throughout his entire business career
he was looked upon as a model of integrity
and honor, never making an engagement
that he did not fulfill, and standing as an
example of what determination, combined
with the highest degree of business integ-
rity, can accomplish for a man of natural
ability and strength of character. He v^^as
respected by the community at large and
honored by his business associates.

A native of Henderson county, Kentucky,
William W. Anderson was lx)rn October
27, 1825, and died in Taylorville, on the
nth of December, 1893. The Anderson
family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and al-
though the early history of the family in
America is not definitely known, it is
thought that the first representatives in Am-
erica settled in Virginia. Both the paternal,
and the maternal grandfathers of our sub-
ject were patriots of the Revolutionary war
and valiantly fought for the independence of
the colonies, while George H. Anderson, the
father of our subject, served under General
Jackson in the war of 18 12 and was present
at the engagement at New Orleans. Not
long after his return from the army he was
married in Tennessee to Miss Nancy Mann,
and soon they removed to Henderson coun-
ty, Kentucky, where they made their home
for ten years. In 1830 they became resi-
dents of Illinois, settling on a farm in Mont-
gomery county. The father developed his
land, made a comfortable home for his fam-
ily and took an active part in shaping the
pioneer development of that section of the
state. He was honored with a number of
local offices, for which his ability well fitted
him and throughout the community was
known as a valued citizen. He- died at the

r ^

l^it^

^^^^]^^-^2V>i/'

9.^

.\-y

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

183

age of sixty-one years, and his wife sur-
vived him ahout twelve years.

Wilham W. Anderson, the sixth in order
of birth in a family of twelve children, spent
his boyhood days on the home farm and
early became familiar with all the duties
and labors incident to the development and
cultivation of a new farm in a pioneer dis-
trict. His educational privileges were lim-
ited but he spent some time as a student in
one of the log schoolhouses of Montgomery
county. At the age of seventeen years he
started out upon an independent business
career, entering the employ of Judge Hiram
Rountree, of Hillsboro, with whom he re-
mained for eight years, first working on
the farm, then in the stcM'e and afterward
assisting in the office of the circuit clerk of
Montgomery county.

While working for the Judge, Mr. An-
derson also wooed and won the daughter of
the household — Miss Nan B. Rountree, the
marriage being celebrated in August, 1850.
Removing to Christian county the following
year, Mr. Anderson began farming about
four miles east of Taylorville but did not
find this occupation as congenial as mer-
cantile life had been, and after three years
devoted to agricultural pursuits he aban-
doned the plow and went to Taylorville,
where he soon secured a position as a sales-
man in the dry-goods store of Shumway &
Cheney. On the death of the junior part-
ner, in January, 1854, he was succeeded by
Albert Satley, who later sold his interest in
the store to Mr. Anderson and thus was
formed the firm of Shumway & Anderson,
a connection that was maintained for two
years, when Mr. Anderson became sole pro-
prietor. His adaptability to the needs of the
business was soon manifest and a constantly
growing trade demanded his care and at-
tention. His was a general store in which

he carried all lines of goods demanded by
a city and country trade, from farm imple-
ments to the finest household furnishings.
Not only in times of general prosperity but
also in the eras of wide-spread financial
panic, did Mr. Anderson conduct a profitable
business, a fact which demonstrated his
keen foresight, capable management, marked
enterprise and indefatigable industry. He
made for himself a most enviable reputation
among the wholesale houses to which he
gave his patronage and in Taylorville and
throughout the surrounding country was
known for his strictly fair and honorable
methods in dealing with his patrons. After
fifteen years he sold an interest in his busi-
ness in order to devote a part of his time
and attention to other lines. He was a
man of resourceful ability, quick to recog-
nize and improve an opportunity, and his
judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault in an
estimate of business opening or trade trans-
action.

It was in 1871 that he established the
banking house of W. W. Anderson & Com-
pany, his partner in the enterprise being D.
D. Shumway; For twelve years this asso-
ciatiou was pleasantly continued and then
Mr. Shumway retired and was succeeded by
Hiram R. Anderson. He was a young man
of brilliant mind, a close student and a
general favorite with the patrons of the
bank, but death claimed him after a short
time. Mr. Anderson continued at the head
of the institution and associated with him
his son, Fred W. Anderson. The safe con-
servative policy which he inaugurated has
always lieen followed. He soon placed the
bank upon a sul)Stantial foundation and it
has long ranked as one of the most reliable
financial institutions of this part of the
state. In banking circles, as in all other
relations of life, Mr. Anderson sustained

184:

PAST AND PRESENT

an unassailable rciJUtation because of his
Imsiness capacity and unswerving proljity.
Intricate Inisiness ]>ropositions he seemed to
comprehend at a glance and lie mastered
everything he undertook, carrying forward
to successful completion every business in-
terest which engaged his attention. He
made judicious investments in property from
time to time until he became the possessor
of valuable interests.

Only four years after bis marriage ]\Ir.
Anderson was called u])on to mourn the
loss of his first wife. Tie did not mairy
again until i860, when he wedded Mrs.
Martha L. Wright, the w' idow of Dr. Wright
of Carlinville. They travelled life's journey
happily together for about a quarter of a
century, and then Mrs. Anderson was called
to her final rest, .\ugust 2, 1884, at the age
of fifty-four years. She was a woman of
estimable character and proved a valuable
companion and helpmate on life's journey.
About nine years passed and then, on the
nth of December. ^S<^)^,. he, too. was called
from this life.

For many years he w^as very prominent
in public affairs, aside from his business in-
terests. He served for two years as the
president of the board of supervisors. He
had firm belief in the future of Taylorville,
not only as the county seat and because of
its extensive country trade, but as a coal
producing point, and one seemingly des-
tined to become an important manufacturing
center. He invested largely in business
property and was the owner of one half of
the frontage on the south side of the square.
He always advocated the advantages of rail-
road facilities and was one of the promoters
and at one time one of the directors of the
Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Balti-
more & Ohio, which passes through this
county, forming direct connection with the

cast. Every measure for the advancement
of Ta)-lorville along material, social and in-
tellectual lines received his endorsement and
encouragement, and to him in no liiilc degree
is due the present advantages which the city
enjoys in ifs excellent system of electric
lights, its waterworks and its ample hotel
accommodation. His means, ad\ice and en-
ergy were often called upon and freely given
when the extensive coal fields were being
developed and thus a permanent l)asis of
growth and prosperity was assured the city.
Prospering to an unusual degree he be-
came blessed with fimple means, wdiich he
liberally devoted to progressive uses. A
member and trustee of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, he was a ready supporter of
church interests. A Royal Arch Mason, he
was held in high esteem by his lirethren of
the craft. Politically he was a life-long
supporter of the Democratic party, but pre-
ferred the activities of business life to those
of the ]iolitical stage. The strong traits of
his character were such as endeared him
to all with whom he came in contact. He
was the soul of honor and integrity in busi-
ness life, was a man of broad humanitarian
principles, and the deserving poor always
found in him a friend. He gave generously
for the public good, was faithful in friend-
ship, devoted to his family and stood as a
high type of our chivalrous American man-
hood.

FRED F. WEISER.

Fred l*". Weiser, who for eighteen years
has been connected w'th the i^rain trade in
Stonington, is a well known, enterprising
and progressive business man. and. starting
out in life for himself at the age of thnteen
years, he has since been dependent upon his
own resources, gaining all that he now pos-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

185

sesses through his own energy and 1)usiness
ability.

Mr. Weiser was born in Cass county, lUi-
nois, in 1855. a son of PhiHp and Margaret
Weiser, both of whom were natives of Ger-
many. After their emigration to the United
States the father engaged in farming in Cass
county, Ilhnois, and in 1870 lie removed to
Christian county, where he engaged in the
manufacture of tile and also conducted a
general mercantile establishment in Stoning-
ton. For ten years he followed those pur-
suits and on the expiration of that period he
devoted his attention to the grain trade, buy-
ing and selling grain for twelve years. His
death occurred in 1902, and his wife passed
away in 1901.

Fred F. Weiser obtained his early educa-
tion in the public schools of Taylorville and
later continued his studies in the business
college at Springfield, Illinois, where he w'as
trained for the responsible and practical du-
ties that come as one enters business life.
He began to earn, his own living when but
thirteen years of age as a clerk in a clothing
store in Taylorville, where he remained for
ten years, when he came to Stonington and
joined his father in business as a merchant
and tile manufacturer. During the last ten
years he has been engaged in the grain busi-
ness and has handled a large share of the
grain raised in this locality. In 1902, upon
his father's death, he sold the business but
remained as its manager, in the service of the
McNelly Grain Company.

In 1 88 1 Mr. Weiser was united in mar-
riage to Miss Louise Kreeger, a native of
Sangamon county, Illinois, and unto them
have been born three children : Pearl, Lu-
cile and Fred F., all of whom are under the
parental roof. Mr. Weiser owns his own
home in Stonington and it is celebrated for
its charming and cordial hospitality. He

and his wife are members of the German
Reformed church. Called to public ofiice
he has been found most trustworthy in all
positions of a public character. Fie was
town collector for four years, was supervisor
for fourteen years and in 1900 was the can-
didate of the Democratic party for the posi-
tion of circuit clerk. Having spent almost
his entire life in Christian county, he has a
wide acquaintance within its borders and
the strength of his character, his honorable
conduct and his fidelity to manly principles
have made him one of the representative and
valued citizens.

A. M. SMITH.

A. M. Smith, who is engaged in general
farming on section 14, South Fork town-
ship, was born in the city of Washington in
1836, his parents being Messer and Cather-
ine Smith. Both were natives of Germany,
whence they emigrated to America at an
early day. The father was the second Ger-
man to settle in South Fork township. He
bought school land there and began its culti-
vation and continued to engage in farming
until eight years prior to his death. He then
retired from active business life and his re-
maining days were spent in the enjoyment
of a w^ell-earned rest.

A. M. Smith was reared on his father's
farm and early became familiar with the
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. He also assisted in the ardu-
ous task of developing a new farm and
throughout his life he has followed the pur-
suit to which he was reared. He started out
in life on his own account when twenty-five
years of age, receiving forty acres of land
from his father and the cultivation and care
which he bestowed upon this soon made it
a valuable tract. As his financial resources

186

PAST AND PRESENT

increased he added to it from time to time
until he is now one of the extensive land-
owners of the county, his realty possessions
aggregating five hundred and eighty-two
and a half acres. He also has seven lots in
Taylorville. All of the improvements on his
home farm were made hy him. these includ-
ing substantia] hnildings and well-kept
fences. He uses modern machinery in cul-
tivating his land and harvesting his crops
and everything about his place is indicative
of his careful supervision and energy. He
has given the greater part of his attention
to the feeding of stock,

Mr. Smith married a Miss Adams, a na-
ti\e of South Fork township, and unto them
have been born two children, but only one
is now living: Lizzie, the wife of William
Taylor. After losing his first wife Mr.
Smith was again married, his second union
being with Miss Julia Rogers. This
wedding occurred in 1901. Mrs. Smith
is a member of the ]\Iethodist church
and a most estimable lady, esteemed by
many friends because of her sterling traits
of character. Mr. Smith gives his political
support to the Democracy. He served his
township as supervisor for one term and w^as
also road commissioner. As one of the early
settlers of the county he is familiar with its
history from the pioneer epoch down to the
present day of advancement and progress.
He has always been very fond of hunting
and in pioneer times he had ample oppor-
tunity to indulge his love of the sport be-
cause there were great quantities of wild
game in Illinois. He has seen as many as
twenty-five deer in a single herd. His life
has been characterized by unflagging energy
and diligence and has therefore been
crowned with a gratifying measure of suc-
cess. In early manhood he ran a breaking
team for three years and for four years he

operated a threshing machine. He has,
however, made the greater part of his money
from the sale of stock and in this way has
gained a very desirable competence.

HOWARD M. POWEL.

While "the race is not always to the swift
nor the battle to the strong," the invariable
law of destiny accords to tireless energy, in-
dustry and aljility a successful career. The
truth of this assertion is abundantly verified
in the life of Howard M. Powel, of Taylor-
ville, who has been identified with a number
of business enterprises here and elsewhere.

He was hnvn in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, on the 22(1 of July, 1839, and comes
of good old Quaker stock, his parents, Rich-
ard and Sarah Powel, being members of the
Society of Friends. They were reared in
Philadelphia and continued to make their
home in that city for many years. The
father was born in 1801 and in early life
learned the cabinet-maker's trade, his ap-
prentice papers, issued in 1816, being now
in possession of our subject. From Philadel-
phia he removed to Parkersburg, West Vir-
ginia, in 1840, and in 1851 came to Illinois.
After living for a time in Springfield, he re-
moved to Taylorville in 1853, where he fol-
lowed his trade of cabinet-making and also
conducted a furniture store for several
years. After a useful and well-spent life he
])assed away in September, 1875, honored
and respected by all Avho knew him.

Howard M. Powel was principally edu-
cated at Spring"field, Illinois, and at the age
of sixteen years started out in life for him-
self. The following year he commenced
teaching school and successfullv followed
that pursuit for six or seven years. Form-
ing a partnership with W. W. Watkins, he
next engaged in merchandising in Taylor-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

187

ville until 1865 when he sold his interest in
the store and removed to Lincoln, Illinois,
where the following five years were passed.
On his return to Taylorville in 1S70, he en-
gaged in contracting and building for a few
years and in 1874 opened a lumber yard,
which he carried on until 1881, when he dis-
posed of the same. He was next engaged
in the hardware business from 1885 until
1889, but at present gives his attention prin-
cipally to the oil industry, being interested in
the Inter-State Oil & Gas Company, which
has over ten thousand acres of valuable
leases in Chautauqua county, Kansas. They
own two hundred and sixteen acres in fee
simple and have over seventy wells, the pro-
duction from which is eight hundred and
eighty barrels of oil per day. Mr. Powel is
president and treasurer of this company and
gives much of his time to the enterprise, the
success of which is due almost entirely to his
well directed efforts and sound business
judgment. He owns considerable property,
including a plumbing shop and some houses
in Taylorville, and also has a valuable farm
of three hundred and twenty acres in Tay-
lorville township.

In 1864 Mr. Powel was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sarah J. Young, who was
born and reared in Montgomery county, Illi-
nois, and died on the 4th of January, 1870.
leaving three children, namely: Warren A.,
who married Lois Fox, a daughter of Dr.
Fox, and is engaged in the plumbing busi-
ness in Taylorville; and Harriet and Sarah
J. Mr. Powell was again married Decem-
ber 25, 1872, his second union being with
Mrs. Emily (Palmer) Anderson.

Religiously Mr. Powel is a member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and
fraternally has been identified with the Ma-
sonic order at Taylorville since 1864. His
political support is given the men and meas-

ures of the Republican party and he has
taken an active interest in public affairs,
serving as alderman and as a member of the
school board. During the time of his resi-
dence in Springfield he lived next door to
Abraham Lincoln and was a warm personail
friend of the great man. He occupies a
leading position in business circles and he
to-day enjoys the reward of his industry.

G. F. BARRETT.

Among the wide-awake, energetic busi-
ness men of Owaneco is numbered G. F.
Barrett, whose activities cover many lines
of business. He is especially well known as
a grain dealer, and his watchfulness of busi-
ness opportunities, his unfaltering persever-
ance and his well known reliability are the
elements which form the secret of his pros-
perity.

Mr. Barrett was born in LaSalle county,
Illinois, June 4, 1857, a son of Andrew and
Margaret Barrett, both of whom were na-
tives of Ireland. The hope of enjoying bet-
ter privileges in the new world led them to
cross the Atlantic to America and in the year
1869 they became residents of Christian
county, establishing their home in Locust
township, where they were Identified with
farming interests for a number of years.
Through the exercise of his energy and cap-
able management Mr. Barrett acquired a
comfortable competence which now enables
him to live a retired life, and he and his wife
are now residents of Owaneco.

To' the district school system of the state
Mr. Barrett is Indebted for the educational
advantages which he enjoyed. His boyhood
was devoted to his school work, to the labors
of the fields upon the home farm and tO' the
pleasures in which the boys of the period in-

188

PAST AND PRESENT

diilged. Thus i)assed the years and when
he had attained his majority he started out
in hfe on liis own account l)y renting a tract
of land on whicli he carried on general farm-
ing until 1892. He then resolved to con-
centrate his business energies in the village
and icK)k up his abode in Owaneco, where
he was connected with the grain trade until
January, 1904. He is the leading auctioneer
in this section and has cried many important
sales, so managing the disposal of property
as to produce results that are satisfactory
alike to seller and purchaser. His invest-
ments are represented by financial interests
in the Barrett P)rothers harness shop, the J.
B. Cole & Company tile and brickyard of
Owaneco and The Metzger Hill Company,
of w'hich he is the president. This is a com-
mission company of Cincinnati, Ohio. He
also buys and sells stock and his varied in-
terests are remunerative.

On the 2 1 St of April, 1881, Mr. Barrett
was united in marriage to Miss Emma C.
Fry, a daughter of George Fry, of Shelby
county. Two children grace this union :
Alvin W., w^ho is now a student in Cincin-
nati, Ohio; and Walter, at home. Mrs. Bar-
rett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and Mr. Barrett has membership re-
lations with the Modern Woodmen of
America and the Court of Honor. In poli-
tics he is an earnest Republican, deeply in-
terested in the success of his party and well
informed on the issues and questions of the
day. He served as township collector for
two years, two years as assessor, and was
supervisor for four years, filling the latter
position when the new courthouse was
l>egun. Local advancement and national
progress are causes dear to his heart and in
citizenship as in business he is alert and en-
terprising.

W. H. SHAW.

W. H. Sluiw, who is engaged in the live
stock business, making extensive purchases
and sales, and who is recognized as one of
the most enterprising and progressive citi-
zens of Stonington, was born in Pickaway,
Ohif\ on the 12th of April, 1853. His par-
ents were Samuel and Virginia Shaw. The
father, a native of Franklin county, Ohio,
became a veterinary surgeon, and in the year
1865 removed to Illinois, locating in Chris-
tian county upon a farm. He took up his
abode in Taylorville in 1881, where he en-
gaged in the practice of his profession until
1895. I" 1 90 1 li*^ removed to Ramsey, Illi-
nois, where he has now lived retired for two
vears.

To the common school system of Chris-
tian county Mr. Shaw is indebted for the
educational privileges he enjoyed in his boy-
hood. He was trained to farm work upon
his father's farm, early becoming familiar
with the labors of field and meadow, and he
continued to assist in the operation of the
old homestead until 1879, when he removed
to Blue Mound, Macon county. There he
began buying and shipping stock in t88i,
and in 1896 he came to Stonington, wdiere
he continues in the same business, being now-
one of the largest buyers and shippers of the
county. He is an excellent judge of stock
and is therefore able to make judicious pur-
chases and profitable sales. The extent of
liis business brings to him a good financial
return and he has become, through his own
efforts, one of the men of affluence in his
community.

On the 1 2th of October, 1878, Mr. Shaw
was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Rei-
mer, a daughter of Richard Reimer, who
was born near Akron, Ohio. Four children
grace the uiiion of our subject and his wife :

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

189

Maud, Otis, Cloyd and Eldo, aged respect-
ively twenty-two, nineteen, sixteen and thir-
teen years. The mother and daugh-
ter belong to the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Shaw has recently completed
a beautiful home in Stonington, and he puts
forth every effort in his power to enhance
the happiness of his family. Fraternally he
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of
America and with the Odd Fellows society.
While residing in Macon county he filled
the office of collector of his town and is now
serving as a member of the board of alder-
men of Stonington.

HENRY M. GRAHAM.

Henry M. Graham, an honored and highly
esteemed citizen of Rosemond, Illinois, was
born on the 8th of April, 1835, in the city of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his parents
being E. W. and Mary (Mcllhaney) Gra-
ham, both natives of Pennsylvania. By oc-
cupation the father was a railroad contrac-
tor, and as such aided in the construction of
the first road over the Alleghany mountains.
He was a son of Alexander Graham, who
was of Irish descent and a tail(>r by trade.
Our subject's maternal grandfa^bei. Henrv
Mcllhaney, was also of Irish parentage and
made farming his life work.

Henry M. Graham, of this review, is the
fourth in order of birth in a family of eight
children who reached man and womanhood
and six of the number are still living. In
early life he attended the common schools of
Chester and Perry counties, Pennsylvania.
It was his ambition to become a soldier, but
finding this impossible at that time he ob-
tained a position on a canal boat running be-
tween Pittsburg and Columbia, Pennsylva-
nia, across the Alleghany mountains, over
which the boats were conveyed by trucks.

He was thus employed during the summer
months from the age of thirteen until twenty
years old.

In December, 1855, Mr. Graham came to
Illinois and spent five years in Mercer
county. In the meantime he was married
in Pike county, this state, in September,
1859, to Miss Mary W. Ewing, who was
born in Jefferson county, Illinois, December
2, 1840, a daughter of Alexander and Susan
Ewing, and was eleven years old on the
removal of the family to Pike county. By
this union were born thirteen children, eight
daughters and five sons, but the latter all
died in infancy. The daughters are Mary
C, now a resident of Jacksonville; Cora
Isabel, wife of C. A. Covert, of Jasper
county, Missouri ; Laura Matilda, who was
married March 31, 1889. to J. H. Klinefel-
ter, of Webb City, Missouri ; Ida Metta,
who was married January 20, 1891, to P.
M. Klinefelter, of Greenwood township, this
county; Lillian May, who was married Sep-
tember 30, 1896, to J. A. Boyd, a merchant
of Palmer, Christian county; Nora H., who
was married November 2, 1902, to E. D.
Boyd, of Greenwood township; and Grace
and Emma, both at home. The children
have all had good educational advantages.

In the fall of i860 Mr Graham came to
Christian county and settled on the prairie
near where the Buckeye church now stands,
leaving his wife and two children there when
he entered the army during the Civil war.
He enlisted in Rosamond township in Sep-
tember, 1863, and remained in the service
until hostilities ceased, being mustered out
at San Antonio, Texas, on the 22d of No-
vember, 1865. His was a frontier regiment
and was under the command of General
Merritt. On his return home Mr. Graham
resumed farming and for twenty years he
also engaged in shipping stock. In 1868 he

190

PAST AND PRESENT

took up his residence on section i6, Rosa-
mond township — the school section — and to
the improvement and cultivation of that
farn> he devoted his energies for many
years. He erected all of the huildings and
planted all of the trees now found thereon.
Having decided to retire from active lahor
he sold that place and in Octoher, 1902, re-
moved to the village of Rosemond, occupy-
ing one of the pioneer homes of the county,
it having been built about 1854. Besides his
residence he owns other town property.

Mr. Graham is the third oldest settler liv-
ing in Rosamond township and is one of the
most highly esteemed citizens of his com-
munity. He is an active member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, to which his
wife and children also belong and he assisted
in building all of the churches in his and ad-
joining townships. While residing on the
farm he served as trustee and steward of the
church with which he was connected. Fra-
ternally he is an honored member of Pope
Post, No. 411, G. A. R., of Pana, and polit-
ically he is identified with the Republican
party. He has been called upon to fill a
number of positions of honor and trust. He
was elected tax collector in 1866 and served
in that capacity for nine years. He was also
justice of the ])eace four years, supervisor
two years and assessor two years, and he
prfjved a most capable and trustworthy offi-
cial.

ROBERT LITTLE.

Among the early settlers of central Illi-
nois, it is hardly too much to say, that
there was none who exercised throughout
his life a stronger influence or has left a
more enduring impression on the minds and
hearts of his associates and acquaintances
than Robert Little. He was born near the

\illage of Goffstown, New Hampshire, on
the 25th of January, 1809, and was the
third in a family of eight children, not one
of whom now survive.

At the age of twenty-one years, moved
Ijy a desire to accomplish more than the op-
portunities of his native village afforded,
Mr. Little went to Brookline, then about
three miles from Boston, Massachusetts, and
for about ten years worked for wages in
the employ. of different citizens of that place.
For years an attempt had been made by
some of the Boston people to found a new
settlement in what is now Montgomery
county, Illinois, which should, in time, be-
come the center of a new county. Mr. Lit-
tle had heard and read much of Illinois and
looked longingly that way. In Boston was
a young man, enjoying the confidence of the
Audubon Land Company, who intended to
come to Illinois and he heard of a young
man in Brookline who also talked of going
thither and he paid the latter a visit and
formed his acquaintance. The result of this
interview was that John S. Hayward, Rob-
ert Little and his friend William Pike
started for Hillsboro, Illinois, in the fall of
1838, making the tedious voyage of the
lakes and entering the boundary of the
promised land at Chicago, proceeding thence
l)y stage to Hillsboro, and from that point
Mr. Little and his friend took passage by
stae'e to the new settlement of .\u(lubon.
Liking the prospects, Mr. Little bought land
and he and his friend built themselves a
cabin in the woods and during the winter
that followed cut down trees and split rails
to fence the land. In the spring of 1839
they broke prairie and planted their first crop
of corn, and during the summer cut and
hauled to mill at Audubon the logs to be
sawed into lumber for a house and before
the frost had touched the leaves ]\Ir. Little

*5i^

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

193

had a comfortable dwelling house to which
he could welcome his future bride.

That fall he returned to New Hampshire
and on the 30th of September, 1839, was
married to Charlotte Pike. The newly mar-
ried pair came westward by the slow meth-
ods of travel then prevailing. Reaching
Pittsburg, a flatboat brought them to Cin-
cinnati and the remainder of the journey
was made by' stage and private conveyance
until the new home on the prairie was
reached. For a quarter of a century that
was their home, and though pleasant in its
surroundings, the railroad that had been
projected to run near it failed to reach that
point, and the village of Audubon, which
was to have been a county seat, was fast
losing its population. Mr. Little fixed his
eyes on a pleasant mound five miles to the
northeast and in 1864 built and moved to
that home, some two miles south of Rose-
mond in Christian county.

During the period of his stay at the old
farm and for some years after he came to
the new one, he had the close companionship
of his younger brother, Otis Little, whose
farm was near the first home; and how
close, intimate and cordial were their rela-
tions is well known to many of the old resi-
dents of that vicinity. That tender rela-
tionship was severed by the death of the
latter in the year 1872, when Otis Little was
buried in the Rosemond cemetery.

Sixty-five years have passed since the
cabin was built which sheltered the two
friends during the long first winter in the
new settlement. How marked the change!
The wild deer in herds no longer roam the
uncultivated prairies; and many a strong
arm and stout heart has yielded to the strug-
gle, battling to subdue the wilds of nature,
and after that to preserve for future
generations the state and nation from the

threatened grasp of slavery. The part
which he took in these struggles, the labors
and successes, the many acts of kindness,
the deeds of charity and benevolence, the
words of cheer and hearty advice, the daily
toil, the temperate and consistent life of
Robert Little are matters of history and
recognized by all who knew him. Of many
of these noble acts there is no record, ex-
cept in the memory of those who best know
of them, yet not a few are still living that
can speak of them. Not a few there are who
could say that to his kindness and indul-
gence they were indebted, in a large degree,
for the homes they possessed and for their
success in life. His heart and hand were
ever open, and no needy and deserving ap-
plicant was ever refused help that was in
nis power to consistently bestow. Settling
here in an early day in the history of his
adopted state, he contributed much in mak-
ing it what it is — desirable for situation.

Mr. Little died at his home on the 13th
of June, 1887, and it was the subject of re-
mark when two days later his body was laid
to rest, that the funeral procession was one
of the largest ever witnessed in that part of
the state, there being one hundred and six-
teen carriages and wagons in the proces-
sion, reaching the entire distance from the
residence to the Rosemond cemetery, the
place of interment.

For fourteen years he was survived by his
widow, Charlotte P. Little, who was born in
the village of Hebron, New Hampshire, June
22, 1808. She was the daughter of Will-
iam and Ruth Pike and the granddaughter
of Elijah Blood, a Revolutionary soldier.
The earlier years of her life were spent in
the Society of Friends or Quakers, and the
impress of such surroundings was witnessed
in her habits and methods. Quiet, cheerful,
patient, frugal, industrious, unselfish, de-

194

PAST AND PRESENT

voted to her husband and daiii^htcr. passion-
ately attached to her home, \vhich she rarely
left, \()id of ostentation and ct)ntinna]ly em-
ployed in services for the comfort of her
family and those who from surrounding cir-
cumstances most needed her asistance. doins;'
deeds of kindness and charity, the even tenor
of her life was prolonged beyond the allotted
span. She died at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Mary F. Kitchell. in Pana, whither she
went for the last time in the fall of 1898,
remaining there until her death, which oc-
curred June 19. 1901, at the ad\anced age
of ninety-two years, ele\en months and
twentv-eight davs. She was one of nine
children born to her parents, the father dy-
ing in New England in 1835. After her
marriage she brought her mother to the new-
western home. A brother, William Pike,
i)efore mentioned, had already preceded her
the year before and had bought and im-
proved land in the A'icinity of Audulxm,
where he lived to a ripe old age. The
mother continued to reside with her daugh-
ter the remainder of her days, and died on
the 3d of January, 1879, '^^ the advanced
age of ninety-three years, four months and
twenty-seven days, and was buried in Rose-
mond Grove cemetery.

The sole offspring and survivor of Robert
and Charlotte P. Little is their daughter
Mary F. Kitchell. the wife of John W. Kit-
chell, now residing in Pana.

JOHN W. KITCHELL.

John Wickliffe Kitchell, who is engaged
in the practice of law in Pana. represents
an ancestrv honorable and distinguished.
He is a descendant of Robert Kitchel. the
leader of a band of Puritans wdio emigrated
from England in 1639 and who joined them-
selves together in a "Plantation Covenant."

and settled at Guilford, Connecticut. Rob-
ert Kitchel afterward went to New Jersey,
where man}' of his descendants are to be
fimnd. Aaron Kitchel was a member of
congress from 1799 to 1807 and was then
chosen Ihiited States .senator.

John W. Kitchell was born in Palestine,
Crawford county. Illinois. May 30, 1835, a
son of W'ickliti and Elizabeth (Ross) Kit-
chell. His father was born in the state of
Xew York in the year 1789, going thence
in early youth to New Jersey, and after
his marriage at Newark in 18 12 determined
to cast his fortunes in the newly developing
west, proceeding through Pennsylvania to
Pittsburg and thence by flatboat to Cincin-
nati and settling near the Whitewater river.
W'icklifif Kitchell subsequently removed to
Indiana, where he engaged in farming and
at the same time read law at night by the
light of a faggot. He served as sheriff of
his county at one time. He continued to
move westward until the year Illinois was
admitted to the Union, when he brought his
famil}^ to this state and became a resident
of Palestine. He was appointed register of
th.e land office at that plac'e and was des-
tined to still greater prominence in con-
nection with the new commonwealth, always
taking a great interest in public affairs. To
secure l)etter educational advantages for
his then numerous children, he removed to
Hillsboro, Montgomery county, iii the fall
of 1838, and there continued in the practice
of his profession, being contemporary with
and pitted against the ablest members of the
bar in southern Illinois, such as Fields,
Shields, Gillespie, Kinder, Constable, Fick-
lin and later Lincoln, Douglas, Trumbull
;md Thornton. He served as state's attor-
ney in his circuit and was attorney general
of the state in 1839 and 1840. In politics
he was a Jacksonian Democrat, but inde-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

197

l)enclent and fearless in the advocacy of
his somewhat advanced doctrines, opposed
lo trickery and to the gigantic system of
internal improvement inaugurated in the
state. He was elected to the state senate in
1828 and 1838 and was twice elected as a
niemher of the house of representatives. He
began to break away from the Democratic
party at the period of the war with Mexico.
A determined enemy to the extension of
slavery, he was adverse to the repeal of the
Missouri compromise, was an anti-Nebraska
Democrat and participated in the formation
of the Republican party, being present at
the famous Bloomington convention. In
1846 he removed to Iowa but returned to
Hillsboro in 1853. He died in Pana in
1869. An elder brother, Joseph Kitchell,
was receiver of the public land office at
Palestine, a member of the first constitu-
tional convention which met at Kaskaskia
and afterward a member of the first senate
which convened after the adoption of the
constitution.

Of the ten children born to WicklitT and
Elizabeth (Ross) Kitchell, three sons grew
to maturity and shared the political opinions
and adopted the profession of their father..
The eldest, Alfred Kitchell, after obtaining
his license settled in the then small village
of Olney, Richland county, Illinois, where
he remained for many years, having attained
success and prominence as a lawyer and in
the building up of his town. He was state's
attorney for several successive terms and
was subsequently elected judge of the circuit
court and was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1848. He died at Galesburg,
Illinois, in 1866. The next oldest son,
Edward Kitchell, after a trip across the
plains with an ox team in 1852, to California,
returned to Illinois and took up the study of
law with his bnjther Alfred at OUiey. He

was an ardent patriot and entered the Union
army in 1862 as lieutenant colonel of the
Ninety-eighth Regiment of Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry, which regiment he command-
ed during the greater part of its service
and which formed a part of the famous Wil-
der Brigade of Mounted Infantry. At the
close of his service Edward Kitchell was
brevetted a brigadier general. He was a
presidential elector on the Republican ticket
in 1868 and for a time was revenue collector
for his congressional district. He died at
Olney, Illinois, July 11, 1869.

The youngest of the family and the only
one now living is John W. Kitchell. When
in his sixteenth year his school education
ended at the Hillsboro Academy, which he
attended but for one year and then returned
to his father's home then at Fort Madison,
Iowa. There he entered the law office of
Miller & Beck, eminent practitioners of that
state, and passing an examination received
a license to practice at the age of seventeen
years. Soon afterward the family returned
to Hillsboro, Illinois, and at the age of nine-
teen he formed a partnership with Hon.
E. Y. Rice, subsequently judge of the cir-
cuit court and member of congress. During
the following winter he was chosen to a
clerkship in the Illinois house of representa-
tives at Springfield and served as reading
clerk during that term, when Lyman Trum-
bull was elected to the United States senate.
Mr. Kitchell occupied a like position in the
session of 1860-61 when Shelby M. Cul-
lom was speaker of the house and Richard
Yates, Sr., was governor of the state. He
has always taken a lively interest in public
affairs, casting his first vote for Fremont
for president. He was successively the nom-
inee of the Republican party for the state
senate and for congress but both times was

198

PAST AND PRESENT

unsuccessful by reason of the strong Demo-
cratic majorities. In iS<jj lie was a dclet^atc
to the Minneapohs convention which nomi-
nated Benjamin Harrison for the presidency
the second time.

Mr. Kitchcll has not ^Ivcn the law i)rac-
tice his nn(h\ided attention. While still a
young" man he embarked in the newspaper
business at Tlillslioro, editing and publishing
the Montgomery Herald, and for eighteen
months during the }'ears 1859 and i860,
while temporarily residing in Charleston,
Jllinois, he w%as the editor of the Charleston
Courier, a Republican newspaper. Having
returned to Hillsboro, where his aged par-
ents still resided, he enlisted in Company
H, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at
the first call for volunteers in April, 1861 ;
was chosen first lieutenant, and afterward
became adjutant of the regiment; on the
promotion of Captain Phillips to the major-
ship he had command of the company as
captain until the end of his three months'
service. At the second urgent call for troops
in 1862 he was again about to enter the
service, but the sudden serious illness and
subsequent death of his mother detained him
at home until the regiment was filled and
mustered into service. lie then established
and took charge of the Union Monitor, a
paper devoted to the interests of the soldiers
and the Union cau.se, taking stroug grounds
against resistance to the draft. Having pub-
licly declared that if drafted he would go
in person and not furni.sh a substitute and
his name lieing one of the first in the drawl-
ing made to fill the quota from his town,
he at once abandoned his business and acain
entered the service in 1864, remaining until
di.scharged at the close of the war. Having
failed to encounter the hardships and dan-
gers of the war, Mr. Kitchell feels that he

owes a special duty to the comrades who bore
the l)runt of battle and he has sought to do
their memory honor, having contril)uted a
bronze group for the Soldiers' Monument
erected at Linwood cemetery near Pana in
1895, '^"^^ 'ic and his wife have presented
to the Rosemond Grove cemetery a splendid
soldiers' monument, the granite pedestal
bearing the figure, heroic in size, of Abra-
ham Lincoln, after the design and modeling
f Charles J. Mulligan, sculptor, of Chi-

( )

cago, a work which has already achieved
national fame and a cut of which will be
seen elsewhere in this publication. The
paternal grandmother and tw*^ uncles of
Mrs. Kitchell lie at rest in those grounds,
to which Mrs. Kitchell has recently added
fifty acres as a future permanent addition
to the cemetery, which for natural beauty
and attractiveness in its surroundings is un-
surpassed anywhere in the west.

Mr. Kitchell has devoted much of his
time to matters connected with the growth
of the city in whichi he resides, having had
faith in its future. He invested largely of
his means in the development of two of the
four coal mines wdiich form so important a
part of its industries, but parted wdth his
interests in the mines when their success
was assured. Pic came to Pana in the fall
of 1866. He is now in a measure retired
from the active practice of his profession.
He is a member of the Grand Army Post
.and is serving" his second term as com
p.iander. He has been president of the Pana
Public Library Board since its organization.
In the management of his farming" interests,
ill the transaction of such matters as daily
devolve upon a lawyer wdio does principally
an office business and in the varied duties
pertaining to his position as a citizen at large
he finds his time fairly occupied.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

199

C. O. GATES.

One of the prominent representatives of
the journalistic profession in Christian
county is the gentleman whose name heads
this hnei notice, the well known editor and
proprietor of the Mount Au1)urn Tribune.
He is numbered among the native sons of
Illinois, his l)irth occurring in Sangamon
county, May 12, 1868. His parents. Fines
M. and May A. (Shelton) Gates, were na-
tives of Kentucky and came to Illinois in
1864, locating in Sangamon county, where
the town of Thayer is now situated. The
father became one of the leading contractors
of that locality and died there on the 24th
of December, 1872. The mother is still liv-
ing and is now die wife of A. M. Jenkins,
of Muhlenberg county, Kentucky.

During his boyhood C. O. Gates attended
the district schools and on attaining his ma-
jority started out in life for himself as a
farmer. He su1:isequently went to Mon-
mouth, Illinois, where he worked for the
Monmouth Mining & Manufacturing Com-
pany for two years, and then removed to
Divernon, Sangamon county, buying out the
Divernon Star, which he published for two
years. After selling that paper he started
the Chapin Record, which he sold in 1898.
and then returned to Divernon, where he
worked in the mines until the fall of 1902.
He then came to Mount Auburn and pur-
chased The Tribune, which he has 'already
made one of the leading papers of the
county, its circulation having greatly in-
creased since it came into his possession.
He has now erected a business block in the
village where he has opened a first class
book and stationery store. He is a very en-
ergetic business man and well deserves the
success that has come to him.

On the 2d of March, 1893, Mr. Gates was

united in marriage to Miss Edith V. Colli-
flower, a daughter of John Collitlower, of
Divernon, and to them have been born tliree
children : Hazel O., Phineas C. and Daisy
Mae. By his ballot Mr. Gates supports the
Democratic party. He takes an active in-
terest in civic societies and is now serving as
chancellor commander of Racy Lodge, No.
629, K. P., of Mount Auburn. He also be-
longs to Grove City Lodge, No. 275, I. O.
O. F., and Mount Auburn Camp, No. 2849,
M. W. A.

JAMES H. ALEXANDER.

James H. Alexander is serving as justice
of the peace in Morrisonville, a position
which he has filled for fifteen years with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his con-
stituents. He is thoroughly impartial in
meting out justice, his opinions being un-
biased by either fear or favor, and his fidel-
ity to the trust reposed in him is above cpes-
tion. He is regarded as one of the leading
and most highly respected citizens of Morri-
sonville and it is therefore consistent that he
be represented in a work whose province is
the portrayal of the lives of the prominent
men of Christian county.

Mr. Alexander was born in Rush county,
Indiana, October 9, 1840, and is a son of
Reuben Alexander, who was born March 4,
1814, and is still living. The latter, who
was a successful farmer throughout his ac-
tive business life, is now living retired. His
father was James Alexander, who lived to
be ninety-six years of age, while his sister,
Mrs. Nancy Spence, was a centenarian. In
fact the family is noted for longevity. The
family is of Scotch origin and was founded
in the Carolinas in colonial days.

In the county of his nativity James H.
Alexander continued to make his home until

200

PAST AND PRESENT

January 7, 1883, and to its public schools
he is indebted for the educational advan-
tages he enjoyed. In early life he learned
the carpenter's trade and after becoming an
expert workman he engaged in contracting
and buildini?- for some time. Two winters
he engaged in teaching school in Shelby
county, Indiana, and then returned to In-
dianapolis, Indiana, where he worked at his
trade for seven years, and was next em-
ployed in a foundry for the manufacture of
car wheels at Lafayette, that state, until
coming to Morrisonville, Illinois, in 1883.
Here he worked at the carpenter's trade and
engaged in contracting for four years, at the
end of which time he was elected to his pres-
ent position and has since given his attention
to the duties of that office. During his in-
cumbency he has never had a decision re-
versed by the superior courts, which could
probably be said of no other justice in the
state who has served as long as he has. He
is now doing some fire insurance and from
both sources he derives a good income.

During the dark days of the Civil war
Mr. Alexander enlisted August 6, 1862, and
followed the varying fortunes of war in the
campaign from Lebanon, Kentucky, to
Munfordville, that state, where he was taken
prisoner on the 17th of September, 1862,
but was paroled forty-eight hours later and
sent to Indianapolis, where he was kept until
exchanged in April, 1863. Being taken ill
he was sent to the hospital at Stone River,
July 3, 1863, and was later transferred to
hospital No. 9 at Louisville, Kentucky. Sub-
sequently he was detailed to go to New
York, but was again taken ill and returned
to the hospital at Louisville, where he re-
mained until discharged from the service
August 4, 1863. All this trouble was caused
by measles and his lungs being affected.

Wdiile a prisoner of war Mr. Alexander

was married ()ctol)er 19, 1862, to Miss
Charlotta Humphreys, a daughter of George
and Elizabeth (Hardsley) LIumphreys, who
belonged to old Kentucky .families. By this
union the following children lia\c been born,
namely: Elmer E., who died at the
age of sixteen years; Josephine, who
married J. B. Davenport and has three cliil-
dren, Gail. Ralph and Carrie: Harvey
G., who resides in Chicago and is connected
with a wholesale seed store in that
city; Emma B., who married William
H. Davenport and has two children, Marie
and Hattie; Sherman and Sheridan, twins,
the former a plasterer of Kokomo, Indi-
ana, and the latter a member of the
Third United States Cavalry, who was sta-
tioned at Asynaboyne, Montana, for a time,
but is now in Evanston, Illinois; and Mrs.
Carrie Tyler, wdio lives in Morrisonville and
has two children, George and Ralph.

Besides the office of justice of the peace
Mr. Alexander has served as mayor of Mor-
risonville and as assessor of the township.
He is public spirited and progressive and
takes a deep interest in the welfare of his
adopted county, doing all in his power to ad-
vance her interests. In all the relations of
life he has been found true and faithful to
every trust reposed in him.

C. A. MANNERS.

In the history of the men of the past and
l)resent who have figured prominently in
Taylorville in connection with its public af-
fairs, its substantial progress and its up-
building C. A. Manners should be men-
tioned. He was a leading railroad builder
of this part of the state and his active and
honorable career won him the unqualified
confidence and esteem of those with whom

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 201

he was associated. He was born in Somer- went to Leadville, Colorado, where he was

set county, New Jersey, on the 2d of August, engaged in mining for a number of years,

1827, and was a son of John and Penelope after which he returned to Christian county

Manners. When quite young he went to and here spent his remaining days,

sea, spending eight years on the water, after On the 2d of October, 1861, Mr. Man-

which he returned to New Jersey and com- ners was united in marriage to Miss Eliza-

pleted his education in the schools of that beth A. Long, a daughter of Major Thomas

state. Manifesting special aptitude in his Long, of Taylorville, who built the first

studies he soon became qualified for teaching hotel in this city. He won his title by serv-

and followed that pursuit for two terms. ice in the Black Hawk war. His son, Fran-

On the expiration of that period Mr. Man- cis Monroe Long, enlisted in 1861 in the

ners resolved to try his fortune in the west Union Army, became captain of Company

and made his way to Illinois, locating in G of the Forty-first Regiment of Illinois

Christian county in 185 1, among its early Volunteers, was later promoted to the rank

settlers. From that time until his death he of major, and in 1863 died of wounds sus-

was an active supporter of all measures for tained on the field of battle. Unto Mr.

the general good and as a business man he and Mrs. Manners were born two children :

became well known. In the year of his ar- Frances C, now the wife of G. T. Horner^

rival he was elected county surveyor of of Taylorville; and Thomas ]., who died in

Christian county and acted in that capacity 1887.

for three years. In 1859 he became connected Mr. Manners held membership with the
with the surveying department of the United Masonic fraternity in Taylorville, and in
States, to fix the boundary between the states politics he was a Democrat, believing in the
of Kansas and Nebraska, and .he continued principles of the party which he therefore
upon the public surveys of the latter state un- stanchly advocated. A self-made man, he
til i860. In that year he returned to Illinois deserved the highest praise which that term
and in 1862 he was elected sheriff of Chris- implies. He was resolute and industrious
tian county, which position he filled with and he utilized his time to the best advan-
promptness, fidelity and fearlessness for two tage. As the years passed his labors re-
years. Mr. Manners then began contracting suited in bringing to him splendid success
for the construction of railroads and was one and he also gained an untarnished reputa-
of the oldest and most successful railroad tion by reason of his fidelity to the ethics
builders of the west at that time. He thor- which control commercial and industrial
oughly understood the mechanical jjrinciples life. He passed away in 1887, leaving to
underlying railroad construction and the his family an untarnished record. His
work wdiich he performed was always of a widow now owns fourteen huntlred acres of
most satisfactory character. It was his cus- land near Taylorville and also the residence
tom to carry forward to successful comple- occupied by herself and her brother. Her
tion whatever he undertook and as a result farming interests are very valuable and re-
of his business ability, careful management turn to her a splendid rental, which enables
and unfaltering energy he accumulated a her to enjoy all .of the comforts and many of
very desirable competence. At one time he the luxuries of life.

202

PAST AND PRESENT

DORICE DWIGHT SIIUMWAY.

Prominent among- the energetic, farsee-
ing and successful business men of Taylor-
ville is the subject of this sketch, integrity,
activity and energy have been the crowning
Doints of his success, and his connection with

various enterprises and industries has been
of decided advantage to the city and county,
promoting their material welfare in no un-
certain manner.

A native of Christian county, Mr. Shum-
way was born on a farm, about four miles
east of Taylorville. December 19. 1845. ^"<^1
is the second son and third child in the fam-
ily of D. D. and Emily R. A. (Rountree)
Shumway. He spent the first few years of
his life on the farm where he was born,
and his education was begun in the country
schools. After the remo\al of the family
to Taylorville, he attended the city schools
for a short time, also the academy at Hills-
lx)ro.

Mr. Shumway began his business career
at the age of twelve years. In the spring
of 1857, he entered the store of W. W.
Anderson as clerk. He worked for Mr. An-
derson until the fall of i860, at the same
time serving as deputy postmaster of Tay-
lorville. His health failing, he returned to
his father's farm and remained until the
fall of 1863, when he entered the State Uni-
versity at Normal, Illinois, remaining dur-
ing the winter of 1863 and 1864, '^^it failing
health again caused him to abandon his
studies. He taught a country school in the
winter of 1864 and 1865.

It was in 1866 that I\Ir. Shumway com-
menced business on his own account, form-
ing a partnership with his uncle, A. H. H.
Rountree in merchandising at Hillsboro,
which connection was maintained until the
1st of January. 1869. when Mr. Shumway
sold his interest in the store to his partner

and returned to Taylorville to become a part-
ner in tile firm of Shumway & Sons, pro-
prietors of a general store. The death of
his father, which occurred in the spring of
1870, necessitated the closing out of this
Ijusiness. During the following summer,
our subject and his brother, H. P. Shumway,
compiled the first set of abstract books made
in Christian county. These books are now
in use in the abstract office in this city.

In 1 87 1 ]\Ir. Shumway became interested
in the banking business, in partnership with
W. W. Anderson, under the firm name of
W. W. Anderson & Company, and in 1874
they opened a branch house at Pana, Illinois,
under the name of Anderson & Shumway.
which was transferred later to Messrs. Hay-
ward & Schuyler of that place. On his re-
turn to Taylorville, Mr. Shumway assumed
the management of the banking business
here, and continued in charge until 1882,
when he retired from the firm.

He subsequently opened a grocery store,
which he carried on until 1889. On the
organization of the Taylorville Coal Com-
pany, in 1887, he became one of the stock-
holders and was made its secretary. In
1890 he was made president and general
manager and retained that position until its
merger with the Springfield Coal Mining-
Company in January, 1903. J\Ir. Shumway
retained an interest in the Springfield Coal
Mining Company and is vice president and
treasurer of same. The Spring-field Coal
Mining Company is operating six coal mines
in Sangamon and Christian counties, having
an annual output at this time of more than
a million and a quarter tons annually. This
company has nearly two thousand men in
its employ and ranks one of the largest coal
producers in the state.

Mr. Shumway does not confine his at-
tention alone to the coal industry, but is also

^yy . 0. .

//////// v///

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

205

engaged in farming and stockraising; is
president and largest stockholder in the
Christian Connty Implement Company and
The Henson & Cheney Hardware Company,
both of these concerns doing a large and
lucrative business; is stockholder, director
and vice president of the First National
Bank, and also owner of nearly all the stock
in the Citizens Gas Light & Fuel Company,
which is operated by his son G. F. Shumway,
who is president and general manager. Mr.
Shumway also owns an interest in and is
treasurer of the Taylorville Electric Com-
pany.

Mr. Shumway was married September 25,
1877, in Salem, Illinois, to Miss Mary Ida
Finley, the only child of Dr. W. M. and
Lucy W. Finley, of that place. She was
born in White county, Illinois, and comes
of one of the pioneer families of southern
Illinois. Three chikh'en have been born of
this union, namely : Glenn Finley, Hiram
McLain and Dorice Dwight. Mrs. Shum-
way takes a leading part in all social func-
tions in the city, being prominent in woman's
clul) work. She is a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian church.

For two years Mr. Shumway served in
the city council and w^as chairman of the
board of water works, which had charge of
the construction of the present efficient sys-
tem now in use. He is public spirited in an
eminent degree and never withholds his sup-
port from any enterprise which he believes
calculated to advance the interests of city
and county. He has an extensive circle of
friends and acc[uaintances throughout the
state.

REV. JOSEPH DECHENE.

Rev. Joseph Dechene, pastor of St.
Mary's Catholic church at Assumption, v.^as
born on the Rhine, at Aix-la-Chapelle, Ger-

many, May 29, 1852, a son of Joseph C. and
Theresia (de Beus) Dechene, the former
born in Aix-la-Chapelle, February i, 1816,
the latter born May i, 1821. The grand-
father, Egidius Dechene, was archivist in
the courthouse at Aix-la-Chapelle for forty
years and died in 1849, ^^ the age of eighty-
two years. The mother's people were of
French birth. Unto the parents of Rev.
Dechene were born eight children, of whom
he was the seventh in order of birth. He is
now the only one living, having survived
his parents, two sisters and five brothers.
His father was a shoe merchant.

Rev. Joseph Dechene pursued a college
course at Aix-la-Chapelle and afterward be-
came a student in the University of Lou-
vain, Belgium, in which institution he com-
pleted the courses in philosophy and theol-
ogy and was graduated on the ist of July,
1878. After leaving college he pursued the
study of architecture and mechanism at the
Polytechnicum in Aix-la-Chapelle, having
an opportunity to receive instruction in
those branches without cost. Flis time was
thus largely occupied in 1869 and 1870. He
was ordained to the priesthood in the cathe-
dral at Mechlin, Belgium, on the i6th of
June, 1878 — two weeks before his gradua-
tion from the University of Louvain. His
entire education was received in Europe and
in October, 1878, he came to America to
enter upon the work of the church in the
new world. In November he was sent to
take charge of the congregation of St.
Mary's in Assumption, where he remained
until May, 1880, when he resigned. In May
of the following year he returned to Europe
and became an assistant pastor in Aix-la-
Chapelle, but in 1883 he again came tO' the
United States, and has at different times
been pastor of Catholic churches in central

236

PAST AND PRESENT

Illinois, at Springfield. Litchfield, Mount
Sterling and Assumption.

In 1894 Father Dechene made an ex-
tended trip to Europe, visiting Germany,
Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, Spain and
Portugal. He went especially for historical
purposes and remained abroad for about six
months. In October, 1897, he again became
pastor of the church in Assumption, where
he has since remained. In the same year
he took out naturalization ])apers and be-
came an iVmerican citizen, and since that
time his views and efforts have been demo-
cratic in the true American sense of the
word. He is a confirmed opponent of social-
ism and of anarchy and on the contrary is a
lover of public order as prescribed by his
church, country and state. Since October,
1892, he has been an active member of the
Society for the Propagation of Christian
Art, the headquarters of which are at Mu-
nich, Germany. A man of scholarly attain-
ments and wide learning he speaks several
languages and is thus able to read the liter-
ature of many countries in the original. He
is a most zealous and earnest worker for his
church and people, and under his guidance
St. Mary's has made rapid and substantial
advance in membership and spiritual growth.

In this connection it will certainly be in-
teresting to know something of the history
of the church. The first Catholic colony
was established at Assumption in 1857, by
Hon. E. E. Malhiat, who had l)ought a large
tract of land in this locality from the Illinois
Central Railroad Company. The first resi-
dent priest was Father Charles Gonant, who
had been ordained only a short time before
in the cathedral at Alton, Illinois, by Rt.
Rev. J. T. Junker, first bishop of Alton, in
1858. The next priest was Father Detour,
the third Father Bedard, the fourth Father
Recouvreur and the fifth Father Jacques.

Up to the year 1870 the temporal affairs of
the church were managed by the priest with
the assistance of a committee variously ap-
pointed. In 1870 a board of trustees was
regularly incorporated under the state law
passed by the Illinois legislature in 1869.
The first board of trustees of the Roman
Catholic congregation of Assumption was
composed of the following gentlemen : Rt.
Rev. P. J. Baltes, second bishop of Alton ;
V. Rev. J. Jansen, chancellor and vicar gen-
eral ; Rev. J. A. Jaccjues ; David Bourdelais,
Sr., and John Cashin. The papers of in-
corporation were signed in the presence of
'Squire Rains and duly recorded in Taylor-
ville. On the 7th of June, 1871, the second
annual board of trustees came into power,
being the Rt. Rev. Bishop, tlie vicar gen-
eral, the ofiiciating priest and David Bour-
delais, Sr., and Joseph Turgeon. These two
gentlemen were appointed by the bishop to
serve on the board until the ist of January,
1873, as found in the church records.

The first general subscription for a new
church was made January 15, 1867. The
subscriptions, fairs and festivals provided
the means required for building the new
church. By September i, 1872, the church
was under roof, Init without doors and win-
dows, unfloored and unplastered, the lot un-
fenced and a del)t of seven hundred dollars,
bearing ten per cent, interest, had been in-
curred. There was neither priest house nor
schoolhouse until June, 1874, when the first
priest house was built, the following gentle-
men constituting the committee having this
in charge : Patrick h^)ley, Edmund Trot-
tier, Michael Krebs, Alie Michael and David
Lacharlte. Tlic house was put up for eight
lumdrcd dollars. For want of funds the
stairs and many other things were left un-
finished. Toward the end of 1874 Father
Jac(|ues left the congregation.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

207

In the spring of 1875 Rev. Caspar With-
oph, born in Germany, educated for the
priesthood in the American College at Lou-
vain, Belgium, took charge of the congrega-
tion, remaining until August, 1878. There
was a long succession of bad crops in this
state and thus funds could not be secured to
carry on the work of improvement in the
church property. The church was still with-
out plastering or ceiling and the house in a
very unsatisfactory condition when Rev. De-
chene took the place in 1878, as the successor
of Rev. Father Kempen. Under the adminis-
tration of Rev. Father Dechene, however,
many improvements were made, the church
being plastered and ceiled, the house painted
and furnished. The funds for these im-
provements were raised by subscription and
fairs. In May, 1880, Rev. Dechene resigned
and in November of that year Rev. Adam
Leufgen became pastor of the congregation.
He took up a subscription and bought a new
bell for two hundred and fifty dollars. In
May, 188 1, illness compelled him to go to
the hospital and the congregation remained
without a rector for six months. Rev. P. J.
Virnich, of Hillsboro, Illinois, said mass a
few Sundays in the church during those
months. Rev. A. J. Pennartz, like his three
immediate predecessors, was a native of the
Rhine province of Germany and like them
also' a pupil in Louvain. He became rector
in October, 1881. He found some three
hundred dollars in the hands of the trustees
intended for the building of a steeple, but
the woodwork and roof of the church need-
ing repairing it was decided to use the money
in that way. In 1888 Father Pennartz was
promoted to the rectorship of St. Peter's and
Paul's church, at Spring-field, Illinois, and
was succeeded by Rev. H. Ader, whose ad-
ministration was cjuite successful as he made
many improvements and greatly increased

the financial strength of the church. In 1895
Father Mahoney took charge and in, Feb-
ruary, 1897, was succeeded by Rev. Thomas
Carroll, a zealous and very successful young-
priest, wdio left the congregation in October
of that year, when Father Dechene again
became its pastor, taking charge a second
time, after an absence of sixteen years.
During his administration the parochial
school has been established with one hun-
dred and fifty pupils in attendance. A com-
modious schoolhouse of beautiful design
was erected in 1900 and in 1903 a new resi-
dence for the Dominican Sisters who have
charge of the school. The same year the
new pastoral residence was built — a credit
to the congregation i^nd an ornament to the
city. The aggregate cost of these improve-
ments was twelve thousand dollars, almost
all paid down and the balance being secured
by subscriptions, so that St. Mary's church
is one of the best equipped in the way of im-
provements and financial standing in central
Illinois.

OTIS LITTLE.

Otis Little, deceased, was numbered
among the honored pioneers of this section
of the state, having come to the Mississippi
valley when this region was wild and unim-
proved. In the work of development he
took an active part in early days and aided
in opening up the country to civilization.
As the years passed he faithfully performed
his duties of citizenship and his interest in
the welfare and progress of the community
never abated. Becoming widely and favor-
ably known he made many friends and his
death was a loss to the entire community.

Mr. Little was born in New Hampshire
on the 22d of August, 181 5, and was one of
a family of eight children, all now deceased.

208

PAST AND PRESENT

One of his brothers was Robert Little, whose
sketch appears on another page of this vol-
ume. Betw een the two there was the deep-
est love and sympathy and a companionship
that was only broken by the hand of death.
Our subject was reared in the east and edu-
cated in the schools of Ohio. In 1838 he
joined his brother Robert, who had settled
at Audubon, Montgomery county, Illinois,
in the fall of 1838, and there he developed a
good farm, which continued to be his home
until called to his final rest on the 2d of Feb-
ruary, 1872. His remains were interred in
the Rosemond cemetery.

On the 3d of April, 1850, Mr. Little was
united in marriage to Miss Charity L. Smidi,
a daughter of Dr. Stephen and Sarah K.
(Whitmore) Smith, who were natives of
Vermont and New Hampshire, respectively.
For some years the father was engaged in
the practice of medicine at Wheelersburg,
Ohio, at which place he died when Mrs. Lit-
tle was only two years and a half old. Her
brother Stephen was born three days after
the father's death. In the family were three
children, the eldest being Jane, who married
Perkins Mills and died in Pana, leaving two
children : Hiram M., now principal of a
school at Delaware, Ohio; and Sarah J.,
wife of Clinton Howard, whose sketch ap-
pears elsewhere in this work. Stephen M.
Smith, the youngest of the family, was mar-
ried in Ohio to Nancy Thompson and sub-
sequently made his home in Pana, Illinois,
where his death occurred. Of his six chil-
dren two are still living: J. Will, who is
also represented in this volume; and Mrs.
Elizabeth J. Weaver, of Pana. On the 14II1
of April, 1848, Mrs. Little came to Illinois
in company with her mother and brother,
the journey being made by steamboat to St.
Louis and thence across the country by road
to Audubon, Montgomery county. Mrs,

Smith took up a farm on the prairie, and for
the second time assisted in the development
of a new state, as she had gone to Ohio
about 18 14 and settled on what was known
as the first grant. While a resident of that
state she saw the first steamboat that ever
w-ent down the Ohio river, it being built at
I'ittsburg, Pennsylvania. From her early
home in New Hampshire she made the trip
to Ohio in a spring wagon. She was related
to Nathaniel Whitmore, wdio went to sea at
the age of nineteen and continued on the
water for nineteen years. He steadily arose
from the position of cabin boy to ow'ner of
a vessel. His father was a shipbuilder.

Mrs. Little was reared and educated at
Wheelersburg, Ohio, and was a young lady
on coming to this state. After the death of
her husband she sold her farm and removed
to Pana, where she has since made her home,
occupying an elegant brick residence on
South Locust street. She is well preserved
for one of lier years and possesses a remark-
able memory. She has been an eye witness
of the wonderful transformation that has
been wrought in Montgomery and Christian
counties in the last fifty-fi\-e years, having
witnessed their development from a sparsely
settled wilderness into a thickly populated
district containing fine farms and thriving
towns. She is widely known and is held in
the hiohest reeard bv a large circle of
friends and acquaintances.

I. T. KRAMER.

I. T. Kramer, who is now successfully en-
gaged in general farming and stock-raising
on section i. Bear Creek township, was born
on the 4th of July, 1862, in Sangamon
county, Illinois, where his parents, John E.
and Eliza Jane (Beam) Kramer, still con-
tinue to reside. The father is a native of

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

209

Pennsylvania. In the county of his nativity
our subject was reared and educated in much
the usual manner of farmer toys, pursuing
his studies in the district schools and early
acquiring a good knowledge of every depart-
ment of farm work.

At the age of fourteen years Mr. Kra-
mer commenced working by the month as
a farm hand and was thus employed until
he was nineteen years old, when he rented a
farm in Curran township, Sangamon county,
and engaged in its operation from 1882 until
1886. He then removed to Prairieton town-
ship, where he was engaged in cultivation
of two hundred and forty acres of farm
land. He next removed to his present place
in Bear Creek township and is engaged in
the cultivation of two' hundred and forty
acres. He also gives considerable attention
to the raising of stock and the success that
has attended his efforts is due entirely to his
own industry, perseverance and good man-
agement for he started out in life empty-
handed and has made his own way in the
world unaided from the age of seventeen,
when he gave his father a horse and fifty dol-
lars in cash for his time. He has worked
hard and well deserves the success that has
come to him.

In 1882 Mr. Kramer was united in mar-
riage to Miss Lydia Kelly, a daughter of
John Kelly, who was a native of this state.
She died in March, 1889, leaving four chil-
dren, namely: Birdie E., Grover Leslie,
Frank and Ruth F. Fraternally Mr. Kra-
mer is an honored member of the Masonic
lodge at Moweaqua, and also belongs to the
Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen
of America. He is a supporter of the Dem-
ocratic party and takes quite an active and
prominent part in local politics. While a
resident of Prairieton township he serverl

as highway commissioner, and is now filling
the offices of school director and county su-
pervisor from Bear Creek township.

JOSEPH MARION LITTLE, B.S., M.D.

Dr. Joseph M. Little, who is successfully
engaged in the practice of medicine and sur-
gery at Rosemond, was born near Ramsey,
Fayette county, Illinois, on the i8th of Jan-
uary, 1868, and is a son of Andrew Lawson
and Mary E. (Gray) Little. The father,
who was a native of Virginia, died in, 1891,
at the age of sixty-one years, but the mother
is still living and now makes her home in
East St. Louis. Of the eight children born
to them seven reached years of maturity and
six of the number are still living, five sons
and one daughter. Four of the sons are
physicians and are graduates of St. Louis
colleges, while the other is now attending
medical college.

In this family Dr. Joseph M. Little is the
fourth in order of birth. His early educa-
tion was accjuired in the district schools of
his native county, where he was graduated
with honors in 1887, ranking the highest in
his class. This class was the first to be grad-
uated from any public school in the county.
After receiving his certificate he was en-
abled to carry out his chosen desire to teach
school and successfully followed that pur-
suit in Fayette county for three years. He
then entered the normal school at Valpa-
raiso, Indiana, where he was a student for
four years and a half, and from which insti-
tution he secured five diplomas in the differ-
ent departments — the teacher's, commercial,
penmanship, elocution and scientific. It also
conferred upon him the degree of B. S. He
has some highly prized souvenirs of his col-
lege days at Valparaiso, one of which is a
scroll of his own penmanship representing

210

PAST AND PRESENT

Diana of the Chase, and ihe t)ther is the
Lord's Prayer in a l)cautiful design. As an
elocutionist he ranked high and was presi-
dent of the Hterary society of the college,
presiding at the hnal exercises. He was
afterward principal of the schools of Vir-
ginia City, Montana, one year. Having de-
cided to enter the medical profession, he
then matriculated at the Missouri Medical
College in St. Louis, where he was gradu-
ated in a class of eighty in 1899, and imme-
diately afterward came to Rosemond, Illi-
nois, where he purchased the office and prac-
tice of Dr. G. S. Wilson, who moved to No-
komis. Here our suhject hegan practice on
Decoration Day, 1899, and his skill and ahil-
ity is attested by the liberal patronage which
he now enjoys and which ranks him as one
of the leading physicians of the county. He
is a member of the District Medical Society
and is local examining physician for the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Mutual
Protective League, the Court of Honor, the
Fraternal Army of Loyal Americans, the
Yeoman of America, the New York Life
Insurance Company and the IMutual Life
Lisurance Company.

On the 6th of November, 1902, Dr. Little
was married in Rosemond to Miss Maud
Richards, who is a graduate of the Rose-
mond high school, after which she took a
course in music and history at the Illinois
Woman's College at Jacksonville. She has
served as organist in the Congregational
church for several years and is an active
worker in the same. Her father, C. G. Rich-
ards, is one of the substantial citizens of
Rosamond township. He was born near
Canton, Stark county, Ohio, March 21,
1839, a son of Abraham and Anna (Gar-
ber) Richards, who were married near that
city. On reaching manhood C. G. Richards
was married October 3, 1867, to Lucy Yant,

a daughter of Daniel ^^•mt, and to them
were horn four children, one of wdiom died
in infancy and Arthur died at the age of six
years. Mrs. Little is the next of the family.
Blanch, the youngest, is at home with her
parents. Mr. and Mrs. Richards are active
members of the First Congregational church
of Rosemond and are held in high regard
l)y all who know them.

In national affairs Dr. Little always sup-
ports the Democratic party, but at local elec-
tions is not bound by party ties, voting for
the men whom he believes best qualified to
fill the offices. Wherever he goes he wins
friends and has the happy faculty of being
able to retain them. His popularity has
made him a great favorite in all circles.

HAYDEN and ALLEN ETTINGER.

Hayden and Allen Ettinger. brothers, are
•well known and prominent residents of
Christian county. They spend much of
their time in Taylorville, but are closely con-
nected with the agricultural interests of the
countv and have extensive and valuable
realty possessions. The former was born in
Taylorville and the latter in May township,
this county.

Their . maternal grandfather, Stephen
Willey, now deceased, was a leading and in-
fluential citizen of Christian county, coming
here when the district was a frontier region
in which the work of progress and upbuild-
ing had scarcely begun. For nearly a quar-
ter of a century he was active in everything
pertaining to the good of the community
and his co-operation proved a beneficial fac-
tor in many measures for the public good.
He was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio,
born June 7. 1827. and was of French and
English lineage. His boyhood and youth
were passed in the place of his nativity and

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

211

in 1843 he came with his parents to IlHnois,
at which time he took up his abode in Chris-
tian county, where he spent his remaining
(lays. He laid out and founded the town of
Willey and he was particularly active in the
agricultural development of the county. On
the 26th of December, 1849, he was united
in marriage to Miss Nancy Blunt, who was
born in Tennessee, March 10, 1831, and in
her girlhood days came to Christian county
with her parents. She was of English and
Irish descent. In his business affairs Mr.
Willey prospered, capably conducting his
interests so that they brought to him a splen-
did financial return, making him one of the
prosperous residents of the community.

In the Willey family were two children.
The daughter, Mary, became the w'ife of
William Ettinger, who was a native of Dau-
phin county. Pennsylvania, his birth occur-
ring October 17, 1841. For a number of
years Mr. Ettinger conducted a harness store
in Taylorville and w^as an enterprising busi-
ness man of the city. At the time of the
Civil war he joined the Eighteenth Penn-
sylvania Cavalry for service in the Union
Army and for nearly four years was with
that command, participating in forty-two
engagements, never faltering in the per-
formance of any duty whereby the Union
cause was advanced. He died in 1882.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ettinger were born
three children. Hayden, the eldest, was
born July i, 1873, and secured a good edu-
cation, after which he remained with his
mother until her death and is still living on
the farm. Jessie, born July 10, 1877, died
in 1897. Allen, born May 6, 1881, was edu-
cated in Christian Brothers College at St.
Louis and is now associated with his brother
in business, his home being in Taylorville.
They own four hundred and forty acres of
valuable land in May township, constituting

one of the best farms in the county, and also
have eighty acres of land in Taylorville
township. They spend most of their time
superintending their property interests.

Mrs. Ettinger w-as born on a farm near
Taylorville, this county, March 15, 185 1,
and pursued her education in the public
schools here and a private institution at
Springfield, Illinois. On the 28th of Feb-
ruary, 1 87 1, she was married to William Et-
tinger and w^as to him a faithful companion
until his death in 1882. After that sad
event she took charge of the farm and suc-
cessfully continued its management.
Throu2:h her own well directed efforts she
became a person of influence, both in the ag-
ricultural world and the financial standing
in Christian county. She was a woman of
excellent business ability and by her own
industry amassed a large fortune and estate,
being the wealthiest woman in tJie county at
the time of her death. She possessed many
admirable qualities and her loving disposi-
tion and kindly ways won for her a host of
friends. Few women would have been able
to achieve the wonderful success that Mrs.
Ettinger did under the same circumstances.
She resided on the farm until 1897, when
she took up her residence in Taylorville and
there maintained her home until her death.
She passed away September 20, 1899, at
Springfield, Illinois, where she had gone to
seek expert medical and surgical treatment.
Ller remains were interred in Oak Hill cem-
etery and her demise was mourned by all
who knew her.

SMITH OYLER.

Smith Oyler, a well known agriculturist
of Taylorville township, now living on sec-
tion 9, w^as born in Alabama on the 12th of
October, 1840. His father, Daniel Oyler,

,A_.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

215

Carolina, in 1780; and was a son of Andrew
McCormick, Sr., who emigrated to this
country from Ireland some time between
1746 and 1750. It w^as thought that he
was born in Scotland and was undoubtedly
of Scotch descent. In Pennsylvania he met
and married Catharine Adams, a daughter
of John Adams, who w^as born either In Hol-
land or one of the German provinces, and
while still a youth he and a sister came with
a colony of Calvinist Protestants to Amer-
ica, locating in New Jersey. After his mar-
riaee Mr. Adams made his home on or near
the Delaware river, not far from Philadel-
phia, until the fall of 1776, when that part
oi the country was overrun by Cornwallis'
army, and then removed to Pennsylvania
and still later to Virginia. About the close
of the year 1777 he located permanently in
Rowan county. North Carolina. He had
six children : John, Peter, Jacob, Mrs. Mary
Groves, Mrs. Hannah Lowrance and Mrs.
Catharine McCormick. The last named was
the mother of seven children, of whom An-
drew McCormick, Jr., the maternal grand-
father of our subject, was one. His older
brother, Joseph McCormick, removed from
North Carolina to Washington county, Mis-
souri. One of his sons, James Robinson Mc-
Cormick, now living in St. Francois county,
Missouri, is a physician by profession and
has served as state senator, congressman and
a general in the Union army dtuing the
Civil w^ar. Andrew McCormick, Jr., had two
other brothers and three sisters, namely : Da-
vid and John, who both died without heirs;
Elizabeth, wife of Enos Sherrill; Cath-
arine, wife of John Alexander; and Mary,
wife of A. T. Alexander, who was a brother
of Catharine's husband. The McCormicks
have been mostly farmers, stock-raisers,
merchants, bankers and lawyers, with an
occasional physician and Presbyterian

preacher, but few office holders either civil
or military. A large number have been
ruling elders in the Presbyterian church. In
early manhood the grandfather of our sub-
ject married Sarah Steele, who was born in
Lincoln county, North Carolina, in 1775,
and belonged to a wealthy family of that
day and one noted for great force of char-
acter. Eor some cause they opposed her
marriage to Mr. McCormick and therefore
little is known of her ancestry. She had
three brothers, one of whom was named
Henry. Mr. McCormick died in Christian
county, Kentucky, in 1822, and she subse-
quently married a Mr. Howard, who died
four years later. She then made her home
with her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca S. Long,
until called to her final rest at the age of
eighty years. Her other children by her
first husband were as follows : Joseph Man-
son McCormick was married in Christian
county, Kentucky, and immediately after-
w^ard removed to Texas, which had not yet
entered the Union. The opportunities being
favorable he became a wealthy man. His
only son, Andrew Phelps McCormick, served
as United States circuit judge for the fifth
circuit in Texas and also sat in the circuit
court of appeals at New Orleans from the
middle of November until the following
June for some years. The other children
born to Andrew and Sarah (Steele) Mc-
Cormick were Eliza, wife of Joseph Causey ;
Juliet, wife of James Boyd; Zillah A., wife
of Alfred Boyd, wdio w^as a brother of
Juliet's husband; Rebecca S., the mother of
our subject ; and her twin brother John, who
died in infancy. Both the Boyd families
removed from Christian county, Kentucky,
to Christian county, Illinois, and became
prominent and influential citizens of this
locality.

John Culbertson Long, the father of our

216

PAST AND PRESENT

subject, was a temperate man and an earnest
Christian, lieing an elder in the i'resljy-
terian church for many years. llis wife
joined the same church when (|uite young;
and tln'ouidiout hfe took an actixe interest
in its work. She was a \'er)' ku^i^e woman,
weighing" nearly three hundred pounds at
one time; possessed considerable f<jrce of
character and w;is a great reader. She died
on the i6th of March, iSSi, ha\ing sur\i\ed
her husband, about twenty years as his death
occurred T^dy ii, 1861. This worthy couple
were the parents of nine children, five sons
and four daughters, as follows:' Andrew
McCormick died in infancy. John Turner,
who died December jS, 1902, in Danville,
Tennessee, was married in 1862 to Mrs. 7il-
vira R. (]\IcCrawj Luck and to them was
born a son, Lucian Clyde. Sarah Ann was
married in 1859 to Benjamin Scott Pick-
ard, who died in 1866, leaving four children,
Herschel W., Ida ]N.Iay, Minnie Lee and
Benjamin Scott, and ten years later she
wedded John A. Myers, of Danville, Ten-
nessee, by whoiu she had two children. Hat-
tie Belle and Dora Pearl. She and Omer
died in 1888 and Mr. Myers is now deceased.
James Marion was married in 1867 to Car-
rie McCraw, a niece of Mrs. John Turner
Long, and they have four children, Drucilla
Ann, Jimmie Lou, Oscar Woodson and
Birch. He died November 17, 1902. Eliza
died when about three years of age. Isa-
bella Washington was married in 1867 to
James B. Radford and died in 1874, leaving
two children, Edgar ( "larence and Viola Mat-
tie. Mr. Radford subsequently married
Amelia Park and now lives in Christian
county, Kentucky, and they have two chil-
dren, George and j\Lattie May. Eudora
Clementine was married in September, 1877,
to William G. Williams and died the fol-
lowing year, while her husband died about

a year later. Winston Leander, of this re-
\\qw, was the next of the family. Eidelia
M. died when al>out one year of age.

Tlie early life of our subject was passed
on a farm in his native county, and after his
lather's death, which occurred when he was
only ten years of age, he assisted his mother
in the operation of the farm, attending the
country schools as the opportunity afforded,
lieing his mother's main dependence, he was
obliged to leave school at the age of sixteen
and assume the responsibilities of the farm
and family, in this way he developed those
traits of industry, integrity and thoughtful-
ness for the good of others wdiich char-
acterized his entire life. The Civil war com-
ing on the year of his father's death, the
freeing of the slaves and the depreciation of
\alues generally, consequent upon the war,
left his mother in very straightened circum-
stances, which financial embarrassment made
it trying for so young a farmer. His ad-
vantages were very limited until the age of
eighteen, when he entered the male academy
at Garrettsburg, Kentucky, his teacher l)eing
no less a personage than that most profound
scholar ?,nd instructor, O. M. Tyler, wdiose
name is dear to so many men who were
boys in southern Kentucky and northern
Tennessee. After tw^o years spent at that
school Mr. Long returned to the home farm.
h'or several years it w-as his apibition to en-
ter the medical profession, but his educa-
tion not being entirely satisfactory and his
mother and two sisters being dependent up-
on him, he remained at home. However,
he began making arrangements to enter mer-
cantile business and in J 874 bought- an in-
terest in his brother James' store at Roaring
Springs, Kentucky, his brother retaining al-
most entire control. A year or so later it
became necessary, according to the terms of
his father's will, to sell all real estate belong-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

217

ing to the deceased and our subject bought
the homestead but soon afterward sold it to

liis brother James,

In the spring of 1877, Mr. Long came to
Christian county, Ilhnois, and forming a
partnership with his cousin A. E. Boyd em-
Ijarked in the dry-goods business at Pahner,
This connection was dissolved in the fall of
1878 on Mr. Boyd's retirement from business
and Mr. Long conducted the store alone un-
til 1883, when he sold out and went to Sully
county, South Dakota, where he had landed
interests. Two years later he returned to
this county and settled in Morrisonville,
w here he owned a general store in partner-
shi]) with his brother-in-law, A. M. Hewitt,
under the firm name of Hewitt & Long. He
continued to carry on business at this place
until 1894, when he sold out but again re-
sumed business in 1896, and continued it un-
til May 16, 1902, when he retired.

On the 19th of June, 1878, Mr. Long
was united in marriage to Miss Hannah L.
Hewitt, of Taylorville, the ceremony being
l)erformed by Rev. E. P. Rankin, a Pres-
l)yterian minister of Morrisonville. Her
parents were William T. and Anna (Gib-
son) Hewitt, her father being a pioneer set-
tler and one of the most widely known men
oi this county. He was born in Stafford
county, Virginia, January 15, 1816, and
when sixteen years of age removed to Chris-
tian county, Kentucky, where he married
Anna Gibson, who was born there in 182 1
and died June 8, 1857. She was a woman of
piety and was noted for her benevolent and
amiable disposition and for her charity to
the poor. In 1842 Mr. Hewitt came to
Christian county, Illinois, where he became a
wealthy farmer and stock-raiser. He was
a well educated man, of sterling integrity,
and in his death, which occurred November
24, 1890, the community realized that it

had lost a valued citizen. About three years
after the death of his first wife he married
Mary R. Wilcockson, a daughter of Colonel
John H. H. Wilcockson, of Christian coun-
ty, Illinois. Three children were born of
this union: William T., who died in 1872;
Lee D., who married Ella Russell ; and Omei
B. The children of the first marriage were
Francis M., who died in 1872; Olive C,
wife of Joseph S. Wallace ; Aurelius M., who
married Florence Anderson; James Byron,
who died in 1869; Laura J., wife of J. L.
Boyd; and Hannah L., now Mrs. Long.
The last named was born in this county
September 23, 1856, and was only eight
months old when her mother died. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Long were born two children
but the elder died in infancy. The other,
Troy Lovell, was born December 27, 1881.
In politics Mr. Long was a Democrat
and he was honored with numerous local
offices, including that of supervisor of Ricks
township. He was a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity in high rank and at his death,
which occurred May 28, 1903, he was laid
to rest in the Taylorville cemetery with Ma-
sonic honors. He was a fine looking man,
of strong personality and firm determina-
tion, was broad minded and liberal in his
views, and had a high sense of honor. Added
to these qualities, he was a loving husband,
a kind and indulgent father, generous and
hospitable, a liberal supporter of charitable
and church work, and a successful business
man. His death occasioned the deepest re-
o-ret throughout the community and Chris-
tian county thereby lost one of its most
valued citizens. Mrs. Long is an earnest
worker and active member in the Presby-
terian church and occupies a position of so-
cial prominence in the city where she makes
her home.

218

PAST AND PRESENT

GEORGE V. PENW'ELL.

For manv veais George V^ Peiiwell made
his home in I'ana aiul was prominently
identified witli her uplmikhng- and prosper-
ity, especially along commercial and indus-
trial lines. He is a man of superior busi-
ness ability and scnmd judgment and has
won that prosperity which is the merited
reward of honorable effort. As a citizen he
was always thorougiily interested in what-
e\cr tended to ])romote the welfare of the
community in which he resided.

Mr. Penwell was l)orn in Laporte, In-
diana, oh tlie 6th of February, 1846, and
came to Pana in January, 1869. He was
hrst clerk and afterward manager of a store
owned by Kleeman Goldstein of Shelbyville,
Illinois, and in 1870, in partnership with
Benjamin Goldstein, purchased tlie branch
store belonging to his employer at Pana.
The firm finally became George V. Penw-ell
& Sons and so exists to-day. As his finan-
cial resources increased Air. Pemvell extend-
ed his efforts to various fields of business,
all of which he successfully operated. In
connection with Messrs. Kitchell & Over-
holt he organized a coal mining company and
sunk a shaft to the coal vein in March, 1888.
In December of the same year he bought the
interests of his associates in this enterprise
and called the property the Penwell mine,
under which name it has since been worked.
His sons becoming interested in the busi-
ness the company was incorporated on the
4th of January, 1904, as the Penwell Coal
Mining Company with the following of-
ficers : George V. Penwell, president ;
Claude T. Penwell, vice president; and \\'ar-
ren Penw^ell, secretary and treasurer.

In 1893 Mr. Penw^ell of this review re-
moved to Chicago and from that point has
since superintended his invested interests,
wdiich have become extensive and valuable.

He assisted in organizing the Citizen's
Building & Loan Association of Pana, of
which he was treasurer for sixteen years.
He is still connected with the store of George
V. Penw^ell & Sons at Pana and the Penwell
&• Klar Mercantile Company, of Hillsboro,
Illinois, and is also interested in iron mining
m Michigan.

On May 21, 1867, Mr. Penw^ell was united
in marriage to Miss Isabel Warren and to
them were l)orn four children, of whom
three are still ]i\ing, namely: Warren,
whose sketch follows this, is the oldest.
Orville E., who married Eva Brown, is
manager of the store of George V. Penwell
& Sons at Pana, is treasurer of the Citizens'
Building & Loan Association of the same
place, and a director of the Penwell & Klar
Mercantile Company of Hillsboro. Max IL.
who married Florence Perryman and has
two children, Bruce and Kenneth, is con-
nected with the store at Pana, being a mem-
l)er of the firm. Mrs. Isabel Warren Pen-
well died March 31. 1873, and ]\Ir. Penwell
was married in ]\Iay. 1874, to Myra Tutt,
bv whom he had one son, Claude Tutt Pen-
well, now superintendeint of the mines at
Pana.

Mr. Penw^ell is a self-made man. He
came to Pana practically empty-handed and
has been one of the leading factors in the
upbuilding of the town, controlling business
enterprises of magnitude that have largely
promoted public prosperity as well as ad-
vanced his individual success. His business
methods have been straightforw^ard and his
wealth has been won through the utiliza-
tion of opportunities and through the exer-
cise of his native talents and accjuired abil-
ity. He has always given his political sup-
port to the Republican party but has never
consented to hold office, save that of presi-
dent of the school board.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

221

WARREN PENWELL.

Warren Penwell, a coal operator living in
Pana, is managing important and extensive
business interests which are of value to the
community as well as to the owners because
of their promotion of commercial and in-
dustrial activity, whereon the prosperity of
any town or city depends. The name of
Penwell has long figured prominently in the
trade annals of this part of the state and
because of his active connection with vari-
ous important enterprises Warren Penwell
has become a leading citizen of Christian
county.

A native son of Pana, he was born Feb-
ruary 6, 1869, a son of George V. and Isabel
(Warren) Penwell. He acquired his early
education in the schools of Pana and pur-
sued a business course in Springfield, Illi-
nois, after which he matriculated in Black-
burn University, at Carlinville, this state,
therein continuing his studies for one year.
Upon his return to Pana he entered his fath-
er's ofiice in April, 1889, and has since been
connected with the coal mining interests.
When his father removed to Chicago he took
charge of the mine and has since been its
manager in connection with his brother,
Claude T. The business has been incor-
porated under the firm style of the Penwell
Coal Mining Company with George V. Pen-
well as president; Claude T. Penwell, vice-
president and superintendent of the mine ;
and Warren Penwell, secretary and treas-
urer. Our subject also has charge of the
office. Three hundred men are now given
employment in the mines. There is a large
annual output, in connection with which
much business has to be transacted in plac-
ing the product on the market.

Mr. Penwell is a young man of resource-
ful business ability and in addition to his
mining operations he is now the president

of the Paddock Lumber Company ; one of
the directors of the Pana Building & Loan
Association ; is treasurer of the Pana &
Christian County Telephone Company; and
is also treasurer of the Pana Fair Associa-
tion.

On the 14th of June, 1898, Mr. Penwell
was united in marriage to Miss Lora Hay-
ward, a daughter of J. A. Hayward. She
was reared and educated in Pana and at
Mrs. May Wright Sewall's school, Indi-
anapolis, Indiana, and by her marriage has
l^ecome the mother of two children : Isabel
and lone Hayward. Mrs. Penwell is a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Pen-
well is connected with the Modern Wood-
men Camp and the Knights of Pythias
Lodge at Pana. In politics he is a Repub-
lican, giving an unfaltering support to the
principles of the party, and he has filled some
local offices, having served as city treasurer
from 1893 until 1895 and as mayor of Pana
from 1897 until 1899. During his adminis-
tration and through his efforts the first brick
street-paving was done. In business circles
he occupies an enviable position, not only on
account of the success he has achieved, but
also because of the honorable straightfor-
ward business policy h.e has ever followed. It
is true that he entered u])on a business al-
ready established but in controlling and en-
larging this he has displayed excellent ex-
ecutive force and keen discernment and his
policy is such as neither seeks nor requires
disguise.

B. F. WINTERS.

B. F. Winters has spent his entire life in
Christian county and is now actively en-
gaged in merchandising in Stonington as
proprietor of a grocery and hardware store.
While there have been no exciting chapters

222

PAST AND PRESENT

in his history there are lessons which will
appeal to the man who recognizes the force
of energy, industry and integrity in the af-
fairs of life, for it has been due to these ele-
ments in his character that Mr. Winters has
won his success and become one of the lead-
ing representatives of the business circles of
his adopted city.

Mr. Winters was born April 14, i860, in
Taylorville and is a son of Benjamin and
Jane Winters. His father, a native of Penn-
sylvania, was born on the 8th of January,
1822, and died on the 5th of November,
1870, in the city of Taylorville. He arrived
in Christian county in 1858 and established
the Independent Press, which was one of the
first newspapers ever published in Christian
county. This he conducted until his death.
The printing press used was the one on
which the first edition of the Missouri Re-
public was printed and which would to-day
be worth a great deal of money because of
its historic value, had it been preserved, but
Mr. Winters, of this review, assisted in cut-
ting it up for kindling wood when it was re-
placed by a more modern machine. Benja-
min Winters was very active in all public
affairs, promoting the w^elfare of the county
along material, intellectual and moral lines
and to the Democratic party he gave an un-
faltering support. In his famly were three
daughters, two of whom reside in Christian
county.

B. F. Winters, the only son of the house-
hold, obtained his preliminary education in
the schools of Taylorville and started out to
make his own way in the world at the age
of thirteen. He was first employed upon a
farm and in 1881 he came to Stonington,
where he secured a position in connection
with the elevator, spending two and a half
years in this way. For eight years he
worked in a drug store and then, resuming

agricultural pursuits, was engaged in the
operation of a rented farm near Stonington
for three years. On the expiration of that
period 1ie embarked in business on his own
account, having acquired the necessary capi-
tal through untiring labor and careful man-
agement. He opened a grocery and hard- ,
ware store in the building now occupied by 1
the Slaughter store and in 1899 he pur- ->
chased the building in which he is now con-
ducting his enterprise, carrying a large and
well selected stock of groceries, queensware
and hardware. He has made a close study
of the demands of the public and by reason
of his earnest desire to please his patrons
and his honorable dealing he has secured a
very liberal and gratifying patronage. In
addition to his store he owns some land in
Stonington and recently he has purchased
eighty acres of land in Kansas.

In March, 1884, was celebrated the mar-
riasre of B. F. Winters and Miss Marv E.
Emerson, a daughter of Richard Emerson,
an early settler of Christian county who in
pioneer times entered land near Stonington
from the government. Unto him and his
wife have been born two children : Earl E.,
who is now a student in the high school of
Taylorville ; and Ethel, who is also pursuing
her education here. Mr. Winters and his
family belong to the Methodist Episcopal
church and in social circles occupy an en-
viable position. Recently he has erected a
fine residence of nine rooms on the main
street of the town. It is heated by furnace,
supplied with a bath room and is modern in
every particular, and not the least of the
charms of this home is its gracious and free-
hearted hospitality. Mr. Winters' views
upon the temperance question have led him
to give an earnest support to the Prohibition
party. He has served as tax collector and
has been a member of the town board of

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

223

Stonington. In public affairs he is pro-
g-ressive, desiring the substantial upbuilding
of the city along beneficial lines and has been
a co-operant factor in many measures result-
ing in the pul:)lic good. He represents one
of the old and honored pioneer families of
Christian county and in this section of the
state, where his entire life has been passed,
he is known as a man of firm purpose, of
unquestioned integrity and of marked
strenoth of character.

PROFESSOR W. E. ANDREWS.

The name of Professor W. E. Andrews,
of Taylorville, is well known in educational
circles throughout the state and all who are
ac(|uainted with his work or have listened
to his clear, [)ractical and progressive ideas
as advanced before county and state educa-
tional associations, speak of him in terms of
highest praise. He is indeed an active fac-
tor in intellectual development in Christian
county and Illinois. In the city where he
makes his home and where his social nature
is best known, he is a most popular gentle-
man; the circle of his friends being almost
co-extensive with the circle of his acc[uaint-
ances.

Professor Andrews is a native of Macou-
pin county, Illinois, and his early education
was acfjuired in its public schools. This was
supplemented by a study in an academy at
Brighton, Illinois. There he was fortunate
in being under the instruction of a learned
and capable educator, who was a graduate
of Dartmouth College and a former prin-
cipal of the schools of Lynn, Massachusetts.
His collegiate work was done in Blackburn
University, from which institution he was
graduated with the class of '84. He was
honored with the presidency of the class and
while he made marked advance in his

studies, his genial nature rendered him a
favorite with his fellow students. He dis-
played special aptitude in mathematical work
and because of this was chosen in 1884 by
the board of trustees of his alma mater as
assistant instructor in mathematics. For
three years he engaged in teaching higher
mathematics, analytical and descriptive
geometry and differential and integral cal-
culus. He also had chai'ge of classes in bot-
any, Cicero De Amicitia and De Senectute
and Horace. In 1887 he was chosen to fill
the chair of natural science as the successor
of one who had occupied it for eighteen
years. Professor Andrews was then a
young man of twenty-four years, but he dis-
charged the duties of the new position with
marked capability and occupied that chair
for ten years. In 1888, because of advanced
study and work in connection with his spe-
cialties, he was awarded the degree of Mas-
ter of Arts.

In 1894 a shrinkage in the endowment of
the college made it necessary to decrease the
salaries proportionately, so Professor An-
drews accepted the principalship of the
township high school of Taylorville. A
contemporary pulilication, in speaking of
this step in his life, said : "He was induced
to accept this position because of his convic-
tion that this school presents a great oppor-
tunity to one who seeks a useful career."
Under his principalship the corps of teach-
ers has been strengthened, the enrollment
continually increased, absence and tardiness
reduced to a minimum, and the school has
been accepted as a preparatory school by the
leading state imiversities and the best col-
leges. In addition to a large working library
in natural science Professor Andrews has
an extensive ecjuipment of scientific appa-
ratus and appliances and a large collection
of plants and birds. He has done much

224

PAST AND PRESENT

original investigation in the physical sci-
ences and was among the first in the state
to repeat Roentgen's experiments with the
X-rays. In the midst of Inisy summers of
research and study, he has twice pursued
post-graduate work in Harvard University.
At his first examination for a state teacher's
certificate he was awarded the life certificate
in Illinois. He has held a license as con-
ductor of teachers' institutes in this state
under the last three state superintendents,
and for the past fifteen years has done most
ahle work in different county institutes. He
enrolled in the non-resident graduate depart-
ment of the Illinois Wesleyan University,
and in 1899, having passed the required ex-
aminations, the degree of Doctor of Philos-
ophy was conferred upon him. He has fre-
quently contributed valuable papers to the
teachers' association in Springfield and also
to the Central Illinois Teachers' Association.
His experience as a teacher, though extend-
ing over a number of years, has embraced
connection with but two schools, a fact
which stands in incontrovertible evidence of
his marked ability and the appreciation of
his services by the public. He is a man of
scholarly attainments, wide research and
broad humanitarian principles. He always
regards his work as worthy his best efforts.
He will always be a student and is now an
active member of the St. Louis Academy
of Science, the National Educational Asso-
ciation and the American Association for the
Advancement of Science.

Professor Andrews w'as married in 18(87
to Miss Alberta Taggart, of Carlinville, Illi-
nois, and they have two children : Virginia,
a high school student; and Alberta, who is
attending the graded schools. Mrs. An-
drews is a member of the Woman's Club of
Taylorville and is chairman of the educa-
tional department. She is also a director of

the new Carnegie Library. Professor An-
drews is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to
the blue lodge and chapter of Taylorville.
In the Presbyterian church he is serving as
elder and for several years has been Sunday-
school superintendent.

JOHN WT TELLER BROWN.

J. Wheeler Brown was born in North
Stonington, Connecticut, September 17,
1838, being the oldest of three children. His
father, John Denison Brown, was born in
North Stonington, March 23, 1809, and was
the oldest son of John and Sally (Denison)
Brown. His ancestry, however, traces back
to Lady Ann Bordell, a member of the Eng-
lish nobility, who took quite a prominent
part in the early settlement of this country.
After arriving at years of maturity the
father of 'our subject was joined i!i wedlock
to Mary Ann AMieeler, who was the third
in a family of twelve children born to Peres
and Desire (Wheeler) Wheeler. The
mother of our subject traced her ancestry
back thirty-five generations through God-
frey I; Henry II; Lambert of Lorain I;
Charles, Duke of Lorain; Louis III, King
of France; Charles III, King of France;
Louis II, King of France; Charles II, King
of France; Louis I, King of France; to Em-
peror Charlemagne, born in 742, A. D. The
Wheelers were also connected with the
Grant family, of whom General U. S. Grant
was the most illustrious memloer. The
Grants, Wheelers, Denisons and Browns
were represented in the Revolutionary war.

In i8'39 John Denison Brown came to
Christian county and located on a farm in
Stonington township which now belongs to
his son J. Wheeler. Upon that place two
daughters were born: Mrs. Mary Desire
Forrester, who is the mother of James H.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

227

Forrester, now county judge, and Mrs. Dr.
Mally, of Galesburg; and Mrs. Sally Ann
Mulberry, who died, leaving three chil-
dren: Mrs. N. D. Bond. Grace Pearl
Mulberry and Frank B. Mulberry, who is
now connected with J. W. Brown & Com-
pany's l^ank at Mount Auburn. When thir-
ty-two years of age John D. Brown, together
with his wife, united with the Baptist church
at Stonington, Illinois, and seven years later
was chosen one of its deacons, in which
capacity he acted until his death in 1879.
He was active to tlie last in anything that
concerned the church and its welfare. His
'Irst wife died in 1854 and two years later lie
married Miss N. C. Wentworth, sister of
Erastus Wentworth, a missionary to Chnia
and for several years editor of the Ladies'
Home Journal, published by the Methodist
Book Concern at Cincinnati. She died in
1870 and after the marriage of his daughter
Sally and the death of his mother in 1877,
Mr. Brown then made his home with our
subject until he, too, was called awav in
T879.

J. Wheeler Brown had Imt limited educa-
tional "advantages during his youth, attend-
ing school only three months each year.
His first teacher was the late Judge William
Hammer, who died in Decatur a few years
ago, and under his instruction Mr. Brown
pursued his primary studies during the win-
ter of 1843-4. His best mental training,
however, was received continuously from his
father, who was a well educated man, taking
an active interest in educational affairs, and
who, in connection with Judge William S.
Fink of Taylorville, was instrumental in se-
curing the services of two teachers from the
school of Governor Slade, of Massachusetts,
Miss Burnham teaching in Stonington and
Miss Holland in Taylorville for one year.
Mr. Brown grew up much as other boys in

a new country, working on his father's farm
and going from home but little and then only
to the nearest towns. He never went any
farther than Springfield until nearly grown.

On the 30th of September, 1862, Mr.
Brown was united in marriage to Miss Re-
l:)ecca T. Catherwood, a daughter of Joseph
and Lydia Catherwood and one of a family
of ten children. Four of the number, Cath-
erine, Joseph, Allen and Mrs. Brown, are
now deceased, the living being John, Will-
iam T., Mrs. Eliza J. Bonnel, J. Steele, Lyd-
ia A. and Mrs. H. Emma Powell. Mrs.
Brown was born in LTnion county, Ohio, and
when quite young removed with her parents
to Guernsey county, that state, where her
father died. The family afterward removed
to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1857, and two
years later came to Stonington, Christian
county.

For twenty-eight years after they were
married Mr. and Mrs. Brown lived on their
farm and the old homestead which his father
purchased in 1839. In September, 1890,
they removed to Normal, Illinois, where
they spent two years, in order that the two
younger children might attend the State
Normal School, the two oldest having mar-
ried previous to this. On the ist of Au-
gust, 1892, they became residents of Mowe-
aqua, Shelby county, and in connection with
the late D. P. Keller and William C. Miller,
now of Decatur, Mr. Brown established the
Commercial Bank, under the firm style of
Miller, Brown & Keller. This institution
opened its doors for business on the 2nd of
December, 1892. Mr. Brown remained in
Moweaqua until the ist of May, 1896, when
he came back to Blue Mound, having in con-
nection with Ralph Ayers purchased the
bank of J. M. Brownback & Company.
About the ist of May, 1900, he purchased
his partner's interest in the bank at Blue

228

PAST AND PRESENT

Mdiind, and in Uirn sold. his interest in the
Commercial Bank at Aloweaqua. He then
transferred one-third of the lUue Monnd
hank to his son. jnhn Arthur lirown, and the
present hrm of J. W. P.rown & Company
was esta1)lished.

After the removal of the family to VAue
Mound, Mr. Brown was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the
2d of Octoher, 1896, and was laid to rest in
the old Stonington cemetery. Her mother,
Mrs. Lydia Catherwood. died the follow-
ing spring in Taylorville. She was noted
for her strong religious character and up-
right life. In the fall of 1867 Mrs. Brown
was converted and immediately united w ith
the Nebraska Schoolhouse Class, which at
that time was an auxiliary of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Moweacjua. In 1890
she transferred her membership to the
church at Normal, and after the removal of
the family to ]\Ioweaqua she joined the
Methodist church at that place, remaining
a consistent member there until her death.
She took great pleasure in aiding in the
work of the church to whicli she and her
husband belonged, being especially active
in the Ladies' Missionary Society, and as
long as health permitted she faithfully at-
tended church and worshiped at all its serv-
ices. She was a devoted and loving wife
and mother and her loss was very deeply
felt, not only by her immediate family but
by many friends throughout the county.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Brown. Mary Ann. the eldest, is now Mrs.
J. Riley y\nderson, and is the mother of
eleven children, seven of whom are living-.
They reside on Mr. Anderson's farm one
mile south of Taylorville, where thev carrv
on farming on scientific principles with mucli
pleasure and profit. As soon as qualified
their children enter the high school of Tay-

lor\illc, where Ralph, the eldest, will gradu-
ate in 1904. L. Grace, our subject's second
f'aughter, is the wife of O. E. Briggs. who
lives three miles east of Stonington in I'ran--
ieton townsln'p, and to them lia\'e been l)oni
five children, but one is now deceasecb Mrs.
Brii?o"s has alwavs lived in tlie same neigh-
borliood and is a member of the old Stoning-
ton Baptist church. S. Agnes is now keep-
ing house for her father. She attended the
Normal School for four years, and at one
time held a position in the Commercird luink-
of Moweacpia. She has spent much time in
travel, visiting all parts of the United States,
and is a memljer of the Eastern Star, the
I^aughters of the American Revolution and
contemplates joining the Descendants of the
Mavflower. John Arthur, our subject's only
son, married Miss Cora Hul)bard, of Evans-
ton, Illinois, and they have one son, Tom
Hubbard Brown. He is the junior mem-
l:er of the banking firm of J. W. Brown &
Company, of Blue Mound, and also of
Mount Auburn, where they ha\-e a bank,
Carl D. Miller being a member of the firm
and cashier, assisted by Frank B. Mulberry,
a nephew of our subject, the only son of his
youngest sister.

The bank of J. \\'. Brown & Comprmy at
Mount Auburn have new quarters, occtqjy-
ing a fine two-stor\' building of red pressed
brick, which was built in the summer and fall
of 1903, and is a credit to the town. Mr.
IJrow^n has always given his political support
to the Republican party, casting his first vote
for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has held
nor sought no offlce sa\-e township positions.
While lix'ing upon his farm he was called
ujjon by his fellow citizens to .serve in a num-
ber of local offices, was supervisor, assessor
.and justice of the peace. He also served
as school director for seventeen years. In
May, 1845, ^'^' became one of the charter

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

229

erset, Canada, July 12, 1852, a son of Ben-
jamin and Felicile (Deverenes) Lambert,
who were also natives of Canada. The
father was a carpenter and followed his trade
in the employ of the Richelieu & Ontario
Navigation Company. In March, 1857, he
came to Christian county, Illinois, and in
June of the same year his family came with a
colony that made their way to Tolomo and
thence to the present site of Assumption.
There was nothing here at the time but the
railroad warehouse and for a few days the
colony were sheltered in that. Mr. Lambert,
being a carpenter, erected the first house
in the tow^n and it is still standing on Sam-
uel street. His wife had learned the English
language in Canada but was the only one
of the emigrants who could speak it. How-
ever they were a resolute people who had
come to this new district to make homes,
and they founded an enterprising town which
stands as a monument to their labors and
perpetuates their memory. The father of
our subject continued to follow^ his trade
until i860, when he removed to a farm in
Assumption township and there he died in

August, 1 86 1. The mother passed away

about 1889, at the age of seventy-four years.
JOSEPH T. LAMBERT. j^^ ^1^^ ^^^-ly ^-Ij^ys Qf Assumption their home

Joseph Theophile Lambert is now filling was the place of entertainment for all trav-
the position of mayor of Assumption and is elers. All products w^ere hauled to the Tay-
one of its most prominent and progressive lorville market, but as the years passed the

members of the Sunday-school organized at
Old Stonington — the first Sunday-school
formed in Christian county. In November,
1850, he united with the Baptist church at
that place and has held membership there-
with continuously since. Eraternally he is
a Royal Arch Mason. In his business life
he has prospered and in connection with his
banking interests in Blue Mound and Mount
Auburn he still owns six hundred acres of
land in Prairieton township. Christian coun-
ty — the old homestead, — and also six hun-
dred acres in Stoddard county, Missouri.
He was only about a year old when the fam-
ily came to Illinois, and in this portion of
the state he has spent almost his entire life.
He is therefore well known to its citizens,
and his history has l)een such as to win for
him many friends, especially among the
older people who were early settlers of this
great fertile county, more dear to them per-
haps for the remembrances of the priva-
tions of its earlier days before roads, fences,
tile ditches and the many advantages that

have since
known.

sprung into existence were

citizens. As a merchant he has been actively
identified with business circles here for many
years, and moreover he was an occupant of
the first house erected in the town, it hav-
ing been built l)y his father. From the very
beginning of the town therefore he has been
a witness of its growth and has ever been
deeply interested in its welfare, a fact which
is evident in his progressive administration
as chief executive of the city.

Mr. Lambert was born at Port Levi, Som-

pioneer conditions were replaced by those
of an advanced civilization. In the family
were twelve children, eight of whom reached
mature years, while five are yet living, name-
ly: Mrs. Bridget Ostel, of Carlinville, Illi-
nois; Davis, who is married and is foreman
of a large wagon manufactory at Kankakee,
Illinois ; Cassimire, who is married and lives
in Donaldson, Louisiana, where he owns a
large sugar plantation and is doing an exten-
sive business ; and Joseph T.

230

PAST AND PRESENT

The last named pursued his e(hication in
the district schools and in the high school
of Assumption, and while pursuing- his edu-
cation he was also employed in a store for
seven months. He then entered the store of
A. Cazalett as a clerk and also hoarded with
him and after the estahlishment of the firm
of Cazalett & Lacharite he continued as a
salesman in tlleir estahlishment and assisted
in the growth of th.e husiness hy his loyalty
to his cm])loyers' interests. In the spring
of 1876 he joined a Mr. Ophir in the gro-
cery husiness, being thus associated for eight
months, at the end of which time he bought
out his former employer, Mr. Lacharite, and
the firm of Cazalett & Lambert continued
the business until 1880, in which \ear the
present firm of Lacharite & Lambert became
owner of the store, which they have since
carried on with excellent success. The store
occupies two floors of a large and well
lighted brick building, and they carry an
extensive and well selected line of dr}^ goods
and groceries. Their trade is a paying one
for their business methods are honorable
and they have therefore secured an extensive
patronage.

Mr. Lambert has been twice married. Li
1875, in Assumption, he wedded Ann Louisa
Griffith, who died in 1895, leaving two sons
that are yet living. Rolland is married and
is a tookkeeper in the Illinois State Bank;
and Sydney is attending school. Cora, aged
twenty, and Mabel, aged seventeen years,
died within four months of each other. For
his second wife Mr. Laniljcrt chose Emma
A. Hoover, of Indiana, and they were mar-
ried in 1897. They now have a daughter,
Florence.

Mr. Lambert is recognized as a leader in
public affairs here and his loyalty in citizen-
ship and his progressive ideas well qualify
him to take a prominent place in public life.

He served as alderman for two years, was
for three years a member of the school board
and in the spring of 1903 he was elected on
a citizens' ticket to the office of mayor. The
best element in iXssumption, desiring a clean,
l;usinesslike administration, g.'U'c him its sup-
port and he is now the incumbent in the
highest office within the gift of his fellow
citizens of Assumption and his course is one
which demonstrates that he is well worthy
the confidence and trust reposed in liini. Tn
national politics he is a Republican. Mr.
Lainl^ert is a charter member of the Modern
Woodmen Camp of Assumption and also
belongs to tlie Fraternal Army. He is like-
wise a charter member of Tecnmseh Lodge,
T. O. O. F., of which he is now treasurer
rmd he has been a representative to the grand
lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America
in Springfield. In all life's relations he is
reliable and honorable and his salient char-
acteristics are such as command respect and
beget confidence in every land and clime.

GEORGE RITSCHER.

In every community there are found men
who by reason of their inherent force of
character, their ability, devotion to the pub-
lic good and well known probity become lead-
ers in public life and exert a strong and
beneficial inlluence in ])ublic affairs. Such
a man is George Rilscher, who is president
of the village board of Owaneco, and is an
active business man. engaged in dealing in
grain and lumber.

A native of Germany, he was born on the
27th of October, 1858, and is a son of
Charles and Maria Ritscher, who were also
natives of that country. The father came
to Taylorville, Illinois, with his family in
1874 and s])ent his remaining days in Chris-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

231

tian county, passing away in 1892. His
wife's death occurred in the year 1872.

George Ritscher attended the pubhc
schools of the fatherland until thirteen years
of age when he began working at the cabinet-
maker's trade. He was employed in that
way in Germany until 1874, when at the
age of sixteen years he came with the family
to the new world. He benefited by the
change for he found in the business condi-
tions of the growing west the opportunities
he sought for advancement. After being
employed at wagon-making in Taylorville
for three months, he went to St. Louis, Mis-
souri, where he clerked in a grocery store,
remaining in that city for a year. On the
expiration of that period he returned to Tay-
lorville and secured employment in the
Ritscher & Lenhart wagon and carriage
shop, with which he was connected until
1884. He next located in Stonington, and
joined J. W. Boyle as a dealer in farm ma-
chinery, wagons and carriages, continuing
the partnership until 1895, when he sold out
to Mr. Boyle and came to Owaneco. Here
he aided in forming the firm of Ritscher
Brothers, dealers in grain and lumber, and
for seven years they were associated in busi-
ness, at the end of which time Mr. Ritscher
purchased his brother's inerest and has since
been alone in business. He makes large nur-
chases and shipments of grain and also con-
ducts a lumber yard, selling to local patrons,
who find him a straighforward, enterprising
business man, careful, watchful of his own
interests, yet never taking advantage of his
fellow men in any trade transaction. He is
also a stockholder in The Metzger-Hill Com-
pany, doing a commission business in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio.

In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr.
Ritscher and Miss Sarah R. Daigh, a daugh-
ter of William Daigh, one of the pioneer

residents of Christian county. They have
three children, two sons and a daughter,
Emmet, Neta and Herbert. They occupy a
pleasant home in Owaneco, which is the
property of Mr. Ritscher. He is a member
of the Lutheran church, his wife of the Re-
formed church. His political support is
given the Republican party and upon that
ticket he has been elected to several local
offices. He served as town clerk of Ston-
ington for five years and has been a trustee
of the board of Owaneco' since the incor-
poration of the village, while at the present
writing he is serving as its president. His
aid and cooperation are never sought in
vain in behalf of beneficial public measures
and his influence is ever on the side of right,
jusice and Improvement.

ANDREW D. BALSLEY, D. V. S.

Andrew D. Balsley, wdio is successfully
engaged in the practice of veterinary sur-
gery in Morrisonville, was born in Mont-
gomery county, Illinois, July i, 1873, and is
a son of John and Sarah E. Balsley, repre-
sentatives of old Virginian families. On
the paternal side his ancestors came from
Holland, while his mother's people were of
Scotch and Irish descent, though both fam-
ilies were founded in this country during
the early part of the seventeenth century.
Our subject's father was born in Virginia
and throughout his active business life was
extensively engaged in farming and cattle
dealing, owning and operating between five
and six hundred acres of valuable farming
land. He is still living at the advanced age
of eighty-five years, and his father, who was
also' a tiller of the soil, reached the extreme
old age of one hundred and two years.

Dr. Balsley, of this review, was reared up-
on his father's farm and received his educa-

232

PAST AND PRESENT

tion ill llic pu1)lic schools of his native coun-
ty. After leaving- school he began the study
of veterinary surgery with Dr. Osborn, of
Montgomery county, and in three years be-
came thoroughly competent to practice.
Since then he has tievoted his entire time
and attention to his profession and has met
with marked success in practice wherever he
has gone. In 1900 he came to Morrison-
villc, where he at first met with competition
but as he soon gained most of the practice
he has had the entire field to himself for the
past three years. His skill and ability have
become widely recognized and he now re-
vives calls from twelve to eighteen miles
in every direction around Morrisonville.
Purchasing three lots in the city he has
erected thereon a neat and substantial resi-
dence and is now building a hospital stable,
A\here he cat? treat all chronic diseases of
horses to much better advantage than at
their homes.

In 1898 Dr. Balsley was united in mar-
riage to Miss Cornelia McReynolds, and to
them have been born three children : Ma-
rion Andrew, Milferd G., and Milton Der-
ward. Socially the Doctor is a member of
the Modern Woodmen of America and the
Modern American of Morrisonville. and
during his residence in that city has made a
host of warm friends.

BENJAMIN A. TURNER.

Among the native sons of Christian coun-
ty who have won success and occupy an en-
viable and prominent position in business
circles, is Benjamin A. Turner, wdno is now
engaged in banking at Edinburg. His salient
characteristics are determination, diligence
and keen sagacity and upon these he has
budded his prosperity, winning hig-h and
well merited measure of success. He is a

son of John L. Turner, a highly respected
citizen of Taylorville. The birth of our sub-
ject occurred in Taylor\-ille on the 23d of
July, 1868, and he was educated in the pub-
lic schools, continuing his studies until he
was graduated in the high school wdth the
class of 1886. He then further prepared
for the practical and responsible duties of
life by pursuing a commercial course in the
Jacksonville Business College, in wdiich he
was graduated in 1887. On completing his
studies there he came to Edinburg, where
he entered the employ of George P. Harring-
ton, a banker with wdiom he continued until
Mr. Harrington's suspension of business in
1893. In April, 1894, Mr. Turner organ-
ized a bank of his own in Edinburg and has
since conducted it, meeting with a much
greater measure of success even than he an-
ticipated. He now has a very large patron-
age and the bank is recognized as one of
the reliable financial concerns of this part
of the state. He maintains a sound co'n-
servative policy that has won public confi-
dence and at the same time his methods are
progressive. He also has a half interest in
the grain firm of Eirev Brothers & Turner,
doing- a general grain business and operating
an elevator at Edinburg and also one at
Roby. Illinois. His property interests in-
clude the bank building and the implement
house of Eirey Brothers on the west side.
The bank proper consists of two rooms and
is supplied with modern fixtures, fire proof
vault, burglar proof safe and safety deposit
boxes. In connection with the bank Mr.
Turner has a commodious and fine resi-
dence.

On the 24th of June, 1890, Mr. Turner
was united in marriage to Miss Lydia B.
Swigert, a daughter of John F. Swigert. a
retired farmer of Edinburg. They have
three sons: Homer Amos, who was born

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

233

June 8, 1891 ; ElHs Keith, born September
24, 1894; and John Benjamin, born July
26, 1898. Mr. Turner has served as town-
ship school treasurer since 1894 and has
been a notary public since 1890. He is a
■ member of Electric Lodge, No. 505, K. P.,
is connected with the Modern Woodmen and
with the Fraternal Army of Loyal Ameri-
cans. He is a typical American citizen, wide-
awake, alert and enterprising", carrying for-
ward to successful completion whatever he
undertakes and making opportunity for ad-
vancement if none seems to exist. Thus he
is continually working his way upward and
already he has attained a very creditable and
enviable position in the business circles of
Christian county.

GEORGE W. ADAMS.

Prominent among the business men of
Moweaqua is numbered George W. Adams,
who has been a resident of Christian coun-
ty throughout life, his present home being
just over the line from Shelby county. All
his interests from boyhood have been closelv
associated with this locality and no man in
the community is better known. He has a
well established business as a dealer in wag-
ons, carriages, and farm machinery and is
one of the leading auctioneers in this part
of the country.

Mr. Adams was born in Christian county,
May II, 1858, and is a son of Hon. Joseph
Adams, who was for many years one of the
most prominent and distinguished citizens
of this locality, his home being in Prairieton
township. He was a native of Kentucky,
born in 1833, and was only three years of
age when brought to Christian county. Here
he grew to manhood and as a life work
followed farming. His fellow citizens,
recognizing his worth and ability, called

him to public office and he served his dis-
trict in the state legislature in the winter of
1 88 1, being one of the memorable one hun-
dred and one. He also occupied nearly all
of the local offices within the gift of the
people, serving as supervisor of Prairieton
township for twenty years and as school
trustee for thirty-four years. After a use-
ful and well spent life he died on the iitli
of February, 1903. In 1856 he married
Nancy Widick.

George W. Adams received a good prac-
tical education in the schools of Blooming-
ton and Decatur, and when not in school
gave his father the benefit of his labors dur-
ing his minority. At the age of twenty-one
he took charge of a part of the home farm
and in connection with its cultivation en-
gaged in stock-raising, carrying on that work
until his removal to Moweaqua in 1892. For
six years thereafter he engaged in buying
and shipping stock and then embarked in
his present business, as a dealer in wagons,
carriages and farm machinery. He is also
interested in buying and selling horses and
as an auctioneer his services are often in
demand. Success has attended his well di-
rected efforts and besides his village prop-
erty he now owns a good farm of one hun-
dred and eighty acres on section 11, Prairie-
ton township.

On the 6th of October, 1884, Mr. Adams
was united in marriage to Miss Essie Ayers,
a daughter of Martin Ayers, one of the
leading business men of Moweaqua, and to
them have been born three children : Glen,
now a clerk in the Review office at Decatur ;
Ralph and Ruth, both at home. The mother
and children are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and Mr. Adams is con-
nected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica. His political support is given the Demo-

234

PAST AND PRESENT

cratic party, and for four years he served
as supervisor of Prairielon township. He
is a man of i;"enuine worth and stands high
in the community where he has so long-
made his home. Those who know him best
are numl^ered among; his warmest friends
and no citizen of Moweaqua is more highly
respected.

JOHN BOND RICKS.

Tlie student of history does not need to
carry his investigations far into the annals
of Christian county ere he learns of the im-
portant part which the Ricks family has
taken in the improvement and development
of this section of the state. In both the pa-
ternal and maternal lines the Ricks family
is of English origin and the ancestors of the
subject of this review came to America prior
to the Revolutionary v.-ar, establishing
homes in the Carolinas. Richard Ricks, the
paternal grandfather, was a soldier of the
Revolution, valiantly espousing the cause of
the colonists and rendering effective aid to-
ward securing the independence of the na-
tion. At a later date the family removed to
Kentucky, w-here William Skinner Ricks,
the father of John Bond Ricks, was \x)n\.
He resided in that state until 1835, when he
came to Christian countv. Illinois, set-
tling in Bear Creek township, on section 34,
town 12, range 3, west. He had
purchased land there of his brother-in-*
law, Thomas P. Bond. He afterward
entered large tracts of land in other parts of
the township and county and devoted his at-
tention to agricultural pursuits for many
years. He remained upon his farm until he
had reached an advanced age, when he re-
moved to Hillsboro, Illinois, and subsecjuent-
ly took up his abode near Spring-field, where
he died on the 7th of March, 1873. He was

a very prominent and influential man in his
locality, especially during- the early period in
the historv of the countv. He was largeh'
instrumental in having Christian county set
off from adjoining districts and organized,
and was chosen the first sheriff of the coun-
ty, after which he was re-elected for a sec-
ond term. In 1844 he was called upon to
represent his district in the state legislature
and while a member of that body he was the
roommate and intimate friend of Lyman
Trumbull. His sagacity and public spirit
made him the champion of many measures
for the general good and he left the impress
of his individuality upon much of the legis-
lation of that period which has proven of
material benefit to the commonwealth. He
married Miss Margaret U. Bond, who died
in 1865. By this marriage there were eleven
children : Richard W., Martha, Elizabeth,
Alyra, John Bond, Quintus, Marcella, Nan-
cy, William T., Margaret and Newell Doug-
las, all of wliom are now deceased. In 1867
Mr. Ricks wedded Edith Gibson, of Ken-
tucky, and unto this union was born one
child, Thrace, wdio is now living in Ken-
tucky.

John Bond Ricks, the fifth of the family,
was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, on the
4th of November, 1833, and was therefore
only about a year and a half old at the time
of the removal of his parents to Illinois. He
attended the country schools of Christian
county, receiving such instruction as they
afforded at that time, and he also spent one
term in the seminary in Mechanicsburg, |
Sangamon county. Subsequent to that time
he entered the McKendree College at Leban-
on, Illinois, where he pursued his studies for
two terms. Upon his return home he en-
»ao-ed in the stock business and became the
most extensive dealer and shipper in the
county. He was always enterprising and

JUDGE J. B. RICKS

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

237

iiuUistrioiis, and his strong determination
also proved a salient feature in his very suc-
cessful career. He continued in business
until 1873, and through his capable manage-
ment and marked energy won a splendid
competence.

Like his father, John Bond Ricks was in-
fluential in the public affairs of the county
and was honored by political preferment on
various occasions. His strong mentality
and marked individuality rendered him a
natural leader of thought and opinion and at
all times his labors were actuated by unfal-
tering devotion to the general good. In
1865 he was elected sheriff of Christian
county, and in the following year he was
nominated by acclamation for the office of
representative. In November the election
was held and he was chosen for the position
by a handsome majority. While a member
of the general assembly he served on several
important committees, including the com-
mittee that was appointed to investigate the
conditions of the insane asylum at Jackson-
ville and all other public institutions. He
was also one of the committee that accepted
the site for the state house and made strenu-
ous eft'ort toward placing it in its present
location. In 1868 he was elected to the of-
fice of circuit clerk and in 1872 was re-
elected, continuing in the position until 1876,
when he retired from the office as he entered
it — with the confidence and good will of all.
In 1882 he again represented his county in
the state legislature, being elected to the
thirty-third general assembly. He took an
active part in the Iju'^iness that w-as transact-
ed in the council chambers of the state, and
his course was ever above suspicion, being
characterized by unfaltering loyalty to the
general welfare. He commanded the re-
spect of the members of the legislature and
at home, in the county of his adoption,

where he was best known, he inspired per-
sonal friendships of unusual strength and all
who knew him had the highest admiration
for his good qualities of heart and mind.

On the 24th of December, 185 1, Mr.
Ricks was united in marriage to Miss Docia
B. Haynes, a native of Kentucky, but at the
time of her marriage a resident of Sanga-
mon county, Illinois. Five children were
born of this union: James B., Henrietta I.,
Laura B., Margaret E. and Quintus A.
Three of the number are still living. The
wife and mother died July 19, 1888, and
Mr. Ricks survived her about seven years,
departing this life September 7, 1895. He
is classed among those wdio have been active
in promoting the development and molding
the policy of Christian county and is now
numbered among its honored dead.

James B. Ricks, the eldest son of John
Bond Ricks, w^as born near Taylorville in
Bear Creek township, December 23, 1852.
At the age of twelve years he accompanied
his parents on their removal to the county
seat, where he attended the public schools
and in the year 1869 he entered the Wesley-
an University at Bloomington, Illinois,
where he pursued his studies until 1872. He
began the study of law with Judge Andrew
Simpson and John B. Jones, attorneys of
Taylorville, and after successfully passing
the required examination w^as admitted to
the bar of Illinois in June, 1874. Immedi-
ately afterw^^rd he entered upon the practice
of law, remaining alone until 1885, when he
formed a partnership with J. C. Creighton,
which relation was long continued. No
dreary novitiate awaited him, for he soon
demonstrated his power to handle intricate
legal problems and a large and growing
clientage was accorded him.

On the 23d of December. 1872, Judge
Ricks was united in marriage to Miss Pam-

238

PAST AND PRESENT

mie L. (k'ttmaclier. of rtlddiiiin^tnii. Illi-
nois, and unto them were born six children,
three of whom are li\ino". Agnes is the
wife of l)r. W . 1 1. I louser. a practicing phy-
sician of 'ra_\lor\ ille, and nnto them liase
been l)orn two children, of whom one is li\-
ing. P)yron Kicks Ihrnser. Jesse j., who
was graduated at the d\aylor\ille township
high school in June, il^'jj. entered the Uni-
\-ersit}' of .Michigan in the following Sep-
tember, and was graduated on the comple-
tion of a literary course in the class of kjoi.
He then entered the law tlepartment of the
same uni\ersit}-. and was graduated in 1903.
He successfully passed the Illinois state bar
examination and was admitted to practice in
October of that year, since which time he
has resided in Chicago. Glenn A., the
youngest child, is also a graduate of the
Taylorville high school, having completed
the course at that institution in June, 1903.
In September of the same year he entered
the University of Michigan, where he is at
present pursuing a course in ci\il engineer-
ing.

Judge Ricks has been acti\e and inHuen-
tial in tommunitv affairs and his in^f^uence
has also extended to the interests of the state
along political and fraternal lines. He is a
distingtiished member of the Kni^'hts of
l'}thias fraternit}-. in Illinois served as
grand chancellor in i8(S5 and 1886, and is
now a past grand chancellor. His local
membership is with Mystic Lodge No. 64,
K. 1'.. in which he has passed all of the
chairs. He is also a member of the Benevo-
lent Protective Order of Elks, being affili-
ated with Springfield Lodge.

His political allegiance is given to the
Democratic party, and he has talcen a very
active interest in campaign work, do-
ing everything in his ])()wer to pnjuiote
the interests of the Democracv. breciuentlv

he has been selected to fill positions of i)nl)-
lic trust. He spent three years in Washing-
ton as stiper\'ising examiner of the pension
bureati from the Hudson district, and in that
office had about one lumdred special exam-
iners under his charge. In June, 1892, he
serxed as a delegate to the national Demo-
cratic coUN'ention in Chicago and strongly
adx'ocated the nomination oi Grover Cleve-
land. In 1889 he was elected mayor of
'ra}'lor\ille. ser\ing for a term of two years.
His administration proxed to be a prosper-
ous era in the history of the city. During his
term the electric light system was established
and man)- other works of pul)lic improve-
ment were put in operation. Mr. Ricks
started the petition for the establishment of
waterworks. While reading law in the of-
fice of Mr. Jones he drew plruis, which
changed the old town to a village and after
one year drew up a ]ietition to make Tay-
lorville a city, which was done. When a
candidate for mayor he i)lainly stated that
he would not acce])t the office unless the
waterworks sy.stem was strengthened during
his term, and this commendable work was
accomplished. The water sui)ply was
doubled. The original ])lant worth twenty
thousand dollars was supplemented by one
worth fifty thousand dollars, and a number
of miles (^f mains were laid. Along other
lines of progress and improvement his in-
lluence and co-operation were felt and he
fully exercised his official prerogatives in
support of the material upbuilding and sub-
stantial development of his city. C^n the
ijth of .\pril, 190T, he was nominated at
the Litchfield convention for the office of
justice of the supreme coiul of the second
judicial district of Illinois to fill the unex-
pired term of Jesse J. Philii)ps. deceased,
and was elected on the 21st of May, 1901,
recei\ing a majority of eight}--three hundred

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

239

and forty-six. Already lie lias proven him-
self to be the peer of the ablest members of
the conrt of last resort. His decisions indi-
cate strong mentality, careful analysis, a
thorongh knowledge of law and an unbiased
judgment. The judge on the bench fails
more frequently, perhaps, from a deficiency
in that liroad-mindedness which not only
comprehends the details of a situation quick-
ly and that insures a complete self-control
under even the most exasperating conditions
than from any other cause; and the judge,
who makes a success in the discharge of his
multitudinous delicate duties is a man of
well-rounded character, finely-balanced mind
and of splendid intellectual attainments.
That Judge Ricks is regarded as such a
jurist is a uniformly accepted fact.

EDWARD C. WATSON.

Edward C. Watson, who was formerly
identified with educational interests in Illi-
nois and is now efficiently serving as post-
master of Assumption, was born in Academy,
Ontario county. New York, June 8, 1862,
and is descended from English ancestry, his
paternal grandparents, Francis and Joseph-
ine ( Price) \Vatson, being natives of York-
shire, England. The former was born in
1795 and was provided with most liberal
educational advantages, being a graduate of
Oxford University. In 1822 he crossed the
Atlantic, locating in Luzerne county, Penn-
syhania. He was an excellent Greek, He-
brew and Latin scholar and at one time
was identified with some work in connec-
tion with the translation of the Bible in New-
York city. By profession, however, he w^as
a cixil engineer and surveyor. His death
occurred in New York in 1867.

Theodore T. Watson, the father of our

subject, w^as born in Pittston, Luzerne coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1835, and died
August 14, 1885. He was a farmer by
occupation and followed that pursuit in New
York and Illinois. In the former state he
married Ann Eliza Cahoon, whose birth oc-
curred in New York, April 13, 1837, a
daughter of Hiram and Adeline (Henry)
Cahoon, both of w horn were natives of west-
ern New York. With his family Theodore
T. Watson removed to Illinois in January,
1867, settling in Fidelity, Jersey county, and
there he engaged in farming. In Septem-
ber, 1868, he removed to Christian county
and after living for a short time in Assump-
tion removed to a farm near Radford, where
he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1883.
He then retired to Assumption where he
made his home until his death, two years
later. His widow is still living in Assump-
tion in her sixty-sixth year. Their children
were six in number. The eldest, Mrs. Ada
Prall, died in Parsons, Kansas, in 1892, leav-
ing two sons, Roy and Newton. Josephine,
named for her paternal grandmother, is the
wife of Frank Snell, of Mow^eaqua, Illinois.
Edward C. is the third. Lyda died at the
age of ten years and two died in infancy.

Edw^ard C. Watson began his education
in the district schools and spent one year as
a student in Assumption and two years in the
State Normal School at Valparaiso. His
own education being completed, he then en-
gaged in teaching W'ith success for several
years, first having charge of a district school
in Cherokee county, Iowa, and the second
year of the school in, his old home district
in Christian county, where he had previously
been a pupil. The next three years were
spent in the Assumption school, being prin-
cipal of the same the last year. He then
became principal of the school of Towerhill,
§helby county, Illinois, after which he re-

240

PAST AND PRESENT

turned to Assumption and accepted the posi-
tion of chief clerk with the Assumption Coal
& Mining Company, serving in that capacity
in a most commendable manner for ten con-
secutive years. On the <Sth of March, 1902,
he was appointed postmaster of Assumption
and has since had charge of tlie office, con-
ducting its affairs in a systematic and busi-
nesshke manner which gives general satis-
faction to its patrons. He also served as
\illage clerk of Assumption in 1886 and at
all times has been found loyal to the trust
reposed in him. Fcm" sixteen years he has
been a director of the Assumption Building
.& Loan Association and for a time was also
its treasurer.

Mr. Watson was married in Assumption,
May 15, 1890, to Miss Laura Travis, a
daughter of Thomas M. and Jane G. (Bar-
rett ) Travis, the latter a daughter of M. L.
Barrett, who was one of the pioneer settlers
of Christian county, settling here in 1858.
Mr. Travis was a native of Pennsylvania
and in 1855 removed westward, settling in
Shelby county, Illinois. M. B. Travis, of
Chicago, Byron Travis, of Assumption, and
H. C. Travis are brothers of Mrs. Watson.
Unto Mr. Watson and his wife have been
born two sons : Leland and Myron.

A valued member of several fraternal or-
ganizations, Mr. Watson is now actively
identified with Ih'dwnwell Lodge, No. 451,
A. F. & A. M., and has filled all of its of-
fices, serving as its master for four terms.
He also belongs to Tecumseh Lodge, No.
683, L O. O. V. ; to the Modern Woodmen
of America; the Fraternal Army of Loyal
Americans; and the Mutual Protective
Leacfue. In the Presbyterian church, of
wdiich he has long been an active and leading
member, he is now serving as elder and is
the superintendent of the Sunday-school.

D. A. GRISWOLD.

D. A. Griswold, who is n.ow living in Blue
Mound, has for many years been one of the
most successful and prosperous agricul-
turists of Moscjuito township, ow'ning a well
improved and valuable farm under a high
state of cultivation. He is a native of Illi-
nois, his birth ha\ing occurred in Greene
county, this state, on the 31st of October,
1855, and is a son of Edgar and Lucy
( North) Griswold. wdio were natives of Ver-
mont and Illinois respectively. The father
came to this state in 1831, and here he pros-
pered in his farming operations, becoming
the owaier of fifteen hundred and sixty acres
of land, which he drained and improved.
F'ive hundred and sixty acres of this was in
Christian county.

D. A. Griswold is the sixth in order of
birth in a family of eleven children. During
his boyhood he attended the common schools
of Greene county and completed his educa-
tion in the high school of Greenfield. He
aided his father in the operation of the home
farm until twenty years of age and then
came to Christian county, where he culti-
vated his father's land for some time. He
is now the owner of two lumdred and forty
acres of fine farming land in Moscjuito town-
ship, wdiere the family resided for tw^enty-
eight years, but they are now living in Blue
Mound, wdiere he has residence property.
He also owns six hundred and forty acres of
land in southeastern Missouri. Recently he
has become interested in the Axle Skein Nut
Lock Company, a new manufacturing con-
cern of Pana. A man of keen discrimina-
tion and sound judgment, he has met with
excellent success in business affairs and is
accounted one of the most substantial citi-
zens of his community.

Mr. Griswold was married on the nth of
July, 1875, to Miss Etna Baldwin, wdio was

D. A. GRISWOLD AND FAMILY

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

243

born in 1856, a daughter of Francis and
Ag-nes (Bowman) Baldwin. Her father
was a native of Ohio and was one of the
early settlers of Greene county, Illinois, but
her mother was born in Tazewell county,
this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Griswold
have been born five children, as follows:
Lewis E., born in Greene county, has been
emplo}'ed as a government surveyor in
Louisiana and wSouth Carolina, where he is
now located. Lucy Agnes, born in Chris-
tian county, is the wife of Scott Davidson,
a farmer of this county. Marcus A., also
born in Christian county, died at the age of
twelve years. Harry E., l)orn in Christian
comity, is at home. Charles L., also born
here, died at the age of two years. The
family are members of the Christian church
and are people of prominence in the com-
munity where they reside. By his liallot
Mr. Griswold su])ports the men and meas-
ures of the Republican party, and for several
terms he has efficiently served as school di-
rector.

JULIUS SCKOWSKA.

Julius Sckowska, who is a representative
agriculturist of Christian county, was born
in Prussia in 1852, a son of John and Eve
Sckowska, both of whom were natives of the
same country. The son obtained his educa-
tion in the schools of his native land and
also in the common schools of America,
having come to the United States in 1867
when a youth of fifteen years. He first lo-
cated in Springfield, Illinois, and there be-
gan earning his living by working in a brick
yard. Subsequently he was employed as a
stone-mason for two years, but desirous of
entering upon an independent venture he
rented a farm in Sangamon county, which he
operated for three years, when he removed

to Christian county. He lived upon one
rented farm here for three years and then
rented three hundred and twenty acres near
Blue Mound in Macon county, where he
carried on agricultural pursuits for twenty
years. - On the expiration of that period he
bought two hundred and sixty acres of land
in Stonington township. The splendid ap-
pearance of his place is due entirely to his
enterprising efforts for he has made all of
the improvements upon it. He now has a
very valuable farm, the soil- being rich and
productive so that he annually harvests good
crops. The buiklings are substantial and
commodious and ex-erything about the place
is neat and thrifty in appearance, being in
keeping with the modern progressive spirit.
Mr. Sckowska also has an interest in manu-
facturing business in Pana, Illiiiois. His
career has been characterized by success ow-
ing to earnest and persistent labor and now
he is numbered among the substantial resi-
dents of his adopted county.

In March, 1873, Mr. Sckowska was united
in marriage to Miss Ellveria Kreegar, also
a native of Prussia, and their union has been
blessed with four children : John, who mar-
ried Clara demons and is living in Decatur ;
Bertha, Fred and Henry, all at home. The
family are all identified with the Lutheran
church and in the community where they
reside they are respected because of their
sterling worth. At one time Mr. Sckowska
was a member of the drainage board. In
starting out in life he had to borro\v money
with which to come to the United States and
to-day he is one of the leading and substantial
men of the county, his life history showing
what can be accomplished by perseverance
in the land of the free, where opportunity
is not hampered by caste or class. There
is no more l(W'al citizen of Christian county
than this adopted son, who is deeply inter-

244

PAST AND PRESENT

ested in everything pertaining to general im-
provement and is most faithful in all public
duties.

ALLEN B. SMITH.

.Xmong the leading young business men
of Christian county should lie numbered Al-
len P>. Smith, who has been identified with
the erain trade for several vears and to-da\-
owns and operates an elevator at Rosemond.
In his special line of business he has met with
good success and by the energy and zeal
which he has manifested he has won the
confidence and esteem of the public.

Mr. Smith was l^orn in- Norwood Park.
Chicago, on the i6th of December, 187 1.
shortly after the great fire in that city, and
is a son of Alexander and Harriet L. (Hem-
inewav) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania and
Connecticut, respectively. By occupation
the father was a contractor. In his family
were four children, three of whom are still
living, namely: Allen B., of this sketch;
Florence, wife of James Meikle, of Chicago;
and 1-rances, wife of Harry De^''elde. of
the same city.

During his Ixw'hood Allen B. Smith at-
tended the public schools of Chicago and
was graduated in the class of 1884. After
leaving school be entered the employ of Mor-
ris Plummer. a wholesale druggist of that
citv, as errand bov and citv buver and re-
mained with the firm one year. During
the following three years he was connected
with the freight claim department of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company
and for a vear and a half was wdth the James
H. W'alker wholesale dry goods house. On
account of failing health he left the city and
traveled through the west, finally coming to
Rosemond, Illinois, in 1893.

On the 6th of Septeml)er, 1893. Mr. Smith

was married in Rosemond to Miss Mabel
k. Dodsfe, a daughter of P. L. and Marie
A. (Chase) Dodge, now of Pana. Her
father was born in Montgomery county. New
York, June 10, 1843, ^"^^ '^^'^^ married in
1869 to Aliss Marie A. Chase. Her birth
occurred in Schuyler county, Illinois, and
her parents were William A. and Mary M.
(Cook) Chase, the former a native of Mas- \
sachusetts, the latter of Baltimore, Alary-
land. Mr. Dodge was treasurer of the Con-
o-reo-ational church at Rosemond for manv
vears, was also school treasurer about twen-
ty-five years and was prominent in the affairs
of both village and township. As a grain
merchant he carried on business at Rose-
luond for several years and at the time of
his retirement and removal to Pana was
the oldest representative of that line of in-
dustry in the town. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Smith have been 1)orn three children but
Chase died in infancy. He was given ]\Irs.
Dodge's maiden name. Those living arc
Frances E.. named for her aunt in Chicago;
and Marie Antoinette, named for her ma-
ternal grandmother.

After his marriage Mr. Sniitli removed
to Chicago but in ]\Iay, 1894, returned to
Rosemond, where he was in the employ of
his father-in-law in the grain and hay busi-
ness until about 1897, '^vhen he assumed con-
trol of the enterprise. He owns an elevator,
which has a capacity of fifteen thousand
bushels and which has been greatly remod-
eled by him by the ]uitting in of nev, ma-
chinery, including a car-loader and auto-
matic scale. He has also built a new l)arn
for the storage of baled hay. Mr. Smith
is now a stockholder and one of the lioard
of directors of the Metzger Hill Company,
of Cincinnati, Ohio, and on the ist of Octo-
ber. 1903. began acting as receiver and shi])-
per of grain and hay for that corporation,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

245

shipping the first month two hunchx-d car-
loads. He is a very energetic and eriter-
prising, business man .and these quahties
combined witli industrious habits liavc
brought to liim a web merited success.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Smith
has affibated with the Repubbcan party and
has served as school treasurer of his town-
ship since he began business for himself.
He is also filling the office of justice of the
peace at the present time. Both he and his
wife are earnest and cousistent members of
the First Congregational church of Rose-
UKMid and she takes a very active part in all
church work. Socially Mr. Smith V)elongs
to the Modern Woodmen of America and
Court of Houor at Rosemond and the Ma-
sonic order at Pana. He is popular in Ijoth
business and social circles, being a pleasant,
genial gentleman, and he has tlie respect
and confidence of all who know him.

FRED W. ANDERSON.

Honored and respected by all there is
no man who occupies a more enviable posi-
tion in the financial and commercial circles
of Taylorville than does Fred W. Anderson,
the ])resident of the First National Bank.
This is not alone on account of the brilliant
success he has achieved but also because of
the straightforward, honorable business pol-
icy he has ever followed. It is true that
he entered upon a business already estab-
lished but in enlarging and expanding the
enterprise many a man of less resolute spirit
would have failed but at all times his am-
bitious and progressiveness have been evenly
balanced by sound judgment and to-day he
is conducting an institution which may well
be termed one of the most reliable financial
concerns of this part of the state.

Mr. Anderson is a son of the late W. W.
and Martha L. (Wright) Anderson, who are
represented on another page of this volume.
His father was for many years one of the
distinguished citizens of this part of the
state. His mother, at the time of her mar-
riaoe to Mr. Anderson, was the widow of
Dr. Wright of Carlinville, Illinois, and her
father was Richard Randle, a physician and
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church, riding the circuit in southern Illi-
nois at an early ])eriod in the development
of this state. He was born in Georgia in
1800 and died in Taylorville in 1896, at the
extreme old age of ninety-six years. Mr.
Anderson of this review was one of five
children, and two of his sisters are now
living : Grace E., the wife of Fred C. Haw-
ley, of the Paddock-Hawley Iron Company,
of St. Louis, Missouri; and Julia W., of
Taylorville. Both are stockholders in the
First National Bank. Hiram R. Anderson,
the brother, died September 4. 1891, and
Nannie W. died in childhood.

A native son of Taylorville, iM'ed W.
Anderson was born September 19, 1865, and
pursued his early education in the public
schools wdiile later he attended the Wyman
Institute in Alton, Illinois, and the Wes-
levan University, in Bloomington. He then
became a student in the Peekskill Military
Academy, in Peekskill, New' York, and in
1885 he entered upon his business career
as a bookkeeper in his fathers bank.
Through this institution he has gradually
advanced as he has mastered all the details
of the business until he has attained the presi-
dency. On the I St of January, 1889, he was
elected assistant cashier. His brother Hi-
ram was the first cashier of the institution
but was obliged to resign on account of ill
health and was succeeded by our subject on
the 2d of January, 1890. He filled that po-

24G

PAST AND PRESENT

sition until after the death of his father in

1893. when he assumed the duties of the
presidency, and on the loth of January,

1894. he was formally elected. As the head
of the hank he has instituted a ])olicy that
has met with pul)lic approval as indicated
hv the liheral patronage accorded the insti-
tution, and during- his presidency the sur-
plus and undivided profits liave increased
from fifteen thousand to eighty thousand dol-
lars and the deposits from two hundred
thousand to five hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. The hank has always paid good
dividends and the First National is an en-
terprise of marked value to Taylorville and
the surrounding country. The interior was
entirely remodeled in 1903 and it is now one
of the most modern institutions of the kind
in the state. There is a safety deposit vault
for the private use of customers. The oifice
fixtures are of marble and enameled steel.
Mr. Anderson is also a director in the Pana
National Bank and has been the president
of the Taylorville Electric Company since
1894. succeeding his father in that position.

On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Anderson
was united in marriage to Miss Adelia B.
Sanders, of San Antonio, Texas, and the
hospitality of their beautiful home makes it
the center of a cultured society circle. Mr.
Anderson belongs to Mound Lodge, No. 122,
A. F. & A. M. ; Mystic Lodge, No. 64, K. P.
For several years he has been the president
of the Commercial Club of Taylorville and
is always associated with the most enterpris-
ing cttizens in the promotion of any move-
ment for the welfare, progress and expansion
of the city. He is a man of unusual social
qualities, being royally endowed with those
traits of character which win and extend
friendship. He is a gentleman in the truest
and highest sense of the term and Taylorville
numbers him among her honored sons.

LEWLS r.ARTLFTT.

The deserved reward of a well spent life
is an honored retirement fnmi business, in
which to enjoy the fruits of former toil.
To-day, after a useful and beneficial career,
Mr. Bartlett is quietly living at his pleasant
home in Mount Auburn, surrounded by the
comfort that earnest labor has brought him.
For many years he was actively engaged in
agricultural pursuits and he and his wife still
own a large and valuable farm in this
county.

Mr. Bartlett was born in Mississippi, on
the 22d of December, 1849, and is a son of
Elijah and Marcella (Jones) Bartlett, who
were natives of Kentucky and Alabama, re-
spectively. The father died in Mississippi
and the mother and her children subsequent-
ly removed to Kentucky and in 1856 came
to Illinois, locating near Mechanicsburg.
She married again, her second husband be-
ing Peter Hooper. They located on Mos-
quito creek in Christian county, where they
made their home until 1863. By her first
marriage Mrs. Hooper had five children,
four of whom are still living, namely : Mar-
tha, the wife of William Flunter, now living
in Iowa; Mary, who is the widow of John
Patrick, and makes her home near FTam-
mond, Illinois ; William, who lives on the
Sangamon river in Christian county, Illi-
nois ; and Lewis, of this review.

Lewis Bartlett acquired but a limited edu-
cation in tlie district schools near his boy-
hood home, luit his training at farm work
was not so meager and he aided in the opera-
tion of the home farm until twenty-two
years of age. On tiie 9th of March, t88i,
he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
Cannon, a daughter of John and Martha
Jane (Hunter) Cannon. Her father was a
native of Ohio, but her mother was born in
Illinois. On first coming to this state Mr.

LEWIS BARTLETT.

JOHN CANNON

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

249

Cannon located in Macon county, but after-
ward removed to Christian county, settling
on a farm four miles north of Mount Au-
burn in Mosquito township. He purchased
one hundred and forty-four acres of wild
prairie land whicli he converted into a good
farm, erecting all of the buildings thereon,
and he made his home there until his death,
which occurred in March, 1874. His wife
died in 1868. They were the parents of
three children, all daughters, of whom Mrs.
Bartlett is now the only survivor. A daugh-
ter was Ijorn to our subject and his wife, but
died in infancy.

The first farm that Mr. Bartlett owned
was in Kansas, where in 1871 he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of government
land. On his return to Christian county, he
traded that property for forty-five acres of
land in Moscjuito township and then pur-
chased forty acres more. He has since ad-
ded to his landed possessions from time
to time until he and his wife now own four
hundred and fiftv-one acres of fine farming
land, she having inherited her father's farm.
To the cultivation and improvement of his
place Mr. Bartlett devoted his time and en-
ergies until October, 1903, when he removed
to Mount Auburn, having purchased four
lots in that town and built thereon a nice
nine room residence with modern conveni-
ences and also a large barn. Here he is now
living retired, enjoying a well earned rest.

Fraternally Mr. Bartlett is a member of
the Masonic Order, and ])olitically he is
identified with the Democratic party, though
at local elections he generally votes for the
man whom he believes best qualified for
office, regardless of party lines. He and his
wife are widely and favorably known in the
county which has so long been their home,
and those who know them best are numbered
among their warmest friends.

WILLIAM E. SANDS.

William E. Sands, whose home is on sec-
tion 21, Mount Auburn township, belongs
to that class of men whom the world terms
self-made, for commencing life empty-hand-
ed he has conquered the obstacles in the path
of success and has not only secured for him-
self a good home and competence but by his
efforts has materially advanced the interests
of the community in which he lives.

Mr. Sands was born in Clermont county,
Ohio, September 27, 1838, a son of Reuben
and Elizabeth (Irwin) Sands, who were
also born in the east. The father died be-
fore the birth of our subject and the mother
subsequently removed to Kentucky, where
she passed away in 1849. Thus Mr, Sands
was left an orphan at the age of eleven years
and having no relatives to care for him he
went to live with strangers for whom he
worked as a farm hand. He had. accompa-
nied his mother on her removal to Kentucky
but at the age of fifteen he returned to Ohio
and located in Bethel, where he worked at
grinding bark in the tanyard belonging to
the father of General Grant, receiving three
dollars per month for his services.

After three years spent in this way Mr.
Sands came to Illinois with the hope of col-
lecting money which his mother had left with
people living in Schuyler county but he never
received a cent of what was due him. He
then located in Cass county, this state, where
he worked on a farm during the summer
and attended school for about two months
during the winter, working in the early
morning and at night for his board. He
remained there until 1862 and for one year
engaged in farming on his own account upon
rented land. Coming to Christian county,
he rented land of James C. Conklin through-
out the greater part of the time until 1881,

250

PAST AND PRESENT

operating a farm on section u. Monnt An-
l)nrn township, where the village of Monnt
Anhnrn is now located. He took np liis
residence upon his present farm in 1881,
lia\ ing the year i)revious purchased one hun-
dred and twenty acres on sections 21 and
22, which he has placed under a high state
of cultivation and improved with good and
suhstantial huildings, which stand as monu-
ments to his thrift and enterprise. Tie has a
nice home, where surrounded hy all the com-
forts which make life worth the living, he
is now living retired, having laid aside the
active duties of the farm ahout thirteen years

ago.

Mr. Sands was married in 1861 to Miss
fane Dunn, a daughter of Thomas Dunn,
who was one of the early settlers of Mount
Auhurn township, having located there in
1856. She is one of a family of six children,
three sons and three daughters, the others
heing Mary, Joseph and Anna, who all died
in England; John, a resident of Mount Au-
hurn township, this county; and Richard, a
resident of Mosquito township. Mrs. Sands
was horn in Cornwall, England, Fehruary 4,
1836. and was twenty years of age when she
came with the f.amily to Illinois. She was
visitine a cousin, Luke Dunn, in Cass conn-
tv, when she hecame accpiainted witli Mr.
Sands. They have three children : I'^dwin,
who is married and follows farming in Ricks
township, this county; Charles, who is mar-
ried and is a memher of the firm of Sands,
Miller & Company, of Stonington; and Cora
Belle, the wife of J. W. Coleman, who now
rents and operates our suhject's farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Sands are faithful memhers
of the Methodist Epi.scopal church and are
most estimable ])eoi)le. He belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of .America and is iden-
tified with the Republican party, casting his
first vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1858

he drove across the country to Rushvillc in.
order to hear Lincoln speak. A black ilag
lloated over the courthouse in which he made
his speech, it being called the emblem of the
Republican parly by the Democrats at that
time. \'(>Y twenty-one years Mr. Sands filled
the office of school director and has ever
taken an active interest in those measures
calculated to advance the public welfare.
I le is a man respected and honored wher-
ever known and most of all where he is best
known.

FRANKLIN P. SAILSBERY.

Franklin P. Sailsbery, whose well improved
farm on section 3, Stonington township, is
the indication of the life of thrift and enter-
prise which he has led, was born April 30.
1852, in Ohio. His parents were Elias and
Sally Ann (Clcmons) Sailsbery. both na-
tives of Ohio, and the latter a daughter of
Chesterfield and b\annie demons, who were
born in New York. In lSC^y the parents of
our subject came to Illinois, locating in
Christian county, where Mr. Sailsbery, Sr.,
purchased eighty acres of land. Later he
bouo-bt twenty acres of timber land and also
one hundred and sixty acres in Kansas. In
his business afTairs he prospered, enjoying
the success which comes as a reward of en-
ergy, diligence and determination. Unto
him and his wife were born ten children, of
whom our subject is the sixth in order of
birth. The mother is still living at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-one years and yet en-
joys good health. She makes her home
with her son b^-anklin.

In the district schools of Indiana and Illi-
nois iM-anklin P. Sailsbery accjuired his edu-
cation and under the parental roof he spewt
the days of his early boyhood. He started
out to earn his own living, however, when a

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

251

young man of nineteen years, working by
the month as a farm hand. He was thus
employed for three years, at the end of which
time he purchased eighty acres of land, where
he now resides. As his financial resources
have increased he has added to his property
from time to time until he now owns four
hundred acres of very valuable farming land,
all of which is well improved. At one time
he engaged in operating the land unon which
the town of Stonington now stands, farm-
ing that property for four years. He had
hut forty-fi^•e dollars when he was first mar-
ried and with this meager capital he started
out in life graduall}' working his way up-
ward until he is now one of the prosperous
and enterprising agriculturists of his coun-
ty. He has just completed a fine large barn
upon the home place and the other impr()\-e-
ments there are in keeping with this struc-
ture. When his farm came into his jios-
session the land was all raw and unimproved,
but with characteristic energy he began its
development and as the years passed he has
made his farm one of the best in all this
section of the state.

On the 28th of January. 1875, ^^^'- Sails-
bery was united in marriage to Miss Eliz-
abeth Deckert and unto them were born
twelve children: Willie C, who married
Miss Sarah Ellen Durbin and is now en-
gaged in farming in Burkhart township,
Christian county; Oscar, deceased; Eranklin
E., who is married and resides near Green-
ville, Illinois; George V., who died at the
age of two years; Evert M., who is living
at home; Pearl E., the wife of Chester L.
Diveley, who is engaged in the confectionery
Imsincss in Chicago. Illinois; Bemine D..
Stella R., Milas P., Roy and Ray, twins, and
Rogers E., all living at home. The mother
passed away on December 12, 1893, and on
May 10, 1894, Mr. Sailsbery was again

married, his second union being with Miss
Harriet Beihl, who was born May 3, 1863,
a daughter of John and Margaret (Powels)
Beihl, both of whom were natives of Ger-
many, whence they came to the United
States in 1842. They first located in St.
Louis, but after six months removed to
Beardstown, Illinois, where Mr. Beihl pur-
chased eighty acres of land and engaged
in farming. He died July 30, 1876, while
his wife, long sur\'iving him, passed away
September 22, 1902. By the second marriage
of Mr. Sailsbery there are two children :
Hazel M., born October 4, 1896; and Eern
Viola, born September 4, 1900.

Mr. Sailsbery and his family are members
of the Reformed church in Stonington and
he l)elongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp.
His is a most creditable life record and he
receives the respect of his fellow men be-
cause of ^^•hat he has accomplished. In all
his Ijusiness dealings he has been strictly hon-
orable, never taking advantage of the neces-
sities of his fellow men in any trade trans-
action. Moreover, he has lieen extremely
diligent, laboring earnestly year after year
with unremitting zeal in order to win suc-
cess. He started out with no family or
pecuniary advantages to aid him and placed
his dependence upon earnest, persistent ef-
fort, which is the real foundation of all -pros-
perity. In this way he has gradually ad-
vanced until he now occupies a very credit-
alile and honoralile position among the most
substantial farmers of his county.

Z. E. BATES.

With the farming and stock-raising inter-
ests of Locust townshi}) this gentleman has
been identified for over a third of a cen-
tury and is to-day numbered among the
leading agriculturists of the community. His

252

PAST AND TRESENT

home is on section 30. A native of Illinois,
he was horn in Sangamon connty, on the
1 2th of Jannarv. 1836. and is a son of Oli-
ver and Charity (Buckman) Bates, who
were natives of Massachusetts and Vermont,
respectively. In 1833 they came to Illinois
and continued to make their home in this
state until called to their final rest, the father
dying- in April. 1865. and the mother in
March. 1873.

The district schools of this state afforded
our subject the educational privileges he
enjoyed during his l)oyhood and youth.
After leaving school he worked on his fath-
er's farm and took care of the stock during
the winter until thirty-three years of age.
He then located on his present farm in Lo-
cust township, where he first purchased three
hundred acres of land in 1866. Since then
he has extended the Ijoundaries of his farm
and now has three hundred and forty-two
acres. The well tilled fields yield abundantly
and the neat and thrifty appearance of the
place indicates the supervision of a careful
and painstaking owner.

Mr. Bates was married in 1868. the lady
of his choice being Mrs. Joanna S. Ellis,
a daughter of J. H. and Catherine IMurry,
of Ohio, and to them have been born
the following named children : Roxanna
C, now the wife of Lyman G. Gundy, of
Taylorville; Mary M. ; Josephine, the wife
of Brace D. Shrantf^,onow living in Calcutta,
Indiana; Z. F.. Jr. ;, Oliver C. ; Edward H. ;
Harriet H., who is alttending high school in
Taylorville; Charles C. who died at the
age of twenty years; and Elizabeth A., who
died at the age of one year. Mrs. Bates is
an earnest member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and Mr. Bates holds member-
ship in the Masonic lodge, No. 62^, of
Ow^aneco. The Democratic party finds in
him a stanch supporter of its principles and

he has held many public positions of honor
and trust. ha\ing filled most of the township
oftices. I'Dr seven or eight years he served
as supervisor and his ofticial duties were al-
ways performed in an able and satisfactory
manner.

DANIEL DOYLE.

Daniel Doyle is a retired farmer of Tay-
lorville and one of the extensive landowners
of Christian county, his property possessions
ao-p-regating nine hundred acres. His has
been an active and useful career and one
that should serve as a source of inspiration
and encouragement to others, for it proves
what can be accomplished by one wdio starts
out in life empty handed if possessed of earn-
est purpose and unfaltering determination.

Mr. Doyle is a native of the Emerald Isle,
his birth having occurred there in June, 183 1.
His parents were Patrick and ^Margaret
Doyle, and the former died in Ireland in
1844. The mother afterward came to this
country with her son Daniel, who settled
in Sangamon county, Illinois, the year of
their emigration being 1851. He had ob-
tained his education in tlie schools of his
native country and he started out upon his
business career by working by the month.
He was thus employed for a number of
years and \\hen he felt that he could profit-
ably engage in farming on his own account
he rented land in Sangamon county, where
he lived for eighteen years. He then came
to Christian county in September, 1868, and
purchased one hundred and forty acres of
land in Stonington township. As his finan-
cial resources increased he added to his
])roperty fn^m time to time until his landed
])ossessions now aggregate nine hundred
acres, which are very rich and valuable. For
many years he continued farming and

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

253

his methods were progressive, prac-
tical and therefore were crowned with
good results. In 1896, however, he
decided to put aside further business
cares and spend his remaining days
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former
toil. He had devoted his attention to the
raising of grain and to feeding stock and
in both departments of his business he gained
success. On leaving the farm he took up
his abode in Taylorville, where he now re-
sides — one of the respected and esteemed
citizens of the county and state.

In 1858 Mr. Doyle was united in marriage
to Miss Mary Kerwin, who was born in
Ireland in 1836. and at the time of her mar-
riage was a resident of Waverly, Illinois.
This union has been blessed with eight chil-
dren : Patrick, now deceased; James, who
is married and lives in Springfield, Illinois; .
Margaret and Johanna, who have also passed
away ; Lawrence, who resides in Stonington,
Illinois; Jerry J., who is married and lives
at home; Daniel D., who is married and is
located in Stonington; and Mollie, the wife
of Tony May, a resident of Morrisonville.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Doyle hold member-
ship in the Catholic church. In politics he
is an earnest Democrat and has been hon-
ored with several public positions by his
fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth
and ability. For nine years he served as
road commissioner, was for nine years a
school dh'ector and is now serving as alder-
man in Taylorville from the third ward.
Lie was well acquainted with both A.braham
Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas while a
resident of Sangamon county. Mr. Doyle
is numbered among the early settlers of Illi-
nois. When he first went to St. Louis, Mis-
souri, there was no railroad there and the
work of progress and improvement in this
portion of the country was still in its primi-

tive stage. He has taken an active part in
public advancement along agricultural lines
and while winning a splendid success for
himself his eflforts have been also of value
in promoting the general welfare. Strictly
honorable in all his dealings he has won his
prosperity by methods that will bear the
closest investigation and scrutiny.

JAMES H. DOWNS.

No history of Christian county or this
portion of the state would be complete with-
out mention of James H. Downs, for many
years a leading agriculturist and now living
a retired life. He was identified with the
state in pioneer times, shared in the hard-
shi])s and privations incident to the estab-
lishment of a home upon the frontier, and
to-day, having gained prosperity through
well directed and honorable effort, he is
enjoying the well earned rest from further
labor and owns and occupies the most beau-
tiful home in Assumption — a residence
which would be a credit to any city.

Mr. Downs was born in Delaware county,
Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1837. His father
Elections Downs, was born in Virginia, Oc-
tober 13, 1803, and soon afterward the fam-
ily removed to Maryland and later to Ohio.
The grandfather died at the home of his son
Elections in Ridge township, Shelby coun-
ty, Illinois. The latter resided successively
in the different states mentioned and became
one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby county.
He married Miss Mary Ann Stiffler, who was
born in Washington county, Maryland, Oc-
tober 26, 1800. Her mother, who bore the
same name, lived to the very advanced age
of one hundred and four years. After their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Downs resided for
a time in Hagerstown, Maryland, and then
removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where

254

PAST AND PRESENT

they resided until 1S43, when they settled
in Ridge township. Shelln- cnunly, Illinois.
For many years the father carried on farm-
ing there rnid assisted in the ])ioncer de-
velopment of the locality. He died August
18, 1873, and his wife passed awa\' July 29,
1881.

Our subject was the seventh in order of
birth in their family of eight children and
was eight years of age at the time of the
removal of the family to Illinois. He was
educated in a subscription school, held in a
little log Iniilding. attending for about three
months in the cold season of the year, wdiile
throughout the remainder of the year he
worked on the home farm. The country
w ;is all w ild and his father entered his first
land, a (juarter section, at a dollar and a quar-
ter per acre. He had to go fifty miles to
Springfield to mill and dro\e his hogs to
the St. Louis market, it being necessary to
take some teams in order to haul feed for
the hogs. Often on these trips they had to
camp out in the snow at nights. Mr. Downs
has used a wooden moldboard plow and
reap-hook when working in the fields hi an
early day. The family raised their owm
flax, made their own thi-ead. sheared their
sheep and carded and sj)un the wool and
wove the clotli from which the dresses of
the girls were made. Game of various kinds
was plentiful and Mr. Dcnvns has .seen as
high as twenty-four head of deer at a single
time. He has killed two wild geese with
a single shot and has also brought dow-n
prairie chickens in the same way. There
were al.so many wolves on the prairies. The
home farm which his father secured is still
in possession of our subject, also the land
which was entered by his wife's father in
1840. Besides these tracts he owns an in-
terest in tw-Q coal shafts in Christian county,
twenty lots in the city of Decatur, and prop-

erty- in Ridge and hlat Uranch townships,
Shelby county, together with one thousand
acres on the Mississijijji ri\er, his holdings
aggregating twelve hundred and thirty acres
in Shelby and Christian counties, exclusive
of his properly interests ni the south.

Mr. Downs was united in marriage to
Miss Jane Oiler, a daughter of Wdliam and
Eliza (Johnson) Oiler. The father was born
in \'irginia. Mav 3, 1818, and the mother
in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, September
22, 182 1. In 1840 he settled in Shelby coun-
ty, Illinois, where he entered a quarter sec-
tion of land at a dollar and a f|uarter per
.acre, adjoining the tract on which the Downs
family settled. He, too, underwent all the
experiences of life in a frontier chstrict. He
plowed his land for his first crop of corn
with but a single ox. but the fields yielded
fruitfully as he harvested from sixty to sev-
enty bushels to the acre. He checl July 31,
1874, and his wife passed away in Shelby-
ville. Illinois, April 6, 1899. In the family
were eight children, six of whom reached
adult life, while five are still living. Henry,
the eldest, died May 18, 1903. Eunice died
in early girlhood. Mrs. Downs is the next
younger. iMargaret is the wife of John N.
Warner, of Illinois. Olive F. is living in
Fort Worth. Texas. Mrs. Downs pursued
her education in a log schoolhouse, seated
with slal) benches, and she, too, became fa-
miliar with pioneer conditions and experi-
ences such as came to the Downs family.

Unto yir. and Mrs. Dow ns were born four
children : Jennie, now the wife of Dr. A. P
Rocky, of Assumption, by whom she has
one daughter, Stella, born on the iStli of
May, 1886 : William E., who died in infancy ;
Dora A., the wife of John J. Smith, of Ridge
township. Shelby county, and the mother of
three children — Ruth. Daniel, named for his
grandfather, and fohn I., for his father; and

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

255

Ora B.. now the wife of W. S. Ridgely, of
Taylorville.

While residing- in Shel1)y county Mr.
Downs served for six years as township
trustee and was always actively interested in
measures for the puhlic good although his
attention was chiefly directed to his farming
pursuits. He always had his pastures filled
with a good grade of stock, and he developed
one of the finest farms of his part of the
state. He built thereon a splendid brick
residence at a cost of five thousand dollars —
one of the most magiiificent country homes
in Shelby county. At length, however, wish-
ing to spend his remaining days in retire-
ment from labor, he removed to Assumption,
where he built a modern home. It might
well be termed a palatial residence. The
house, which is surrounded by a large veran-
da, is the finest in Assumption. It is finished
throughout in hard wood, is lighted by elec-
tricity and lias all the modern improvements
of the oiost advanced home of the city. The
plans were drawn l)y his daughter and sub-
mitted ,to an architect and builder of De-
catur. The interior decorations are most
tasteful, including everything that wealth
can secure and refined taste suggest, and the
walls of the house are adorned with many
beautiful paintings which are the work of
his daughter. Concrete walks are around
the house and the lawn is splendidly kept
and adorned with Ijeautiful flowers and
trees. Such a home does Mr. Downs and his
estimable wife well deserve, for he has led
a very active life, characterized by integrity
and straightforward dealing, and she, too,
has borne her part in managing the house-
hold affairs.

1 6. He was born in this township in 1855,
a son of John Ruby, who came to Christian
county in the spring of 185 1. He removed
to Ohio from Pennsylvania eleven years
])rior to that time and located near Spring-
field, that state, wdience he came to the farm
on which his son Edwin nof resides in Chris-
tian county, Illinois. His wife bore the
maiden name of Leah Klindfelder and she,
too, was a native of Pennsylvania. In his
farming operations Mr. Ruby was very suc-
cessful and was the owner of the farm of
two hundred and twenty-two acres of rich
land upon which Edwin Ruby now resides.
He used frequently to tell tales of how wild
the country was when he first entered it, also
f its swampy condition, for the work of

EDWIN RUBY.
Edwin Rul)y is a resident farmer of Tay-
lorville township, his home being on section

cultivation and improvement had scarcely
been begun. There were many wild deer
tO' be seen on the prairies and wild game of
various kind was to be had in abundance.
It was the work of such enterprising and dili-
gent early settlers as Mr. Ruliy that led to
the present prosperous and improved con-
dition of the county as we find it to-day.
In the family three sons who served in the
L^nion Army gave tlieir lives for the Union
cause. Henry was killed at the battle of
Chickamauga; Washington, after being in-
carcerated in Andersonville prison for
eighteen months, was paroled and started
home, but ere reaching his destination he
liecame ill and died and his family have yet
been unable to discover where he was buried ;
Levi while serving in the Union cause, be-
came ill and died at Eranklin, Tennessee.
There are also four living sons of this fam-
ily : Edwin. J. W., Albert and Zachariah.
In taking up the personal history of Ed-
win Ruby we present to our readers the life
record of one who is widely and favorably
known in Christian county for he has always
lived within its borders. He was reared to

25<;

PAST AND PRESENT

farm work, no event of special importance
occurring to vary the routine of that Hfc
for him in his l)oyhoo(l days. In December,
1878, he was united in marriage to Miss
Amanda ilill. a native of Bloomficid, Davis
county, Iowa. Her parents were at one
time residents of Gallia county, Ohio, living
near Rodney, whence they emigrated west-
ward about 1843 ''^"<^ ^'<^s^ '1^ their lot with
the early settlers of Iowa. In 1874- they re-
moved from that state to Kansas. The father
was a farmer and brick maker and by fol-
lowing these pursuits provided for his fam-
ily. Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Ruby have been
born four children who are yet living, wdiile
two have passed away. Those who still sur-
vive are Orvil, who has spent three years
as a student in the liigh school of Taylor-
ville ; Effie, at home ; and Elmer and Ela-
nora, who are in school.

The parents hold membership in the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, contribute liberally
to its support and take an active and help-
ful interest in its work. Theirs is a most
congenial marriage relation and their home
is largely an ideal one. The interest of both
Mr. and Mrs. Ruby centers there and it
seems that neither can do too much to en-
hance the personal welfare and happiness of
the other. Politicaly Mr. Ruby is a Demo-
crat and keeping well informed on the ques-
tions and issues of the day is thus enabled
to support his position by intelligent argu-
ment. He has served as a school director
since 1897 and the cause of education finds
in him a warm friend. He belongs to the
Anti-Horse Thief Association, to the Fra-
ternal Army, to the Court of Honor and the
Modern Woodmen of America. He is a
man of strong purpose, fearless in advocacy
of his honest convictions, active and straight-
forward in business and loyal in citizenship.

- W. T. BRIDGES, M. D.

In the ranks of the professional men in
Christian county stands \V. T. Bridges, who
occupies a foremost place as a representa-
tive of the medical fraternity. He has al-
ways kept a1)reast with the times, having a
zealous and acti\"e interest in his profession
and as the years have advanced he has con-
stantly increased his efficiency through read-
ing, investigation and experience. He w'as
born March 21, i860, in Fayette county, Il-
linois, a son of James and Sarah Jane (Stur-
geon) Bridges. The father was born in
Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1850 came to
Illinois. He was a farmer by occupation
and tor many years engaged in agricultural
pursuits, but is now living retired in Ram-
sey, Illinois,

Upon the home farm Dr. Bridges was
reared and his early education was acquired
in the public schools of Fayette county. He
afterward became a student in the State
Normal School of Indiana at Valparaiso,
and subsequently he began teaching in Fay-
ette county, following that profession for
al)out four years, a part of which time was
spent in Montgomery county. Deciding,
however, to make the practice of medicine
his life work, he entered the office of Dr.
W. P. Gordon, of Carlisle, Illinois, who
directed his reading for three months, at
the end of which time he was taken ill with
typhoid fever. He afterward continued his
studies with Dr. Gordon for a year and in
1885 entered the Missouri Medical College
at St. Louis and completing the regular
course there was graduated in the class of
1888.

Dr. Bridges began practicing in Walnut
Hill, Illinois, and subsequently removed to
Aviston, Illinois, where he remained for
fourteen months. He next established his
home in Illiopolis, this state, where he re-

DR. W. T. BRIDGES

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

259

niaiiicd for live years and then, seeking a
l)roader field of labor, he came to Stoning-
ton, where he arrived rni the 17th of Decem-
ber, 1894. During tlie nine years of his
residence in this place he has won the public
confidence for liis skill and ability and also
by reason of his fidelity to the ethics of the
])rofession.

On the I St of May, 1891, Dr. Bridges
was united in marriage to Miss Mammie P.
Constant, a daughter of J. W. Constant,
aufl a native of Illiopolis, Illinois. They
held membership in the Baptist church and
the Doctor became a charter member of the
church in Stonington. in which he is yet act-
ively interested, serving as one of its dea-
cons, while in the Sunday school he acts as
a teacher. His political support is given
to the Democracy and he has served as town
clerk for one term. Socially he is connected
with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, with
the Court of Honor, the Fraternal Army
and the Royal Circle. Matters pertaining
to the public progress and improvement
elicit liis attention and many times re-
cei\e his hearty co-operation. The Doctor
owns the independent telephone system of
Stonington which now operates one hundred
and thirty phones. He is progressive in all
life's relations and no more so than in his
l)rofession, in which he has made continual
improvement and advancement. He is now
a memljer oi the County Medical Society.
is serxing as its secretarv and treasurer, and
was tlie original organizer. He also be-
longs to the Decatur Medical Society and
the District Medical Society, which holds its
meeting in Pana, Illinois. He likewise is a
member of the State Medical Association
and the American Medical Association and
he keeps thoroughly informed concerning
any ideas advanced by the profession, read-
ily adopting such as he believes will prove
15

of material benefit in his work of alleviating
human suffering. The Doctor is examiner
for the Court of Honor, the Royal Circle;
Fraternal Army of Loyal Workmen, the
New York Life Insurance Company, Frank-
lin Life Insurance Company of Springfield,
and Aetna Life Insurance Company. New
York.

LOUIS SCHLIERBACH.

Louis Schlierbach was a young man of
but eighteen years when he came from his
native country, Germany, to America de-
pendent upon his own resources. From that
time he has steadily worked his way up-
ward cuid is now one of the successful busi-
ness men of Pana, as well as one of its most
highly esteemed and respected citizens. He
was born September 4, 1831, in Germany,
his parents being Louis and Sophia Schlier-
bach. His father, a native of Germany,
came to the United States in the year 1855
and took up his abode in Madison county,
Illinois, where he remained for ten months.
He then came to Pana in 1856 and was one
of its earliest settlers. He afterward worked
in a liarness shop with his son and his last
days were spent in this city.

Louis Schlierbach acquired his education
in schools of the fatherland and there learned
the harness-making trade, which he followed
in connection with his father until 1849. Re-
lieving that he might have better opportu-
nities in the new world, he then made ar-
rangements to cross the Atlantic to America.
Taking passage on a westward bound sailing
vessel he landed at New York, where he
worked at his trade until 1856. In that
year he came to Pana and opened a harness
shop, in which he w^as joined by his father.
The business has since been carried on with-
out interruption and Mr. Schlierbach is one

260

PAST AND PRESENT

of the leading harness dealers in this county.
In iSrx) lie built a brick building, which lie
now occupies, lie carries a complete line
of harness and saddlery and seven years ago
he added to his stock a line of buggies, wag-
ons and farm implements. His trade is
now (|uite extensive and his business there-
fore yields him a good remuneration. He
has won his prosperity through honorable
methods, careful management and judicious
purchases and there is much that is com-
mendal)le in his business career.

In 1858 Mr. Schlierbach was united in
marriage to Miss Louise Bucksenschutz, and
after her death he wedded her sister. Minnie,
the latter marriage being celebrated in i860.
There are four children of this union : Theo-
dore, who is now living in Chicago ; Louise,
who is married and resides in Minneapolis;
Henrietta, who is married and is living in
Pana; and Fred, who makes his home in
Springfield.

Mr. and Mrs. Schlierbach belonged to the
Presbyterian church and socially he is con-
nected with the Masonic fraternity_ and with
tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows at
Pana. In his political affiliations he is a
Republican, having supported the party con-
tinuously since its organization. He is one
of the oldest settlers of Pana, there being
nothing but a railroad crossing when he
located here. He had to build a house to
live in because there was none that could
be rented. In fact, there was only one house
in the town and grain was growing where
beautiful homes and substantial business
blocks are now standing. Mr. Schlierbach
has always taken an active interest in every-
thing which he believed to be for the wel-
fare of the town. He had only one dollar
and a half when he landed in New York and
therefore all that he possesses has been ac-
quired entirely through his ow^i efforts. He

has earned for himself an enviable reputa- ^
tion as a careful man of Imsiness and in his
dealings is known for his prompt and honor-
able methods which have won him the de-
served and unqualilied confidence of his fel-
low men.

E. A. HIGGINBOTHAM.

Over twenty years have passed since E.
A. Higginbotham became a factor in mer-
cantile circles in Clarksdale, where he be-
uan business on a small scale as a grocer.
Fie has steadily increased his stock to meet
the growing demands of his trade and now
has a store which would do credit to a place
of much greater size. His business reputa-
tion, too, is unassailable, for his enterprise
and honorable methods have commended
him to all.

Mr. Higginbotham was born in Christian
county, Kentucky, December 24, 1861, a son *
of Aaron and Martha (Gladish) Higgin-
I'otham. His father, wdio was a farmer by
occupation, died in February, 1873, and the
mother departed this life in 1863 when our
subject was only two years old. On the
9th of Fel)ruary, 1877, he came to Christian
county, Illinois, and was reared and edu-
cated in Taylorville. pursuing his studies
in the east ward school. At the age of six-
teen years he began earning his own living,
by working as a farm hand by the month
and in this way gained a start in life. Hav-
ing saved one hundred and fifty dollars he
embarked in the grocery business at his pres-
ent location in Clarksdale on the 7th of
March, 1883, though the old store building
has been replaced by a nice modern structure,
sixty by twenty-four feet and two stories
in height with a basement. This w^as built
in April, 1903, and is stocked with a good
line of general merchandise. He carries ev-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

2G1

erything usually found in a general store,
including hardware, and also conducts a
meat market. Prosperity has attended his
well directed efforts and besides the store
building which he himself occupies, he owns
the adjoining store and as a member of the
firm of Larkin & Higginbotham has eight
lots in the northern part of the village, three
residences and an acre of land just at the
edge of town.

On the 19th of May, 1884, Mr. Higgin-
botham married Miss Minnie L. Clark, a
daughter of Lee A. Clark, one of Christian
county's most distinguished citizens. He
served as county judge for some years and
filled nearly all of the other county offices.
He was a native of Kentucky but the greater
part of his life was passed in this state,
where he died in 1867. His widow is still
a resident of Taylorville. Mr. and Mrs.
Higginbotham have eight children, namely :
Ida P.; Jessie M. ; Eddie Lee; Edna A.;
Rachel E., who died at the age of eleven
months and twenty-four days; Byron and
Laura, twins ; and Hulda H.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham
favor the Methodist Episcopal church, and
socially he belongs to Mound Lodge, No.
122, A. F. & A. M., of Taylorville, and
also to the Fraternal Army of America and
the Modern Woodmen of America. Po-
litically he is identified with the Democratic
party. He takes an active interest in educa-
tional affairs, having served six years as
school treasurer, and is now one of the school
directors. His time, however, is principally
devoted to his business interests and it is
through his own industry and perseverance
that he has succeeded in life for he had no
capital with which to aid him when he be-
gan his business career and the success that
has attended his efforts is certainly justly
merited.

A. P. ROCKEY, M. D.

Dr. A. P. Rockey, who, since 1886, has
engaged in the practice of his profession in
Assumption and is making a specialty of
surgery, is so well qualified in his chosen
calling that he has long since left the ranks
of the many to stand among the successful
few, and is to-day one of the leading phy-
sicians of Christian county. He realizes that
the profession is continually advancing and
close study and thorough research have en-
abled him to keep abreast with the onward
march.

Dr. Rockey was born in Baltimore, Fair-
field county, Ohio, a son of L. L. and Sophia
Rockey, both of whom were natives of Ohio
and were representatives of pioneer families
of that state. In their family were eight
children, of whom the Doctor is the eldest.
He attended the public schools of his native
town and continued his education in Dela-
ware and Pleasantville, Ohio, and also pur-
sued a commercial course in Eastman's Busi-
ness College, at Poughkeepsie, New York.
A thorough preliminary training well pre-
pared him to take up the preparation which
would fit him for professional life as a prac-
titioner of medicine and surgery. He at-
tended his first course of lectures in the Co-
lumbus Medical College, and afterward en-
tered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincin-
nati, where he completed his studies by grad-
uation. He entered upon the practice in
Hinton, Shelby county, Illinois, April 3,
1876, and in 1886 came to Assumption,
wdiere he has since remained, being now the
senior partner of the firm of Rockey & Crow.
He is a member of the County, District and
State Medical Societies and through the in-
terchange of ideas and experience m those
meetings he adds to his knowledge as well
as through extensive private reading and

262

PAST AND PRESENT

study. He makes a specialty of surgery and
is most thoroughly conversant with the com-
ponent parts of the human Ijody, their uses
and the onslaughts made upon them by dis-
ease. In his practice his labors have largely
been attended with success and he is there-
fore accorded a very liberal patronage. He
has served as a member of the board of
health of Assumption.

On the 22d of November, 1879, Dr. Rock-
ey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie
Downs, the eldest of the three children of
James H. Downs, a capitalist of Assumption
and one of the most influential and promi-
nent citizens of the county. Unto Dr.
Rockey and his wife has been born a daugh-
ter, Estella D. Rockey, who is a graduate
of the high school of Assumption and is now
pursuing a classical course and also a musical
course in Indianapolis. The Doctor and his
wife have a pleasant and hospitable home
in Assumption and the circle of their friends
is continually growing as the circle of their
acquaintance widens. While interested in
all that pertains to the welfare of the town.
Dr. Rockey takes little active part in public
affairs as the duties of his profession make
constant demand upon his time. He and
his partner now have a splendidly equipped
office over the First National Bank of As-
sumption — large and well furnished rooms,
equipped with all the latest devices for sur-
gery in its various branches. There is also
an X-ray machine and the members of the
firm are able to care for the most intricate
surgical cases as well as those which de-
mand the services of the general medical
practitioner.

THOMAS SIMPSON.

Thomas Simpson, now deceased, was for
many years an honored and highly esteemed
citizen of Rosamond township, his home

being on section 24, where his widow still
resides. He was a native of Ohio, born in
Harrison county, November 9, 1833, and
was a son of Mathew and Susan (Orr)
Simpson and a grandson of John and Mar-
garet Simpson. Both his father and grand-
father followed the occupation of farming.
In the family of the latter were four sons
and three daughters, of whom two sons and
three daughters ma.rried and reared families
of their own.

Thomas Simpson was only five years of
age when, in 1838, he accompanied his par-
ents on their removal to Pike county, Illi-
nois, and there he grew to manhood and
was educated. During the '60s he made a
trip to California and after spending two
years on the Pacific slope again took up his
residence in Pike county, Illinois, where he
engaged in farming until December, 1868,
— the date of his arri\al in Christian county.
He first located four miles north and west
of the village of Rosemond in Rosamond
township, where he and his wife began to
acquire a competence. Upon that farm he
continued to live until 1885, when he sold
it and removed to the place on section 24.
the same township, at the edge of the vil-
lage of Rosemond, now occupied by Mifs.
Simpson. This is a well improved farm
v\ith a neat modern residence well furnished
and beautiful evergreens adorn the lawn.

On the 2d of April, 1868, in Pike ccjunty.
Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Pine, who was born in that
county, October 8, 1839, and was there
reared and educated. Her parents were
William and Nancy (Tedrow) Pine, the
former a native of New Jersey and the lat-
ter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pine died July
25, 1878, and his wife passed away on the
6th of March, 1862. In their family were
thirteen children, two of whom died in in-

THOMAS SIMPSON

MRS. E. P. SIMPSON

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

267

fancy, ^vhile the others reached maturity.
Three of the five danghters still living are
residents of Pike county, Illinois, but the
sons are widely scattered, one he'mg a resi-
dent of Nebraska, another of Kansas and
the third of Missouri.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were born
five children, as follows: Sylva M., the eld-
est, died at the age of eleven months. Ella
M. is now the wife of C. E. Anderson, of
Rosemond, and they have four children :
Lela E., Vera E., Harold E. and J. Everett.
Mary is the wife of F. E. McKee, who now^
operates the home farm, and they have four
children : Clyde, Paul, Etiiel and Florence.
Eva died at the age of four years Orpha
Grace is at home \vith her mother. The
children were all given good educational ad-
vantages and the family is one of promin-
ence in the community where they reside.

b^or over twenty-two years Mr. and Mrs.
Simpson traveled life's journey happily to-
gether but at length the husband was called
to the better world, dying April 12, 1890. at
the age of fifty-six years five months and
three days. As a public-spirited and enter-
prising citizen he took an active interest in
the upbuilding and development of his
adopted county and never withheld his sup-
port from any measure which he believed
would i)ro\'e of public benefit. He filled the
oftice of school director a short time and
was township school trustee for a number
of years. In early life he was a Republican
in politics Init being a strong temperance
man he became an earnest advocate of the
Prohibition party and its principles. He
was a member of the Good Templars So-
ciety and by his honorable and upright life
he gained the confidence and high regard of
all with whom he was brought in contact
either in business or social affairs. At the
age of fifteen years Mrs. Simpson united

with the Methodist Episcopal church, of
which she has since been a loyal and devoted
member and it was largely through her in-
fluence that her husband was brought to
Christ. She is prominently identified with
the missionary work of the church and does
all in her power for the uplifting of her
fellow-men. She has divided the property
left by her husband equally among her chil-
dren and in the midst of her family and
many friends she is spending her declining-
days in ease and comfort. Her cozy farm
residence is on the hill just east of the church
which she attends and of which she is such
an active worker.

As a fitting triliute to the memorv of Mr.
Simpson we quote the following from the
Budget, now the Raylis Guide, of Baylis,
Pike county : "On Sunday morning, April
6, 1890, he was holding a colt for his
nephew, Alex Hillman, to ride. The colt
reared and striking him about the heart
knocked him down and stepped on his stom-
ach and bowels with both feet, injuring him
internally. He lived until the following
Saturday morning when death came to his
relief, louring his week of illness he ar-
ranged all his business matters and made
all the necessary arrangements in regard to
his funeral. Ab.ove all he sought for and
found peace with God, leaving a bright testi-
mony behind him. He chose for the text
for his funeral discourse Psalm XXIII,
verse 4, 'Yea though I walk,' etc. He de-
sired the pallbearers to wear badges express-
ing their determination to meet him in
Heaven. The only thing that he desired to
live for was that he might do something for
Christ in the way of exhorting the young
people nil around him to not live as he had
done, but to consecrate themselves in youth
to God and His cause. He said to his wife :
'Why do you weep, I think you ought rather

208

Py\ST AND l^RESENT

to rcjcMce that niv name is written in
Heaven and that I am now walkini:!^ in the
channel where yon always wanted me to
walk.' He said he never knew hefore how
easy it was to trust in Jesns when he ha\-e
made a full surrender to Him of all we have
and are. Ahout two hours hef(>re his death
he had his wife pass hread around to all
who were present so that he could ask a
hlessing" the way his wife had always wanted
him to do. He said he always felt it his
duty to return thanks at the tahle hut never
had the stamina to do so. The funeral serv-
ices were held in the Methodist Episcopal
church in Rosemond on Monday after-
noon, 7\pril 14, TcSoo. and the immense
throng present showed the high regard his
neighhors had for him, over seventy-five
vehicles following the remains to the Rose-
mond Grove cemetery. Elder A. T. Orr, of
Mattoon. delivered the discourse."

JAMES E. SHARROCK.

It is only under the stimulus of opposition
and the pressure of adversity that the hest
and strongest in man are brought out and
developed. The self-made man is largely a
product of the new world and America has
every reason to be proud of her sons wdio
have through inherent force of character and
indefatigal>le industry overcome obstacles
and wrested fortune from the hand of fate.
Mr. Sharrock is one deserving of much
credit for what he has accomplished for with
no special family or pecuniary advantages to
aid him at the outset of his career he has
steadily advanced until he now occupies a
prom.inent position among the leading law-
yers of Taylorville.

He was born in Towerhill, Illinois, May
15, 1858, and is a son of James and Ruth
(Lawton) Sharrock. The father was a na-

tive of Pennsylvania, but long lived in Ohio
and in 1858 came to Illinois, where he suc-
cessfully followed farming. At the time of
the Civil war he enlisted in the Ninth Illi-
nois Cavalry under Colonel Jesse Phillips,
and died in the army when forty-five years of
age. It is there that his remains were in-
terred near Paducah, Kentucky. His widow
afterward married again and died in 1897,
at the age of sixty-nine years. In a family
of five children the subject of this review
is the youngest, the others being John W.,
David L., Anna A. and George A. The
sister is now the wife of D. B. Russell.

James E. Sharrock received but little edu-
cational privileges. He w^as forced to leave
school when twelve years of age in order
to provide for his own support and he fol-
low'Cd various kinds of work. He was em-
ployed for two years as a farm hand prior to
the time he attained the age of eighteen
years. Many hardships, trials and privations
fell to his lot, but he possessed strong de-
termination and resolved that he would win
success if it could be accomplished through
honorable effort and persistent purpose. His
tastes lay along professional lines and, wish-
ing to become a member of the bar he be-
gan reading law in Shelbyville, Illinois, in
the office and under the direction of Caleb
R. Torrence. After largely mastering the
principles of jurisprudence he was admitted
to practice in 1886 and established an ofiice
in Cowden, Illinois. There he remained
until 1893, when he removed to Taylorville
and here opened an office, since which time
he has engaged in the general practice of
law in this city. Eor two years he was asso-
ciated with ex-Judge Lyman G. Grundy un-
der the firm name of Sharrock & Grundy,
but the relation was terminated in August,
1903. and Mr. Sharrock has since been alone
in practice. He is known as one of the most

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

269

able orators in this part of the state and in
that connection his services are continually
in demand. At the bar he has gained a dis-
tinctively representative clientage and now
occupies a leading position as a member of
his profession in Christian county. His suc-
cess came soon because his equipment was
unsually good. Along with those qualities,
indispensable to the lawyer, — a keen, rapid,
logical mind plus the business sense, and a
ready capacity for hard work, — he brought
gifts, — eloquence of language and a strong
personality. An excellent presence, an earn-
est, dignified manner, marked strength of
character, a thorough grasp of the law and
the ability to accurately apply its principles
are factors in Mr. Sharrock's effectiveness
as an advocate.

In his political views Mr. Sharrock is a
stalwart Republican and an active worker
in the interests of the party. His fitness for
leadership has occasioned his election to po-
sitions of trust and responsibility. He was
a member of the state legislature during the
sessions of the thirty-ninth and fortieth gen-
eral assemblies and carried his county which
is usually Democratic by a majority of seven
hundred and sixty-four votes, a fact which
indicates his personal popularity and the
confidence reposed in him by his fellow men.
He placed William E. Mason in nomination
for LTnited States senator, seconded the nom-
ination of Edward Curtis for speaker of the
house in the thirty-ninth assembly and in
the thirty-eighth assembly seconded the nom-
ination of Shelby M. Cullom for United
States senator. He also made the presenta-
tion speech when a diamond ring was pre-
sented to John A. Reeves, the reading clerk
of the house. A master of the art of ora-
tory, he is especially happy in his way of pre-
senting any subject and at times is a most
forceful and logical speaker, while on other

occasions his addresses are most entertain-
ing and interesting. At all times, however,
there is a substratum of thought, feeling and
strong purpose that is undeniable. He has
held minor offices and is now the city at-
torney of Taylorville.

Mr. Sharrock was united in marriage to
Flora A. Christie, of Cowden, Illinois. Fra-
ternally he is connected with Cowden Camp,
Sons of Veterans, of which he is a charter
member and he also belongs to the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod-
ern Woodmen Camp. He is a man of in-
domitable will and firm purpose and these
have been salient features in his work. He
is, however, never bitterly aggressive and his
deference for the opinions of others together
with his genial disposition and cordial man-
ner have made him a popular citizen of Tay-
lorville.

W. M. STATTNER.

W. M. Stattner, a well known blacksmith
of Millersville, was born on the 8th of Oc-
tober, 1867, in Shelby ville, Illinois, and is
a son of Charles and Lucy Stattner. The
father is a native of Germany and is now
livine- a retired life in Millersville, honored
and respected l>y all who know him. The
mother of our subject died in 1883.

During his boyhood W. M. Stattner at-
tended the district school and after com-
l)leting his education commenced learning
the blacksmith's trade at the age of eighteen,
serving a two years' apprenticeship. Dur-
ing the following two years he worked on
a farm and then resumed work at his trade,
being employed in a shop in Millersville for
two years. At the end of that time he went
to Fremont, Neliraska, where he worked in
a horse-shoeing shop for three years and
then returned to Millersville and embarked

270

PAST AND PRESENT

in blacksmithing on his own account at his
present location. He does horse-shoeing and
general repair work of all kinds and being
an expert workman and a good reliable busi-
ness man he commands a fair share of the
public patronage.

In 1895 M^- Stattner was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sadie Corneil, a native of
Christian county and a daughter of Samuel
Cornell, and to them has been l>orn one son,
Rodell. They are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and are highly respected
and esteemed by all who know them. In
politics Mr. Stattner is a Democrat.

DAVID LACHARITE.

Practical industry, wisely and vigorously
applied, never fails of success; it carries a
man onward and upward, brings out his in-
dividual character and acts as a powerful
stimulus to the efforts of others. The great-
est results in life are usually attained by sim-
ple means and the exercise of the ordinary
qualities of common sense and perseverance.
The every-day life, with its cares, necessities
and duties, afifords ample opportunity for
acquiring experience of the best kind and
its most beaten paths provide a true worker
with abundant scope for effort and for self-
improvement. It is along such lines that
Mr. Lacharite has won a place prominent
in business circles in Christian county and is
now known as one of the most respected and
honored, as well as most successful, citizens
of Assumption. He is there engaged in
merchandising, in banking and in the opera-
tion of coal fields, and the extent and im-
portance of his business interests make him
a very prosperous man.

Mr. Lacharite was born in Maskinonge,
Canada, November 28, 1839, of humble
parentage. He is a son of Henry and

Agatha (Mason) Lacharite, who were born
near the old historic city of Montrcnl and
they became the parents of eleven children,
eight of whom reached years of maturity,
while tv.o died in infancy and one in later
life. David Lacharite is the eldest and in
the common schools of Canada he obtained
his education. After leaving school he
bee^an clerking for an uncle and after two
years spent in the mercantile field, h.c
worked at the carpenter's trade for two
years. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota,
where he followed various pursuits and
while there he mastered the English lan-
guage, having spoken French up to this
time. For four years he remained in Min-
nesota and from i860 until 1863 was in
Louisiana.

In the latter year he came to Assumption,
where h.e followed his trade as a journey-
man carpenter, being thus employed for a
year. He then engaged in contracting until
1869, wdien he turnrd his attention to mer-
chandising, in which he has since engaged,
meeting wnth splendid success and adding
to the general prosperity by the establish-
ment of a large and thriving enterprise. He
first entered into partnership with A. Caza-
let and the firm of Cazalet & Lacharite con-
tinued until 1873, when our subject pur-
chased his partner's interest, continuing
alone until 1877. Joseph Lambert then
bought out Mr. Lacharite and became an as-
sociate of his former employer, Mr. Cazalet.
The store was thus conducted until 1880,
when the firm of Lacharite & Lambert be-
came proprietors and have since conducted
the business. They carry a very large and
carefully selected stock of general merchan-
dise and have one of the best equipped stores
of the county. The firm is known far and
near for its honorable Imsiness dealing and
enjoys a large patronage which is constantly

MR. AND MRS. DAVID LACHARITE

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

273

increasing. The l)nikling in which the store
is located is well constructed, heing built of
brick, and is finely lighted. It is the prop-
erty of Mr. Lacharite, who may well be
classed among the substantial citizens of
the county. Lie is the president of the Illi-
nois State Bank, in which position he suc-
ceeded B. F. Hight, the first president and
oreanizer of the institution. He maintains
the safe, conservative policy which was in-
augurated at the establishment of the bank
and has also introduced various progressive
methods which have added to its success.
He is the treasurer and one of the large
stockholders of the Assumption Coal & Min-
ing Company and he has extensive and val-
uable farming interests, including his resi-
dence and other realty and several farms in
Assumption township.

On the 14th of February, 1865, Mr.
Lacharite was married in Assumption to
Miss Lenora Lambert, a sister of his part-
ner in the mercantile business. She came
to this county with her parents when but
five years of age and has since resided here.
Unto this marriage have been born seven
children : Mrs. Mary Fear, who is now a
widow and has two children ; Clara, at
home; J. A., who is assistant cashier in the
Illinois State Bank, of Assumption; Henry
B., who in October, 1903, purchased an in-
terest in the elevator and grain business at
Assumption and is now devoting his ener-
gies to that enterprise ; Ella, at home ; Her-
man C, who married Alta Hight, a daugh-
ter of B. F. Hight, nnd wdio recently gradu-
ated from the Chicago Dental College, since
which time he has engaged in the practice
of his profession in the Illinois State Bank
Building; and Leah, who is yet under the
parental roof. The family are all members
of St. Marv's Catholic church of Assiunp-
tion.

In local politics .Mr. Lacharite has taken
an active part and has been elected to sev-
eral ofiicial positions. He has been a mem-
ber of the board of supervisors of Assump-
tion township and of the county board, and
was the president of the former for a num-
ber of terms. For ten years he was one of
the county commissioners and has done
more than any one man to secure good roads
throughout the county. He is a stanch Dem-
ocrat Imt places the welfare of the county
above party prejudice. For twenty years
he has been school treasurer and the cause
of education finds in him a warm friend.
He has seen Assumption and the surround-
ing country grow from primitive conditions,
having come here when the town contained
nothing but frame buildings, while the
country was full of sloughs and ponds and
much of the prairie w^as still uncultivated.
His business interests have been an import-
ant factor in the development of this part
of the state, and at the same time he has
won gratifying success. His reputation in
business circles is such as any man might be
proud to possess. He has never incurred an
obligation that he has not met, nor made an
engagement that he has not fulfilled, and
wherever known he is respected and
honored.

W. T. SHORT, M. D.

Although one of the younger representa-
tives of the medical fraternity in Christian
county the age of the Doctor does not seem
a bar to his success for he has attained a
position in his profession that many an older
physician might well envy. He was born
July 27, 1872, in Fillmore, Montgomery
county, Illinois, and is a son of H. S. and
Sarah M. Short. His father, a native of
North Carolina, took up the study of medi-

274

PAST AND PRESENT

cine in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has engaged
in practice in iMllniore, Illinois, for thir-
ty-five years. He is one of the prominent
and intUiential residents of that part of the
state and has a practice that is indicative of
the unqnalihed confidence reposed in him
hy his fellow townsmen.

Dr. Short spent his l)oyhood days in his
])arents' home and ;it the nsual age hegan
his education in the public schools, continu-
ing his studies in Fillmore until he had
mastered the branches of learning usually
taught in the school system of the state.
Resolving to follow in the profesional foot-
steps of his father he began reading at home
and soon afterward entered the Marion Sims
Medical College, in which he was graduated
with the class of 1897. After the comple-
tion of his course he returned to Fillmore
and for a time practiced with his father.
Later he spent three years in Grove City,
Illinois, and has now been located in Ston-
ington for two years. His business is stead-
ilv increasing and in partnership with Dr.
Coe he is enjoying a good patronage. They
have a well equipped office and the calls
made for their professional services are con-
tinually growing more numerous — a fact
which indicates that In public regard Dr.
Short has steadily advanced, winning the
confidence of his fellow citizens through
marked skill and ability in his chosen work.

On the 1 2th of December, 1900, occurred
the marriage of Dr. Short and Miss Rena
Neer, a native of Christian county. This
union has been blessed with an interesting
little son, Hiram Coe, Ijcmmi on the 23d of
December, 1901. The Doctor and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church and fraternally he is a Mason and an
Odd Fellow. He is also identified with a
numlier of other organizations of a similar
character and he gives his political allegiance

to the Republican party. In the line of his
])rofessi()n he is connected with the Chris-
tian County, the Decatur, the Central Illi-
nois and the Illinois State Medical Societies
;ni(! in attending these jjodics has gained
many valuable ideas through the in.terchange
of opinions and experiences. He is always
deeply interested in anything that tends to
solve the intricate problem which continually
faces the physician and in his ])ractice read-
ily adopts any innovation that he feels will
])rove of practical benefit in his work of re-
storing health.

FRANK W. HOWELL.

Frank W. Howell, the popular proprietor
of the St. Charles Hotel, of Pana, was born
on Buckeye Prairie in this county, July 23,
1874, and is a worthy representative of a
family that has been identified with the up-
building and development of this region for
almost half a century. His parents were
John and Maria J. (Law) Howell, the lat-
ter a daughter of James and Lucretia (Stev-
ens) Law\ who were natives of Ohio. Our
subject's maternal great-grandparents were
William and Lovina (Harris) Law, who
came to this state from Ohio and settled in
Christian county in 1856. William Law
jnuThased a tract of wild prairie land between
Taylorville and Buckeye Prairie and to the
im])rovement and development of that place
lie devoted his energies until called to his
iinal rest on the ist of September, 1861. His
wife died in October, 1863. They had four
children,' namely : William; Ada; James,
the grandfather of our subject; and George,
all now deceased. When the family first
located here the country was wild and un-
broken and covered with ponds and sloughs.
There were no roads and fences and the deer
roamed over the prairies.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

275

James Law, our subject's grandfather, be-
came a very successful farmer and the owner
of considerable land, accumulating enough
property to give his children all good farms.
He gave liberally to the erection of churches
and schoolhouses on Buckeye Prairie and in
other ways was actively identified with the
upbuilding of the locality in which he lived.
He was reared and educated in Ohio and
throughout life followed agricultural pur-
suits, dying upon his farm in Locust town-
ship, August 27, 1880. For his first wife
he married Lucretia Stevens, who died in
1857, leaving four children: Mrs. Lena
Reynolds, whi^ has three children, two living
on Buckeye Prairie; Nancy, the widow of
Charles Wood and a resident of Pana ; Maria
]., the mother of our subject; and James,
who married Ollie Orr and died leaving two
children. James Law's second union was
with Letitia Churchman, who still survives
him. Of her three children two are livmg.

Mrs. Maria J. Howell received from her
father a nice farm of one hundred and sixty
acres of very productive and choice land.
The corn crop from this in 1903 yielded sev-
enty bushels to the acre and other grain in
proportion. During Mrs. Howell's girlhood
wheat was the principal crop and the chil-
dren of the family used to gather the sheaves
and shock it. She often dropped corn by
hand and assisted in the harrowing. She
has also shelled corn by hand and helped in
the harvest field, being thoroughly familiar
with farming in all its branches. She re-
members well the conditions of early days,
when one could see nothing but straw stacks
for miles, there being no fences or hedges
of any kind, but plenty of open prairie. At
that time there were many wolves and rattle-
snakes, while wild turkeys, prairie chickens
and cranes were thick.

On the 29th of October, 1872, at Pana,

was celebrated the marriage of John Howell
and Maria J. Law. The former was born
in Indiana, August 25, 1841, a son of John
and Margaret (Rutherford) Howell, while
the latter was born in Noble county, Ohio,
October 29, 1853, and was a mere child
when brought by her parents to Christian
county. After their marriage the young
couple located in Pana, where Mr. Howell
worked at his trade of coopering in the
spring and fall, principally manufacturing
barrels for flour. For two years he and his
wife lived on her farm on Buckeye Prairie
and then removed to Kansas City but re-
turned to Christian county in 1880 and lo-
cated permanently in Pana, occupying the
same house for twenty-three years. During
his last years Mr. Howell was an invalid,
being afflicted with asthma and other dis-
eases contracted in the army, from which
he died on the 30th of November, 1903.

It was on the ist of December, 1861, that
Mr. Howell enlisted from Christian county
to serve three years and was mustered into
the LTnited States service at Anna, Illinois,
February 18, 1862, as a private in Com-
pany H, Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, under the command of Captain Ed
Roessler and Colonel Thomas W. Harris,
who was later succeeded by Colonel Green-
ville M. Mitchell. The regiment was organ-
ized at Camp Dubois, Anna, Illinois, as a
part of the Kentucky Brigade and February
24, 1862, was ordered to Cairo. On the
14th of March they moved to Columbus,
Kentucky, and three companies were sta-
tioned at Humboldt, Tennessee, during the
fall of 1862 and the following winter were
on duty in the vicinity of Jackson, taking
part in a skirmish at Union City, Tennes-
see. In the spring of 1863, having moved
to Vicksburg, Mississippi, they were as-
signed to the Third Brigade, Second Di-

276

FAST AXD PRESENT

vision. Sixteenth Coq^s. Army of the Ten-
nessee. During its service the command
took part in the following engagements : the
siege of Corinth. Haines Blutf. siege of
Vicksburg. Steele's expedition against Lit-
tle Rock. Arkansas; the attack on copper-
heads at Charleston. Illinois: the pursuit of
the rel>el General Joe Shelby from Little
Rock to Clarendon. Arkansas : and the en-
gagement on the Memphis & Little Rtx^k
Railroad, where almost the entire command
was capturecl by Shelby after fighting his
vastly superior force of more than four
thousand for five hours and until their hav
breastworks were burned b}- the rebel shells
and they were driven out by the extreme
heat. Companies F and H were not at-
tacked, however, being at that time detailed
on service at a distant station. The captured
men were paroled and sent to Benton Bar-
racks. St. Louis, ^lissouri. where thev were
exchanged December ;.' 1864. and went to
Hickor>- Station on the Memphis & Little
Rock Railroad, where they performed guard
duty until June 6. 1865. when the command
moved to Pine Bluffs, later to Fort Smith
and Little Rock. Arkansas. Here Mr.
Howell was taken ill and sent from ^^icks-
burg to Paducah. Kentucky, where he re-
mained about three months, returning to his
regiment at Little Rock. He was also in
the hospital at Jackson. Mississippi, for
about a month. At all other times he was
with his command and perfomied most
faithful and meritorious service. He was
honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois,
February- 17, 1865. ^y reason of expiration
of service, and for :■. number of years he
was a member of Henr\- A. Pope Post, No.
411, G. A. R. His widow belongs to Pope
C-oqis, No. 190, W. R. C. His brother,
James \\'., sened in the same company and

regiment as himself and re-enlisted as a vet-
eran.

Into Mr. and Mrs. Howell were born
five children, namely: Frank \\'.. of this
review: Mertie Belle, deceased; Margaret
L., who is the wife of Bert Guenette and
has one child. Evadna P. : Leona Gertrude
and John C. both at home with their mother.
They all received good educations.

Frank \\'. Howell was educated in the
public schools of Pana and was a memlx?r
of the junior class of the high school when
he laid asiile his books and entered upon
the more arduous duties of business life at
the age of sixteen years. He was first em-
ployed as night clerk in the hotel, of which
he is now proprietor, it being then owned
by 'Sir. Dalton, for whom he worked for five
vears. He then engaged in clerking in the
store of G. \'. Penwell until the spring of
1897. when he returned to the St. Charles
Hotel, remaining with Mr. Dalton only a
short time, however. He next accepted a
position with the Illinois Central Railroad
as assistant road supervisor and was in the
company's ot^ce at this place for two years.
On the 7th of October. 1899. he purchased
the St. Charles Hotel. Mr. Dalton having
died in the meantime, and at once took
charge of the place as proprietor. Mr.
Howell owns the building, furniture and fix-
tures and has enlarged and remodeled the
place, making it the best dollar a day house
in the county. It is a favorite stopping
place with commercial travelers and is also
headquarters for Assumption merchants, as
well as for the railroad men connected with
the Illinois Central. Big Four. Baltimore &
Ohio and Frisco Railroads. Mr. Howell
has eight persons in his employ and
under liis capable management the business
of the hotel has rapidly increased. \\'hen
it came under his control onlv al30ut one

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

277

liundred and seventy were served with meals
each day hut this number has been increased
to over five hundred. Pleasant and obliging
in manner, he has proved a very popular host
and is a business man of more than ordinary
ability. • To some extent he deals in real es-
tate, buying and selling residence property
and is a stockholder in the Pana National
Bank.

On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Howell
was united in marriage to Miss Orpha May
Chapman, a daughter of Thomas and Mar-
garet (McKee) Chapman, of Rosemond,
Illinois. She was born in Christian county,
December 5, 1874, and was educated in the
pul)]ic schools of Pana. She is an accom-
plished musician and prior to her marriage
was a good stenographer and compositor,
being employed on the Paiadmiii paper. Mr.
and Mrs. Howell have an interesting little
daughter, Marcella Eileen, born August 9,
1899. In his social relations Mr. Howell is
a member of the Knights of Pythias fra-
ternity and the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, and is a man well liked by all who know
him.

S. W. CULP.

Few men are more prominent or more
widely known in the city of Morrisonville
than S. W. Culp. He has been an important
factor in business circles and public affairs
and his popularity is well deserved as in him
are embraced the characteristics of an un-
bending integrity, unabating energy and in-
dustry that never flags. He is public-spir-
ited and thoroughly interested in whatever
tends to promote the moral, intellectual and
material welfare of Morrisonville.

Mr. Culp was born in Meigs county,
Ohio, April 22, 1845, ^^'^^^ is a son of Jacob
W. Culp, who was born in Pennsylvania of

Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. For some
years the father was engaged in farming in
Ohio and in 1865 removed to Montgomery
county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty
acres of land and resumed farming. There
his death occurred in 1894. The mother of
our subject passed away in 1880. S. W. Culp
received his early education in the public
schools of his native state. Coming to Illi-
nois in 1865, he taught school here until the
fall of 1 87 1, when he entered the university
at Carlinville and continued his studies there
until his graduation in 1873. He then
served as principal of a high school in Ma-
coupin county, Illinois, until his removal to
Christian county in 1876, at which time he
accepted the position of principal of the No-
komis schools and was in charge of the same
for one year, after which he removed to
Morrisonville and had charge of its schools
for six years. In educational work he met
with excellent success and proved a very
competent and thorough instructor.

In 1882 Mr. Culp purchased the drug-
stock of Leroy Martin, who was proprietor
of the oldest store in that line in the city,
and he is to-day known as the leading drug-
gist of the place. He bought the building
in which he carries on business in 1883, it
being twenty by one hundred and forty feet
in dimensions, with his ofiice and dispensing
room in the rear of the main store room and
a large wareroom in the back. In addition
to a full line of drugs, he now carries jew-
elry and in that department of his business
has formed a partnership with J. L. Mullen,
who is a practical jeweler. Mr. Culp does
not confine his attention wholly to his store
as he has become interested in newspaper
work, having purchased the Times in 1887.
This he conducts as a non-partisan paper
and since it came into his possession the
circulation has been doubled, there being

278

PAST AND PRESENT

nuw between seven and eight linndred sub-
scribers. He has made it (Uie of the leading
journals of the county, it being a bright,
newsy sheet, full of local and foreign news.
Mr. Gulp owns the building in which the
paper is i)rinted and besides his business
property has a fine residence in the Pence
addition to ]\Iorrisonville, which is modern
in all its appointments and is an honor to
the city.

In 1886 Mr. Gulp was united in marriage
to Miss Nina M. Dunning. Her father.
Andrew J- Dunning, was a native of New^
York and was a railroad conductor in the
east for some years. In 1884 iie came to
Ghristian county, Illinois, and purchased a
farm of two hundred and forty acres in Bear
Greek township, to the cultivation and im-
provement of which he then turned his at-
tention. There he spent his remaining days,
dying in 1891.

Always a consistent Democrat, the party
acknow ledged his services by appointing Mr.
Gulp postmaster of Morrisonville during
President Gleveland's administration, and
he filled that ofiicc in a most creditable and
satisfactory manner. He has also served as
town collector and has been a. member of
the school board for six years. He has
been president of the Business Men's Asso-
ciation and is a charter member of the Mor-
risonville Building & Loan Association, of
wdiich he is now* president. Fraternally he
is a member of the ]\Iasonic lodge in Mor-
risonville and belongs to the chapter in Tay-
lorville and the Litchfield commandery. He
is a charter member of the Modern Wood-
men of America at Morrisonville and has
passed through all the chairs in that order.
His influence and labors have been of
marked effect in promoting the interests of
his adopted city and he stands deservedly
high in the esteem of his fellow-men.

D. W. JOHNSTON.

Among the prominent and representative
citizens of Taylorville is numbered D. W.
lohnston. He has been an important factor
in her business circles for some years and
is a man whose worth and ability have
gained him success, honor and public con-
fidence. He enjoys the well-earned distinc-
tion of being what the public calls a self-
made man and an analyzation of his char-
acter reveals the fact that enterprise, well
directed effort and honorable dealing have
been the essential features in his prosperity.

Mr. Johnston was born in Madison coun-
ty, Ohio, October 13, 1839, and is a son of
Alexander and Susan Johnston. His father
was a native of Ireland, but being brought
to this country at an early age was princi-
pally reared in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he
came to Illinois and settled in Ghristian
county, where he b.ecame the owner of three
hundred and twenty acres of land, which he
operated c[uite successfully up to the time
of his death in 1872. The mother of our
subject was l)orn in Ohio.

In the schools of his native state D. W.
Johnston began his education and continued
his studies here after the removal of the fam-
ily to Illinois. At the age of tw^enty years
he commenced farming and continued to
follow that occupation for several years. He
spent about seven years in the gold mines of
Golorado, IMontana and Idaho, and then
turned his attention to the cattle business,
driving his stock from Texas to Kansas. He
dealt in southern cattle for about four years
and in 1872 returned to Ghristian county,
his time being taken up by his farming in-
terests in Johnson township during the fol-
lowing seven years. At the end of that time
he removed to Taylorville and has since
been identified with several business enter-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

279

prises that have prox^ed successful He is
j)resident of the Christian County Coal Com-
pany of Taylorville and vice president of
the Farmers' National Bank of this city. He
owns consideral)le property, including twen-
ty-six hundred and sixty-five acres of fine
farming land in- Christian county and over
one thousand acres in Mississippi. While re-
siding on his farm he gave considerable at-
tention to the raising of stock for the market
and found that business quite profitable.

Mr. Johnston was married in 1879 to Miss
Sarah E. Wilson, who was reared in this
state, and to them have been born two chil-
dren : Roy A. and Cleona. Mr. Johnston is
a member of the Masonic fraternity. As a
Democrat he has taken quite an active and
prominent part in local politics and for
eight terms served as supervisor of Johnson
township. He was also president of the
board of education for three years. The
record of Mr. Johnston is that of a man who
by his own efforts has worked his way up-
ward to a position of affluence. His life has
been one of industry and perseverance, and
the systematic and honorable business meth-
ods he has followed have won for him the
confidence and respect of all.

B. P. WINDSOR, M. D.

Dr. B. P. Windsor, who follows scientific
methods in the practice of his profession
and whose knowledge and capability rank
him among the foremost representatives of
the medical fraternity in Christian county,
has made his home in Mount Auburn since
1899, and during this period has gained a
very gratifying patronage. He w^as born
in McLean county, Illinois, on the 15th of
July, 1874, a son of E. B. and Mary Alice
(Grant) Windsor. About fifteen years ago
his father removed to Horton, Kansas, and

for thirteen years was foreman of the round-
house of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
and the Chicago & Alton Railroad Com-
panies. For three years he was in the mas-
ter mechanics' ofifice and three years ago he
took up his abode in Mount Auburn, where
he has recently been appointed postmaster,
so that he is now discharging the duties of
that position.

Dr. Windsor, having mastered the pre-
liminary branches of English learning, con-
tinued his studies in the high school of Hor-
ton, Kansas, and also in Creighton Uni-
versity, at Omaha, Nebraska, in which in-
stitution he prepared for the practice of med-
icine and won the Doctor of Medicine degree
with the class of 1895. Further preparation
for the important duties of the profession
was received through six month.s' hospital
experience in St. Joseph's Hospital, at
Omaha, and in 1897 he went to Chicago,
where he was assistant to Professor Sanger
Brown in the Post-Graduate Hospital for a
year. He also served for six months in the
United States Marine Hospital at Omaha,
Nebraska, and on the 25th of October, 1899.
he came to Mount Auburn to make his
home.

Dr. Windsor then purchased of W. K.
Wright four acres of ground, on which he
has built a fine modern residence of eleven
rooms, supplied with all up-to-date equip-
ments. He has his own gas plant, hot and
cold water, bathroom, and the house is
heated by hot water. He has his ofifice in
his residence and also the central ofifice of
the Independent and Bell Telephone Com-
panies. His home is most tastefully and
beautifully furnished and an air of gracious
and hearty hospitality pervades the place.
Dr. Windsor has also erected a modern six-
room house in wdiich his father is living.

On the 26th of May, 1897, Dr. Windsor

280

PAST AND PRESENT

w as united in marriage to Miss Litia Carter,
a daughter of Dr. A. H. Carter, a practicing
physician of Council Bhiffs, Iowa. Unto
the Doctor and his wife were horn, on the
29th of June. 1898, twin hoys, Bennet P.
and John Clark, hut the former died in in-
fancy. Dr. and Mrs. Windsor are memhers
of the Christian church, and he is a valued
representative of several fraternal organiza-
tions. He belongs to Kedron Lodge, No.
340, A. F. & A. M. ; Racy Lodge, No. 629,
K. P., of Mount Auburn; and the Modern
Woodmen Camp, No. 2849. His uniform
courtesy and kindly disposition have gained
him many friends outside those whom he
has met professionally and he is a popular
citizen of Mount Auburn. His attention,
however, is chiefly given to his profession,
which makes heavy demands upon his time,
his patronage continually increasing. In ad-
dition to a large private practice he is now
examining- physician to the John Hancock
Life Insurance Company, the Aetna, the
New York Mutual and the New York
Life Insurance Companies. He is a mem-
ber of the Christian County Medical
Society, the Decatur Medical Society, the
Illinois State Medical Association and the
American Medical Association. He has un-
faltering regard for the ethics of the profes-
sion and enjoys the highest respect and con-
fidence of his brethren of the medical fra-
ternity as well as of the general public.

JUDGE LYMAN G.. GRUNDY.

He is actively connected with a profes-
sion which has important bearing upon the
progress and stable prosperity of any sec-
tion or communitv, and one which has lono-
been considered as conserving the pul)lic
welfare by furthering the ends of justice
and maintaining individual rights. His

reputation as a lawyer has been won through
earnest, honest labor, and his standing at
the bar is a merited tribute to his ability.
He now has a very large practice, and his
careful preparation of cases is supi)lemented
by a power of argument and a forceful
presentation of his points in the courtroom,
so that he never fails to impress court or
jury, and seldom fails to gain the verdict
desired.

The Judge was born in Macoupin coun-
ty, Illincjis, near Virden, in 1861, a son of
Harry and Ellen M. (Smith) Grundy, who
are now residing near Morrisonville, in
Christian county. The paternal grand-
father of our subject was Henry Grundy
who came to America from England in the
year 1853. Establishing his home in
Bureau county, Illinois, he there engaged in
business as a stock man. He married Ruth
Gladstone, a lady of Scotch descent, and
l;oth have now passed away. The maternal
grandfather of our subject was John G.
Smith, a native of North Carolina, whence
he removed to Jersey county, Illinois, in the
early '30s. He wedded Polly Ann White,
a daughter of Jacob White of Jersey county.
In the vicinity of Virden John G. Smith
made his home and carried on farming for
many years. He was one of the supervisors
of Macoupin county and took an active part
in public affairs, being recognized as one of
the leading and influential citizens of his
community. Harry Grundy was born in
Lincolnshire, England, and, crossing the At-
lantic to America when a young man, lo-
cated in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1850,
as one of its pioneer settlers. He assisted in
building the railroad and was engaged in
working in the lumber woods until the time
of his marriage, which occurred in i860,
the lady of his choice being Miss Ellen M.
Smith, a native of Jersey county. The

L. G. GRUNDY

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

283

young couple liegan their domestic life upon
a farm in Macoupin county and in 1863 re-
moved to Christian county, where they have
since resided. In the family are three sons
and a daughter: Lyman G., Charles N.,
v^ieorge G., and Maude, the wife of Louis
Rittger.

In the common schools of Morrisonville
ludge Grundy acquired the ^"udiments of his
education, and spent one year as a student
in the Jacksonville Business College at Jack-
sonville, Illinois, and two years in Mon-
mouth College. For seven years he engaged
in teaching school, heing for three years a
teacher in Ricks township, and for a similar
period he was principal of the high school
of Pana. He also served as prhicipal of
the schools of Morrisonville for one year
and was known as a capahle educator who
imparted clearly, readily and concisely to
others the knowledge that he had gained.
He followed that profession until 1890,
when, wishing to make the practice of law
his life w^ork, he hegan reading in Pana
and suhsecjuently he pursued a course of
study in the law^ department of the Uni-
versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, w^here
he was graduated with the class of 1893.
The same year he located in Taylorville,
forming a partnership with Ex-Judge Rufus
M. Potts. This relation w^as maintained
until the succeeding year, wdien Mr. Grundy
was nominated for the position of judge of
Christian county on the Republican ticket,
securing election by a majority of nine hun-
dred and forty, although the usual Demo-
cratic majority is seven hundred. No higher
testimonial of his personal popularity and
the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-
citizens could be gi\ en. On the bench his
decisions were always fair and impartial and
were a correct application of legal principles
to the points in litigation. He won high

encomiums from the bar and proved a capa-
ble officer. On his retirement from the
bench he resumed the practice of law in
Taylorville. While on the bench he tried
the first case involving the Australian ballot
law in this state, which was brought up
under the name of White versus Orr, being
an election contest case for county superin-
tendent of schools of Christian county. The
construction put upon the statute by Judge
Grundy was sustained and affirmed by the
supreme court of Illinois and has been the
leading case of the kind in this state. After
his retirement from the bench the Judge be-
came a member of the law firm of Sharrock
& Grundy, but this connection was dissolved
in August, 1903, and our subject has since
heen alone in practice. He is patient and
persevering, possesses an analytical mind
and one that is readily receptive and re-
tentive of the fundamental principles and
intricacies of the law. He is fearless in his
defense of any cause he may espouse and at
the bar has won many notable victories.

On the 2d of June, 1897, Judge Grundy
was united in marriage to Miss Roxy C.
Bates, a daughter of Zura F. Bates, of Lo-
cust township. Christian county, and they
now have a son, Harry Bates Grundy. So-
cially the Judge is connected with the Ma-
sonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias
order and is past chancellor commander of
the latter lodge in Taylorville. He is also
a member of the Presbyterian church and
his life has ever been actuated by sterling
principles and characterized by close fidelity
to every cause, measure or improvement
which he believes to be right.

WILLIAM E. TURNER.
William E. Turner, who is occupying the
position of cashier in the bank of B. A. Tur-
ner in Edinburg, is one of the native sons

284

TAST AND PRESENT

of Christian. Cdiinty, liis birth haxing oc-
curred in 'raylorville on the jyih of Eelnni-
arv, 1872. His prehminary education, ac-
quired in the i)ul)hc schools, was supi)le-
n.iented l)y a course of study in t'.ie l)usiness
college at Quincy, Illinois. From 1890
until 1897, '1^" engaged in teaching in the
district schools and pro\-ed a most capable
instructor, imparting clearly and readily to
others the knowledge that he had acquired.
Tm-oui 1897 until 1899 he was principal of
the public schools of Good Hope, Illinois,
and in Julv of the latter year he accepted
the position of cashier in the Ijanking house
of his bn^ther, B. A. Turner, of Edinburg,
in which capacity he has since served. He is
a popular official and to his efforts may be
attributed not a little of the success of the
institution.

On the 27th of July, 1897, Mr. Turner
was united in marriage to Miss Edith E.
Hitchcock, a daughter of the Rev. W. H.
Hitchcock of Lewiston, Fulton county, Illi-
nois. They have an adopted daughter,
Hazel Evelyn. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are
widely and favorably known in this city and
enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of
friends, while the hospitality of the best
homes is freely accorded them. In pul)lic
matters Mr. Turner is prominent and influ-
ential and in A]iril, 1903, he was selected
president of the \illage on the anti-license
ticket. Everything pertaining to the welfare
of the community recci\'es his endorsement
and co-operation and he is exercising his
official prerogati\cs in support of whatever
tends to benefit his community.

OLIVER LEE CROW, M. D.

Dr. Oliver Lee Crow, the junior member
of the firm of Rockey & Crow, physicians
and surgeons of Assumption, was born in

Blue Mound, Illinois, October 16, 1878, and
is a son of E. W. and Nancy Jane (Dealty)
Crow, who were also' natives of Blue Mound.
Bv their marriage they became the parents
of seven children who are yet living.

Dr. Crow spent his boyhood days under
the i)arents' roof in Macon county and at the
usual age began his education as a pupil in
the public schools of Blue Mound. Subse-
(juentlv he attended the Illinois State Nor-
■nal School at Bloomington for a year, and
then turned his attention to teaching, which
profession he followed for three years m the
district schools of Christian county, giving
excellent satisfaction by reason of his easy
and accurate manner of imparting to others
the knowdedge that he had acquired. When
twenty years of age he liegan to study medi-
cine, having resolved to make its practice his
life work. He spent four years in St. Louis,
Missouri, as a student in the College of Phy-
sicians & Surgeons, and during- his college
days he was also under the preceptorage of ^
Dr. A. C. Foster, now of Bement, Illinois,
and Dr. William Barnes, of Decatur, Illi-
nois. He made a splendid record while in
college. He won first honors in the first,
second and fourth years and was valedic-
torian of his graduating class. He has a
gold medal won for scholarship during his
senior year, and he was graduated on the
8th of April, 1903, a member of a class of
sixty-one, fifty-nine of whom made grade.
Aside from his regular course in niedicine
and surgery he also pursued a six months'
course in pharmacy, and thus he was par-
ticularly well equipped w^hen he came to As-
sumption to enter upon the difficult and
arduous duties of the medical profession,
h^irming a partnership with Dr. Rockey he
has already won the pul)lic confidence in a
large degree and has secured a very liberal
patronage for a young and newly established

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

285

physician. His high standing- m college
argues well for a successful professional
career.

Dr. Crow was married December 24,
1902, to Miss Ida Kester, a daughter of
I. K. Kester, a farmer living east of Macon,
Illinois. She was 'born in Christian county,
March 3, 1880. attended the Taylorville
schools, the Decatur high school and Chris-
tian College, at Columbia, Missouri. She
made a specialty of the study of music and
has engaged in teaching that art. Both the
Doctor and his wife have already made many
warm friends in Assumption, where they
liave a pleasant home, noted for its gracious
and charming hospitality. He is a Repub-
lican in his political views.

MRS. LAURA B. EVANS.

Mrs. Laura B. Evans, who is serving as a
trustee of the state university and as presi-
dent of the library board of Taylorville, is
one of the most prominent and influential
ladies of this portion of Illinois and her ef-
forts have been effective in promoting edu-
cational advancement. She was born in
Weston, Missouri, and is a daughter of Ur-
liane Neill and Elizabeth (Malson) Twadell.
Her father was born on the 12th of April,
1830, at Springhill, Logan county, Ohio,
and died in the year 1864. He went to Kan-
sas at the time of the great struggle concern-
ing its admission as a free or slave state. He
was married there and afterward removed
to Missouri, where in 1862 he offered his
services to the government, enlisting in St.
Louis, in the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry.
His family then went to Clinton, Illinois,
where his wife's parents were living. Mr.
Twadell remained in the army until 1864,
when he died from a congestive chill.

Mrs. Evans and her mother and brother,

Charles N. Twadell, afterward removed to
Waynesville, where her later girlhood days
were passed. In 1877 she gave her hand in
marriage to Charles E. Evans, who was
born in Waynesville in 1855, and is a son of
James W. and Elizabeth Evans. He was
serving as postmaster at the time of their
marriage and Mrs. Evans was at once in-
stalled as deputy. In 1879 they removed to
Kansas and subsequently came to Taylor-
ville, Illinois, where Mr. Evans accepted a
position with S. S. Sprague & Company,
erain dealers, with whom he remained for
tW'Clve years or until the elevator of the com-
pany was destroyed by fire. He then be-
came bookkeeper for Price & Wilkinson and
yet occupies this position. He is an expert
accountant and is now acting as auditor in
connection with the Boyd case which is in
court. He is a representative of the Houser
family, one of the oldest and most prominent
families of the state.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born
three children: Nonna, who died in 1898
at the age of sixteen years; Bessie, who was
born in 1885 and is now a student in Forest
Park Seminary of St. Louis, Missouri; and
Kenneth, who was born in 1882 and is now
a student in the State University of Illinois
at Champaign. He is a member of the class
of 1904 and he belongs to the Beta Theta Pi.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans hold membership
in the Presbyterian church and he is a valued
member of the Woodman Camp, the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal
American Legion and the Court of Honor.

Mrs. Evans received her education in
Waynesville Academy and was actively con-
nected with public work in the city of
Waynesville. When but fourteen years of
age she was chosen to present a (lag to the
Republican club of the city. After remov-
ing to Taylorville she joined the Women's

28«^.

PAST AND PRESENT

Relief Corjjs, the Eastern Star, tlic Rehekali
Lodge, the 'l^-ibe of Ben Hur and the Court
of Honor and has exerted a stroni;' influence
in all of these organizations. She was the
president of the Women's Relief Corps when
in 1S9J it erected a nionnnient to the old
soldiers in the cemetery here. This monu-
ment was unxeiled hv her daughter Bessie
in the presence of the largest crowd ever
assembled in Taylorville. In 1900 the fam-
il\' remo\ed to Champaign in order that the
son Kenneth might attend college there.
They were there two years and while there
the friends of Mrs. Evans insisted upon her
becoming a candidate for the position of a
trustee for the state university. The con-
vention was held in Springfield, Illinois, and
tAvo hundred and fifty of her Taylorville
friaids went to that city to secure her nom-
ination. She was ])laced in nomination by
Mrs. S. L. Chamberlain in one of the best
speeches ever made l)y a woman in Illinois
and in igoj she was elected to the position
u])on the Republican ticket. Mrs. Evans
early became identified with the Womans'
Club, which was organized in i8<)7 \vith the
object (jf establishing a library here. She
became chairman of the library committee
and was one of six ladies who collected eight
hundred volumes and presented them to the
mayor and council for the city on the condi-
tion that the city would furnish a room for
library purposes in the city hall, which was
readily agreed to. Mrs. Evans is now the
president of the library board. The librarv
has received a donation from Carnegie of
twelve thousand dollars and the institution
has become one of great value and of prom-
inence in Christian county. Mrs. Evans is
a woman of broad mind, of liberal culture
and of innate refinement and her influence
is strong and forceful; her efforts in behalf
of intellectualitv and educational advance-

ment have been far-reaching" and beneficial;
and her work in other lines has been of great
benefit to her fellow-men.

1. P.. (iORl)EN.

Trairieton township probably has no
more honored or liighly respected citizen
than the gentleman whose name introduces
this sketch. He was born on the 2d of Veh-
ruary, 1843, in Montgomery county. Ken-
tucky, of which state his parents, William
V. and Lydia E. Ribelin Gorden, were also
natives. They were married December 7,
1 841, and in their family were the following
children: I. B. ; William R. ; Randall R. ;
Thomas J. ; John M. ; Joseph A. ; Sarah J. ;
Mary A., deceased; and B. F., also deceased.
Coming" to Illinois the family located in
Christian county on the 5th of March, 1862,
and here the mother died two years later,
passing away on the loth of January. 1864.
The father, who long survi^'ed her, died at
the old homestead in Christian county, Feb-
ruary 22, 1899. He was a son of Randall
R. and Rachel (Baber) Gorden, natives of
Virginia. At the age of nine years, how-
ever, Randall R. Gorden went to Kentucky,
floating down the Ohio river on a flatboat
and landing on the present site of Mays-
\"ille, where he located. On the trip he was
shot at by the Indians wdio were then very
hostile to the white settlers. He was only
eighteeii years of age at the time of his mar-
riage, wdiile the bride was a girl of fifteen.

In the state of his nativity T. B. Gorden
was reared and educated, pursuing his
studies in an old log schoolhouse. He was
twenty years of age at the time of the re-
moval of the family to Christian county,
Illinois, and tw'o years later he started out
in life for himself as a farmer, operating
rented land for three years. At the end of
that time he purchased eighty acres on sec-

I. B. GORDEN AND FAMILY

WILLIAM V. GORDEN. MAUD AND CELIA GORDEN

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

291

tion 20, Prairieton township, where he now
resides, and has since added to his property
until he now has two hn.ndred and forty
acres, which is nnder a high state of cnltiva-
tion and well improved with good and snh-
stantial l)nilding'S. The pleasant residence
is snrronnded by fine shade trees, all of
wdiich w^ere set ont by Mr. Gorden. and the
neat and thrifty appearance of his place
plainly indicates the supervision of a pro-
gTessi\'e and painstaking owner.

On the 2r)th of January, 1865, Mr. Gor-
den was united in marriage to Miss Effa-
dilla Workman, a daughter of Stephen B.
Workman, who came to this county at an
early day. She died March 29, 1897, leav-
ing the following chddren, namely : Charles,
who is married and is engaged iii farming
in Macon county; James W., wdio is mar-
ried and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; A/[ary L..
wife of Albert Ziegler, a farmer of Prairie-'
t(in township, this county; Maggie M., wife
of Hiram Bilyeu; and Louis L, Estella
Grace and Thomas L., all at home The
family hold membership in the Christian
church and the hospitality of the best homes
of the community is extended to them, for
they have many friends and are held in the
highest regard by all who know them. Mr.
Gorden uses his right of franchise in sup-
port of the Democratic party and its })rinci-
ples, and he has capably filled the ofiices of
township collector and school trustee, serv-
ing in the former capacity four years and
in the latter nineteen years. He has recently
returned from Kentucky, where he went to
purchase the Inirial plot in v.hich the re-
mains of his grandparents were interred.

G. B. CLAUSSEN.
G. B. Claussen through much of his life
has resided in Christian county and is to-day
the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred

and forty acres of well improved land on
section 10, StoningtcMi towaiship. He has
resided here continuously since 1867, and
the excellent improvements upon the prop-
erty are an indication of his diligence, enter-
prise and progressive spirit.

Mr. -Claussen was born in Montgomery
county, Illinois, on the 15th of April, 1843,
and is a son of E. H. and Sarah (Lingo)
Claussen. His father was a native of Deu-
mark and in 1834 came to the United States.
PTe landed in New Orleans, where he re-
mained for but a year and then removed to
Bond county, Illinois, in 1835. In the early
years of his residence in this country he
was engaged in school teaching. He w^as
a very well educated man, a fine linguist, and
taught three different languages. In Bond
C(ounty he married Miss Sarah Lingo, and
they afterward lived in Madison, Montgom-
ery and Jefferson counties, successively. In
the last named county Mr. Claussen died on
the 23d of July, 1849, ^^ the age of thirty-
five years.

Our subject's mother was born in St.
Charles county, Missouri, February 19,
18 1 7, and is a daughter of James and Jane
(Thompson) Lingo, the former born in Vir-
ginia, July 5, 1777, and the latter in Ken-
tucky, January 30, 1790. Her paternal
grandfather, James Lingo. Sr., was a mem-
ber of Washington's army during the Revo-
lutionary w^ar and fell in battle in 1780 or
1781. His widow was left with three small
children, the oldest l)eing a girl and the sec-
ond lames, Jr. She died when the latter
was only tweU'C years of age and the chil-
dren were then liound out to different per-
sons in Virginia as their property had been
destroyed by the Tories during the war,
James Lingo, Jr., remained a resident of that
state until grown and then went to Ken-
tucky, where he was married in 18 10 to

292

PAST AND PRESENT

jane Thompson. Ilcr ancestors migrated
to Kentucky when that region was inhah-
ited onlv h\- llic savage Indians, heing a
nieml)er of the same colony with Peter Cart-
wrlsfht's father. Thev had to corral their
wagons and sonic of the nunihcr stood on
guard witli their gims while the others work,
hnilding homes in the forests. At that time
the state was not Laid out into counties and
sections. William Thompson, Mrs. Lingo's
father, settled at a place known as the Flag
Spring and there estahlished a po.stoffice. It
was at that i)lace that Mrs. Lingo was horn.
Her father was a soldier of the War of
i8iJ, under the command of General Wil-
liam Ilcm-y Harrison, afterward president
of the Ignited States. He died when about
.eighty years of age. In 1811, the year fol-
lowing his marriage, Mr. Lingo and his wife
removed to Missouri. They went up the
Mississippi river in what was known as a
keel boat and stopped at St. Louis, which
was then a small village, inhabited mostly
by French and Spaniards. During their so-
joiu'n in Missouri they lived a ])art of the
time in St. Charles county and the remainder
in St. Louis county. Much of the time they
were in great peril on account of the hostile
Indians, who would often kill whole fami-
lies. The early settlers would build their
houses without windows so that no light
could be seen at night that might be a guide
to the Indi.ans. In 1824 Mr. Lingo brought
his family to Illinois, our subject's mother
being then seven years of age, and settled in
Madison county. They crossed the river at
St. Louis in a ferrylx)at propelled by horses.
At that time herds of deer wer-e often seen
on Looking Glass prairie and the large num-
ber of wolves made it dangerous for chil-
dren and even grown folks to venture out
alone, especially after night. Thrilling tales
were told of people being torn to pieces bv

the ferocious woKes. 1diey would come
round the liouses at night and cat the scraps
that were thrown out. Amid such surround-
ings Mrs. Claussen grew to womanhood.
Iler father died August 11, 1835, '^'^'^ ^^^^'
mother passed away August 11, 1845.
About six years after the death of her first
husband Mrs. Claussen married Ira Hewett,
and in 1867 thev came to Christian county,
where he died on Christmas day of that year,
after twelve years of married life. Mrs.
Hewett is still an esteemed resident of Chris-
tian county. She is a member of the United
Baptist church and has lived an earnest and
consistent Christian life.

By her first marriage Mrs. Hewett had
nine children l)ut two died in infancy. The
others are as follows : James married Louisa
Bateman, wdio died in Jackson county, Illi-
nois, April 5, 1888; William married Eliza-
beth Arthur and is now farming in Chris-
tian county; Newton wedded Mary Tuber-
man and is engaged in agricultural pursuits
in Minnesota ; G. B. is the next of the fam-
il)' ; Jasper is married and engaged in the
grocery business in Indian Territory; Alex-
ander married Mansey Fanning and resides
at Scottville, Illinois ; and Malvina became
the wife of John Yockey and died January
4,. 1885.

G. B. Claussen j^ursued his education in
the district schools of Jefferson county, Illi-
nois, and when twenty years of age he went
to California. Lie afterward made his way
to the state of Washington hut in 1867 re-
turned to this state, establishing his home
in Christian county, where he purchased one
hundred and twenty acres of good land. He
then began farming and from time to time
as his financial resources have increased he
has added to his property until he now has
two hundred and forty acres of well im-
pro\-ed land, constituting one of the fine

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

293

farms of the locality. I'he tract was all raw
and unimproved when it came into his pos-
session, but with characteristic energy he
began the work of plowing and planting and
soon golden harvests rewarded his labors.
He also worked for five years in the con-
struction of the Wabash Railroad and the
Eaoie Gro\e branch of the Northwestern
Railroad, hut with this exception he has ever
given his attention to agricultural interests,
in which he has met with well deserved pros-
perity. In politics he is a Republican. He
has always lived with his mother, caring for
her in the evening of life and by filial devo-
tion repaying her for the love and care which
she bestowed upon him in his youth.

E. A. HUMPHREYS.

One of the best known and most prom-
inent lawyers of central Illinois ds E. A.
Humphreys, who is now serving" as state's
attorney in Pana, filling the position for the
second term. He was born November 20,
1852, in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a son
of E. A. and Martha J. Humphreys. His
father was a native of Coventry. England,
born in 182 1, and when seventeen years of
age he came to this country, settling in what
is now New York city. He became a resi-
dent of Christian county in 1861, taking up
his abode in Pana, where he followed the
plasterer's trade, which he liad learned in
early life. He died in this city and his
widow is still living here. He took a very
active and helpful part in the upbuilding of
Pana, was a member of the city council and
also served on the board of education. Any-
thing pertaining to the welfare and progress
of the town elicited his attention and won
his earnest co-operation. He belonged to
the Methodist Episcopal church and gave

his political support to the Republican party
until 1872, when he joined the organization
known as liberal Republicans. In the fam-
ily were four sons and two daughters, who
are yet living.

E. A. Humphreys is indebted to the pub-
lic school system of Pana for the educational
privileges he enjoyed. He was but nine
years of age at the time of his parents' re-
moval to this city and here he mastered the
elementary Ijranches of English learning.
On attaining his majority he started out
upon an independent business career and
pursued the study of law under the direction
of the firm of Kitchell & McMillen. Later
his preceptor was Mr. McMillen and when
he had sufficiently mastered the principles of
jurisprudence to pass an examination he was
admitted to the bar and entered upon the
practice of law in Pana, where he has re-
mained continuously since. He is thus
actively connected with the profession which
has important bearing upon the .progress and
stable |)rosperity of any section or commun-
ity and one which has long been considered
as conserving the public w^elfare by further-
ing the ends of justice ar.d maintaining in-
dividual rights. The favorable judgment
which the world passed upon him in his early
years has never been set aside or in any de-
gree modified. It has on the contrary been
emphasized by his careful conduct of im-
portant litigation, his candor and fairness
in the presentation of his cases, his zeal and
earnestness as an advocate, and the generous
commendation he has recei\'ed from his con-
temporaries, who unite in bearing testimony
as to his high character and superior mind.
In 1873 he was elected city attorney and
that he proved a most capable officer is in-
dicated by the fact that he was continued in
the position by election for sixteen years.
In 1896 he was elected state's attorr.ey and

2;t4

PAST AND PRESENT

was re-elected in 1900 for a second term
of four years, so that he is the present in-
cumbent in that office.

Mr. Humphreys is also engaged in stock
farming and has one of the largest droves of
full-blooded registered English Berkshire
hoes in America. He also owns a herd of
registered Aberdeen Angus cattle. He ships
hogs all over the central portion of the coun-
try and has made an excellent reputation for
handling only pure-blooded animals. In this
business he is associated with his son and
their stock farm, comprising one hundred
and sixty acres, is pleasantly and conveni-
ently located near Pana. r^Ir. Humphreys,
however, gives the greater part of his time
and attention to the duties of his position
as state's attorney. He owns considerable
business and residence property in Pana in
addition to his farming lands and he has
ever enjoyed quite an extensive and import-
ant law practice.

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr.
Humphreys and ^Irs. A. C. McMillen and
they had one son, Arthur, who is associated
with his father in the stock business. For
his second wife Mr. Humphreys chose Miss
Clara E. Trower and they were married on
the 30th of September, 1809. ^^ts.
Humphreys is a member of the Presbyterian
church, while Mr. Humphreys has member-
ship relations with the Knights of Pythias,
the Woodmen, the. Eraternal Aid Associa-
tion, the Fraternal Army and the Mystic
Circle. In his political views he has ever
been a Democrat and he takes an active in-
terest in the growth and success of his part}-,
believing strongly in its principles. His pri-
vate life and official career commend him to
the confidence and respect of his fellow-men
and all who know him entertain for him
warm regartl.

ARCHIE TILDEX GIBSON, M. D.

Ann)ng those who devote their time and
energies to the practice of medicine and
have gained a leading place in the ranks of
the profession is Dr. A. T. Gibson, of Mor-
risonville. He was born in Bellflower, Mc-
Lean county, Illinois, on the 23d of April.
1873, and is a son of F. M. and ^Mary J.
( Mc^^'illiams) Gibson. On the paternal
side his grandfather was a native of \'ir-
ginia and of Scotch parentage. The family
was founded in America in the early part
of the seventeenth century and for some
years made their home in tlie Old Dominion.
Many of its members still show character-
istics of their Scottish ancestry. Our sul>
ject's mother was of Scotch-Irish descent,
the McW'illiams family having come to this
country from the north of Ireland. They
became loyal citizens of their adopted land
and participated in the Mexican and Civil
wars.

F. N. Gibson, the Doctor's father, was
born in 1834 in Indiana and in 1848 came
to Illinois, locating at Bellflower. Having
considerable confidence in the future of his
adopted state, he purchased large tracts of
land near that place, real estate being then
quite cheap and as it was improved and rose
in value he became quite wealthy. He dis-
posed of a part of his property at an excel-
lent profit but still retains a portion of his
land, and although he is now practically liv-
ing a retired life he still has charge of his
landed interests. He makes his home in
Bellflower. surrounded by all the comforts
and many of the luxuries of life which were
acquired through former toil. In his fam-
ily are five sons and three daughters, of
whom three are physicians, these being
I. \V.. H. C. and Archie T., of this review.
John D., another son. has been in the employ
of one railroad for manv vears and is now

A. T. GIBSON. M. D.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

297

ticket agent in Chicago, while Frank M.,
the youngest son, is still at home and assists
his father in the management of his prop-
erty. The maternal grandfather of our suh-
ject was the architect who planned the state
house at Jefferson City, Missouri, built in
1836-7, and it still stands as a monument
to his skill and- ability.

During his boyhood Dr. A. T. Gibson
spent much of his time on the home farm,
though he also lived in Bellflower a part of
the time and had the advantages of the city
school. He completed his literary education
in the high school of that place and then
began the study of medicine under the di-
rection of his brother. Dr. J. W. Gibson.
Later he matriculated at the Barnes Medi-
cal College of St. Louis, where he was grad-
uated in the class of 1895. He entered upon
the practice of his profession at Fort Dodge.
Iowa, wdiere his skill and aljility soon won
recognition and he built up a large country
practice, but having decided to return to
Illinois, he located in Morrisonville in 1897,
purchasing the practice of Dr. W. A. Brit-
ton. His success was assured from the start
and his practice soon went beyond his ex-
pectations. • He is undoubtedly the leading
physician of Morrisonville, although there
are two other representatives of the medical
profession at that place and his patronage
reaches out into the country twelve miles in
every direction. He has purchased a build-
ing on Main street, twenty-five by one hun-
dred and forty-eight feet in dimensions, and
has fitted it up as an office wdth a reception
room, drug and consulting room and an
operating room. He has the best selected
medical library in the city and has all the
latest improved instruments needed in his
profession.

The Doctor is a Democrat in his political
views and has been alderman of Morrison-

ville for two terms. While serving in that
capacity he was a member of several im-
portant committees and always discharged
his official duties in a most creditable and
satisfactory manner. Fraternally he belongs
to the Masonic Lodge of Morrisonville, the
Knights of Pythias, No. 387, and is a char-
ter member of I. O. O. F., No. 459, in
which he has filled all the chairs. He is ex-
amining surgeon for the Modern Woodmen
of America, the iM-aternal y\rmy, the Loyal
Americans, the Court of Honor and the
Royal Neighbors. He has met with marked
success in his ghosen profession, for which
he is well fitted l)y nature and education, and
he possesses those admirable traits of char-
acter which make him a favorite in the
sick room. Wherever known he is held in
high regard and has made a host of warm
friends since coming to Morrisonville.

ISAAC S. CORZINE.

Isaac S. Corzine, wdiose home is on sec-
tion 15, Prairieton township, is one of the
representative farmers of Christian county.
Thorough, systematic and progressive, he
has met with success in his chosen calling
and by his own unaided efforts he has risen
to a position among the substantial citizens
of his community, being now the owner of
a well improved and valuable farm of three
hundred acres.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Corzine was born
in Guernsey county, February 8, 1861, his
parents being Allen and Mary Ann (War-
ren) Corzine. On the paternal side he is of
Dutch descent, his grandfather having come
to this counti-y from Holland at an early day
when quite young. He settled in New York
city and at one time owned sixty acres of
land along Wall street, which is to-day one
of the most valuable sections of that sfreat

298

PAST AND PRESENT

city. The father of our subject was horn
in Pennsylvania in 1816 and (hn-ini;- hoy-
liood removed to Guernsey county, Ohio,
making- liis home in the Buckeye state until
1868, when he came to Christian county.
llHnois.

Isaac S. Corzine was Inil seven years of
age when he accompanied his jxirents on
their removal to this state and here he grew
to manhood, his education being acquired in
the ])ul)lic schools of Christian county. On
attaining his majority he rented a farm of
two hundred and ft^rty acres, which he oper-
ated (juite successfully for five years and in
the meantime saved enough to purchase a
farm. He sold that place in 1887 and bought
one hundred and sixty acres in Prairieton
township where he now resides. As time
passed he continued to prosper and at one
time owned one hundred and forty-five acres
of land near Eagle Grove. Iowa, which he
sold at the end of two years and then pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres in
Wright county, that state. He disposed of
the latter tract a few years ago and in 1900
bought one hundred and forty acres more
in Prairieton township, this county, so that
he now has three hundred acres here of as
fme farming land as is to be found in this
section of the state. He has made all of the
improvements upon his place and they stand
as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

On the 27th of January. 1886, Mr. Cor-
zine was united in m;irriage to Miss Sadie
Coffman, a daughter of James D. Cofifman,
w'ho was one of the leading farmers of this
county and died here in 1885. To our sub-
ject and his wdfe have been born three chil-
dren, namely : Lela, Edith and Eva, all at
home and attending school. The family
hold membership in the Willowdale Meth-
odist Episcopal church and are people of
prominence in the community where they

reside. In his political affiliations Mr. Cor-
zine is a l\e])ublic;ui and he takes an acti\'e
interest in public affairs. His life has been
one of industry and usefulness and due suc-
cess has not been denied, it being but the
just reward of honest labor for all that he
has ac(|uired through his own efforts.

RUBEN K. PENCE.

The list of the leading citizens of Chris-
tian county contains the name of Ruben K.
Pence, one of the representative and honored
citizens of Morrisonville. He has been an
important factor in the development of the
city and has lieen identified with the agri-
cultural and business interests of the county
for over forty-four years. He is a man of
recognized ability and generally carries for-
ward to successful completion whatever he
undertakes.

Mr. Pence w^as born in Butler county,
Ohio, on the 31st of March, 1822, and in
early life removed with his parents to a
farm near New Paris, that state, wdiere he
li\ed until eighteen years of age, receiving
in tbie meantime a good common school edu-
cation. After leaving home he w'as engaged
in different enterprises until T850, when he
came to Illinois. In 1857 he became a resi-
dent of Litchfield, this state, where he spent
two years, and then removed to Christian
county, locating tw'O miles north of Mor-
risonxille, where he opened up a farm. He
has cut wheat on the present town site of
Morrison\ille and continued to prosper in
his farming operations until 1888. when he
l)urchascd fifty-three acres of land adjoining
the city, had it surveyed and laid out in
town lots, forming the Pence addition to
Morrisonville. This has since become one
of the finest residence portions of the city
and here he now makes his home.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

299

Mr. Pence is a representative of an old
Virginian family and his grandmother was
closely related to General Price, heing a
member of the same family. On the loth
of May, 1848, was celebrated the marriage
of Mr. Pence and Miss Louisa Watts., a
daughter of John Watts and a direct de-
scendant of James Watts. Nine children
blessed this union, namely : Mrs. C. C.
LeMasters is a resident of Taylorville.
James M. lives two miles west of Morrison-
villc and has three children, Thomas R., J.
Randolph and Robert R. Mrs. Daisy D.
Large also has three children, Roxana.
George and John. Mrs. F. P. Gordan lives
in Tecumseli. John died in infancy and
Delia also died when small. Calvin K. went
west and has never been heard of since. Mrs.
J. D. Lowis makes her home in Morrison-
\ille. Mrs. George W. Kerr is a resident
of Marshall, Oklahoma.

Since voting for General Fremont in 1856
Mr. Pence has supported every presidential
nominee of the Republican party but at local
elections votes for the man whom he be-
lieves best qualified for office, regardless of
party lines. He belongs to the Masonic fra-
ternity, being the oldest Mason in good
standing in the county. It was in Decem-
ber, 1846, that he joined the order and has
since been a member in good standing. He
also belongs to the chapter in Morrisonville.
In 1845 he was made a member of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and was
a contributing member of the same for over
forty years. He has lived peaceably with
all men. having never had a lawsuit, and he
has been a lil>eral contributor to charitable
enterprises. For many years he has been an
active and consistent member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and by his upright
honorable life he has gained the confidence
and respect of all who know him. He is a

good neighlior, a kind friend and a devoted
husband and father. Everything pertaining
to the public good receives his hearty en-
dcM'sement and he is justly numbered among
the leading citizens of the community in
which he lives.

SAMUEL PICKER.

Samuel Picker, dealer in clothing and
men's furnishing goods in Assumption,
stands as a type of the representative Ameri-
can citizen who owes his advancement to
Ills own efforts, and who, despite the fact
that there are many obstacles and difficulties
to l)e encountered in the business world reso-
lutely set to work to achieve prosperity, and
has ach-anced to a \'ery enviable position in
trade circles in his adopted county.

Mr. Picker was born in Russian Poland,
May 23, 1873, a son of Henry and Ada
Picker. The mother died in her native
country when the son was but eleven vears
of age and he then started out to make his
own living and has come off conqueror in
the world's broad field of battle. At the age
of fifteen he emigrated to America, paying
his passage with what he had saved from a
weekly salary of fifty cents. He had heard
very favorable reports concerning opportuni-
ties in the new world and has never had
occasion to regret the step he took in 1888.
Landing in New York he at once sought
employment, entering the service of the Wal-
ler Shirt & Pants Company, in which house
he remained for two years, during which
time he learned the cutter's trade. In 1890
he came to the west and worked at various
points in Illinois. Lie arrived in Assump-
tion in 1897 with a capital of eighty dollars,
Ijut he possessed thorough business ability,
is methodical in his habits and correct in his
judgments. Here he opened a "racket"

300

PAST AND PRESENT

store in the Commercial block unci after a
few months removed to the old Armstrong
building on South Front street, where he
remained until high rentals caused him to
remove to the building on the opposite cor-
ner now occupied by the bank. This "was
in 1898 and in 1900 the building was de-
manded for banking purposes.

In the meantime Mr. Picker's business
had grown to such proportions that he re-
moved to a store two doors north of the Illi-
nois State Bank — the site of his present lo-
cation. There in November, 1901, together
with a large numl)er of the other business
men of Assumption, he suffered a heavy loss
by fire, his entire stock being destroyed.
However, the building was quickly replaced
'but even before that time Mr. Picker had
opened up a small stock in the east room of
the Columbia Block on First street. There
he remained until September 7, 1902, when
he was again able to occupy the North Front
street store, where he is now to be found.
Mr. Picker is a very successful and enter-
prising business man. His knowledge of the
real worth of materials enables him to buy
advantageously and to sell at a profit that
is fair alike to the customer and the mer-
chant. His business has annually grown and
developing from small proportions has be-
come one of the leading mercantile concerns
of the city.

On the 30th of ]\Iay, 1894. Mr. Picker
was united in marriage to Miss Hattie
Lewis, of Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of
H. and Molly Lewis, the former a merchant
of Springfield. They now have three bright
and interesting children : Edna, Paul and
Reta.

While America is the home of the "self-
made man," rto less credit and honor is due
the individual because he is one of a large
class, on the contrary we should be proud

that the advantages of America are such as
draw to her shores men of ambition, reso-
lution and energy, men who advance in the
business world and at the same time become
loyal, i)rogressive citizens, doing much for
the substantial improvement and develop-
ment of the localities in which they reside.
Such a one is Mr. Picker, who only about
fifteen years ago was a poor boy, landing on
the shores of the new world without capi-
tal. To-day he stands among the well-to-do
and respected residents of Assumption. He
was one of nine children and, with the ex-
ception of one who was drowned in child-
hood, all reached years of maturity and the
six sons were left to battle with the world
at an early age. David, the eldest, is mar-
ried and lives in New York, where he is
connected with the Mutual Life Insurance
Company. Louis is also married and lives
in New York. Victor is married and is
machinist in the employ of the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad at Clinton, Illinois. Myron
and Osup are graduate druggists of New
York, obtaining their diplomas by studying
evenings. It is certainly a creditable family
record.

HON. RUFUS M. POTTS.

The life record (jf the Hon. Rufus M.
Potts stands in contradistinction to the old
adage that a prophet is never without honor
save in his own country, for the subject of
this review is a native son of the county in
which he has directed the efforts of his
career. He was born in Christian county,
September 3, 1870, and has back of him an
ancestry, honorable and distinguished. In
the paternal line he comes of \Velsh descent.
His Qreat-"reat-grand father was David
Potts, a famous general of the English
Armv. The familv was established on this

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

301

side of the water at an early period in the
development of the country and Joel Potts,
the grandfather of the Judge, having be-
come a pioneer of the west, served in the
Black Hawk war of 1832. Two of the
uncles of the Judge were valiant defenders
of the LInion cause in the Civil war and the
family has ever been noted for brave and
loyal defense of country and of principle.
The first representative of the name in
America became a resident of Pennsylvania
and founded the town of Pottsville in that
state. Later his descendants removed to
Kentucky and thence came to Christian
county, Illinois, where representatives of the
name have since been found and in public
affairs here they have borne an important
and helpful part.

In the maternal line Tudsfe Potts comes of
ancestry equally honorable. His grand-
father, Colonel Preston Langley, was a dis-
tinguished pioneer and influential citizen of
Kentucky and when Illinois was still a fron-
tier district he came to this state, locating in
Christian county, where the Langleys have
since been worthy citizens.

When cjuite young Judge Potts lost his
mother by death. The father was a man
of considerable wealth but the son did not
profit much by this fact as the father was
engaged in adding to his possessions rather
than in assisting the Judge to enjoy ad-
vantages, educational and otherwise, which
his means might have secured. The l:)ov at-
tended the public schools and early mani-
fested the elemental strength of his char-
acter. He realized early the fact that there
is no excellence without labor and that there
is no royal road to wealth. He soon de-
veloped industry and a laudable ambition,
which was guided by sound judgment and
supplemented by persistency of purpose.
Wishing to enjoy better educational privi-

leges than were afforded by the common
schools, he pursued a classical course of
study and then continued the acquirement of
knowledge, — but this time along a more spe-
cific line, as he had determined to make the
])ractice of law his life work. Accordingly
he became a student in the law office and
under the direction of the firm of Palmer,
Schutt & Drennan, of Springfield. He ap-
plied himself assiduously to the mastery of
the principles of jurisprudence and when he
had become familiar with many of the lead-
ing principles of law he was admitted to the
bar, but he continued to remain with his
preceptors for a few years for the purpose
of preparing himself to be able to impart
in the courtroom what he had learned from
his books. Being a great admirer of Gov-
ernor Palmer and his private secretary when
a law student, he partook of the Governor's
forcible style of arguing a case in court or
a question on the stump, thus winning for
himself a leading- position at the bar and
also high rank as a platform orator.

On leaving Springfield Judge Potts took
up his abode in Taylorville and opening an
oflice had not long to await a good clientele.
No' dreary noviate lay before him, for al-
most at once he demonstrated his ability in
such a way as to gain a fair share of the
legal business of the district. It is said that
he has as many if not more clients than any
lawyer in central Illinois, and yet he has not
acquired wealth as rapidly as many. The
law is his profession, and while he has the
laudable ambition to win success and thus
provide well for his family, he is, as every
true lawyer should be, the exponent of jus-
tice and the conservator of the rights and
liberties of the people. Many times he has
Ijeen known not only to take charge of. a
case in which he expected no pecuniary re-
ward, but also to personally supply the costs

302

PAST AND TRESENT

for the suit. ITc never enters npon a case
unless be lias llrni belief in tbe justice of bis
client's suit, and it is customary for bini to
advise all clients and friends of bis to settle
tbeir controversies outside of court if pos-
sible. .\ contemporary publication in speak-
iup- of this cbaracteristic of the Indite said:
This was conspicuously noticeable during
the late troubles at Pana. When called on
by the miners for legal advice Judge Potts
said: "Boys, keep out of court, if possible."
And be left w itb them for Pana, where he
addressed a large mass meeting of excited
and indignant citizens, who were ready for
any emergency and if left to their own in-
clinations would ha\e precipitated troubles
requiring almost endless litigation and large
attorney fees. The Judge saw and knew
this. However, instead of talking for his
own financial interest he addressed them
calmly, cautiously and with such force and
power as to carry them with him to a peace-
able solution of the question, winning for
himself a lasting place in the heart of every
miner and laboring man in Illinois.

The legal ability and loyalty in citizenship
of Judge Potts won him the nomination for
judge of the ])rol)ate court of Christian
county and he was a candidate at the time
of tbe inauguration of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war. The l)lood of valiant soldiers
flowed in his veins and his ow-n patriotic
spirit being aroused be at once resigned the
nomination, tendered his services to Gov-
ernor Tanner and assisted to recruit tbe regi-
ment commanded by Bluford Wilson. He
was elected major of the first l)attalion, but
in the meantime the central committee had
determined not to accept his resignation of
the nomination and although it was expected

he would leave for the scene of hostilities at
any moment he was elected probate judge,

and served his term.

Judge Potts was united in marriage in
1895 to Miss Wilhelmina R. Grunewaldt, a
dau"-hter of Otto Grunewaldt, one of *he
leading business men of Springfield. The
young couple have many warm friends in
Taylorville and the surrounding district and
he is widely and favorably known through-
out the state on account of the prominent
part he has taken in political circles and be-
cause of his marked ability in his profes-
sion. Soon after his election to the bench
of the probate court he was elected the presi-
dent of the Illinois County and Probate
Judges' Association — a fact which indicates
his standing with the profession. He is yet
a young man and has attained distinction
that a man of twice his years might well
envy. This is due to his inherent force of
character, his improvement of opportunity..
his strong purpose, his unfaltering fidelity
to principle and his allegiance to the public
good.

HENRY C BOLLINGER.

Henry C. Bollinger, one of the enterpris-
ing farmers of Stonington township, living
on section 15, is a native of Maryland, his
birth having occurred fourteen miles from
Baltimore in Baltimore county, on the 31st
of July. 1857. His parents were Ephraim
and Mary Ann (Strewig) Bollinger, both
of whom were natives of Maryland. The
father was a millwright and carpenter and
in 1869 removed to Illinois, where he w^as
connected with building operations as a con-
tractor. He also engaged in farming to
some extent and he erected all of the build-
ings upon the old home place. Being an
excellent workman, bis services were con-
tinually in demand as a carpenter and he
thus, provided a good living for his family.
He was killed in Stonington while crossing

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

303

the Wabash Raih"oad tracks l)y a fast train
January 18, 1893, and his wife survived
him until 1899, when she was also called to
her final rest.

H. C. Bollinger Ijegan his education in
the district schools of Maryland and was
about twelve years of age when he came
with his parents to Illinois. Here he also
attended school to some extent, but through
the months of summer his attention was
given to farming work as he assisted his
father in the operation of the homestead
farm. When twenty-one years of age he
started out in life on his own account, rent-
ing forty acres of land. His excellent busi-
ness ability and capable management won
him success during the first year and so en-
couraged him that in the second vear he
rented a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres, which he operated for two years. In
that time he managed to save considerable
money, which he invested in eighty acres of
raw land and to this at a later date he added
a tract of twenty acres. This constitutes
his present farm, which is a good property,
well improved with modern equipments. He
has erected all of the buildings u]wn his
place, has divided the farm into fields of
convenient size by well kept fences, has se-
cured modern farming implements and ma-
chinery in order to facilitate his work and
in fact has a place supplied with snlendid ac-
cessories and conveniences. His is alto-
gether one of the best improved farms in this
portion of the county and the owner is
classed with the most progressive agricul-
turists here.

On the 22(\ of March. 1883, was cele-
brated the marriage of Mr. Bollinger and
Miss Keziah Coffey, a daughter of Newton
and Martha (Vermillion) Coffey, both of
Avhom were natives of Kentucky. The
father was a minister of the gospel and on

his removal to Illinois settled in Christian
county, where he continued his pastoral
work, preaching in many districts of this
county. His influence was far-reaching and
beneficial and proved a potent element in the
moral development of the community. He
died of heart trouble when on the train on
his way to Iowa in 1890. His widow still
survives, making her home in Iowa. The
home of Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger has been
blessed with four children: Mary E., born
January 2, 1884; Jessie E., born December
3. 1886; Henry E., February 4, 1890; and
Willis M., born October 22, 1891. All the
children are still under the parental roof
and their parents have every reason to be
proud of them. The family are members of
the Reformed church of Stonington, Illi-
nois, and our subject and his wife hold a
very enviable position in the regard of many
friends.

FLORIN NEU.

One of the most enterprising and ener-
getic business men of Pana is Florin- Neti,
the senior member of the firm of F. Neu &
Son, proprietors of an up-to-date grocery at
the corner of Third and South Locust
streets. He was born in Prussia, Germany,
July 17, 1833. a son of Henry and Kath-
arine Neu. in whose family were five chil-
dren, those still living being Florin; Jacob,
a resident of Springfield, Illinois ; and Mrs.
Elizabeth Neu. Peter and Emma are de-
ceased, both having died in Baltimore,
Maryland, where the death of the parents
also occurred.

In his native land Florin Neu grew to
manhood and was educated in the public
schools of Germany. For two years and a
half he served in the Prussian army and be-
fore coming to the new world learned the
blacksmith's trade. It was in 1856 that he

304

PAST AND PRESENT

emierated to America and made his liome in
Baltimore, Maryland, there working- at his
trade for four years. In i860 he came to
Christian county, Illinois, and settled at
Pana, w liicli was then a small village. Here
he engaged in blacksm'ithing for a number
of years, ha\ing a shop of his own. In
1875. on his retirement from that occupa-
tion, he embarked in the grocery business in
a small way. but as his trade Increased he
enlarged his stock and in 1892 erected a
substantial block, known as the Neu block,
where he now does an extensive business.
His son Harry has been admitted to a part-
nership in the enterprise and the firm of F.
Neu & Son is now numbered among the
leading grocers of the city. At the age of
fourteen years Harry began to aid in the
store and it was not long ere he had thor-
oughly mastered the business in all its de-
tails.

On the 17th of March, 1868, Mr. Neu
was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude
Ott. She w^as born in Baden, German\,
January 6. 1846, and was about seven years
of age wdien, in 1853, she came to the United
States with her parents, F. S. and Anna
Mary (Brecht) Ott, the trip being made on
a sailing vessel. The family first located in
Cincinnati, Ohio, but in 1857 came to Chris-
tian county, Blinois. Mr. Ott secured a po-
sition as watchman at the depot in Pana and
made his home at this ]3lace until called to
his final rest in 1890. His wife died in
1888. Mrs. Neu is their only child. She
was educated in the first school house erected
in Pana, it being located on Commercial
alley, and her teacher was Miss Bull. Unto
]\Ir. and Mrs. Neu have been born nine chil-
dren, namely : Harry, who is in business
with his father; Flora, at home; Clara, who
is a graduate of the Pana high school and
has pursued a business course at Decatur;

Jennie, also a high school graduate ; Lilly,
who after completing the high school course
attended the state normal and is now suc-
cessfully engaged in teaching; Walter, who
died at the age of eleven months ; Gertrude,
who died at the age of six years ; Caroline,
who died at the age of three and a half
years ; Edmond, who is now a student in the
high school and is making a special study of
history. The family is one of prominence
in Pana, its members being widely and fa-
vorably known. For about a third of a cen-
tury Mr. and Mrs. Neu have resided at their
present home and its hospitable doors are
ever open to their many friends. They are
members of the German Evangelical church
and Mr. Neu is also connected with the An-
cient Order of United Workmen. His suc-
cess in life is' due entirely to his own well
directed etTorts and he commands the re-
spect and confidence of all with \\'hom he is
brought in contact, either in business or so-
cial life. ■

J. H. SOLLIDAY.

J. H. Solliday. now deceased, was for
long years a farmer of Christian county and
through his well directed business efforts he
attained success. He also gained the w^arm
regard of tlie public which is ever given in
recognition of an honorable, upright career.
He was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl-
xania. on the loth of March, 1837, and was
a son of Jacob G. and Mary Solliday, who
on leaving the Keystone state removed to
Ohio. At a later day they became residents
of Illinois, but subsequently returned to
Pennsylvania, where their last days were
passed.

Mr. Solliday of this review acquired his
education in the jmblic and high schools of
Ohio and entered upon his business career
as a bookkeeper and salesman in a store in

J. H. SOLLIDAY

MRS. J. H. SOLLIDAY
ELIAS HOLBEN ANGELINE GRAGG

MRS. THOMAS E. GRAGG

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

309

Se\ille, that state. Later he was employed
in a similar capacity in W'adsworth, Ohio,
for three years. In early manhood, desiring
a companion and helpmate tor life's journey,
he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline
Holben, a daughter of Elias and Alargaret
H\)ll)en. Her father was linrn in New York
and her mother's birth occurred in Pennsyl-
vania. Coming- to Illinois he spent his last
days in this state. d}ing January 4, ic)04.
at Taylorxille. and was buried in drove City
cemetery. His wife died and was buried
in Ohi(_).

Mrs. Solliday was l)orn in Ohio, March
ly, 1840, and her marriage was celebrated
on the 16th of November, i860. In the
spring of the following year the young-
couple started fcr Illinois. Eventually they
reached Illiopolis, this state, from which
])lace tiiey had to walk to Mount Auburn.
They established their home near Grove City
and Mr. Solliday, during the early period
of his residence in Illinois, assisted his father
in paying for his farm, after which he pur-
chased for himself a tract of land of one
hundred and sixty acres in Stonino;ton town-
ship. Christian county. Later he added
forty acres more and afterward an addi-
tional tract of eighty acres. A\'hen he
started out upon an independent business
career here he had nothing but a horse and
this died not long afterward. As the years
ad\anced, however, he prospered in his un-
dertakings for he allowed no difficulty or
obstacle to discourage him and worked his
way upward, his inrhistry and perseverance
at length meeting gratifying .success. The
home farm now comprises two hundred and
eighty acres of very fine land, all of which is
well improved.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Solliday were born
the following children : Rollen E., who was
a graduate of the Gem City Business Col-
17

lege at Ouincv, Illinois, and died at the age
of twenty-three years; X'ictorine. who mar-
ried J. 1). Hackenbcrg in 1885 and is now
living in May townshi]), where her husband
is engaged in farming and stock-raising;
I^lla H., who in 1893 l>ecame the wife of
T. E. Gregg, the present ]K)stniastcr of Ston-
ington; Edson P., who died at the age of
six months; Eben O., who died at the age
of nine months; R. J., who was married in
1894 to Alay Simpson, a daughter of John
Simpson of Rosamond township, and is en-
gaged in buying and selling stock and man-
aging the home farm i:iear Stonington ;
M. H., who is a graduate of the JefYerson
Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, and is now the leading physician of
Owaneco, Illinois; and i\ngelene M., who
in 1900 became the wife of Dr. \A\ J. Sal-
ing, of Stonington.

Mr. Solliday \vas a Democrat in his po-
litical afhliations and took a \ery prominent
and active part in local affairs, holding many
township of^fices. For twenty-three years he
served as commissioner of his township and
was in office at the time of his death. He
died July 12, 1890, respected by all who
knew him for his had been an honorable
and upright character. Mrs. Solliday still
sur\i\-es her husband and she and her chil-
dren 'are all members of the Reformed
church. She owns in vStonington a nice
modern residence of eight rooms situated
upon a lawn covering a half block of
ground. To her Imsband slie was ever a
faithful companion a.nd assistant on life's
journey and the relation which existed be-
tween them was a most congenial one.

CYRUS A. POTTS.

Cyrus A. Potts, who is engaged in the
real estate business in Taylorville. has spent
his entire life in Christian county. Pie is a

310

PAST AND PRESENT

son of Cieorire f). I'ntts and a grandson of
Joel Potts. The latter ^vas a nati\e of Ken-
tucky and l)ecanie an early settler of Cass
county. Illinois. Sul)se(juently he removed
to Christian county, settling" in I'aylorville
townshi]). in 1^50. There he followed farm-
ing until his death, which occurred in 1898.
when he was ahout eighty-seven years of
age. his hirth having- occurred in 181 1. In
early manhood he married Sarah E. Bliz-
zard, who was horn Decemher 22, 1818.
and died November 28, 1848. Idieir chil-
dren were jVIrs Maria E. Davis, Nathan C,
George D and Cyrus A.

George D. Potts was horn July 17, 1845.
in Cass county, Illinois, and obtained his
education in Christian county. He has made
farming his life work, and now resides on
the old home place in Taylorville township,
where he has carried on agricultural pur-
suits for many years. He married Lenora
A. Langley. a daughter of Robert P. Lang-
ley. Her hirth occurred in Taylor\-ille town-
ship. Ai>ril J/. 1848, and she died on the
14th of August. 1876. leaxing hnn children:
William A., who resides at Pekin, Illinois;
Rufus ]\I.. who is an attorney of Taylor-
ville: Cyrus A., of Taylorville: and Demp-
ster O., who is also practicing law in this
city. 'J'he father was again married on the
1 8th of November, 1877. his second union
being with Sarah E. hdinn. ^\•h() was born
in Sangamon county. Illinois. February 24.
1856, a daughter of William Flinn. Their
children are Tony R. and Lineal O.

Cyrus A. Pc^tts was born in Taylorville
township, January 18. 1873. ])ursued his ed-
ucation in the common schools of Taylor-
ville township, and throughout his active
business career has resided in this citv. fie
followed abstracting and niaj) work for
about ten years and since 1900 has been en-
gaged in the real estate business, handling

much \ahnble ])roperty. and negotiating
in:ni\' im])ortant real estate transfers. He
has a thorough knowledge concerning prop-
erty \ahies in this part of the state, and
secured a good clientage in his line, so that
his bu.siness has now reached profitable pro-
] portions.

In 1897, -Mr. Potts was united in mar-
ri:ige to Miss Alay Scarr, a druighter of
Nicholas Scarr, of Monroeville Indiana,
and unto them have been Ijorn a son and
daughter: Russell A. and ^lary M. Mr,
and Mrs. Potts are well known in Taylor-
\ille. and are held in verv favorable regard.
His political support is given the Democ-
racy, and in matters of citizenshin he seeks
the welfare and promotion of town and
countv.

P. O. DULLER.

The subject of this sketch is a member of
the well known firm of Miller Brothers, who
are now conducting the only meat market in
Morrisonxille. It is one of the most com-
plete and best ecjuipped markets in the
C(nmty. The firm do their own slaughter-
ing and kill on an average of seven or eight
beeves and as many hogs per week. They
ha\e every facility for keeping the meat.
haxing two large patented refrigerators
holding six thousand pounds of ice, which
w ill last them a week.

P. O. Miller was born in Macoupin
county, Illinois, in 1865. and is the second
of three brothers, whose parents were Jo-
seph and Lucy Miller. His boyhood and
youth were spent upon a farm until seven-
teen years of age and his education was ac-
(|uire<l in the common schools near his home.
He then started out to make his own wa}" in
the world and was first engaged in clerking
in Kansas. Later he worked in a grain ele-
\ator for three months, but not likine that

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

31 i

state he returned to Illinois at the end of
that time and has since resided in Morrison-
ville. For several years he continued to
make his home Avith his father, in the mean-
time being employed at A-arious occupations
In 1891 he embarked in the grocery busi-
ness under the firm name of Miller & Clek-
ner, but sold his interest a year and a half
later and turned his attention to the grain
trade, being employed in an elevator for
five years. At the end of that time he ac-
cepted a position as traveling salesman for
machinery and met with most excellent suc-
cess in that undertaking, becoming second
in amount of sales made among the many
salesmen employed by the firm in this state^
In 1900 he and his brother purchased the
meat market of Dry Brothers at Morrison-
ville and have since successfully carried on
the business, their trade constantly increas-
ing.

In June, 1893, Mr. Miller married Miss
Jennie D. Herdman. a daughter of A. B.
Herdman. Since attaining his majority he
has afiiliated with the Democratic party and
l>as served as township treasurer for six
years, still holding that office. No other
man in the county has held a similar posi-
tion for so many consecutive years. Mr
Miller is president of the Opera House As-
sociation and has charge of their building.
He has served other associations in the same
capacity and stands high in business circles.

W. M. DALBEY.

A\'. M. Dalbey is one of the extensive
landowners of Taylorville township, having
finu' hundred acres of land on which he
raises stock for the market. To this busi-
ness he has devoted his energies for a num-
ber of years and his efforts have been fol-
lowed with excellent resYdts, so that he is

now one of the substantial citizens of the
community. He was liorn near C^olumbus,
Ohio, in 1838, a son of Joseph and Emaline
Dalbey, both of whom were natives of Vir-
ginia. In the year 1826 the father removed
to the Buckeye state, where l)oth he and his
wife remained until called to the home be-
yond, when well advanced in years.

Mr. Dalbey, of this review, was reared in
the state of his nativity and to "its public
school svstem he is indebted for the educa-
tional privileges he received. He owes to
his parents good training in habits of life
that tend to make an upright character. In
the fall of 1862 he came to Illinois, whither
his brothers had preceded him. He had
been a student in the district schools of Ohio
until fourteen years of age and after that he
ga\'e his attention to the cattle business, buy-
ing and selling stock in his native state until
his removal to the west. Here he again fol-
lowed this pursuit until twenty-nine years
of age, when feeling that his education was
not sufficient to enable him to take the place
he desired in the business world he entered
the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware,
Ohio, in which he spent three years as a stu-
dent. While there he became a member of
the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. On com-
pleting- his college v.ork he returned to this
state, where he again took up the cattle busi-
ness. Throughout his career as an active
factor in agricultural circles, he has raised
stock for the market and has found this a
profitable source of income, because he is
an excellent judge of stock and is therefore
enabled to make judicious purchases and
good sales. In 1872 he rented a farm in
the western i^art of the county and continued
to reside thereon until 1883, when he re-
moved to his present home, where he now
owns four hundred acres.

In 1875 Mr. Dalbey was united in mar-

312

['AST AND PRESENT

riage t<i Miss Man- Hall, wli" was boni on
the farm where they now reside. Slie is a
(laughter of Dixon I hill, who emii^rated
from A'ir.^inia to Christian eonnty. Illinois,
in iS^v She is also a nieee of William
Mall, jxipnlarly known as Tnele IhUy. who
was one of the earliest settlers of this i)or-
tion of the state, l^nto Mv. and Mrs. Dal-
hey have heen liorn live children: Eoraine, ,
who is a i^radnate of the 'i'axlorville hii;-h
school and has also heen a stndent in the
Ohio W'esleyan l^nixersity at Delaware,
Ohio, and the Northwestern Tniversity at
I'A-anston. Illinois, is now in Chicago at-
tendin"- the Bible Training School for ]Mis-
sions. Dwight S.. who is living in Jersey-
\ille. Illinois, was gradnated with the de-
gree of Baclielor of Arts fn^n the Illinois
State University in rgoj. and for one year
he was a teacher in that institution. On
December 23. 1903. he married ^liss Vir-
ginia Lewis, of Jerseyville. Mabel Hall, a
graduate of the Taylor\ille high school, is
now a freshman in the Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity. William F.. is a member of the
Taylorville higli school with the class of
T906. Louise, the youngest of the family,
is a member of the class of i<j04 in the same
school.

Mr. Dalbey is an ardent advocate of the
I'roliibition i)arty and its ])rincii)les and does
everything in his ])ower to promote its
growth and extend its influence. He holds
member.shi]) in the Masonic fraternity, but
is not actively connected with the order at
the present time. He is, however, an inter-
ested member of the Methodist L4MSCopal
church and his work in its behalf has been
effective and beneficial. His life bas long-
been imbued with high moral ])rincii)les,
which are n-ianifested in his straightforward
relations with his fellow men.

JA.MI'.S KI'Tl'.l'.X II AKklXcri'ON.

James Keuljen H;n'rington, who is [)ro-
jirietor of the Electric Light (\; Steam Heat-
ing IMant in hjlinbu-g. one of the leading
industric-^ of thecount\-, was bom m Taylor-
\ ille, Illinois, on the nth of vSeptember, 1877.
His father. ( ieorge 1'. Harrington, was born
in Rnshville, Illinois, on the loth of August,
^"849, and when but four or h\e years of
age remo\'e<l with his parents to California
■\\here the fannh- lixcd for about fwc }'ears.
( )n the ex])iration of tha.t perit)d they re-
lumed to Rnshville and ^Ir. Harrington
was a resident of the cit_\' of his nati\-ity
and of Lincoln, Illinois, until about the time
of his marriage. He pursued his early edu-
cation in the public school and later was
graduated from the Lincoln L'nixcrsity. He
tlien entered upon a business career as a
clerk in a drug store, in which he was em-
ployed for about one }ear. On the expira-
tion of that period he entered the office of
the firm of Price & Wilkinson, who were
engaged in the milling business in Taylor-
\ille, and remained with that house for about
[\\e years. In 1877 he remo\-ed to Edin-
burg, w-here he turned his attention to the
grain and banking business, in which he was
engaged until (wertaken by linancial dis-
aster in 1893. W hile residing in Edinljurg
lie opened the coal shaft at the to\vn, built
the opera house, erected se\eral other brick
buildings an.d was largely instrumental in
adxancing the materia.l U])building and l)rog-
ress of his count\-. J'rior to his failure he
had interests in mining \cntures ir Arizona.
In 1893 he x\-ent to that state and operated
his mines for some time. He has since set-
tled his obligations in iMlinb-Lirg and else-
where. He is a man of strong character
and upright ])ur])ose and enjoys the respect
of his fellow-men to a high degree. Lie
w-as mai'ried in earl\- manhood to Miss

GEORGE P. HARRINGTON

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

315

Emma J. Wilkinson, a daughter of Reuben
Wilkinson of TaylorviUe, the wedding
being celebrated on the 4th of June, 1873.
Unto them were Ijorn hve children, four of
wlinm are now lix'ing: Essie, the wife of
John Nelson, of Prescott, Arizona, by whom
she has five children; James R., of this re-
view; George Erancis, wlio is living at
Crown King, Arizona ; and Helen.

James R. Harrington pursued h.is educa-
tion in the public Schools of Edinburg and
in the Lincoln Universitv. He went with
his father to Arizona in 1893 and was as-
sociated with him in his mining operations
in that state. In July, 1902, he returned to
Edinbiu'g, his former home, and became
connected with the firm of Brownback &
Company in the gram business. He was in
their employ for eight months, after which
he installed the electric light and steam heat-
ing plant in Edinburg. This plant he is now
operating and it is one of the important in-
dustries of the county. It is well equipped
with the latest imprc^-ed machinery needed
in such, a concern and the business has se-
cured many patrons and has entered upon a
prosperous career.

On the 22(1 of September, 1897, Mr. Har-
rington was united in marriage to Miss Ger-
trude A. Brownback, a daughter of William
H. Brownback, a capitalist and grain dealer
of Edinburg. Their union has been blessed
with two children but Elrena, the younger,
is now deceased. She was born December
16, 1900, and died on the 13th of January,
1902. Their little son Don was born Sep-
tember 26, 1898.

Mr. Harrington is a Mason, belonging to
Blueville Lodge, No. 647, A. E. & A. M. He
has also taken the chapter degrees and is
a member of El wood Commandery, K. T.,
of Springfield, Illinois. He is also' asso-
ciated with Electric Lodge, No. 505, K. P.,

and in his political views he is a Democrat,
believing that the j^rinciples of the party
contain the best elements of good ^'overn-
ment. A young man, he possesses good
business sagacity, keen discrimination and
laudable ambition arid these are elements
which ever have great force in the battle of
life and ultimately result in winning success.

M. H. SOLLIDAY, M.D.

This is an age of specialization. The ten-
dency of the times is to concentrate one's
energies along a given line of study or labor
in order to attain the highest degree of per-
fection. Dr. Solliday has followed this
course, and while he has a good knowledge
of the science of medicine, such as is de-
manded by the general practitioner, he nev-
ertheless devotes his attention more largely
to the treatment of diseases of women and
children and has become very capable as a
specialist.

Dr. Solliday was born in Stonington town-
ship. Christian county, Illinois, on the 8th
of April, 1873, and having acquired his pre-
liminary education in the public schools, con-
tinued his studies in St. Louis College, the
University of Illinois, and Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
where he finished for the practice of medi-
cine. He was graduated with the class of
1901, and received one year's hospital ex-
perience in the Jefferson Hospital, of Phil-
adelphia, after which he came to Owaneco,
establishing his office in this place in the fall
of 1 90 1. Here he has since practiced and
although he follows a general practice he
makes a specialty of the treatment of dis-
eases of women and children, and is continu-
ally promoting his efficiency along that line
by reading and study, consulting the books

310

PAST AND PRESENT

and magazines which speak authoritatively
on the subject.

Dr. SolHday was married in 1901, the
ladv of his choice lieing Miss Syl\;inia Pflei-
ger, a daughter of Frankhn Ptleiger. who is
a cigar manufacturer of Philadclij'hia. Penn-
sylvania. Mrs. Solliday is an accomplished
musician. She made a .specialty of instru-
mental music and took a thorough course
tor her own pleasure and benefit and while
she is capal)le of imparting instruction to
others she has never followed teaching as a
profession. The Doctor and his wife own
their own home in Owaneco, and it is
blessed with the presence of a little son.
Monroe Franklin. They are members of
the Reformed church and he l^elongs to the
Masonic lodge of Taylorville. His political
support is given the men and measures of
the Democracy, but he has never been an
aspirant for office, preferring to devote his
time and energies to his business affairs, in
which he is meeting with creditable success
for one who has just reached the third
decade of life.

J. A. BOWMAN.

J. A. Bowman has spent the greater part
of his life in Christian C(nmty and is one of
its respected and honored citizens as well as
extensive landholders. His realty posses-
sions aggregate twelve hundred and thirty
acres in this part of Illinois. He was born
in Iowa in 1846, the only child of Dr. A.sa
and Mary Bowman. His father was born
in Washington county, Ohio. June 9, 1818,
and attended the common schools of his
neighborhood, where he acquired a thorough
education. On attaining his majority he
began teaching school and followed that pro-
fession for five years, at the end of which
time he determined to prepare for the prac-

tice of medicine. For four or five years he
continued his reading alone and in 1843 ^^
came to Illinois and profited by the instruc-
tion of his cousin. Dr. Daniel Bowman, who
was located near Greenfield in Cireene
count V. this state. For two vears his cousin
was his instructor.

In the meantime Dr. Bowman was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Bowman, the wed-
ding being celebrated on the 7th of Novem-
ber. 1844. In 1846 they removed to Ot-
tumwa. Iowa, where the Doctor opened his
office and entered upon practice. W^hen two
years had passed, however, he resolved to
return to his native state and between the
years 1848 and 1853 was a resident of Ohio.
In the latter vear he once more came to Illi-
nois and rented a farm in Greene county.
He planted his first crop and having then
determined to make a permanent home in
this state he went to Springfield, where,
through the land office, he invested in three
hundred and twenty acres in Stonington
township, Christian county. As his choice
of a location fell upon Christian county, he
cast in his lot with its early settlers of a half
century ago. He took up his abode near
Stonington in May. 1857. in order to im-
prove his land, and in 1858 he turned the
lirst furnnv on the farm wliere he continued
to reside until called to his final rest. Splen-
did improvements were made by him and he
became the owner of a very valuable or-
chard, his fruit and forest trees covering
fortv-five acres. Although he engaged in
general farming for a long period he made a
specialty of the production of fruit for a
number of years prior to his death. His
business affairs were capably conducted; his
lalx)rs were of a practical nature; and he
\\as also progressive in everything that he
undertook, so that as the years advanced he
won creditable success. In politics he was

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 317

an earnest Republican for a number of years and Shelby counties. His home is well
and afterward became a supporter of the equipped with all the latest improvements
Greenback party. For seven or eight years and conveniences and because of his excel-
he served as township supervisor and dur- lent business management in former years he
ing a part of that time was chairman of the is now enabled to enjoy all the comforts and
board. At the time of his demise he was one many of the luxuries of life,
of the oldest residents of Stonington town- Mr. Bowman came to Christian county at
ship. In every respect a self-made man he a time when there was hardly a furrow
won his own way to a place among the re- turned in what is now this richly cultivated
spected and substantial farmers of central portion of the state. There was much wild
Illinois through industry and energy. In game to be had and some deer were seen,
the later years of his life it was the annual but they soon disappeared before the ad-
custom to celebrate his birthday, and on vancing civilization. Dr. Bowman entered
these occasions a large number of friends the land from the government and with the
and relatives would gather to spend the day aid of his son improved the farm, making
happily with him. He was called to his final it a very valuable property. In his political
rest March 6, 1901, and his wife passed views Mr. Bowman is a Prohibitionist. He
away on the 26th of August, 1893. represents one of the most prominent f ami-
John A. Bowman, whose name introduces lies of Christian county and well deserves
this record, obtained his early education in mention in this volume,
the schools of Morgan and of Greene coun-

ties of Illinois, and for two years was a stu-

, , - ,, , ,. 1 1 r T^ 1 -11 FLETCHER HAINES,
dent m the public schools of laylorville.

Since putting aside his text books he has Among the old and honored residents of
read' broadly and his reading embraces his- Christian county none stands higher in pub-
toric and scientific subjects as well as the lie esteem than the gentleman whose name
classical literature and thus he has become introduces this sketch. For almost a half
one of the best informed men of the county, century he has made his home here and his
He has been a special student of science for name is inseparably connected with its ag-
a number of years, giving much time and ricultural interests, for he has made farming
thought to the study of metaphysics. When his life work and is to-day the owner of
he attained his majority he was given an in- eight hundred and fifteen acres of valuable
terest in the home farm and was associated land in this county, his home being on see-
in its conduct with his father. He engaged tion 5, Bear Creek township,
extensivelv in the raising of stock until Mr. Haines was born in Kentucky, No-
about the time of his mother's death, when veml)er 5, 1824, and is a son of Christopher
he retired from that business and rented his Haines, who was a native of Virginia and
land. Since his father's death he has resided one of the early settlers of Sangamon
alone upon the old homestead, his time being county, Illinois, where he died in 1851.
given to reading and to the supervision of During the boyhood of our subject he ac-
his farming interests. He has extensive companied his parents on their removal to
landed possessions, his holdings aggregating Sangamon county and he was there reared
twelve hundred and thirtv acres in Christian and educated, attending an old-time sub-

318

PAST AND PRESENT

cription school. In 1S45. at the age of
twenty-one. he ccinimenced earning- his own
livehh(-)0(l. Aliont this lime the Mexican
war broke out and the lolldwing spring he
offered his services to tlie government, en-
Hsting in the lM:)urth Illinois Infantry vnulcr
the command of Colonel l''.. D. Tiaker. ITe
])arlicipatcd in the battles of A'era Cruz and
Cerro Gordo under C.encral Winlield Scott
and when hostilities ceased was honorably
discharged and returned to his home in San-
gamon county. It was in l^^bruary. 1854,
that he removed to Christian county and
purchased three hundred acres of land, to
which he has since added from time to time
as he found opportunity until he is now the
owner of a very valuable tract of eight hun-
dred and fifteen acres.

Mr. Haines was first married in 1848, the
lady of his choice being Miss Lucinda Jane
Hattler. a daughter of James Hattler, of
Saniramon countv. wdio came originally
from Tennessee. Two children blessed this
union: J. \\'.. who was born in 1849 ^"*^^
now resides in Denver. Colorado, where he
is eneae^ed in business; and Sarah Matilda,
who was born in 1850 and died when about
eighteen months old. On the 4th of Novem-
ber, 1852, :\lr. ITaines was united in mar-
riage to Miss Lvdia Anderson, a daughter
of Thomas and Nancy Anderson, who were
natives of Kentucky and residents of Chris-
tian county. Illinois. The seven children
l)orn of this union were as follows : Thomas
Theodore, who w'as born in 1853 and died
in 1855; Edward D., who was born in 1856
and died in 1857; Millard C, who was born
in 1858 and is now engaged in the grocery
Imsiness in Portland, Oregon; Lizzie N.,
who was born in 1861 and is the wdfe of
W'ilber Hayes," of Bear Creek township.
Christian county ; Mary J., who was born in
1863 and was the wife of Jacob Sclinepp

and died Deceml)er 24. 1903; Edith, who
was born in 1868 and is the wife of George
Schncpp; and Sherman II., who was born
in 1864 and was for some years a student
in the law departments at .\iui .\rbor, Mich-
igan, and Bloomington, Illinois. He is now
following his chosen profession at Portland.
Oregon, and is enjoying an extensive prac-
tice.

Both '\\r. and ^Irs. Haines are earnest
and consistent members of the ^^^lethodist
Protestant church. The ancestors of our
subject affiliated with the Whig party and
on the organization of the Republican party
most of the family joined its ranks. Mr.
Haines is a stanch supporter of the latter
party and was personally acciuainted wdth
Abraham Lincoln, whom he met a great
many times. In early life he took quite an
active interest in public affairs and served as
justice of the peace from 1861 imtil 1864,
was township trustee for thirteen years, and
school director for many years. He is wdiat
the public terms a self-made man, having
made all that he has by hard work and care-
ful management, being a man of exception-
ally good judgment and close observation.
He is a pleasing conversationalist, being well
posted on the current questions of the day
and he stands high in the esteem of his fel-
l(tw citizens.

E. G. COONROD.

1^. G. Coonrod has spent his entire life in
Illinois and is familiar with the history of
Christian county from an early period in
its development. He has witnessed all the
changes that have occurred, the transforma-
tion that has been wrought, and has borne
his share in the work of improvement along
lines of substantial upbuilding. His birth
occurred in Greene county, Illinois, Septum-

n
o
o
z

D
>

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

321

her 5. 1832. His grandfather was George
Coonrod, his fatlier Stephen Coonrod. The
latter settled in Greene connty at a very
early day hut was a native of Kentucky and
was married in that state to Candace Lee.
They remo\-ed to Wayne county, Illinois,
and after several years to Greene county,
where the father engaged in farming. He
would engage in the tilling of the soil
throughout the w^ek and on Sundays would
preach, heing" a minister of the Baptist
church. In his family were ten child: en
who reached maiure years and seven are
now living. The eldest, Jefferson, resides
in Greenfield. Illinois, and was eighty years
of age in June, 1903. Elizabeth is the wife
of T. E. Melvin, alsO' of Greenfield. Mrs.
Isal^el Kincade is the next younger and was
followed by our subject. S. M. is living in
Colorado Springs and C. C. in Philo, Cham-
l)aign county, Illinois. Nancy A., the
youngest, is the widow of Washington Rice
and resides in Pinckneyville, Illinois. The
father carried on farming until his death,
which occurred in tlie "70s, when he was
seventy-five years of age, and his wife
])assed away in 1882, at the age of seventy-
eight years.

The educational i)ri\ileges of E. G. Coon-
rod were limited. He began his education
in a log schoolhouse and never had the op-
portunity of attending for more than three
months in a year, as his services were needed
on the home farm at the time of plowing,
planting and harvesting. In his youth the
family Hved in true pioneer style. They
W(^re liome-made clothing, shearing the
sheep and spinning and weaving the cloth
from which garments were fashioned. The
only light was furnished by tallow candles,
which Mr. Coonrod frequently assisted in
molding. His mother would do her baking
in the fireplace, using skillets, and he well

remembers the first cookstove which they
had — an old-fashioned stove with three leo-s
Alton was the market for grain and the
stock was driven to St. Louis. Mr. Coon-
rod used a wooden moldboard plow in his
boyhood and cultivated corn with a single
shovel plow.

He remained on the home farm until his
marriage, which occurred February 7, 1861,
the lady of his choice bemg Nancy Doyle,
a native of Greene county and a daughter of
Thomas and Mary (Coates) Doyle, early
settlers of that county. After their mar-
riage they came to Christian county, settling
in Prairieton township on eighty acres of
wild land, which he greatly improved and
to which he added until he is to-day the
owner of three hundred and twenty acres
of valuable land, all in one body. In 1857
he began breaking his land with three horses
and his neighbors predicted that he would
kill the horses — oxen having previously been
used. The prairie grass and rosin weed
grew often as high as a man's head and it
was a difiicult task to prepare the land for
cultivation. Mr. Coonrod, however, con-
tinued to engage in farming until 1893,
when he retired from the hard labor inci-
dent to cultivating the soil, and removed to
Assumption, where he has since enjoyed a
well-earned rest.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coonrod were born
five children : Edmund D. wedded Mary
Redding and resides in May township.
Orton P. married Maud Long, resides on
the old homestead and has three children.
Rena B. became the wife of A. L. Moore, a
merchant of Assumption, and died, leaving
two daughters, one of whom resides with
her grandfather and the other with her
father. Nettie died at the age of three years.
Mary A. is now the widow of George Lov-

322

PAST AND PRESENT

ering of Assumption and has two children.
Mer home is south nf her father's house.

While residing on the farm Mr. Coonrod
served as townshi]) supervisor for one
term, also highway commissioner and school
director and lie is now one of the trustees
of the west schocjl of Assumption. In poli-
tics he is a Democrat. He attends the Bap-
tist church and has ever been an advocate
of all measures for the general good and
for the improvement of the county. His
life has been active, his actions sincere and
manl}-. and as one of the worthy pioneer set-
tlers of Christian count}- he well deserves
mention in this volume. His success has
been honestly gained and his life record
shows what can l)e accomplished by deter-
mined pur|)ose and continued activity.

AARON SAMUEL HEDDEN.

Aaron S. Hedden, who is living on sec-
tion 9, Taylorville township, where he fol-
lows the occupation of farming and stock-
raising, was born March 29, 1840, in Shelby
county, Kentucky, a son of Simon and Sa-
lina Hedden. The father was also a native
of Shelby county. Kentucky, and in Novem-
ber. 1855, arrived in Christian county, Illi-
nois, making the journey in a two-horse
w.'igon. Here he rented land and engaged
in agricultural pursuits until his death,
which occurred in December, 1868.

Mr. Hedden. of this review, spent his
early youth in the county of his nativity and
accjuired his education in the pulilic schools
there. He arrived in Christian county in
August, 1856, and here began working by
the month on a farm. He was thus em-
ployed for two years, after which he en-
gaged in farming in connection with his
father for a time. On attaining his ma-
jority he again began work as a farm laborer

by the month and followed that jjursuit for
three years, after which he began farming
on his own account, securing a tract of
rented land. He li\ed upon that farm for
five years and when his industry, economy
and i)erseverance had brought him capital
sufhcient to enable him to purchase a farm
of his own he inxested ni eighty acres in
Taylorville township, on which he li\ed for
six years. On the expiration of that period
he removed to the farm which he now^ owns,
comprising two hundred and eighty acres of
rich and aral)le land on section 9, Taylor-
ville towaiship. Here he has resided con-
tinuously since 1875 and has made nearly all
of the improvements upon the place. He
set out trees, erected substantial buildings,
built good fences and placed the fields under
a high state of cultivation. Neatness and
thrift characterize the place and indicate to
the passerby the careful supervision of the
owner.

Mr. Hedden has been twice married. In
1864 he wedded Miss Samantha S. Holland,
who died in 1867 and the two children born
to them both died in infancy. She was a
most estimable lady and was highly re-
spected by all who knew her. On the 24th
of February, 1870, Mr. Hedden was united
in marriage to Miss Harriet Williams Ladd.
a daughter of Noyes and Phoebe (Will-
iams) Ladd, both natives of Connecticut.
Her ancestors were among the Pilgrim
Fathers who founded the New England col-
onies and she is a descendant of both Fl-
bridge Garry and William Williams. Ijoth
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1849 Mrs. Hedden's father brought his
family to Christian county. Illinois. As there
were few railroads at that time the journey
was made principally by water. From Ston-
ington Point, Connecticut, they sailed down
Long Island Sound, then up the Hudson

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

323

river to Albany, but the steamer on which
they first took passage was sunk near New-
burgh on Mrs. Hecklen's fourth birthday
and four of Mr. Ladd's brothers were
(h'owned, as were many other passengers on
the ill-fated Empire State. From Albany
they proceeded by way of the Erie canal to
tlie Great Lakes, Illinois canal and Illinois
river to Springfield and by wagon to Buck-
hart township, Christian county, wdiere Mr.
and Mrs. Ladd made their home throughout
the remainder of their lives. As pioneers
of the county they materially aided in its
early development and improvement. Dur-
ing their residence in the east they were
members of one of the first Congregational
churches organized in the United Scates, it
])eing the Old Road church of Stonington,
Connecticut, and they became charter mem-
l)ers of the first Presbyterian church of Tay-
lorville. to which Mrs. Hedden's second
mother also belonged. They always took a
very active and prominent part in church
work and their lives were in perfect har-
mony with their professions. Mrs. Hed-
den's mother died in 1866 and two years
later her father married Miss Eliza J. Hen-
nard. who was one of the grand good women
of this county. The father died m 1897, at
the age of seventy-five years and his wife
ten months later, honored and respected by
all who knew them. Tln-oughout life he
made farming and stock-raising his occupa-
tion.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hedden were born
five children, as follows: William Samuel
married Alice M. Owens, of Indiana, and
resides upon the farm in Taylorville town-
ship. Lydia Harriet and Elizabeth Jane are
now attending Eureka College, and Mary
Salina and Prue Anabell are at home. There
is quite a romance connected with the lives
of Mr. and Mrs. Hedden. Mr. Hedden's

family all belong to the Christian church,
and although he is not a member he con-
tributes generously to its support. As a citi-
zen he is actively interested in all that per-
tains to the public welfare and is a helpful
co-operant in many measures for the general
good.

As a self-made man Mr. Hedden certainly
deserves much credit for he started out in
life with nothing and all that he possesses
to-day he has made through hard work and
good management. When he came to this
county it was nearly all raw prairie and a
great deal of it was under water, but it has
been drained and tiled until the fields are
now extremely productive and there is no
richer farming country in all the broad Mis-
sissippi valley than is found in Christian
county. Mr. Hedden gives his attention to
the raising of both grain and stock, but has
profited more largely from the former. He
now owns more than four hundred acres of
land in Christian county and is one of six
partners who own six thousand three hun-
dred and sixty-four acres in Mississippi
His life history shows what can be accom-
plished through strong determination, unfal-
tering energy and capable business manage-
ment and it should serve to encourage and
inspire others who have to start out in life
as he did — empty-handed.

\\TLLiAM H. McDonald.

Throughout the greater part of his life
^^'illiam H. McDonald has successfully en-
gaged in teaching school, but now follows
farming on section 17, Johnson township.
Like many of Illinois' most worthy citizens
he comes from Ohio, his birth having oc-
curred in that state on the 9th of February,
1844. His parents were John and Christen
McDonald, also natives of Ohio and of

324

PAST AND PRESENT

Scotch descent. The father died August 29,
1889, having survived his wife only a few
months, as she passed away on the iith of
Fehruary. 1889.

In the state of his nati\ity W'iUiani H.
^IcDonald was reared and educated, lie
l)repared himself for teaching at the Na-
tional Normal School at Lehanon, Ohio,
where he was graduated on August 15,,
1867. lie entered upon his duties as an in-
structor in the schoolroom in 1862 and con-
tinued to follow the teacher's profession
most of the time up to 1900. It was in 1865
that he came to Christian county. Illinois,
and he had charge of schools here until his
retirement from the profession, having con-
fined his efiforts to only four districts in
Johnson township. In 1874 he made his
first purchase of land, consisting of a tract
of eightv acres, which he subsec|uently sold
and then bought one hundred and twenty
acres in Johnson townshij) where he now
lives. This, together with the property
owned by his wife, makes a good farm of
one hundred and sixty acres. The well tilled
fields and neat and tlu'ifty appearance of the
])]ace testifies to his careful supervision and
untiring industry.

On the 5th of December, 1867, Mr. Mc-
Donald was united in marriage to Miss Har-
riet V. Anderson, a daughter of Tavner B.
Anderson, who came to this county in 1854.
To our subject and his wife have been born
the following children : John T., who is
married and engaged in l)lacksmithing in
Clarksdale, this county ; Azalia, wife of J.
W. Masters, a farmer of Johnson towmship ;
Herschel V., at home; Nettie V.. who died
at the age of three and a half years; Enona
C. who died at the age of three years ; Lin-
nie May. who died at the age of fourteen
years; Flora, who died at the age of eleven
months: Hazel, who died at the age of eight

months; Theodore V>.. who died al the age of
sexen -vears : and one who died in infancy.
The family liold membership in the I^aptist
church and Mr. Mcl)ona]d is a Republican
in politics. lie still takes an actix'e interest
in educational affairs and is now serving as
school treasiu'er. He h.as also filled the
office of township clerk.

H. MILO NEWKIRK, M.D.

Dr. H. Milo Newkirk. the village clerk of
Owaneco and a practicing physician w'ho
has made his home in Christian county since
January, 1900, was born in Shelby county,
Illinois, in September, 1870, a son of Will-
iam ^^^ and Mary (Wamsley) Newd<:irk,
the former a native of Indiana and the lat-
ter of Ohio. They came to Illinois about
1855 ^^^^^ remained residents of this state
until called to the home beyond, the mother
passing away in 1895, ^vhile the father's
death occurred in 1901.

Dr. Newkirk spent his lx)yhood days
under the parental roof and acquired his
early education in the public schools.- He
afterward spent one year as a student in
Chaddock College, at Quincy, Illinois, and
then entered the Illinois State Normal Uni-
versity, in which he spent three years. Hav-
ing obtained a good preparatory education
to serve as a firm basis for professional
knowledge he began preparing for the prac-
tice of medicine and surgery by matriculat-
ing in the Marion Sims Medical College,
at St. Louis. ^lissouri, where he completed
a course by graduation with the class of
1897. He then located for practice in \\'ar-
rensburg, Illinois, where he remained for
eighteen months, and on the expiration of
that i)criod he came to Owaneco. where he
arrived in January. 1900. Here he has since
made his home ;uid in the ]iracticc he has

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

325

won \crv desirable success. He is continu-
ally a(l\ancing- in et'liciency and knowledge
through study, reading and investigation
and his efforts for the alleviation of human
suffering have been attended with excellent
results.

In 1902 the Doctor was united in marriage
to Miss Lillian Cannon, a daughter of Scott
Cannon, a native of Illinois, and they now
have one son, Bruce Cannon. Dr. and Mrs.
Newkirk own their home in' Owaneco and
delight to extend its hospitality to their
manv friends. They are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs
to Locust Lodge, No. 623, A. F. & A. M. of
Owaneco. In politics he is a Republican
and is now serving as village clerk. Well
known in Christian county as an able mem-
ber of the profession among its younger rep-
resentatives, he is also a leading citizen in
his advocacy of public affairs for the general
good.

JULIUS BROEHL.

The discovery of coal and the develop-
ment of the mines' in Christian county have
added materially to the wealth and prosper-
ity of this section of the state. To-day one
of the leading representatives of the coal in-
terests of the locality is Julius Broehl, who
as a partner in a company, is managing the
Ijusiness and in this capacity has control of
a force of six hundred workmen. He was
born in Atlanta, Illinois, in 1858, and is a
son of Gottlieb and Anna Broehl. His father
was a native of Saxony, Germany, and in
185 1, bidding adieu to home and native land
he sailed for ;\merica. He settled first in
Galveston, Texas, and afterward came to
the north, taking u]) his abode near Pekin,
Illinois. In 1858 he removed co Atlanta.
Illinois, where he first conducted a cabinet-
making establishment, but later he turned

his attention to agricultural pursuits, locat-
ing upon a farm. He is now living a retired
life in York county, Nebraska.

Julius Broehl acquired his education in
the public schools near Lincoln, Illinois, and
then desirous of enjoying more advanced
educational privileges he entered the Nor-
mal University at Normal, Illinois, in 1876.
In the scholastic year of 1878-9, he engaged
in teaching and in the winter of 1880 he be-
came a student in Johnson's Commercial
College at St. Louis. In April, 1880, he ac-
cei)ted the position of bookkeeper with the
coal company at Lincoln, Illinois, and in
1 88 1 he was sent to Decatur, Illinois, to
open up a set of books there in connection
with the development of a new mine owned
bv the Lincoln Company. He remained in
Decatur until the fall of 1884, when he was
sent to Pana to take charge of the mine of
the Pana Coal Company. In 1887 he was
admitted to a partnership in the business,
and in 1891 was made manager of the com-
pau}'. His partners in this enterprise are
Messrs. Puterbaugh, Harts & Frorer. This
company owns the New Bent mine at Pana
and employs six hundred workmen, a fact
which indicates that the business is extensive
and the output of the mines large.

In December, 1884, occurred the mar-
riage of Mr. Broehl and Miss Louise Meis-
ter, a daughter of John P. Meister, of Deca-
tur, Illinois. Two children graced this
union, Leland and Wayne. The former is
now fifteen years of age and the latter a
\()uth of ten years. The elder son is now in
his second year in the high school of Pana
and throughout his course has made the
highest record of his class, of which his par-
ents have every reason to lie proud. Mrs.
Broehl is a highly accomplished lady of
more than ordinary musical accomplish-
ments,, a graduate of the Decatur, Illinois,

'J -' v>

PAST AND I 'RESENT

high school, and a prominent worker in lit-
erary chibs. She also belongs to the Pres-
hvterian church and is an actixe worker in
charity.

Mr. Broehl holds membership relations
with the Woodmen of America, with the
Masons and the Royal Neighbors. He ex-
ercises his right of franchise in snpport of
the men and measures of the Republican
parly and ni)(^n that ticket he was elected to
the office of city treasurer. He is now serv-
ing as a member of the school board of Pana
and has ever taken a deep interest in the
cause of education, doing everything possi-
ble to advance the standard of the schools
and promote their efficiency. He is a self-
made man who has worked his own way up-
ward and has through hard labor secured
his advancement in business life. He pos-
sesses natural mechanical skill and ability
and he has ever utilized his talents and time
to the best advantage. The word failure
forms no part in his life history for his de-
termination and laudable ambition have en-
abled him to overcome all obstacles and dif-
ficulties in his i)ath and gradually worked
his way upward to success. To him there
has come the attainment of a distinguished
position in connection with the great ma-
terial industries of the county and his efforts
have been so wiselv directed along well de-
fined lines of labor that he seems to have
realized at any one point of progress the full
measures of his ])ossibilities for accomplish-
ment at tl'iat point. The successful men of
the day are the}- who haxe i)lanned their own
advancement and ha\e accfimplished it in
spite of many obstacles. This class certain-
ly has a worthy representative in Mr.
Broehl, who began his life under unfavor-
al)le circumstances, but to-day stands among
the distinguished representatives of indus-
trial life in Christian countv.

LAN DA LI Xh: YOUNG.

Among the worthy citizens that Germany
lias furnished to the new world may be num-
bered Landaline Young, who has made his
home in Christian county for the past ten
vears and is now successfully engaged in
agricultural jjursuits on section 23, Moscjuito
township. He was born in the fatherland
January 29, 1853, and in i860 came to the
Cnited States with his parents, Benedict and
Cecelia Young, who were also natives of
Germany. The family first located in Mont-
gomery county, Illinois, l)ut two years later
removed to Macon county, where the father
died in 1902, but the mother is still li\'ing
and continues to reside in Macon county.

Landaline Young was reared in that
county and was educated in its district
schools. At the age of twentv-three vears
he started out in life for himself and has
since devoted his tmie and energies to farm-
ing. So successful was he that at the end of
five years he was able to purchase one hun-
dred and twenty acres of land in Macon
county, where he continued to reside until
1893. when he sold that place and purchased
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
Mosquito toAvnship, Christian county. Here
he has steadily prospered. He purchased an
additional forty acre tract and is now erect-
ing a commodious an.d comfortable residence
ujion his ])lace. The fields are well tilled
and eA'er}'thing about the farm indicates the
progressive spirit of the owner.

On the 8th of Eebruary, 1876. ]\[r. Young-
was united in marriage to j\liss Augusta
I'utsch, a daughter of Frederick Putsch, who
was also born in German}-. Eight children
bless this union : Charles F., who is mar-
ried and follows farming in Christian
county ; Benedict ; Emma Augusta ; Martha
E., who died at the age of three years; Otto

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

327

F. ; Edward L. ; Josephine L. ; and John O.
The younger children are all at home. The
family are communicants of the Catholic
church of Stonington and Mr. Young is also
a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America. His political support is given the
Democratic party and its principles and he
has filled the office of school director in a
most capable and satisfactory manner.

J. S. WALLACE.

Among the citizens of Bear Creek town-
ship none is more deserving of representa-
tion in this volume than J. S. Wallace, who
has for years been connected with the mer-
cantile and agricultural interests of the com-
munity and who has, through well directed
efforts, gained a handsome competence that
numbers him among the substantial men of
his township. Keen discrimination, unflag-
ging industry and resolute purpose are num-
bered among his salient characteristics and
thus he has won that prosperity which is the
merited reward of honest effort.

Mr. Wallace w'as born in Delaware on the
15th of January, 1841, and is a son of
Thomas and Rebecca (Seaman) Wallace.
The mother died in 1852 and the father sub-
sequently came west, locating in Christian
county, Illinois, in 1875. Here he passed
away in 188 1. Our subject was educated in
the schools of Delaware and New York and
at the age of seventeen years commenced
teaching, wdiich profession he followed for
eight years before coming west. In 1863 he
became a resident of Adams county, Illinois,
where he taught school for seven vears, and
then removed to Taylorville and embarked
in mercantile pursuits, conducting a store
there until 1881. He was next engaged in
the same line of business at Clarksdale until
August, 1902, when he sold his store and

has since devoted his time and energies to
farming and stock-raising. He owns a fine
farm of five hundred and eighty acres in
Bear Creek township, which he is now suc-
cessfully operating, and besides this valuable
property he has ele\'en lots, three residences
and a store building in Clarksdale.

Mr. Wallace was married October 26.
1 87 1, to Miss Olive Hewatt, a daughter of
William T. and Andromache (Gibson)
Hewitt. Her father was a native of Vir-
ginia and in early life followed farming and
stock-raising in Kentucky and in 185 1 he
migrated to Illinois and located in Christian
county on land now comprised within John-
son towaiship. There he entered and pur-
chased land to the extent of six hundred
acres and lived in that locality until the death
of his wife in 1857, when he removed to the
old Vincent place, where his remaining days
were passed. He died in 1890, at the age
of seventy-five years, owning at that time
nearly four thousand acres. By his first
marriage he had three sons and three daugh-
ters, namely : Francis M. ; Olive, wife of
our subject ; Aurelius M. ; James B. ; Laura
J. ; and Hannah L. The mother of these
children was a most lovable and noble lady
and was a consistent member of the Chris-
tian church. For his second wife Mr. Hew-
itt married Miss Mary R. Wilcoxson, by
^\•hom he had three sons, William T., Lee
Davidson and Omer B.

The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wal-
lace are as follows : Roy C, the eldest, was
killed on a railroad crossing at the age of
twenty-four years and eighteen days. Will-
iam G. died at the age of six years. Cloyd
H. married Sophia J. Bates and was killed
on the Wabash Railroad March 14, 1902,
when twenty-five years of age. His son,
Cloyd Perry, was born the following Au-
gust. Thus >vithin §ix years, our subject

328

PAST AND PRESENT

lost two sons by bciiii;- killed by the cars.
(iloiin. llio next of the family, is now with
the Ke>ken Iron Works of St. Louis. Wanita
Olive anil Joseph S. are l)oth at home.

Mrs. Wallace is an earnest member of
the Christ i.ui church and is a most estimable
l.'idv. iM-aternally our subject is connected
with Mound Eodi^e. No. 122, A. F. & A. M. ;
and also belons^s to the ^bxlcrn Woodmen
of .\nierica and the Fraternal Army of
America, "lis ])olitical support is given the
Democratic partv a.nd he has filled the of-
fices of deputy sheriff and postmaster of
Clarksdale, servini;' in the latter capacity for
twenty years. A ])ublic-spirited and pro-
gressix'e citi/en. he has done much to ad-
vance the interests of his township and
county and he justly merits the esteem in
which he is uniformlv held by his fellow
men.

EDWARD FORRESTER.

One of the worth}- citizens that Ireland
has furnished to the new world is Edward
Forrester and in his life he exemplifies the
sterling- traits of character of the people of
the Emerald Isle. His birth occurred in
Roscommon county, on th? 17th of March,
1831. his parents being Matthew and Mary
Forrester. They came to the United States
about 1838. locating in Faporte, Indiana,
where the father ga\e his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits. He and his wife spent
their remaining days in that locality, the
former passing awav in i860, while Mrs.
Forrester, long surviving her husband, died
in the year 1888.

Edward Forrester was a resident of the
I'jnerald Isle for only about seven years and
then accompanied his parents on their re-
moval to the new world. Tie was reared
under the |)arental roof in Indiana and in

his boxhoiid d;i\s attended the pul)lic
schools, there ac(|uiring his earl_\' education.
I le worked for his father until twenty years
of au'e and then he, his brother and tw(^
other }'oung men rigged up a team, went to
St. jose])h. Missouri, whence they drove
across the couutrv to Placerville. California.
On the 17th of August, 1850, they arrived
at I*lacer\ille and Mr. h'orrester was there
two years, engaged in mining. He then
turned h.is attention to farming", which he
followed for three consecuti\e years. The
return trip was made by boat to New York
city and thence across the continent to the
Mississippi valley.

In ]\Iarch, 1856, Mr. Forrester came to
Illinois and for two years thereafter was
employed as a farm hand by the month. He
then engaged in clerking in the store of Mr.
Garwood at Moweaqua, where lie resided
for three years. Wdien his industry and
economy had Ijrought to him sufficient cap-
ital to enable him to purchase land he be-
came the owner of a tract of one hundred
and sixty acres, which is still in his posses-
sion. This formed the nucleus of his present
fine farm, for as opportunity has offered he
has added to his first farm from time to
time until he is now the owner of four hun-
dred acres. This was raw ])rairie land when
it came into his possession, l)ut it is now
well improved and tb.e farm is one charac-
terized by rich fields that yield good har\ests
in return for the care and labor of the
owner.

On I'\'bruar\- 10. 1864, ^Ir. Forrester was
muted in marriage to Miss ]\Iary Desire
P)rown, a daughter of John D. Brown, of
Stonington. L'nto them ha\'e been born
six children, four of whom are now de-
ceased. Catherine, deceased, was the wife
of lacob Corzine of Taylor\-ille ; James H.,
is now county judge, making his home in

EDWARD FORRESTER

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, JJ.LINOIS.

331

Tayl<)r\ille; and Clara Augusta is the ^vife
of Dr. Maley, of Galesbiirg", Illinois.

Mr. Forrester is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, while his wife be-
longs to the Baptist church. They have a
nice home in Taylorville, where they reside,
but he is still operating his farm in Prairie-
ton township and there spends much of his
time. In politics he is an earnest Repub-
lican and was filling the ])osition of township
supervisor at the time of his removal to Tay-
lorville. There is in his life rec(^rd much
tliat is worthy of commendation, for he had
no special family or pecuniary advantages to
aid him at tlie outset of his career, placing"
his dependence upon the more substantial
qualities of earnest purpose, diligence and
determination. These salient characteristics
liaA'e made him a leading resident of Chris-
tian county, his prosperity being the merited
reward of his \\cll-directed lnl)or and busi-
ness capacitv.

DANIEL SYLVESTER BOLLINGER.

One of the leading citizens of Stonington
township is Daniel S. Bollinger, who owns
and operates a good farm on section 14. He
was born in Baltimore county, Maryland,
not far from the city of Baltimore, on the
1 6th of December, 1863, and is a son of
Ephraim and Mary Ann (Strewag) Bol-
linger, also natives of that county, where
they continued to make their home until our
subject was about six years of age. There our
subject's grandparents, w'ho were of German
descent, spent their entire lives. Farming
has been the principal occupation of the
family.

It was in 1869 that Daniel S. Bollinger
was brought by liis parents to Christian
county, Illinois, and here he was reared and
18

educated, pursuing his studies in the Ire-
land school during the winter months, while
through the summer season he aided in the
N\ork of the home farm and thus early be-
came familiar w-ith the occupation he has
chosen as a life work. He remained wath
his father until the latter's death, which oc-
curred on the 1 8th of January, 1893, and
subsequently the farm, consisting of one
hundred and sixty acres, w'as divided be-
tween them, they ha\'ing purchased the in-
terests of the other heirs. Our subject now
operates his tract of eightv acres and in
partnership with his brother is successfully
engaged in the raising of stock of all kinds.
Besides his farm he also has some town
property in vStonington.

At Petersburg, Illinois, September 24.
1902, Mr. Bollinger married Miss Christina
Jennetta Blome, who was born on the 22d
of April, 1876, in Menard county, eight
miles north of Petersburg. Her parents,
George and Anna (Morrell) Blome, were
both natives of Germany and coming to
America during childhood settled near Pe-
tersburg, Illinois, where the father is now
engaged in farming. He is a Democrat in
politics and a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. In his family are nine chil-
dren, all living, namely : Lizzie, w ife of
Lewis Braner, wdio is engaged in farming
near Oakford, Illinois; Henry, who married
Mary Neel and resides in Stonington towai-
ship; Mary, wife of Amiel Gephardt, now-
living in Nebraska; Rosa, wnfe of Henry
Gebhart, of Stonington townshi]), this coun-
ty; Charles, who wedded Mary Stahl and
resides in Menard county, Illinois; Tildie.
wife of Jacob Stahl, of St(^nington township ;
Christine, wife of our subject; George, who
married Mattie Caldwell and lives in Iowa;
and Emma, at home with her i^arents. Mr.
and Mrs. Bollinger have one child, Verne E.,

'>0

PAST AND PRESENT

l)(ini June 28. K/)^. l>y liis hallut Mr. F)ol-
liiigcr supports the Republican party and is
a member of the Reformed church.

ROSCOK C. XEFF.

One of the members of the Christian
county bar is Roscoe C. Xeff, who as a
practitioner of Taylorville has in recent years
been connected witli much of the important
hti":ation tried in th.e courts of this (hstrict.
He is also a leading member of the Re-
publican i)arty of this ])ortion of the state
and his influence has been widely felt in
political as well as professional circles. Born
in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 14th of
December, 1870, lie is a son of Sardine W.
and Amanda (Parish) Xeff. The X^'eff fam-
ily is of German ancestry, while the Parish
family comes of Scotch-Irish descent. The
paternal grandfather, Christopher X'^eff, came
from Germany about 1835 and settled near
Olney, Illinois, while James Parish, the ma-
ternal grandfather, located in Indiana,
whence he removed to Illinois prior to the
Civil war. In this state he engaged in farm-
ing near Athens and there died in 1875.

The father of our subject was born near
Olney, Illinois, and during his early busi-
ness career resided in Iowa, but spent the
last twenty-five years of his life in Sanga-
mon county. Prior to the Ci\il war Mr.
X^eff was a stanch Aliolitionist and was as-
sociated with Abraham Lincoln during the
campaign of 1861. He was strong in argu-
ment and a most able debater and he took
a lively interest in discussing political ques-
tions. His forceful logic and his earnest
utterances never failed to carry conviction
to the minds of his hearers and his labors
in behalf of the party were not without good
results. Throughout his business career he
carried on agricultural pursuits and i't length

lie was killed by :i log falling upon him in
1876. His widow, who yet survives him.
now resides in Sharpsburg, where she re-
moved with her family of seven children the
vear after her husband's death. The mem-
bers of the family are as follows : Frank
E.. now of Athens, Illinois; Rev. John S.,
a minister of the southern Wisconsin con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal church
and located at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin;
George H., a teacher of Christian county;
Roscoe C. ; Luella, the wife of Charles Eikle-
berry, who resides near Taylorville; Ada,
the wife of Charles Phillips, a ranchman in
Kansas; and Anna X"., of Sharpsburg.

Roscoe C. X^eff received but limited school
l)rivileges and is therefore largely a self-
educated as well as a self-made man. At
the early age of nine vears he began work-
ing on a farm, where he did chores for his
board during the A\inter months. He was
allowed to attend school to some extent un-
til eighteen years of age, but a few months
each winter in the course of these years.
However, he displayed special aptitude in
his studies, made the most of his opportu-
nities and in 1892, having qualified for a
teacher, began teaching in Mount Zion
school near StcMiington. Illinois. For five
years, from 1892 until 1897, he followed
that profession with success and during the
last two years he also conducted a farm in
addition to his labors in the schoolroom. He
began as a teacher at a salary of forty dol-
lars per month and each year his wages
were increased fixe dollars per month. He
soon won rank with the leading educators
of this yinvt of the state and one year his
])upils carried off prize Xo. t and at other
times won ])rizes X'^os. 2, 5 and () in a class
of oxer txxd hundred. !\Ir. Neft' did much
hard work to accomplish this and his zeal
and interest in educational matters inspired

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

') o •>

and encouraged those under his direction.
Al:iont 1897. desirous of promoting his own
education, he went to Valparaiso. Indiana,
where he attended the Northern Normal
school, completing- the work of the junior
and senior years in eighteen months. On
the expiration of that period he returned to
Tavlorville and hegan reading law under
the direction of Joseph B. Colegrove, with
whom he was associated in practice under
the firm name of Colegrove & Neff
until November i, 1903. On the 5th
of March, 1899, he passed a suc-
cessful examination at La Salle and was
admitted to practice that year. He first lo-
cated in Oklahoma City, hut after a short
time there spent returned to Tavlorville and
entered into a partnership with his former
preceptor, on the ist of August, 1899.

Mr. Neff is a stalwart Republican in poli-
tics and 1)ecause of his oratorical ability he
is frecpiently sought to address campaign
meetings. He is likewise the orator of the
day on occasions of picnics and other public
gatherings. Greatly opposed to misrule in
municipal affairs or to any trickery in po-
litical work, he has labored inr honesty in
l)olitics and has been largely instrumental
in securing the candidacy of capable men
for ofiice. He is prominent in the conven-
tions of his party and has frequently served
as the delegate to the county, state and con-
gressional conventions, where his opinions
carry weight in political councils. Often
has he been ch(5sen to act as chairman of
different committees or to make the nom-
inating speech before such conventions. His
oratorical ability is indicated by the fact that
he was selected as class orator by a vote of
one hundred and sixty-six; while attending
Indiana State Normal, his opponent receiv-
ing one hundred and thirteen votes.

On the 1st of August, 1894, Mr, Neff was

united in marriage to Miss Lillian Ladd. a
daughter of Noyes Ladd, a prominent farmer
of Sharpsburg, Illinois. They now have one
child, Venus, born June 19, 1899. In addi-
tion to the practice of law Mr. Neff is in-
terested in the raising of cattle and hogs and
takes great delight in having fine stock. Both
he and his wife are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and entertain broad
views on religious cjuestions, placing Chris-
tianity before dogma. A man of strong
temperance principles Mr. Neff does every-
thing in his power to promote advancement
in that direction 'and he uses his influence
ever on the side of moral development and of
progress in church work. He was formerly
associated with the musical department of
the Christian church. Of literary taste, he
possesses a fine library, covering a wide
range of historical, educational and scien-
tific works as well as fiction. A gentleman
of scholarly attainments he has read broadlv
and assimilates what he reads. Few lawyers
have made a more lasting impression upon
the bar of the county both for legal ability
of a high order and for the individuality of
character which impresses itself upon a com-
munity. He possesses broad legal learning,
an analytical mind and readiness with which
to grasp the points at issue. Earnest effort,
close application and the exercise of his
native talents have won him prestige as a
la\\ver in Christian countv.

H. H. HERDMAN.

H. H. Herdman, formerly president of
the First National Bank of Morrisonville,
has done much to promote the commercial
activity, advance the general welfare and
secure the material development of the city
and surrounding country. As a business
man he has been enterprising, energetic and

?,34

[•AST AND rUF.SENT

;il\\a\s abreast n\ the times and due >uccess
has been accorded him.

A native of New \nvk state, Mr. Herd-
man was lx)ni on the Hudson river. March
2=;, 184 1, and (hn"in!4' childhotid remoxed
with his parents. William j. and Jemima
(Hunter) Herdman. to l\andol])h county.
Illinois. His father was born in Belfast.
Ireland, vi I'uritan stock, his ancestors be-
ing- Scotch Presbyterians. His sons have
all become successful business men and
prominent in the affairs of life.

Duriiit^ his lioyhood H. H. Herdman at-
tended the common schools and on starting
out in life for himself turned his attentiou
to the mercantile business, but hnding that
too confining he embarked iu the grain trade.
Removing to Morrisonville in 1871. he and
his brother. A. A'., bought an elevator at
this place with a capacity of twenty-five thou-
sand bushels and began buying grain of
the farmers living in the surrounding coun-
try. A few years later they became inter-
ested in the manufacture of flour but t^n ac-
count of the exorbitant freight charges that
venture did not ])ro\e a success and they
have since turned the mill into a grain re-
pository, so that they now ha\e a storage
capacity of seventy-five thousand bushels of
grain. \\'hen they first started in business
here wheat was the i)rincipal cereal rais^l
and marketed but there is now more corn,
shipped. IvV fair dealing and close attention
to business the firm has met with most ex-
cellent success and to-dav thev rank among
the leading grain mercliants of this section
of the state. They also h.andle coal. supjDly-
ing a large number of custcjmers with that
commodity.

In 1903 H. H. Herdman became interested
in the banking business and is to-day a di-
rector of the First National Bank of ]\Ior-
risonville. This bank has a capital stock

of t\\ ent\-li\e thousa.nd dollars and owing
to its capable management it is now in a
nourishing condition. 'fhe bank building
is a modern, structure with all the latest im-
jn-ovements and occupies tbe best business
corner in the city.

In 1871 ]Mr. Herdman was married at
Briohton. Illinois, to Miss Gilson, wdio is
descended from good old Revolutionary
stock and Is now a member of the Daughters
of the Revolution, being connected with the
chapter at St. Louis. Unto our subject and
his wife were born five children, three sons
and two daughters, but one son and one
daughter died in infancy and ^Marian G. died
soon after her graduation at Monticello Sem-
inary. Hugb H., Jr., the older son, is a
graduate of Columbia College of New York
and now occupies the chair of literature in
Portland Academy at Portland, Oregon. Al-
liert M. is attending Wabash College and
will graduate in 1906.

In business circles Air. Herdman occu-
pies an enviable position and he has a wide
rei)utation as a most capable financier. In
manner he is pleasant and cordial, which,
combined with his sterling worth, 'nakes him
one of the popular citizens of his adopted
citv.

W. J. JORDAN.

l*>w indeed are the residents of Pana
whose connection with the cit\- antedates
that of ^Ir. Jordan, for he arri\ed in the
\-ear iS5(). finding here but a smrdl x'illage
with few mcKlern impro\enients and yet
capable of the deve1o]'ment which is so char-
acteristic of western towns. l^stablishing
bis home within its borders he became a
most acti\-e and important factor in business
circles, instituting man\' enterprises which
have largely promoted commercial prosper-
itv here. Par-siehted in behalf of his in-

W. J^ JORDAN AND FAMILY

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

337

(li\i(lual interests and of tlie piil)lic welfare,
lie has labored not alone for the present, but
looking beyond the exigencies of the mo-
-ment has planned for the future and lias
co-operated with others in the movements
\\hich haxe resulted in the expansion and
substantial upbuilding of his adopted city,
^lany business enterprises have felt the
stimulus of his energy and labor, and now
at the age of three score yeaVs and ten he
is enjoying a w^ell-earned rest.

Mr. Jordan was born in Virginia, Sep-
tember 9, 1 83 1, a son of Spotswood and
Mary Jordan. His father, also a native of
the Old Dominion, was a shoemaker by
trade and after follow-ing that occupation
for a time he turned his attention to farm-
ing. He removed from Virginia to Ken-
tucky, where he engaged in general agri-
cultural pursuits until his death, which oc-
curred in 1890. His wife passed away many
years before, dying on the ist of August,
1836.

When fi^•e years of age W. J. Jordan ac-
companied his parents on their removal to
Shelby county, Kentucky, where he was
reared and acquired his education. At the
age of nineteen years he started out to make
his own wa}' in the AAorld, first working as a
farm hand in the employ of his father and
afterward in the employ of his uncle. Since
that time he has depended continuously upon
his own resources and whatever success he
has achieved is due entirely to his own ef-
forts. At length leaving farm life he learned
the plasterer's trade, which he followed for
five years. In 1856 he arrived m Illinois,
settling in Pana. sO' that he is now one of
the oldest citizens here. He has throughout
the intervening years been closely connected
with the business development of the city
and has also been prominent in public life,
filHni'- nianv offices, the duties of which he

has discharged with promptness and fidelity.
In 1857 he was elected constable and deputy
sheriff and served in that capacity for twen-
ty-five years." In the meantime he had turned
his attention to the furniture business and
conducted a store, which brought to him a
good financial return. He likewise operated
in real estate for some time and for a num-
ber of years was associated in this with G.
Ladd, the partnership proving mutually
pleasant and profita1)le. For several years
he was also in the livery business and while
thus engaged carried the first surveyors
through to Taylorville to make the survey
for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In
1879 he began farming about two miles
south of Pana, and placed his land under a
high state of cultivation, so that the fields
returned to him golden har^•est. For four
vears he operated his land and then sold out.
Again he took up farming in 1892, settling
on a farm north of Pana, where he remained
until 1901, when he returned to the city and
has since lived a retired life.

In the meantime Mr. Jordan was called
upon to serve in various offices. He was
the first mayor of Pana, being chosen to the
office on the 8th of March. 1867, under the
provisions of a special charter. He was also
the first tax collector of Pana township, Avas
trustee of the schools for a number of years
and was also president of the school board
in 1902. He w^as supervisor for a number
of vears and has filled other county offices,
having in 1879 been elected county treas-
urer, which office he filled for three years.
When the books were examined on the ex-
piration of his term it was found that the
county was indebted to him to the amount
of eleven dollars, an unusual occurrence, the
indebtedness being generally on the other
side of the ledger. After his retirement from
tliat office he again resumed real estate oper-

338

PAST AND PRESENT

ations, and I'.oiiglii and sold considerable
property and negcjtiated many important
realty transfers. He was also president of
llie l-"irst National P>ank of Pana for alxmt
three vears and a (hrector ten veais, and his
\aried connection with trade interests shows
him to he a man of resonrcefnl husiness abil-
it\', enterprising, resolnte and progressive,
the spirit of adxancement being strongly
marked w ithin him.

Ah". Jordan has 1)cen married twice. On
the 1st of Octolicr. '1S57. he was nnited in
marriage to Miss L'rsnla Brockman, a
daughter of William Urockman, of Ohio.
She died in 18S3 and .\lr. |ordan was again
married, his second nnion being with AJiss
Clara Iv Dunn; who was bt>rn in Greenwood
township, Christian county, on tlie 25th of
l^ecember, i860, a daughter of James A.
Dunn, who is still li\ing in this city. Her
uncle, Sanford Petty, was the fu'st asses.sor
of Christian countw I'nto S'w. :ind Airs.
Jordan have been born two children: Alay-
ella II. and Mary E.. Ijoth students in the
public schools of Pana.

The famil\- are all members of the Bap-
tist church and Mr. Jordan is one of the
oldest members of the Masonic fraternity
in Pana. When he arri\ed in this ])lace it
contained only a few Ikjuscs and he ha^
therefore witnessed a.lmost its entire devel-
opment, gixing his su[)])ort to all measiu'es
calculated to conser\-e the ])ublic "(kxI. His
business grew and develo]ied with the town.
He had a capital of onl\' eight dollars at
the time of his arrival, but taking ad\antage
of business opportunities, and utilizing his
time and means to the l)est advantaee, he
has won for himself a jjlace prominent
among the substantial citizens of the com-
munity. His life has been honorable, his
actions manly and sincere and he has gained
for himself a reputation as a careful,

straightforward business man who has well
earned the re>t which is now vouchsafed

him .

ROBERT MARSPLALL.

This gentleman is one of the highly es-
teemed citizens of .Mount Auburn now liv-
ino' retired from actixe lalx)r. He was born
on the 2ist of June, 1829, in County Down.
Ireland, of which county his parents, James
and Sar;di (Prom) Marshall, were also na-
tives. About 1 85 1 they took passage on a
sailing vessel and after a voyage of several
weeks' duration they landed in New York-
city. The father worked at the stone-ma-
son's trade in the Empire state for a few-
years and in 1858 came to Christian county.
Illinois, where he made his home with our
subject in Mosquito township throughout
the remainder of his life, dying there Octo-
l)er II, 1859. His wife had passed away
on the 1 8th of December, 1854. Beth were
consistent and faithful members of the Pres-
byterian church and Mr. Marshall was also
connected with the Alasonic fraternity. In
politics he was a Republican. His family
consisted of three sons and seven daughters,
all of whom reached maturity and married,
hut only three of the number are now living,
these being Robert, of this re^•iew• ; Alary,
wife of John Marshall, a resident of County
Down, Ireland; and Agnes, wife of James
Pong, of Mosquito township, this county.
The oldest son, James, came to America in
1847 and located on a farm in New York
state, where he made his hoiue until his
death. The other son, William, took part in
the Ci\il war and died in Mosquito town-
ship, this county. Our .subject's grand-
]:)arents spent their entire lives in County
Down, Ireland.

During: his bovhood and vouth Robert

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

339

Marshall attended the piihlic schools of his
native land and assisted his father in the
work of the home farm. In 1849 -"'^ ^^'^^^~
grated to the United States, joining his
brother in New York, where he spent about
four years, and then went to California,
where he was engaged in gold mining for
the same length of time. On his return east
he took up his residence in Mosquito town-
sliip, Christian county, Illinois, where he
purchased forty acres of partially improved
land for seventeen dollars per acre. To the
cultivation and further improvement of his
place he devoted his energies for many
years, and added to his property, so that
he now owns a good farm of one hundred
and sixty acres on sections 17 and 20, Mos-
quito township. There he resided until Feb-
ruary, 1903, when he put aside business cares
and removed to Mount x^uburn, where he is
now enjoying a well earned rest. .

On the 2d of October, 1861, in Mount Au-
l>urn township, Mr. Marshall was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Ann Wilcock, who
was born in Yorkshire, England, October
25, 1842, and is a daughter of George and
Mary Ann Wilcock, natives of Derbyshire
and Doncaster, respectively. In 1843 she
was brought by her parents to America, the
family locating in Mount Auburn township,
this county, where Mr. Wilcock purchased
a farm of one hundred acres. There he
died September 5, 1844, and his wife de-
parted this life on the 25th of September,
1888. They were buried in Mount Auburn
cemetery as were the parents of our subject.
In religious belief they were Methodist and
in politics Mr. Wilcock was first a Whig
and later a Republican. Of their four chil-
dren only Mrs. Marshall is now living.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have been
lx)rn ten children, namely: George B., now
assistant chief of police at Decatur, Illinois,

married Belle Auger and has two children,
Glenn and Fay. Margaret Ann died Sep-
tember 8, 1877. at the age of thirteen years.
Clara Jane is the wife of Harden Tankers-
ley, a farmer of Mosquito township, and they
have three children, Grace, Chester and Bes-
sie. Mary Florence is the wife of Philip
Schempf, living near Oberon, Benson coun-
ty. North Dakota, and they have one child,.
Frank. William James, a resident of Ed-
mond, Oklahoma married Delia Young and
has one child Fern. Alice Caroline is the
wife of Bruce Bramel, who lives on the old
homestead farm in Mosquito township, and
they have three children : Homer, Eva and
Hazel. Sarah Etta is the wife of Otis Hofer
and resides in Mount Auburn. Charles
Francis and John Edward are still under the
parental roof. Myrtle Agnes is the wife of
George Richard Hardy, a farmer of Mos-
cjuito township.

By his ballot Mr. Marshall supports the
men and measures of the Republican party
but has never cared for office. He belongs
to the Masonic fraternity and both he and
his wife are earnest and active members of
the Methodist Episcopal church of Mount
Auburn, of which he is now one of the trus-
tees. They are widely and favorably known
throughout the county where they have so
long made their home and their circle of
friends is extensive.

JOHN C. MONTGOMERY.

John C. Montgomery, who resides on sec-
tion 26, Mount Auburn township, owns and
operates a valuable farm of three hundred
and twenty acres, whose neat and thrifty
appearance well indicates his careful super-
vision. Substantial improvements are sur-
rounded by well tilled fields and all the ac-

340

PAST AND PRESENT

cessories and com-eniences of a model farm
are there found.

Mr. Montgomery was lu)rn on the 9th
of August, 1849, in Sangamon county, Jhi-
nois, and is a son of J^lm ''I'ld Sarah (Sni-
der) Montgomery. On the paternal side
our suhjcct is of Irish de.scent, his great-
grandfather, J. R. Montgomery, having been
horn in Ireland in 1790. Having served un-
der the Hritish crown in the English army
and growing tired of army life and also hav-
ing heard of the splendid possibilities for a
voung man in America, he deserted and
came to this country. John Montgomery,
our sul)ject's father, was born in Pennsyl-
vania, May 24, 181 7, and in early manhood
married Sarah Snider, whose birth occurred
in Maryland, January 26, 1821. It was in
1848 that they came to Illinois, and after
living in Sangamon county for some years
they took u]) their residence in Christian
county in i860.

The subject of this sketch was principally
educated in the Montgomery district school
of this county and he remained under the
])arental roof until twenty-four years of age.
Since starting out in life for himself he has
engaged in farming. His first i)urchase of
land consisted of a tract of eighty acres in
Mosquito township, which he operated for
eight years and then sold, remo\ing to his
])resent location in Mount Auburn township
at the end of that time. He rented the place
until 1895, ^vhen he purchased one hundred
and sixty acres and has since bought one
hundred and sixty acres more. This he has
under excellent cultivation and improved
with good and substantial buildings.

In 1874 Mr. Montgomery married Miss
Mattie J. Pettus and to them have been born
five children but Birdie died at the age of
four years, and James at the age of fifteen
months. Those .still living are Leonard,

Harold and John, rdl at home with their
parents. Mrs. Montgomery is a daughter
of George and Margaret Pettus, both natives
of Virginia, whence they came to- Illinois
about 1840. Her father was l)orn July 10,
1826, and died August 5, 1865, and her
mother was born December 14, 1823, and
died December 22, 1899. The former was
a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones)
Pettus, l)orn March 30, 1790, and Eebruary
17, 1795. Thomas Pettus died April 2.
18=52. He was a son of William Pettus,
whose deatli occurred on the 1 5tli of Octo-
ber, 1824.

The Republican party finds in j\Ir. Mont-
gomery a stanch supporter of its principles
and he takes a deep interest in public affairs.
In his farming operations he has met with
the success that usually follows the industri-
ous and enterprising man and he is held
in high regard by all who know him.

JOHN S. BILYEU.

Among the leading citizens of Christian
county none is more deserving of repre-
sentation in this volume than the gentleman
whose name introduces tliis sketch. He is
one of the most extensixe landowners of
Prairieton township and in his farming
operations is meeting with excellent success.
Throughout life he h.as engaged in. agricul-
tural pursuits, and now makes his home on
section 9, Prairieton township, the neat and
thrifty appearance of his place giving evi-
dence of his careful supervision. He has
l)een a resident of this county since 1841
and has therefore seen almost its entire
growth and development.

Mr. r>ilycu was born in jMiller county,
Missouri, on the 21st of January, 1834, but
was only three years of age when his parents
returned to Illinois. Plis father, John H.

MR. AND MRS. JOHN S. BILYEU

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

345

Bil}eu, was a native of Kentucky and from
that state removed to Tennessee with his
father, Peter Bilyeu, who was of French
descent. There his youth was passed and
on arriving at a suitable age he was united
in marriage to Miss Ehzabeth Workman,
who was also a native of Kentucky. The
young couple came to Illinois and settled in
Sangamon county, where Mr. Bilyeu car-
ried on farming for several years. They
then removed tO' Miller county, Missouri,
but after living in that state for four years
they removed to Sangamon county in 1837,
and a few years later Mr. Bilyeu entered
and bought land on Flat Branch, now com-
prised within the limits of Prairieton town-
ship, Christian county. Here he opened up
a farm of over twehe hundred acres and to
its improvement and cultivation devoted the
remainder of his life, passing away on the
15th of jNIay, 1867. His wife, who long-
survived him, died on the 21st of Septem-
ber, 1900. In their family were nine sons
and three daughters, all of whom reached
years of maturity, but three sons and two
daughters are now deceased.

John S. Bilyeu remained under the par-
ental roof until twenty-one years of age,
early becoming familiar with the labors of
the farm, while his literary education was
obtained in the schools of the neighborhood.
On starting out in life for himself he located
upon a part of the old homestead, it being
a tract of raw prairie land about one hun-
dred acres in extent, and he at once pro-
ceeded to convert it into a well cultivated
farm. He was a young man of industrious
habits, and his diligence, good management
and excellent business ability soon brought
him success. He fenced and tiled his land
and made many other improvements there-
on, and as time passed he added to his prop-
ertv until he now owns seven hundred acres

and has one of the best homes in the town-
ship.

On the 22(1 of January, 1854, Mr. Bilyeu
married Miss IMelinda Workman, a native
of Illinois and a daughter of Stephen Work-
man, who was one of the early settlers of
Christian county. By this union the follow-
ing children have been born : John H. J.,
who is married and follows farming in this
county; Mary Ann, wife of David Work-
man, of this county; Josiah, who is also
married and follows farming in Christian
county; Elizabeth and Peter, both deceased;
Lydia, wife of William O. Workman, a
farmer of this county; Hiram and Edmund,
who are married and engaged in farming in
this county; Isaac, at home with his parents;
and six others now deceased. The family
hold membership in the Christian church
and are people of prominence in the com-
munity where they reside. By his ballot
Mr. Bilyeu supports the men and measures
of the Democratic party, and for three terms
served as road commissioner. In all the
relations of life he has been found true to
every trust reposed in him and he justly de-
serves the high regard in which he is held.
In business affairs he is prompt, energetic
and notably reliable and to these qualities
mav be attributed his success.

EDWARD J. RFIODES;

On the roster of county officials in Chris-
tian county appears the name of Edward J.
Rhodes, who is serving for the second term
of four years as circuit clerk. He is a capable
official, prompt and reliable in the discharge
of his duties and ever meeting every obliga=
tion which devolves upon him. A native son
of Illinois, his birth occurred in Pana on the
6th of November, 1865, his parents being-
Amos A, and Dora (Jageman) Rhodes.

34G

PAST-AI\D PRESENT

Back to an early epoch in colonial
history in America can the ancestry
of the family he traced. A great-
great-grandfather of (inr snhiect was
Hezekiah Rhodes, Avho fought for the inde-
l^endence of the colonies in the Rcvnlnlion.'iry
war. 1 Ic was of Scotch-Irish lineage. Jesse
Rhodes, the great-grandfather of onr sul)-
jcct, was a native of North Carolin:i, hut lie-
came one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby
county. Illinois, and was actively interested
in the early develojjment and progress of
that portion of the state. He left the im-
press of his individuality for good upon the
work of advancement, his labors Ijeing prac-
tical and beneficial. He was one of the com-
missioners appointed by the governor to se-
lect a site for the county seat of Macon
county and chose the site of Decatur for
this purpose. A Democrat in his political
views, he was honored with a number of pul)-
lic i)ositions, the duties of which he fully
discharged most capably. His son James
M. Rhodes, the grandfather of our subject.
was born in W^ilson county, Tennessee, and
Amos A. Rhodes, the father of our subject.
was a nati\c of Shelby covmty, Illinois, born
on the 23d of May, 1841. Well worthy
of mention as a valued citizen of Illinois
Amos A. Rhodes is represented on another
]iage of this volume.

In the public schools of Pana. Edward
J. Rhodes acquired his education and after
])utting aside his text books he accepted a
position as deputy circuit clerk under his
father, who was then filling the office in
Christian county, Illinois. This was in 1884
and he served for four years under his father
and for one year under Joseph R. Edmonds,
his father's successor. On the expiration of
his present term Mr. Rhodes will have been
connected with the office for twenty years
with the exception of a period of three

years w lien his time was spent as a book-
keeper for the Taylorvillc Coal Company.
On lea\ing tliat em])loy he became deputy
clerk under W. B. Cashin. with whom he re-
mained for four years and on the expiration
of that period he was elected to the office, in
which he has served continuously since.
After four years sjjcnt in the office he was
re-elected, so that his ])resent term will con-
tinue until December, 1904. Mr. Rhodes
has long been recognized as a very active,
prominent and influential factor in political
circles. He has always given his allegiance
to the Democracy, taking an actixe part in
local politics, laboring for the success of his
])arty and exerting his influence in its con-
ventions for the nomination of men best
(|ualified for office. He has been a delegate
to the county and judicial conventions and
his opinions carry weight in their councils.
In 1888-9 Mr. Rhodes served as city clerk
of Taylorville and his official career has
always been attended by the highest measure
of success, owing to his unfaltering fidelit)'
to duty. He is systematic and methodical
in his work and has performed all public
service in a manner that has won him tlie
commendation of the opposition as well as
of his own political party.

On the 9th of December, 1886, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Rhodes and Miss Mary
Kittle, a daughter of John and Sarah (Car-
penter) Kittle. Her father was coroner of
Christian county for four years. Mrs.
Rhodes is one of a family of five children,
namely: Millie, the wife of (i. W. Long.
of Beecher City. Illinois; Carrie \... who is
living in Taylorville; Ella, the widow of
John W. Hamer of Shelbyville, Illinois;
Minnie, the wife of John C. Stamm of
Pana; and Mary, the wife of our subject.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes has
been blessed with four children : Aimee,

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

347

born January ii, 1888; Stella M., born April
10, 1889; Dora S., December i, 1891 ; and
Haslemere, July 15/ 1894. Mr. and Mrs.
Rhodes enjoy the hospitality of the best
homes in Taylorville and occupy an enviable
position in social circles. His social rela-
tions connect him with Taylorville Lodge,
No. 413, I. O. O. F. ; Birchwood Camp, No.
130, M. W. A.; Peerless Lodge, No. 42,
A. O. U. W. ; the Royal Neighbors and the
Red Men. He has served in all the ap-
pointive and elective positions in the Odd
Fellows lodge except that of Noble Grand.
He is likewise a member of Phenix Club, a
social organization of Taylorville. A man
of pleasing personality, he is recognized as
one of the* popular and valued citizens of
Taylorville and enjoys in a high measure the
regard, confidence and esteem of his fellow
men.

S. D. MOORE.

The business development of any town
or city does not depend upon the efforts of
a single individual, but results from the com-
bined labors and enterprise of many. There
is, however, usually a few who are leaders
and who know best how to utilize not only
their own energies but so direct the lalDors
of others as to produce results of far-reach-
ing importance in mercantile life. Such a
one is S. D. Moore, a man of affairs, strong
in his discrimination and sound in his judg-
ment. He has been the promoter of many
enterprises of vast importance to Assump-
tion and is to-day a prominent representative
of coal mining interests in central Illinois.

Mr. Moore is a native of Scott county,
Illinois, born on the 28th of November, 1844.
and is a son of Thomas and Lucy (Hudson)
Moore, the former a native of Virginia and
the latter of Kentucky. In their family were

three children. The brother of our subject
was George Thomas Moore, who was killed
in the Civil war in front of Atlanta. The
sister Mary is now the wife of J. M. Israel,
of Whitehall, Greene county,* Illinois.

S. D. Moore acquired a public-school edu-
cation, beginning his studies in a log school
building which was furnished with slab
seats. The greater part of his education,
however, was acquired in the public schools
of Whitehall. At the age of seventeen he
responded to his country's call for aid,
prompted by a spirit of patriotism that was
manifested in loyal and eft'ective service in
behalf of the Union cause. He enlisted in
Greene county, Illinois, as a member of Com-
pany I, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infan-
try and served for almost three years under
the command of Captain Dennis and Colonel
H. F. Day. He participated in a number of
important engagements, including the latter
part of the siege of Vicksburg^and the battle
of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He was there
taken prisoner by John Morgan and was in
the Red river expedition but did not par-
ticipate in the fight. His company crossed
the Gulf of Mexico and landed at the mouth
of the Rio Grande river and proceeded up
that stream in order to capture Fort Brown
at Brownsville, Texas. The men afterward
went to Mobile, Alaljama, and Mr. Moore
participated in the siege of that city for thir-
teen days. During the war, because of his
excellent penmanship, he was given charge
of the pay rolls and did much clerical work
in connection with the army. After the close
of hostilities he was mustered out at Mobile,
Alabama, and received an honorable dis-
charge at Camp Butler at Springfield, Illi-
nois, in 1865.

Mr. Moore then returned to his home in
Greene county and on the 28th of March,
1867, he was married and removed to Ma-

348

PAST AND PRESENT

con county, Jlliimis. There he purchased
a farm north of the village of Macon and
engaged in agricultural pursuits until about
1874, when he took up his abode in the vil-
lage and purchased a lumberyard, which
he conducted until 1883. In that year he
came to Assumption and joined B. F. Hight
in the organization of a private bank, which
was conducted under the name of the Bank
of Assumption by flight & Moore. On
the I St of March, 1894, the Merchants' Bank
was organized and on the ist of July, 1897,
these two institutions were consolidated un-
der the name of the Illinois State Bank. At
this time Mr. Moore's connection with the
banking business ceased and he turned his
attention to the management of a brick and
tile factory, in which he had previously be-
come interested. He devoted his entire
time and attention to the operation of this
enterprise until the incorporation of the
Brick, Tile & Electric Light Company with
C. C. Corzine as its president. Mr. Moore
is now one of the leading stockholders of
that company and is also one of its directors.
He is now actively and extensively connected
\vith the development of the coal interests
of central Illinois.

The Assumption Coal & Mining Company
owes its origin to a suggestion made by
Joseph Edmunds of the company who men-
tioned the idea while Mr. Moore was in the
bank. Entering that institution he made a
remark about sinking a shaft. Mr. Moore
and Mr. Hight afterward discussed the sug-
gestion and ]\Ir. Hight drew up the papers
in order to get the enterprise in working or-
der, while Mr. Moore took upon himself the
task of securing subscribers, who would pur-
chase stock. He was very successful in the
undertaking and a short time afterward the
company was incorporated with a capital of
fortv thousand dollars. After the business

was placed in (ii)eratinn T. j. Armstrong, a
most thormigh and competent man, was em-
ployed as superintendent and he remained
^^■ith the company for four years. Upon his
suggestion Mr. Moore went out upon the
road, selling tlic ])roduct of tlie nunc in car-
load lots. T]ns was entirely new business to
him, l)ut he \vas very successful in placing
orders in the small towns all along the line
of the Illinois Central Railroad. In Feb-
ruary, 1899, in company with his son, J. D.
Moore, of Decatur, and E. G. Rasbach,
of Chicago, he purchased land in William-
son county near Johnston City for mining
purposes 5nd commenced sinking a shaft
there in June, 1900. There is now a hoist-
ing and air shaft. The company was organ-
ized and incorporated under the state laws
as the New Virginia Coal Company, with
Mr. Moore as the president, his son as vice
president and E. G. Rashbach as secretary
and treasurer. The output of this company
is now about fi\'e hundred tons daily. The
same company with Mr. Moore as president;
Judge W. T. Hart, of Benton, Illinois, as
vice president ; E. G. Rashbach as secretary ;
and W. W. Williams as treasurer; is nov\'
sinking a shaft in the town of Frankfort,
Franklin county, Illinois, in which they have
recently struck the vein" of coal, and this
promises to yield an excellent output. Mr.
Moore has also dealt in real estate for a
number of years, purchasing and selling
considerable property in and arou.nd Eagle
Grove, Wright county, Iowa. He now de-
votes his time and attention, lKn\c\cr, to his
mining ojierations.

Mr. Moore has been three times married.
In Greene county, Illinois, he wedded Mary
Doyle, a member of an old family of thai
locality, her parents being J. M. and Plenri-
etta (Shanklin) Doyle. Unto this union
were born two children': J. D. Moore, now^

CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

849

a lea(liii<4 <Iciitisl uf Decatur, Illinois, who
married (jcrtrude McGill, of Clinton, this
state; and Mary H., who is a student in
Millikin L'niversity at Decatur. The wife
and mother died in August, 1883, and in
1885 Mr. Moore was again married, his
second union being with Mrs. Emily H.
Johnson, tlie widow of Edward Johnson.
She bore the maiden name of Corzine and
her people w'ere early settlers of Christian
county. By this marriage there were also
tw^o children: Lloyd, l)orn October 23,
1888; and Emily H., born January i, 1890.
Mrs. Emily Moore died January 9, 1890, and
in 1892 Mr. Moore A\edded Mrs. Martha
(Corzine) Burdick. the widow of Charles
Burdick, and a cousin of his second wife.

Mr. Moore and his present wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist church. He has served
as super\-isor for two years, has been a mem-
ber of the town board for several years and
for a long period has served on the board
of education in Assumption, ^^'hile political
honors and emoluments have had little at-'
traction for him he is, ne\'ertheless, always
willing to perform his duties of citizenship
and many public measures have benefited by
his active co-operation. He belongs to the
Grand Army Post at Assumption. Illinois;
to Bromwell Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while
in Masonic circles he has attained to the
Knight Templar degree.

Mr. Moore is not indebted to fortunate
pecuniary or family advantages received in
boyhood, but owes his success to the fact
that he fully realized that the present and
not the future holds his opportunity — that
the successful man is he who utilizes his ad-
vantages as the hour brings them and does
not wait for greater opportunities at a later
date. He is, however, always wade-awake,
has quickly recognized business openings and
as the years have advanced has so directed

his labors and also the work of those whom
he has employed that success in large meas-
ure has come to him. His business methods
have ever been honorable and straightfor-
ward and will bear the closest investigation
and his record as a man and citizen are alike
above reproach.

CHARLES H. HILL.

Among the pleasant rural homes of Chris-
tian county is that of Charles H. Hill on
section 23, Rosamond township, the culture
and artistic taste of its occupants being re-
flected in its appointments, while a gracious
hospitality adds a charm to its material com-
forts. Here Mr. Hill is now living retired
in the midst of all that goes to make life
worth the living.

A native of New Hampshire, he was born
in Northw^ood, July 10, 1826, and is a de-
scendant of one of three brothers who emi-
grated from England to America in 1680
and established the Hill family in the colo-
nies. One of these, Samuel Hill, held a
grant from King George III for the entire
site of the citv of Boston. From a s^enealoo;-
ical history of the Hill family, compiled and
published by Edmund J. Lane, of Dover,
New Hampshire, we learn that the Hill name
runs back to John Rogers, the martyr.

Benjamin Hill, the great-grandfather of
our subject, was born in Brentwood, New
Hampshire, and in early life married Betsey
Dudley, of Stratham, New Hampshire, by
whom he had eight children. On the i8th
of March, 1752, he removed with his fam-
ily to Northwood, New Ham])shire, taking
u]) land which has ever since been occupied
by the Hill family, its jM-esent occujjant be-
ing Frank R. Hill, a lineal descendant of
Benjamin and of the fifth generation from
him. During the Revolutionary war Ben-

350

R\S'r AXI) I'Ki'.SRN"!

janiin Mill was drafted tnr scrxice and, not
wishing" liini tn ,g(> alone, liis son, Xicholas
Dnillev. also cMilisted. 'Idie former was killed
at Ticonderos^a and the son then retnrned
home, lieir.s' his mother's main dependence.
Xicholas Dndlcy Mill was horn al Brent-
w(^(kI Xew Hampshire, and was the eldest
in his father's family. He married Alary
Crockett and to them were horn eii^ht chil-
dren, of whom John, the father of onr snh-
ject. was the sect)nd in order of birth and w a<
horn at North wood, Xew Hampshire. March
2T, 1785. He wedded Aliss Susan Pearl,
who was born in l-~armini;ton, the same state.
March 31, 1783. Her father, Ichabod Pearl,
was also a native of the Granite state and
was of English lineage. His wife, who bore
the maiden name of Mary Young, was born
in the same locality as her husband and her
ancestors came from the same family. The
I'earl famil\- \\as descended from the Earl
of Northumberland, who was the father of
Lady Jane Grey, who made claim to the
throne of England. In early life the parents
of our subject both engaged in school teach-
ing but during the war of 1812 the father
abandoned that ])rofession and removed to
Middleton, New Hampshire, where he
opened a store and ta\ern. Idiey were the
parents of eight children, four sons and four
daughters, all of whom grew t(3 manhodd
and womanhood, namely : Mary E. wedded
James Wild and died June 17, t886; John
C. died in 1843: Caroline G. became the
wife of Timothy Vibbard and died January
23, 1886. Susan L. married Stephen Ridg-
ley, wdio willed one hundred thousand dol-
lars to build a public librar\- in St. Louis
and it was named in honor of his wife, Susan
Lucretia Ridgley, who died in that city
March i. 1879. Sophronia E. died in Cam-
l)ridge. INIassachusetts. November 5, 1857
David C. died August 24, 1849, "^vhile a

member of the senior class at Dartmouth
College. New' Hampshire. George W.-and
Charles H. were twins. The former married
Hattie Gibson and died at Proctor. V'ermont,
in April, 1900, leaving" a widow and one
son, George \V. C. Hill, an orthodox preach-
er of Proctor. Charles H., our subject, is
the only survivcn- of this large family. When
he \\as quite young the family removed to
Great Falls, New Haiupshire. where the
father died when our subject was only five
years of age, lea^•ing" the mother with eight
children to support.

At the early age of nine Charles H. Hill
began earning bis own livelihood by work-
ing for William Shaw, of North Berwick,
Maine, with whorn he remained for two
years. He then went to Farmington, New
Hampshire, where he spent two years in
the emi)loy of Benjamin \\'ingate and on
the expiration of that period went to Milton,
the same state, to make his home with his
uncle Joseph Pearl, with whom he remained
until he reached the age of twenty. His
place of residence then changed and we find
him at Natick, Massachusetts, in the family
of Vice President Henr\' AMlson, who w'as
reared by an aunt of our subject, j\Irs. Tem-
l)erance Knight, of Farmington. He lived
there from 1846 until 1849 ^"^^ "^ Septem-
lier of that latter year entered Gilmanton
Academy, where he was a student for three
years. In the winter of 1849-50, however,
he taught school at Strafford, New Hamp-
shire, returning to the academ)- the follow"-
ing spring.

On the 2r)th of December, 1854, in Gil
manton. New Hampshire, ]\lr. Hill was
united in marriage to ATiss Mary b'rances
Morgan, who was born September i, 1831,
at that place, and was the youngest in a
famih" of foiu" sons and three daughters.
Her parents were Jeremiah and Elizabeth

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, IIJJNOIS.

851

(Sniitli) Morgan, the former a native of
Brentwood, New Hampshire, and the latter
of Ipswich. Massachusetts. Both were of
Enghsh descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill
were born four children : George C. is a
highly educated and well read man, as well
as a deep student and a natural mechanic :
Charles R. died leaving a wife and two chil-
dren. George R. and Bessie W. : Minnie W.
is the wife of Henry P. Denbow, of Flora,
Illinois, by whom she has a daughter. Pearl
I. ; and Susan E. is the wife of Howard A.
Koogle, of Pana.

For about ten years after his marriage
Mr. Hill was in the employ of the firm of
A. G. Farwell & Company, wholesale flour
merchants, and in December, 1863, was ap-
pointed paymaster of the United States navy,
wdth headquarters on the steamer Saco for
three years. On the 15th of April, 1866.
he left that position and was appointed con-,
stable in Massachusetts, serving as such un-
til 1868, when he came to Rosemond, Illi-
nois, where he has since resided and is now'
living retired. He has one of the best homes
in the t(jwn, it being built for solid comfort
and supplied with all modern con\'eniences,
including a furnace for heating. It is beau-
tifully situated ofif the main road on section
23, Rosamond township, where he owns
sixty-one acres of land, and being on a hill
it overlooks a large portion of the surround-
ing country, affording a picturesque view-
One of the attractive features of the home
is its library, which is very complete and con-
tains many works not commonly found in
private libraries.

Mr. Hill has ever taken a deep interest in
public affairs and has filled the office of jus-
tice of the peace for four years and notary
public many years, resigning the latter posi-
tion only recently. He is an honored mem-
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and

is also a Royal Arch Mason, while religious-
ly both he and his estimable wife are active
members of the Congregational church and
stand high in the community where they
have so long made their home. As a citizen,
friend and neighbor Mr. Hill has always
been found true to every dutv and justly
merits the esteem in which he is held.

SAMUEL J. SNYDER.

One of the enterprising citizens of the
village of Edinburg is Samuel J. Snyder,
who is conducting an undertaking estab-
lishment and furniture store there. He was
born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, (ju
the 13th of September, 1854. His father.
Samuel B. Snyder, was a native of Cham-
bersburg, Pennsylvania, born in the year
1827, and his death occurred in the year
1896. He wedded Miss Mary Staefer, who
was also a native of Chambersburg, and
they became the parents of eight children,
four of who'm are now li\ing: Simon, who
resides upon the old homestead in Indiana;
Hannah, the wife of James Lane of Edin-
burg; Barbara, the wife of John Hayes, of
Columbus, Indiana ; and Samuel I.

The last named was reared upon the old
family homestead and in the district schools
pursued his education through the winter
months while in the summer seasons he as-
sisted in the operation of the home place.
When he was about fourteen A-ears of as'e,
however, he was a])prenticed to learn the
carpenter's trade in Columbus, Indiana, and
followed that pursuit for four vears. He
then engaged in the carriage and wagon-
making business near Taylorville, Indiana,
and conducted his work in that line for about
two years. In 1874 he removed to Grove
City, Illinois. Avhere he established a carriage
shop which he conducted until 1899, when

352

PAST WD rRKSF.NT

lie purchased the funiiture store and under-
taking- l)usiness of I\. K. Johnson in Edin-
l)ur<i\ Illinois. This he has since conducted
with good success and during the period has
had a suhstantial increase in trade. I'rom
1876 until the present time he has carried
on the undertaking husiness in connection
with his other interests and has made a care-
ful study of the profession. He attended
Professor Sullivan's embalming scIk^oI at St.
Louis, also the school of Professor Dodge
of Chicago and of Clark of Indianapolis and
later he was graduated from Professor Sul-
livan's school of Springfield. He has also
attended the instruction school at Peoria,
where he received his certificate on passing
the examinations and he is now prepared to
conduct funerals in a manner most satisfac-
tory to his patrons. He is a licensed em-
balmer and now holds a license No. 1 104.

In 1876 ]\[r. Snyder was united in mar-
riage to -^liss Luella Burdge. a daughter of
John S. Burdge, a native of Scotland, who
was horn in April. 1808. Her father is now'
a resident of North \''ernon, Indiana. Unto
Mr. and ]\Irs. Snyder have been born three
children : Florence, born April 5, 1878, is
the wife of Arthur Barret, a resident farmer
of iMount Auburn township. Christian coun-
ty, Illinois, and they have two children — Er-
sel and ]Murlin; ^label, born June i, 1881,*
is the wife of Sylvester Smith, a school
teacher of Edinburg; Charles A. P.. born
June 28. 1884, is assisting his fatlier in busi-
ness.

Mr. Snyder has served as town clerk of
Mount Auburn for ten or more years and he
is identified with the Modern Woodmen. In
the county where he lives he has gained a
large circle of friends, his- genial manner,
kindly spirit and deference for the opinions
of others, making him popular with his fel-
low men.

T. 1". RUSSELL.

When politics is regarded as a profession
and [)ul)lic positions are no longer considered
a ])rize to lie won for party fealty regardless
lit ca])a]Mlit}' then will more men of marked
ability and worth ei^ter upon the discharge
u\ official duties. There is, however, no
held that is more inviting to a man of ability
r.or one in which his activity can be more
productive of results of far-reaching im-
portance than that of politics and the com-
munity is to be congratulated on account of
having in its midst one who gives his best
energies and efforts to promoting the cause
of the party with which he is affiliated.
Since he was first old enough to vote Mr.
Russell has been one of the most industrious
and consistent Democrats in Christian coun-
ty and his efforts have been of great value
in advancing public welfare.

He is a native of Pana, Illinois, born
August 2, 1862. His grandfather emigrated
from North Carolina to Kentucky and
thence to Illinois, in 1818. locating near
Hillsboro, this state. Both the father and
mother of our subject were born in Illinois.
In the common schools of Pana, T. F. Rus-
sell pursued his early education, which was
su])plemented Iw a course in the normal
school at A'alparaiso, Indiana, in which he
was graduated with the class of 1881.
Being of a studious nature he displayed spe-
cial aptitude in the different branches of
learning to which he gave his attention and
was especially fond of history, ancient,
medieval and modern. In his early man-
hood ^\v. Russell engaged in teaching school
for one term and then entered the office of
the C(^initv clerk of Christian county as a
dci)ut}' on the 4th of August. 1884. Since
attaining his majority he has been an active
factor in political circles and was chairman
of the countv organization of Democratic

T. F. RUSSELL

CHRISTIAN COUr^TY, ILLINOIS.

3fJ5

clu1)S ill iSSS. lie \v;is also chairman of
tlie Democratic count\- central ctjmmittee
(Inrinq- the campaign of 1892 and he studied
law while deputy county clerk, being ad-
mitted to practice at Mount Vernon in
August, 1890. He, however, never entered
upon active practice, hut has given his entire
time and energies to the discharge of of-
ficial duties. On the 10th of January, 1893,
he entered the office of the secretary of state
as assistant corporation clerk and was pro-
moted to corporation clerk in the month of
April. In April, 1894, he was made assist-
ant secretary of state with full charge of
the office and occupied that responsihle posi-
tion until September, 1897. On the ist of
December, 1898, he was appointed private
secretary to Congressman Caldwell and held
that position until December i. 1902. In
Noveml)er of that year he was elected to the
office of count}' treasurer of Christian
county for a term of four years so that he
is .now filling the position at the present
time. His official service has been most
commendable, characterized by unfaltering
fidelity to duty, his .work being systemati-
cally performed and also with ])romptness
and dispatch. In April, 1903, lie assisted
in the organization of the Pana National
Bank of w hich he is the vice president and
he still maintains his residence in the city
of his birth.

On the 1 6th of December, 1885. in Tay-
lorville, Illinois, Mr. Russell was united in
marriage to Miss Jennie Lewis and unto
them have been born two children : W'ilvan
and Lewis. Llis political career has been
honorable, honest and above sus])icion of
e\il or liostile criticism and he has won high
encomiums from those whom he has served
in the pulilic positions to wdiich he has been
chosen by election. He well merits the
honors that he has ^^■on for he has put ffjrth

every effort in his jiower to ad\ance the gen-
eral good through the faithful discharge of
the duties de\'ol\'ing upon him.

WILLIAM E. BOLLINGER.

William E. Bollinger, who follows farm-
ing on section 14, Stonington township, has
spent the greater part of his life in Chris-
tian county, arriving here when :i little lad
of only nine years. He w-as born in Mary-
land, fourteen miles from Baltimore, in i860,
a son of Ephraim Bollinger, wdio was also
a native of Baltimore county, Maryland, in
Avhich place his birth occurred on the 24th
of October, 1832. The family is of Ger-
man lineage, although the grandparents of
our subject were likewise born and reared
in Baltimore county. Near the place of his
birth Ephraim Bollinger spent the days of
his boyhood and youth and in early life he
learned the millwright's trade, which he con-
tinued to follow^ until after the outbreak of
the Civil war. During that struggle he was
employed as a teamster in and around Balti-
more and he continued to reside in that state
until 1869, when he brought his family to
Illinois, establishing his home in Christian
county. Here he secured a tract of land and
gave his entire time to farming. He had
started out in life empty handed and at the
time of his marriage possessed very little,
but as the result of his farming operation
in this state he won a \-ery comfortable com-
petence. In the county of his nativity he
was joined in wedlock to Miss ]\Iary Ann
Strewig, who was born in that county Au-
gust 2X 18^2. Thev became the parents of
eio-ht children, of whom Oliver and James
A\'. are now deceased. • The daughter, Mary
E., piissed away in Christian county. The
rs. Henry C, John T., William E., Dan-

;;;)r,

J 'AST AXIJ J'RESRNT

iel S. and Samuel \\'., all reside in this
eountw Jnhn married Caroline Coiiner and
resides near the old Immestead farm. Tlie
father was killed jamiarv iS .iS().;. while at-
tempting- to cross the railroad tracks to look
after some business. He was struck h\- .a
fast train near the crossing- at the Stoninii-
t(in station and instantly killed. 1 lis remains
were interred in (Iroxe City cemetery.

William E. Bollinger ])ursued his educa-
tion in the district schools of this county
and when hut ten years of age started out
to make his own way in the world. He was
employed as a farm liand and early learned
the \alue of indefatigable industry and un-
tiring perserverance in the afTair? of life.
He worked for others until twenty-one years
of age and then joining his father in his
farming operations assisted him in paying
for the home phice. He has always carried
on agricultin\'d pursuits and now lives on
section 14. Stonington township, where he
has one hundred acres of land, which is
highlv cultivated and impro\ed. the neat and
thrift)' appearance of the i)lace being j^n^of
of his progressive spirit.

On January 8, 1901, Mr. Bollinger was
united in marriage to Miss Maggie Salis-
bury, a daughter of Enoch Salisbury and a
native of Macon county. Illinois. 'Idiey have
a little son. Mr. l^>()llinger is a meml>er of
the Reformed church. At one time he served
as a member of tlie drainage l)oa>d, but has
never been an aspirant for jjolitical office,
preferring to devote his energies to his busi-
ness affairs.

JOSEPH XUTT.

Ireland has furnished man)- worthy citi-
zens to the new- world, 'i'he sons of Erin
are men of readv adaptabilit\-. ])rogressive
and \ersatile and thev have beconie useful

factors in \arious walks of lite. Mr. .X'ult
is a re])resentati\e of this class. He \vas
born in Count)' Antrim in the north ol Ire-
land in iS3<"). a son of Lowr)- and Sarah
Nutt. both of whom s])ent their entire lives
in the Emerald Isle. Joseph Xutt remained
there until twelve years of age and then in
1848 crossed the Atlantic to the United
States. He had attended the Presbyterian
schools of his native country. His mother
died in early womanhood and because of this
the family was broken up. yir. Nutt's broth-
ers and sisters came with him to the United
States, ail older l)i"other sending theni trans-
])ortation in order to have them join him
in the new world. On arriving at New York
they iiiade their way to Xewburgh, in X^ew
York.

It was in the fall of 1856 that Mr. Xutt
arrived in Illinois, establishing his home
near Springfield in Sangamon county. In
that county he attended school and after-
ward worked as a farm hand until the in-
auguration of the Civil war. He was deeply
interested in the Union cause and in 1862
he enlisted in its defense, offering his services
at Camp Butler in Springfield. He became
a member of the One Hundred and I^^^ur-
teenth Illinois Infantry under Colonel Judy,
the regiment being attached to the command
of General Sherman at a later date. Mr.
X'^utt participated in the battles of Vicksliurg.
Jackson and Guntow n. At the last narned
he was captured and sent to Andersomille
])rison, where he was incarcerated for six
months, at the end of which time he was
paroled. He was then sent north to An-
napolis, IMaryland, where he obtained a thir-
t\- (lavs furlough. This was spent in Illi-
nois and on the expiration of that period he
went to the parole camp at Benton Bar-
ricks, Missouri. The war closed before he
was jjermitted to again enter the army. He

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

oOi

suffered i^real. liardships while in Anderson-
ville and yet 1)ears the effects of his prison
experience \\ hen in niihtary hfe. After the
cessation of hostihties he returned to Spring-
field, where he- received an honorable dis-
charge.

Mr. Nutt Avorked upon a farm in Sanga-
mon county until his remoxal to Christian
county in 1868. His tirst purchase of land
comprised a tract in Taylorville township,
of which he became the owner in 1874. He
now owns two hundred and forty acres, con-
stituting a A'ery A-aluable farm, Init he has
retired from active farm life. In earlier
years he gave particular attention to the
raising of hogs and cattle for shipments and
this business brought tO' him an excellent re-
turn. He greatly improved his land, fenced
his fields, erected substantial and commodi-
ous buildings, planted trees and added all
modern equipments and accessories such as
are found upon a model farm.

Mr. Nutt was married on the i8th of De-
cember, 1866, to Miss Anna Eliza Bishop,
who was a native of Lima, New^ York, and
is a representative of one of the old Dutch
families that settled on ]\Ianhattan island.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nutt Imve been born
live children: Hattie, who is now the wife
of E. M. Piper, a farmer of Taylor\'ille town-
ship, by whom she has two children; J. H.,
who married Anna ]\Ielvin, by whom he has
one child, and resides in Millersville, Illi-
nois; L. S., a resident farmer of South Eork
township, who married Cora Gore and has
three children; Emma, the wife of J. C.
Potts, by whom she has one child; and H.
T., who^ resides upon the old homestead farm
in Taylorville township, and married Le-
nore Nash. In 1902 INIr. Nutt was called
upon to moiu'u the loss of his wife, who died
in December of that year and since that time

he has made his home with his eldest daugh-
ter, Mrs. E. M. Piper.

In politics he is a stanch Kcpublican and
for many years he served as scIidoI director,
but has never been a ])()litician in the sense
of office seekmg as he has preferred to give
his energies and time to his business affairs.
Whatever he has undertaken he has car-
ried forward to successful completion and
to-day he is numbered among the prosperous
farmers of Taylorville townshi]). He came
to America a poor boy when but twelve
years of age and almost continually since
that time has been dependent upon his own
laljors for wdiat he has had and enjoyed.
His force of character has enabled him to
overcome obstacles and difficulties in his
path and to work his way steadily upward
from a humble position to one of affluence.

CHARLES DWIGHT KIRK.

Charles Dwdght Kirk is the proprietor of
the ^^'alnut Grove stock farm, comprising
one hundred and eighty acres of land in
Buckhart township. In his business affairs
he is capable, energetic and relialile and has
become well known as a stock dealer. Lie
was born in Christian county on the 21st of
April, 1858, at the family home, which joins
the farm on which he now resides. His
father, Henry Kirk, was a native of Akron,
Oh.io, and removed to Christian county
about 1857. He first purchased a farm in
Stonington township, which he afterward
traded for the old homestead ]ilace of one
hundred and sixty acres in Buckhart town-
ship. Before leaving Akron, Ohio, he was
united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Mc-
Farland and they had six children, three
of whom are now living: Thaddeus D.,
howcAer, died at the age of twenty years ;

358

I 'AST AND I'kl^SKNT

Charles I), is llie second «•!' the faiiiil\- ; iMiinia
became the wife of Robert I'". Ophn.ner of
Tax-lorville and has two children: Arthnr
I*., completes the fanulw In iS<'>() Mrs. Kirk-
died and in iS/o Mr. Kirk was aj;ain mar-
ried, his second nnion beint; with Margaret
Belle Orr. of Taylorville. They have three
living children: Hattie. now the wife of
Irvin Baueiiman of Kdinlmrg; (irace. the
wife of John (i. Hill of Taylorville ; and
Pearl ].. who married Curtis Banghman of
lulinburg. Mr. Kirk, the t'ather of our sub-
ject, passed away in b'ebruary. kjoj.

After ac(|uiring his prehminary education
in the common sch(jols Charles Dwight
Kirk attended school in Taylorville. where
he completed his education. IK then en-
gaged in teaching in the district schools for
three-vears and through the summer months
be also worked on a farm. He was quite
successful as an educator because of the
readiness with which he imparted to others
the knowledge that he bad acquired. Tn
about 1888 he ])urchased of bis father one
hundred acres of land adjoining the old
homestead and has since resided thereon.
Here he is engaged in the raising of stock
and also of grain and bis fields return to
him Sfolden harvests for the care and labor
he has bestowed upon them.

In 1880 Mr. Kirk was united in marriage
to Miss Addle Lindsley. a daughter of Jo-
seph Lindsley, a resident farmer of Christian
county. Illinois. They ba\e two lixing chil-
dren : Ethel C, born in 1883; and Claude,
born in 1887. They also lost one daughter.
Lorena. w'ho died in September. 1894. at
the age of ten years. The wife and mother
passed away in October of the same year.
In November, 1895, Mr. Kirk was joined
in wedlock to Miss Jennie Ladd. a daughter
of Noyse Ladd. a resident farmer of Sharps-
burg, Illinois, and one of the old pioneer

NCttlers of the county. Two children graceil
tins marriage: h'sther ( ).. born July 30,
|S()7; and ( llenn L.. horn in June. 1899.

.Mr. Kirk is a leading and intlnential citi-
zen and his fitness for olVice led to his a[)-
l)ointment as townshi]) treasurer, a position
wdiich he has now filled for about twenty-
two years in a most acceptable manner. His
father also held the same office for eighteen
\ears. ^Ir. Kirk belongs to the Modern
Woodmen Camp, and in former years he
was a member of the Christian church but
in 1892 he united with the ^Methodist church
of Grove City. His life has ever been hon-
orable and upright, his actions manly and
sincere and his influence has always been
given on the side of right, of truth and of
justice.

HENRY HARRISON TOBIAS.

Assumption owes much of its de\-elop-
ment. impro\'ement and ui)building to Henr}'
Harrison Tobias, the senior member of the
firm of Tobias & Sons, contractors and
builders, and also manufacturers of sash,
doors and blinds. Honored and respected
bv all. there is no man in Assumption who
occupies a more envialile j^osition in ])ul)lic
regard, not alone because he has achieved
most enxiable success l)ut also because his
business methods ba\-e ever been such as
would bear the most rioid investigation and
scrutinx". He bears an untarnished name
and what he has done for the county makes
him well worthy of mention among its rep-
rcsentatixe citizens.

Afr. Tobias Avas born in Pickaway count}'.
( )hio, Ttd\' r. 1840. a son of Da\"id Tobias,
who was a miller of J'ickaway county. The
grandfather was a farmer by occupation and
li\-ed to be more than ninety years of age.
while his wife reached the extreme old age
of ninety-eight years. On coming to lib-

CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

36 1

nois, David Toljias first located in Clark
county, whence he afterward removed to
Tazewell county. There he purchased an im-
proved farm and engaged in its further culti-
vation until he retired from active business
life and took uj) his abode in Washington,
Illinois, where his death occurred in 1885,
^\ hen he was seventy-eight years of age. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca
Culp, survi\e(l him for many years and
pass