Full text of "Portrait and biographical record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe counties, Illinois. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens ... the presidents of the United States, and the governors of the state of Illinois"

L I B R.AFLY

OF THE
U N 1VER51TY
or ILLI N015

92007739
P«38

luiwK mmoL mm

■^

^2£

371^

I I 2f

r\ i:>}

-oc^^

'^-^^ — m M

'<^

"y-vtgg^^g^^^^^rv^^^-^fyg

JllfL

j'C\V jA.y'j

^3>-<ra-~fJg>-a./^~g.:7T7r7'»v ^^

•%^-S^:-v: :S^^

— OF—

Randolph, Jackson, Perry=

# and rionroe Counties,

• ILLINOIS. •

Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent

REPRESENTA TIVE CITIZENS OE THE COUNTIES,

TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHIES AND PORTRAITS OF ALL THE

Presidents of ttie United States,

AND THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

CHICAGO:
BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO.

pF(Ep/^§E.

3a..

Igs

■^S^^ H-^'-t- <5^-»

I IE greatest of English historians, Macaulat, and one of the most brilliant writers of
tlie present century, has said: "The history- of a country is best told in a record of the
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea tlie Poutuait and BioouAruicAL
Ri:(;oKi) Qf tijj^ county lias been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and
taiiing therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, oui
^»j'"f3:i^ corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by theii
enterprise and industr}^ brought the county to rank second to none among those
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli-
^ gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by
iiidustr3' and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an
influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It teUs also of many, very
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their waj-," contend
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what
tliey could." It tells bow that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and professioH, and at their country's
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not
be lost upon those who follow after.

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact

that it c(mtains so much that would never find its way into pul)lic records, and which would otherwise be

inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible

^'given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them-

vjselves that they give to their readers ;i work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph

•oical sketclies, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given.

^ The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the
^.publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the
'^information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of
t^the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested
^one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made
^at their residence or place of business.
^ April, 1894. ISkxmiaimiioal Publishing Co.

''•^

V^^it*

^^i0!^^^^'-<^^ ^

,t2^'Si^Mt,., ,,

BIOGRAPHIES

.^/iic-»^"^

■ ^}i\f»<^<^'

Governors of Illinois,

AND OF THE

H X I I J [l-

-^WIlfOT^

,^-.s

1^^

'A.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

y HE Father of our Countr)- was boni in West-
( C moreland County, Va. , February 22, 1732.
V2/ His parents were Augustine and Mary (Ball)
Washington. The family to which he belonged
has not been satisfactorily traced in Kngland.
His great-grandfather, John Washington, emi-
grated to \'irginia about 1657, and became a
prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence
and John. The former married Mildred Wanier,
and had three children, John, Augu.stine and
Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first
married Jane Butler, who IxDre him four children,
two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached
maturitj'. Of six children by his second mar-
riage, George was the eldest, the others being
Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and
Mildred.

Augustine Wa.shington, the father of George,
died in 1743, leaving a large landed property.
To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an
estate on the Potomac, aften\*ards known as Mt.
Vemon, and to George he left the parental resi- '
dence. George received only such education as
the neighborhood schools afforded, sa\-e for a
short time after he left school, when he received
private instruction in mathematics. His spelling
was rather defective. Remarkable stories are
told of his great physical strength and develop-
ment at an early age. He was an acknowledged
leader among his companions, and was early
noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and
veracity which characterized his whole life.

When George was fourteen },-ears old he had a
desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant
was .secured for him, but through the opposition
of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two 1

years later he was appointed sur\'ej^or to the im-
mense estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business
he spent three years in a rough frontier life,
gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. In 1751, though only nineteen
\-ears of age, he was appointed Adjutant, with thfe
rank of Major, in the Virginia militia, then being
trained for active .ser\'ice against the French and
Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West
Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there
to restore his health. They soon returned, and
in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a
large fortune to an infant daughter, who did not
long sur\-ive him. On her demise the estate of
Mt. \'ernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie as Lieu-
tenant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia
was reorganized, and the province divided into
four military districts, of which the northern was
a.ssigned to Washington as Adjutant-General.
Shorth- after this a ver>' perilous mission, which
others had refused, was assigned him and ac-
cepted. This was to proceed to the French post
near Lake Erie, in northwestern Penn.sylvania.
The distance to be traversed was about si.x hun-
dred miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey
was to be made without militar>- escort, through
a territory occupied by Indians. The trip was a
perilous one, and .several times he nearly lost his
life, but he returned in safety and furnished a full
and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of three hundred men was raised in Virginia and
put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Maj.
Washington was commis.sioned Lieutenant-Colo-
nel. Active war was then begun again.st the
French and Indians, in which Washington took

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

a most important part. In the memorable event
of July 9, 1755, known as "Braddock's defeat,"
Washington was almost the only officer of dis-
tinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor.

Having been for five years in the military ser\'-
ice, and having vainly sought promotion in the
royal army, he took advantage of the fall of Ft. Du-
quesne and the expulsion of the French from the
valley of the Ohio to resign his commission. Soon
after he entered the Legislature, where, although
not a leader, he took an active and important
part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha
(Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John
Parke Custis.

When the British Parliament had closed the
port of Boston, the cry went up throughout the
provinces, ' ' The cause ol Boston is the cause of
us aU! " It was then, at the suggestion of Vir-
ginia, that a congress of all the colonies was
called to meet at Philadelphia September 5,
1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably
if possible. To this congress Col. Washington
was sent as a delegate. On Maj' 10, 1775, the
congress re-assembled, when the hostile inten-
tions of England were plainly apparent. The
battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought,
and among the first acts of this congress was the
election of a commander-in-chief of the Colonial
forces. This high and responsible office was con-
ferred upon Washington, who was still a member
of the congress. He accepted it on June 19, but
upon the express condition that he receive no sal-
arj'. Jle would keep an exact account of ex-
penses, and expect congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch
to trace the militarj- acts of Washington, to whom
the fortunes and liberties of the people of this
couiitrj- were so long confided. The war was
conducted by him under every possible disadvan-
tage; and while his forces often met with reverses,
yet he o\-ercame every obstacle, and after seven
years of heroic devotion and matchless skill he
gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth.
On December 23, 1783, Washington, in a parting
address of surpassing beauty, resigned his com-
mission as Commander-in-Chief of the army to the

Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mt. Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning
all connection with public life.

In February, 1789, Washington was unani-
mously elected President, and at the expiration
of his first term he was unanimouslj- re-elected.
At the end of this term many were anxious that he
be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third
nomination. On March 4, 1797, at the expiration
of his second term as President, he returned to his
home, hoping to pass there his few remaining
years free from the annoj-ances of public life.
Later in the year, however, his repose seemed
likely to be interrupted by war with France. At
the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the army, but he chose his sub-
ordinate officers and left them the charge of mat-
ters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command, he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these prepara-
tions his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2
he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain,
which, settling in his throat, produced inflamma-
tion, and terminated fatally on the night of the
14th. On the 1 8th his body was borne with mili-
tar>' honors to its final resting-place, and interred
in the family vault at Mt. Vernon.

Of the character of Washington it is impossible
to speak but in terms of the highest respect and
admiration. The more we see of the operations
of our government, and the more deeplj' we feel
the difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common
interest, the more highly we must estimate the
force of his talent and character, which have been
able to challenge the reverence of all parties,
and principles, and nations, and to win a fame as
extended as the limits of the globe, and which we
cannot but believe will be as lasting as the exist-
ence of man.

In person, Washington wa's unusually tall, erect
and well proportioned, and his muscular strength
was great. His features were of a beausiful .sym-
metry. He commanded respect without any ap-
pearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious
without being dull.

JOHN ADAMS.

(TOHN ADAMS, the second President and the
I first Vice-President of the United States, was
C2? born in Braintree (now Ouinc\') Mass., and
about ten miles from Boston, October 19, 1735.
His great-grandfather, Henr>- Adams, emigrated
from England about 1640, with a family of eight
sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of
John were John and Susannah (Bojlston)
Adams. His father, who was a farmer of limited
means, also engaged in the business of shoe-
making. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical
education at Har\-ard College. John graduated
in 1755, and at once took charge of the school at
Worcester, Mass. This he found but a ' ' school
of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain
relief bj- devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself
under the tuition of the onlj- lawyer in the town.
He had thought seriously of the clerical profes-
sion, but seems to have been turned from this by
what he termed ' ' the frightful engines of ecclesi-
astical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calvin-
istic good nature," of the operations of which he
had been a witness in his native town. He was
well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a
clear, sonorous voice, being readj' and fluent of
speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He
gradually gained a practice, and in 1764 married
Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a
lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, in 1765, the attempt at parliamentary-
taxation turned him from law to politics. He
took initial steps toward holding a town meeting,
and the resolutions he offered on the subject be-
came ver>- popular throughout the province, and
were adopted word for word by over forty differ-
ent towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and
became one of the most courageous and promi-
nent advocates of the popular cause, and was
chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg-
islature) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first dele-

gates from Massachusetts to the first Continent-
al Congress, which met in 1774. Here he dis-
tinguished himself by his capacity for business
and for debate, and advocated the movement for
independence against the majority of the mem-
bers. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a res-
olution in Congress that the Colonies should
assume the duties of self-government. He was a
prominent member of the committee of five ap-
pointed June 1 1 to prepare a declaration of inde-
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson,
but on Adams devolved the task of battling it
through Congress in a three-days debate.

On the day after the Declaration of Independ-
ence was passed, while his soul was j-et warm
with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter
to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to
have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy.
"Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question
was decided that ever was debated in America;
and greater, perhaps, never was or will be de-
cided among men. A resolution was passed
without one dissenting colon}', 'that these United
States are, and of right ought to be, free and in-
dependent states.' The daj^ is passed. The
Fourth of Jul}-, 1776, will be a memorable epoch
in the histor\- of America. I am apt to believe it
will be celebrated bj- succeeding generations as
the great anuiversar>- festival. It ought to be
commemorated as the day of deliverance by
solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It
ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games,
sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations
from one end of the continent to the other, from
this time fon\-ard forever. You will think me
transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I
am well aware of the toil and blood and treas-
ure that it will cost to maintain this declaration
and .support and defend these States; yet, through
all the gloom, I can .see the rays of light and
glorj-. I can see that the end is worth more than
all the means, and that posterity will triumph,

JOHN ADAMS.

although you and I may rue, which I hope we
shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed
a delegate to France, and to co-operate with Ben-
jamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then
in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in
arms and monej- from the French government.
This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it
separated him from his home, compelled him to
cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him to
great peril of capture bj- the British cruisers, who
were seeking him. He left France June 17,
1779. In September of the same year he was
again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold him-
self in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and
of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the
British cabinet might be found willing to listen
to such proposals. He sailed for France in No-
vember, and from there he went to Holland, where
he negotiated important loans and formed im-
portant commercial treaties.

Finally-, a treat}- of peace ^-ith England was
signed, Januarj- 2 1 , 1783. The re-action from the
excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr.
Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After
suffering from a continued fever and becoming
feeble and emaciated, he was advised to go to
England to drink the waters of Bath. While in
England, still drooping and desponding, he re-
ceived dispatches from his own government urg-
ing the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health
was delicate, >-et he immediately set out, and
through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he
made the trip.

Febniary 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr.
Adams envoy to the Court of St. James. Here
he met face to face the King of England, who
had so long regarded him as a traitor. As Eng-
land did not condescend to appoint a minister to
the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he
was accomplishing but little, he sought permis-
sion to return to his own countr}-, where he ar-
rived in June, 1788.

When Washington was first chosen President,
John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal
ser\-ices at home and abroad, was chosen \'ice-

President. Again, at the second election of Wash-
ington as President, Adams was chosen ^'ice-
President. In 1796, Washington retired from
public life, and Mr. Adams was elected President,
though not without much opposition. Ser\-ing
in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr.
Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was Vice-President the
great French Revolution shook the continent of
Europe, and it was upon this point that he was
at issue with the majority of his countrj-men, led
by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy-
with the French people in their struggle, for he
had no confidence in their power of self-govern-
ment, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist
philosophers who. he claimed, caused it. On the
other hand, Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence
originated the alienation between these distin-
tiuguished men, and the two powerful parties were
thus soon organized, with Adams at the head of
the one whose sympathies were with England,
and Jefferson leading the other in sympathy \s-ith
France.

The Fourth of July, 1826, which completed the
half-centurj- since the signing of the Declaration
of Independence, arrived, and there were but
three of the signers of that immortal instrument
left upon the earth to hail its morning light.
And, as it is well known, on that day two of
these finished their earthh- pilgrimage, a coinci-
dence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For
a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly
failing, and on the morning of the Fourth he
found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On
being requested to name a toast for the cus-
tomar}- celebration of the daj', he exclaimed
"Independence forever!" When the day was
ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing
of cannons, he was asked by one of his attend-
ants if he knew what day it was? He replied,
' ' O j-es, it is the glorious Fourth of July — God
bless it — God bless you all!" In the course of
the day he said, "It is a great and glorious
daj-." The last words he uttered were, "Jeffer-
son sur\'ives." But he had, at one o'clock,
resigned his spirit into the hands of his God.

\^*

>^ "^^S?

7^^

'/^/l^

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

^HOMAS JEFFERSON was bom April 2,
IQ. 1743, at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Va.
Vi2/ His parents were Peter and Jane (Ran-
dolph) Jefferson, the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in London. To them were
bom six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas
was the elder. When fourteen years of age his
father died. He received a most liberal educa-
tion, having been kept diligently at school from
the time he was five years of age. In 1760 he
entered William and Marj' College. Williams-
burg was then the seat of the Colonial court, and
it was the abode of fashion and splendor. Young
Jefferson, who was then seventeen years old, lived
somewhat expensively, keeping fine horses, and
going much into gay society; yet he was ear-
nestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachable in
his morals. In the second year of his college
course, moved by some unexplained impulse, he
discarded his old companions and pursuits, and
often devoted fifteen hours a day to hard study.
He thus attained very high intellectual culture,
and a like excellence in philosophy and the lan-
guages.

Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued
in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly,
and distinguished himself by his energy and
acuteness as a lawyer. But the times called for
greater action. The policy of England had awak-
ened the spirit of resistance in the American Col-
onies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had
ever entertained soon led him into active politi-
cal life. In I 769 he was chosen a member of the
Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772 he mar-

ried Mrs. Martha Skelton, a verj- beautiful,
wealth}-, and highl\- accomplished young widow.

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress,
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reason er soon become known, and he
was placed upon a number of important com-
mittees, and was chairman of the one appointed
for the drawing up of a declaration of independ-
ence. This committee consisted of Thomas Jef-
ferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger
Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson,
as chairman, was appointed to draw up the paper.
Franklin and Adams suggested a few verbal
changes before it was .submitted to Congress. On
June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by
Congress, and it was passed and signed Juh- 4,
1776.

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henr)- as Governor of \'irginia. At one
time the British officer Tarleton sent a secret
expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor.
Scarcely five miiuites elapsed after the hurried
escape of Mr. Jefferson and his family ere his
mansion was in possession of the British troops.
His wife's health, never very good, was much
injured bj- this excitement, and in the summer
of 1782 she died.

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.
Two years later he was appointed Minister Pleni-
potentiary to France. Returning to the United
States in September, 1789, he became Secretar>'
of State in Washington's cabinet. This position
he resigned January i, 1794. In 1797, he was
chosen Vice-President, and four j-ears later was
elected President over Mr. Adams, with Aaron

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Burr as Vice-President. In 1804 he was re-
elected with wonderful unanimity, George Clin-
ton being elected Vice-President.

The earlj' part of Mr. Jeilerson's second ad-
ministration was distin-bed by an event which
threatened the tranquillitj- and peace of the Union;
this was the conspiracj- of Aaron Burr. Defeated
in the late election to the Vice-Presidenc}-, and
led on by an unprincipled ambition, this extraor-
dinary man formed the plan of a militarj' ex-
pedition into the Spanish territories on our south-
Western frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This was generally supposed
to have been a mere pretext; and although it has
not been generally known what his real plans
were, there is no doubt that thej' were of a far
more dangerous character.

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term
for which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he de-
termined to retire from political life. For a period
of nearly forty j-ears he had been continually be-
fore the public, and all that time had been em-
ployed in offices of the greatest trust and respon-
sibility. Having thus devoted the best part of
his life to the service of his countrj-, he now felt
desirous of that rest which his declining j-ears re-
quired, and upon the organization of the new ad-
ministration, in March, 1809, he bade farewell for-
ever to public life and retired to Monticello, his
famous country home, which, next to Mt. Vernon,
was the most distinguished residence in the land.

The Fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth an-
niversarj' of the Declaration of American Inde-
pendence, great preparations were made in everj-
part of the Union for its celebration as the nation's
jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to
the solemnity,' of the occasion, invited Mr. Jeffer-
son, as the framer and one of the few sur\-iving
signers of the Declaration, to participate in their
festivities. But an illness, which had been of
several weeks' duration and had been continually
increasing, compelled him to decline the invita-
tion.

On the 2d of July the disease under which he
was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants entertained no
hope of his recovery. From this time he was

perfectly sensible that his last hour was at hand.
On the next day, which was Monday, he asked
of those around him the day of the month, and
on being told it was the 3d of July, he ex-
pressed the earnest wish that he might be per-
mitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth anniver-
sary. His praj-er was heard — that day whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our
land burst upon his ej-es, and then they were
closed forever. And what a noble consummation
of a noble life! To die on that day — the birth-
day of a nation — the day which his own name
and his own act had rendered glorious, to die
amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole
nation, who looked up to him as the author, un-
der God, of their greatest blessings, was aU that
was wanting to fill up the record of his life.

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin-
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
him company, left the sceneof his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the cham-
pions of freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark
and desperate struggle of the Revolution, they
had cheered and animated their desponding coun-
tr\-men; for half a centur}' they had labored to-
gether for the good of the countrj-, and now hand
in hand they departed. In their lives they had
been united in the same great cause of libertj',
and in their deaths they were not divided.

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; hisejes
were light, his hair, originally red, in after life be-
came white and silver}-, his complexion was fair,
his forehead broad, and his whole countenance
intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great
fortitude of mind as well as personal courage, and
his command of temper was such that his oldest
and most intimate friends never recollected to
have seen him in a passion. His manners, though
dignified, were simple and unaffected, and his
hospitalit>' was so unbounded that all found at
his house a readj- welcome. In conversation he
was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic, and his
language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writ-
ings is discernible the care with which he formed
his style upon the best models of antiquit>'.

OA'C-i-^ A^CC e*-^^^-^^ cr-^

JAMES MADISON.

(Tames MADISON, "Father of the Consti-

I tution," and fourth President of the United
(2/ States, was born March i6, 1757, and died
at his home in Virginia June 28, 1836. The
name of James Madison is inseparably connected
with most of the important events in that heroic
period of our countrj- during which the founda-
tions of this great repubhc were laid. He was
the la.st of the founders of the Constitution of the
United States to be called to his eternal reward.

The Madison family were among the early emi-
grants to the New World, landing upon the shores
of the Chesapeake but fifteen years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison
was an opulent planter, residing upon a very fine
estate called Montpelier, in Orange County, Va.
It was but twenty-five miles from the home of Jef-
ferson at Monticello, and the closest personal and
political attachment existed between these illustri-
ous men from their early jouth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was con-
ducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At
the age of eighteen he was sent to Princeton Col-
lege, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to
stud)' with the most imprudent zeal, allowing him-
self for months but three hours' sleep out of the
twenty-four. His health thus became so seriously
impaired that he never recovered any vigor of
constitution. He graduated in 1771, with a feeble
body, but with a character of utmost purity, and
a mind highly disciplined and richly .stored with
learning, which embellished and gave efficiency
to his subsequent career.

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study
of law and a course of extensive and systematic
reading. This educational course, the spirit of
the times in which he lived, and the society with
which he associated, all combined to inspire him
with a .strong love of libert}-, and to train him for
his life-work as a state.sman.

In the spring of 1776, when twenty-six years of

age, he was elected a member of the Virginia Con-
vention to frame the constitution of the State. The
next year (1777), he wasa candidate for the Gen-
eral As.sembly. He refused to treat the whisky -lov-
ing voters, and consequently lost his election ; but
those who had witnes.sed the talent, energy and
pubhc spirit of the modest j-oung man enlisted
themselves in his behalf and he was appointed to
the Executive Council.

Botli Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison re-
mained member of the Council, and their apprecia-
tion of his intellectual, social and moral worth
contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence.
In the year 1780 he was elected a member of the
Continental Congress. Here he met the most il-
lustrious men in our land, and he was immediately
a.ssigned to one ot the most con.spicuous positions
among them. For three j-ears he continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential mem-
bers. In 1784, his tenn having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.

No man felt more deeplj' than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederac}', with no
national government, and no power to form trea-
ties which would be binding, or to enforce law.
There was not any State more prominent than
Virginia in the declaration that an efficient na-
tional government must be formed. In Januarj',
1786, Mr. Madison carried a resolution through
the General Assembly of Virginia, inviting the
other States to appoint commis.sioners to meet in
convention at Ainiapolis to discuss this subject.
Five States only were represented. The conven-
tion, however, issued another call, drawn up by
Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their
delegates to Philadelphia in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United States, to take the
place of the Confederate League. The delegates
met at the time appointed. Every State but
Rhode Island was represented. George Washing-

JAMES MADISON.

ton was chosen president of the convention, and the
present Constitution of the United States was then
and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind
and no pen more active in framing this immortal
document than the mind and the pen of James
Madison.
The Constitution, adopted by a vote of eighty-one
to sevent3--nine, was to be presented to the several
States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was
felt. Should it be rejected, we should be left but a
conglomeration of independent States, with but
little power at home and little respect abroad. Mr.
Madison was elecfed bj' the com-ention to draw up
an address to the people of the United States, ex-
pounding the principles of the Constitution, and
urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but at length it triumphed over all,
and went into effect in 1789.

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became
the avowed leader of the Republican party. While
in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs.
Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fas-
cination, whom he married. She was in person
and character queenly, and probaby no lady has
thus far occupied so prominent a position in the
verj' peculiar society- which has constituted our
republican court as did Mrs. Madison.

Mr. Madison ser\'ed as Secretarj^ of State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration
was chosen President. At this time the encroach-
ments of England had brought us to the verge of
war. British orders in council destroj-ed our com-
merce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult.
Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in
his taste, retiring in his disposition, war had no
charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be
roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to
think of an American ship brought to upon the
ocean by the guns of an English cruiser. A
young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great non-
chalance he selects any number whom he may
please to designate as British .subjects, orders them
down the ship's side into his boat, and places them
on the giuideck of his man-of-war, to fight, by
compulsion, the battles of England. This right

of search and impressment no efforts of our Gov-
ernment could induce the British cabinet to re-
linquish.

On the 1 8th of June, 181 2, President Madison
gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring
war against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the
bitter hostility of the Federal party to the war, the
countr>' in general approved; and Mr. Madison,
on the 4th of March, 1813, was re-elected by a
large majority, and entered upon his second term
of office. This is not the place to describe the
various adventures of this war on the land and on
the water. Our infant na\'y then laid the found-
ations of its renown in grappling with the most
formidable power which ever swept the seas. The
contest commenced in earnest by the appearance
of a British fleet, early in Februarys 1813, in
Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole coast
of the United States under blockade.

The Emperor of Russia offered his ser\-ices as
mediator. America accepted; England refused.
A British force of five thousand men landed on the
banks of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into
Chesapeake Bay, and marched rapidlj-, by way of
Bladensburg, upon Washington.

The stragghng little city of Washington was
thrown into consternation. The cannon of the
brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the
streets of the metropolis. The whole population
fled from the city. The President, leaving Mrs.
Madison in the White House, with her carriage
drawn up at the door to await his speedy return,
hurried to meet the officers in a council of war.
He met our troops utterly routed, and he could not
go back without danger of being captured. But
few hours elapsed ere the Presidential Mansion,
the Capitol, and all the public buildings in Wash-
ington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and
on February 13, 181 5, the treaty of peace was
signed at Ghent. On the4th of March, 1817, his
second term of office expired, and he resigned the
Presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe.
He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier, and
there passed the remainder of his days. On June
28, 1836, at the age of eighty-five years, he fell
asleep in death. Mrs Madison died July 12, 1849.

/■^2^,^-^'C ^

JAMES MONROE.

(lAMElS MONROE, the fifth President of the
I United States, was born in Westmoreland
(2) Couiitj-, Va., April 28, 1758. His early life
WiiS passed at the place of his nativity. His an-
cestors had for many years resided in the province
in which he was bom. When he was seventeen
years old, and in process of completing his educa-
tion at William and Mary College, the Colonial
Congress, assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate
upon the unjust and manifold oppressions of Great
Britain, declared the separation of the Colonies,
and promulgated the Declaration of Independence.
Had he been born ten j^ears before, it is highly
probable that he would have been one of the
signers of that celebrated instrument. At this
time he left school and enlisted among the pa-
triots.

He joined the arm}' when everj-thing looked
hopeless and gloomy. The number of deserters
increased from day to day. The invading armies
came pouring in, and the Tories not only favored
the cause of the mother country, but disheartened
the new recruits, who were sufficient!}' terrified
at the prospect of contending with an enemy
whom they had been taught to deem invincible.
To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went
right onward undismayed through difficulty and
danger, the United States owe their political
emancipation. The j'oung cadet joined the ranks
and espoused the cau.se of his injured country',
with a firm determination to live or die in her
strife for liberty. Firmly, yet sadly, he shared in
the melanchoh- retreat from Harlem Heights
and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited
army as it fled before its foes through New Jerse}-.
In four months after the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, the patriots had been beaten in seven
battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the van-
guard, and in the act of charging upon the enemy
he received a wound in the left shoulder.

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was
promoted to be captain of infantrj-, and, ha\ing re-
covered from his wounds, he rejoined the army.
He, however, receded from the line of promotion
by becoming an officer on the staff of L,ord Ster-
ling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778,
in the actions of Brandywine, Germantown and
Monmouth, he continued aide-de-camp; but be-
coming desirous to regain his position in the
army, he exerted himself to collect a regiment for
the Virginia line. This scheme failed, owing to
the exhausted condition of the State. Upon this
failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at
that period Governor, and pursued with consid-
erable ardor the studj' of common law. He did
not, however, entirely lay aside the knapsack for
the green bag, but on the invasion of the enemy
ser\-ed as a volunteer during the two years of his
legal pursuits.

In 1782 he was elected from King George
Count}' a member of the Legislature of \'irginia,
and by that bod}- he was elevated to a seat in the
Executive Council. He was thus honored with
the confidence of his fellow-citizens at twenty-
three years of age, and having at this early period
displayed some of that ability and aptitude foi
legislation which were afterward employed with
unremitting energy for the public good, he was
in the succeeding year chosen a member of the
Congress of the United States.

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of
the old Confederacy, he was opposed to the new
Constitution, thinking, with many others of the
Republican party, that it gave too much power to
the Central Government, and not enough to the
individual States. Still he retained the esteem
of his friends who were its warm supporters, and
who, notwithstanding his opposition, secured its
adoption. In 1789 he became a member of the
United States Senate, which office he held for

JAMES MONROE.

four years. Ever>' month the line of distinction
between the two great parties which divided the
nation, the Federal and the Republican, was
growing more distinct. The differences which
now separated them lay in the fact that the Repub-
lican party was in sjmpathy with France, and
also in favor of such a strict construction of the
Constitution as to give the Central Government as
little power, and the State Govemmtnts as much
power, as the Constitution would warrant; while
the Federalists sympathized with England, and
were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con-
stitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could pos-
sibly authorize.

Washington was then President. England had
espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the
principles of the French Revolution. All Europe
was drawn into the conflict. We were feeble and
far away. Washington issued a proclamation of
neutrality between these contending powers.
France had helped us in the struggles for our
liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now
combined to prevent the French from escaping
from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that
which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more mag-
nanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity'. It was the impulse of a gener-
ous and noble nature, and Washington, who could
appreciate such a character, .showed his calm, se-
rene, almost divine, greatness, bj* appointing that
very James Monroe who was denouncing the pol-
icy of the Government, as the minister of that
Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Conven-
tion in France with the most enthusiastic dem-
onstration.

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr.
Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia, and
held the ofiice for three j-ears. He was again
sent to France to co-operate with Chancellor Liv-
ingston in obtaining the vast territory then known
as the province of Louisiana, which France had
but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their
united efforts were successful. For the compara-
tively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the

entire territory of Orleans and district of Loui-
siana were added to the United States. This was
probabh' the largest transfer of real estate which
was ever made in all the history of the world.

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to
obtain from that countrj- some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against
those odious impressments of our seamen. But
England was unrelenting. He again returned to
England on the same mission, but could receive
no redress. He returned to his home and was
again chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon
resigned to accept the position of Secretary of
State under Madison. While in this oifice war
with England was declared, the Secretary of War
resigned, and during these trj-ing times the
duties of the War Department were also put upon
him. He was truly the armor-bearer of President
Madison, and the most efiicient business man in
his cabinet. Upon the return of peace he re-
signed the Department of War, but continued in
the office of Secretarj- of State tmtil the expira-
tion of Mr. Madison's administration. At the
election held the previous autumn, Mr. Monroe
himself had been chosen President with but little
opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, he was in-
augurated. Four }-ears later he was elected for
a second term.

Among the important measures of his Presi-
dency were the cession of Florida to the United
States, the Missouri Compromise, and the famous
" Monroe doctrine." This doctrine was enun-
ciated by him in 1823, and was as follows: ' ' That
we should consider anj- attempt on the part of
European powers to extend their system to an\'
portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our
peace and safetj-," and that " we could not view
any interposition for the purpose of oppressing or
controlling American governments or provinces
in any other light than as a manifestation by
European powers of an unfriendly disposition
toward the United States."

At the end of his second term, Mr. Monroe re-
tired to his home in Virginia, where he lived un-
til 1830, when he went to New York to live with
his son-in-law. In that citj- he died, on the 4th
of July, 183 1.

J, S, Ato/mi

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

(John QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth President

I of the United States, was born in the rural
C^ home of his honored father, John Adams, in
Quincy, Mass., on the nth of July, 1767. His
mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over
his childhood during the almost constant ab-
sence of his father. When but eight years of
age, he stood with his mother on an eminence,
listening to the booming of the great battle on
Bunker's Hill, and gazing out upon the smoke
and flames billowing up from the conflagration of
Charlestown.

When but eleven years old he took a tearful
adieu of his mother, to sail with his father for Eu-
rope, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers.
The bright, animated boj' spent a year and a-half
in Paris, where his father was associated with i
Franklin and Lee as Minister Plenipotentiary-.
His intelligence attracted the notice of these dis-
tinguished men, and he received from them flat-
tering marks of attention.

John Adams had scarcely returned to this
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad.
Again John Quincy accompanied his father. At
Paris he applied himself to study with great dil-
igence for six months, and then accompanied his
father to Holland, where he entered first a school
in Amsterdam, then the Universitj^ at Leyden.
About a year from this time, in 1781, when the
manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was
selected by Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Rus-
sian court, as his private secretary-.

In this school of incessant labor and of ennobl-
ing culture he spent fourteen months, and then
returned to Holland, through Sweden, Denmark,
Hamburg and Bremen. This long journe)- he
took alone in the winter, when in his sixteenth
year. Again he resumed his studies, under a pri-
vate tutor, at The Hague. Then, in the spring of
1782, he accompanied his father to Paris, travel-
ing leisurely, and forming acquaintances with the
most distinguished men on the continent, examin-

ing architectural remains, galleries of paintings,
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he
again became associated with the most illustrious
men of all lands in the contemplation of the
loftiest temporal themes which can engross the
human mind. After a short visit to England he
returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies
to study until May, 1785, when he returned to
America to finish his education.

Upon leaving Han-ard College at the age of
twenty, he studied law for three years. In June,
1794, being then but twenty-seven years of age,
he was appointed by Washington Resident Min-
ister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in
July, he reached London in October, where he
was immediately admitted to the deliberations o)
Messrs. Jay & Pinckney, as.sisting them in nego-
tiating a commercial treaty with Great Britain.
After thus spending a fortnight in London, he
proceeded to The Hague.

In July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Por-
tugal as Minister Plenipotentiarj-. On his way to
Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with
despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but
requesting him to remain in London until he
should receive his instructions. While waiting
he was married to an American lady, to whom he
had been previously engaged — Miss Louisa Cath-
erine Johnson, a daughter of Joshua Johnson,
American Consul in London, and a lady en-
dowed with that beauty and those accomplish-
ments which eminently fitted her to move in the
elevated sphere for which .she was destined. He
reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797,
where he remained until July, 1799, when, hav-
ing fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he so
licited his recall.

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen
to the Senate of Massachusetts from Boston, and
then was elected Senator of the United States for
six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His rep-
utation, his ability and his experience placed

JOHN yilNCY ADAMS.

him immediately among the most prominent and
influential members of that body.

In 1S09, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the
Presidential chair, and he immediately nominated
John Quincy Adams Minister to St. Petersburgh.
Resigning his professorship in Har\-ard Col-
lege, he embarked at Boston in August, 1809.

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense
student. He devoted his attention to the lan-
guage and histors- of Russia; to the Chinese trade;
to the European system of weights, measures and
coins; to the climate and astronomical obser\-a-
tions; while he kept up a familiar acquaintance
with the Greek and Latin classics. In all the
universities of Europe, a more accomplished
scholar could scarcely be found. All through
life the Bible constituted an important part of his
studies. It was his rule to read five chapters
everj- daj-.

On the 4th of March, 181 7, Mr. Monroe took
the Presidential chair, and immediately appointed
Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of
his numerous friends in public and private life in
Europe, he sailed in June, 18 19, for the United
States. On the i8th of August, he again crossed
the threshold of his home in Quincy. During the
eight years of Mr. Monroe's administration, Mr.
Adams continued Secretary- of State.

Some time before the close of ^Ir. Monroe's
second term of office, new candidates began to be
presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr.
Adams brought for^vard his name. It was an
exciting campaign, and party spirit was never
more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral
votes were cast. Andrew Jackson received ninetj^-
nine; John Quincy Adams eighty-four; William
H. Crawford forty-one; and Henr\- Claj- thirty-
seven. As there was no choice bj^ the people,
the question went to the House of Representa-
tives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to
Mr. Adams, and he was elected.

The friends of all the disappointed candidates
now combined in a venomous and persistent as-
sault upon Mr. Adams. There is nothing more
disgraceful in the past histor\- of our country- than
the abuse which was poured in one uninterrupted
stream upon this high-minded, upright and pa-

triotic man. There never was an administration
more pure in principles, more conscientiously de-
voted to the best interests of the country-, than
that of John Quincy Adams: and never, perhaps,
was there an administration more unscrupulously
and outrageously- assailed.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by An-
drew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected
\'ice-President. The slavery' question now be-
gan to assume portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams
returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he
pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not
long permitted to remain in retirement. In No-
vember, 1830, he was elected Representative in
Congress. For seventeen years, or until his death,
he occupied the post as Representative, towering
above all his peers, ever readj- to do brave battle
for freedom, and winning the title of "the Old
Man Eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the
House, he announced that he should hold him-
self bound to no party. Probably there never
was a member more devoted to his duties. He
was usuallj- the first in his place in the morning,
and the last to leave his seat in the evening.
Not a measure could be brought forward and es-
cape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams
fought, almost singly, against the pro-slavery
part\- in the Government was sublime in its
moral daring and heroism. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the abolition of slaverj-,
he was threatened with indictment bj- the grand
jurj-, with expulsion from the House, with assas-
sination; but no threats could intimidate him, and
his final triumph was complete.

On the 2ist of Februarj-, 1848, he rose on the
floor of Congress with a paper in his hand, to
address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again
stricken by parah-sis, and was caught in the arms
of those around him. For a time he was sense-
less, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the ro-
tunda. With reviving consciousness, he opened
his e3-es, looked calml}* around and said ' ' This
is the end of earth;" then after a moment's pause
he added, " I am content." These were the last
words of the gfrand ' ' Old Man Eloquent. ' '

r ,

ANDREW JACKSON.

GlNDREW JACKSON, the seventh President
LA of the United States, was born in Waxhaw
/I settlement, N. C, March 15, 1767, a few
dajs after his father's death. His parents were
poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up their
abode in Waxhaw settlement, where they lived
in deepest poverty.

Andrew, or And}-, as he was universally called,
grew up a verj- rough, rude, turbulent boy. His
features were coarse, his form ungainly, and there
was but very little in his character made visible
which was attractive.

When only thirteen years old he joined the
volunteers of Carolina against the British invasion.
In 1 78 1, he and his brother Robert were captured
and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British
officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered
boots. "lam a prisoner of war, not j-our serv-
ant," was the reply of the dauntless bo}-.

Andrew supported himselfin various ways, such
as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school,
and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when
he entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He,
however, gave more attention to the wild amuse-
ments of the times than to his studies. In 1788,
he was appointed solicitor for the Western District
of Xorttu Carolina, of which Tennessee was then
a part. This involved many long journeys amid
dangers of everj^ kind, but Andrew Jackson never
knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to re-
peat a skirmish with "Sharp Knife."

In 1 79 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman
who supposed herself divorced from her former
husband. Great was the surprise of both parties,
two years later, to find that the conditions of the
divorce had just been definitely settled by the
first husband. The marriage ceremony was per-
formed a second time, but the occurrence was
often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson
into disfavor.

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee
then containing nearlj- eighty thousand inhabi-
tants, the people met in convention at KnoxvUle
to frame a constitution. Five were sent from
each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson
was one of the delegates. The new State was
entitled to but one member in the National House
of Representatives. Andrew Jackson was chosen
that member. Mounting his horse, he rode to
Philadelphia, where Congress then held its ses-
sions, a distance of about eight hundred miles.

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo-
cratic party, and Jefferson was his idol. He ad-
mired Bonaparte, loved France, and hated Eng-
land. As Mr. Jackson took his seat, Gen. Wash-
ington, whose second term of office was then
expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress.
A committee drew up a complimentan,- address in
reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the
address, and was one of the twelve who voted
against it. He was not willing to say that Gen.
Washington's administration had been "wise,
firm and patriotic."

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned
home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the
Supreme Court of his State, which position he
held for six years.

When the War of 18 12 with Great Britain com-
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there
was an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jack-
son, who would do credit to a commission if one
were conferred upon him. Just at that time Gen.
Jackson offered his sendees and those of twenty-
five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted,
and the troops were assembled at Nashville.

As the British were hourly expected to make
an attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wil-
kinson was in command, he was ordered to de-

ANDREW JACKSON.

scent! the river with fifteen hundred troops to aid
Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez,
and after a delay of several weeks there without
accomplishing anything, the men were ordered
back to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jack-
son had displayed, and his entire de\otion to the
comfort of his soldiers, won for him golden opin-
ions, and he became the most popular man in the
State. It was in this expedition that his tough-
ness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickorj'."

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip
Col. Thomas Benton for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking part as second in a duel
in which a j-ounger brother of Benton's was en-
gaged, he received two severe pistol wounds.
While he was lingering upon a bed of suffering,
news came that the Indians, who had combined
under Tecumseh from Florida to the Lakes to ex-
terminate the white settlers, were committing the
most awful ravages. Decisive action became nec-
essary-. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone
just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and
unable to mount his horse without assistance,
gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Ala.

The Creek Indians had established a strong
fort on one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River,
near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles be-
low Ft. Strother. With an army of two thousand
men, Gen. Jackson traversed the pathless wilder-
ness in a march of eleven da}s. He reached their
fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th
of March, 1814. The bend of the river enclosed
nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and
wild ravine. Across the narrow neck the Indians
had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs
and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, with
an ample supply of arms, were assembled.

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterlj-
desperate. Not an Indian would accept quarter.
When bleeding and dying, they would fight those
who endeavored to spare their lives. From ten
in the morning until dark the battle raged. The
carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw
themselves into the river; but the unerring bul-
lets stmck their heads as they swam. Nearly
ever}- one of the nine hundred warriors was 1

killed. A few, probably, in the night swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war.

This closing of the Creek War enabled us to
concentrate all our militia upon the British, who
were the allies of the Indians. No man of less
resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have con-
ducted this Indian campaign to so successful an
issue. Immediately he was appointed Major-
General.

Late in August, with an army of two thousand
men on a rushing march. Gen. Jackson went to
Mobile. A British fleet went from Pensacola,
landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the
little fort, and from both ship and shore com-
menced a furious assault. The battle was long
and doubtful. At length one of the ships was
blown up and the rest retired.

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his
little arm}', he moved his troops to New Orleans,
and the battle of New Orleans, which soon ensued,
was in reality a ver\- arduous campaign. This
won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name.
Here his troops, which numbered about four
thousand men, won a signal victory over the
British army of about nine thousand. His loss
was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was
twenty-six hundred.

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be
mentioned in connection with the Presidency,
but in 1824 he was defeated by Mr. Adams.
He was, however, successful in the election ol
1828, and was re-elected for a second term in
1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins
of government, he met with the most terrible
afiliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom
he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps
never been surpassed. From the shock of her
death he never recovered.

His administration was one of the most mem-
orable in the annals of our country — applauded
by one party, condemned by the other. No man
had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. At
the expiration of his two terms of office he retired
to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. The
last years of Mr. Jackson's life were those of a de-
voted Christian man.

O > ^i/l^^^ z^^L^/^ ^^e-^^i^

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

yyiARTlN VAN BUREN, the eighth Presi-

y dent of the United States, was born at Kin-
(9 derhook, N. Y., December 5, 1782. He
died at the same place, July 24, 1862. His body
rests in the cemeterj- at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft, fifteen feet high, bearing a
simple inscription about half-way up on one face.
The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded
by shrub or flower.

There is but little in the life of Martin Van
Buren of romantic interest. He fought no battles,
engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life
was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts,
and he gained many signal victories, his days
passed uneventful in those incidents which give
zest to biography. His ancestors, as his name indi-
cates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the
earliest emigrants from Holland to the banks of
the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing
in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also
of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel-
ligence and exemplary piety.

He was decidedlj- a precocious boy, developing
unusual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At
the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic
studies in his native village, and commenced the
stud}' of law. As he had not a collegiate educa-
tion, seven years of study in a law-office were re-
quired of him before he could be admitted to the
Bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and con-
scious of his powers, he pursued his studies with
indefatigable industry'. After spending six years
in an office in his native village, he went to the city
of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the
seventh year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty -one years

of age, commenced the practice of law in his na-
tive village. The great conflict between the Federal
and Republican parties was then at its height.
Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a politi-
cian. He had, perhaps, imbibed that spirit while
listening to the many discussions which had been
carried on in his father's hotel. He was in cordial
sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestlj- and elo-
quently espoused the cau.se of State Rights, though
at that time the Federal party held the supremacy
both in his town and State.

His success and increasing reputation led him
after six years of practice to remove to Hudson,
the county seat of his county. Here he spent
seven years, constantly gaining strength by con-
tending in the courts with some of the ablest men
who have adorned the Bar of his State.

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr.
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short
years she sank into the grave, a victim of con-
sumption, leaving her husband and four sons to
weep over her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr.
Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous
lawyer. The record of those years is barren in
items of public interest. In 18 12, when thirty
years of age, he was chosen to the State Senate,
and gave his strenuous support to Mr. Madison's
administration. In 1815, he was appointed At-
torney-General, and the next year moved to Al-
bany, the capital of the State.

While he was acknowledged as one of the most
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had
the moral courage to avow that true democracy did
not require that "universal suffrage' ' which admits
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the righi

MARTIN VAN HUREN.

of governing the State. In true consistency with
his democratic principles, he contended tliat, while
the path leading to the privilege of voting should
be open to everj' man without distinction, no one
should be invested with that sacred prerogative
unless he were in some degree qualified for it by
intelligence, virtue, and some property interests in
the welfare of the State.

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United
States Senate, and in the same year he took a
seat in the convention to revise the Constitution of
his native State. His course in this convention
secured the approval of men of all parties. No
one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to
promote the interests of all classes in the com-
munity. In the Senate of the United States, he
rose at once to a conspicuous position as an active
and useful legislator.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected
to the Senate. He had been from the beginning
a determined opposer of the administration, adopt-
ing the "State Rights" view in opposition to what
was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governor
of the State of New York, and accordingl}' resigned
his .seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the
United States contributed so much towards eject-
ing John Q. Adams from the Presidential chair,
and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin
Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation
or not, he certainly was regarded throughout the
United States as one of the most skillful, .sagacious
and cunning of politicians. It was supposed that
no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret
springs of action, how to pull all the wires to
put his machinery in motion, and how to organize
a political amiy which would secretly and stealth-
ily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these
powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, Mr.
Clay, and Mr. Web.ster, and .secured results which
few then thought could be accomplished.

When Andrew Jackson was elected President
he appointed Mr. \^an Buren Secretary of State.
This position he resigned in 1831, and was im-
mediately appointed Minister to England, where
he went the same autumn. The »Senate, however,

when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and
he returned home, apparently untroubled. Later
he was nominated Vice-President in the place of
Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson,
and with .smiles for all and frowns for none, he
took his place at the head of that Senate which had
refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador.

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal
of President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated
favorite; and this, probably, more than any other
cause secured his elevation to the chair of the
Chief Executive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr.
Van Buren received the Democratic nomination
to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United
States. He was elected by a handsome majority,
to the delight of the retiring President. ' 'Leaving
New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Parton,
"the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency
was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though
the Constitution had conferred upon him the power
to appoint a successor."

His administration was filled with exciting
events. The insurrection in Canada, which
threatened to involve this country in war with
England, the agitation of the slavery question,
and finally the great commercial panic which
spread over the country, all were trials of his wis-
dom. The financial distress was attributed to
the management of the Democratic party, and
brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re-election, and on the 4th of March,
1 84 1, he retired from the presidency.

With the exception of being nominated for the
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats in 1848,
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until
his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of
frugal habits, and, living within his income, had
now fortunately a competence for his declining
years. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, he
still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics
of the country. From this time until his death,
on the 24th of Jul}', 1862, at the age of eighty
years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of
leisure, of culture and wealth, enjoj'ing in a
healthy old age probably far more happiness than
he had before experienced amid the stormy scenes
of his active life.

^^ ;^;fe<zW^'>^

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

IILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth
Piesideut of the United States, was born
at Berkeley, Ya. , February 9, 1773. His
father, Benjamin Harrison, was in comparatively
opulent circumstances, and was one of the most
distinguished men of his day. He was an inti-
mate friend of George Washington, was early
elected a member of the Continental Congress,
and was conspicuous among the patriots of Yir-
ginia in resisting the encroachments of the British
crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Ben-
jamin Harrison and John Hancock were both
candidates for the office of Speaker.

Mr. Harrison was subsequently chosen Gov-
ernor of Yirginia, and was twice re-elected. His
.son William Henry, of course, enjoyed in child-
hood all the advantages which wealth and intel-
lectual and cultivated society could give. Hav-
ing received a thorough common-school educa-
tion, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where
he graduated with honor soon after the death of
his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia to
.study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush
and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of
whom were, with his father, signers of the Dec-
laration of Independence.

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and
notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends,
he abandoned his medical studies and entered the
army, ha\ ing obtained a commission as Ensign
from President Washington. He was then but
nineteen years old. From that time he passed
gradually upward in rank until he became aide
to Gen. Wayne, after whose death he resigned
his comnii.ssion. He was then appointed Secre-
tary of the Northwestern Territory. This Terri-
torj' was then entitled to but one member in Con-

gress, and Harrison was chosen to fill that position.
In the spring of 1800 the Northwestern Terri-
tory- was divided bj' Congress into two portions.
The eastern portion, comprising the region now
embraced in the State of Ohio, was called "The
Territory northwest of the Ohio." The western
portion, which included what is now called Indi-
ana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called "the Indi-
ana Territorj-." William Henry Harrison, then
twenty-seven j-ears of age, was appointed by John
Adams Governor of the Indiana Territorj-, and
immediately after also Governor of Upper Loui-
siana. He was thus ruler over almost as exten-
sive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe.
He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and
was invested with powers nearly dictatorial over
the then rapidly increasing white population. The
abilitj' and fidelity with which he discharged
these responsible duties may be inferred from the
fact that he was four times appointed to this
office — first by John Adams, twice by Thomas
Jefferson, and afterwards by President Madison.

When he began his administration there were
but three white settlements in that almost bound-
less region, now crowded with cities and resound-
ing with all the ' tumult of wealth and traffic.
One of these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly
opposite Louisville; one at Yincennes, on the
Waba.sh; and the third was a French settlement.

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians.
About the year 1806, two extraordinarj- men,
twin brothers of the Shawnee tribe, rose among
them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or
"the Crouching Panther;" the other OUiwa-
checa, or "the Prophet." Tecum!;eh was not
only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagac-

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

ity, far-reaching foresight and indomitable perse-
verance in any enterprise in which he might en-
gage. His brother, the Prophet, was an orator,
who could sway the feelings of the untutored In-
dians as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath
which they dwelt. With an enthusiasm unsur-
passed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the
crusades, he went from tribe to tribe, assuming
that he was specially sent by the Great Spirit.

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to con-
ciliate the Indians, but at last war came, and at
Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great
slaughter. October 28, 1812, his army began its
march. When near the Prophet's town, three
Indians of rank made their appearance and in-
quired why Gov. Harrison was approaching them
in so hostile an attitude. After a short confer-
ence, arrangements were made for a meeting the
next day to agree upon terms of peace.

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted
with the Indian character to be deceived by such
protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his
night's encampment, he took ever>' precaution
against surprise. His troops were posted in a
hollow square and slept upon their arms. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock
in the morning, had risen, and was sitting
in conversation with his aides by the embers
of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning,
with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the In-
dians had crept as near as possible, and just then,
with a savage yell, rushed, with all the despera-
tion which superstition and passion most highly
inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply pro-
vided with guns and ammunition by the English,
and their war-whoop was accompanied by a
shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as
the light aided the Indians in their aim, and
Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as
the rocks around them until day dawned, when
they made a simultaneous charge with the bayo-
net and swept everything before them, completely
routing the foe.

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British, descending from the

Canadas, were of themselves a very formidable
force, but with their savage allies rushing like
wolves from the forest, burning, plundering, scalp-
ing, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into
a state of consternation which even the mo.st vivid
imagination can but faintly conceive. Gen. Hull
had made an ignominious surrender of his forces at
Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances,
Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madi-
son Commander-in-Chief of the Northwestern
Army, with orders to retake Detroit and to protect
the frontiers. It would be difficult to place a man
in a situation demanding, more energy, sagacity
and courage, but he was found equal to the
position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet
all the responsibilities.

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member
of the National House of Representatives, to rep-
resent the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved
an active member, and whenever he spoke it was
with a force of reason and power of eloquence
which arrested the attention of all the members.

In 18 ig, Harrison was elected to the vSenate of
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presidential Elec-
tors of that State, he gave his vote for Henry
Clay. The same year he was chosen to the Uni-
ted States Senate. In 1836 his friends brought
him forward as a candidate for the Presidency
against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the
close of Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nom-
inated by his party, and Mr. Harri.son was unani-
mously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler
for the Vice-Presidency. The contest was very
animated. Gen. Jackson gave all his influence to
prevent Harrison's election, but his triumph was
signal.

The cabinet which he fomied, with Daniel Web-
ster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of
the most brilliant with which any President had
ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects
of an administration more flattering, or the hopes
of the country more sanguine. In the midst of
these bright and joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison
was seized by a pleurisy-fever, and after a few
days of violent sickness died, on the 4th of April,
just one month after his inauguration as President,
ofthe United States.

^lyTL

JOHN TYLER.

(John TYLKR, the tenth President of the
I United States, and was born in Charles
Q) City Count}-, Va., March 29, 1790. He was
the favored child of affluence and high social po-
sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered
William and Maiy College, and graduated with
much honor when but seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted himself with great assi-
duity to the study of law, partly with his father
and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the
most distinguished lawyers of Virginia.

At nineteen years of age, he commenced the
practice of law. His success was rapid and as-
tonishing. It is said that three months had not
elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the
docket of the court in which he was not retained.
When but twenty-one j-ears of age, he was almost
unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legis-
lature. He connected himself with the Demo-
cratic part}', and warmly advocated the measures
of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive
years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving
nearly the unanimous vote of his county.

When but twenty-six years of age, he was
elected a Member of Congress. Here he acted ear-
nestly and ably with the Democratic party, oppos-
ing a national bank, internal improvements by
the General Government, and a protective tariff;
advocating a strict construction of the Constitu-
tion and the most careful vigilance over State
rights. His labors in Congress were so arduous
that before the close of his second term he found
it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in
Charles City County to recruit his health. He,
however, soon after consented to take his seat in
the State Legislature, where his influence was
powerful in promoting public works of great
utilit}'. With a reputation thus constantly in-
creasing, he was chosen by a very large majority
of votes Governor of his native State. His ad-
ministration was a signally successfiil one, and his
popularity secured his re-election.

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of
the United States. A portion, of the Democratic
party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's way-
ward course, and brought forward John Tyler as
his opponent, considering him the only man in
Virginia of sufficient popularity to succeed
again.st the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr.
Tyler was the victor.

In accordance with his professions, upon tak-
ing his .seat in the Senate he joined the ranks of
the oppo.sition. He oppo.sed the tariff, and spoke
against and voted against the bank as unconsti-
tutional; he strenuously opposed all restrictions
upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal im-
provements by the General Government, and
avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view
of nullification; he declared that Gen. Jackson,
by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned
the principles of the Democratic party. Such
was Mr. T}Ier's record in Congress — a record in
perfect accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice
of his profession. There was a split in the Demo-
cratic party. His friends still regarded him as a
true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and show-
ered compliments upon him. He had now at-
tained the age of forty-six, and his career had been
very brilliant. In consequence of his devotion to
public business, his private affairs had fallen into
some disorder, and it was not without satisfac-
tion that he resumed the practice of law, and de-
voted himself to the cultivation of his plantation.
Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for
the better education of his children, and he again
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

By the southern Whigs he was sent to the
national convention at Harrisburg in 1839 to nom-
inate a President. The majority of votes were
given to Gen Harrison, a genuine Whig, much
to the disappointment of the South, which wished

JOHN TYLER.

for Henry Cla3^ To conciliate the southern
Wliigs and to secure their vote, the convention
then nominated John Tyler for Vice-President.
It was well known that he was not in sympathy
with the Whig party in the North; but the Vice-
President has very little power in the Govern-
ment, his main and almost only duty being to
preside over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it
happened that a Whig President and, in reality,
a Democratic Vice-President were chosen.

In 1S41, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice-
President of the United States. In one short
month from that time. President Harrison died,
and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own
surprise and that of the whole nation, an occu-
pant of the Presidential chair. Hastening from
Williamsburg to Washington, on the 6th of
April he was inaugurated to the high and re-
sponsible office. He was placed in a position of
exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his long
life he had been opposed to the main j-rinciples of
the party which had brought him into power.
He had ever been a consistent, honest man, with
an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had se-
lected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them,
and thus surround himself with counselors whose
views were antagonistic to his own ? or, on the
other hand, should he turn against the party
which had elected him, and select a cabinet in
harmony with himself, and which would oppose
all those views which the Whigs deemed essen-
tial to the public welfare ? This was his fearful
dilemma. He invited the cabinet which Presi-
dent Harrison had selected to retain their seats,
and recommended a day of fasting and prayer,
that God would guide and bless us.

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for
the incorporation of a fiscal bank of ;he United
States. The President, after ten daj-s' delay, re-
turned it with his veto. He suggested, however,
that he would approve of a bill drawn up upon
such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was ac-
cordingly prepared, and privately submitted to
him. He gave it his approval. It was passed
without alteration, and he sent it back with his
veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is
said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas-

ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M.
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who se-
verely touched the pride of the President.

The opposition now exultingly received the
President into their arms. The party which
elected him denounced him bitterly. All the
members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster,
resigned. The Whigs of Congress, both the
Senate and the House, held a meeting and i.s.sued
an address to the people of the United States,
proclaiming that all political alliance between the
Whigs and President Tyler was at an end.

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs
and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong
party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary
to resign, forced out by the pressure of his Whig
friends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tyler's un-
fortunate administration passed sadly away. No
one was satisfied. The land was filled with mur-
murs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats
alike assailed him. More and more, however, he
brought himself into sympathy with his old
friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his
term he gave his whole influence to the support
of Mr. Polk, the Democratic candidate for his
successor.

On the 4th of March, 1845, President T)ler re-
tired from the harassments of office, to the regret
of neither party, and probably to his own un.speak-
able relief The remainder of his days were
passed mainly in the retirement of his beautiful
home — Sherwood Forest, Charles City County,
Va. His first wife, Miss Letitia Christian, died
in Washington in 1842; and in June, 1844,
he was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia
Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and
intellectual accomplishments.

When the great Rebellion rose, wliicli the
State Rights and nullifying doctrines of John C.
Calhoun had inaugurated. President Tyler re-
nounced his allegiance to the United States, and
joined the Confederates. He was chosen a mem-
ber of their Congress, and while engaged in
active measures to destroy, by force of arms, the
Government over which he had once presided, he.
was taken sick and soon died.

^k7 --

JAMES K. POLK.

(TAMEvS K. polk, the eleventh President of
I the United States, was bom in Mecklenburgh
(2/ Countj', N. C, November 2, 1795. His
parents were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the
former a son of Col. Thoma,s Polk, who located
at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in
1735. In 1806, with his wife and children, and
soon after followed by most of the members of the
Polk family, vSamuel Polk emigrated some two or
three hundred miles farther west, to the rich val-
ley of the Duck River. Here, in the midst of the
wilderness, in a region which was .subsequently
called Maun.- County, they erected their log huts
and established their homes. In the hard toil of
a new fanu in the wilderness, James K. Polk
spent the early years of his childhood and youth.
His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to
that of a farmer, gradualh^ increa.sed in wealth,
until he became one of the leading men of the
region. His mother was a superior woman, of
strong common sense and earnest piety.

Very early in life James developed a taste for
reading, and expressed the strongest desire to ob-
tain a liberal education. His mother's training
had made him methodical in his habits, had taught
him punctuality and industr>% and had inspired
him with lofty principles of morality. His health
was frail, and his father, fearing that he might not
be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation
for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for
commercial pursuits.

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when,
at his earnest solicitation, his father removed
him and made arrangements for him to pros-
ecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Mur-
freesboro Academy. With ardor which could
scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his

studies, and in less than two and a-half years, in
the autumn of 18 15, entered the sophomore class
in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplar)- of
scholars, punctual in ever)' exercise, never allow-
ing himself to be absent from a recitation or a
religious sen'ice.

Mr. Polk graduated in 1818, with the highest
honors, being deemed the best scholar of his class,
l)oth in mathematics and the classics. He was
then twenty-three j-ears of age. His health was
at this time much impaired by the assiduity with
which he had prosecuted his studies. After a
short season of relaxation, he went to Nashville,
and entered the office of Felix Grundj-, to study
law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance
with Andrew Jackson, who resided on his planta-
tion, the " Hermitage," but a few miles from
Nashville. They had probably been slightly ac-
quainted before.

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican
and James K. adhered to the same political faith.
He was a popular public speaker, and was con-
stantly called upon to address the meetings of his
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such
that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the
stump. He was a man of unblemished morals,
genial and courteous in his bearing, and with that
sympathetic nature in the joys and griefs of oth-
ers which gave him hosts of friends. In 1823,
he was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee,
and gave his strong influence toward the election
of his friend, Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of
the United States.

In Januar)-, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford County, Tenn. His
bride was altogether worthy of him — a lady of
beauty and culture. In the fall of 1S25 Mr. Polk
was chosen a member of Congress, and the .satis-
faction he gave his constituents may be inferred

JAMES K. POLK.

from the fact, that for fourteen successive years,
or until 1839, he was continued in that ofl&ce. He
then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might
accept the Gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In
Congress he was a laborious member, a frequent
and a popular speaker. He was always in his
seat, alwaj^s courteous, and whenever he spoke
it was alwaj's to the point, without any ambitious
rhetorical di.splay.

During five sessions of Congress Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were
roused and stormy scenes were witnessed, but he
performed his arduous duties to a verj^ general
satisfaction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to
him was passed by the House as he withdrew on
the 4th of March, 1839.

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk,
as a candidate for Governor, canvassed the State.
He was elected by a large majority, and on Octo-
ber 14, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville.
In 1 841 his term of office expired, and he was
again the candidate of the Democratic party, but
was defeated.

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was in-
augurated President of the United States. The
verdict of the country in favor of the annexation
of Texas exerted its influence upon Congress,
and the last act of the administration of President
Tj'ler was to affix his signature to a joint resolu-
tion of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, ap-
proving of the annexation of Texas to the Union.
As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her
provinces, the Mexican Minister, Almonte, im-
mediately demanded his passports and left the
country, declaring the act of the annexation to be
an act hostile to Mexico.

In his first message. President Polk urged that
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be
received into the Union on the same footing with
the other States. In the mean time. Gen. Taylor
was sent with an army into Texas to hold the
countrj'. He was first sent to Nueces, which the
Mexicans said was the western boundary' of Tex-
as. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles
further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected
batteries which commanded the Mexican city of
Matamoras, which was situated on the western

banks. The anticipated collision soon took place,
and war was declared against Mexico by President
Polk. The war was pushed forward by his ad-
ministration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor,
whose army was first called one of ' ' obsen'ation, ' '
then of "occupation," then of "invasion," was
sent forward to Monterey. The feeble Mexicans
in every encounter were hopeles.sly slaughtered.
The day of judgment alone can reveal the miser>'
which this war caused. It was by the ingenuity
of Mr. Polk's administration that the war was
brought on.

"To the victors belong the spoils. " Mexico
was prostrate before us. Her capital was in our
hands. We now consented to peace upon the
condition that Mexico should surrender to us, in
addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of
Upper and Lower Califoniia. This new demand
embraced, exclusive of Texas, eight hundred
thousand square miles. This was an extent of
territorj' equal to nine States of the size of New
York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen ma-
jestic States to be added to the Union. There
were some Americans who thought it all right;
there were others who thought it all wrong. In
the prosecution of this war we expended twenty
thousand lives and more than $100,000,000. Of
this money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired
from office, having ser\'ed one term. The next
day- was Snndaj-. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was
inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to
the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Tay-
lor, and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he
conmienced his return to Tennessee. He was
then but fiftj--four years of age. He had alway-s
been strictl}' temperate in all his habits, "and his
health was good. With an ample fortune, a
choice library^ a cultivated mind, and domestic
ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as though
long years of tranquillitj- and happiness were be-
fore him. But the cholera — that fearful scourge
— was then sweeping up the Valley of the Missis-
sippi, and he contracted the disease, dying on the
15th of June, 1849, i" the fifty-fourth year of his
age, greatly mourned by his countr\-men. ,

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

G7ACHARY TAYLOR, Uvelfth President of
j. the Uuitefl States, was born on the 24th of
/~) November, 1784, in Orange County, \'a.
His father. Col. Taylor, was a Virginian of
note, and a distinguished patriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zacharj- was an infant,
his father, with his wife and two children, emi-
grated to Kentucky, where he settled in the path-
less wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In
this frontier home, away from civilization and all
its refinements, young Zachary could enjoy but
few social and educational advantages. When
six years of age he attended a common school,
and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of
character. He was strong, fearless and self-reli-
ant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the
army to fight the Indians, who were ravaging the
frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the
uneventful years of his childhood on his father's
large but lonely plantation.

In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for
him a commission as Lieutenant in the United
States annj-, and he joined the troops which were
stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson.
Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith,
a yoiuig lady from one of the first families of
Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with
England, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then
been promoted to that rank) was put in command
of Ft. Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles
above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the
wilderness by Gen. Harri.son, on his march to
Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of at-
tack by the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garri-
son consisted of a broken company of infantry,
numbering fifty men, manj- of whom were sick.

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians,
stealthily, and in large nnmbers, moved upon the

fort. Their approach was first indicated by the
nuirder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade.
Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to
meet the anticipated assault. On the 4th of Sep-
tember, a band of forty painted and plumed sav-
ages c&nie to the fort, waving a white flag, and
informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their
chief would come to have a talk with him. It
was evident that their object was merely to ascer-
tain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Ta\ior, well versed in the wiles of the savages,
kept them at a distance.

The sun went down; the savages disappeared;
the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour
before midnight the war-whoop burst from a
thousand lips in the forest around, followed by
the discharge of musketr>' and the rush of the
foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his
post. Every man knew that defeat was not
merelj' death, but, in the case of capture, death by
the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No
pen can describe, no imagination can conceive, the
scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in
setting fire to one of the block-houses. Until six
o'clock in the morning this awful conflict con-
tinued, when the savages, baffled at ever>' point
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired.
Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defense, was pro-
moted to the rank of Major by brevet.

Until the close of the war, Maj. Taylor was
placed in such situations that he saw but little
more of active service. He was sent far away
into the depths of the wilderness to Ft. Craw-
ford, on Fox River, which empties into Green
Bay. Here there was little to be done but to
wear away the tedious hours as one best could.
There were no books, no society, no intellectual
stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful years
rolled on. Gradually he rose to the rank of
Colonel. In the Black Hawk War, which re-

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

suited in the capture of that renowned chieftain,
Col. Taylor took a subordinate, but a brave and
efficient, part.

For twentj'-four jears Col. Taylor was engaged
in the defense of the frontiers, in scenes so re-
mote, and in employments so obscure, that his
name was unknown beyond the limits of his own
immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he
was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indi-
ans to vacate that region, and retire beyond the
Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty had prom-
ised they should do. The services rendered here
secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the Government, and as a reward he was ele-
vated to the high rank of Brigadier-General by
brevet, and soon • after, in May, 1838, was ap-
pointed to the chief command of the United
States troops in Florida.

After two jears of wearisome emplo}-ment
amidst the everglades of the Peninsula, Gen. Tay-
lor obtained, at his own request, a change of
command, and was stationed over the Department
of the Southwest. This field embraced lyonisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing
his headquarters at Ft. Jessup, in Louisiana, he
removed his family to a plantation which he pur-
chased near Baton Rouge. Here he remained
for five years, buried, as it were, from the world,
but faithfully discharging every dut)- imposed
upon him.

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the
land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the
latter river being the boundary of Texas, which
was then claimed by the United States. Soon
the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won
brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank
of Major-General by brevet was then conferred
upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received
with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the na-
tion. Then came "the battles of Monterej- and
Buena Vista, in which he won signal victories
over forces much larger than he commanded.

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena
Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the
country. The name of Gen. Taylor was on
everj- one's lips. The Whig party decided to

take advantage of this wonderful popularity in
bringing forward the unpolished, unlettered, hon-
est soldier as their candidate for the Presidency.
Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announce-
ment, and for a time would not listen to it, de-
claring that he was not at all qualified for such
an office. So little interest had he taken in poli-
tics, that for forty )-ears he had not cast a vote.
It was not without chagrin that several distin-
guished statesmen, who had been long years in
the public service, found their claims set aside in
behalf of one whose name had never been heard
of, save in connection with Palo Alto, Resaca de
la Palma, MontercN- and Buena Vista. It is said
that Daniel Webster, in his haste, remarked, " It
is a nomination not fit to be made."

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a
fine writer. His friends took possession of him,
and prepared such few communications as it was
needful should be presented to the public. The
popularity of the successful warrior swept the
land. He was triumphantly elected over two
opposing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-Presi-
dent Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an
excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself
in a very uncongenial position, and was at times
sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental suf-
ferings were very severe, and probabl}- tended to
hasten his death. The pro-slavery party was
pu.shing its claims with tireless energy; expedi-
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba; California
was pleading for admission to the Union, while
slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen.
Taylor found the political conflicts in Wa.shington
to be far more trying to the ner\'es than battles
with Mexicans or Indians.

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor,
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but
little over a year, took cold, and after a brief
sickness of but little over five days, died, on the
9th of July, 1850. His last words were, "I am
not afraid to die. I am ready. I have endeav-
ored to do my duty." He died universally re-
spected and beloved. An honest, unpretending
man, he had been steadily growing in the affec-
tions of the people, and the Nation bitterlj- la-
mented his death.

?^m

W : -^ ft;

/ c/y '^(^c-^U^f <riO

MILLARD FILLMORE.

jV yi ILLARD FILLMORE, thirteenth President
I y of the United States, was born at Summer
[0 Hill. Cayuga County, N. Y., on the 7th of
J.uuary, 1800. Hisfather was a farmer, and, owing
t;j misfortune, in humble circumstances. Of his
r.iother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of
Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she pos-
sessed an intellect of a high order, united with
much personal loveliness, sweetness of disposi-
tion, graceful manners and exquisite sensibilities.
She died in 1831, having lived to see her son a
young man of distinguished promise, though she
was not permitted to witness the high dignity
which he finally attained.

In consequence of the .secluded home and limited
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender
advantages for education in his earh- j-ears. The
common schools, which he cccasionalh- attended,
were very imperfect institutions, and books were
scarce and expensive. There was nothing then
in his character to indicate the brilliant career
upon which he was about to enter. He was a
plain farmer's boy — intelligent, good-looking,
kind-hearted. The sacred iufluences of home
had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid
the foundations of an upright character. When
fourteen years of age, his father sent him some
hundred miles from home to the then wilds of
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Near the mill there was a small village, where
some enterprising man had commenced the col-
lection of a village librar}-. This proved an in-
estimable blessing to j^oung Fillmore. His even-
ings were spent in reading. Soon every leisure
moment was occupied with books. His thirst for
knowledge became insatiate, and the selections
which he made were continually more elevating
and instructive. He read history, biography,
oratory-, and thus gradually there was enkindled

in his heart a desire to be something more than a
mere worker with his hands.

The yoiuig clothier had now attained the age
of nineteen j'ears, and was of fine personal appear-
ance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hap-
pened that there was a gentleman in the neigh-
borhood of ample pecuniarj- means and of benev-
olence, — Judge Walter Wood, — who was struck
with the prepossessing appearance of young Fill-
more. He made his acquaintance, and was so
much impres.sed with his ability and attainments
that he advised him to abandon his trade and de-
vote himself to the study of the law. The j-oung
man replied that he had no means of his own,
no friends to help him, and that his previous edu-
cation had been verj- imperfect. But Judge Wood
had .so much confidence in him that he kindly
offered to take him into his own office, and to
lend him such money as he needed. Most grate-
fully the generous offer was accepted.

There is in many minds a strange delusion
about a collegiate education. A young man is
supposed to be liberallj- educated if he has gradu-
ated at some college. But many a boy who loi-
ters through uni\-ersitj- halls and then enters a
law office is by no means as well prepared to
prosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fill-
more when he graduated at the clothing-mill at
the end of four years of manual labor, during
which even,- leisure moment had been devoted to
intense mental culture.

In 1823, when twent3^-three j-ears of age, he
was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas.
He then went to the village of Aurora, and com-
menced the practice of law. In this secluded,
quiet region, his practice, of course, was limited,
and there was no opportunity for a sudden rise in
fortune or in fame. Here, in 1826, he married a
lady of great moral worth, and one capable of

MILLARD FILLMORE.

adorning any station she might be called to fill, —
Miss Abigail Powers.

His elevation of character, his untiring industry,
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advo-
cate, gradually attracted attention, and he was
invited to enter into partnership, under highly ad-
vantageous circumstances, with an elder member
of the Bar in Buffalo. Just before removing to
Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of
Assembly of the State of New York, as a Repre-
sentative from Erie County. Though he had
never taken a very active part in politics, his vote
and sympathies were with the Whig party. The
State was then Democratic, and he found himself
in a helpless minority in the Legislature; still the
testimony comes from all parties that his courtesy,
ability and integrity won, to a verj- unusual de-
gree, the respect of his associates.

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a
seat in the United States Congress. He entered
that troubled arena in the most tumultuous hours
of our national history, when the great conflict
respecting the national bank and the removal of
the deposits was raging.

His term of two years closed, and he returned
to his profession, which he pursued with increas-
ing reputation and success. After a lapse of two
years he again became a candidate for Congress;
was re-elected, and took his seat in 1837. ^i^
past experience as a Representative gave him
strength and confidence. The first term of service
in Congress to any man can be but little more
than an introduction. He was now prepared for
active duty. All his energies were brought to
bear upon the public good. Every measure re-
ceived his impress.

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute,
and his popularity filled the State. In the year
1847, when he had attained the age of forty-
seven years, he was elected Comptroller of the
State. His labors at the Bar, in the Legisla-
ture, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given
him very considerable fame. The Whigs were
casting about to find suitable candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice-President at the approaching elec-
tion. Far away on the waters of the Rio Grande,
there was a rough old soldier, who had fought

one or two .successful battles with the Mexicans,
which had caused his name to be proclaimed in
trumpet-tones all over the land as a candidate for
the presidency. But it was necessarj^ to associate
with him on the same ticket some man of repu-
tation as a statesman.

Under the influence of these considerations, the
names of Zacharj^ Taylor and Millard Fillmore
became the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their
candidates for President and Vice-President. The
Whig ticket was signallj- triumphant. On the
4th of March, 1849, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President,
of the United States.

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor,
about one year and four months after his inaugura-
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the
Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus be-
came President. He appointed a very able cabi-
net, of which the illustrious Daniel Webster was
Secretary of State; neverthele.ss, he had serious
difficulties to contend with, .since the opposition
had a majority in both Houses. He did all in his
power to conciliate the South; but the pro-slavery
party in the South felt the inadequacy of all
measures of transient conciliation. The popula-
tion of the free States was so rapidly increasing
over that of the .slave States, that it was inevitable
that the power of the Government should soon
pa.ss into the hands of the free States. The fa-
mous compromise measures were adopted under
Mr. Fillmore's administration, and the Japan ex-
pedition was sent out. On the 4th of March,
1853, he, having served one term, retired.

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the
Presidency by the "Know-Nothing" part)-, but
was beaten by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr.
Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terri-
ble conflict of civil war, he was mosth- silent. It
was generally supposed that his sympathies were
rather with those who were endeavoring to over-
throw our institutions. President Fillmore kept
aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words
of cheer to one party or the otlier. He was thus
forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe old age,
and died in Buffalo, N. Y., March 8, 1874.

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

""RANKLIN pierce, the fourteenth Presi-
'3 dent of the United States, was born in Hills-
borough, N. H., November 23, 1804. His
lather was a Revohitionary soldier, who with his
own strong arm hewed out a home in the wilder-
ness. He was a man of inflexible integritj', of
strong, though uncultivated, mind, and was an un-
compromising Democrat. The mother of Frank-
lin Pierce was all that a son could desire — an in-
telligent, prudent, affectionate, Christian woman.

Franklin, who was the sixth of eight children,
was a remarkably bright and handsome boy,
generous, warm-hearted and brave. He won
alike the love of old and young. The boys on
the play-ground lo^•ed him. His teachers loved
him. The neighbors looked upon him with pride
and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman,
always speaking kind words, and doing kind
deeds, with a peculiar, unstudied tact which
taught him what was agreeable. Without de-
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural
devotion to books, he was a good scholar, and in
body and mind a finely developed boy.

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820,
he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me.
He was one of the most popular young men in
the college. The purity of his moral character,
the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank
as a scholar, and genial nature, rendered him a
universal favorite. There was something pe-
culiarly winning in his address, and it was evi-
dently not in the slightest degree studied — it was
the simple outgu.shing of his own magnanimous
and loving nature.

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin
Pierce commenced the study of law in the office
of Judge Woodljur>', one of the most distinguished

lawyers of the State, and a man of great private
worth. The eminent social qualities of the young
lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man,
and the brilliant political career into which Judge
Woodburj^ was entering, all tended to entice Mr.
Pierce into the fascinating j-et perilous path of
political life. With all the ardor of his nature he
espoused the cause of Gen. Jackson for the Presi-
dency. He commenced the practice of law in
Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent
the town in the State Legislature. Here he
served for four years. The last two years he was
cho.sen Speaker of the House by a very large
vote.

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was
elected a member of Congress. In 1837, being
then bui thirtj'-three j-ears old, he was elected to
the Senate, taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren
commenced his administration. He was the
youngest member in the Senate. In the year
1834, he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a
lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one
admirably fitted to adorn every station with which
her hu.sband was honored. Of the three sons who
were born to them, all now sleep with their par-
ents in the grave.

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing
fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up
his residence in Concord, the capital of New
Hampshire. President Polk, upon his accession
to office, appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-General
of the United States; but the offer was declined
in consequence of numerous professional engage-
ments at home, and the precarious state of Mrs.
Pierce's health. He also, about the same time,
declined the nomination for Governor by the
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

Mr. Pierce into the army. Receiving the appoint-
ment of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a
portion of his troops at Newport, R. I., on the
27th of May, 1847. He took an important part
in this war, proving himself a brave and true sol-
dier.

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his na-
tive State, he was received enthusiastically by the
ad\-ocates of the Mexican War, and coldlj- by his
opponents. He resumed the practice of his pro-
fession, verj- frequently taking an active part in
political questions, giving his cordial support to
the pro-slaver>' wing of the Democratic part}'.
The compromise measures met cordially with his
approval, and he strenuously advocated the en-
forcement of the infamous Fugitive Slave Law,
which so shocked the religious sensibilities of the
North. He thus became distinguished as a
' ' Northern man with Southern principles. ' ' The
strong partisans of -slaverj' in the South conse-
quentl}- regarded him as a man whom they could
safel}- trust in ofiBce to carrj^ out their plans.

On the i2tli of June, 1852, the Democratic con-
vention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate
for the Presidency. For four days they contin-
ued in .ses.sion, and in thirty-five ballotings no one
had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus
far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the
Virginia delegation brought forward his name.
There were fourteen more ballotings, during which
Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at
the fort3'-ninth ballot, he received two hundred
and eightj-'two votes, and all other candidates
eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig can-
didate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great una-
nimitj-. Only four States — Vermont, Massachu-
setts, Kentucky- and Tennessee — cast their elec-
toral votes against him. Gen. Franklin Pierce
was therefore inaugurated President of the United
Staters on the 4th of March, 1853.

His administration proved one of the most
stormj- our country had ever experienced. The
controversy between slavery- and freedom was
then approaching its culminating point. It be-
came evident that there was to be an irrepressible
conflict between them, and that this nation
could not long exist " half slave and half free."

President Pierce, during the whole of his admin-
istration, did everj'thing he could to conciliate the
South; but it was all in vain. The conflict ever>'
year grew more violent, and threats of the disso-
lution of the Union were borne to the North on
every Southern breeze.

Such was the condition of affairs when Presi-
dent Pierce approached the close of his four-
years term of office. The North had become
thoroughl}- alienated from him. The anti-slavery
sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been
rapidly increasing; all the intellectual ability and
social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in
deep reprehension of his administrative acts. The
slaveholders of the South also, unmindful of the
fidelity with which he had ad\-ocated those meas-
ures of Government which tliej- approved, and
perhaps feeling that he had rendered himself
so unpopular as no longer to be able to accepta-
bly sen-e them, ungratefully dropped him, and
nominated James Buchanan to succeed him.

On the 4tli of March, 1857, President Pierce re-
turned to his home in Concord. His three chil-
dren were all dead, his last surviving child hav-
ing been killed before his ej-es in a railroad acci-
dent; and his wife, one of the most estimable and
accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in
consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon
came, and he was left alone in the \\orkl without
wife or child.

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth which
divided our country' into two parties, and two
only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the prin-
ciples which he had always cherished, and gave
his sympathies to that pro-slavery party with
which he had ever been allied. He declined to
do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen
the hand of the National Govermnent. He con-
tinued to reside in Concord until the time of his
death, which occurred in October, 1869. He was
one of the most genial and social of men, an hon-
ored communicant of the Episcopal Church, and
one of the kindest of neighbors. Generous to a
fault, he contributed liberally toward the allevia-
tion of suffering and want, and many of his
towns-people were often gladdened by his material
bounty.

^*%VV.

?'W

■^^<?7?^</ G

-y^^o:;^^ /->

'?^^^7^^

JAMES BUCHANAN.

(Tames BUCHANAN, the fifteenth President
I of the United States, was born in a small
(2/ frontier town, at the foot of the eastern ridge
of the Alleghanies, in Franklin County, Pa., on
the 23d of April, 1791. The place where the
humble cabin home stood was called Stony Bat-
ter. His father was a native of the north of Ire-
land, who had emigrated in 1783, with little prop-
erty save his own strong arms. Five years after-
ward he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter
of a respectable farmer, and, with his young bride,
plunged into the wilderness, staked his claim,
reared his log hut, opened a clearing with his
axe, and settled down there to perform his obscure
part in the drama of life. When James was eight
years of age, his father removed to the village of
Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school,
and commenced a course of study in English,
Latin and Greek. His progress was rapid, and
at the age of fourteen he entered Dickinson Col-
lege, at Carlisle. Here he developed remarkable
talent, and took his stand among the first scholars
in the institution.

In the year 1809, he graduated with the high-
est honors of his class. He was then eighteen
years of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health,
fond of athletic sports, an unerring shot, and en-
livened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits.
He immediately commenced the study of law in
the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to the
Bar in 1 8 1 2 , when he was but twentj-one years
of age.

In 1S20, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for
ten years he remained a member of the Lower
House. During the vacations of Congress, he

occa.-:ionally tried some important case. In 1831
he retired altogether from the toils of his profes-
sion, having acquired an ample fortune.

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presi-
dency, appointed Mr. Buchanan Minister to Rus-
sia. The duties of his mi.ssion he performed
with ability, and gave satisfaction to all parties.
Upon his return, in 1833, he was elected to a seat
in the United States Senate. He there met as
his associates Webster, Clay, Wright and Cal-
houn. He advocated the measures proposed by
President Jack.son, of making reprisals against
France to enforce the payment of our claims
against that country, and defended the course of
the President in his unprecedented and wholesale
removal from oflSce of those who were not the
supporters of his administration. Upon this
question he was brought into direct collision with
Henry Clay. He also, with voice and vote, ad-
vocated expunging from the journal of the Senate
the vote of cen.sure against Gen. Jackson for re-
moving the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the
abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia,
and urged the prohibition of the circulation of
anti-slavery documents by the United States
mails. As to petitions on the subject of slavery,
he advocated that they should be respectfully re-
ceived, and that the reply should be returned
that Congress had no power to legislate upon the
subject. " Congress, " said he, "might as well
undertake to interfere with slaverj' under a for-
eign government as in any of the States where it
now exi.sts. ' '

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency,
Mr. Buchanan became vSecretary of wState, and as
such took his share of the responsibility in the

JAMES BUCHANAN.

conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed
that crossing the Nueces by the American
troops into the disputed territory was not wrong,
but for the Mexicans to cross the Rio Grande
into Texas was a declaration of war. No candid
man can read with pleasure the account of the
course our Government pursued in that movement.

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly
with the party devoted to the perpetuation and
extension of slavery, and brought all the energies
of his mind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso.
He gave his cordial approval to the compromise
measures of 1850, which included the Fugitive
Slave Law. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mis-
sion to England.

In the year 1856, a national Democratic Con-
vention nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presi-
dency. The political conflict was one of the most
severe in which our country has ever engaged.
All the friends of slavery were on one side; all
the advocates of its restriction and final abolition
on the other. Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the
enemies of slavery, received one hundred and
fourteen electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received
one hundred and seventy-four, and was elected.
The popular vote stood 1,340,618 for Fremont,
1,224,750 for Buchanan. On March 4, 1857,
the latter was inaugurated.

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only
four years were wanting to fill up his three-score
years and ten. His own friends, those with
whom he had been allied in political principles
and action for years, were seeking the destruc-
tion of the Government, that they might rear
upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation
whose corner-stone .should be human slavery. In
tl:is emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly
bewildered. He could not, with his long-avowed
principles, consistently oppose the State Rights
party in their assumptions. As President of the
United States, bound by his oath faithfully to
administer the laws, he could not, without per-
jury of the grossest kind, unite with those en-
deavoring to overthrow the Republic. He there-
fore did nothing.

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administra-

tion nominated Abraham Lincoln as their stand-
ard-bearer in the next Presidential canvass.
The pro-slavery party declared that if he were
elected and the control of the Go\ernment were
thus taken from their hands, they would secede
from the Union, taking with them as they retired
the National Capitol at Washington and the
lion's share of the territory of the United States.

As the storm increased in violence, the slave-
holders claiming the right to secede, and Mr.
Buchanan avowing that Congre.ss had no power
to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions
of governmental imbecility was exhibited that the
world has ever seen. He declared that Congress
had no power to enforce its laws in any State
which had withdrawn, or which was attempting
to withdraw, from the Union. This was not the
doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand
upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed: "The Union
must and shall be preserved!"

South Carolina .seceded in December, i860,
nearly three months before the inauguration of
President Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in
listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in
Charleston; Ft. Sumter was besieged; our forts,
navy-yards and arsenals were seized; our depots
of military stores were plundered, and our cus-
tom-houses and post-oflices were appropriated by
the reliels.

The energ}- of the rebels and the imbecilitj- of
our Executive were alike marvelous. The na-
tion looked on in agony, waiting for the slow
weeks to glide awa}- and close the administration,
so terrible in its weakness. At length the long-
looked-for hour of deliverance came, when Abra-
ham Lincoln was to receive the scepter.

The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex-
perienced. His best friends can not recall it with
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled
its billows of flame and blood over our whole
land, no word came from his lips to indicate his
wish that our couutrj-'s banner should triumph
over the flag of the Rebellion. He died at his
Wheatland retreat, June i, 1S6S.

/-t/T —

c^~^ j^yv^t^^

Q^yyCfi^^^'^^^'^^~-<^-^ly

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

61 BRAHAM LINCOLN, the sixteenth Presi-
LA dent of the United States, was born in Hardin
I I County, Ky., February- 12, 1809. About
the year 1 7 So. a man by the name of Abraham
Lincohi left \'irginia with his family and moved
into the then wilds of Kentucky. Only two years
after this emigration, and while .still a young man.
he was working one daj^ in a field, when an Indian
stealthily approached and killed him. His widow
was left in extreme poverty with five little chil-
dren, three boj-s and two girls. Thomas, the
3-oungest of the boys, and the father of President
Abraham Lincoln, was four years of age at his
father's death.

When twenty-eight years old, Thomas Lincoln
built a log cabin, and married Nancy Hanks, the
daughter of another family of poor Ktntuckj-
emigrants, who had also come from Virginia.
Their second child was Abraham Lincoln, the sub-
ject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was
a noble woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created
to adorn a palace, but doomed to toil and pine, and
die in a hovel. " All that I am, or hope to be,''
exclaimed the gratefiil son, " I owe to lay angel-
mother." When he was eight j-ears ot age, his
father sold his cabin and small farm and moved
to Indiana, where two years later his mother died.

As the j-ears rolled on, the lot of this lowly
family was the usual lot of humanity. There
were joys and griefs, weddings and funerals.
Abraham's si.ster Sarah, to whom he was tenderly
attached, was married when a child of but four-
teen years of age, and soon died. The family
was graduallj- scattered, and Thomas Lincoln
.sold out his .squatter's claim in 1S30, and emi-
grated to Macon County, 111.

Abraham Lincoln was then twentN'-one years
of age. With vigorous hands he aided his father
in rearing another log cabin, and worked quite
diligently at this until he saw the family com-
fortably settled, and their small lot of enclosed
prairie planted with corn, when he announced to

his father his intention to leave home, and to gc
out into the world and seek his fortune. Littk
did he or his friends imagine how brilliant that

. fortune was to be. He saw the value of educa-
tion and was intenselj^ earnest to improve his
mind to the utmost of his power. Religion he
revered. His morals were pure, and he was un-
contaminated by a single vice.

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired
laborer among the farmers. Then he went to
Springfield, where he was employed in building
a large flat-boat. In this he took a herd of swine,
floated them down the Sangamon to Illinois, and
thence by the Mississippi to New Orleans. What-
ever Abraham Lincoln undertook, he performed
so faithfull3' as to give great satisfaction to his
employers. In this adventure the latter were
so well pleased, that upon his return they placed
a store and mill under his care.

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk
War, he enlisted and was chosen Captain of a
company. He returned to Sangamon County,
and, although onh- twenty-three jearsof age, was
a candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated.
He soon after recei\-ed from Andrew Jackson the
appointment of Postmaster of New Salem. His
only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there, read}- to deliver to those
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and
.soon made this his business. In 1834 he again
became a candidate for the Legislature and was
elected. Mr. Stuart, of Springfield, advi.sed him
to study law. He walked from New Salem to
Springfield, borrowed of Mr. Stuart a load oi
books, carried them back, and began his legal
.studies. When the Legislature assembled, he
trudged on foot with his pack on his back one
hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here
it was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839
he removed to Springfield and began the practice

' of law. His success with the jur\- was so great

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

that he was soon engaged in almost everj' noted
case in the circuit.

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincohi and Mr. Douglas on the slavery ques-
tion. In the organization of the Republican party
in Illinois, in 1S56, he took an active part, and at
once became one of the leaders in that party.
Mr. Lincoln's speeches in opposition to Senator
Douglas in the contest in 1S58 for a seat in the
Senate, fonn a most notable part of his history.
The isstie was on the slavery- question, and he
took the broad ground of the Declaration of In-
dependence, that all men are created equal. Mr.
Lincoln was defeated in this contest, but won a
far higher prize.

The great Republican Convention met at Chi-
cago on the i6tli of June, i860. The delegates
and strangers who crowded the city amounted to
twenty-five thousand. An immense building
called "The Wigwam," was reared to accommo-
date the convention. There were eleven candi-
dates for whom votes were thrown. William H.
Seward, a man whose fame as a statesman had
long filled the land, was the most prominent. It
was generally supposed he would be the nomi-
nee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received the
nomination on the third ballot.

Election day came, and Mr. Lincoln received
one hundred and eighty electoral votes out of two
hundred and three cast, and was, therefore, con-
stitutionally elected President of the LTnited States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this
good and merciful man, especiall}' by the slave-
holders, was greater than upon anj- other man
ever elected to this high position. In February-,
i86i, Mr. Lincoln .started for Washington, stop-
ping in all the large cities on his waj-, making
speeches. The whole journey was fraught with
much danger. Manj' of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassi-
nation were afterward brought to light. A gang
in Baltimore had arranged upon his arrival to
"get up a row," and in the confusion to make
sure of his death with revohers and hand-gren-
ades. A detective unra\'elled the plot. A secret
and .special train was pro\ided to take him from
Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an unexpected

hour of the night. The tram started at half- past
ten, and to prevent anj-^ possible communication
on the part of the Secessionists with their Con-
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train
had started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr.
Lincoln reached Washington in safety and was
inaugurated, althotigh great anxiety was felt by
all loyal people.

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to
other prominent opponents before the convention
he gave important positions; but during no other
administration had the duties devolving upon the
President been so manifold, and the responsibilities
.so great, as those which fell to his lot. Knowing
this, and feeling his own weakness and inability
to meet, and in his own strength to cope with,
the difficulties, he learned early to seek Divine
wisdom and guidance in determining his plans,
and Divine comfort in all his trials, both personal
and national. Contrary to his own estimate of
himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the most cour-
ageous of men. He went directly into the rebel
capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, with
no guard but a few sailors. From the time he
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had
been made for his assassination, and he at last
fell a victim to one of them. April 14, 1865, he,
with Gen. Grant, was urgently invited to attend
Ford's Theatre. It was announced that they
would be present. Gen. Grant, however, left the
city. President Lincoln, feeling, with his char-
acteristic kindliness of heart, that it would be a
disappointment if he should fail them, very re-
luctantly consented to go. While listening to
the play, an actor by the name of John Wilkes
Booth entered the box where the President and
famih* were .seated, and fired a bullet into his
brain. He died the next morning at seven
o'clock.

Never before in the histor\- of the world was
a nation plunged into such deep grief by the death
of its ruler Strong men met in the streets and
wept in speechless anguish. His was a life which
will fitly become a model. His name as the
Savior of his country will live with that of Wash-
ington's, its Father.

'^v/yJlyC-'iy^

ANDREW JOHNSON.

Gl NDREW JOHNSON, seventeenth President

of the United States. The early life of An-

1 I drew Johnson contains but the record of pov-
erty, destitution and friendlessness. He was born
December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, N. C. His par-
ents, belonging to the class of "poor whites"
of the South, were in such circum.stances that they
could not confer even the slightest advantages of
education upon their child. When Andrew was
five years of age, his father accidentally lest his
life, while heroically endeavoring to save a frien4
from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by
the labor of his mother, who obtained her living
with her own hands.

He then, having never attended a school one
day, and being unable either to read or write, was
apprenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gen-
tleman was in the habit of going to the tailor's
shop occasionally, and reading to the boys at
work there. He often read from the speeches of
distinguished British statesmen. Andrew, who
was endowed with a mind of more than ordinarj-
ability, became much interested in these speeches;
his ambition was roused, and he was inspired with
a strong desire to learn to read.

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet,
and with the assistance of some of his fellow-
workmen learned his letters. He then called upon
the gentleman to borrow the book of speeches.
The owner, pleased with his zeal, not only gave
him the book, but assisted him in learning to com-
bine the letters into words. Under such difficul-
ties he pressed onward laboriously, spending usu-
ally ten or twelve hours at work in the shop, and
then robbing himself of rest and recreation to de-
vote such time as he could to reading.

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at

Greenville, where he married a young lady who
possessed some education. Under her instructions
he learned to write and cipher. He became
prominent in the village debating society, and a
favorite with the students of Greenville College.
In 1828, he organized a working man's party,
which elected him Alderman, and in 1830 elected
him Mayor, which position he held three years.

He now began to take a lively interest in
political affairs, identifying himself with the work-
ing-class, to which he belonged. In 1835, he
was elected a member of the House of Represent-
atives of Tennessee. He was then just twenty-
seven years of age. He became a very active
member of the Legislature, gave his support to
the Democratic party, and in 1840 "stumped the
State," advocating Martin Van Buren's claims to
the Presidency, in opposition to those of Gen.
Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased
his reputation.

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843,
he was elected a Member of Congress, and by suc-
ce.ssive elections held that important post for ten
years. In 1853, he was elected Governor of Tenn-
essee, and was re-elected in 1855. In all these
respon.sible positions, he discharged his duties
with distinguished ability, and proved himself the
warm friend of the working classes. In 1857, Mr.
Johnson was elected United States Senator.

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly adv-ocated
the annexation of Texas, stating, however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would
probably prove ' 'to be the gateway out of which
the sable sons of Africa are to pass from bondage
to freedom, and become merged in a population
congenial to themselves." In 1850, he also sup-
ported the compromise measures, the two essen-

ANDREW JOHNSON.

tial features of which vver^, that the white people
of the Territories should be permitted to decide
for themselves whether they would enslave the
colored people or not, and that the free States of
the North should return to the South persons who
attempted to escape from slavery.

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly
origin: on the contrary, he often took pride in
avowing that he owed his distinction to his own
exertions. "Sir," said he on the floor of the
Senate, "I do not forget that I am a mechanic;
neither do I forget that Adam was a tailor and
sewed fig-leaves, and that our Savior was the son
of a carpenter. ' '

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860,
he was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for
the Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of
the Southern Democracj' became apparent, he took
a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held
that "slaverjf must be held subordinate to the
Union at whatever cost. ' ' He returned to Tenn-
essee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to
protect the Unionists of that State. Tennessee
having seceded from the Union, President Lincoln,
on March 4, 1862, appointed him Military Gov-
ernor of the State, and he established the most
stringent militar\- rule. His numerous proclama-
tions attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was
elected Vice-President of the United States, and
upon the death of Mr. lyincoln, April 15, 1865,
became President. In a speech two days later he
said, "The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime
and must be punished; that the Government will
not always bear with its enemies; that it is strong
not only to protect, but to punish. * * The
people must understand that it (treason) is the
blackest of crimes, and will surely be punished."
Yet his whole administration, the historj' of which
is so well known, was in utter inconsistenc}' with,
and in the most violent opposition to, the princi-
ples laid down in that speech.

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress, and he
characterized Congress as a new rebellion, and
lawlessly defied it in everj^thing pos.sible to the ut-
most. In the beginning of 1868, on account of

"High crimes and misdemeanors," the principal
of which was the removal of Secretary Stanton in
violation of the Tenure of Office Act, articles of
impeachment were preferred against him, and the
trial began March 23.

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three
months. A test article of the impeachment was
at length submitted to the court for its action. It
was certain that as the court voted upon that ar-
ticle so would it vote upon all . Thirty-four voices
pronounced the President guiltj-. As a two-thirds
vote was necessary to his condenniation, he was
pronounced acquitted, notwithstanding the great
majorit}' against him. The change of one vote
from the not guilty side would have sustained the
impeachment.

The President, for the remainder of his term,
was but little regarded. He continued, though
impotently, his conflict with Congress. His own
party did not think it expedient to renominate
him for the Presidency. The Nation rallied with
enthusiasm, unparalleled since the days of Wash-
ington, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew
Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin
introduced him to the President's chair. Not-
withstanding this, never was there presented to a
man a better opportunitj- to immortalize his name,
and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed
utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville,
Tenn. , taking no very active part in politics until
1875. On January 26, after an exciting struggle,
he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee
United States Senator in the Forty-fourth Congess,
and took his seat in that body, at the special ses-
sion convened by President Grant, on the 5th of
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-Presi-
dent made a visit to his daughter's home, near
Carter Station, Tenn. When he started on his
journey, he was apparently in his usual vigorou.s;
health, but on reaching the residence of his child
the following daj-, he was stricken with parah-.sis,
which rendered him unconscious. He rallied oc-
casionally, but finally pas.sed away at 2 a. m.,
July 31, aged sixt^'-seven jears. His funeral was
held at Greenville, on the 3d of August, with
every demonstration of respect.

^^-

ULYSSES S. GRANT.

yLYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth Presi-
dent of the United States, was born on the
29th of April, 1822, of Christian parents, in
a humble home at Point Pleasant, on the banks
of the Ohio. Shortly after, his father moved to
Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio. In this re-
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses received a common-
.school education. At the age of seventeen, in
the year 1839, he entered the Military Academy
at West Point. Here he was regarded as a solid,
sensible young man, of fair abilitj-, and of sturdy,
honest character. He took respectable rank as a
.scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated about the
middle in his class, and was sent as Lieutenant of
Infantn,- to one of the distant militar>- po.sts in the
Missouri Territory. Two years he passed in these
drearj' .solitudes, watching the vagabond Indians.

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was
.sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His
first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no
chance here for the exhibition of either skill or
heroism, nor at Resaca de la Palma, his second
battle. At the battle of Monterey, his third en-
gagement, it is said that he performed a signal
ser\'ice of daring and skillful horsemanship.

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant
returned with his regiment to New York, an 1
was again sent to one of the militarj- posts on the
frontier. The di.scovery of gold in California
causing an immen.se tide of emigration to flow to
the Pacific shores, Capt. Grant was sent with a
battalion to Ft. Dallas, in Oregon, for the protec-
tion of the interests of the immigrants. But life
was wearisome in those wilds, and he resigned
his commission and returned to the States. Hav-
ing married, he entered upon the cultivation of a
small farm near St. Louis, Mo., but having little

skill as a farmer, and finding his toil not re-
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering
into the leather business, with a younger brother
at Galena, 111. This was in the year i860. As
the tidings of the rebels firing on Ft. Sumter
reached the ears of Capt. Grant in his counting-
room, he said: "Uncle Sam has educated me
for the army; though I have served him through
oile war, I do not feel that I have j-et repaid the
debt. I am still read}' to discharge my obliga-
tions. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and
see Uncle Sam through this war too. ' '

He went into the streets, raised a company of
volunteers, and led them as their Captain to
Springfield, the capital of the State, where their
sen-ices were offered to Gov. Yates. The Gov-
ernor, impressed by the zeal and straightforward
executive ability of Capt. Grant, gave him a desk
in his office to assist in the volunteer organiza-
tion that was being formed in the State in behalf
of the Government. On the r 5th of June, 1861,
Capt. Grant received a commission as Colonel of
the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers.
His merits as a West Point graduate, who had
served for fifteen years in the regular army, were
such that he was soon promoted to the rank of
Brigadier-General, and was placed in command at
Cairo. The rebels rai.sed their banner at Padu-
cali, near the mouth of the Tennessee River.
Scarcely had its folds appeared in the breeze ere
Gen. Grant was there. The rebels fled, their
banner fell, and the Stars and Stripes were un-
furled in its stead.

He entered the ser\'ice with great determina-
tion and iramediatelj- began active duty. This
was the beginning, and until the surrender of
Lee at Richmond he was ever pushing the enemy

ULYSSES S. GRANT.

with great vigor and effectiveness. At Belmont,
a few daj-s later, he surprised and routed the
rebels, then at Ft. Henry won another victory.
Then came the brilliant fight at Ft. Donelson.
The nation was electrified by the victory, and the
brave leader of the boys in blue was immediately
made a Major-General, and the military district
of Tennessee was assigned to him.

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well
how to secure the results of victor^'. He imme-
diately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then
came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing,
Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, where Gen.
Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of
the city with over thirty thousand men and one
hundred and seventj^-two cannon. The fall of
\'icksburg was by far the most severe blow which
the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened
up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf.

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro-
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown
from his horse, and received severe'injuries, from
which he was laid up for months. He then
rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas
at Chattanooga, and bj' a wonderful series of
strategic and technical measures put the Union
army in fighting condition. Then followed the
bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Moun-
tain and Missionary- Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him
unbounded praise in the North. On the 4th of
Februarj-, 1S64, Congress revived the grade of
lieutenant-general, and the rank was conferred
on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to
receive his credentials and enter upon the duties
of his new office.

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge
of the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed
National troops for an attack upon Richmond,
the nominal capital of the rebellion, and endeavor
there to destroj- the rebel armies which would be
prompth- assembled from all quarters for its de-
fense. The whole continent seemed to tremble
imder the tramp of these majestic armies, rushing
to the decisive battle-field. Steamers were crowd-
ed with troops. Railway trains were burdened

with closely-packed thousands. His plans were
comprehensive, and involved a series of cam-
paigns, which were executed with remarkable
energy and ability, and were consummated at the
surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865.

The war was ended. The Union was saved.
The almost unanimous voice of the nation de-
clared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent in-
.strimient in its salvation. The eminent services
he had thus rendered the country brought him
conspicuouslj^ forward as the Republican candi-
date for the Presidential chair.

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago,
May 21, 1868, he was unanimouslj- nominated
for the Presidency-, and at the autunm election
received a majoritj- of the popular vote, and two
hundred and fourteen out of two hundred and
ninety-four electoral votes.

The National Convention of the Republican
party, which met at Philadelphia on the 5th 01
June, 1872, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for
a second term by a unanimous vote. The selec-
tion was emphaticalh- indorsed bj- the people five
months later, two hundred and ninety-two elect-
oral votes being cast for him.

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen.
Grant started upon his famous trip around the
world. He visited almost everj- country of the
civilized world, and was ever\-w-here received
with such ovations and demonstrations of respect
and honor, private as well as public and official,
as were never before bestowed upon any citizen
of the United States.

He was the most prominent candidate before
the Republican National Convention in 1880 for
a renomination for President. He went to New
York and embarked in the brokerage business
under the firm name of Grant & Ward. The
latter proved a villain, wrecked Grant's fortune,
and for larceny was sent to the 'penitentiary'.
The General was attacked with cancer in the
throat, but suffered in his stoic-like manner, never
complaining. He was re-instated as General of
the Army, and retired by Congress. The cancer
soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 1885,
the nation went in mourning over the death 01
the illustrious General.

O oU_6^JV'

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, the nineteenth '
President of the United States, was born in
Delaware, Ohio, October 4, 1822, almost
three months after the death of his father, Ruther-
ford Haj-es. His ancestrj- on both the paternal and
maternal sides was of the most honorable char-
acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as
1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two
Scottish chieftains, fighting side b}' side with
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both
families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive
estates, and had a large following. Misfortune
overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland
in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
George was born in Windsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Ha^-es, son of the latter,
married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of
his marriage until his death in Simsburj', Conn.
Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was
a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Conn.
Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather
of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in
August, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith and
tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an
unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he
established a hotel. Here his son, Rutherford
Haj'es, the father of President Haj'es, was born.
He was married, in September, 1S13, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors
emigrated thither from Connecticut, they having
been among the wealthiest and best families of
Norwich. Her ancestn,- on the male side is
traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the
principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grand-
fathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary- War.

The father of President Hayes was an industri-
ous, frugal, yet open-hearted man. Jle was of a

mechanical turn of mind, and could mend a plow,
knit a stocking, or do almost anything else that
he chose to undertake. He was a member of the
church, active in all the benevolent enterprises
of the town, and conducted his business on Chris-
tian principles. After the close of the War of
1812, for reasons inexplicable to his neighbors, he
resolved to emigrate to Ohio.

The journey from Vennont to Ohio in that daj',
when there were no canals, steamers, or rail-
ways, was a verj' serious affair. A tour of in-
spection was first made, occupying four months.
Mr. Hayes decided to move to Delaware, where
the family arrived in 181 7. He died July 22,
1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three
months before the birth of the son of whom we
write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement,
found the support she so much needed in her
brother Sardis, who had been a member of the
household from the day of its departure from
Vermont, and in an orphan girl, whom she had
adopted some time before as an act of charity.

Rutherford was seven )-ears old before he went
to school. His education, however, was not neg-
lected. He probably learned as much from his
mother and sister as he would have done at
school. His sports were almost wholly within
doors, his playmates being his sister and her asso-
ciates. The.se circumstances tended, no doubt, to
foster that gentleness of disposition and that del-
icate consideration for the feelings of others which
were marked traits of his character.

His uncle, Sardis Birchard, took the deepest
interest in his education; and as the boy's health
had improved, and he was making good progress
in his studies, he proposed to send him to college.
His preparation commenced with a tutor at home;

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.

but he was afterwards sent for one j-ear to a pro-
fessor in the Wesleyan Uin\-ersity in Middletown,
Conn. He entered Kenyo.n College in 1838, at
the age of sixteen, and was graduated at the head
of his class in 1842.

Immediately after his graduation he began the
study of law in the ofiBce of Thomas Sparrow,
Esq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities
for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he de-
termined to enter the Law School at Cambridge,
Mass., where he remained two jears.

In 1S45, after graduating at the L,aw School, he
was admitted to the Bar at Marietta, Ohio, and
shortlj- after^vard went into practice as an at-
torney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fre-
mont. Here he remained three jears, acquiring
but a limited practice, and apparentl}- unambitious
of distinction in his profession.

In 1S49 he moved to Cincinnati, where his am-
bition found a new stimulus. For several years,
however, his progress was slow. Two events
occurring at this period had a powerful influence
upon his subsequent life. One of these was his
marriage witli Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter
of Dr. James Webb, of Chillicothe; the other was
his introduction to the Cincinnati Literarj' Club,
a body embracing among its members such men
as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, Gen. John
Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noj-es, and manj' others
hardlj' less distinguished in after life. The mar-
riage was a fortunate one in every respect, as
ever\-body knows. Not one of all the wives of
our Presidents was more universalh- admired,
reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and
no one did more than she to reflect honor upon
American womanhood. The Literarj-Club brought
Mr. Hayes into constant association with young
men of high character and noble aims, and lured
him to display the qualities so long hidden by his
bashfulness and modestj-.

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge
of the Court of Common Pleas, but he decliiied to
accept the nomination. Two j'ears later, the of-
fice of Cit}- Solicitor becoming vacant, the City
Council elected him for the unexpired term.

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was
at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at

the Bar was among the first. But the news of
the attack on Ft. Sumter found him eager to
take up arms for the defense of his countr\-.

His militan,- record was bright and illustrious.
In October, 1861, he was made Lieu tenant- Colo-
nel, and in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of
the Sevent3'-ninth Ohio Regiment, but he refused
to leave his old comrades and go among strangers.
Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of
his old regiment. At the battle of South Moun-
tain he received a wound, and while faint and
bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that
won admiration from all.

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment,
after his recoverj-, to act as Brigadier-General,
and placed in command of the celebrated Kanawha
division, and for gallant and meritorious ser\-ices
in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's HiU and
Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier-General.
He was also breveted Major- General, "for gallant
and distinguished ser\-ices during the campaigns
of 1864, in West Virginia." In the course of his
arduous ser\nces, four horses were shot from un-
der him, and he was wounded four times.

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress
from the Second Ohio District, which had long
been Democratic. He was not present during the
campaign, and after the election was importuned
to resign his commission in the army; but he fi-
nally declared, " I shall never come to Washing-
ton until I can come by way of Richmond." He
was re-elected in 1866.

In 1S67, Gen. Haj-es was elected Governor of
Ohio, over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular
Democrat, and in 1869 was re-elected over George
H. Pendleton. He w-as elected Governor for the
third term in 1875.

In 1876 he was the standard-bearer of the Re-
publican party in the Presidential contest, and
after a hard, long contest was chosen President,
and was inaugurated Monday, March 5, 1877.
He served his full term, not, however, with satis-
faction to his party, but his administration was an
average one. The remaining years of his life
were passed quietly in his Ohio home, where he
passed away January 17, 1893.

^ L-K^^

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

(f AMES A. GARFIELD, twentieth President
I of the United States, was born Xovember ly,
C2/ 1831, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga
County, Ohio. His parents were Abram and
Eliza (Ballouj Garfield, both of New England
ancestry, and from families well known in the
early history of that section of our countrj-, but I
who had moved to the Western Reser\'e, in Ohio,
early in its settlement. 1

The house in which James A. was born was
not unlike the houses of poor Ohio fanners of
that da}'. It was about 20 x 30 feet, built of logs, 1
with the spaces between the logs filled with clay.
His father was a hard-working farmer, and he
soon had his fields cleared, an orchard planted,
and a log barn built. The household compri.sed
the father and mother and their four children,
Mehetabel, Thomas, Marj- and James. In Ma}-,
1823, the father died from a cold contracted in
helping to put out a forest fire. At this time
James was about eighteen months old, and j
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps,
can tell how much James was indebted to liis I
brother's toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty
years succeeding his father's death. He now
lives in Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 1
Ohio, near their birthplace.

The early educational advantages young Gar-
field enjojed were very limited, yet he made the
most of them. He labored at farm work for
others, did carpenter work, chopped wood, or did ;
anything that would bring in a few dollars to aid !
his widowed mother in her struggles to keep the
little family together. Nor was Gen. Garfield
ever ashamed of his origin, and he never forgot
the friends of his struggling childhood, youth and
manhood; neither did they ever forget him.
When in the highest seats of honor, the humblest
friend of his boyhood was as kindly greeted as
ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the sym-
pathy of one who had known all the bitterness of I

want and the sweetness of bread earned by the
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple,
plain, modest gentleman. .

The highest ambition of young Garfield until
he was about sixteen years old was to be cap-
tain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious
to go aboard a vessel, but this his mother strongly
opposed. She finally consented to his going to
Cleveland, with the understanding, however, that
he should try to obtain some other kind of em-
ployment. He walked all the way to Cleveland.
This was his first visit to the city. After making
many applications for work, and trying to get
aboard a lake vessel and not meeting with suc-
cess, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal.
He remained at this work but a short time, when
he went home, and attended the seminary at
Chester for about three years. He then entered
Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few
terms of school in the mean time, and doing other
work. This school was started by the Disciples
of Christ in 1850, of which body he was then a
member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in
order to help pay his way. He then became both
teacher and pupil. Soon " exhausting Hiram,"
and needing a higher education, in the fall of 1854
he entered Williams College, from which he grad-
uated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of
his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram Col-
lege as its President. As above stated, he early
united with the Christian, or Disciples, Church at
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous
member, often preaching in its pulpit and places
where he happened to be.

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage, Novem-
ber II, 1858, with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who
proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom
all the world loved. To them were bom seven
children, five of whom are still living, four boys
and one girl.

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in
1856, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and
three 5-ears later he began to speak at county
mass-meetings, and became the favorite speaker
where\-er he was. During this year he was
elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to
study law at Cleveland, and in 1861 was admitted
to the Bar. The great Rebellion broke out in the
early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once
resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted to
defend the Old Flag. He received his commission
as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Forty-second Regi-
ment of Ohio Infantry August 14, 1861. He
was immediately put into active ser\dce, and be-
fore he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was
placed in command of four regiments of infantrj'
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the
work of driving out of his native State the able
rebel officer, Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky.
This work was bravely and speedily accomplished,
although against great odds, and President Lin-
coln commissioned him Brigadier- General, Janu-
arj- 10, 1862; and "as he had bee^ the youngest
man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now
he was the 3'oungest General in the arm}-." He
was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its
operations around Corinth and its march through
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of
the general court martial for the trial of Gen.
Fitz-John Porter. He was next ordered to re-
port to Gen. Rosecrans, and was assigned to the
" Chief of Staff. "• The militarj' historj' of Gen.
Garfield closed with his brilliant ser\-ices at Chick-
amauga, where he won the rank of Major-General.

Without an effort on his part, Gen. Garfield
was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862, from
the Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of
Ohio had been represented in Congress for sixty
years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and
Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a strug-
gle that he resigned his place in the armj'. At
the time he entered Congress he was the youngest
member in that body. There he remained by
successive re-elections until he was elected Presi-
dent, in 1880. Of his labors in Congress, Senator
Hoar says: "Since the j'ear 1864 you cannot
think of a question which has been debated in

Congress, or discussed before a tribunal of the
American people, in regard to which you will not
find, if )-ou wish instruction, the argument on
one side stated, in almost even- instance better
than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or on the hustings
by Mr. Garfield."

Upon January 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elect-
ed to the United States Senate, and on the 8th of
June, of the same year, was nominated as the
candidate of hife party for President at the great
Chicago Convention. He was elected in the fol-
lowing November, and on March 4, 1881, was
inaugurated. Probabl}^ no administration ever
opened its existence under brighter auspices than
that of President Garfield, and every day it grew
in favor with the people. By the ist of July
he had completed all the initiatory and prelimi-
nar>' worts of his administration, and was prepar-
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Will-
iams College. While on his way and at the
depot, in company with Secretarj' Blaine, a man
stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired
directly at his back. The President tottered and
fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second
shot, the bullet cutting the left coat sleeve of his
victim, but inflicting no further injury. It has
been verj' truthfullj' said that this was ' ' the shot
that was heard around the world." Never before
in the history of the nation had anj-thing occur-
red which so nearly froze the blood of the people
for the moment as this awful deed. He was
smitten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his
life, at the summit of his power and hope. For
eight\' days, all during the hot months of July
and August, he lingered and sufiered. He, how-
ever, remained master of himself till the last, and
by his magnificent bearing taught the countrs-
and the world one of the noblest of human les-
sons — how to live grandly in the verj- clutch of
death. Great in life, he was surpassingly great
in death. He passed sereneh' away September
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of
the ocean, where he had been taken shortly be-
fore. The world wept at his death, as it rarely
ever had done on the death of any other great
and noble man.

,,->«A«k^

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

E HESTER A. ARTHUR, twentj'-first Presi- !
dent of the United States, was born in Frank- |
lin County, Vt., on the 5th day of October,
1S30, and was the eldest of a family of two sons ;
and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. !
William Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who emi-
grated to this country' from County Antrim, Ire- \
land, in his eighteenth 3'ear, and died in 1875, in
Newtonville, near Albany, after a long and suc-
cessful ministry.

Young Arthur was educated at Union College,
Schenectady, where he excelled in all his studies.
After his graduation he taught school in Ver-
mont for two years, and at the expiration of that
time came to New York, with $500 in his pocket,
and entered the ofEce of ex -Judge E. D. Culver
as a student. After being admitted to the Bar, he
formed a partnership with his intimate friend and
room-mate, Henrj' D. Gardiner, with the inten-
tion of practicing in the West, and for three
months thej- roamed about in the Western States
in search of an eligible site, but in the end re-
turned to New York, where they hung out their
shingle, and entered upon a successful career al-
most from the start. Gen. Arthur soon after mar-
ried the daughter of Lieut. Herndon, of the
United States Navy, who was lost at sea. Con-
gress voted a gold medal to his widow in recog-
nition of the bravery he displayed on that occa-
.sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr.
Arthur's nomination to the Vice-Presidency, leav-
ing two children.

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celeb-
rity in his first great case, the famous Lemmon
suit, brought to recover possession of eight slaves
who had been declared free by Judge Paine, of
the Superior Court of New York City. It was in

1852 that Jonathan Temmon, of Virginia, went to
New York with his sla\-es, intencUng to ship them
to Texas, when they were discovered and freed.
The Judge decided that they could not be held by
the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl
of rage went up from the South, and the Virginia
Legislature authorized the Attorney-General of
that State to a.ssist in an appeal. William M.
Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to
represent the people, and they won their case,
which then went to the vSupreme Court of the
United States. Charles O' Conor here espoused
the cause of the slaveholders^ but he, too, was
beaten by Messrs. Evarts and Arthur, and a long
step was taken toward the emancipation of the
black race.

Another great ser\-ice was rendered by Gen.
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jen-
nings, a respectable colored woman, was put off
a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had
paid her fare. Gen. Arthur .sued on her behalf,
and secured a verdict of $500 damages. The next
day the company issued an order to admit colored
persons to ride on their cars, and the other car
companies quickly followed their example. Be-
fore that the Sixth Avenue Company ran a few
special cars for colored persons, and the other lines
refused to let them ride at all.

Gen. Arthur was a delegate to the convention
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party.
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of
the Second Brigade of the State of New York,
and Gov. Morgan, of that State, appointed him
Engineer-in-Chief of his staff. In 1S61, he was
made In.spector-General, and soon afterward be-
came Quartermaster-General. In each of these
ofiices he rendered great service to the Govern-

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

ment during the war. At the end of Gov. Mor-
gan's term he resumed the practice of law, form-
ing a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then
Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney of New York,
was added to the firm. The legal practice of this
well-known firm was verj' large and lucrative,
as each of the gentlemen composing it was an able
lawyer, and possessed a splendid local reputa-
tion, if not, indeed, one of national extent.

Mr. Arthur alwaj-s took a leading part in State
and city politics. He was appointed Collector of
the Port of New York by President Grant, No-
vember 21, 1872, to succeed Thomas Murphy,
and he held the office until July 20, 1878, when
he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the
famous National Republican Convention held at
Chicago in June, 1880. This was perhaps the
greatest political convention that ever assembled
on the continent. It was composed of the lead-
ing politicians of the Republican party, all able
men, and each stood firm and fought vigorouslj-
and with signal tenacit}' for his respective can-
didate that was before the convention for the
nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield received the
nomination for President, and Gen. Arthur for
Vice-President. The campaign which followed
was one of the most animated known in the his-
tory of our country. Gen. Hancock, the stand-
ard-bearer of the Democratic partj', was a popular
man, and his party made a valiant fight for his
election.

Finally the election came, and the country-' s
choice was Garfield and Arthur. They were in-
augurated March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-
President. A few months only had passed ere
the newly-chosen President was the victim of the
assassin's bullet. Then came terrible weeks of
sufiering — those moments of anxious suspense,
when the hearts of all civilized nations were
throbbing in unison, longing for the recovery of
the noble, the good President. The remarkable
patience that he manifested during those hours
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible
suffering man has ever been called upon to en-
dure, was seemingly more than human. It was

certainly godlike. During all this period of
deepest anxiety Mr. Arthur's every move was
watched, and, be it said to his credit, that his every
action displayed onh- an earnest desire that the
suffering Garfield might recover to ser\-e the re-
mainder of the term he had so auspiciously be-
gun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested in
deed or look of this man, even though the most
honored position in the world was at any moment
likely to fall to him.

At last God in his mercy relieved President
Garfield from further suffering, and the world, as
never before in its history over the death of any
other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the
duty of the Vice-President to a.ssume the respon-
sibilities of the high office, and he took the oath
in New York, September 20, 1881. The position
was an embarrassing one to him, made doubly so
from the fact that all eyes were on him, anxious
to know what he would do, what policy he would
pursue, and whom he would select as advisers.
The duties of the office had been greatly neglected
during the President's long illness, and many im-
portant measures were to be immediately decided
by him ; and to still further embarass him he did
not fail to realize under what circumstances he
became President, and knew the feelings of manj'
on this point. Under these trying circumstances.
President Arthur took the reins of the Govern-
ment in his own hands, and, as embarrassing as
was the condition of affairs, he happily surprised
the nation, acting so wisely that but few criticized
his administration. He ser\'ed the nation well
and faithfully until the close of his administra-
tion, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate
before his partj- for a second term. His name
was ably presented before the convention at Chi-
cago, and was received with great favor, and
doubtless but for the personal popularity of one
of the opposing candidates, he would have been
selected as the standard-bearer of his party for
another campaign. He retired to private life, car-
rying with him the best wishes of the American
people, whom he had served in a manner satisfac-
tory to them and with credit to himself One
vear later he was called to his final rest.

Isr^

" /■ '

-^1?^-^^ c/c^^/lAyU/

STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND.

mTEPHEX GROVER CLEVELAND, the
2\ twenty-second President of the United States,
\~/ was born in 1837. in the obscure town of
Caldwell, Essex County, X. J., and in a little
two-and-a-half-stor\- white house, which is still
standing to characteristicalh- mark the humble
birthplace of one of America's great men, in
striking contrast with the Old World, where all
men high in office must be high in origin and
bom in the cradle of wealth. WTien the subject
of this sketch was three j-ears of age, his father,
who was a Presbyterian minister with a large
family and a small salarj', moved, bj- wa)- of the
Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayette\-ille, N.
Y., in search of an increased income and a larger
field of work. Fayetteville was then the most
straggling of countrj- villages, about five miles
from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour
was bom.

At the last-mentioned place young Grover com-
menced going to school in the good, old-fashioned
waj', and presumably distinguished himself after
the manner of all village boj-s — in doing the
things he ought not to do. Such is the dis-
tinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent
thinkers. When he arrived at the age of four-
teen j-ears, he had outgrown the capacity of the
village school, and expressed a most emphatic de-
sire to be sent to an academj-. To this his fa-
ther decidedlj- objected. Academies in those
days cost money ; besides, his father wanted him
to become self-supporting bj- the quickest pos-
sible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville
seemed to be a position in a countrj- store, where
his father and the large family on his hands had

considerable influence. Grover was to be paid
$50 for his services the first year, and if he proved
trustworthj' he w'as to receive $100 the second
year. Here the lad commenced his career as
salesman, and in two years he had earned so good
a reputation for trustworthiness that his employ-
ers desired to retain him for an indefinite length
of time.

But instead of remaining with this firm in
Fayetteville, he went with the family in their re-
moval to Clinton, where he had an opportunity
of attending a High School. Here he industri-
ouslj- pursued his studies until the familj- re-
moved with him to a point on Black River known
as the "Holland Patent," a village of five or six:
hundred people, fifteen miles north of Utica, N. Y.
At this place his father died, after preaching but
three Sundays. This event broke up the faniilj-,
and Grover set out for New York City tD accept,
at a small salarj-, the position of under- teacher
in an a.sylum for the blind. He taught faithfullj'
for two years, and although he obtained a good
reputation in this capacitj-, he concluded that
teaching was not his calling in life, and, revers-
ing the traditional order, he left the citj- to seek
his fortune, instead of going to the citj-. He first
thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some
charm in that name for him: but before proceed-
ing to that place he went to BuflTalo to ask advice
of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock-
breeder of that place. The latter did not speak
enthusiasticalh'. "What is it you want to do,
my bo}^?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to stud^-
law," was the replj' "Good gracious!" remarked
the old gentleman; "do j-ou, indeed? Whatever

I04

STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND.

put that into your head ? How much money
have you got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I
haven't got any."

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him
a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at
$50 a year, while he could look around. One
day soon afterward he boldly walked into the of-
fice of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and
told them what he wanted. A number of young
men were already engaged in the office, but Gro- '
ver's persistency won, and he was finally per-
mitted to come as an office boj' and have the use
of the law libran,-, receiving as wages the sum of
$3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his
board and wa.shing. The walk to and from his
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and although
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his
shoes were out of repair, and as for his overcoat he
had none; yet he was, nevertheless, prompt and
regular. On the first day of his service there, his
senior emplojer threw down a copy of Black-
stone before him, with a bang that made the dust
fly, saying "That's where they all begin." A
titter ran around the little circle of clerks and
students, as they thought that was enough to
.scare young Grover out of his plans; but in due
time he mastered that cumbersome volume.
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleve-
land exhibited a talent for executiveness rather
than for chasing principles through all their
metaphysical possibilities. "Let us quit talking
and go and do it, ' ' was practically his motto.

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland
was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie County,
N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated; and in such
capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punish-
ment upon two criminals. In 1881 he was
-elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the
Democratic ticket, with especial reference to bring-
ing about certain reforms in the administration
of the municipal affairs of that city. In this of-
fice, as well as in that of Sheriff, his performance
of dutj' has generally been considered fair, witli
possibly a few exceptions, which were ferreted
out and magnified during his Presidential cam-
paign. As a specimen of his plain language in
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an

iniquitous street-cleaning contract: "This is a
time for plain speech, and my objection to your
action .shall be plainly stated. I re^^ard it as the
culmination of a mo.st bare-faced, impudent and
shameless scheme to betraj' the interests of the
people and to worse than squander the people's
money." The New York Sim afterward verj-
highly commended Mr. Cleveland's administra-
tion as Maj-or of Buffalo, and thereupon recom-
mended him for Governor of the Empire State.
To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and
his administration of the affairs of State was
generally satisfactory-. The mistakes he made,
if an}-, were made ver\- public throughout the na-
tion after he was nominated for President of the
United States. For this high office he was
nominated July 11, 1884, by the National Demo-
cratic Convention at Chicago, when other com-
petitors were Thomas F. Baj-ard, Roswell P.
Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F.
Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he was
elected by the people, by a majority of about a
thou.sand, over the brilliant and long-tried Re-
publican statesman, James G. Blaine. President
Cleveland resigned his office as Governor of New
York in Januar)-, 1885, in order to prepare for
his duties as the Chief Executive of the United
States, in which capacity his term commenced at
noon on the 4th of March, 1885.

The silver question precipitated a contro\ersy
between those who were in favor of the continu-
ance of silver coinage and those who were op-
posed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter,
even before his inauguration.

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland married
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and part-
ner, Oscar Folsom, of the Buffalo Bar. Their
union has been blessed by the birth of two daugh-
ters. In the campaign of 1888, President Cleve-
land was renominated bj' his party, but the
Republican candidate, Gen. Benjamin Harrison,
was victorious. In the nomination.'^ of 1892
these two candidates for the highest position in
the gift of the people were again pitted again.st
e\c\\ other, and in the ensuing election President
Cleveland was victorious by an overwhelming
majority.

^C4Af, C^^

6t^7^^?\^L^U'^—tA^

BENJAMIN HARRISON.

QENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third
IC\ President, is the desceudant of one of the
L/ historical families of this country. The first
known head of the family was Maj.-Gen. Harrison,
one of Oliver Cromwell's trusted followers and
fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell' s power it be-
came the duty of this Harrison to participate in
the trial of Charles I., and afterward to sign the
death warrant of the king. He subsequently
paid for this with his life, being hung October 13,
1660. His descendants came to America, and
the next of the family that appears in history is
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, great-grandfa-
ther of the subject of this sketch, and after whom
he was named. Benjamin Harrison was a mem-
ber of the Continental Congress during the years
1774, 1775 and 1776, and was one of the original
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He
was three times elected Governor of Virginia.

Gen. 'Vl'^illiam Henry Harrison, the son of the
di.stinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a
successful career as a soldier during the 'V^'^ar of
18 1 2, and with a clean record as Governor of the
Northwestern Territory, was electe'd President of
the United States in 1 840. His career was cut
short by death within one month after his in-
auguration.

President Harrison was born at North Bend,

Hamilton County, Ohio, August 20, 1S33. His
life up to the time of his graduation from Miami
University, at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful
one of a countrj- lad of a familj' of small means.
His father was able to give him a good education,
and nothing more. He became engaged while at
college to the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of
a female school at Oxford. After graduating, he
determined to enter upon the study of law. He
went to Cinciiuiati and there read law for two
years. At the expiration of that time young Har-
rison received the only inheritance of his life — his
aunt, dying, left him a lot valued at $800. He
regarded this legacy as a fortune, and decided to
get married at once, take this money and go to
some Eastern town and begin the practice of law.
He sold his lot, and, with the money in his pocket,
he started out with his young wife to fight for a
place in the world. He decided to go to Indian-
apolis, which was even at that time a town of
promise. He met with slight encouragement at
first, making scarcely anything the first j'ear.
He worked diligently, applying himself closely to
his calling, built up an extensive practice and
took a leading rank in the legal profession.

In i860, Mr. Harrison was nominated for the
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be-
gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can-

loS

BENJAMIN HARRISON.

vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by
a handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the
Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its
Colonel. His regiment was composed of the raw-
est material, but Col. Harrison employed all his
time at first in mastering military tactics and drill-
ing his men, and when he came to move toward
the East with Sherman, his regiment was one of
the best drilled and organized in the army. At
Resaca he especially distinguished himself, and
(br his bravery at Peachtree Creek he was made
a Brigadier-General, Gen. Hooker speaking of
him in the most complimentary terms.

During the ab.sence of Gen. Harrison in the
field, the Supreme Court declared the ofSce of
Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another
person was elected to the position. From the
time of leaving Indiana with his regiment until
the fall of 1864 he had taken no leave of absence,
but having been nominated that year for the same
office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and
during that time made a brilliant canvass of the
State, and was elected for another term. He then
started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was
stricken down with scarlet fever, and after a most
trying attack made his way to the front in time to
participate in the closing incidents of the war.

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined a re-election
as Reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In
1876 he was a candidate for Governor. Although
defeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for
him a national reputation, and he was much sought
after, especially in the East, to make speeches.
In 1880, as usual, he took an active part in the
campaign, and was elected to the United States
Senate. Here he served for six years, and was
known as one of the ablest men, best lawyers and
strongest debaters in that body. With the ex-
piration of his senatorial term he returned to the
practice of his profession, becoming the head of
one of the strongest firms in the State.

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the
most memorable in the history of our country.
The convention which assembled in Chicago in
June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief .stmd-
ard-bearer of the Republican party was great in
everj- particular, and on fiis account, and the at-

titude it assumed upon the vital questions of the
day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a
deep interest in the campaign throughout the
nation. Shortly after the nomination, delegations
began to visit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his
home. This movement became popular, and from
all sections of the country societies, clubs and
delegations journej-ed thither to pay their re-
spects to the distinguished .statesman.

Mr. Harrison spoke daily all through the sum-
mer and autumn to these vLsiting delegatior.s,
and so varied, masterly, and eloquent were his
speeches that th®^' at once placed him in the fore-
most rank of American orators and statesmen.
Elected by a handsome majority, he served his
country faithfully and well, and in 1892 was nom-
inated for re-election; but the people demanded a
change and he was defeated by his predecessor
in office, Grover Cleveland.

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and
his power as a debater. Gen. Harrison was called
upon at an early age to take part in the dis-
cussion of the great questions that then began to
agitate the country. He was an uncompromisir.g
anti-slavery man, and was matched against some
of the most eminent Democratic speakers of his
State. No man who felt the touch of his blade
desired to be pitted with him again. With all
his eloquence as an orator he never .spoke for ora-
torical effect, but his words always went like bul-
lets to the mark. He is purely American in his
ideas, and is a .splendid type of the American
statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logi-
cal mind and a ready tongue, he is one of the
most distinguished impromptu speakers in the
nation. Many of these speeches sparkled with the
rarest eloquence and contained arguments of great
weight, and many of his terse statements have
already become aphorisms. Original in thought,
precise in logic, terse in statement, yet withal
faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as the
sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day.
During the fast days of his administration Presi-
dent Harrison suffered an irreparable loss in the
death of his devoted wife, Caroline (Scott) Har-
rison, a lady of many womanly charms and vir-
tues. They were the parents of two children.

*i.\\^^^CJ

-^^^^s^^MM.

1%)

aoC-^^c^ ^^{T^^-

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

HADRACH BOND, the first
Governor of Illinois after its
organization us a State, serving
tioni 1818 to 1822, was born in
Frederick County, Maryland,
in tiie year 1773, and was
raised a farmer on his father's
plantation, receiving only a plain
English education. He emigrated
to this State in t794, when it was a
part of the "Northwest Territory,"
continuing in the vocation in which
he had been brought up in his native
State, in the " New Design," near
Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe
County. He served several terms as
a member of the General Assembly
of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such,
and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfth
and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3,
1812, and serving until Oct. 3, [814. These were
the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov-
ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain.
The year 181 2 is also noted in the history of this
State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature
was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and
adjourned Dec. 26, following.

While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mt. Bond
was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp-
tion on the public domain. On the expiration of his
term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of
Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of tlie
Territory In company with John G. Comyges,

Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones,
Warren Brown. Edward Humphries and Charles W
Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the
initial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favor-
able location at the junction of the two great
rivers near the center of the Great West, would
rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter-
prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis-
lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of
Cairo.

In 18 1 8 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor
of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6
that year, which was several weeks before Illinois
was actually admitted. The facts are these: In
January, 1S18, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti-
tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a
State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The
petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the
State on the latitude of the southern extremity of
Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend-
ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In
July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a
constitution, which, however, was not submitted to
the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros
ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record-
ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed
by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This
constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At
that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties,
namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson,
Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington
and Franklin, the northern portion of the State be-
ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears
that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of a

SHADRACH BOND.

county before he was elected Governor. The present
county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80
miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor
the oeople chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and
worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State
is named. In this election there were no opposition
candidates, as the popularity of these men had made
their promotion to the chief offices of the Siate, even
Oefore the constitution was drafted, a foregone con-
clusion.

The principal points that excited the people in
reference to political issues at this period were local
or " internal improvements," as they were called.
State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the
personal characteristics of the proposed candidates.
Mr. Bond represented the " Convention party," for
introducing slavery into the State, supiwrted by Elias
Ke It Kane, his Secretary of State, and John Mc-
Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led
the anti-slavery element. The people, however, did
not become very much excited over this issue until
1820, when the fimjjs Missouri Compromise was
adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south
of the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. While
this measure settled the great slavery controversy,
so far as the average public sentiment was tempor-
arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed
under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas, the issue
as considered locally in this State was not decided
until '824, after a most furious campaign. (See
sketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 1818 was a
compromise one. Bond representing (moderately) the
pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery.

An awkward element in the State government
under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec-
tion of the State constitution. The Convention
wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditor
of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that the
new Governor would not appoint him to the office,
Uie Convention declared in a schedule that " an
auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and
such other officers of the State as may be necessary,
may be appointed by the General Assembly." The
Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large appoint-
ing power in the Governor ; but for the purjxjse of
getting one man into office, a total change was made,
and the power vested in the Legislature. Of this
provision the Legislature took advantage, and de-

clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners,
bank directors, etc., were all '" officers of the State '
and must therefore be appointed by itself independ-
ently of the Governor.

During Gov. Bond's administration a general law
was passed for the incorporation of academies and
towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of
1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis-
sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners
appointed by the State of Indiana, to report on the
practicability and expediency of improving the navi-
gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation
generally. Many improvements were recommended,
some of which have been feebly worked at even till
the present day, those along the Wabash being of no
value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the
capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to
Vandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congress
authorizing this State to open a canal through the
public lands. The State appointed commissioners
10 explore the route and prepare the necessary sur-
veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution ;
but, being unable out of its own resources to defray
the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned
until some time after Congress made the grant of
land for the purpose of its construction.

On the whole. Gov. Bond's administration was
fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from
any party. In 1S24, two years after the expiration
of his term of office, he was brought out as a candi-
date for Congress against the formidable John P.
Cook, but received only 4,374 votes tc 7,460 for the
latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made
many fast friends by a judioioas be::owment of his
gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously
for him in the campaign.

In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg-
islalure, with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom
Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni-
tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton.

Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis-
position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap-
preciation of events. His person was erect, stand-
ing six feet in height, and after middle life became
portly, weighing 200 pounds. H's features were
strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and
eyes hazel ; was a favorite witli the ladies. He died.
April II, 1830, in peace and contentment

Ld^\^<-Uyu) Coxi<^

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

E&\var& Coles,

DWARD COLES, second
Governor of Illinois, 1823-
6, was born Dec. 15, 1786,
in Albemarle Co., Va., on
ihe old family estate called
"Enniscorth y," on the
Green Mountain. His fath-
Li I mil Coles, was a Colonel in the
Revolutionary War. Having been fit-
ted lor college by private tutors, he
was sent to Hampden Sidney, where
he remained until the autumn of 1805,
when he was removed to William and
Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va.
This college he left in the summer of
I Soy, a short time before the final and graduating
examination. Among his classmates were Lieut.
Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wni. S. Archer,
United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice
Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The
President of the latter college, Bishop Madison, was
a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir-
cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming
personally acquainted with the President and re-
ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15.
The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir-
ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old-
fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by
such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the
age of 23, young Coles founa himself heir to a plant-
ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever
since his earlier college days his attention had been
drawo 13 tiie question of slavery. He read every-

thing on the subject that came in his way, and
listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more
he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible
was it for hira to reconcile the immortal declaration
"that all men are born free and equal " with the
practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to
free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove
his residence to a free State. One reason which de-
termined him to accept the appointment as private
secretary to Mr. Midison was because he believed
that through the acquaintances he could make at
Washington he could better determine in what part
of the non-slaveholding portion of tne Union he woulc
prefer to settle.

The relations between Mr. Coles and President
Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished
men, were of a very friendly character, arising from
the similarity of their views on the question of slavery
and their sympathy for each other in holding doc-
trines so much at variance with the prevailing senti-
ment in their own State.

In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a
portion of the following autumn in exploring the
Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo-
cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his
negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with
an extra man and horse for emergencies, through
many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri,
determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time,
however, a misunderstanding arose between our
Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected
to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear-
ing important papers concerning the matter at issue
The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex-

(i6

EDWARD COLES.

aiider) of the error committed by his minister at
Wiishington, and tlie consequent withdrawal of the
the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles
visited other parts of Europe, especially Paris, where
he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette.

In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his
negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with the
intention of giving them their liberty. He did not
inake known to them his intention until one beautiful
morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio
River. He lashed all tlie boats together and called
all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad-
dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him-
self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in
the shortest and fullest manner that they were no
longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty
to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas-
ure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is
best described in his own language :

"The effect upon them was electrical. They stared
at n-.e and then at each other, as if doubting the ac-
curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless
silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word,
but with countenances beaming with expression which
no words could convey, and which no language
can describe. As they began to see the truth of
what they had heard, and realize their situation, there
came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After
a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed
in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to
their gratitude and implored the blessing of God
on me."

Before landmg he gave them a general certificate
of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu-
lady with the law of this State requiring that each
individual should have a certificate. This act of
Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering
the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding
him, has challenged the admiration of every philan-
thropist of modern times.

March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr.
Coles Registrar of the Land Ofifice at EdwardsviLe,
at that time one of the principal land offices in the
State. While acting in this capacity and gaining
many friends by his ix)liteness and general intelli-
gwice, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in
Illinois on the slavery ques'ion culminated in the
furious contest characterizing the campaigns and
elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a
new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr.
Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions,
putting forward for the executive office Joseph
Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C.
Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mil-
itia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr.
Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns,
succeeded in electing him as Governor. His pliiral-
ity over Judge PhilHps was only 59 in a total vote of

over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected
by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech
was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a-
wise ex|)ression of appropriate suggestions as to
elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But
he compromised not with evil. In his message to
the Legislature, the seat of Government being then
at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the
modified form of slavery whi';h then existed in this
State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi-
tion on this suliject seems the more remarkable, when
it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the
population of Illinois being at that time almost ex-
clusively from slave-holding States and by a large
majority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relic
of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course,
a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority of
them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of
the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and
deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the
public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of
mob, or " shiveree " party, who visited the residence
of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled
and groaned and spat fire.

The Constitution, not establishing or permitting
slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be
defective by the slavery politicians, and they desired
a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub-
mit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics
of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven-
tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people.
Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address
published by the latter party. This address revealed
the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly man-
ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti-
mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in
which the Governor was placed at that time.

Our hero maintained himself honorably and with
supreme dignity throughout his administration, and
in his honor a county in this State is named. He
was truly a great man, and those wlio lived in
this State during his sojourn here, like those who
live at the base of the mountain, were too near to see
and recognize the greatness that overshadowed ihem.

Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop
De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter
of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry,
who cam; to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682.

After the expiration of his term of service, Gk)v.
Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup-
erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond
of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri-
cultural society in the State. On account of ill
health, however, and having no family to tie him
down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities.
About 1832 he changed his residence 10 Philadel-
phia, where he died July 7, i868, and is buried at;
Woodland, near that city.

' o c^-(/[yc^-iJL

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

119

INI .^N EDWARDS, Governor
li Irom 1827 to 1830, was a sou
'r of Benjamin Edwards, and
was born in Montgomery
yo County, Maryland, in March,
-^ 1775- His domestic train-
'' ^ mg was well fitted to give
his mmd strength, firmness and
ho orable principles, and a good
foundation was laid for the elevated
character to which he afterwards
attained His parents were Bap-
tists, and very strict in their moral
principles His education in early
jouth was in company with and
partly under the tuition of Hon, Wm.
Wirt, whom his father patronized
and who was more than two years
older. An intimacy was thus
formed between them which was lasting for life. He
was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car-
lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but
before completing his course he moved to Nelson
County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to
purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and
sisters. Here he fell in the company of dissolute
companions, and for several years led the life of a
spendthrift. He was, however, elected to the Legis-
lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson
County before he was 2 i years of age, and was re-
jected by an almost unanimous vote.

In 1798 he was licensed to practice law, and the
following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes-
see. About this time he left Nelson County for
Russellville, in Logan County, broke away from his
dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and
devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He
then began to rise rapidly in his profession, and soon
became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years
he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge
of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth Judge of
the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State,
— all before he was 32 years of age! In addition, in
1802, he received a commission as Major of a battal-
ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1804 was chosen a
Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton
ticket. In 1806 he was a candidate for Congress,
but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of
Appeals.

Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in
the spring of 1809, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief
Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, received
from President Madison the appointment as Gover-
nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date
April 24, 1809. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in
June, and on the i ith of that month took the oath of
office. At the same time he was appointed Superin-
tendent of the United States Saline, this Government
interest then developing into considerable proportions
in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three
years of his administration he had the power to make
new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always
allowed the people of each county, by an informal

NINIAN ED WARDS.

vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili-
tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward
United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed
by Gov. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of
the Territory, which office was accepted for a short
time only.

The Indians in i8io committing sundry depreda-
tions in the Territory, crossing the Mississippi from
the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol-
lowed between the respective Governors concerning
the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav-
ages at Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation of
the treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de-
predations, and was not re-settled for many je.irs
afterward.

As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in
181 2, he was re-appointed for another term of three
years, and again in 1815 for a third term, serving
until the organization of the State in the fall of 1818
and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time
ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States
Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As
Senator, Mr. Edwards took a conspicuous part, and
acquitted himself honorably in all the measures that
came up in that body, being well posted, an able de-
bater and a conscientious statesman. He thought
ieriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but was
persuaded by his old friend, Wm. Wirt, and others to
continue in office, which he did to the end of the
term.

He was then appointed Minister to Mexico by
President Monroe. About this time, it appears that
Mr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of
VVm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States
Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi-
dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of
his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in
order fully to investigate the charges. The result
was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards.

Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws,"
disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and
'.he State of Illinois during the whole of his career in
ihis commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main-
tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important
rxtor in the great struggle which ended in a victory
for his parfy in 1824.

In 1826--7 the Winnebago and other Indians com-
mitted soire depredations in the northern part of the

State, and the white settlers, who desired the lands
and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacu-
ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of
the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be-
tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war,
known in history as the "Winnebago Wnr." A few
chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson
succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief,
and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at
least until the troubles commenced which ended in
the " Black Hawk War " of 1832. In the interpre-
tation of treaties and execution of their provisions
Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The
Indians kept themselves generally within the juris-
diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor,
Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready cor-
respondence with him was difficult or impossible.
Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard to
the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to hav;
been very efficient and satisfactory.

For a considerable portion of his time after his re-
moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his
farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with
horses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also with
fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He estab-
lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively
in mercantilebusiness, having no less than eiglitorten
stores in this State and Missouri. Notwithstanding
the arduous duties of his office, he nearly always pur-
chased the goods himself with which to supply the
stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi-
cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex-
tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and
taking care of, the sick, generally without charge.
He was also liberal to the poor, several widows and
ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to hira
even for their homes.

He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in
1803, and they became the affectionate parents of
several children, one of whom, especially, is welV
known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely,
Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent c<
Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield
Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas-
kaskia from 1809 to 1818; in Edwardsville (named
after him) from tiiat time to 1824; and from the lat-
ter date at Belleville, St. Clair County, until his
death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cholera. Edwards
County is also named in his honor.

i^ M^t^-^^^-'^T'T^-Z/'t!-^-^^

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

123

o<a6-«i»^e>o — ^^-i*'

% ^/*f ( "HN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831-
4, was born in Montgomery Coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788.
{' W^^ *■ ^'^ fatter, Robert Reynolds and
%\ r |; his mother, nee Margaret Moore,
~ ' were botli natives of Ireland, from
which country they emigrated to
the United States in 1785, land-
ing at Philadelphia. The senior
Reynolds entertained an undying
hostility to the British Govern-
ment. When the subject of this
sketch was about six months old,
his parents emigrated with him to
Tennessee, where many of their
relatives had already located, at the base of the
Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of
the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex-
posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest-
ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior
of the State. They were poor, and brought up their
children to habits of manual industry.

In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with
eight horses and two wagons, encountering many
Hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed
the most of his childhood, while his character began
to develop, the most prominent traits of which were
ambition and energy. He also adopted the princi|)le
and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating
liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal.

this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of
the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest
of Edwardsville.

On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing
that he must look about for his own livelihood and
not yet having determined what calling to pursue,
concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly
went to such an institution of learning, near Knox-
ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his
diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of
his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered
wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a
shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself
into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of
Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years,
going through the principal Latin authors; but it
seems that he, like the rest of the world in modem
times, had but very little use for his Latin in after
life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good
degree of literary discipline. He commenced the
study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble
came on and compelled him to change his mode
of life. Accordingly he returned home and re-
cuperated, and in 18 12 resumed his college and
law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 1812 he was
admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time
he also learned the French language, which he
practiced with pleasure in conversation with his
family for many years. He regarded this language
as being superior to all others for social intercourse.

JOHN REYNOLDS.

From his services in the West, in the war of i8i 2,
he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He
was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate.

Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the
winter and spring of 1814, in the French village of
Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County.

In the fall of 181S he was elected an Associate
Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General
Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly tlian
ever into the practice of law, and the very next year
was elected a member of the Legislature, where he
acted independently of all cliques and private inter-
ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for
the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi-
nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and
raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a
"udicial calmness and moderation. The real animus
if the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson,"
'he former party carrying the State.

In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov-
ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he
did all within his jxiwer to advance the cause of edu-
cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun-
try, etc.; also reccmmended the winding up of the
State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously
complicated. In his n?,tional politics, hr was a
moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the
most celebrated event of his gubernatcriai admin-
istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred
in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted
the cont.'jst with commendable diligence, appearing
in person on the battle-grounds during the most
critical periods. He was recognized by the President
as Major-General, and authorized by him to make
treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the
general Government the war was terminated without
much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This
war, as well as everything else, was materially re-
tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the
West. This was its first appearance here, and was
the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds'
term.

South Carolina nullification coming up at this time,
t was heartily condemned by both President Jackson
«nd Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same
grounds as the Unionists in the last war.

On the termination of his gubernatorial term in
..834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con-
gress, still coi:sidering himself a backwoodsman, as
^e had scarcely been outside of the State since he
became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful
days 'u the wildest region of the frontier. His first
move in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in
all elections made by the House for officers the votes
should be given viva voce, each member in his place
naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This
created considerable heated discussion, but was es-

sentially adopted, and remained the controiiing prin-
ciple for many years. The ex Governor was scarcely
absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses-
sions of Congress, covering a period of seven years,
and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed
to get the Democratic party to foster his " National
Road" scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a
large autobiography he published), that it was only
by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in
VVashington. During his sojourn in that city he was
married, to a lady of the place.

In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company
with a few others, he built the first railroad in the
Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long,
leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to
the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not
the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it
by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com-
pany sold out, at great sacrifice.

In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the
Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow
money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord'ngly, he
repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining
a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth
of what was wanted. The same year he and his
wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr.
Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility
of introducing to President Van Buren the noted
Moiinon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day
Saint!"

In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of
the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu
larly for the purix)se of obtaining a feasible charter
for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis,
a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately
built, and was the first road of the kind in the State.
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, when
he was chosen .Speaker of the House. In i860, aged
and infirm, he attended the National Democratic
Convention at Charleston, S. C, as an anti-Douglas
Delegate, where he received more attention from the
.Southern Delegates than any other member. He
supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After
the October elections foreshadowed the success of
Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo-
crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi-
ately preceding and during the late war, his corre-
spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern
secession, and about the first of March, 1861, he
urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the
treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal
at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative
man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch-
words that ever gained currency, besides many cun-
ning and odd ones of his own manufacture.

He was married twice, but had no children. He
died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close
of the war.

^h^lzy^^^^'''^

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

.LIAM LEE I). EWING,
Governor of Illinois Nov. 3
^3 to 17, 1834, was a native
of Kentucky, and probably
of Scotch ancestry. He had
a fine education, was a gentle-
man of polished manners and
refined sentiment. In 1830 John Rey-
nolds was elected Governor of the State,
and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor,
and for the principal events that followed,
and the characteristics of the times, see
sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we
see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in-
forms us that he was a Receiver of Public
Mor eys at Vandalia soon after the organization of
Wii.s State, and that the public moneys in his hands
vere deposited in various banks, as they are usually
'•■th. -^Tesent day. In 1823 the State Bank was
obbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand-
dollar deposit.

The subject of this sketcli had a commission as
Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies
nf acted also as Major. In the summer of 1832,
■"/hen c was rumored among the whites that Block
Hawk and nis men had encamped somewhere on
Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of
reconnoisance, and with orders to drive the Indians
from the State. After some opposition from his
;ubordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up
Rock River in search of the enemy. On the 19th of
tuly, early in the morning, five baggage wagons,

camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti-
cles were piled up and left, so that the army might
make speedy and forced marches. For some miles
the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps
and the worst thickets; but the large, fresh trail
g.ive life and animation to the Annericans. Gen.
Dodge and Col. Ewing were both actmg as Majors,
and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the
army. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50
miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed
became fresher, and was strewed with much property
and trinkets of the red-skins , that they had lost or
thrown away to hasten their march. During the
following night there was a terrific thunder-storm, and
the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor-
oughly drenched.

On approaching nearer the Indians the next day.
Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a
battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the
battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day
Forced marches were continued until they reached.
Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued,
resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's
men. The next day they continued the chase, and
as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians
leading ic-.vard tlie Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed
his battalion in orde*- of battle and awaited the order
of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the
ground and ordered a charge, which directly resulted
in chasing the red warriors across the great river.
Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly
efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors
in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in-

WILLIAM L. D. EWING.

eluding Black. Hawk himself, across the Mississippi,
while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex-
pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for
them in another direction.

In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to
as a " General," which title he had derived from his
connection with the militia.

It w^as in the latter part of the same year (1832)
that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con-
gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to the
Senate, was chosen to preside over that body. At
the August election of 1S34, Gov. Reynolds was also
elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the
time at which he could actually take his seat, as was
then the law. His predecessor, Charles Slade, had
just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec-
tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his
unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash-
ington in November of that year to take his seat in
Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as
President of the Senate, became Governor of the
State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of
15 days namely, from the 3d to the 17th d-iys, in-
clusive, of November. Om the ryth the Legislature
met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his
message, giving a statement of the condition of the
affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin-
uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor; and
on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan
was sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from

the resjxjnsible situation. This is the only time that
such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi-
nois.

On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was
elected a United States Senator to serve out the
unexpired temi of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The
latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the
early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is
named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to
the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi-
tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several
important offices in this State, and Richard M.
Young, afterward a United States Senator and a
Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On
the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes. Young 19
•and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was
dropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on
the 1 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was
accordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewing
received some votes for a continuance of his term in
Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, was
elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State
Audit-'r on the ticket with Gov. Ford.

Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer
by profession, and was much in public life. In person
he was above medium height and of heavy build,
with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and
short face. He was genial, social, friendly and
affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of
originality. He died March 25, 1846.

^.i^iyvt^y^^^^^^-^^--

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

131

^<*X<^J -J

\\W\\\\\>

OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor
1834-8, was born at Paris,
Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the
tender age of 19 years he en-
listed in the war against Great
Britain, and as a soldier he
acquitted himself with credit. He
was an Ensign under the daunt-
less Croghan at Lower Sandusky,
'\ or Fort Stiphenson. In Illinois
lie first appeared in a public capa-
city as Major-General of the Militia,
a position which his military fame
liad procured him. Subsequently
he became a State Senator from
I Jackson County, and is honorably
mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for
a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt-
able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such
men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and ex-
Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time forCongress,
Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his
friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians.
\«, yet he was but little known in the State. He was
an original Jackson man at that time, being attached
to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of
his militaiy achievements. His chances of success
against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless,
but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His
speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were
fill of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of
the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of
his health. The most that was expected of Mr.
Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would

obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr
Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a
source of surprise and amazement to both friends
and foes, as Mr. Duncan came <Jut 641 votes ahead!
He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un-
til this denouement, the violence of party feeling
smoldering in the breasts of the people on account
of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated,
.Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no
other than mene local and pergonal considerations
had ever before controlled an election in Illinois.

From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his
seat in Co.igress until his election as Governor in
August, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the
Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey-
nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the
volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock
Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash-
ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did
not personally participate in it, but addressed circu-
lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed,
attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be-
cause his estrangement from Jackson, formeriy his
political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely
in ascendency in the State, was complete; but while
his defection was well known to his Whig friends,
and even to the leading Jackson men of this State,
the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact
to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at
that day were far inferior to those of the present
time. Of course the Governor was much abused
afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re-
garded party ties and affiliations as nbove all
other issues that could arise; but he was douDtless

132

JOSEPH DUNCAN.

sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter
;iad vetoed several important western measures
which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural
message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand
ngainst the course of the President. The measures
r.e recommended in his message, however, were so
desirable that the Legislature, although by a large
majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain
from endorsing them. These measures related
mainly to banks and internal improvements.

It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that the
people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in-
ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank-
nipted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on,
and the disasters that attended the inauguration of
Jiese plans and the operation of the banks were mu-
tually charged upon the two political parties. Had
any one man autocratic power to introduce and
carry on any one 01 these measures, he would proba-
bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public;
but as many jealous men had hold of the same plow
handle, no success followed and each blamed the other
for the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan
was carried along, suffering the like derogation of
character with his fellow citizens.

At the height of the excitement the Legislature
" provided for " railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton
to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the
eastern boundary of the State in the direction of
Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabash,
Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, — in all
about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the
improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia,
Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ;
also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis-
.ributed to the various counties wherein no improve-
ments were ordered to be made as above. The
estimate for the expenses for all these projects was
Jaced at a little over $10,000,000, which was not
more man half enough ! That would now be equal to
saddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000 ! It
was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times
over, even counting all the possible benefits.

One of the most exciting events that ever occurred
in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love-
ioy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's
term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist,"
editing the Observer at that place, and the pro-
slavery slums there formed themselves into a mob.

and after destroying successively three presses be-
longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse
where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring
to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends
were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the
brave reformer!

About this time, also, the question of removing the
State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for
its existence at Vandalia was dravfing to a close.
There was, of course, considerable excitement over
the matter, the two main points competing for it be-
ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat-
ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully
allayed.

Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842
he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu-
tive chair, this time by the AVhig party, against Adam
W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the
Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi-
date for the same position. Mr. Snyder, however, died
before the campaign had advanced very far, and his
party substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected
receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and
909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success
at this time is mainly attributed to the temporary
support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the
want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses,
that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy en-
tertained in the respective localities.

Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited educa-
tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited
greatly by his various public services, and gathered
a store of knowledge regarding public affairs which
served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear
judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral
courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his
deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira-
tion of the people. His intercourse with them was
both affable and dignified. His portrait at the Gov-
ernor's mansion, from which the accompanying was
made, represents him as having a swarthy complex-
ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black
eyes and straight black hair.

He was a liberal patron of the Illinois ("ollege at
lacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and
died, after a sliort illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted
member of tlie Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife
but no children. Two children, born to them, had
died in infancy.

rVgML^^^^^T^

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

r. O" '<

i^^^p} mx)''^^(^ 4j|aijiii|^]> I

S^^*^^^^HOMAS CARLIN, tlie sixth
" '~ " Governor of the State of

Illinois, serving from 1838
to 1842, was also 1 Ken-
tuckian, being born near
Frankfort, that State, July
18, 1789, of Irish paternity,
le opportunities for an education
jing very meager in his native
lace, he, on approaching years of
■ment and maturity, applied
iself to those branches of learn-
that seemed most important,
thus became a self-made man ;
his taste for reading and
c' xy r-i biiidv remained with him throuuh

^Ji'^p) life. In 1803 his father removed

10 Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he
died in 18 10.

In 1S12 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici-
pated in all the " ranging " service incident to the
war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un-
daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca
Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the
Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis-
souri, where he followed farming, and then removed
to Greene County. He located the town site of Car-
t\>'ion, in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal
donation of land for county building purposes. He
was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate
organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a
Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the
Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a
post of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap-
pointed by President Jackson to the position of
Receiver uf Public Moii-^ys, and to fulfill the office

more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy.

While, in 1S38, the unwieldy internal improvement
system uf the State was in full operation, with all its
expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions
throughout the United States, a great stringency in
the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds
forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest
times " existing that the people of the Prairie State
ever saw, the general election of State officers was
ap[)roaching. Discreet men who had cherished the
hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua-
tion, met witli disappointment. A Governor and
Legislature were to be elected, and these were now
looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State
policy. But the grand scheme had not yet lost its
dazzling influence upon the minds of the people.
Time and experience had not yet fully demonstrated
its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting
its career of profligate expenditures did not become
a leading one with the dominant party during the
camp.iign, and most of the old members of the Leg
islatuie were returned at this election.

Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State
Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the
office of Governor, and S. H. Anderson for Lieuten-
ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed-
wards, brother of Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor,
and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly
for a continuance of the State policy, while Carlir
remained non-committal. This was the first time
that the two main political parties in this State were
unembar'assed i)y any third party in the field. The
result of the election was: Carlin, 35,573; Ander-
son, 30,335; Edwards, 29,629; and Davidson, 28,-

Upon the meeting of the sulisequent Legislature
(1839), the retiring Governor CDuncan") in his mes-

•36

THOMAS CARLIN.

sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the
internal improvement system, presaging the evils
threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost
to correct the great error ; yet, on the contrary, the
Legislature not only decided to continue the policy
but also added to its burden by voting more appro-
priations and ordering more improvements. Although
the money market was still stringent, a farther loan
of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal alone. Chicago at that time began to
loom up and promise to be an important city, even
the great emporium of the West, as it has since in-
deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe-
tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan,
and accordingly hastened to the East on this respons-
ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera-
ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment
io Carlin's administration, the Legislature also de-
clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary
of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a
Whig, who had already held the post by apix)intment
.hrough three administrations, was determined to
keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car-
lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in
this regard, however, was finally sustained by the
Supreme Court, in a quo ivarranio case brought up
before it by John A. McClernand, whom the Gov-
ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that
dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!"
endeavoring to establish the principle of life-tenure
of office.

A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici-
ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges
were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas
Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B.
Scales, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas —
all Democrats.

It was during Gov. Carlin's administration that the
noisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc-
curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however,
did net affect Illinois politics very seriously.

Another prominent event in the West during Gov.
Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by
the Mormons and their removal from Independence,
Mo.7to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time
they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On
account of their believing — as they thought, accord-
ing to the New Testament — that they should have

" all things common," and that consequently " all
the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's "
and therefore the property of his " saints," they
were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing
many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that
were so rife throughout this country in those days.
Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the
Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of
Missouri the Mormons always supix)rted the Dem-
ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic
government, when they turned their support to the
Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the
Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter
of great interest with both parties to conciliate these
people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben-
nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing
through the Legislature (both parties not daring to
oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir-
tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed-
eral Government itself. In the fall of 184 1 the
Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov.
Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader,
as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued th;
writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved.
It was ag.iin issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested,
but was either rescued by his followers or discharged
by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus.

In December, i84r, the Democratic Convention
nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov-
ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla-
ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter
naturally turned their support to the Democratic
party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex-
Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime
the Mormons began to grow more odious to the
masses of the people, and the comparative prospects
of the respective parties for success became very
problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and
Thomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as
a candidate, and was elected.

At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin
removed back to his old home at Carrollton, where
he spent the remainder of his life, £,; before his ele-
vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In 1849
he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the
Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4,
1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife
and seven children.

^O^'^^y-^^'-^

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

139

-sfeijCiju^ ->?=:S

; i'-

THoimii

>rj jT^

-^3-

1—T

=ef-

?.iiLLi^J

jHOMAS FORD, Governor

frum 1S42 to 1846, and au-
thor of a very interesting
history of Illinois, was born
at Uniontown, Pa., in the
year 1 800. His mother, after
the death of her first hus-
band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob-
ert Ford, who was killed in 1802,
by the Indians in the mountains
of Pennsylvania. She was conse-
quently left in indigent circum-
stances, with a large family, mostly
l^^gsv girls. With a view to better her
condition, she, in 1804, removed to
q^^^^'-Ak Missouri, where it had been cus-
^W^ tomary by the Spanish Govern-
ment to give land to actual settlers; but upon her
arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to
the United States, and the liberal policy toward set-
tlers changed by the new ownership. After some
sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to
Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water-
loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis-
sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his fir^t I

schooling, under the instructions of a M •, Humphrey,
for which he had to walk three miles. His mother,
though lacking a thorough education, was a woman
of superior mental endoivments, joined to energy
and determination of character. She inculcated in
her children those high-toned principles which dis-
tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a
rigid economy to provide her children an education ;
but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older
than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit
school to aid by his labor in the support of the family.
He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois
affairs, and but for his early death would probably
have been elected to the United States Senate.

Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities,
received a better education, though limited to the
curriculum of the common school of those pioneer
times. His mind gave eariy promise of superior en-
dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His
proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P.
Cook, wlic^ became his efficient patron and friend.
The latter gentleman was an eminent iiunois states-
man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant
of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the
lUi.iois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the
county of Cook was named. Tnrough the advice oi

THOMAS FORD.

this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the
study of law; but Forquer, theu merchandising, re-
garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl-
vania University, where, however, he remained but
one term, owing to Forquer's failure in business. On
his return he alternated his law reading with teach-
ir.g school for support.

In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed him Prosecuting
Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov.
Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a
Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a
Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As-
sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841,
the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition
of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to
the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity
he was holding Court in Ogle County he received a
notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven-
tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re-
signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In
August, 1842, he was elected, and on the Sth of De-
cember following he was inaugurated.

All the offices which he had held were unsolicited
by him. He received them upon the true Jefferson-
ian principle, — Never to ask .md never to refuse
office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood
deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him
rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo-
cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void
of the moving power of eloquence, so necessary to
success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were
•ound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In
practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in-
sinuating address of the politician, but he saw through
;he arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was
plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at
one time after the expiration of his term of office,
during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by
a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door-
keeper, and was waiied upon at his hotel near mid-
night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view
of effecting a " combination ! "

Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary
politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a
jx)litical leader. He cared little for money, and
hardly enough for a decent support. In person he
was of small stature, slender, of dark complexion,
with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a
pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one
side, and a small mouth.

The three most important events in Gov. Ford's
administration were the establishment o£ the high
financial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and
;he Mexican War.

In the first of these the Governor proved himself
to be eminently wise. On coming into office he found
the State liadly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of
the notorious "internal improvement" schemes of

the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to
show by w.ay of "improvement." The enterprise
that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the
rest was the Illinois & .Michigan Canal. As this
promised to be the most imixirtant tlioroughfare,
feasible to the people, it was well under headway in
its construction. Therefore the State policy was
almost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on tc
completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State
was growing so large as to frighten the people, and
they were about ready to entertain a proposition for
repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to
recommend such measures as would maintain the
public credit, for which every citizen to-day feels
thankful.

But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for
his connection with the Mormon troubles than for
anything else; for it was during his term of office
that the " Latter-Day Saints " became so strong at
Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num-
bers throughout the count-y, committed misdemean-
ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of
their leader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven
out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a
Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of
course was no i-committal concerning Mormon affairs,
and was therefore claimed by both parties and also
accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the
other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of
religion, the Governor no doubt was " between two
fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather
" gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when
that pestilential peoj)le left the State. Such compli-
cated matters, especially when religion is mixed up
with them, expose every person participating in
them to criticism from all parties.

The Mexican War was begun in the spring of
1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term
of Mr. Ford's suxessor. The Governor's connection
with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it
was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc.

Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and
entertaining work, 01450 small octavo pages, and is
destined to increase in value with the lapse of time.
It exhibits a natur.il flow of compact and forcible
thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In
tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations
of the professional politician, in which he is inimit-
able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection
that all his contem[X)raries are treated as mere place-
seekers, while many of them have since been judged
by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings
seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit
a little splenetic partiality against those of his con-
temporaries who were prominent during his term of
office as Governor.

The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111.,
Nov. 2, 1850.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

143

_^^^^/y<MV^

;.^;:?fAi;iS^S:S^S^f^*«iS*«iS*S;g*

AtigustUH O. French

■i'*:;S^s«*;:ir>s*sig-^»$;;s-'^-S;s^

^^^v^y^^

^i^—.^^ — o<s6<lilSH<!

7/^"^UGUSTUS C. FRENCH,
Governor of Illinois from
1846 to 1852, was born in
the town of Hill, in the
State of New Hampshire,
Aug. 2, 1808. He was a
descendant in the fourth
generation ot Nathaniel
French, who emigrated from England
in 16S7 and settled in Saybury, Mass.
In early life young French lost his
father, but continued to receive in-
struction from an exemplary and
Christian mother until he was 19 years
old, when she also died, confiding to
his care and trust four younger broth-
ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with
parental devotion. His education in early life was
such mainly as a common school afforded. For a
Srief period he attended Dartmouth College, but
from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers
and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently
read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, and
shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at
Albion, Edwards County, where he established him-
self in the practice of law. The following year he
removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained
eminence in his profession, and entered public life
by representing that county in the Legislature. A
strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste-
phen .\. Douglas.

In 1839. Mr. French was appointed Receiver of
the Uiiieil States Land Office at Palestine, Craw-
ford County, at which place he was a resident when

elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was
a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for
James K. Polk.

The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet-
ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French
for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were
Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of
Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scates.
Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly,— an array of
very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per-
haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that
he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal,
as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant
Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi-
dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton
Cloud, J. B. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The
resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita-
tion of the old State Banks.

The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, held
their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor,
and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for
Lieutenant Governor.

In the campaign the latter exposed Mr. French's
record and connection with the passage of the in-
ternal improvement system, urging it against his
election; but in the meantime the war with Mexico
broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un-
popular in this State. The war was the absorbing
and dominating question of the period, sweeping
every other political issue in its course. The elec-
tion in August gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, and
Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, .Abolitionist
candidate for the same office, received 5,152 vot»«s

AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH:

By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election for
State officers was ordered in November of that year,
before Gov. French's terra was half out, and he was
re-elected for the term of four years. He was there-
fore the incuaibe.it for six consecutive years, the
only Governor of this State who has ever served in
that capacity so long at one time. As there was no
organized opposition to his election, he received 67,-
453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of the
first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V.
Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for
James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of
Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in
place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected
ai7.d did not run again.

Governor French was inaugurated into office dur-
ing the progress of the Me.^ican War, which closed
during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2,
1848. The iX)licy of Gov. French's party was com-
mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair
he was, of course, only an administrative officer.
During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legisla-
ture, by special perinission of Congress, declared that
all Government lands sold to settlers should be im-
mediately subject to State taxation; before this they
were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar-
rangement the revenue was materially increased.
About the same time, the distribution of Government
.and warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty
threw upon the market a great quantity of good
lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State.
The same Legislature authorized, with the recom-
mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern
Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the
first in the State and now a section of the Wabash,
St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds,
ulthough it had cost the State not less than a million.
The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve-
in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern-
ment to the State, were also authorized by the
Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. In
1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State
revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was
sufficient to meet the current demands upon the
treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the
State at this time was over $100,000,000, and the
population 851,470.

In 1849 the Legislature adopted the township or-
ganization law, which, however, proved defectiKe,
and was properly amended in 185 1. At its session
in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed
a law to exempt homesteads from sale 011 executions
This beneficent measure had been repeatedly oiged
upon that body by Gov. French.

In 1850 some business men in St. Louis com-
menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of
their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi
in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking
away from them as it sometimes threatened to do.
This they undertook without permission from the
Legislature or Executive authority of this State ; and
as many of the inhabitants tliera complained that
the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable
land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re-
sulting in favor of the St. Louis project; .nd since
then a good site has existed there for a city (East St.
Louis), and now a score of railroads center there.

It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted
to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of
the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad,
which constituted the most important epoch in the
railroad — we might say internal improvement — his-
tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com-
pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in-
terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi-
zens, and by the charter a good income to the State
Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road.

In 1851 the Legislature passed a law authorizing
free stock banks, which was the source of much leg-
islative discussion for a number of years.

But we have not space further to particularize
concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra-
tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised,
while the country was settling up as never before.

In stature, Gov. French was of medium height,
squarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face
and pleasant countenance. In manners he was
plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat
diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con-
victions of duty. In public speech he was not an
orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In
business he was accurate and methodical, and in his;
administration he kept up the credit of the State.

He died in 1865, at his home in Lebanon, Sr.
Clair Co., V.\.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

|(0el 3-V. 3-Ua-Mts

lli|'%i^/lf" V'KL A. MATTESON, Governor
w' '''''^l^L^ f^** 'S5 3-6, was burn Aug. 8, 1S08,
''3 J' i^ilr'T ' ^' ''^ Jefferson County, New York,
' 'X.'>i\^ f to which place his father had re-
moved from Vermont three years
before. His father was a f;irmer
in fair circumstances, but a com-
mon English education w;is all
that his only son received. Young
Joel first tempted fortune as a
small tradesman in Prescott,
Canada, before he was of age.
He returned from that place to
his home, entered an academy,
taught school, visited the prin-
cipal Eastern cities, improved a farm his father had
given him, made a tour in the South, worked there
in building railroads, experienced a storm on the
Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern
Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and
through Illinois to his fatlier's home, when he mar-
ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed,
with his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered
a claim on Government land near the head of Au
Saljle River, in wliat is now Kendall County. At
ihat time there were not more than two neighbors
within a range of ten miles of his place, and only
liree or fo ir houses betweeii him and Chicago. He
opened a l.irge farm, His family was buardtd 12

miles away while he erected a house on his claim,

sleeping, daring this time, under a rude pole shed.
Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by
a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed.

In 1835 he bought largely at the Government land
sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which
broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State,
he sold his lands under the inflation of that period
and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy
contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon
the completion of his job in 1841, when hard times
prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State
scrip; when all the public works except the canal
were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons
of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat-
teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and
sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit,
enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a
surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise
next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet,
in which he prospered, and which, after successive
enlargements, became an enormous establishment.

In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but,
by a bungling apportionment, jc in Pearson, a Senator
holding over, was found to be in the same distrlc;,
and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat-
teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however
with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of

148

JOEL A. MATTESON.

greed for office, unwilling to represent his district
under the circumstances, immediately resigned his
unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a
few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days'
time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took
his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity
as a business man, he was made Chairman of the
Committee on Finance, a position he held during
tliis lialf and two full succeeding Senatorial terms,
discharging its imiMrtant duties with ability and faith-
fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest,
when work was resumed on the canal under the new
loan of $[,600,000 he again became a heavy con-
tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in
building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most
energetic and thorough business man.

He was nominated for Governor by the Demo-
cratic State Convention which met at Springfield
April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con-
vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of
Cook ; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of
Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton ; and D. P. Bush,
of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom-
inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices
the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and De-xter A.
Kiiowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at
the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat-
teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul-
tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being
all tilings to all men. His intellectual qualities took
rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His
turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage-
ment of party, or the [wwerful advocacy of great gov-
ernmental principles, as in those more solid and
enduring operations which cause the physical devel-
opment and advancement of a State, — of commerce
and business enterprise, into which he labored with
success to lead the people. As a politician he was
just and liberal in his views, and both in official and
private life he then stood untainted and free from
blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social
rirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or
citizen, he had few superiors. His messages present
a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the
State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant
diction.

The greatest excitement during his term of office
was the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, by Con-

gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in
1854, when the bill was passed organizing ilie Teni
tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of
the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op
position to the Democratic party, naturally drifted
into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what
was temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party,
while the followers of Douglas were known as " Ne-
braska or Douglas Democrats." It was during this
embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham
Lincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska "
candidate for the United States Senatorship, while
Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-noni-
inated by the Democrats. But after a few ballotings
in the Legislature (1855), these men were dropped,
and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat,
was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson,
then Governor, by the latter. On the irth ballot
Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was ac-
cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson 's
term expired, the Republicans were fully organized
as a national party, and in 1856 put into the field a
full national and State ticket, carrying the State, but
not the nation.

The Legislature of r855 passed two very import-
ant measures, — the present free-school system and a
submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the
people. The latter was defeated by a small majority
of the popular vote.

During the four years of Gov. Matteson 's admin-
istration .the taxable wealth of the State was about
trebled, from $137,8 r 8,07 9 to $349,95 1,272; the pub-
lic debt w:is reduced from $17,398,985 to $[2,843,-
144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the
State resumed paying interest on its debt in New
York as fast as it fell due ; railroads were increased
in their mileage from something less than 400 to
about 3.000 ; and the population of Chicago was
nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad-
rupled.

Before closing this account, we regret that we have
to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an
upright man and a good Governor, was implicated
in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrio, amount-
ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir-
cuit Court the State recovered the principal and all.
the interest excepting $27,500.

He died in the winter of 1872-3, at Chicago.,

'.■''-'S.

GO VEMNORS OF ILLINOIS.

151

"""^l^

1 1 LIAM H. BISSELL, Gov-
ernor 1857-60, was born
Ajjril 25, iSii, in the
State of New York, near
Painted Post, Yates County.
His parents were obscure,
honest, God-fearing people,
u lio re ired their children under the daily
example of iiidustiy and frugality, accord-
ing to the custom of that class of Eastern
society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta-
ble but not thorough academical education.
By assiduous application he acquired a
knowledge of medicine, and in his early
manhood came West and located in Mon-
roe County, this State, where he engaged in the
practice of that profession. But he was not enam-
ored of his calling: he was swayed by a broader
ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the
healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him
further any cliarms. In a few years he discovered
his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when
he approached the age of 30 he sought to begin
anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him-
self, discovered a singular facility and charm of
speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a
ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under-

stood that he desired to abandon his profession and
take up tliat of the law. During terms of Court he
would spend his time at the county seat among the
members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready
welcome.

It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift
into public life. In r84o he was elected as a Dem-
ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and
was an efficient member of that body. On his re-
turn home he qualified himself for admission to the
Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo-
cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a
pure diction, charming and inimitable gestures,
clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly
humor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible
effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut-
ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and
in tliat position he fully discharged his duty to the
State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom
failed to convict the offender of the law.

In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and
with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis-
tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark,
his head well poised, though not large, his address
pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplary
in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent.
He was twice married, the first time to Miss James,

'52

WILLIAM H. BISSELL.

ot Monroe County, by whom he had two children,
both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840,
and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter
of Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senator
from this State. She survived hi•l^ but a short time,
and died without issue.

When the war with Mexico was declared in 1846,
Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his
rcgi'iient, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost
unanimous vote, — 807 to 6. Considering the limited
opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of
military talent. On tlie bloody field of Buena Vista
he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished
ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second
Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver-
ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely
contested battle.

After his return home, at the close of the war, he
was elected to Congress, his opponents being the
Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served
two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician.
During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor
of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and
therefore the Kansas-Mebraska bill of Douglas, and
thus became identified with the nascent Republican
party.

During his first Cuiigressioaal term, while the
Southern members were following their old practice
of intimidating the North by bullying language,
and claiming most of the credit for victories in the
Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the
Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena
Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern
troops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel,
which was accepted. This matter was brought up
against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor
and during liis term of office, as the Constitution of
this State forbade any duelist from holding a State
office.

In 1856, when tlie Republican party first put fortii
a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the
United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell
for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy,
for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi-
nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County,
for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook
Countv, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the

election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard-
son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a
ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal-
anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor.
His message to the Legislature was short and ratheJ
ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup-
posed obligations of the people to the incorporators
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re-
opening the slavery question by allusions to the
Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion-
ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was
passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor
at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious
debate followed, and the question whether the Gov-
ernor h;id the authority to recall a signature was
referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in
favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another
outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment
and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature
failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor.

It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that
the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light,
implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent
State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat-
ing $255,500, was all recovered by the State except-
ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.)

In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudu-
lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and
thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a
million dollars. The State Government was impli-
cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex-
plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other
matters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has been
severely criticised, and he has also been most shame-
fully libelled and slandered.

On account of exposure in the army, the remote
cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance
into his system and eventually developed paraplegia,
affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left
his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco-
motion e.^ccept by the aid of crutches. While he was
generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste-
rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its
stealthy hold, to the close of his life, March 18,
i860, over nine months before tlie expiration o' hi-,
gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He
died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. o<
which he har* been a member since 1854.

Go VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

155

iHNWOOD, Governo/ i86o-i,and
i\ '' ^'^^ the first settler of Quincy, III.,
was born in the town of Sempro-
<»; ll'vt*/ ^'^ nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co.,

'via.t' ..^ei I^ .>■ N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was
the second child and only son of
Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother,
nee Catherine Crause, was of
German parentage, and died
while he was an infant. Dr.
Wood was a learned and skillful
physician, of classical attain-
ments and proficient in several
modern lai.guages, who, after
serving throughout the Revolu-
tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land granted
him by the Government, and resided there a re-
spected and leading influence in his section until his
death, at the ripe age of 92 years.

The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit
of Western adventure then pervading everywhere,
left his home, Nov. 2, 1818, and passed the succeed-
ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum-
mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown,
and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun
County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes,
he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast
of Quincy, where for the ne.xt two years he pursued
farming. In 1821 he visited "the Bluffs" (as the
present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited)
and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchased
a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow-
ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin.

18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of which
he then became the first and for some months the
only occupant.

About this time he visited his old friends in Pike
County, chief of whom was William Ross, the lead-
ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that
county, which was thought then to be the possible
commencement of a city. One day they and others
were traveling together over the country between the
two points named, making observations on the com-
parative merits of the respective localities. On ap-
proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place,
the latter told his companions to follow him and he
would show them where he was going to build a city.
They went about a mile off the main trail, to a high
pwint, from which the view in every direction was
most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet
untouched by the hand of man. Before them swept
by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by
navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at
length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross
replied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to
anything!"

Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is a
city of over 30,000 population.

In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice,
as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply
to the General Assembly for the formation of a new
county. This was done the following winter, result-
ing in the establishment of the present Adams
County. During the next summer Quincy was se-
lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then
containing but four adult male residents and half

*S0

JOHN WOOD.

that number of females. Sinoe that period Mr.
Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un-
til his death, and far more tlian any other man was
he identified with every measure of its progress and
history, and almost continuously kept in public posi-
tions.

He was one of the early town Trustees, and after
the place became a city he was often a member of
the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the
face of a constant large opposition political majority.
In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856,
on the organization of the Republican party, he was
chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the
ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the
death of the latter, March 18, i860, he succeeded to
the Chief Executive cliair, which he occupied until
Gov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months after-
ward.

Nothing very marked characterized the adminis-
tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam-
paign of i860, resulting in tlie election of the honest
Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the
United States, occurred during the short period
while Mr. Wood was Governor, and tiie excitement
and issues of that struggle dominated over every
other consideration, — indeed, supplanted them in a
great measure. The people of Illinois, during all
that time, were passing tlie comparatively petty strifes
under Bissell's administration to the overwhelming
issue of preserving the whole nation from destruction.

In 1861 ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele-
gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at
Washingtoti, and in April of the san.e year, on the
breaking opt of the Rebellion, he was appointed

Quartermaster-General of the State, which position
he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com-
mand as Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf, with
whom he served until the period of enlistment ex-
pired.

Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi-
fied with tlie Whig and Republican parties. Few
men have in personal experience comprehended so
many surprising and advancing local changes as
vested in the more than half century recollections of
Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler
on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor
within a score of miles, the world of civilization away
behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his
only visitant, he lived to see growing around him,
and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the
wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second
only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in
beauty, prosperity and promise; whose people recog-
nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and
liberality that attach to the name and lengthened
life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor."

Gov. Wood was twice married, — first in January,
1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter,
formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had
eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in
June, 1S65, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow
of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4,
1880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight
children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of
Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C, who married Mary J.
.'Vbernethy; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner,
and Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. The
last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and
all the rest are still at Quincy.

'HICHARD YATES, the "War
' Governor," 1861-4, was bom
Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of
the Ohio River, at Warsaw,
Gallatin Co., Ky. His lather
moved in 1831 to Illinois, and
fi-s ^ Uc "-^^ ^^"^"^ stopping for a time in
ijTg^^^^ Springfield, settled at Island

^^ij^'T'V Grove, Sangamon County. Here,
s4.*'«Slii» ^fti^r attending school, Richard joined
the family. Subsequently he entered
'^^^^^ Illinois College at Jacksonville,
J^^nL where, in 1837, he graduated with

first honors. He chose for his pro-
fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har-
din being his instructor. After ad-
mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an
advocate.

Gifted witli a fluent and ready oratory, he soon
appeared in the political hustings, and, being a
passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the
West. Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to
he par.ty of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great
■■'dor in the exciting "hard cider" campaign for
-.'arrison. Two years later he was elected to the
Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic
nronghold. He served three or four terms in the
I^egislature, and such was the fascination of his ora-
ry that by 1850 his large Congressional District,
I ^tending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties
. jrth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered htm
t'i» Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic
opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop-
. 'ar man who had won distinction at the battle of
^erro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had
jeater. Mun. Stephen T. Logan for the same position.

two years before, by a large majority. Yates waj
elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over
John Calhoun.

It was during Yates second term in Congress that
the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com-
promise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re-
opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took
strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became
identified with the rising Republican party. Conse-
quently he fell into the minority in his district, which
was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he
fell behind Major Harris only 200 votes, after the
district had two years before given Pierce 2,000
majority for President.

The Republican State Convention of 1S60 met at
Decatur May 9, and nominated for the office of Gov-
ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B.
Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blnoming-
ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were
also candidates before the Convention. Francis A.
Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated fot
Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr.
Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re-
membered as characterized by the great whirlpool
which precipitated the bloody War of the Rebellion.
The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of
Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ro-s,
of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The
Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party
had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear-
ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr.
Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr Allen 159,253. Mr.
Yates received over a thousand more votes than did
Mr. Lincoln himself.

Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during cne

l6o

RICHARD YATES.

most critical period of our country's history. In the
fate of the nation was involved that of each State.
The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance
from, the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates
seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself
both loyal and wise in upholding the Government.
He had a deep hold upon the affections of the
people, won by his moving eloquence and genial
manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre-
possessing appearance, with a winning address and a
magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele-
ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and
captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they
were transixjrted. He was social and convivial. In
the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far.

The very creditable military efforts of this State
during the War of the Rebellion, in putting into the
field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers,
were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel-
lency; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of
"the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battle of
Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look
after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were
promptly responded to by the people. His procla-
mations calling for volunteers were impassionatc
appeals, urging upon the people the duties and rer
quirements of patriotism ; and his special message
in iS6_^ to the Democratic Legislature of this State
pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded
soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor
of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in
beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes-
sages on political and civil affairs were able and com-
prehensive. During his administration, however,
there were no civil events of an engrossing character,
although two years of his time were replete wiih
partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar-
rests. Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton
County, attempted suppression of the Chicago Times
and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of
1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting
during the Governor's term. This Convention assem-
bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that
'he law calling it was no longer binding, and that it
.'.ad supreme power; that it represented a virtual
assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was
sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary lo
effect a peaceable revolution of the State Government

and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness,
prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only
by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the
law calling the Convention required its members to
take an oath to support the Constitution of the State
as well as that of the general Government, they
utterly refused to take such oath. They also as-
sumed legislative powers and passed several import-
ant "laws!" Interfering with the (tlien) present
executive duties. Gov. Yates was -rovoked to tell
them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right
of the Convention to instruct him in the performance
of his duty."

In 1863 the Governor astonished the Democrats
by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after
a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to
waste time upon various partisan resolutions; and,
while the two houses were disagreeing upon the
question of adjourning .{/«<■ die, the Governor, having
the authority in such cases, surprised them all by
adjourning them " to the Saturday next i)receding the
first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to great
excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the
Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided ir.
his favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive
abuse for weeks and months afterward.

During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de-
tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber-
ation of the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the
burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellioi
in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the
camp at the time, firs', liad his suspicions of danger
aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters
which passed through the Camp postoffice. .A de-
tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen.
Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed
name, and he, with other rebel officers — Grenfell,
Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Charles
Walsh — was arrested, most of whom were convicted
by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to
imprisonment, — Grenfell to be hung. The sentence
of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison-
ment for life, and all the otliers, after nine months'
imprisonment, were pardoned.

In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov
ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in
which office he continued until his decease, at St.
Louis, Mo., on the 27th of Novemlier following.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

163

RieJiard J. Oglesi

#>#

-i—

lICHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov-
ernor 1865-8, and re-elected
in 1872 and 1884, was born
July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co.,
Ky., — the State which might
be considered the " mother of
Illinois Gijvernors." Bereft of
his parents at the tender age
of eight years, his early education
was neglected. When 12 years of
age, and after he had worked a year
and a half at the carpenter's trade,
he removed with an uncle, Willis
Oglesby, into whose care he had
been committed, to Decatur, this
State, where he continued his ap-
prenticeship as a mechanic, working six months for
Hon. E. O. Smith.

In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring-
field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him
one year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, and
commenced the practice of his chosen profession at
Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County.

The next year the war with Mexico was com-
menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered,
was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois
Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat-
tles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo.

On his return he sought to perfect his law studies
by attending a course of lectures at Louisville, but
on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in
1849, lie crossed the plains and mountains to the
new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com-

pany of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader.

In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and
was placed that year by the Whig party on the ticket
of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe,
Asia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his
return home he resumed the practice of law, as a
member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby.
In 1858 he was the Republican nominee for the
Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the
Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 he
was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the
evening the returns of this election were coming in.
Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " Cerro
Gordo Williams," in which he came out victorious,
and which was regarded as " the first fight of the
Rebellion." The following spring, when the war
had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature
quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and
he enlisted. Tlie extra session of the Legislature
elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry,
the second one in the State raised to suppress the
great Rebellion.

He was shortly entrusted with imiwrtant com-
mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point
and Cairo; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen-
eral; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van,
being stationed on the right of General Grant's army
and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500
men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these
men were from Macon County. He was engaged in
the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this
place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball,
and was carried from the field in expectation of ina-

164

RICHARD J. OGLESBY.

mediate death. That rebel ball he carries to this
day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as
Major General, for gallantry, his commission to rank
from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he
was assigned to the command of the i6th Army
Corps, but, owing to inability from the effects of his
wound, he relinquished this command in July, that
year. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept his
resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow-
ing, to court-martial and try the Surgeon General of
the Army at Washington, where he remained until
May, 1864, when he returned home.

The Republican, or Union, State Convention of

1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr.
Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor,
while other candidates before the Convention were
Allen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga-
mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. VVm.
Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant
Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were
James C. Robinson, of ("lark, for Governor, and S.
Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor.
The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority
of about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also a
majority in both the Legislature and in the repre-
sentation in Congress.

Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865.
The day before the first time set for his installation
death visited his home at Decatur, and look from it
his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of si.ic
years, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. This
caused the inauguration to be postponed a week.

The political events of the Legislative session of

1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to the
United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13th
amendment to the Constitution of the United States,
abolishing slavery. This session also signalized
itself by repealing the notorious " black laws," part
of which, although a dead letter, had held their place
upon the statute books since 1819. Also, laws re-
quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a
State Board of Equalization, were passed by this Leg-
islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor-
ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted
some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota-
bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse
railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now
sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure
was promptly passed over his veto by both branches
of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to
attempt to check their headlong career. At this
session no law of a general useful character or public
interest was perfected, unless we count such the
turning oVer of the canal to Chicago to be deepened.
The session of 1867 was still more productive of
private and special acts. Many omnibus bills were
proposed, and some passed. The contests over tlie
^Dcation of the Industrial College, the Capital, tlie

Southern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement
and Illinois River improvement, dominated every-
thing else.

During the year 1872, it became evident that if
the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the
office of Governor, they cotild also elect him to the
United States Senate, which they desired to do.
Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu-
tive chair, and placed upon the ticket with him for
Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook
County. On the other side the Democrats i)ut into
the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John
C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election
gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from
3S'334 to 56,174, — the Democratic defection being
caused mainly by their having an old-time Whig and
Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket
for President. According to the general understand-
ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature met
it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate,
whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena-
tor Oglesby 's term expired March 4, 1S79, having
served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of
statesmanship beyond criticism.

During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was
nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the
State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor
of Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both
gentlemen "stumped " the State, and while the peo-
ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a joiiv;
ballot, as between the two parties, they gave tlie
jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov-
ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1S85. The
Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on
account of its equal division between the two main
parties and the consequent desperate tactics of eacl:
party to checkmate the latter in the organization of
the House.

Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, with
regular, well defined features and rotund face. In
stature he is a little above medium height, of a large
frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical appear-
ance is striking and prepossessing, while his straight-
out, not to say bluff, manner and speech are wel.
calcuL^Ued favorably to impress the average masses.
Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol-
icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanisn:
among Republicans, while at the same time his jovia.
and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite
party from hating him.

He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehe-
ment, passionate and scornful tone and gesture'.,
tremendous physical power, which in speak'ng ho
exercises to the utmost ; with frequent descents to
the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari-
sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest
vernacular and enforced with stentorian e::ii;hasis,
he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure

cm^k (Pa

&_£-''^u^

GO VER IVORS OF ILLINOIS.

10/

./ HS M. Fal mer

■'.; l'.^'^^'l'»;"l'.; i'd'.v i'h^ji'^;^' ; i' : i' /:^i

^..'^^..'l':^.'^a^'^a»'^^l^^^tggi^^'^,.'

:=:s;SN:

■f^s

>'^.

-f)HN Mc AULEY PALMER, Gov-
[%*■ eriior 1869-72, was born on
','j E:igle Creek, Scott Co., Ky ,

t" \t^\' Sept. 13, 1817. During his in-

"W.""^ • »l%d!l r- fancy, his father, who had been
a soldier in the wur of 1812, re-
moved to Christian Co., Ky.,
wliere lands were cheap. Here
the future Governor of the great
'Jm^ Prairie State spent his childliood

and received such meager school
ing as the new and sparsely set-
tled country afforded. To this
he added materially by diligent
reading, for which he evinced an
eaily aptitude. His father, an ardent Jackson man,
was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which
he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831
he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison Comity.
Hltc the labor of improving a farm was pursued for
abiiut two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's
nioiher broke up the family. About this time Alton
College was opened, on the "manual labor " system,
and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his
elder lirother, Elilui, entered this school and remained
18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried
variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching.

Duiing the summer of 1838 he formed the ac-
quain?;ince of Siei^ilien A Douglas, then making his

first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in
political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi-
dence, Sred his ambition and fixed his purpose. The
following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be-
gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading
of la.v, and in the spring entered a law office at Car-
liiiville, making his home with his elder brother,
Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con-
siderable orginaliiy of thought and doctrine.) On
the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad-
mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners.
He was not immediately successful in his profession,
and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville
had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty
was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes
the success of his life.

From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his
profession, he participated more or less in local
politics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. Ir
1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con
vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 ht,
was elected to the State Senate, and at the special
session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slaverj
sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op
position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
and when the Nebraska question became a part;
issue he refused to receive a re-nomination for tin
Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuinj,
a circular to that efTect, A few weeks afterward

i68

JOHN MC AULEY PALMER.

however, hesitating to break with his party, he par-
ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nouii-
T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which
unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas-
Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made
the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska
Democrat, and was elected. The following winter
ne put in nomination for the United States Senate
Mr. Trumbull, and was one of the five steadfast men
who voted for him until all the Whigs came to their
support and elected their man.

In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State
Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in
1859, but was defeated. In i860 he was Republican
Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861
ne was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re-
publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace congress at
'•Vashington.

When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his
services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the
•4th 111. Vol. Inf, and participated in the engagements
at Island No. 10 ; at Farmington, where he skillfully
extricated his command from a dangerous position ;
at Stone River, where his division for several hours,
Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a
rock, and for his gallantry there he was made M;ijor
General; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's
divisions for two hours maintained their position
when they were cut off by overpowering numbers
Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the i4lh
Army Corps and participat:d in the .Atlanta campaign.
At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert
disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as-
signed to the military administration of Kentucky,
which was a delicate post. That State was about
half rebel and half Union, and those of tlio latter
element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves.
He, who had been bred to the rules of common law,
trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary
power ovjr the persons and property of his fellow
men, with which he was vested in his capacity as
military Governor; and he exhibited great caution in
the execution of the duties of his post.

Gen. Palmer was nominated for Governor of Illi-
nois Ijy the Republican State Convention which met
at Peori I May 6, 1868, and his nomination would
probably liave been made by acclamation had he not
persistently declared that he could not accept a can-

didature for the office. The result of the ensuing
election gave Mr. Palmer a m.ijjrity of 44,707 over
John R. Eden, the Dvjmocratic nominee.

Oi the meeting of the Legislature in January,
1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was
that portion of tlie Governor's message which took
broad Slate's rights ground. This and some minor
pjints, which were more in keeping with the Demo-
cratic sentiment, constituted the entering wedge f)r
the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received
f 10 n the Republican party, and ultimuely resulted
in his entire aleniaMon from the litter element. The
Legislature just referred to was r.oted for the intro-
duction of numerous bills in the interest of private
parties, whicli were embarrassing to the Governor.
Among the public acts passed was that which limited
railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum
of three cents per mile; aid it was passed over the
Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto,
the "tax-grabbing law" to pay r^.ilroed subscriptions,
the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The sew State
Constitution of [870, far superior to the old, was a
peaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov.
Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the
great Chicago Fire of October, 1871, was greatly
alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency.

Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has
been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and
h.is been talked of by many, especially in the Dem-
ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a
United States Senator. His business during life has
been that of tlie law. Few excel him in an accurate
appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles-
The great number of his able veto messages abun-
dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to
|)oint them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner
arid an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker,
though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his
dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with
appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot
and a statesman of very high order. Physically lie is
above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy
complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament He
has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social
in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his
habits of life, democratic in liis habits and manners
and is a true American in liis fundamental princi[)le'
of statesmansliii .

Jlr^^^X^^ /Ju^v^^^oUc^

Gi,'VER.yORS OF ILLINOIS.

17'

X^A f ®l\«|. %. jPf f^f fltlgf

.a' •a'iSi'^'^^'^'a?

OHN LOWRiE BEVER-
IDGE, Governor 187 3-6, was
born in the town of Green-
wich, Washington Co., N. Y.,
July 6, 1824. His parents
were George and Ann Bever-
•',) idge. His father's parents, An-
drew and Isabel Beveridge, be-
fore their marriage emigrated
from Scotland just before the
Revolutionary War, settling in
Washington County. His father
- ' >| was the eldest of eight brothers, the
^ _^j voungest of whom was 60 years of
age when the first one of the num-
ber died. His mother's parents,
James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated
from Scodand at the close of the
Revolutionary War, settling also in
;itl Washington Co., N. Y., with their
first-born, whose " native land "was
the wild ocean. His parents and
grandparents lived beyond the time
allotted to man, their average age
being over 80 years. They belonged to the " .Asso-
ciate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of

.\merica from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid
was the training of young Beveridge that he neve:
heard a sermon from any other minister except that
of his own denomination until he was in his 19th
year. Later in life he became a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still
holds.

Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed-
ucation, but liis parents, who could obtain a livelihood
only by rigid economy and industry, could not send
him away to college. He was raised ujxsn a farm,
and was in his i8th year when the family removed
to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was
very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000
inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a
farm laborer, teaching school during the winter
months to supply the means of an education. In the
fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at
Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently several
terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris,
Ogle Co., III., completing the academic course. At
this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers
were anxious to have him go to college, even though
he had not money sufficient; but, n .t willing to bur-
den the family, he packed his trunk and with only
$40 in money sUrted South to seek his fortune

IT?.

JOHAf L. Bh VE RIDGE.

Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus
entered upon the battle of life.

First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and
Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which experience he under-
went considerable mental drill, both in book studies
and in the ways of the world. He read law and was
admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn
to love the institution of slavery, although he ad-
mired many features of Southern character. In De-
cember, 1847, he returned North, and Jan. 20, 1848,
he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark-
Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that
time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring
of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee,
where his two children. Alia May and Philo Judson,
were born.

in the fall of 1849, through the mismanagement
of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu-
lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to
earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb
Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro-
fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival
from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in
money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself
and family. He borrowed a little money, pnicticed
^aw, worked ill public offices, kept books for some of
the business men of the town, and soine railroad en-
gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed
to Evanston, 12 miles north of Chicago, a place then
but recently laid out, under the supervision of the
Northwestern University, a Methodist institution.
Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial
agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge
prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law
office in Chicago, where he found the battle some-
what hard; but he persevered with encouragement
and increasing success.

Aug. 12, 1861, his law partner. Gen. John F.
Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of
cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a
company forit. He succeeded in a few days in rais-
ing the company, of course enlisting himself along
with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles,
m., was mustered in Sept. 18, and on its organiza-
tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at-
tached, Oct. II, to the Eighth Cav.ilry and to the
Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment
until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat-

tles and skirmishes : was a\ Fair Oaks, llie seven days
fight around Riclimond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg. He commanded tlie regiment
the greater part of the summer of 1863, and it was while
lying in camp this year that he originated the policy
of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac-
ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system
It worked so well that many other officers adopted
it. In the fall of this year he recruited anothercom-
pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was
commissioned Colonel of the 17th 111. Cav., and
skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the
reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's
army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various
sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered
out Feb. 6, 1866, s:ife from the casualties of war and
a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men
idolized him.

He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with
no library and no clienla-e, and no political experi-
ence except to help others iito office. In the fall of
1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving
one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced
law and closed up the unfinishtd business of his
office. He was then elected State Senator; in No-
vember, 187 I, he was elected Congressman at large;
in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov-
ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby ; the latter be-
ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became.
Governor, Jan. 21, 1873 Thus, inside of a few
weeks, he was Congressma 1 at large. Lieutenant
Governor and Governor. The principal events oc-
curring during Gov. Beveridge 's administration were:
The completion of the revision of tlie statutes, begun
in 1869; the partial success of t'v; " farmers' move-
ment;" " Haines' Legislature " a id IlUiiois' exhibit at
the Centennial.

Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov
Beveridge has been a member of tlie firm of Bever-
idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial
paper at 71 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block),
Chicago, and since November, iSSi, he has also been
-Assistant United States Treasurer- office in the
Government Building. His residence is still at Ev-
anston.

He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in
De KaU) County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet
Henry and Mrs Isabel French.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

'71

Shelby M. €ii.]a)m.

HELBV M. CULLOM, Gover-
nor 1877-83, ib the sixLh child
of the late Richard N. Cullom,
and was born Nov. 22, 1829,111
Wayne Co., Ky., wliere his fa-
ther then resided, and whence
both the Ilhnois and Tennessee
branches of the family originated. In
the following year the family emi-
grated to the vicinity of Washington,
Tazewell Co., 111., when that section
was very sparsely settled. They lo-
cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at
the time occupied by a party of In-
dians, attracted there by the superior
hunting and fishing afforded in that
vicinity. The following winter was
known as the " hard winter," the snow being very
deep and lasting and the weather severely cold; and
the family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or
hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In
the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom-
inent citizen and was several times elected to the
Legislature, both before and after the removal of the
caviital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about
'873-

Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up

tc agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had

'DDortunity during the winter. Within this time,

ov/ever, lie spent several months teaching ^rhool.

and m the following summer he "broke prairie "with
an ox team for the neighbors. With the money ob-
tained by these various ventures, he undertook a
course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a
Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County:
but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu-
dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken
home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While
at Mt. Morris lie heard Hon. E. B. V/ashburne make
his first speech.

On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to
study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln,
at Springfield, who had by this time attained some
notoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being ab-
sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr.
Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards.
After about a year of study there, however, his healtb
failed again, and he was obliged to return once more
to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs for
packing, for A. G. Tyng, in Peoria, and while he re-
gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in
a few weeks. Having been admitted to the B.ir, he
went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City
Attorney, on the .\nti-Nebraska ticket.

In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi-
dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as
such, he was at the same time elected a Representa-
tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a
local coalition of the American and Republican par-
ties. On the organization of the House, he received
the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practictr^

176

SHELB Y M. CULLOM.

law uiiiil iS6o, he was again elected to the Legisla-
ture, as a Republican, while the county went J)emo-
tr.itic on the Presidential ticket. In January foUow-
inji he was elected Speaker, probably th^ youngest
man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis-
lature. After the session of 1861, he was a candidate
for the State Constitutional Convention called for
that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the
disgiace of being connected with that abortive party
scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In
1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but
was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap-
pointed by President Lincoln on a Government
Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of
Massachusetts and Cnarles A. Dana, since of the
Ntw York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the
Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at
Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty.

In 1864 he entered upon a larger political field,
being nominated as the Republican candidate for
Congress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, in
opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had
been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over
Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago.
The result was the election of Mr. Cullom in Novem-
ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he
was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by
the magnificent majority of 4,103! In 1868 he was
again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards,
anr)tlier of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes.

During his first term in Congress he served on the
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in
the Treasury Department; in his second term, on
the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territories ;
and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of
Oliio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro-
duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of
law ill Utah, which caused more consternation among
the Mormons than any measure had previously, but
'.vhicli, though it passed the House, failed to pass the
Senate.

The Republican Convention which met May 25,
1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the
other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten-
ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor
of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the
Democrats, combining with the Anti-Monopolists,
Dlaced in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy

farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The
result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom
obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated
Jan. 8, 1877.

Great depression prevailed in financial circles at
this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of
1873 and afterward, the effect of wliich had seemed
to gather force from that time to the end of Gov.
CuUom's first administration. This unspeculative
period was not calculated to call forth any new
issues, but the Governors energies were at one time
put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that
had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring
classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East
St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring
men for a short tune refused to work or allow others
to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and
the wheels of industry again set in motion.

In May, 1880, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by
the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by tlie
Democrats; and although theformer party was some-
what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous
faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant
men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected
by about 314,565, to 277,532 forthe Democratic State
ticket. The Greenback vote at the same tmie was
about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again
became Republican, and no representative of the
(jreenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov.
Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, iS8t. In his mes-
sage he announced that the last dollar of the State
debt had been provided for.

March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as United
States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul-
lo n was cliosen to succeed him. This promoted
Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov-
ernorship. Senator CuUom's term in tlie United
St.-ttes Senate will expire March 4, 1889.

As a practitioner oflaw Mr. C. has been a member
of the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, at Spring-
field; and he has also been President of the State
National Bank.

He has been married twice, — the first time Dec.
1 1!, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had
t\*o daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863,
to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is p. member of the Method -
isl Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mi.
C. is also in sympathy.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

179

•i<*:t&*?"'?-#^

i^T$*5";^^srir<=»*;"$4'$;:S^ss^-S;s-#$"g-<s^:!S«^;;:$«^;g<&

- ":. — S 'JisHJi^'^

OHN MARSHALL HAMIL-
TON, Governor 1883-5, ^^^
born May 28, 1847, in a log
house upon a farm about two
miles from Richwood, Union
County, Ohio. His father was
Samuel Hamilton, the eldest son
of Rev. Wni. Hamilton, who, to-
gether with his brother, the Rev.
Samuel Hamilton, was among the
early pioneer Methodist preachers in
Ohio. The mother of the subject of
this sketch was, before her marriage,
Mrs. Nancy McMorris, who was
born and raised in Fauquier or Lou-
doun County, Va., and related to the
two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well
known in that commonwealth; and from the latter
family name was derived the middle name of Gov.
Hamilton.

In March, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's tether sold out
his little pioneer forest home in Union County, O.,
and, loading his few household effects and family
(of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons,
moved to Roliens Township. Marshall Co., 111., being
21 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams
and innumerable hardships and privations met them
on their way. Their new home had been previously
selected by the faiher. Here, after many long years
oftoil, tliey succeeded in paying for the land and
.nakir.g a comfort''''-^ home. John was, of course,

brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling
except three or four months in the year at a common
country school. However, he evinced a capacity
and taste for a high order of self-education, by
studying or reading what books be could borrow, as
the family had but very few in the house. Much of
his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in
the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial
panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing
their liome, to pay debts ; but the father and two
sons, William and John, "buckled to" and perse-
vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed
their place from the mortgage.

When the tremendous excitement of the political
campaign of i860 reached the neighborhood of Rob-
erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been
brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal-
ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Making special
efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he
joined a company of Lincoln Wide-Awakes at Mag-
nolia, a village not far away. Directly after the
ensuing election it became evident that trouble
would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake
company, like many others throughout the country,
kept up its organization and transformed itself into a
military company. During the ensuing summer they
met often for drill and became proficient; but when
they offered themselves for the v.-ar, young Hamilton
was rejected on account of his youth, he being then
but 14 years of age. During the winter of 1863-4 he
attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County,

i8o

JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON.

and in the following May he again enlisted, for the
fourth time, when he was placed in the 141st 111.
Vol. Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111.,
for the 100-day service. He took with him 13 other
lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the
service. This regiment operated in Southwestern
Kentucky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine.

The following winter, 1864-5, Mr. Hamilton taught
school, and during the two college years 1865-7, he
went through three years of the curriculum of the
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The
third year he graduated, the fourth in a class of 46,
in the classical deparutient. In due time he received
the degree of M. A. For a few months he was the
Principal of Marshall " College '" at Henry, an acad-
emy under the auspices of the M. E. Church. By
this lime he had commenced the study of law, and
after earning some money as a temporary Professor
of Latin at the Illinois VVesleyaa University at
Bloomington, he entered the law office of Weldon,
Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member of
this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge.
Admitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamilton
was given an interest in the same firm, Tipton hav-
ing been elected Judge. In October following he
formed a partnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time
Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then
small, but they increased it to very large proportions,
practicing in all grades of courts, including even the
U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continued
atnbroken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamilton
was sworn in as Executive of Illinois. On the 4tl)
•f March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con-
gress.

In July, 187 I, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen
M. Williams, the dau_L;hter of Prof. VVm. G, Williams,
Professor of Greek in the Ohio Weileyan University.
Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son.

In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re-
publicans for the State Senate, over other and older
competitors. He took an active pait " on the stump "
in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was
elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic-
Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on
the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti-
tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel-
lany ; and during the contest for the election of a
U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re-

elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war chief on
every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi-
cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and
the Democrats and Independents elected Judg?
David Davis. At this session, also, was passed the
first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of
which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, against cs
much opposition that the bill was several times
" laid on the table." Also, this session authorized
the location and establishment of a southern peni-
tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the session
of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected Vx^'ixAtrA pro tern.
of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John
A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who was this time
elected without any trouble.

In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on
the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his
principal competitors before the Convention being
Hon. Wm. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of '■"'abash
County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and
Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged
actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected
by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor,
he presided almost continuously over the Senate in
the 32d General Assembly and during the early days
of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship.
When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. CuUom
to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton
succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the
oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the
annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon
taking up another's administration. The principal
events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as
the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis-
aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison
Counties in May, 1883, the appropriations for the
State militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license
liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc.

The Governor was a Delegate at large to the
National Republican Convention at Chicago in June,

1884, where his first choice for President was John
A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but
he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr.
Blaine, true to his party.

Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30,

1885, when the great favorite "Dick " Oglesby was
inaugurated.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

183

•f^v^...

#»

r;^USEPH WILSON FIFER. This
distinguished gentleman was
elected Governor of Illinois
November 6, 1888. He was
[lopulavly known during the
c-arapaigu as "Private Joe." He
had served with great devotion
to his country during the Re-
bellion, in the Thirty-third
Illinois Infantry. A native of
Virginia, he was born in 1840.
His parents, John and Mary
(Daniels) Fifer, were American
born, though of German de-
scent. His father was a brick
and stone mason, and an old
in politics. John and Mary
Fifer had nine children, of whom Joseph was the
sixth, and naturally, with so large a family, it was
all the father could do to keep the wolf from the
door, to say nothing of giving his children any-
thing like good educational advantages.

Joseph attended school for a while in Virgina,
but it was not a good school, and when his father
removed to the AVest, in 1857, Joseph had not ad-
vanced much further than the "First Reader."
Our subject was sixteen then and suffered a great
misfortune in the loss of his mother. After the

Henry Clay Whig

death of Mrs. Fifer, which occurred in Missouri,
the family returned to Virgina, but remained only
a short time, as during the same year Mr. Fifer
came to Illinois. He settled in McLean County
and started a brickyard. Here Joseph and his
brothers were put to work. The elder Mr. Fifer soon
bought a farm near Bloomington and began life
as an agriculturist. Here Joe worked and attended
the neighboring school. He alternated farm-work,
and brick-laying, going to the district school for
the succeeding few years. It was all work and no
play for Joe, yet it by no means made a dull boy
of him. All the time he was thinking of the great
world outside, of which he had caught a glimpse
when coming from Virginia, yet he did not know
just how he was going to get out into it. He
could not feel that the woods around the new farm
and the log cabin, in which the family lived, were
to hold him.

The opportunity to get out into the world was
soon offered to young Joe. He traveled a dozen
miles barefoot, in company with his brother George,
and enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third Illinois
Infantry, he being then twenty years old. In a
few days, the regiment was sent to Camp Butler,
and then over into Missouri, and saw some vigor-
ous service there. After a second time helping to
chase Price out of Missouri, the Thirty-third Regi-

184

JOSEPH W. FIFER.

ment went down to Milliken 's Bend, and for several
weeks "Private Joe" worked on Grant's famous
ditch. The regiment then joined tlie forces oper-
ating against Port Gibson and Vicksl)urg. Joe
was on guard duty in the front ditclies when the
flag of surrender was run up on the 4th of Jul}-,
and stuck tlie bayonet of his gun into the embank-
ment and went into the city with the vanguard of
Union soldiers.

The next da}', July 5, the Thirty-third joined
the force after Johnston, who had been threatening
Grant's rear; and finally an assault was made on him
at Jackson, Miss. In this charge "Private Joe" fell,
terribly wounded. "He was loading his gun, when
a minie-ball struck him and passed entirely
through his body. He was regarded as mortally
wounded. His brother, George, wlio had been
made a Lieutenant, proved to be the mcaus of sav-
ing his life. The Surgeon told him that unless he
had ice his brother could not live. It was fift}- miles
to the nearest point where ice could be obtained,
and the roads were rough. A comrade, a McLean
County man, who had been wounded, offered to
make the trip. An ambxilance was secured and
the brother soldier started on the journey. He re-
turned with the ice, but the trip, owing to the
roughness of the road, was very hard on liim. Af-
ter a few months' careful nursing, Mr. Fifer was able
to come home. The Thirtj'-third came home on a
furlough, and when the boys were ready to return
to the tented field, young Fifer was ready to go
with them, for he was determined to finish his
term of three years. He was mustered out in Oct-
ober, 1864, having been in the service three 3-ears
and two months.

"Private Joe" came out of the armj- a tall, tan-
ned, and awkward young man of twenty-four.
About all he possessed was ambition to be some-
body — and pluck. Though at an age when most
men liave finished their college course, the young
soldier saw that if he was to be anybody he must
have an education. Yet he had no means to ena-
ble him to enter school as most young men do.
He was determined to have an education, however,
and that to him meant success. For the following
four years he struggled with his books. He en-

tered Wesleyan University January 1, 1865. He
was not a brilliant student, being neitlier at the
head nor at the foot of his class. lie was in great
earnest, however, studied hard and came forth with
a well-stored and disciplined mind.

Immediately after being graduated, he entered
an office at Bloomington as a law student. He
had previously read law a little, and as he continued
to work hard, with the spur of poverty and prompt-
ings of ambition ever with him, he was ready to
hang out his professional shingie in 1869. Being
trustworthy, he soon gathered about him some in-
fluential friends. In 1871 he was elected Corpora-
tion Counsel of Bloomington. In 1872 he was
elected State's Attorney of McLean Count}^ This
office he held eight years, when he took his seat in
the State Senate. He served for four j-ears. His
ability to perform abundance of hard work made
him a most valued member of the Legislature.

Mr. Fifer was married in 1870 to tiertic, daugh-
ter of William J. Lewis, of Bloomington. Mr. Fifer
is six feet in height and is spare, weighing only one
hundred and fifty pouuds. He has a swarthy com-
plexion, keen black eyes, quick movement, and pos-
sesses a frank and sympathetic nature, and natur-
lly makes friends wherever he goes. During the
late gubernatorial campaign his visits throughout
the State proved a great power in his behalf. His
faculty of winning tlie confidence and good wishes
of those with whom he comes in personal contact
is a source of great popularity, especially during a
political battle. As a speaker he is fluent, his lan-
guage is good, voice clear and agreeable, and man-
ner forcible. His manifest earnestness in what he
says, .as well as his tact as a public speaker, and his
eloquent and forceful language, make him a most
valuable campaign orator and a powerful pleader
at the bar. At the Republican State Convention,
held in May, 1888, Mr. Fifer was chosen as its
candidate for Governor. He proved a popular
nominee, and the name of "Private Joe" became
familiar to everyone throughout the Stale. He
waged a vigorous campaign, was elected by a good
majority, and in due time assumed the duties of
the Chief Executive of Illinois.

/?.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

187

^^r^.^Srt?^

j-ClIX P. ALTGELD, the present
v.; Governor of Illinois, is a native
f'^**" of Prussia, born in 1848. Shortly
after his birth his parents emi-
grated to America, locating on
a farm near Mansfield, Ohio.
When but a mere lad, joung
Altgeld had to walk from the
farm to Mansfield with butter,
eggs and garden produce, which
he peddled from house to house.
About 1856, his parents moved
to the city of Mansfield, and for
a time our subject was engaged
morning and evening in driv-
ing cattle to and from the pas-
ture, a distance of eight miles. When fourteen
years of age he hired out as a farm hand, and con-
tinued in that avocation the greater part of his
time until he was sixteen years of age, when he
enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-
lourth Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of
the war. On being mustered in, the regiment was
sent to Washington and was actively engaged in
the various canij)aigns in and around that city
until the surrender of Lee. In the fall of 1864,
young Altgeld was taken sick, while with his regi-
ment in the front, and the surgeon desired to send
him to a hospital in Washington; but he asked to

be allowed to remain with the regiment, and soon
recovering from his sickness was actively engaged
until the close of the war. He was mustered out
at Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of 1865. The
succeeding summer he worked with his father on
a farm, during which time he became connected
with the Sunday-school and was given cliarge 'yl
the Bible class. Before entering tlie army he had
but very limited educational advantages, having
attended school but a part of two summers and
one winter. He had at home, however, studied
the German language and had become familiar
with some German authors. Determining to fit
himself for a useful life, he resolved to attend a
select school at Lexington, Ohio, and in a little
eight-b}'-ten room, meagrely furnished, he kept
"bachelor's hall," and in time was so far advanced
that he secured a cei-tificate as teacher, and for
two years was engaged in that profession. At the
end of that time he left home and traveled exten-
sively over the country', working at odd jobs, un-
til he finally reached Savannah, Mo., where he en-
tered a law office, and in 1870 was admitted to the
Bar. In the fall of 1872, he ran as • rosecuting
Attorney for Andrews County, Mo., and was de-
feated by four votes. He ran again in 1874 and
was elected. But life in the small town of Savan-
nah was a little too monotonous for him, and he
deterxnined to locate in Chicago. In October,

188

JOHN P. ALTGELD.

1875, be resigned the office of Prosecuting Attor-
ney, moved to Cliicago, and at once commenced
the practice of law. For some j-ears after he had
but little to do with politics, confining himself to
his piactice and dealing in real estate. One year
after his arrival in Chicago he found himself with-
out a dollar, and in debt some $400. By a streak of
good luck, as it might be termed, he won a case in
court, from which he received a fee of $900, and
after pa3'ing his debt he had 1500 left, which he
invested in real estate. This venture proved a
successful one, and from that time on the profits
of one transaction were invested in others, and
to-day he is numbered among the millionaire resi-
dents of the great metropolis of the West.

In 1884, Mr. Altgeld was nominated for Con-
gress, but was defeated by three thousand votes.
In 1886, be was nominated and elected Judge of
the Superior Court of Cook County. His services
as Judge were such as to commend him to the peo-
ple. Early in the year 1892, by the solicitation of

many friends, he announced himself as a candi-
date for Governor. At the convention held
April 27, he received the nomination and at once
entered upon an active canvass. Alone, he traveled
all over the entire State, and visited and consulted
with the leading politicians of eveiy section. He
made few public speeches, however, until near the
close of the campaign, but it was ver}' evident that
lie was master of the situation at all times. When
tlie votes were counted at tiie close of election
day, it was found that he had a majority of the
votes, and so became the first Democratic Governor
of Illinois since 1856.

Born in poverty, alone, single-handed and un-
aided, he faced the world, and with a determina-
tion to succeed, he pressed forward, until to-day he
has a National reputation,- and is the envied of
many. The lesson of his life is worthy of careful
study by the young, and shows what can be done
by one who has the desire in his heart to attain a
front rank among the noted men of the country.

'©)^^^^^??S^5t(

Randolph, Jackson, Perry

and Monroe Counties,
Illinois.

(gr^^^-^..^^^

LJj ^i>j !i__y

cMs

-mm INTRODUCTORY.

Y«r>£^%yHE time has arrived when it
''[y/f becomes the duty of the
■^'" people of this county to per-
petuate the names of their
pioneers, to furnish a record
of their early settlement,
and relate the story of their
progress. The civilization of our
day, the enlightenment of the age
and the duty that men of the pres-
ent time owe to their ancestors, to
themselves and to their posterity,
demand that a record of their lives
and deeds should be made. In bio-
graphical history is found a power
to instruct man by precedent, to
enliven the mental faculties, and
to waft down the river of time a
^afe vessel in which the names and actions of the
people who contributed to raise this country from its
l)rimitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly
the great and aged men, who in their ])rime entered
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re-
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days
jf setilement is becoming small indeed, so that an
nctual necessity e.xists for tlie collection and preser-
vation of events without delay, before all the early
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time.

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough,
in spite of their best works and the most earnest
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor-
tion 'o the amount of intelligence they possessed.
Th-; (lyramiils of Kgvpt were liuilt to perijctuate the
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu-
mations made by the ar^-heologists of Egypt from
buried Men-.phis indicate a desire of those people

to perpetuate the memory of their achievements.

The erection of the great obelisks were for the same
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu-
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their
great achievements and carry them down the ages.
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea —
to leave something to show that they had lived. All
these works, though many of them costly in the ex-
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac-
ters of those whose memory they were intended to
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity;
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum-
bling into dust.

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli-
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un-
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and
this is through the art of printing.

To the present generation, however, we are in-
debted for the introduction of the admirable system
of local biography. By this system every man, though
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness,
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history,
through the coming ages.

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the
physical man is left. The monument which his chil-
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the cemt^
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished,
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated
by a record of this kind.

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we
engrave theiu portraits, for the same reason we col-
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to
wait until they are dead, or until those who know
them are gone: -to do this we are ashamed only to
publish to the world the history of those whose lives
are unworthy of public record.

GEN. JOHN A. LOGAN.

g:-f#'

^^EN. JOHN A. LOGAN was born in Frank-
'|[ (5— lin County, 111., in 1824. He entered mili-
'^^5 tarj' service as Captain in the Mexican War
and served for two 3'ears. At the beginning of
the Civil War he espoused the cause of the Union
and entered the volunteer service in 1861, when
he raised and commanded the Thirty-first Illinois
Infantry. At the battle of Belmont, Mo., he led
his men into the fight with great gallantry.
Though they were raw troops and had never stood
fire, yet thej- fought on this occasion, under the
lead of Colonel Logan, with a bravery seldom sur-
passed bv veteran soldiei-s.

At the battle of Ft. Donelson, Colonel Logan's
command held the right of the line and was
pressed b\' overwhelming odds. Stubbornly resist-
ing the massed columns of the enemy, he succeeded
in holding his position until reinforcements were
brought and the Confederates finally driven from
the field. On that occasion he was severely
wounded the first day of the battle, but refused to
go to the rear. For his meritorious conduct in
that engagement he was made a Brigadier-General
and assigned to the army under command of Gen-
eral Grant. At the battle of Shiloh he displa\ed
his usual courage and solid fighting qualities. For
daring and distinguished conduct al this terrible
trial of strength between the great contending
armies, he was promoted to Major-General Novem-
ber 29, 1862.

Taking command of a division. General Logan
accompanied Grant through the Vicksburg cam-
paign, and after the fall of that city, the Father of
Wat«rs became, as in days past, the common prop-
erty of the American people. Before the war be-
gan. General Logan, in a speech to the people of
Illinois, declared that " If the rebel states, or anj'
other foreign Government, ever attempted to con-

trol the mouth of the JHssissippi River the men of
the northwest would hew their way to the Gulf of
Mexico, sword in hand." That prophecy was
fully realized. The people of the northwest nobly
vindicated the truth of what General Logan had
said years before, and forever settled the question
that the men of the great northwest are unaltera-
bl}' resolved that the Mississippi River is the com-
mon birthright of the children of its far-spreading
valleys, which they will neither voluntarily relin-
quish nor peacefully surrender. It was indeed a
proud day for General Logan when he could stand
on the ruins of the last hostile fortification along
this noble river and fully realize the thought that
the j-eomanrj' of the northwest had literally
carved their way through the entire Confederacy
to vindicate their claim to this, the greatest of all
American rivers. The Stars and Stripes could now
be raised on a steamboat at St. Paul, Minn., and
borne, proudl3- waving, to the mouth of the na-
tional thoroughfare and out on the gulf below.
This work having been finished by the western
arm^', the command sought other fields of con-
quest.

From Vicksburg (ieneral Logan started with
Sherman, through Mississippi and Alabama, to the
relief of Chattanooga, in Tennessee. November
24, 1863, the battle of Mission Ridge was fought
and won. In that great conflict Logan bore a con-
spicuous part and again acquitted himself with
distinguished honor. At the beginning of the At-
lanta campaign he was placed in command of the
F'ifteenth Atlanta Cavalry. In command of this
corps he made the celebrated march through the
entire Confederacy, from Chattanooga to Atlanta,
thence to Savannah, through the Carolinas and
Virginia to Richmond, and on to Washington. On
reaching the latter city General Howard was ap-

204

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pointed Superintendent of the Freedraen's Bureau,
and General Logan succeeded to the command of
the Arm}- of the Tennessee, consisting of tlie Fif-
teenth and Seventeenth Atlanta Cavalry. Thus
from the position of an humble station he had
fought his way to tiie supreme command of a
magnificent army of a hundred thousand men.

In every department of life the native talents
and energy of the General brought him success.
As a lawyer his was a brilliant career. As a poli-
tician, he had, before the Rebellion, attained a
wide and growing popularity in Illinois, having
been elected to Congress, and having held other
posts of honor. Illinois may be proud of her Logan,
whose noble valor has vindicated her honor in
many a fiercely fought battle, and whose eminent
achievements in peaceful pursuits are surpassed
only by his daring deeds in the bloody theatre of
war. He was a lover of militar}- science and born
to be a commander. Among tlie soldiers he was
the idol of the Army of the Tennessee. He Mas
loved by his men not only because he was their
commander, but literally their leader on all occa-
sions where danger was to be encountered.

At the close of the Civil War, General Logan
resigned his position and retired to civic life,
though from that time until his death, December
26, 1886, he was closely associated with the history
of Illinois and the United States as well. In per-
son he was a remarkable man, resembling no other
general. His complexion was dark, his eyes and
hair very black, and in stature he was low and
heav}-. He wore his hair and mustache long,
which increased his resemblance to the Indian
chiefs of the western wilds.

^^^ APT. A. BEECHER, who now follows farra-
[if^ ing on section 20, Makanda Township,
^^^' Jackson County, is one of the honored vet-
erans of the late war, who valiantly followed the
Old Flag through the thickest of the fight and
stood by the Union until its preservation was an
assured fact. He was born in Canada, April 30,
1836, and is a son of Alex and Harriet Beecher,
who are still living in that country. His father

was born in Massachusetts, but his mother was
born in Canada, and was of French descent. The
Captain was reared on a farm and was educated
in the common schools. He followed brick-mak-
ing for a few years, and in 1858 came to the
United States. After a year spent in St. Louis,
he took up his residence in Makanda Township,
where he has since made his home.

On the Uth of August, 1862, Mr. Beecher be-
came a member of Company D, Eighty -ninth Illi-
nois Infantry. He joined the regiment at Chicago,
and was sent to Louisville, where the troops were
attached to General Buell's command, and entered
the Murfreesboro campaign, participating in the
battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Liberty Gap,
Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Knox-
ville, Daudndge and Lookout Mountain. He also
helped to build the railroad bridge across the Hal-
sten River, and then burned it. The Atlanta cam-
paign came on, and Captain Beecher took part in
the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dalton,
Peach Tree Creek, Marietta, Atlanta, Lovejo}' Sta-
tion, .Jonesboro, Pulaski, Pleasant Hill, Franklin
and Nashville. He served under Generals Buell,
Rosecrans and Thomas. On the 16th of November,
1863, he was made Second Lieutenant, and in
October, 1864, became Fii-st Lieutenant. He com-
manded the company from September 21, 1863,
until mustered out, June 27, 1865. He was never
off duty and was never absent from a battle. A
brave and faithful soldier, he was always found at
his post, faithful to the Old Flag, which now floats
triumphantly over the united Nation.

Captain Beecher was married August 21, 1865,
to Miss Belle Hilliard, who was born in Greene
County, Ohio, January 7, 1844. They became the
parents of ten children, of whom eight are j'et liv-
ing: Jlattie S., wife of Henry M. Ingram, of
Pinckneyville, by whom she has two children;
Alex M., of California; Blanche B., wife of Allen
Penrod, by whom she has one child; Fred Merrill;
Alida A.. Josephine Myra, Katie Maud and Henry
Ward. The family are all members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in
church and Sunday-school work. Miss Alida is
successfully engaged in teaching, and is a promi-
nent worker in the Epworth League. The Captain

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

205

is the oldest Mason in Makanda Township, and
has frequently held offices in his lodge. He also
belongs to the Knights of Honor and to Makanda
Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a stalwart Re-
publican, and in the year 1890 served as Census
Enumerator of his district. Since the year 1859
he has resided upon his present farm, and has
been very successful in his agricultural pursuits.
His life has been well and worthily spent, and
Captain Beecher is one of the highly esteemed
citizens of the community.

/p^EORGE W. LEAYITT. Wiiat presents a
ill g— pleasanter picture than old age grace-
^^J fully reached after a well spent and pros-
perous life! There is something very pleasant in
looking back upon the years that intervene be-
tween childhood and old age, and living in mem-
ory all the triumphs and joys of years spent in an
effort to benefit self and neighbors at the same
time. And sucli is the case witli Mr. and Mrs.
Leavitt, who are botii about eight3' years of age.
They are strong and active, and are comfortably-
fixed in a financial way. True, they have expe-
rienced the usual amount of "ups and downs"
that come almost invariably in a busy career, Ijut
on the whole they have have known much of suc-
cess and happiness. This is in a great measure
due to the fact that they have passed their da3-s
in peace, free from the dissipations and vexations
of the gay world.

Mr. Leavitt h.as made his home in this count}'
for more than fift}' jears, devoting his attention
entirely to agricultural pursuits. His birth oc-
curred near Kaskaskia, III., December 11, 1813, be-
ing a son of Abijah and Elizabeth Leavitt, natives
of Maine. The father came to Illinois in 1803 with
Generals Stoddard and Pike, and located on a
farm near Kaskaskia. Our subject enjoj'ed only
limited opportunities for an education, attending
the primitive schools of his neighborhood. When
thirteen years old he began to carry the mail from
Kaskaskia to St. Louis on horseback, and con-
tinued at this for the following thirteen years.

In 1840 Mr. Leavitt came to Randolph County

with his young wife and purchased a small farm.
He was soon enabled to purchase another tract,
which he likewise improved. He was sufficiently
shrewd to grasp at every opportunity for the bet-
tering of his financial condition, but has never
done so at the expense of his own self-respect
or by fraudulent means. He is to-daj' the second
oldest resident of the county, and is enjoying good
health, and bj^ his correct mode of living has
gained a popularity which is merited in every re-
spect. Man}- and interesting are the incidents of
pioneer life that he can relate, and he never fails
in gaining attentive listeners.

In 18-40 our subject was married to Miss Sarah
Nifold, a daughter of Daniel Nifold, a native of
Kentucky, but who was a resident of Randolph
Count}- at the time of his death. To this mar-
riage were born six children, all of whom are now
deceased. In 1864 Mrs. Leavilt was also called to
the home of rest, and our subject in 1865 was
married to Sarah Meyers. Four children came to
bless this union. Emily is the wife of Will-
iam Wright and lives in this county; Annie mar-
ried Ed Wilson and is a resident of Sparta; Jes-
sie, the wife of Cul Nixon, resides in this county;
Carrie Happick married Charles Bushe, and they
also made their home in this county. Mr. Leavitt
is a member of the Baptist Church, while his good
wife belongs to the Methodist denomination. Po-
litically, our subject casts his vote in favor of the
Democracy, but in local matters thinks best to
vote for the man and not the party.

I I I 1 1 I |l a r Ml

Sip^/ RE D E R I C K KESSEL, who is numbered
ti/sy among the enterprising and representative
Jts farmers of Kinkaid Township, Jackson

County, makes his home on section 16. He was
born in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany, Feb-
ruary 21, 1832, and is a son of William Kessel,
who was also a native of that country. By occu-
pation the father was a farmer. He served for
five j'ears in the army of Frederick the Great
in the War of 1815 against Napoleon, was at
the siege of Moscow, and took part in many
of the battles of that war. He then returned

206

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to bis home, and in the j'ear 1857 he brouglit
his family to America, taking up his residence on
a farm in Jackson Count}', near AVilkinson Island,
where he died on the 10th of August, 1858. He
was married in Prussia to (Jertrude Suootenhouse.
Unto them were born ten children: William, Jo-
hanna, August, Minnie, Frederick, Harmon, John,
Julius, Albert and Emily. All came to America
with their father except \Villiam, who died in
Prussia. The mother of this family was called to
her final rest January 20, 1892, at the advanced
age of ninety-one years.

In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject
was reared, and with the family crossed the brin}'
deep. Upon his father's death, he purchased the
home farm and began business for himself. On
the 8th of January, 1858, he was united in mar-
riage with Regina Rickels, daughter of William
and Mary (Suootenhouse) Rickels. She was one
of seven children, viz.: August, Joanna, Minnie,
John, Godfrey, Cliarlotle and Regina. The par-
ents both died in Prussia, and Mrs. Kessel, with
her two brothers, John and Godfrey, came to
America. John died in Texas in 1864, and God-
frey died in Chester, III., October 27, 1891.

Upon the farm which he purchased of his father
Mr. Kessel resided for seven yeai-s, and then re-
moved to Kinkaid Township, where he improved
a farm three and a-half miles from his present
home. In August, 1878, he removed to the farm
on which he now resides. He has placed it under
a high state of cultivation and made many excel-
lent improvements upon it. It is two hundred
and eighty acres in extent, and amid the well
tilled fields stand a fine residence and large barns.
He also owns four hundred and flftj'-one acres
in a bottom farm and another tract of two hun-
dred and eleven acres, making in all nine hundred
and forty-two acres.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kessel were born five chil-
dren. Robert, born March 16, 1862, married Louisa
Krugel, and they have one child, Gertrude; Albert
F., born January 20, 1865, died December 5, 1889;
Alfred, born Januarj- 2, 1867, Edward J., May 14,
1872, and Leo August, November 9, 1877, are
still at home. The parents are members of the
Lutheran Church, but aided in the erection of the

Baptist Church near their home and regularly
attended its services. Mr. Kessel has always been
a supporter of the Democracy, and is now serving
as Ilighwaj'^ Commissioner and School Trustee.
He belongs to the Knights of Honor. By exten-
sive reading, experience and observation he has
become one of the well informed men of this sec-
tion, and is conversant with all the subjects of the
day.

• ^ ^(^ '

I;,-^ ENRY GROPPE. Township 6, range 7,
r ]ll Randolph County, is the home of many
.AW^ intelligent, industrious and prosperous
'^^ farmers, who from a small beginning have
won a competence, securing a considerable amount
of land and surrounding themselves with all the
comforts and conveniences which heart can wish.
Among this number may he mentioned Henry
Groppe.

Our subject was born in Hanover, Germany,
December 18, 1840, and is a sou of Adolph and
Mary (Knemeyer) Groppe. The father died in his
native land, Germany. In 1850 the mother came
to America, and was followed three years later by
our subject. The first three jears of his residence
in the United States were spent in St. Louis, after
which he came to Randolph County and located
on a farm near the one on which he now resides.

Attending the model schools of his native land,
our subject gained a fair education. While a resi-
dent of St. Louis he was engaged in the tobacco
business, and on reaching Randolph County was
employed as a day laborer for a few 3-ears. In
1863 he pureliased a partially improved piece of
land and at once set about its cultivation. It now
includes one hundred and sixty acres, and this val-
uable property he has acquired through his in-
domitable industry and good management. As
a farmer he displays excellent judgment in the ro-
tation of crops, fertilization of the soil and cultiva-
tion of the land, and as a result of his efforts he
has gained prosperity. The stock to be found on
the jilace is of the best, and in it the owner takes
great pride.

The marriage of Jlr. Groppe and Mrs. Susannah
(Wissel) Sinker occurred September 28, 1864. Mrs.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

207

Groppe is a daughter of Andrew and Kate Stat-
miller) AVissel, both natives of Germany, but now
residents of Illinois. Five children have come
to bless the hearth and fireside of our subject
and his wife: Hermann, Lizzie, Katie, Lulu and
Emma, all of whom are living at home with their
parents. Mrs. Groppe by her first marriage be-
came the mother of tliree children, all of whom are
still living: William, Mary and Anna. Our sub-
ject and his entu'e famil}* are members of the Cath-
olic Church. In national and state affairs our sub-
ject is in favor of the Democrac3', but in local
matters is rather conservative.

N#^li-^"i^li^^

^|[OHN TUDOR, who is a representative
of a fine old English family in Randolph
Count3', is a general farmer, and has a
good estate located on section 4, township
8, range 5, which he has supplied with all the
necessary' buildings and farm implements suited
to the purpose of a first-class agriculturist. Mr.
Tudor was born iu France .lanuary 4, 1827, where
his parents were temporarily residing. He was the
fifth in order of birth in a family of eight chil-
dren comprising the household of Thomas and
Mary (Corbitt) Tudor, natives of Shropshire, En-
land, where the family residence was located for
many years.

About 1832 Thomas Tudor came to America,
locating in Haverstraw, N. Y., where he worked at
his trade, that of a foundryman, for a number of
3'ears before sending for his family to join him in
the New World. He was more fortunate in a
monetarj' waj' than man}' emigrants who made
their home in America, and it was not for lack of
funds that he delated sending for the family, but
to make sure that he would be pleased with life as
he found it in a new land. In 1836, the mother
with her children took passage at Liverpool, and
after a comparatively smooth passage of a month,
they landed in New Yoik. One unpleasant inci-
dent of the voyage, long to be remembered, was the
fact of the supply of food giving out. The passen-
gers had to be placed on short rations, but as the
journe\' was nearly* at an end, tlieir suffering was

not very great. Thomas Tudor met them in New
York City, and they went directl}' to their new
home in Haverstraw.

Our subject immediately took a position with
his father in the mill, where he remained until his
twenty-second birthday. Having heard such glow-
ing accounts of life in this then western country, he
decided to cast in his lot with friends and kindred
who had come to Illinois, and was accompanied on
the journey- bj' his brother and his family. The
part}- set out in May, 1849, and after a tedious
journey, reached their destination in Jackson
Count}' on the 1st of June. On arriving here,
our subject first found emiiloyment working for
his brother-in-law, receiving for his services ^l 1 per
month. The following season, having received
aid from his father, he purchased a tract of one
hundred and twenty acres, paying for it in gold,
which coin was so scarce that the officials were not
inclined to take it, fearing that it might not
be good. He was very successful in his calling,
and soon purchased two hundred and forty acres,
which now constitute the homestead, and he also
owns two hundred acres lying in other townships.

During his boyhood days our subject attended
school in England, and while in Haverstraw he
attended a school which was supported by the
fund raised from the mill where he was employed.
December 9, 1851, John Tudor and Miss Eliza,
daughter of Samuel and Arabella (Price) Richards,
were united in marriage. Mr. and Mre. Richards
were living at that time in Haverstraw, N. Y.,
although they were natives of Shropshire, En-
gland, and lived near the Tudors in the Mother
Country. Mrs. Tudor departed this life January
25, 1876, at the age of forty-four years. She had
become the mother of eleven children, eight of
whom survive: Thomas Henry, who is the present
Postmaster of Rockwood; Arabella, Mrs. James
Stewart, who resides on a farm near Rockwood;
Guy Seymour, a blacksmith in Shiloh; George Ben-
jamin, a farmer living in Jackson County; Charles
Sherman, a teacher in Randolph County; Nellie,
Mrs. Edward Morgan; Lydia Priscilla and Ernest
Shubel. at home. Those deceased are, William
Wallace, Rose Hannah and Florence Elizabeth.

John Tudor is a member of the Presbyterian

208

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Church, as was also his good wife. He has been
a Republican in politics since the organization of
the party, casting his first vote for Fremont in the
3'ear 1856. Besides having served as School Di-
rector many terms, Mr. Tudor has officially repre-
sented liis townsiiip as Supervisor on the County
Board.

.\f OUNSON MARSHALL, of Kandoli>h Coun-
ty, was born in Washington County, Pa.,
in October, 1823, and was the second child
l)orn to William and Catherine (Mooney)
Marshall. His father, a native of Ireland, came
to America with his parents in 1801, and was
reared in Allegheny City, Pa. Throughout life
he followed fanning, and his death occurred in
Cleveland in 1833. The Mooney family came
from Scotland to America in an early daj' and lo-
cated in Maryland, where the mother of our sub-
ject was born. During her girlhood she accom-
panied iier parents to Pennsylvania, and died in
Princeton, that state, in 1873. Seven children
were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, of whom
five sons are yet living, three being residents of
St. Louis. Mo., and one of Cleveland, Ohio.

Johnson Marshall obtained a limited education
in Cleveland, but his father died when he was
ten years of .age, and he was then thrown upon
bis own resources and had to assist in support-
ing the family. He followed any employment
that came in his way whereby he might earn an
honest dollar. Thus liis time was passed until
eighteen years of age, when he began boating on
the Muskingum and Beaver Rivers, where he con-
tinued for a number of years. In March; 1854,
he began steaniboating, sailing from St. Louis,
Mo., and since that time he has been engaged
continuously in the same pursuit on the Missis-
sippi and Missouri Rivers, there being but few
ports along the way in which Captain Marshall is
not known. In his business he has met with suc-
cess, and by close application and earnest effort
he has worked his way steadily upward.

In October, 1855, the Captain was united in
marriage with Miss Catherine Zollmann, daughter
of Abraham and Rachel Zollmann, formerly of

Pennsylvania, but afterward of Missouri, where
their last davs were spent. Bj' the union of our
subject and his wife there were born fifteen chil-
dren, four of whom died in infancy. Tliose still
living are, Emma, wife of E. W. Mann, of Ne-
braska; Sarah, wife of William Heard, of Kansas;
Robert, of St. Louis, who married Lizzie Cooley,
and is engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi;
Melia, wife of William Rosborough, who lives near
Sparta, 111.; Frank, who married Elizabeth Raglin
and lives in Oregon; Ida, wife of Robert Ruppert,
of Chester; Caroline, wife of George Montroy;
Norman, Mabel, Laura and Fred, all of whom are
still with their parents.

In his social relations Mr. Marshall is a Mason,
belonging to Chester Lodge No. 72, A. F. & A.M.,
of Chester. He also holds membership with Ches-
ter Lodge No. 57, I. O. O. F., and his estimable
wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In
politics he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to
public office. A pleasant, genial gentleman, he
wins friends wherever he goes, and his circle of
agreeable acquaintances is very large. His life
has been well and worthily spent, and he may truly
be called a self-made man.

f|j^x ICHOLAS W. KELLY. On section 8,town-
II jjj ship 8, range 5, Randolph County, lies a
jiyj^ pleasant, well improved farm, which is
the propert3' of our subject. He is a native of
this count}', and was born on the 8th of February,
1845, to Thomas and Eliz.abetli (Anderson) Kell}-,
natives of County Down, Ireland, and of Scotch
origin. The parents emigrated to the United
States about the year 1842, and after residing
about seven j-ears in Haverstraw, N. Y. (where
the father worked as a brick molder, and later as
engineer in a chemical factory), came to Illinois.
With the exception of four 3'eais spent in Jack-
son Country and one year in Washington Count}',
Kan., they have been residents of this county since
coining west.

Nicholas W. Kelly served eight months during
the late war as a member of Company F, One Hun-
dred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, under

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

209

General Thomas. He was discharged at Nashville,
Tenn., September 21, 1865, and was mustered out
at Springfield, 111., nine days later. He was mar-
ried April 24, 1866, to Miss Alsa C, daughter of
Charles R. and Rhoda (Adams) Ilaskin, the former
a native of New York, and the latter born in Ken-
tucky. Mrs. Kelly was the eldest of seven chil-
dren in her parents' family, and was born October
22, 1847, in Jackson County, 111.- She became the
mother of ten children, and departed this life No-
vember 15, 1889. Only five of tlie family are liv-
ing at the present time: Luella, Clara, Thomas A.,
Benjamin C. and Maida J. Mrs. Kell3' during her
lifetime was an active member of the Kbenezer
Presbyterian Ciiurch, in which bod3' our subject
is an Elder. In his political relations Mr. Kelly
is a Republican, and socially is connected with
Rockwood Post No. 734, G. A. R.

-^=m>^^<i

-J—

f|^^ICHOLAS VVELSCH, a well known farmer
11 jl) of Monroe County, who now devotes his
'^c^!) time and energies to agricultural pursuits
on section 31, township 3, range 10 west, was born
on the 18th of September, 1834, and comes of one
of the re()resentative families of this comiuuiiity.
His parents, John and Anna M. (Weirschem)
Welsch, were both natives of Germany, and were
there reared and educated. The father was a farmer
by occupation and followed that pursuit in his na-
tive land until 1839, when with his family he
crossed the water to America. He took up his resi-
dence in St. Clair County, 111., and two years later
came to Monroe County, locating on a farm near
Madonnaville. He purcliased one hundred and
sixty acres of land, but afterward sold this and pur-
chased a large farm, the same upon which our sub-
ject now resides. At one time he owned over
eight hundred acres of valuable land and was num-
bered among the wealthiest citizens of the county.
In 1870, he removed to Monroe, purchased a pleas-
ant home, and there resided until his death, which
occurred at the age of sixty -seven. His wife, a
most estimable lady, passed awa^' at the age of
seventy-two. They were both members of the
Catholic Church, and Jlr. Welsch served as its

Trustee for some time. In politics he was a stal-
wart Democrat, and was honored with several local
offices. He engaged extensively in raising grajjes
for the manufacture of wine, wliich he sold to the
St. I.ouis markets. In one year he made over four
thousand gallons of wine. Mr. "Welsch, who was a
very popular man, won many friends and was
highl3- respected bj' all who knew him.

In the Welsch family were twelve children, but
seven of the number are now deceased. Those
still living are Maria, Joseph, Catherine, Peter and
Nicholas. Tiie last-named, who is the subject of this
sketch, was reared and educated in Monroe County,
spending the days of his boj^iood and youth in the
usual manner of farmer lads. He began life for
himself at the age of twenty-one, and as a com-
panion and helpmate on life's journey chose Miss
Mar3' E. Arns, a native of Germany. B}' their
union were born eleven children, of whom two are
now deceased. The others are, Anna S., Lizzie J.,
Mary L., Katie C, Louisa T., Josephine M., Emil
J., George N. and Joseph J. They have also
reared two orphan children, Henrietta Bucher and
John Fageu. The mother of this family came to
America when a maiden of twelve summers, and
lived with her parents in New Orleans for two
3'ears before coming to Illinois. She is a member
of the Catholic Church, and is a most highl3' re-
spected lad3', whose excellencies of character have
gained her many friends.

After the death of his father, Mr. Welsch pur-
chased the old homestead farm, comprising more
than five hundred acres of land. He has led a
useful life, and as the result of his untiring labors
he is now the owner of a very valuable property.
His land is all under a high state of cultivation,
and is improved with good buildings and all the
accessories and conveniences of a model farm. In
his political views, Mr. Welsch is a supporter of
the Democracy; he has held the offices of Trustee
and School Director, but has never been an active
politician, preferring to devote his entire time and
attention to his business interests, in which he
has met with signal success. He and his chil-
dren are all members of the Catholic Church, and
he is a prominent and influential citizen of the
eommunit3', and is held in high regard throughout

210

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the count}' in which he has so long made his
home. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers,
for since a very early da}' he has witnessed the
growth and upbuilding of this region, and in the
work of public advancement and improvement he
has ever borne his part.

i|t_. ENRY SCHULZE. Examples of unremitting
\¥}i> zeal, strict integrity and financial success
/■^^ may be met witli in every agricultural dis-
v^^ trict in our country. Especially is this the
case in Randolph Count}-, where the farmers are
almost invariably well-to-do, intelligent and en-
terprising. As a representative of this class we
mention tiie name of Mr. Schulze, the owner and
occupant of a farm located on section 2, township
7, range 6. He is engaged in general farming, and
is especially successful in stock-raising.

A native of Germany, our subject, who was the
son of Ciiarles and Dorothea (Welge) Schulze, was
born November 17, 1838. His fatiier came to
America with his family in the year 1849, and hav-
ing heard such glowing accounts of the Prairie
State, made his way directly to Randolph County,
where he became a farmer. While residing in Ger-
many, however, he worked at his trade of a shoe-
maker, but followed that occupation only a few
years after coming 1o the New World. His death
occurred in 1879, while his good wife preceded him
to the better land by many years.

Henry Schulze was a lad of eleven years when
he crossed the Atlantic, and while residing in
his native land attended school. After locating
in this county, and desiring to become thor-
oughly conversant with the English language,
young Schulze attended school, and later went to
Chester, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker.
Not liking that occupation, however, he returned
to the farm and has ever since given his attention
to agtieultural pursuits, and now has one of the
finest estates in southern Illinois. He has been
successful as a farmer, and his understanding of
agriculture in its various departments is broad
and deep.

In 1861, Mr. Schulze and Miss Caroline Opper-

man were united in marriage. The lady was born
in Germany, and by her union with our subject
she became the mother of six children, only two
of whom, Mena and Sophia, are living. The
elder daughter is the wife of Fritz Dreggemuller,
and makes her home in Kansas, while Sophia re-
sides with her father on the home farm. Mrs. Caro-
line Schulze departed this life in the year 1871,
and two years later our subject was married to
Miss Mary Brammer. Their union was blessed by
the birth of a daughter, Mary. Mrs. Mary Schulze
died in 1876, and the following year Miss Louisa
Hornbustle, of St. Louis, became the wife of our
subject. To them has been born a son, William.

Our subject is a stanch Democrat in politics, and
in religious matters he and his wife are devoted
members of the Lutheran Church. In this com-
munity where he has so long made his home he is
both widely and favorably known, and in the his-
tory of his adopted county he well deserves repre-
sentation.

l(i). ^»^_... -@J

FREDERICK DREVES. The career of
this gentleman has been marked by en-
terprise, industry and well directed efforts,
and he has been rewarded by the accumu-
lation of a large amount of land and the machinery
and stock necessary for carrying on a first-class
farm. Mr. Drevts is one of those German-Amer-
ican citizens of whom we have reason to be proud
on account of the example they present of indus-
try, morality and good citizenship. He is at pres-
ent residing in township 7, range 6, Randolph
County, where he owns a good estate which he has
placed under the best methods of improvement.

Our subject was born in Prussia in March, 1841,
and is the eldest of four children born to Henry
and AVilhelmina (Hamote) Dreves. In 1849 the
family emigrated to America, and on the journey
across the Atlantic Mrs. Dreves and one daughter
died. The father landed in the New World with
three of his children, and on going to St. Louis,
Mo., there found the cholera raging, and the re-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

211

maining brother and sister of our subject were
taken away b_y that dread disease.

The father of our subject was again married in
St. Louis, and in 1850 came to Illinois and located
a tract of land near Chester, which is the present
home of Mr. Dreves of this sketch. The latter at-
tended school in his native country and also at-
tended a short time in St. Louis and in Chester, this
state. He lias always made farming his life pursuit,
and has brought to bear upon it a high degree of
intelligence, and is looked upon as one of the best
agriculturists in this part of the county. A new
postoffice has been created near his home which
bears his name.

The subject of this sketch established a home of
his own in 1865, at which time he was married to
Miss Catherine Trede. Her parents were also na-
tives of Germany and died in the Mother Country.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dreves have been born seven
children. Henry married Annie Shemory and re-
sides near the old homestead, and the others are
Dietlof, George, Hermann, William, Anna and
Mena.

Mr. Dreves believes in the principles laid down
in the Republican platform, and therefore votes
the straight ticket. His entire family are mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church and conduct them-
selves so as to win the respect of all with whom
they come in contact. Although he never seeks
office, our subject alwaj's manifests a great interest
in the public welfare, and may be counted upon
to bear his part in every worthy enterprise which
is being promulgated in the neighborhood.

'^^

^~)

ISAAC LEHNHERR. There is nothing of more
interest to the general reader than a sketch of
a gentleman who has won for himself both
fame and fortune in the battle of life, and accord-
ing to this principle a brief account of Mr. Lehn-
herr cannot fail to prove interesting. He ranks
among the most successful business men of Ches-
ter, and is closely identified with both the com-
mercial and social prosperity of the citj'. He is a
man of sterling worth and superior intelligence,

and at the present time is carrying on a splendid
business, dealing in dry goods, groceries and gen-
eral farming implements.

Our subject is a native of Switzerland, and was
born September 9, 1824. He is a son of Christian
and Elizabeth C. (Klopsten) Lehnherr, the former
of whom was a miller in his native land, and a
well-to-do citizen in Spietz. Isaac was a lad of
nine years when in 1833 he crossed the Atlantic
in company with his parents. On landing in the
New World, they went directly to New York City,
whence the father soon went to Stark County,
Ohio, and located on a farm near Paris. After
living six years in the Buckeye State, the elder Mr.
Lehnherr with his family came to Randolph Coun-
ty, and located on a farm in Ellis Grove Township.
This he continued to operate with fair success un-
til his decease, which occurred in 1860. His good
wife preceded him to the better land many years,
dying in 1844.

Our subject was the sixth in order of birth of
the parental famil3' of seven children. His broth-
ers and sisters bear the respective names of Susan,
John, Christian, Martha, Jacob and Elizabeth. Af-
ter coming to the United States, Isaac attended
school in Ellis Grove Township, and thus gained
a fair education in the English language. Young
Lehnherr remained on the farm assisting liis father
in its cultivation until 1849, when he began in
life on his own account.

On the 24th of Ma}', 1849, our subject and Miss
Sophia Heitman were united in marriage. The
lady was born on the 1st of May, 1826, and was
a daughter of Herman and Margaret (Wayland)
Heitman. After their marriage, the young people
removed to a farm near Steelerille. In October,
1856, Mr. Lehnherr established himself in busi-
ness in Randolph County, opening a general store
which he carried on for seven j-ears. At the ex-
piration of that time, having good reasons to be-
lieve he could better his condition, he removed
his stock of goods to Chester, and soon after-
ward put in a full line of hardware and agricult-
ural implements, carr3-ing the Hocking, the Supe-
rior and Hoosier drills, and the Belleville thresher.
His honorable course in business, bis frank and
1 courteous bearing, and his warm-hearted nature

212

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

have won bim the confidence of the entire com-
munity, and have given liini a high place in the
regard of all with whom he associates either in a
business or social way.

The five children born to our subject and his
wife are, Rudolph D., who aids his father in the
store; Louis F., a druggist; Adelia, the wife of
Fred Kebbe, of tiiis city; Herman IL, a saddler;
and Enim.1, at home. In his political relations, Mr.
Lehnherr is a Democrat, and has taken an import-
ant part in the local government, serving for some
time as Alderman of the Third Ward. In him the
Lutheran Church finds one of its most earnest
and valued members, and he has held the office of
Trustee.

■ ^ P •

OA. DEAN, M. D., who is successfully en-
gaged in the practice of medicine in Camp-
bell Hill, is a native of Cliester, 111. He was
born June 22, 1854, and is a son of Robert W. and
Sarah E. (Hanna) Dean. His father was a native
of Kentuckj', and his mother belonged to one of
the pioneer families of Randolph Count}'. For
man}' years they resided in Chester, but are now
residents of Perry County, 111. In their family
were seven children, of whom six sons are yet
living.

The Doctor acquired his early education in the
common schools, and it wa« supplemented by study
in the select schools of Carbondale and Du Quoin.
He was reared upon a farm and afterward engaged
in teaching school in Randolph, Perry, Monroe and
Jackson Counties. He was quite successful in that
undertaking, but at length turned his attention to
the drug business, and was employed as a clerk in
a drug store for five years. On the expiration of
that period, in 1884, he bought a drug store in
Campbell Hill. He formed a partnership with
James Hanna, and has since conducted the busi-
ness with good success, the firm now enjoying a
liberal patronage.

Dr. Dean began reading at the age of twenty-
four years and pursued his studies quietly during
his leisure hours for some time. In order to fit
himself for the profession, he then entered the
medical college of Beaumont, and later became a

student in the Missouri Medical College of St.
Louis, from which he was graduated in the Class of
'88. He at once opened an office in Campbell
Hill, and from the beginning his practice has con-
stantly increased, until he now has all of the prac-
tice at this place.

In 1877, Dr. Dean was united in miuiiagc willi
Mrs. Mary A. Wayland, a native of Illinois. She
died on the 1st of A|)ril, 1883, leaving three chil-
dren, Grace, Clara and ^Mary. In 1887, the Doctor
was again married, his second union being with
Mary L. Redfield, a native of Jackson County, born
March 8, 1856. They have oneciiild, a daughter,
Pearl lone. The mother is a member of the Free
Will Baptist Church and is a most estimable lady.

The Doctor takes a very active interest in tem-
perance work, and is a member of the Good Temp-
lars" society, in wiiich lie lias served as Worthy
Chief. He also belonged to the JMasonic fraternity.
He takes an active interest in all that pertains to
the welfare of the community, and does all in his
power to advance public welfare. He has been a
member of the County Medical Association and
the Southern Illinois Medical Association, and
among his brethren of the fraternity he holds an
enviable position, while in the community where
he lives his skill and ability have won for him a,
most excellent practice.

L. LUCIER is engaged in the grocery busi-
ness in Murphysboro, and is enjoying a
large trade. He has a well stocked store,
J complete in all its appointments, and by fair
and honest dealing and courteous treatment he
has secured a liberal patronage, which is well mer-
ited. He is also a Director in the Murphysboro
Savings Bank. Enterprise and industry are num-
bered among his chief characteristics and have
been the essential factors in his success.

Mr. Lucier was born near Montreal, Canada,
September 18, 1848, and his grandfather and fa-
ther, both of whom bore the name of Michael, were
natives of that country. The father was a farmer
and served in the Canadian Rebellion. He married
Clara Danan, who was born in that country, and

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

213

who is of French descent. His death occurred at
the age of sixt^'-five, but his widow is still living
in her native land, at the advanced age of eigiity-
oue. Of their fifteen children, eleven grew to
manhood and womanliood, while five sons and five
daugliters are yet living.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, J. 1^. Lucier
was reared. He was educated in English and
French, and in 1864 came to Murpli^sboro, joining
his brother, Medor. He here attended school for
two years, after which he spent some time in trav-
eling in northern Illinois, and later went to Canada.
Subsequently we find him engaged in clerking in
Haverstraw, N. Y., and afterward carrying on busi-
ness for himself. While living there he chose as a
companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss
Winnefred Fay. They were married in 1874, and
became the parents of eight children, seven of
whom are still under the parental roof, namely:
K. M., James L., Ludger, Winnefred, Clara B.,
Eugenia and Charles. William died at the age of
seven years.

In the fall of 1877, Mr. Lucier again came to
Murphysboro, and was employed as salesman in
his brother's grocery store until the autumn of 1885,
when he began business for himself. He secured a
small stock of groceries and afterward added a
stock of general merchandise. Through his ear-
nest efforts he steadily increased his trade, and at
length bought a two-story brick block located on
the square. There he carried on business until the
fall of 1893, when he built a large and handsome
store and removed to his present location, at the
corner of Main and Locust Streets. His store is
29x93 feet, and two stories in height, with a base-
ment. He handles general merchandise and ships
produce quite extensively to St. Louis. He also
carries on a feed store. In addition to his stores
he owns a fine residence and other city property.

Mr. Lucier is a stockholder and Director in the
Murphysboro Savings Bank, and a stockholder in
the Southern Illinois Mill and Elevator Company,
and is a Director of the branch of the East St. Louis
Safety Homestead and Loan Association of Mur-
physboro. He was one of the organizers and is a
Director of the Catholic Knights of Illinois. He
has contributed liberally to various organizations

that have materially advanced the best interests of
the city, and is recognized as one of its valued
citizens. He is a member and liberal supporter of
St. Andrew's Catholic Church, and in politics is a
Democrat.

'ifl OIIN IJ. BEARE. This name will at once
be recognized by the majority of our read-
ers as that of one who at one time
^ was one of the leading agriculturists of

Randolph County. In addition to general farm-
ing he was extensively engaged in fruit growing
and in the manufacture of brandy, wine and cider.
The estate consists of two hundred and fifteen
acres, which are tilled in the most thorough man-
ner and are adorned with a fine set of build-
ings, second to none in the township. They are
complete in all their appointments, and the dwell-
ing is surrounded with all that goes to make a
home pleasant and attractive.

Our subject was a representative of a prominent
and highly esteemed family, whose identification
with the early development of this county proved
it a valuable factor in the county's civilization.
Mr. Beare was born in the canton of Berne, Switz-
erland, March 24, 1823, and when a child of three
years was brought by his parents to America, they
settling in Toledo, Ohio. In 1837 they came to
Illinois and located in Randolph County, where
our subject continued to live until the time of his
death, which occurred May 27, 1892. He assisted
his father in the operation of his farm until en-
abled to own one of his own. He engaged in
farming all his life with the exception of a few
3'eais, when he was with his brothers, Joseph and
John, in a grocery store at Chester. Possessing
the progressive ideas of the age, and making of
his agricultural pursuit both an art and a science,
he proved successful in Lis chosen calling, gain-
ing from the fertile soil abundant crops of excel-
lent quality. His fruit farm was one of the finest
in the count}' and the source of a good income.

The marriage of our subject was solemnized
April 18, 1849, his wife being Mrs. Mary (Nifong)

214

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Leavitt. Mrs. Beare bore her husband three chil-
dren, Margaret, who is deceased; William Nicholas,
a resident of Ellis Grove; and Joseph A., who
lived iu San Francisco, Cal. Tiie good wife and
mother died September 23, 1872, and May 14, 1873,
Rlr. Beare was married to Mrs. Maria Sophia Eliza-
beth Kemfor, who still survives. She was the widow
of John Kemfor, was born in Germany and came
to America when twenty-five years of age. She
received excellent home training and good educa-
tional advantages, and is therefore well qualified
to fill lier place. She is a consistent member of
the German Methodist Church, as was her good
husband. In his political faith Mr. Beare was a
stanch Democrat.

-^■^

<A I^ILLIAM K. BORDERS, one of the wealthy
\/\J// and most enterprising citizens of Ran-
^^ dolpli County, is at the head of the Bank
of Sparta; indeed he is sole proprietor of that insti-
tution, and is ranked among the leading business
men of the city. His father, James J. Borders,-
was born in Randolph County- July 2, 1818, only
a short time before the state was admitted to the
Union. At the age of twenty-five, he purchased
land and began farming for himself. He contin-
ued to reside on the homestead which he there de-
veloped until 1878, when he came to Sparta. He
engaged extensively in raising horses and mules,
and also had on hand large land speculations. He
owned at one time as much as ten thousand acres,
and at his death was the largest land-owner in the
Gounty.

In the year 1873, in connection with Mr.
Boyle, James J. Borders purchased the Bank of
Sparta, then operated by S. P. Smith, and re-
tained his connection with it up to the date of his
death. He was a charitable and benevolent man,
and his help was given in a practical way, which
enabled the receiver to help himself and thus re-
tain his self-respect. In politics he was a Demo-
crat. In 1873 he was elected County Commis-
sioner. He had previously served as Justice of
the Peace, but few cases came before him for trial,

as he almost invariably induced the litigants to
compromise. Socially he was a Master Mason.
He was as honest as the day is long, outspoken
and fearless, and had the confidence of all. His
death occurred in Sparta, July 22, 1891.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Mary A. Ritchey. She was born in this
county, and is a daughter of William and Sarah
(_Hyndman) Ritchey, who were natives of Penn-
sylvania, and who came thence to Illinois. The fa-
ther was a coal dealer and a very successful business
man. Mr. and Mrs. Borders were married about
1854, and became the parents of eight children,
namely: Andrew, .James B. and Maggie, deceased;
William R., of this sketch; Andrew, Mattie E.,
Michael W. and Mary I. James B. married Ada
McCormick, and lived at Nashville, III. They
have six children. Andrew was Postmaster at
Sparta during President Cleveland's first term, and
is at present Postmaster at Tulare, Cal. He mar-
ried Mamie Weir, and they have two children,
Francis and Irene. Mattie E. is the wife of Dr.
C. F. Taggart, a practicing physician of San Fran-
cisco, Cal., who was graduated in St. Louis, and is
now taking a post-graduate course in Berlin, Ger-
many; they have one child, Norma H. Michael
W., a practicing attorney of Belleville, III., was
graduated from the Columbia Law School, of New
York, and is now holding the office of City Attor-
ney of Belleville, although he is only twenty-five
years of age. He married Alice Abby, and they
have one child. The Borders family is one of
prominence in Randolph County, its members
having been inseparably connected with the ma-
terial progress and development of this com-
munit}% Maj. Andrew Borders, father of James J.,
was one of the earl^- pioneers and prominent char-
acters of Illinois.

Our subject has also borne his share in the work of
public advancement and improvement. He was
reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and be-
came familiar with all the duties of farm life. He
entered upon his business career as silent partner in
the Bank of Sparta in 1873,. and is now sole proprie-
tor. This is now one of the leading financial insti-
tutions of the county, conducted on a safe and con
servative basis, and is a credit to the community as

PORTRAIT AND JilOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

217

well as to the owner. Mr. Borders is a mau of excel-
lent business and executive abilit}'. and his success
is well deserved. He is extensively interested in
the natural gas wells at Sparta. In fact, he was a
ruling spirit in the company which discovered
natural gas in Sparta, and is now sole proprietor
of three flowing wells, with about three miles of
gas mains. He is also a prominent breeder of trot-
ting and pacing horses and is a member of the Board
of Directors of the National Standard Pacing
Horse Breeders' Company. In politics he is a zeal-
ous Democrat, but never held, and could net be
induced to hold, an office. For eight years he
served as Treasurer of Hope Lodge No. 162, A. F.
& A. M., and he is also a member of Tancred Com-
mandery No. 50, at Belleville, 111. He is the larg-
est owner of city property in Sparta, and one of
the largest holders of real estate in Randolph
County.

\I^-^ ON. WILLIAM RALLS MORRISON, for
If j) sixteen years a Member of Congress from
'^y^ the Eighteenth Congressional District of
(^/ Illinois, was born in Monroe County, 111.,
September 14,1825. He secured his preliminary
education in the common schools, and afterward
attended McKendree College. He enlisted in the
Mexican War and served as a private in Colonel
Bissel's regiment under General Taylor, after
which he studied law and was admitted to the Bar
in Monroe County.

In 1852 Mr. Morrison was elected Clerk of Mon-
roe County, and served in that capacity until 1854,
when he resigned. He was then chosen to repre-
sent his district in the Legislature and became
Speaker of the House in 1859. At the beginning
of the Rebellion he organized the Forty-ninth Illi-
nois Infantry and took an active and prominent
part in the early portion of the war. At the bat-
tle of Ft. Donelson he was severely wounded. In
1862, while in command of his regiment, he was
elected bj' the Democratic party to the Thirty-
eighth Congress, but was defeated for the Thirty-
ninth and Fortieth Congresses.

In 1872 Colonel Morrison again received the
nomination by the Democratic party, and was
2

elected, taking his seat the following 3'ear and
serving until 1887. From 1875 until 1877, and
again from 1883 to 1887, he was Chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee, and in that responsi-
ble position rendered efficient service, as he did in
every other duty entrusted to kim. In 1886 he
was defeated for re-election. He was a delegate
to the National Union Convention in 1866, and to
the Democratic Conventions of 1856,1868,1884
and 1888. At the time of the last election of Gen-
eral Logan to the United States Senate, Colonel
Morrison was his opponent, and there was a differ-
ence of but two votes between their respective
parties. Though the matter was long and hotlj' con-
tested, the relations between the two were of the
most friendly character, as they had been friends
from an early day and comrades during the war.
At the expiration of his Congressional service,
in March, 1887, Colonel Morrison was appointed
by President Cleveland a member of the Inter-
State Commerce Commission for a term of five
years, and was re-appointed by President Harrison
for six years. For a long time he has been a promi-
nent factor in the Democratic part}', which he more
truly represents then any one else in this section.
On two occasions he has had a strong following
for the Presidential nomination. He is still active
and influential in the councils of his party, and is
held in high regard, nor only by those of similar
political belief, but by his fellow-men, irrespective
of part\' affiliations.

ILLIAM W. COLLIER. This county is
/' the home of quite a number of men who
'^/m were thrown upon their own resources at
an early age, and whose natural aptness and en-
ergy were developed and strengthened by contact
with the world, resulting in making their lives
more than ordinarily successful in worldly prosper-
ity and in winning respect. Among this number is
William W. Collier, of Chester, where he is carry-
ing on a splendid trade in the saddler}- and har-
ness business.

A native of Wayne County, Mo., our suliject
was born near Frederickstown, September 12,

218

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1847, and is the son of Miles H. and Mary S.
(Sliort) Collier, natives ies])eetively of Alabama
and Tennessee. The father, who in early life was
a merchant, later followed farming, and on the
outbreak of the Civil War owned a fine estate,
which with the slaves upon it was valued at 840,-
000. Desiring to Leave the state, he sold his prop-
erty for $400, and moving north, made his home
in Carlj'Ie, Clinton County, this state. He em-
barked in the saddlery business there, and con-
tinued to make it his home for many years. He
was a very capable man, and died while on a visit
to his son in this cit}-. In his deatu, which oc-
curred in 1882, not onl3' the family, but the com-
munity- at large sustained a heav}' loss. The
mother of our subject departed this life in 1886,
in St. Louis, Mo., while at the home of her daugh-
ter, Mrs. J. II. Donewald.

William W. Collier was the third in order of
birth of his parents' family of nine children, six
of whom grew to mature years. He passed his
boyhood and youth in this state, and at Carlyle
received a good education in the public school.
When old enough to choose a life occupation he
learned the trade ot a saddler from his father, and
remained in the above place working at his trade
until 1870, the _year of his removal to Chester.

May 7, 1870, Mr. Collier launched out in busi-
ness in this citj-, opening a store along the river
front, and has continued in the harness business
up to the present time. He has been more than
ordinarilj' successful in his chosen trade, although
he met with severe losses on two occasions. .Jan-
uary 9, 1879, his dwelling w.as burned, and Decem-
ber 24, 1887, his store was destroyed, he thereby
losing 14,700.

The lady to whom Mr. Collier was married
March 31, 1874, was known prior to her marriage
as Miss Angelique E. Smith. She was the daugh-
ter of David and Frances Smith, and was born and
reared in this cit}'. By her union with our sub-
ject she has become the mother of the following
six children: Minnie C, Lelia S.; Byron S. and
Mamie, deceased; .Jolin W. and Elbert.

Mr. Collier believes the principles laid down in
the Democratic platform are best adapted to the
needs of the nation, and therefore votes a straight

ticket. He can alwaj's be counted upon to bear a
I)art in every worthj' enterprise which is promul-
gated in the neighborhood, and is particularity in-
terested in the advancement of the cause of educa-
tion. This is recognized bj' his fellow-citizens,
who have bestowed upon him the office of School
Trustee, which he held for two terms. Socially he
is a Mason and belongs to Chester JjOdge No. 72.
Mr. Collier has a neat residence, which is located
on the bluflf and commands a fine view of the Mis-
sissippi River.

•r^m-r

OBERT BROWN, who was one of the well-
f to-do agriculturists of Randolph County,
i4^\y was residing on an eighty-acre tract, lo-
)^ cated on section 8, township 8, range 5, at
the time of his death. He was the son of William
and Pjliza (Carruthers) Brown, and was born in
County Down, Ireland. August 22, 1838. He
came to America in 1855, and meeting a brother
who was living in Pennsylvania, remained there a
few weeks, when he came with him to Randolph
County, their destination being Rockwood, which
at that time was known as Liberty.

On reaching this county, the young Irish lad
engaged to work on neighboring farms for several
years, and then purchasing a tract of lorty acres
in township 7, range 5, there made his home for
six j-ears. Previous to buying tliis tract, however,
he was married, February 28, 1858, to Miss Mar-
garet L., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (An-
derson) Kelly, also natives of Count}' Down, Ire-
land, whence they emigrated to the United States
some sixty years ago. The}- located in Rockland
County, N. Y., where Margaret was born March 8,
1841. In the summer of 1842, Thomas Kell\-. with
his family, came to this count}-, and made his home
near Rockwood until his death May 29, 1891. His
good wife died July 5, 1872.

After residing six years on his first purchase,
our subject bought a quarter-section elsewhere in
this locality, and resided on it for seven years,
when he made permanent location on section 8.
By this union with Miss Brown there were born
ten children, of whom four survive. They are,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

219

Eliza Ellen, Maggie, Elijah and Harvey Robert.
Those deceased are, William, Henry, Mary Ann,
John Walker, John C. and Minnie. Mr. Brown
during his lifetime was a member of the Presby-
terian Church, with which body his widow and
children arc connected.

3<' ?^C

/RANCIS GOLLON, one of the noted busi-
ness men of the cit3' of Chester, is a native
of Prussia Poland, and was born January
26, 1839. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Singer)
Gollon, were also born in Prussia, and lived and
died in that country. Our subject attended the
schools of his native laud, and when old enough
commenced to cultivate a farm for bis parents, at
which he continued until reaching his eighteenth
year, when he determined to emigrate to America.
After landing in New York Cit}-, he made his way
to Peoria, this state, and began to learn the trade
of a baker, at which he worked for the following
two years. At the expiration of that time he
came to Chester to visit a brother who was resid-
ing here. It had been his intention to go farther
south, but instead he engaged to work in the
bakery of William Bruns, who was just starting a
shop. After a time our subject was enabled to
embark in business for himself, and continued in
this until the latter part of I860. The following
year we find him working at his trade in New
Orleans. Having an opportunity to engage as pas-
try cook on the steamer "Paj'tona," plying from
Louisville to New Orleans, he accepted the posi-
tion, but a few months later, however, he resigned
and commenced working in the last named city.
After three months in that city he went to Cairo,
and worked in the Government baker}' there until
just after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in 1862.
Mr. Gollon then joined the army stationed at
the above city and baked for them. He subse-
quently visited many places, among which were
Helena, Ark., and Vicksburg, and went with the
regiment on Bank's expedition on Red River. In
the spring of 1864 our subject returned to New
Orleans, and in June of that year made his way to
Chester. He soon entered into partnership with

Valentine Ritter, who was engaged in the retail
liquor business. After a year thus spent he bought
out his partner, and has .since conducted the
business alone. In addition to this he has been
engaged in the hotel and restaurant business a
great deal of the time, besides dealing extensively-
in ice and in wholesaling beer. Because of his
straightforward manner and sagacity he is consid-
ered one of Chester's solid business men and has
gained the entire confidence and respect of the
community. Politically Mr. Gollon is a stalwart
Republican in principle, but in local affairs is
rather conservative, voting for the best man, irre-
spective of party.

January 11, 1866, Miss Rosa Dushinks}', a
daughter of Joseph and Julia (Gollon) Dusbinks}-,
became the wife of our subject. The parents of
Mrs. Gollon emigrated from Prussia in an early
day, and spent the remainder of their lives in Ches-
ter. Fourteen children came to bless the union of
our subject and his estimable wife, four of whom
are deceased. The living are: Frank, who is mar-
ried and makes his home in Chicago; Edward, who
is engaged as a railway postal clerk; Louis, who is
a jeweler; and Clem, John, Bertha, Rosa, Georgiana,
Leon and James Blaine, all of whom are attending
school. The last-named was born November 4,
1884, on the night of the defeat of James G.
Blaine for President. Mr. and Mrs. Gollon, with
their entire family, are devout members of the Ro-
man Catholic Church.

JULIUS H. JAENKE, a harness dealer of
Burksville, is numbered among the promi-
nent and representative business men of
that place. He well merits the prominent
position which he fills and the high regard in
which he is held. He was born in Germany, De-
cember 21, 1851, and is a son of Ehrenfried G.
and Christiana (Grallert) Jaenke, both of whom
were natives of Prussia. Their family numbered
six children, of whom four are 3-et living: Will-
iam, Fred, Julius H. and George J. The parents
were both reared and educated in their native
land. The father was a millwright by trade. In

220

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1852 he brought his wife and children to the
United Slates, and on reaching the shores of this
country, came directly to Waterloo, 111., where he
followed coopering for a time. He afterward pur-
chased an eight3--acrc farm in Monroe Countj', and
successfull}' carried on agricultural pursuits until
his death. Both he and his wife were members
of St. Paul's Church, and in politics he was a Re-
publican. His death occurred at the age of sixty-
seven, and his wife passed away at the age of
sixty-two j'ears.

It was during the infancy of our subject that
he was brought to America. He attended school
until thirteen 3'ears of age, and then began earn-
ing his own livelihood by learning the harness-
maker's trade, serving a three years' apprentice-
ship. He then again attended school, and after
pursuing his studies for a time in the high school
at AVaterloo he began teaching. Subsequently he
was for three terms a student in the state normal
school at Carbondale, 111. He then resumed teach-
ing, which profession he followed for twelve 3'ears,
being recognized as one of the most able instruc-
tors in the countj'.

On leaving the normal school, Mr. Jaenke was
united in marriage with Miss Maiy Keck, a native
of Monroe County, who was reared and educated
near Waterloo, and who is a highly cultured and
refined lady. Two children were born to them, of
whom one is j'et living, Julius H. The mother
was a faithful member of St. Paul's Church of
Waterloo, and was a most estimable lady. Her
death occurred at the early age of twenty-six
years. For his second wife, Mr. Jaenke chose
Catherine Trost, also a native of Monroe County,
where her maidenhood days were passed. Three
children graced this union, of whom two are yet
living, Lydia and Flora. The mother is a highly
educated lady, and belongs to the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Jaenke continued to engage in teaching for
some years. He then abandoned that profession,
and gave his entire attention to farming and har-
ness-making, which pursuits he still follows. He
is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of
rich land, under a high state of cultivation and
well improved, and also owns some town property.
As a harness dealer he is doing a good business,

and enjoys a constantly increasing trade, which he
well merits, for he is honorable and upright in all
transactions and earnestly' desires to please his
customers. He cairies a policy' in the Northwest-
ern Insurance Company of Chicago for ^1,000.
He is a member of the Harigari Lodge of Water-
loo, and has held the offices of Township Assessor
and Justice of the Peace, discharging his duties
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con-
stituents. He votes indeiiendently, preferring to
support the man whom he thinks best qualified for
the office. Mr. Jaenke is a member of the Lutheran
Church, and is now serving as its President.

^^<

J^! NDREW GARNER, lately deceased, was an
WlU\\ intelligent and enterprising farmer who
resided in township 6, range 7, Randolph
County. He was a native of the Father-
land, and was born September 12, 1832. He was
the second child in order of birth in a family of
three children born to George and Magdalena
(Helmana) Garner. The parents emigrated to the
United States in 1851, locating in this county,
where they died.

Our subject attended the model schools of his
native country, and after coming to America com-
menced farming on his own account. He was then
twenty-one years of age, and he became one of the
leading farmers of the county. The neat and at-
tractive estate com]n'ises two hundred fertile acres,
on which he carried on general farming and stock-
raising. On the place are to be found all the re-
quisites necessary for conducting successful farm-
ing, and the many outbuildings are adequate for
the care of the grain and stock. In 1860 he
erected a cooper shop on his farm and employed a
number of men to make flour barrels, which enter-
prise was very successful.

In the j'ear 1854 Mr. Garner was united in
marriage with Catherine Denninger, who was a
native of Germanj^ and who came to Illinois
in an earlj' day with her parents. She bore her
husband four children, all of whom yet survive:
Emma, who is the wife of Baty Schultz and lives
in St. Louis; Jane, who is the wife of John McDon-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

221

aid, and resides on a farm near Ellis Grove; Chris-
tian who married Ella Humphry, and is a farmer
near Ellis Grove; and Anna, the wife of William
Schoeppel, residents of Ellis Grove. On Septem-
ber 1, 1892, the wife and mother passed to the
land of rest, and Mr. Garner moved from his farm
to Ellis Grove, where he lived with his youngest
daughter until death called him to rest, Jan-
uary 10, 1894. Neither Mr. Garner nor his wife
were members of a church. He was a member of
Kaskaskia Lodge No. 86, F. & A. M., and politi-
cally cast his vote for the candidates of the Deni-
ovatic party.

^^EORGE B. ALLISON, of Chester, is a na-
III (— , tive of Maries Count}-, Mo., and was born
^^ijl March 10, 1862. He is a son of Ebenezer
and Margaret (Gow) Allison, natives of Scotland,
the former having been born in Fifeshire, and the
latter in Perthshire. The paternal grandparents,
John and Jane (Beveredge) Allison, were also na-
tives of the Lowlands of Scotland. The maternal
grandparents were William and Elizabeth Gow,
the latter of whom is still living in the High-
lands, and has attained the advanced age of one
hundred and one years (1894).

In the spring of 1856 Ebenezer Allison and
Miss Margaret Gow were united in marriage, and
a few months later they bade farewell to their
childhood's home and set-sail for America. Land-
ing in New York, they proceeded thence to Roches-
ter, where they remained on a farm about three
years. Traveling still further westward and set-
tling in Missouri, they entered land some fourteen
miles south of RoUa, where they engaged in farm-
ing for seven years. The war coming on, they
were unable to get away from the county, although
the surroundings were not pleasant, owing to tlie
fact that they were faithful to the Union, while
their neighbors were mostly southern sympathizers.
RoUa was at that time a military post, and Eben-
ezer Allison joined the militia service, which
drew upon him the animosity of his fellow-citi-
zens. His life was constantly in danger, and
often, after retiring, he could hear the sound of

approaching footsteps, the neighing of horses and
the lowing of cattle, and knew that his best
stock was being stolen, but he did not dare to
protest. Had he done so, it would have cost him
his life.

The Rebellion ended, Mr. Allison sold his farm
in Missouri in the spring of 1866, and came di-
rectly to Chester, where a brother held the position
of miller in Cole's mill. For the four years suc-
ceeding his advent in Randolph County he oper-
ated rented land near Chester, and then pur-
chased the farm where his widow still resides.
Twenty years after coming to this state he passed
awaj', in March, 1886. He and his wife had a
famil}' of seven sons and one daughter, five of
whom are now living, viz.: William G., a stock-
dealer in Chester; George B., Postmaster at Ches-
ter; Ebenezer, proprietor of a fine grocery store
on Main Street, Chester; Alex G., who is living
on the old homestead with his mother; and David.

The subject of this sketch spent his early child-
liood d.ays on the farm. His primary education
was secured in the district school and was supple-
mented with two years in the South Normal In-
stitute of Carbondale. The six months succeeding
his normal course he taught in thejdistrict schools
of Randolph County. During the summer seasons
he read law in the office of H. Clay Horner, of Ches-
ter, and in August, 1886, he was admitted to the Bar
of Randolph County. In the county seat he began
the practice of his profession, and continued thus
engaged until his appointment as Postmaster at
Chester, under President Harrison, his commission
bearing date of December 22, 1891. ,

Since casting his first vote in a Presidential
election for James G. Blaine, Mr. Allison has con-
tinued loyal to the principles of the Republican
party. He made the race for Prosecuting Attor-
ney, and, although the county is hopelessly Dem-
ocratic, he ran some sixty votes ahead of his
ticket. Socially, he is connected witli the order
of Knights of Pythias, in which he has filled the
highest local offices. He is also a prominent mem-
ber of the Chester Club.

The lady who, September 8, 1886, became the
wife of Mr. Allison was Flora, daughter of Rob-
ert and Kate (Harmon) Gant, natives of Randolph

222

PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

County. Her father was a representative of an
old English family, members of which were earlj'
settlers of Pennsj-lvania, coming thence to this
county man3' years ago. The Harmon family is
of Dutch origin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Allison have
been born three children, Maggie M., Robert G.
and William E. Mrs. Allison is a member of the
Methodist Church, and Mr. Allison is a regular
attendant at the services of that denomination,
though not a member. In the social circles of
Chester they are worthily held in high esteem.

Jn OHN S. BALTZELL, who for the past two
I 3-ears has been telegraph operator at Perc}',
' has the honor of being a native of Illinois,
' his birth having occurred in Union County,

July 11, 1860. He is the youngest child of John
and Rapsy (Lewis) Baltzell. His father was a na-
tive of Maryland, and when quite young came to
this state with his parents, the family locating in
Jonesboro, 111. The grandfather of our subject,
Henry Baltzell, spent his remaining days in this
state, and died near Grand Tower. The father
carried on a supply store and wood yard on the
river near Grand Tower until the great overflow
in 1844, when he began school teaching, which
profession he followed until his death, which oc-
curred January 1, 1860, a few months before the
birth of our subject. Mrs. Baltzell is still living,
and has reached the advanced age of seventy-two.
She makes her home in Belleville, 111.

Mr. Baltzell of this sketch received his pri-
mary education near Cobden, Union County, 111.,
and subsequently' attended school in Alto Pass,
111., for two terms, alternating his studies with
farm work in that community. At the age of six-
teen he began learning telegraphy- in Jonesboro,
and has since devoted the greater part of his time
and attention to that work. After studying for
seven months he started out to seek a position,
and going to the south secured employment in
Little Rock, Ark. He went from that place to
Bismarck, Mo., and thence returned to Alto Pass,
111. Later he was employed in the general office
of the Mobile (k Ohio Railroad at St. Louis, Mo.,

and on leaving the city he went to Millstadt. We
next find him in Perc}', where he continued tele-
graph operating until his removal to Cairo, 111.
On leaving that pl.ace he again went south, locat-
ing in Union City, Tenn., whence he retunied to
Columbia, 111. He afterward was again emplo3'ed
in the general office in St. Louis, and later Jn
O'Kean and Olyphant, Ark. A short time was
then spent in McNeil. Mo., after which he returned
home on a visit and then located in Baldwin, 111.
After being emploj-ed as operator in Blackwater,
Mo., for a period of four years he then again re-
turned to Baldwin, later he was employed in A\^
Pass, and thence came to Percy, where he has now
been located for the past two years.

In 1888 Mr. Baltzell was united in marriage
with Miss Alice Brown, of Percy, a daughter of
David and Elizabeth (Harmon) Brown. Their
union has been blessed with two children, Homer
and Ethel, who are with their parents. Mrs. Balt-
zell is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a
most estimable lady, who is held in high regard
throughout the communitj' in which she makes her
home.

Mr. Baltzell holds membership with Blackwater
Lodge No. 127, 1. O. O. F., of Blackwater, Mo., has
filled all of its offices, and is now Past Grand. He
exercises his right of franchise in support of the
Democratic part^-, but is busily emploved in his
profession and has never aspired to public office.
He thoroughly understands his business and is rec-
ognized as an able operator. In Percy and through-
out the community he h:is many warm friends who
esteem him highl3- for his sterling worth.

S|Hi)ENJAMIN J. L. GROSS is one of the enter-
jll<^ prising business men of New Palestine,
/^) I Randolph County. His birth occurred in
'is^^ Rochester, N. Y., April 1, 1854, and he was
the third child born to Conrad and Catherine
(Dihlmann) Gross, both natives of Germanj-. In
1866 the parents removed to this count3'. The3-
lived here until their deaths, the mother, d3-ing
June 19, 1881, and the father, .lune 24, 1888.

Our subject was twelve years old when the
journe3' was made hither. He had attended the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

223

schools in his native state, but after coming here, for
three years was a student in the Lutlieran scliool,
and spent one year at the public school. When
fifteen years old he began learning his father's
trade, blacksmithing, and has been in tliat business
ever since. In 1880 he embarked for himself in
New Palestine, where he is enjoj'ing a large and
profitable trade, manufacturing wagons, plows and
harrows in connection with his general repair
work.

The marriage of Mr. Gross and Miss Justina,
daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Breacher, na-
tives of Germany, occurred December 26, 1881.
To this marriage nine children were born, tiie two
eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are:
John and Conrad, who are attending school in
Chester; Alfred, Hulda, Irene, Justina and Sig-
mund, who are at home with their parents. Mr.
and Mrs. Gross are devoted members of the Lu-
theran Church and are held in high esteem by
the entire community. Politically, Mr. Gross is
conservative, preferring to cast his ballot for the
man, irrespective of party.

~'P^\l^^

bAVVRENCE MERGELE was born in Ger-
) many on the 10th of August, 1826, and
, I was reared and educated in that country.

In 1845, at the age of nineteen, he bade adieu to
friends and Fatherland and sailed for the New
World. He landed in New York and worked for
some time in that city in order to acquire the nec-
essary funds to bring him to the west. He then
made his way to Illinois, locating near Glasgow,
where he afterward married Miss Mary Brown.

The young couple began their domestic life
upon an unbroken farm. The entire county was
in its primitive condition, and the work of prog-
ress and civilization seemed scarcely begun. All
was wild and unimproved, and deer and wolves
were numerous. The famil}' experienced all the
hardships and trials of frontier life, but the efforts
of Mr. Mergele were abi}' seconded by his wife, who
proved to him a faithful helpmate. She was born
in Germany in 1832, and when onl3' a year old

was brought to this country by her parents, who
settled in St. Louis, where she acquired her educa-
tion m the common schools. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Mergele were born six children, but only four are
now living. The eldest, Theresa, died in 1889,
and the youngest, Lizzie, died at the age of ten
years. Those still living are Caroline, Kate, Frank
and Bernard. Kate was born in 1857, near Glas-
gow, and under the parental roof grew to woman-
hood. She attended a- convent in Waterloo one
winter, but made her home with her parents until
twent}'-five years of age, when she became the wife
of George Leibach, and removed to Glasgow, where
her husband worked as a saddler. Two years later
they came to Burksville, where Mr. Leibach fol-
lowed the same business for a time. Later they
went to Denver, Colo., where he carried on a gro-
cery store until going to New Mexico. His death
there occurred on the 30th of November, 1892.
Mrs. Leibach still survives her husband and is living
upon the home farm in this county. She iiad three
children, one of whom, Frank is deceased. Celia
and George are still with their mother. . Bernard
Mergele, the youngest member of the family, was
born December 15, 1872, in this county, and now
operates the old homestead. He is a wide-awake
and enterprising agriculturist, and the neat ap-
pearance of the farm indicates his enterprise. He
holds membership with the Catholic Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Mergele traveled life's journey
together for fifty-five years, sharing witli each
other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and pros-
perity. They were separated by death in 1887,
when the wife and mother was called to the home
beyond. Her remains were interred in Tipton.
With the Catholic Church she held membership,
and she was a most highly respectecl woman.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Mergele re-
moved to Burksville, and thence to a farm close
by. He was afterward again married, his second
union being with Mrs. La Forge, who is still living.
While residing in Burksville, Mr. Mergele car-
ried on milling for some time. In earl}' life he
served in the Mexican War, and as a result of
his service his health was always somewhat im-
paired. By the Government lie was given a pen-
sion, which proved of benefit to him in his declin-

224

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing years. After about a year's illness his death
occurred, May 17, 1890, and his remains were in-
terred in Tipton Cemetery. He, too, was a mem-
ber of the Catholic Church. By his industry and
economy he had accumulated several hundred
acres of land, and thus left his family in comforta-
ble circumstances. His life was well and worthily
passed, and by an lionorable, upright career, he
won the high regard of all.

P. WALKER, one of tlie well known
farmers of Jackson County, resides on sec-
tion 31, Elkville Township. He claims
Michigan as the state of his nativity, his
birth having occurred in Grass Lake, in 1838. He
traces his ancestry back to 1620, and the family
numbers among its members some of the most
noted people of Ohio and Illinois. In his native
state he grew to manhood, and there received a lib-
eral education, which was completed by a course of
study in the Kalamazoo Baptist College. For five
years he tauglit school, and proved an able in-
structor. With the capital which he had thereby
acquired he then embarked in the drug business at
Grass Lake, where for eight years he enjoyed a
good trade and the prosperity it brought to him.
In 1862, in his native town, Mr. Walker was
joined in wedlock with Miss Malissa Babbitt, a
daughter of Levi Babbitt, but tlie lady died of
consumption shortly after her marriage. In 1866,
he married Miss Katie Smith, of Schoolcraft, Mich.
She was a most estimable lady and possessed su-
perior talent in vocal music. Her death, which
occurred in 1872, was widely and deeply mourned.
On the 3d of June, 1879, Mr. Walker was united
in marriage with Mrs. L. E. Kuglcr, a relative of
J. H. Kugler, who is widely known as a steamboat
pilot. Her father, Mahlon Van Pelt, was a noted
stock-raiser of Highland, Ohio, and married P^liza-
beth Arthur, a relative of tlie late President Arthur.
Mrs. Walker is possessed of unusual force of char-
acter and intelligence, and as a newspaper cor-
respondent has won an enviable reputation by her
sharp, clear sarcasm and her humor. The children
of Mrs. Walker by her former marriage are two

ill number, Fannie, who married Robert Ruther-
ford, an artist residing in Council Bluffs, Iowa;
and Dudley, who resides on the old homestead.

About 1878, Mr. Walker removed from his old
home in Grass Lake, Mich., and came to Jackson
County, 111. He settled on section 31, Elkville
Township, where he jjurcliased one hundred and
sixty-five acres of valuable land, which constitutes
one of the finest farms in the community. It is
neat and thrifty in appearance, and the many im-
provements upon the place stand as monuments to
his thrift and enterprise. The greater part of his
time and attention are now devoted to its further
cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are people of
intelligence and worth, and are well informed on
the questions of the da}-. They take a deep interest
in old-time mementos and relics, and as the years
have passed, have collected a number of very in-
teresting and valuable souvenirs. The}' have in
their possession a copy of the Boston Gazette which
was published in 1770, and a Vicksburg paper
which was published during the war and printed
on wall paper.

J. BURGE. This name will be at once
recognized as that of a leading business man
of Tamaroa, who is carrying on a prosper-
(^/' ous trade as a dealer in farm implements.
His establishment is supplied with a complete line
of machinery suited to the needs of the farmer.
Both in prices and quality the stock is exceptional,
and through reliable dealings with all, the proprie-
tor has gained the confidence of the people of this
section.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne
County, 111., in 1848. At the time his parents re-
moved to this place, in 1859, he accompanied
them, and has since made this place his home,
with the exception of a short time spent in the
west. He was one in a family of nine children
born to William and Nanc}' (Adams) Burge, na-
tives respectively of Tennessee and Kentucky.
The eldest brother of our subject, John R., entered
the Union army in 1862, becoming a member of
Company F, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, and served

■<^SN

f a'^^^k

<::yC^^t^y

v<^

PORTRAIT A^T) BTOGRAfmCAL RECOftD.

227

his country faithfullj' and well until the close of
liostilities. His death, which occurred in Tamaroa,
was caused b_y consumijtion.

J. J. Burge was also of a ver^' patriotic nature,
and was only detained from entering the army on
account of liis age. In 1880 he engaged in selling
farm implements, and eleven years later formed a
partnership with H. W. Adams, the firm now con-
ducting business under the stj-le of Adams &
Burge. Our subject deals fairly with ever^' one,
lives a life of the strictest integrity, and has gained
not only the respect, but the high esteem of a very
wide circle of acquaintances.

The lady witii whom Mr. Burge was united in
marriage in 1881 was Miss Cassie Freeman, a resi-
dent of this city. Their union has been blessed
b3' the birth of three children. Harlon C, Ebert (de-
ceased) and A!«bie R. In his political relations
Jlr. Burge is a stanch Republican, and although an
active supporter of its principles, is not one to seek
political preferences. He is a member of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, with which bodj-
he has been connected since early manhood. Mrs.
Burge is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

I^OX. WILLIAM J. ALLEN, LL. B., of the
l|)V LTnited States District Court for southern
/^^^ Illinois. In presenting to the readers of
(^) this volume the biographj' of Judge Allen,
we are perpetuating the life work of one of the
most honored residents of the state. Throughout
a long, honorable and influential career, he has
maintained that energy and integrity which char-
acterized his earlier \'ears. Nor has his success
been merely in accumulating wealth, but in the
better sense of the word, he has been successful in
serving others, in doing good and in winning the
respect and esteem of a very large circle of ac-
quaintances. Laborious and patient, exhibiting
by his life his self-reliant spirit and strong individ-
uality, the influence he unconsciously exerts has a
future as well as a present bearing upon the prog-
ress of this section of the state.

The record of the life of Willis Allen, father of
the Judge, is one of which his descendants may

justly be proud. Possessed of that indefatigable
industry and legal ability which was later so abun-
dautl3' evinced by the son of whom we write, he
became eminent in the political circles of southern
Illinois. He was born in Tennessee in December,
1806, and there married Miss Elizabeth Joiner.
In 1830 he came to Illinois and commenced farm-
ing in what was then Franklin County'. He served
as Sheriff, Representative and State Senator, and
in 1841 was elected State's Attorney for the Cir-
cuit. He was a member of the Constitutional Con-
vention of 1847, and of Congress from 1851 until
1855. As a lawyer he was successful, and at the
time of his death was Judge of the Circuit Court.
He died in April, 1859, while his wife, who was
born in 1807, survived him three ^-ears, passing
away in 1862. They left three sons and two
daughters.

Born in Wilson County, Tenn., June 9, 1829,
our subject was brought by his parents to Illinois
when an infant. He received his literary education
at a boarding school, and was graduated in 1849
from the Law School of Louisville, Ky. Open-
ing an office at Metropolis, 111., he removed from
there to Williamson County in 1853, and practiced
in Marion until 1854, when he was elected to the
Lower House of the State Legislature. In the
spring of 1855 he was appointed United States Dis-
trict Attorney, and four years later resigned that
position to resume the practice of law at Marion.
He was elected Circuit Judge to succeed his father
in 1859. holding the office until December, 1861,
when he became a member of the Constitutional
Convention. In the spring of 1862 he was elected
to Congress, and there served on the Committee
on Claims, also the Committees on Territories and
Commerce.

Next we find Judge Allen located at Cairo, 111.,
where he remained until 1874. and whence he re-
moved to Carbondale. During his residence in
these cities he devoted his attention to the prac-
tice of his chosen profession, being employed by
Governor Beveridge to prosecute the AYilliamson
County vendetta. This delicate and dangerous
service he performed with fearlessness and distin-
guished ability, convicting all the leaders and re-
storing peace to the community. In 1886 he re-

228

PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAJfHiCAL RECORD.

moved from Carbondale to Springfield, and in
,Iune of that year formed a partnership with C. C.
Brown it Son, tlie.firm name being Allen, Brown A-
Brown. This partnership was continued until our
subject was appointed in 1887 to his present
■ludgeship. Throughout his entire life he has
been a stanch supporter of Deraocravic principles.
The marriage of Judge Allen and Miss Annie
McKeen, of Maryland, was celebrated in Decem-
ber, 1858. Mrs. Allen was born in 1840, and is a
daughter of Hugh Blair and Ursula McKeen, na-
tives of Maryland, and now deceased. Of the
union of Judge and Mrs. Allen, six children were
born, five of whom are now living, namely: Willis,
Miriam, Robert M., Louise and John B.

T^^^^ms-^^^m^^sm-^^

i;ILLlAM FRICK, Sr., a well known farmer
^jll residing on section 17, township 3, range
'^^ 8 west, ]\Ionroe County, was born in the
Hessian province of German}^ on the Sd of Octo-
ber, 1819, and is a son of Henry and Catherine
Frick. His father was a farmer and butcher. In
1833, accompanied by his family, he crossed the
Atlantic, landing in New Orleans in M.a^' of that
year. The^- went thence to Little Rock, on to St.
Louis, and later to Belleville, St. Clair County, in
the vicinity of whicii place the family lived for
some time, the members working for farmers in
the neighborhood until 1834, when the father
rented a farm. In the fall of 1835 the family
came to Monroe County, where again a farm was
rented. For a short time the sons worked for
others, and then worked upon the home farm, a
claim of school land having been secured. Mr.
Frick. Sr., continued to live in this locality until
called to the home beyond, on the 4th of .Septem-
ber, 1860. In the familj' were eight children, five
of whom are still living, John, William, Charles,
Ernst and Jacob.

William Frick, of this sketch, continued to work
as a farm hand until twenty-two yeai-s of age. In
1840 he bought land in Randolph County-, a tract
of one hundred and sixty acres, comprising forty
acres of timber land and one liundred and twenty
acres of prairie. On the 17th of September. 1850,

he married Mary Magdelena, daughter of Christo-
pher He}-!, a native of Germany, who came to Illi-
nois from Pennsylvania about 1835 and settled in
Jlonroe Countj'. Mrs. Frick was born in Pennsyl-
vania September 1, 1833. The j'oung couple be-
gan their domestic life upon his farm in Randolph
Count}', but after two years our subject sold out
and removed to the farm which is now his home.
He and his brother John are the oldest settlers
living in the township. AVhen they came here, deer,
wild turkeys and other game were very plentiful.
The land was wild, and tlie work of civilization
seemed hardly begun.

In 1890, Mr. Frick was called upon to mourn the
loss of his wife, who died on the 23d of Septem-
ber. In their family were eleven children, eight
of whom are still living: William Henry, a farmer;
Mary Magdalena, wife of Charles "Menmann, who
operates a farm belonging to her father; Louisa,
wife of Amend Streichcr, of Red Bud; Carolina
Henrietta; Johanna, wife of John Whiteside, an
agriculturist of this community; Mary Ann, at
home; Emil D., a merchant of St. Louis; Edward
Christopher; and Ernest Henry, who are still upon
the home farm. One child died in inSancy; Eliza-
beth died at the age of six and a-half. and JIary
when eight and a-half years of age.

Mr. Frick at one time owned over four hundred
acres of land, but now has three hundred and
eighty-three acres, forty-three on section 18, forty
on section 7, one hundred and twenty on section
5, eigiity on section 17, eighty on section 21. and
twenty on section 16. The land is all highly culti-
vated and improved, and Mr. Frick successfully
carries on general farming and stock-raising. He
started in life for himself without a dollar, and in h is
early years had to work very hard to provide for his
own maintenance, but he was industrious and
frugal, saved his money, and by judicious invest-
ments and well directed efforts he has become one
of the substantial farmers of the community. In
politics he is a stanch supporter of the Democracy,
and for three years was Supervisor of his town-
ship. He was one of the organizere of the Evan-
gelical Church, is now serving as Trustee, and has
ever been one of its active and faithful workers.
Mr. Frick in an early day drove a peddler's wagon

PORTRAIT ANt) BlOGRAPiOCAT. RECORD.

229

from Hecker to 8t. Louis. He supplied tlie mer-
chants with goods, and took their produce to
market in St. Louis, making tliree trips every two
weeks. This was during the cholera epidemic in
1849.

•jf^^RITZ .JENKEL is classed among the intel-
K^Gji ligeut, keen and successful German farm-
/li ers of Perry County and is contributing

much to its material prosperity. His property,
which consists of one hundred and twenty acres,
is located on section 36, township 4, range 3 west,
and is kept up to the highest point in every re-
spect, being supplied with neat and well ordered
buildings and the most im[)roved modern ma-
chinery.

Fritz and Mar}' (Ahrens) Jenkel, the parents of
our subject, were born in Germany. The grand-
father was a tailor by trade, and for many years
held a Government position as forestman. When
too old to follow this business any longer he was
retired with a good pension. In early manhood
he was ordered to enter the German arm}-, and
not wishing to do so, was about to be forced into
the service when his young wife locked him in
a clothes press and thus he evaded his would-be
captors.

The father of our subject learned the carpen-
ter's trade in early life, but did not follow that
occupation, as he succeeded his father as forest-
man and held that position until coming to the
United States. The lady whom he married in his
native country was the daughter of Henr>' Ahrens,
a well-to-do farmer and a devoted Baptist in re-
ligion, who was so persecuted by his enemies that
he was compelled to spend the greater part of his
•life either in the woods or in prison.

Fritz .Jenkel, Sr., emigrated to the United States
with his familj' in 1854, and when locating in St.
Louis was without means of any kind. He worked
for other people for the succeeding two 3'ears,
after which he came to Illinois and made his home
for some time in St. Clair County. In 1858 he
came to Perry Count}', where he purchased eighty
acres of land and resided until liis decease. The

parental family included ten children, of whom
six were born in Germany. They were William,
Fritz, Elizabeth, Mary; Henry and Dora (twins);
Mina, Ida, Catherine, and one who died in infancy.
Of this family, our subject, Ida and Catherine are
the only members living.

Our subject w.as born December 13, 1835, and
I'eceived a fair education in his native land. Be-
ing one of the eldest children, he was compelled
to aid his father in the support of the family.
When nine years of age he began to workout, and
after coming to the United States was employed
by other people for a number of years. The lady
whom he married in his twenty-fifth year was Mrs.
Julia A. Holstetter, daughter of Jacob Hoot. Mrs.
Jenkel was also a native of Germany, and by her
union with our subject has become the mother of
five children, viz.: Henry, William, John, George
and Mary. In 1862 our subject located in this
county, and after renting property for a twelve-
month purchased his present farm, the greater
portion of which he has cleared himself. With his
wife he is a member in good standing of the Bap-
tist Church at Oak Grove, in which body he has
served as Deacon for the past sixteen years. He
is not connected with any political party, but al-
ways votes for the best man.

JR. W. J. HARRAL is a well known and
) rising young physician now engaged in
the practice of medicine in Elkville. He
" claims Tennessee as the state of his nativ-

ity, and in its schools he received a liberal educa-
tion. Determining to take up the practice of
medicine and make it his life work, he entered the
college at Jlemphis, Tenn., and was graduated
with honor from that institution with the degree
of M. D.

Mr. Harial is a doctor of the old school. He
began practice in 1883 and has continued it unin-
terruptedly up to the present time, in the early
part of 1894. His ability to properly diagnose
difficult cases soon brought him conspicuously be-
fore the public and made him well known to a
wide territory. His practice from the beginning

230

PORTRAIT ANt) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

steadily increased and in a few years extended
tluoughout the more densely populated districts
of the western part of Middle Tennessee.

Shortly after beginning practice, as he was now
starling out for himself, Dr. Harral chose as a
companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss
Kugcnia Thompson, a daughter of J.N.Thomp-
son, a native of North Carolina. The parents of
our subject. Baker and Rebecca (White) llarral,
were also natives of North Carolina, and from
that state some sixty years ago emigrated to Ten-
nessee, where the father carried on agricultural
pui-suits. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Harral have been
born two children, a son and daugliter, Carl Riv-
ers and Lonera.

For about ten years our subject continued to
practice in his native state and then came to
Illinois, locating in Elkville in 1893. He has
for about a year been engaged in practice in this
place and is already doing a successful business.
He is a close student of his profession, and his
skill and ability have won for him a high reputa-
tion, not only among his patrons, but also among
his brother physicians. He is a wide-awake and
enterprising young man, and this community finds
in him a valued citizen who manifests a commend-
able interest in everything pertaining to its wel-
fare and its advancement. He possesses raan\'
excellencies of character, and he and his estimable
wife have gained many friends in this community.

HARLES R. MILLER. Randolph County
is the home of a goodly number of men
who have put forth such industrious and
well directed efforts that they have been able to
retire from the toils and cares of life, and are now
spending their time in ease and enjoyment. Among
this number is the gentleman above named, who
occupies an attractive home in Sparta, into which
he moved in 1881. He still owns his fine farm,
which consists of two hundred acres in township
5, range 5, on wiiich he has erected every building
necessary in carrying on the work of the estate, all
being substantial and well arranged.

Tiie father of our subject, Andrew Miller, was a

native of Scotland, having been born in Glasgow,
about 1776. He made his home in his native land
until 1796, when he crossed the Atlantic, antl for
twelve 3'cars resided in Ryegate, Vt. While living
in the Green Mountain State he was the proprie-
tor of a grist mill, which was burned down on two
occasions. From Vermont he went to Gallowa}'
Countj-, N. Y., where he engaged in farming for
some time. In 1827 he came to Randolph County
and made his home on section 9, township 5, range
5, where he remained until his decease, which oc-
curred in July, 1846. He was a member of the
Covenanter Church, being identified with the
Bethel congregation. Grandfather James Miller
was also a native of Scotland, and a miller by trade.

Mrs. Margaret (McLearj-) Miller, the mother of
our subject, was a native of Ireland, and when
ready to come to America made the trip across tlie
Atlantic in compan}' with Rev. William Gibson.
She located in Vermont, where she was married to
.\ndrew Miller in 1802. Of their family of four-
teen children, three died in infancy. Those who
lived to mature years were, James, Jane, Robert,
William, Margaret, Andrew, Mar}' Ann, Eliza,
Rachael, John, and Charles, of this sketch.

Charles R. Miller was born December 13, 1819,
in Galloway County, N. Y., which was his home
until 1827, when he accompanied his father to
Chester. The journey' hither was made by canal
from Amsterdam to Buffalo, where they crossed
the lake to Dunkirk, and from that place they
traveled eighteen miles by wagon. Then they
built a liatboat, b^' means of which they reached
Louisville, K}'., and there embarked on a steam-
boat which landed them at Chester. Charles R. con-
tinued to make his home with his parents until 1846.
Three years previous to this he married Miss
Elizabeth Adams, a native of Washington County,
Pa. Mrs. Miller is the daughter of William and
Sarah (Hughes) Adams, the former a native of
Pennsylvania, and the latter Ixjrn in Wales. Mrs.
Adams was brought to America when nine years
of age, and departed this life while residing in
Illinois. Her husband's decease occurred m Ohio.

Upon the farm concerning which mention was
above made, Mr. Miller continued to make his
home until 1881, since which time he has been

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

231

identified witii the interests of Sparta. In addition
to liis valuable farm of two hundred acres he owns
town property of value. He is a strong Republi-
can in politics. With his wife he is a member of
the Covenanter Church, in wliicli he has been
Elder for the past forty-eight j^ears. By his
union witii Miss Adams, ten children were born,
viz.: Sarah, Andrew Calvin, Robert, .John, Charles,
Delia, Nellie, Willie, Edward (deceased), and one
who died in infancy.

PRANK .J. IIRABIK, proprietor of a bakery,
confectionery and grocery store, is one of
the self-made men of the city. He began
life empty-handed, but has steadil}' worked iiis way
upward, and as a result of his enterprise and per-
severance h.is acquired a comfortable competence.
He was born in Dolan, Bohemia, .July 7, 1853, and
is a son of John and Annie (Stankovsky") Hrabik,
both of whom were natives of the same country.
The father was a farmer by occupation and fol-
lowed that pursuit throughout his entire life.
The parents never left tlieir native land. In the
family were five children, but only two are now
living.

Our subject, who is the second in order of birth,
was reared in his native province and attended
the gymnasium or Latin school for three years,
thus acquiring a good education, which fitted him
for the practical duties of life. In 1871, at the
age of seventeen years, he bade adieu to home and
friends and sailed for the New World. He boarded
an ocean steamer at Bremen and at length arrived
in New York, whence he made his way to St. Louis.
He there learned the trade of manufacturing
confectionery and also learned the baker's trade,
in the Quentin Bakery of that city. In 1877 he
came to Mur[)h}'sboro, where he began working as
a baker in the employ of E. Loosley, with whom he
continued until 1881. During that time, through
his industry and econora}', he had acquired some
property and he now began business for himself at
the corner of Broad and Mulberry Streets, build-
ing an oven and engaging in trade as a baker. He
afterward added a stock of groceries and confec-

tionery and is now doing a good business. Tiie
public soon found that it would fair well at his
hands, and his courteous treatment and straight-
forward dealing have secured for him a liberal
trade.

The marriage or Mr. Hrabik was celebrated in
Murphysboro in 1881, when Miss Henrietta Schoch
became his wife. The lady was born near Ora-
ville, Jackson County, and is a daughter of Con-
rad Schoch, a native of Germany, who is numbered
among the early settlers of this coramunit}'. They
have become the parents of four children, a son
and three daughters, Annie, John, Lillie and Lena.

In politics Mr. Hi'abik is a supporter of the Re-
publican party. He has never been an office
seeker, his time and attention being entirely taken
up by his business interests, in which he is meet-
ing with good success. His prosperity is certainly
well merited, for with nothing to depend upon
except his own exertions he has become one of the
substantial citizens of the community. Socially,
he is connected with the Independent Order of
Forresters.

<^ felLLIAM H. FOUNTAIN, a retired merchant
\f\/ll '^^ Du Quoin, was born in North Carolina
^1^ February 22, 1811. His father, William
Fountain, was born in the same state and through-
out life followed farming. His death occurred in
18 16, when our subject was only five years of age.
The family has long been established in North
Carolina and was of English lineage. The mother
of our subject bore the maiden name of Martha
Kej'. She was born in North Carolina and died
in 1875, at the advanced age of ninety 3-ears.
William H. was their only son, but they had three
daughters, one of whom died in childhood. Ma-
hala married and lived in North Carolina until
her death, which occurred in 1891. Nancy was
married and removed to Missouri, where she
reared a large famil}'. She was called to the home
beyond in 1892.

The educational advantages which Mr. Foun-
tain of this sketch received were limited. In 1835

232

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

he removed to Tennessee, and in 1840 went to
Wn.'^liington County, 111., where he engaged in
teaching school and carried on a small farm. Later
he went to Franklin County, and in 1852 em-
barked in merchandising in Benton, 111., and also
ran a iiotel until 1862, when he came to Perry
C'()unt3-, III. Three years later he opened a mer-
cantile store in Du Quoin and continued opera-
tions along that line until 1876, when he retired
to private life, having accumulated a handsome
property which enabled him to lay aside business
cares.

In 1831 Mr. Fountain was united in marriage
with Penelope Pope, who died in 1851. To them
were born ten children, but only two are now liv-
ing, although seven of the number grew to man-
hood and womanhood. Henry, a prominent mer-
chant of Du Quoin, died in 1867. Mary became
the wife of Judge E. V. Pierce, and both are now
deceased. Martha became the wife of Aaron Neal
and died in 1869. Melvina E. was twice married,
but is now a widow living in St. Louis. Penelope
is the wife of Henry- W. Lever, of Du Quoin. T. T.
was a soldier in the Civil War and held the rank
of Second Lieutenant. He was graduated from
the Michigan University of Ann Arbor and be-
came a prominent attorney representing his district
in the General Assembly. His death occurred
October 6, 1892. D. W., the next son, who was
a soldier in the late war, was a graduate of the
Michigan State Universitj' and became a leading
lawyer. He served as State's Attorney and was
for a time engaged in the banking business in
South Dakota. His death occurred in Du Quoin
in October, 1891. For his second wife Mr. Foun-
tain married the daughter of ex-Governor Daugh-
erty, of Illinois. She died in 1884.

Mr. Fountain has been a member of the Meth-
odist Church since 1836, and has taken a very
prominent part in its work. For many years he
has been a Roj'al Arch Mason, and was at one
time Master of the blue lodge and a member of
the Grand Lodge of the state. In politics he has
been a stanch Republican since Ft. Sumter was
fired upon, and has been true and faithful to every
duty. He has now reached the age of eighty-three
years. His step is not as light and his baud is not

as steady as it was in the prime of manhood, but
his eye is bright and his intellect is as clear as it
was a half-century ago. He is now living a quiet,
retired life in his pleasant home, surrounded by
the comforts and luxuries which he has been en-
abled to secure through the capital acquired by
his own exertions. He is indeed a self-made man
and his honorable, upright life is well worthy of
emulation.

= ■!• •5* "i^J* "J* •}• "J* •5* i

HOMAS DEVINE is one of the active and
wide-awake business men of the citj- of
Chester, in which place he made his advent
in 1891, but has been a resident of this state for
twenty 3'ears. His birth occurred in Birmingham,
England, December 12, 1858, and his parents were
James and Catherine Devine. The father was born
in Ireland, and in early manhood emigrated to
England, where he and his wife are still living,
spending their declining years in ease and com-
fort.

Our subject is one of a family of six children
born to his parents. He attended the public
schools in his native shire, gaining a good educa-
tion, and when old enough he commenced to work
in the rolling mills. He continued in this business
until 1873, when he thought he could better his
fortunes by coming to the United States. He im-
mediately came to the Prairie State, settling in
Grand Tower, Jackson County, where he worked
for his uncle, John Devine. Two years later he
went to Fredericktown, Mo., where he sta}'ed until
his removal to this city, since which time he has
been engaged with his uncle in the ice and saloon
business. It has grovvn to be a lucrative enterprise,
and part of the time he has carried it on alone.

June 30, 1885, Miss Vena Bruns became the wife
of our subject. The lady is a daughter of William
and Sophia Bruns, who are residents of Chester,
and who emigrated from Germany in an early day.
Mrs. Devine is the second in a family of six chil-
dren born to her worthy parents. She was reared
in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, while her
husband is a Catholic.

Politically, Mr. Devine is a Democrat, but has
never aspired to official duties, preferring the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

233

quietude of home life to political honors. Socially
he is a member of Hercules Lodge No. 228, K. of
P., at Chester.

=*5'*5**J**5"{"5**J*'5'=

=-^i' NTON LANGSDORF is a prominent mer-
iWiuW chant of Ruiksville, where he has carried
on business for a number of years. He is
now the proprietor of a general store, well
stocked with everything found in that line. He
receives from the public a liberal patronage, for he
is honorable and upright in all his dealings and
courteous in his treatment of his customers. The
record of his life is as follows:

Mr. Langsdorf was born in Germany .June 27,
1833, and is a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Cappes)
Langsdorf, both of whom were natives of the same
country. They had a family of eight children,
three of whom are now deceased. Those still liv-
ing are, John, Anton, Elizabeth, William and
Jacob. The father of this family served for seven
years in the German army. His occupation was
that of farming, and this he followed tlirougiiout
life. Both he Jind his wife were faitiiful and con-
sistent members of the Lutheran Church, and were
highly educated people, who had the respect of all
who knew them. They never left their native land.
Mr. Langsdorf died at the age of sixty-three years
and his wife at the age of sixty.

Our subject spent the dajs of his boyhood and
youth quietly, attending the public schools and
thus acquirimg a good education. When a young
man he determined to seek a iiome .ind fortune in
the New World, for he believed that better oppor-
tunities arfd advantages were afforded here than in
the older countries of Europe. In 1855 he bade
adieu to friends and country and crossed the At-
lan^c. His first location was made in Waterloo, IlL,
where he remained for four years. On the expira-
tion of that period he came to Burksville, where
he began working at the tailor's trade, which he
followed for seven years. He labored industrious-
ly and earnestly and acquired some capital, which
he invested in a stock of general merchandise,
and opened a store.

Mr. Langsdorf was married in 1857 to Miss
Charlotta Garber, a native of Germany, who came

to the United States alone in 1853, locating in
Waterloo. She is a lady possessed of many excel-
lencies of character and has made many warm
friends in this communitj'. By their union were
born eight children, but only four are now liv-
ing: Anton, William, Gustavus and Lewis. The
sons "have been provided with excellent educa-
tional privileges and are now young men of ster-
ling worth, who are holding responsible business
positions in St. Louis.'

Both Mr. and Mrs. Langsdorf are leading mem-
bers of and active workers in the Lutheran Church,
in which he is now serving as Elder. They take a
warm interest in all church and benevolent work,
and tiie cause of education receives their heart3'
support. In his political views, Mr Langsdorf is
a Republican, and he has held the office of School
Director. When he reached this country he not
onlj' had no capital, but was $12 in debt, and
tiierefore had to work his way upward from the
very lowest round of the ladder. He has met with
difficulties and obstacles, but he has overcome
these by determined effort and has achieved a suc-
cess of which he may justly be proud, having be-
come one of the substantial citizens of this com-
munity. It was a fortunate day for him when he
determined to come to America, and he need never
regret tliat he carried out this resolution.

♦^^^1

m^-m

1 1^ * * - -

OHN W. FIRTH is one of the representa-
tive and enterprising farmers of Randolph
County. He owns a farm of two hundred
and ten acres of valuable land, of which
one hundred and twenty acres are under a high
state of cultivation and 3'ield to the owner a
golden tribute in return for the care and labor
he bestows upon it. The place is well improved
with all the accessories and conveniences of a
model farm and is stocked with fine grades of
horses and cattle.

The owner of this desirable place was born in
Yorkshire, England, in 1842, and on both tlie pa-
ternal and maternal sides is of English descent.
His grandparents spent their lives in that country.
His parents were Thomas and Charlotte (Naylor)

234

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Firth, natives of Yorkshire. The father was born in
1800, and in 1820 was married. He and his wife had
a family of fourteen children, of whom seven died
in infanc}'. The others are, Seth, who died in
1853; Benjamin, superintendent of tlie worsted de-
partment of E. S. Iliggins (t Co., of New Yorlv;
Obed, a retired policeman of New York City* Will-
iam, who died in England; Rile}-, superintendent
of the carding and si)inning department of the
manufactory of E. S. Higgins & Co., of New York;
Tliomas N., who was killed in England, and .Jolin
W. The first named son, Seth, was employed by
E. S. Higgins & Co., in 1848, as foreman of the
carding and spinning department in their factory,
and at his death, in 1853, his brother Benjamin
took that position.

The mother of this family was a member of the
Wesleyan Methodist Church, and died in England
in 1846. In 1847 the father came to America, and
lived in New York Cit}' until 1861, when he emi-
grated to Randolph County. Upon the farm on
whicii our subject now makes his home he resided
until his death, .June 5, 1881. In his native land
he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods,
and during his residence in New York was with
the firm of E.S. Higgins & Co., carpet manufact-
urers, remaining in their emploj' from 1846 until
1861. The latter 3-ears of his life were spent
in farming, and he became the possessor of a com-
fortable competence. He was a Roj'al Arch Ma-
son and aided in organizing a number of Masonic
lodges in New York. In politics he was first a
Whig, and afterward a Republican. He was much
interested iu churcli work and was a local minis-
ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church for about
twenty years. During bis residence in the east, he
married Bettie Wilde, who died in 1874.

Our subject was a lad of only seven summers
when he came to this country. He remained with
his father until the death of the latter. While in
New York he was also employed in the carpet
factor}' of Higgins & Co., in the carding and spin-
ning department. In 1861 he came with liis father
to Illinois, and together they carried on farming
for a number of years.

In Randolph County, December 25, 1868, Mr.
Firth married Elizabeth Nelson, who was born in

this locality, and who is a daughter of John D. and
Janet (Nelson) Nelson, who were natives of Scot-
land. Eight children have been born of their
union: Charlotte J., wife of George H. Davis, of
Indianapolis, who is connected with the Big Four
Railway Company; William R., an engineer of
Perry County, 111.; Thomas D., at home; Jennie,
now a student in Sparta; Dianthy M., Luella, Chris-
tina and Obed, all at lioine.

Mr. Firth exercises his right of francliise in sup-
port of the Republican party. For five 3'ears he
served as Road Commissioner and was also Treas-
urer and Collector of his township. We see in our
subject a self-made man, who at tlie early age of
fourteen started out iu life for himself and has
since made his own way in tlie world. By de-
termined effort he has overcome the obstacles and
difHculties in his patii and has ste;idily worked his
way upward to a position of afflueuce. His well
spent life is worthy of emulation.

'\fj OSEPH STEINLE, proprietor of the Mur-
ph3'sboro Steam Bottling Works, and man-
^^ ufacturer of soda and carbonated waters,
t^^/ was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, No-
vember 20, 1852, and is a son of Thaddeus and
Elizabeth (Preig) Steinle, who were farmers of
that count!-}'. In the family were seven children.
Joseph is the third in order of birth and the onl\-
one in America. He was reared upon the home
farm until fifteen years of age, and was tlien ap-
prenticed to a brewer, working along that line of
business until 1883, wiien lie bade adieu to home
and friends, having determined to try his fortune
in America. He sailed from Antwerp, and after
eleven days spent upon the briny deep reached
New York City. Going to St. Louis, he was em-
ployed in tlie Stevens' Brewery, where he contin-
ued seven and a-half years. During the last three
years of that time he served as second foreman.

In July, 1890, Mr. Steinle came to Murphysboro
and accepted the position of Superintendent of
the Murphysboro Brewing Company. Through
his instrumentality the business was placed on a
paying basis. On the 6th of February, 1892, he

V^cv^'

^,^^^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

237

purchased of Ed Hayes the Murphysboro Steam
Bottling "Works, of which he has since been pro-
prietor. He has greatly improved and enlarged
the facilities, put in steam and made a fine well,
and there are all the conveniences and accessories
required in the business. During tiie summer he
keeps an agent upon the road, and ships his goods
from seventy-five to one hundred miles from this
place. He manufactures California orange cider,
English Club soda, ^rape soda, cream soda, lemon
sour, pale lager beer, birch beer, champagne cider
and Scotland Bay ginger ale. lie also carries in
stock the Seltzer Spring waters and Silurian water,
and deals in whiskey bottles and all kinds of glass-
ware.

Mr. Steinle was married in Germany in 1879,
the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa Kull, a
native of the Fatlierland. They have one child,
Frank. Our subject is a member of the Odd Fel-
lows' society, of the Treibund and of the Turners'
society. Ho is also connected with the St. Louis
Brewing Company. During his residence in Amer-
ica he has met with good success in his business,
thus proving that his decision of seeking a home
in the New AVorld was a wise one. He has already
made many friends in tliis community and has a
wide acquaintance.

E.!-*+-S"M~5~fE

(r_, ON. JOSEPH B. GILL, Lieutenant-Gov-
liTj' ernor of Illinois, and President of the State
laVji^ Senate, has won his position of prominence
'^P through merit and ability. He was born
on a farm near Marion, Williamson County, 111.,
February 17, 1862, and is a son of the late John
M. Gill, Jr., ex-Mayor of Murphysboro, 111. A na-
tive of Jackson County, this state, he was born
November 28. 1833, and was the fifth'of eight
children, whose parents, John and Nancy Gill,
were old residents of the county. The grand-
father was born in Virginia, whence he accom-
panied his parents to Illinois in 1813, and located
near De Soto. His death occurred in December,
1886. He was of English and Irish descent, while
his wife was of German extraction.

During his boyhood years John M. Gill, Jr., as-
sisted his father in the work on the home farm.
3

On the 6th of January, 1859, he married Miss
Nancy J., daughter of Washington Wright, of
Williamson County. They had two children, but
one is now deceased. In 1855 Mr. Gill began
merchandising in De Soto, and in 1859 removed
to Williamson County, where he engaged in farm-
ing .Tnd dealing in tobacco and other produce.
In 1863 he returned to De .Soto, where he con-
tinued to reside until 1868, and in that year came
to IMurphysboro. Here he resumed mercantile pur-
suits, hut his store was destroyed by lire in 1870,
and he then turned his attention to milling.

In politics John M. Gill, Jr., was a stalwart
Democrat. In 1876 he was elected Mayor of
Murphysboro, and filled the office for two terms,
discharging its duties with rare judgment. He
was also one of the Directors of the public schools
of the city for many years, and was a member of
the Masonic fraternity- for about twenty years.
He founded the town of Gillsburg, on the narrow
gauge railroad (now Oraville, on the Mobile &
Ohio Railroad) about eight miles northwest of
Murphysboro. As a business man he was ener-
getic, and combined many of those qualities — hon-
esty, integi'ity and suavity — which are the sure
precursors of success in life. His death occurred
February 27, 1886.

In 1863 Joseph B. Gill was taken by his parents
to De Soto, and in 1868 to Murphysboro, where
he has since made his home. He was educated in
the public schools and in the Christian Brothers'
College, in ISt. Louis, and the Southern Illinois
Normal School, at Carbondale, graduating from
the latter in June, 1884. He then completed a
law term of two years at Ann Arbor, graduating in
July, 1886, and was admitted to the Michigan Bar,
passing an examination before the Circuit and Su-
preme Courts of that state. He has, however,
never practiced his profession, for immediately
on his return home he embarked in the newspaper
business, buying an interest in the Murphysboro
Independent, which he conducted and edited until
January 1, 1893.

November 28, 1893, Mr. Gill married Miss Pearl
Hall, the daughter of James W. and Augusta Hall,
formerly residents of southern Illinois, and later
of San Bernardino, Cal., where Mrs. Gill was liv-

238

PORTRAIT A^'D BJOURAPHICAL RECORD.

infir at the time of her marriage. She is a lady of
refinement :ind culture, and has evinced decided
talent in l)otii music and painting.

i.ike liis fatiier, the subject of this sketch be-
came a stanch advocate of the principles of the
Democratic party. In 1888 he was elected to the
Lower House, and was re-elected in 1890. In
both general assemblies lie was a strong anti-cor-
poration man, and espoused the cause of the labor-
ing people in every measure of interest to them.
He championed the [lassage of the Gross- Weight
Bill, the Weekly Pay Bill and tlie Anti-Truck
Store Bill, and did all he could to advance the
Arbitration Bill to a successful issue. His efforts
to benefit a class of people who had few friends in
the Legislature were appreciated, and soon after
that body adjourned in 1891 there was a demand
for his name to be placed on the state ticket.

On the first ballot in April, 1892, Mr. Gill was
nominated for the office of Lieutenant-Governor
by the Democratic State Convention. An unusual
interest was taken in his election on account of
the close relations between the candidate and the
class whose cause he espoused in tl»e Legislature.
He was triumphantly elected, receiving the highest
number of votes of an}- man on the ticket except
the candidate for State Treasurer. This fact in-
dicated his popularity among the working people,
and also those in other walks of life.

After the inauguration of Governor Altgeld,
owing to sickness, he did not perform an}' of the
official duties, but started immediately for the
south. That being the case, Mr. Gill became act-
ing Governor, and was the first representative of
tiie Democratic part}' to fill the executive chair
for over thirty-five years. Being mindful of the
interests of the people, and believing that vast
sums of money belonging to the state had hereto-
fore been sequestered, he therefore, by the author-
ity vested in liim as Governor, directed the Attor-
ney-General to institute suits against ex-state
officials extending over a long period of 3'ears.
Wliile his action met with the unqualified approval
of the tax-payers and common people of the state,
it created constern.-ition in the ranks of those
politicians whose financial interests were directly
or indirectly affected. His course was highl}'

commended bj' the press of the state and by those
who favored good government and the econom-
ical administration of affairs. While thus engaged.
Governor Gill was also executing the law and
putting into effect the principles of the platform
on which he was elected.

In February, 1894, owing to the absence of the
Governor from the state, the Lieutenant-Gover-
nor .again assumed the gubernatorial chair, and .as
upon the previous occasion, discharged the duties
of the office with skill and ability and to the
entire satisfaction of the people. Many compli-
ments have been extended hirn by the press of
Illinois and other states, also b}' representative
men of this state during his incumbency of the
office. He is the youngest Lieutenant-Governor
ever elected in this stale, yet his qualifications
have made him an equal in the discharge of his
duties with those whose years greatly outnum-
bered his. He is an impartial presiding officer,
and has alread}' won the respect of the Senate.
Though scarcely j-et in the prime of life, he is
recognized as an important factor in politics, and
in the future, should he continue to devote his
energies to this work, his career will undoubtedly
be a brilliant one.

^•}"!"5"i-^

ERNARD DANIEL has the largest bakery in
^ Murphysboro, and is also engaged in gen-
eral merchandising. lie is enterprising and
industrious, and tliese qualifications, which
are essential to success, have brought him a well
deserved prosperit}-. Numbered among the native
sons of Illinois, he was born in Belleville, July 31,
1859. His father, Sebastian Daniel, was a native
of Baden, Germany, and in his youth learned
the baker's trade. When a young man of seven-
teen, he came to the United States and followed
that business in Belleville, III. During his resi-
dence there he married Clara Furstenberg, who was
born in Freedom, III.

Later, Mr. Daniel established a bakeiy in Red
Bud, where he continued business until enlisting
in an Illinois regiment for service in the late war
He faithfully aided in the defense of the Union

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRATHICAL RECORD.

239

until its preservation was an assured fact, and then
returned to his business in Red Bud, where he
continued until coming to Murphjsboro in 1869.
At tlie corner of Union and Chesnut Streets he es-
tablished a bakery, and in connection with his
work in that line also engaged in the manufact-
ure and sale of confectionery until his death, in
1872. His widow still survives hira.audj-et makes
her home in Murphysboro. The children of the
Daniel family are, William, who is engaged in the
bakery and confectionery business; Bernard, of
this sketch; Christine, wife of John Stoeltzle; and
Lizzie, wife of Al Ozburn.

Bernard Daniel has lived in Murphysboro since
the age of ten years, and is therefore well known
to its citizens, among whom he is held in high re-
gard. He was educated in its public and private
schools, and with his father learned the baker's
trade. On the death of the latter, he aided his
mother in carrying on the business, and subse-
quently worked as a baker until February, 1882,
when he began business for himself in companj'
with tho Borger brothers, under the firm name of
Borger & Daniel. He bought out his partners'
'interests in 1884, and has since conducted the
business alone. The store is located at the corner
of Walnut and Union Streets, where he carries a
large stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, gro-
ceries, queenswarc, provisions, etc. He also has
the largest bakery in Murphysboro, and represents
the Dozier Bakery of St. Louis, handling large
quantities of the goods of that firm. The oven,
located in the rear of the store, is 10x12 feet,
and has a capacity' of one thousand loaves of bread
per day.

Mr. Daniel is a member of St. Andrew's Catho-
lic Church, and is Financial Secretary of the Cath-
olic Knights of Hlinois. He also belongs to Jack-
son Camp No. 113, S. V., and is a member of the
Camp Council. He exercises his right of franchise
in sup[)ort of the Democratic nart^', but has neither
sought nor desired public office, preferring to de-
vote his entire time and attention to his business
interests, in which he has met with signal success.

In 1891 Mr. Daniel built a pleasant residence
on Union Street. His wife was formerly Miss
Lena Berger. She was born in Alabama, but her

maidenhood da3's were passed in Murphysboro,
and she is a daughter of Bartel Berger, of this
place. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel was
celebiated January 22, 1883, and has been blessed
with three children, Gertie, William and Clara.

_^,,, NDREW B. CHEW, who follows farming
1@/-JI| on section 21, Ora Township, J.ackson
County, was born in Jefferson County, III.,
April 20, 1830. His father, James Chew,
was a native of Lebanon, Ohio, and there resided
until he had attained to man's estate, when he
removed to St. Clair Count}', 111. Soon afterwards
he married Nancj' Million, daughter of Bennett
and Nancy Million, who came from Kentuckj' to
to this state in an early day. Mr. Chew was a
tailor by trade, but followed school teaching
through the greater part of his life. He removed
to St. Louis and thence went to Jefferson County,
111. Later he resided for a time in Ohio, after
which he returned to St. Clair County, and finally
located in Washington County, III. While on his
way to Ohio, where he intended visiting, he was
taken sick, at Logansport, Ind., and died. He was
then only thirty-five \ears of age. He held mem-
bership with the Masonic fraternit}-, and belonged
to the Baptist Church, frequently occupying the
pulpit. His wife long survived him and passed
away in Bradley Townshij), Jackson County, in
1892, at the age of seventy-nine. In their family
were three children, Andrew B; Mary A., wife of
David McCoy; and Nancy J., widow of John
Smith, who died in 1893.

Mr. Chew of this sketch aided in the labors of
the home farm until eighteen years of age, when
he went to Belleville, 111., and leai-ned the carpen-
ter's trade with his uncle, John Million. He has
since carried on business along that line. He
was married in Carbondale, March 23, 1864, to
Mahala J. Deason. He.r father. Shepherd Deason,
emigrated from South Carolina to Illinois, and in
this state married Elizabeth Troop. He followed
farming near Carbondale, and was a well known
citizen of that locality. The members of liis fam-
ily were, McCager, who died in Missouri; Edwin,

240

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RI-XORl).

who died in Texas; Delilah, wife of Jesse Temple;
Amos, who is living in Stoddard County, Mo., and
Shepherd Allen, who died in cliildhood.

For three years after tUeir marriage, Mr. and
Mrs. Chew made their home in Murphysboro,
and removed to their present residence on the
oth of May, 1869. The following children were
born to them: William, who was born April 22,
J866, died October 1, 1887; Jesse, born October
13, 1867, died in infancy; Frank, born Septem-
ber 5, 1869, is now engaged in merchandising;
Julia, born July 25, 1872, died in infancy; Phtcbe,
twin sister of Julia, was married May 5, 1892, to
B. McBride, and with their daughter, Martha J.,
they reside on a farm south of Ava; Delia was
born February 23, 1874; Oliver was born July 15,
1877; Eiizahetli and Nancy, twins, were born July
24, 1880.

Mr. Chew was found among the defenders of
the country during tiie late war. He enlisted
August 26. 1861, as a member of Company H,
Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, under Capt.
Mike H. Broods and Col. N. B. Buford. He par-
ticipated in the battles of Belmont, Island No. 10,
Corinth, Farmington, Iai verne. Stone River, Chick-
amauga. Missionary Ridge and Knoxville. At
Blaine's Cross Roads he re-enlisted as a veteran of
Company G, Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry, un-
der Captain Martin and Colonel Hughes, and
served under General Sherman in the Atlanta
campaign, participating in the battles of Franklin
and Nashville. After the fall of Richmond, in the
spring of 1865, he went to Washington, D. C, and
after participating in the Grand Review, was mus-
tered out at Louisville, Ky. He was never
wounded, but for six weeks was confined to the
hospital with rheumatism. He also contracted
granulation of the eyelids, and he still frequently
suffers from that disease.

Since his return from the war, Mr. Chew has con-
tinuously engaged in carpentering near his home.
He is a prominent member of the Free Will Baptist
Church, in which he serves as Trustee and Deacon,
and is a member of the Grand Armj^ post of Ava.
In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as
Township Assessor for two terms, and for one term
was Justice of the Peace. His official duties and

those of private life are discharged with the same
fidelity that characterized his career when he went
to the defense of his country and followed the
Stars and Stripes to victory.

O. Ml'RPllY, |)roprietor of an extensive
clothing house, and the head of the mer-
cantile firm of H. 0. Murphy &. Co., is rec-
ognized as one of the leading business men
of Pinckneyvillc, for he is connected with various
enterprises in this place. lie was born here De-
cember 6, 1862, and is a son of the Hon. William
K. Murphy. The family is of Irish origin. The
great-grandfather of our subject was born in the
North of Ireland, came to America prior to the
Revolution, and was a soldier in the great conflict
which ended British rule over the American Col-
onies. When their independence was achieved,
he settled in Tennessee, and in 1818 came to Illi-
nois, locating in Perry County, near what is
known as Lost Prairie. He was a stonemason by
trade, but his last days were spent on a farm,
wliere his death occurred.

Richard G. Murphy, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, was born in Tennessee, January 4, 1801, and
was the youngest of five brothers. He became a
conspicuous figure in the history of southern Illi-
nois. He served in the Black Hawk War, and in
1832 was elected to the State Legislature, where
he remained for ten consecutive years. In 1847
he was appointed by President Polk as agent
for the Sioux Indians, then on their reservation
in Minnesota, whither he went, there spending
three years. He then returned to Illinois, and in
1850 was again elected to the Legislature, and was
Chairman of the committee which incorporated
the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1854 he again
went to Minnesota, where he lived until his death,
in 1874. He was thcie extensively engaged in
farming and stock-raising, and was also a mem-
ber of the first State Senate of Minnesota. The
name of Richard G. Murphy was familiar through-
out Illinois and IMinnesota, where he was numbered
among the most prominent citizens. His brother,
William C, who was also well known in southern

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RPXORD.

241

Illinois, was for many years doorkeeper in the
State Senate and House of Representatives when
tlie State Capitol was located in Vandal ia. Upon
tlie organization of Perry, in 1827, lie was ap-
pointed Slieriff, and he also held other county
offices. Miirpliysboro, the county seat of Jackson
County, was named in his honor.

Hon. William K. Murphy, the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Perr3' County in 1835. He acquired
such education as could be obtained in the com-
mon schools half a century ago, and then took up
the study of law, having determined to make its
practice his life work. In 18.59 he was admitted
to the Bar, and opened an office in Pinckney ville.
When the Civil War broke out, he raised a com-
pany', and was elected its Captain. It became
Company H of the One Hundred and Tenth Illi-
nois Infantry, and Mr. Murphy continued in com-
mand until April, 1863, when he resigned and re-
turned home. In 18(56 he formed a law partnership
with the Hon. John Boyd, which connection was
continued until 1882. This was considered the
most able law firm in southern Illinois, and for
many ye.irs there was not an important case tried
in this part of the state with which they were not
connected on one side or the other.

In local [(olitics, Mr. Murphy has been an import-
ant factor. He was Master in Chancery, and in 1864
and 1866 was elected to the House of Representa-
tives. In 1872 he was elected to the State Senate,
and in 1880 and 1881 was again in the Lower
House. In 1882 he was the Democratic candidate
for Congress from the Twentieth Congressional
District, but was defeated by two hundred and
eighty votes in the district that two years previ-
ously had given a Republican majority of two
thousand. This was one of the failures which may
be regarded as a victory. In 1893 he was appointed
by President Cleveland Collector of the Port of
Cairo, a position he is now filling. In addition
to his professional and political life, he has been
an active man in business, and is at the head of the
banking house of Murphy, Wall & Co., of Pinck-
neyville. He is President of the First National
Bank of Murphysboro, and is at the head of the
large mercantile house of Murph3', Crawford ik Co.,
besides beinur interested in various other extensive

business concerns. He owns lai'ge tracts of land,
and is accounted one of the wealthiest men of
southern Illinois.

Mrs. Murphy, the mother of our subject, bore
the maiden name of Penina Ozbuin, daughter of
the Hon. Hawkins S. Ozburn, a native of Tennes-
see, who served as Captain in the Mexican War,
and who was at one time a member of the Illinois
State Senate. In the Murph.y family were but
two children, H. 0., and Sadie V., wife of Joseph
Crawford, of the firm of Murphy, Crawford & Co.

Our subject acquired an excellent education,
and was a student in Washington University, of
St. Louis. He entered upon his business career
in 1881, when he formed a partnership with C. H.
Greser, as dealers in general merchandise. This
connection continued for seven j'ears, when Mr.
Murph}- withdrew from the firm and established
his present extensive clothing house. He has
other business interests, which yield toliim a good
income.

In July, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of H.
O. Murphy and Miss Minnie B. Lawson, of Dead-
wood, S. Dak., a most estimable lady, who has
won many friends in this locality-. He is a Chap-
ter Mason, and was the founder of the Knights of
Pythias lodge in Pinckneyville. He served as its
first Chancellor Commander, and is now represen-
tative to the Grand Lodge. He is also a worthy
representative of the honored Murphy family, and
we have no doubt that the name will grow even
brighter as he advances in his career.

. T. MACLIN, M. D., one of the leading
'' physicians of Du Quoin, who is now en-

W^ joying a large and lucrative practice, was
born in Williamson County, Tenn., August 9,
1844. His father, W. T. Maclin, Sr., was born in
Virginia October 12, 1804, and was a son of Willis
Maclin, a native of Kings County, Ireland, who
came to this country during the Revolution.
Hiding on a British ship, he crossed the Atlantic
and joined the Continental army, in which he
served until after the surrender of Cornwallis at
Yorktown. He was within a hundred feet of that

242

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

general when he gave up his sword. Immediately
after the war he locuted near Nashville, Tenn., and
from that place entered the army for the War of
1812. He became an extensive planter, but was
always opposed to slaver^'. He was a man of liberal
education and wasa great reader. In the militia he
served as Captain, Major and Colonel. His death
occuned in Tennessee in 1851, at the age of
eighty-five. His nephew, William Maclin,was tlie
first Secretary of .State in Tennessee.

The Doctor's father was also a well educated
man, w.as a prosperous farmer and a prominent
politician. He died in Tennessee in 1886. He
had several brothers, and one of the number, Isaac
E., served as a soldier in the late war in the Sev-
enth Tennessee Cavalry. During the struggle he
was made a prisoner bj' Forrest. When tiie war
was over he came to Illinois, and was killed by a
train at the depot in Du Quoin.

Mrs. Maclin, mother of the Doctor, was in her
maidenhood Anna M. Brooks, and was a native of
Philadelphia. Her great-grandfather, Lord Brooks,
had two sons, George and Samuel. The former
came to America when a boy, but the latter re-
mained in his native land until he had attained
his majority, when he crossed the Atlantic to visit
his brother, who was a sea captain. While return-
ing to his native land lie was drowned. Capt.
George Brooks was the grandfather of Mrs. Mac-
lin. While on a voyage he was taken prisoner by
the Spaniards, held captive for a period of seven
years, and was finally condemned to death, but
on making it known to some of the high officials
that he was a Mason, he was promptly reprieved.
Later he was liberated and his ship and cargo
restored to him. He m.ade a fortune on the high
seas and died in Philadelphia at an advanced age.
The original of the famous painting "Four Sea-
sons" was presented to him bj' a nobleman and is
now in the possession of the Green family. His
son George, father of Mrs. Maclin, was a promi-
nent merchant of Philadelphia, and later went to
Nashville, Tenn., where he engaged in merchandis-
ing. He afterwards owned a tanner3- at Franklin,
Tenn., where his last days were spent. He mar-
ried Magdaline Green, daughter of Capt. John
Green, who was also a sea captain and was of Irish

descent. His home was in Philadelphia and he
was said to be quite wealthy. In his family were
five daughters, of whom four married physicians,
namely: Dr. Shelby, Dr. .Sims, Dr. McNarry and Dr.
Minich. The other daughter, Mrs. Brooks, died in
Tennessee in the '40s.

Our subject was the second in the family of
three sons and three daughters. His sister Mary
is now living near Nashville; Columbus C. is a
phj'sician of Tennessee; B. F. is a farmer of Ten-
nessee; Cordelia died in 1890; and Julia is the
wife of C. K. Mitchell, a prosperous farmer of
Tennessee. The Doctor was reared upon the home
farm, acquired his education in the common
schools and fitted himself for teaching. He began
this work at the age of seventeen and continued
it through the Civil War, during which time he
also read medicine. He attended his first course
of lectures in the Nashville Medical College in
1865-66, then entered the Cincinnati Medical Col-
lege and was graduated therefrom in 1868. In
1881 he took a post graduate course in Memphis
Hospital. He began practice in Cairo, Tenn.,
where he continued seventeen years, wiien, in 1884,
he came to Du Quoin, where he has met with ex-
cellent success, securing a most liberal palionage.

The Doctor married, September 1, 1868, Mar}'
E. Harrell, a native of Tennessee, who came of an
old North Carolina family'. She died on her
forty-first birthd.iy, December 16, 1890. They had
a family of seven children, of whom five are }'et
liying: Lula A., wife of Clarence E. Blakeslee, of
the Blakeslee Manufacturing Compan}'; Anna E.,
wife of Stephen Rogers, a hotel-keeper of Mt. Ver-
non, 111.; W. B.; John A. and Grover C, at home.
On the 12th of October, 1893, the Doctor married
Mrs. Catharine (Freudenberg) Weger,of Du Quoin,
the widow of Adrian Wcger. This excellent lady
was born in Belleville, III., and is connected with
some of the oldest and most prominent German
families of that city. She has four children, Oscar,
Ida, Anna and Walter Weger.

Dr. Maclin is a member of the National Associ-
ation of Railway Surgeons, of the Southern Illi-
nois Medical Association, and is local surgeon for
the Illinois Central Railroad and the St, Louis,
Alton & Terre Haute Railroad Companj'. During

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

243

President Cleveland's first administration he held
tlie office of Pension Examiner. He heeame an
Odd Fellow iu 1 867, has filled all the chairs of the
local lodge, and is a member of the Grand Lodge.
In 1871 he was made a Mason, joined the chapter
in 1874, and is a charter member of the Knights of
Pythias. He served for eight years on the Board of
Education, is a member of the City Council, and in
his political views is a Democrat. In religious belief
he is identified with the Christian Church. He is
recognized as a valued citizen, one ever interested
in what pertains to the upbuilding of the comnui-
nitv.

I®), ^Wa M

if^ APT. WILLIAM M. NEIL, an honored vet-
l( eran of the late war, who is now living a

^^f) retired life in Pinckne^-ville, was born in
Perry Count}', Ind., November 5, 1837. His fa-
ther, David Gregory McNeil, was a native of
Pennsylvania, hut removed to Kentucky, where
he married Harriet Lay, who was born near Lex-
ington, that state, and belonged to one of the
most prominent families there. The father re-
moved with his family to Perry County, Ind.,
where the}' were among the earliest settlei-s. Later
they went to Greenville, Ohio, where the father
died at the age of seventy-nine years, and the
mother when eighty-four years of age. In their
family were six children, four sons and two daugh-
ters. The eldest, J. B., a Lieutenant of the late
war, is a carriage maker by trade, and resides in
Ann Arbor, Mich.; James, who was also one of
the boys in blue, is now express agent for the
American Express Company at Greenville, Ohio;
Daniel was also a soldier for about two j'ears;
Mary is the wife of Joseph Ritnour, who is en-
gaged in fruit-growing near Madison, Ohio; and
Elizabeth became the wife of I. N. Shiveley, near
Greenville, Ohio, and died in 1890.

In the usual manner of farmer lads. Captain Mc-
Neil spent his early boyhood da3'S. After attend-
ing the common schools, we find him a student in
Liber College, of Portland, Ind., and at the age of
seventeen he engaged in teaching. The year 1860

witnessed his arrival in Illinois. He located in
Du Quoin, and the following year there wedded
Mary Mead, of that place. Their only child, Mary
Alice, who was an artist of fine ability, was educa-
ted in the State University at Champaign. She
became the wife of Prof. M. E. Cliase, one of the
art instructors of the university, but died two
3-ears after her marriage.

All of the sons of the McNeil family were I'nion
soldiers. In 1862 our subject enlisted in his coun-
try's defense, and was assigned to Company A,
Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, under command of
Col. John A. Logan. After a few days he was
made Second Lieutenant, six months later became
First Lieutenant, and afterward was promoted to
the rank of C'aptain. During tiie last year of his
service he was a member of the staff of Eugene A.
Carr, under Gen. A. J. Smith, General Logan and
General McPherson. He participated in the bat-
tles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills and
Black River, and in the charge on Yicksburg was
wounded, as were twent3'-flve of the thirt3--eight
men under him. His Second Lieutenant was killed
iu that battle. He took charge in the Red River
expedition, the battle of Nashville and in the cap-
ture of Ft. Blakelyand Spanish Fort, serving until
August, 1865.

AVhen the war was over and the preservation of
the Union was an assured fact. Captain McNeil
came to Pinckney ville, and for four 3ears was Prin-
cipal of the cit}- schools. During the succeeding
six years, he was engaged in the grain and lumber
business, and for six 3-ears thereafter was proprie-
tor of a drug store. In his business dealings he
was ver}- successful, and b3' his well directed and
determined efforts he won a handsome competcnc3',
which now enables him to live retired, resting in
the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

Although the C'aptain has never aspired to
office, he has ever taken an active part in political
matters, and has made thrilling political speeches
in southern Illinois, the efl'ect of which has been
seen at the polls by an increased Republican vote.
He believes his part3- to be on the side of the peo-
ple and the one best able to advance their interests,
therefore is an earnest advocate of its principles.
He is a prominent member of James P. Co wen

244

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Post No. 219, G. A. R., has served as its Com-
mander and is now Quartermaster. He lias also
been Master of the Jlasonlc lodge, and lias served
as its Treasurer for the past eight years.

(^^ T. AUGUSTINE'S ROMAN CATHOLIC
^^^ CHURCIL of Prairie du Long, dates back
^&J_M ("O t'lc first part of this century. Twelve
families from Lancashire, England, came
to Monroe County in 1812, and bought land of
the Government near Prairie du Long Creek, in
what is now known as the Prairie du Long District.
The settlers, who were Catholics, soon erected a
log church and were visited by Father Van Clos-
tere, of Prairie du Rochcr. This church was situ-
ated at English Settlement, then in Randolph
County, but now in Monroe.

In 1834 sixty acres of land were donated by
Edward Newsham and John Winstanley to the
Rt.-Rev. Joseph Rosati, Bishop of St. Louis,
on condition that a church be built and the land
used for its benefit. A stone church was soon
erected, and on November 1 1 , 1838, was consecrated
to divine service by Bishop Rosati, with Rev. J.
Kenney as its first pastor and resident priest. The
edifice was about 40x60 feet, and was one of the
finest churches in southern Illinois. "Among the
oldest settlers and members of the congregation
were Edward Newsham, John AVinstanley, John
Newsham, Thomas Winstanley and John and
Thomas Bamber, all of whom are now deceased.

After the church was built the old building was
used as a district school. The new church was
erected about one hundred and fift}^ yards north-
west and was over the line in St. Clair County.
In 1854, it having become dilapidated, the con-
gregation, on the 12th of February, decided to tear
it down and rebuild. This was done and a paro-
chial frame residence was erected. In 1867-68, a
two-story brick parsonage was built by Rev. J.
Beriage, who a short time previous had been ap-
pointed rector. A tower was built on the church,
in 1874, and the following year the old log church
which had been used as a district school, was re-
placed by a new building, which was erected fur-

ther west on the bank of Prairie du Long Creek.
A room which had been added to the old paro-
chial residence, however, was used for a parochial
school.

In 1886 a new schoolhouse of brick, 20x30 feet,
was erected by Rev. L. Riesen,and in 1889 the old
cracked bell was replaced by two new bells, pur-
chased by the present rector. Rev. J. B. Schlotmann.
In taking down the old bell it was found that the
steeple would be too weak for the bells, and sugges-
tions were made by the members of the congrega-
tion to enlarge and remodel the old and also build
a sanctuary to the church. At the examination of
the church, however, by an architect (Vul. Reis, of
Belleville, now deceased) it was found very unsafe
and not wortli further expenditure of money. It
was tlien decided by the Trustees of the congrega-
tion to build a new church and not at the old
place, but at Freedom, a village about two miles
east. The church at that time had a membership
of over a hundred families. Freedom is a little
town on the Belleville and Kaskaskia road and is
the center of the congregation, and therefore more
convenient and more readily accessible for its
members. In spite of some opposition to the
movementa piece of land of about three and a-half
acres was purchased from Hy. Diefenbech, Octo-
ber 17, 1892, a noble gentleman of Freedom, who
keeps a hotel.

When it became known that a Catholic Church
was to be erected at Freedom, all endeavored,
whether Catholics or Protestants, to help the same
either by funds or labor. The plans, details and
specifications for the new church were prepared by
N. H. Melcher, an architect of St. Louis. These
having been accepted by the rector and approved
by the Rt.-Rev. J. Janssen, the bishop of the
diocese, the corner-stone was laid by the latter
April 11, 1893, in the presence of a great number
of priests and laymen. The work was then begun
under the superintendency of the architect and
the rector.

The size of the church is 44x90 feet, with a spire
one hundred and ten feet above the level of the
ground. The basement is nine feet high and built
of native blue limestone, don!v>.ed by Benjamin
Harbaugh, a member of the congregation. The

/OjlJl^^y^<^

'i-yj/.i

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

247

superstructure walls are built of native sandstone,
donated by F. Dejfenliardt, also a member, and
are twenty-one feet above the water-tables, or
twenty-four feet above the level of the ground.
Tlie masonry work was done by Frank Tarantiuo,
of St. Louis; the lumber was furnished by Charles
Boedeker, who keeps a large lumber yard in Red
Bud; mill-work by the Menke it Grimm Planing
Mill Company, of (^uincy, 111.; carpenter work by
J. H. fScheiper, of St. Libor}', III.; the caps, window
sills and other cut stone are of Bedford limestone,
and were furnished In- Ralph Dixon, of Alton, 111.
The church is covered with old Bangor slate from
Bethlehem, Pa., furnished by T. H. White, of St.
Louis. All the contracts have been carried out to
the satisfaction of the architect and rector. The
churcli has ornamental glass of mosaic style, very
pleasing, and was furnislied b3' the E. F. Kerwin
Ornamental Glass Company, of St. Louis. The
church will cost when completed about ^11,000.
A now two-story parsonage will also be built this
spring (1894). The basement will be of native
blue limestone, and the superstructure of native
sandstone. The house will be situated on the
south side of the church, with which it will be
connected b}- a porch.

3=^E

WILLIAM R. Mackenzie, M. D., a native
of Nova Scotia, is of Scottish parentage.
His grandfather, Alexander MacKenzie,
Sr., was born in Inverness, in the Highlands of
Scotland, and received a liberal education. He
was a member of the Masonic order, and a stanch
supporter of the Presbyterian Church. Alexander
MacKenzie, Jr., the father of our subject, was born
in Nova Scotia, JNIarch 6, 1797, and is pow in
comparatively good health, bidding fair to become
a centenarian. He still resides on part of the old
homestead, where his father settled just after the
Revolutionary War.

Alexander MacKenzie, Sr., and William McMil-
lan, grandfathers of our subject, were pressed into
the British service during the Revolutionary War
and therein- became British pensioners. Many of
the former's descendants, including John and

Daniel, two brothers of Dr. MacKenzie, partici-
pated in the War of the Rebellion on the Union
side. John was killed in the battle of Ft. Donel-
son, February 15, 1862.

The birth of William Robert MacKenzie occurred
February 15, 1844, in Churchville, Pictou County,
Nova .Scotia. He was the eighth child in order of
birth. He had five brothers and four sisters, of
whom there now survive one brother, Alexander
G., residing at Chester, III., and four sisters, living
within a radius of four miles from the old home-
stead. His earlj' education was secured in the
village schools of his native place, where he after-
ward became a teacher. He spent his boyhood
days on the old home farm in Nova Scotia, which
was the stopping place of all the preachers of the
United Presbyterian Church, and he was reared
under the influences of the sturd}- old Cove-
nanters.

In 1865 our subject came to the United States,
landing at Boston. Soon after his arrival he con-
tracted measles. After over a month's severe ill-
ness, during which, through improper treatment, he
suffered a serious relapse, he recovered onl}- to find
the stock of gold which he had brought from home
very much depleted. Something had to be done
to mend his crippled finances, so the advertising
columns of the daily papers were scanned. A col-
Icctorship for a gas fitting company caught his eye,
and upon making application for the position he
was accepted. Being a Nova Scotian was, in Bos-
ton, a sufficient recommendation for his honesty,
and no bond was required.

After a few months in this position, a better
opening was offered in the employment of William
Tidd & Co., leather merchants, on Pearl Street, who
also carried on business in Stoneham, IMass., where
our subject was assigned a position. While there
he fell in with a fellow countryman named Mc-
Leod, who induced him to embark on a fishing
expedition to the Grand Banks. Fitting out at
Cape Cod, the vessel proceeded to the Grand
Banks and began operations. The schooner, an
old one, sprang aleak, and as it became unman-
ageable, it was necessary to abandon it. After
being looted of everything valuable on board by
the rest of the fleet, she was fired and cast adrift.

PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Each man Imd his own dory, and our subject and
his partner were taken on board a schooner from
Cape Breton Island, of which Captain Doolan
was in command.

After five months on the Atlantic without the
sight of land, the vessel weighed anchor and
started for iiome; and none too soon, for that
same daj' a storm struck the Banks, and many of
the vessels with their crews went down. Captain
Doolan 's craft was more fortunate than many of
them; and after scudding for two da3'S under bare
poles the storm abated, and the journey homeward
was begun in earnest. So suddenl}' did the storm
burst upon the fleet, that instead of winding the
sails in the usual manner, the ordet* was given to
cut the halj'ard and let the sails fall. After a
V03'age of about two weeks, the vessel, with crew
and cargo, hove anchor safely in the harbor of
Provincetown. Expecting nothing but his rescue
and keeping for his labor after boarding the vessel
of Captain- Doolan, our j'oung Nova .Scotian was
surprised when the Captain, taking him to a bank,
poured into his hands #80 in gold.

Interesting incidents occurred while Dr. MacKen-
zie was on board Captain Doolan 's vessel at the
Grand Banks. One day, about noon, all the dories
were out plying their lines. Suddenly the sky
darkened, the waters seethed, and all but three of
the boats started for and safel3' reached the fleet.
Captain Doolan 's two brothers and one other
man, each in a separate dor^', were so baffled by
the dense fog that they lost sight of the fleet.
Not being able to hear the fog-bell, and finding
themselves rapidly drifting, tlie^- made prepara-
tions to anchor in the deeper waters. Accordingly,
they fastened the three dories together and occu-
pied but one of them. The}' then converted the
three anchors and the six leads, used in fishing,
and weighing four pounds each, into one anchor,
whose cable was formed by the union of the three
cables and the six fishing lines. Notwithstanding
all their precautions, however, the current was so
strong that they drifted until they were unable to
touch bottom. Their dories were tossed about
until four o'clock the next evening, when the fog
cleared, and just the tip of the tallest mast in the
fleet was visiiile. Making for this thej- finally reached

their vessel in an exhausted condition and suffering
from want of food and water. Here they were re-
ceived with joy, for all on board had believed them
lost, as had been the fate of many who engaged in
expeditions of this kind. McLeod,the companion
previously referred to, became quarrelsome, and
shifting from one vessel to another, finally boarded
an English ship, was tal<en to Liverpool, England,
and was returned to Boston bj- the American
Consul.

During young MacKenzie's absence, his brother,
Alexander G., who was then a prosperous miner in
Nevada, sent him a draft for ^lOO in gold, to assist
him in pursuing his medical studies. During his
long absence the letter was returned to the writer,
who did not know but that his brother was dead.
Communication being re-established, the check was
again forwarded. William R., bronzed by his life
at sea, of which he had had enough, secured an-
other position, this time with M. M. Peyser & Co.,
on Winter Street, Boston. There he remained until
February, 1867, when he went to Sparta, 111., and
studied medicine, and also recited in Greek anil
Latin to Rev. Mr. Stuart. Shortly afterward he en-
tered the medical department of the L'niversity of
Michigan, from which he was graduated March 30,
1870. After a few months at Grass Lake, assisting
E. B. Chapin, M. D., his preceptor, he returned to
Illinois for the practice of his profession, locating
at Kaskaskia. After remaining there for five
years he removed to Chester, where he has been in
continuous practice ever since.

A leader in his profession, the Doctor holds a
prominent place in man}' of the principal societies
thereof. He is a member of the Southern Illinois
Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society,
St. Louis Medical Societ}-, and theTri-State Medical
Society- (Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky), now the
Mississippi Vallc}' Medical Association. He was
also a delegate to the International Medical Con-
gress, which met in Washington, I). C, in 1887.
During the course of this meeting he was a guest
of the American Medical Editore at a banquet
given the foreign medical editors. Ho was a rep-
resentative of the Illinois State Board of Health
at a meeting of the Sanitary Council of the Mis-
sissippi Valley, which w.as held in the cit}- of New

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

249

Orleans in March, 1885. At the meetings of the
Southern Illinois Medical Association, he usually
has one or more papers ou topics of interest. At
the meeting of this organization in January, 1880,
he read a paper wiiich was afterwards published
in tlie "St. Louis Medical and Surgical Journal,"
from which it wascopied, translated, and published
in the "Paiis Medical Journal," Paris, France.

June 15, 1883, Dr. MacKenzie was appointed a
member of the Illinois State Board of Health by
Gov. John M. Hamilton, to succeed Dr. J. M.
Gregory, who had resigned. He was continued
in office by appointment of Gov. Joseph W. Fifer,
May 28, 1889. He served as Secretary of said
Board from July 3 until December 31, 1891.
Near the close of Fifer's term the Doctor sent in
his resignation, which was not accepted until the
lOlh of May, 1893, several months after the ac-
cession of Governor Allgeld to the executive
chair, thus giving the Doctor ten years in this im-
portant position. At the meetings for examina-
tion of candidates for license to practice medicine,
his questions have been higlil3- commended for
their thorougliness, comprehensiveness and ele
mentary character.

July 15, 1885, during Cleveland's first adminis-
tration. Dr. MacKenzie was appointed by Commis-
sioner J. C. Black to the Board of United States
Examining Surgeons, at Chester, 111., and was re-
appointed by Commissioner Tanner under Harri-
son's administration. At the organization of said
Board (in 1885), he was elected Secretary, in
which capacity he served until his resignation, De-
cember 7, 1893, a term of over eiglit years. F'or
fifteen years past he lias been surgeon for the
Wabash, Chester & Western Railway Company,
and has, by his thorough knowledge of surgery,
rendered the company invaluable services. He has
held this position under three successive manage-
ments of the road.

May 17, 1875, Dr. MacKenzie married Miss Nellie
M., daughter of Dr. William A. and Adeline S.
Gordon, of Chester, whose biograpical sketch ap-
pears elsewhere in this work. To tliem were born
five children, three of whom are living, William
A., Robert G. and Adeline E., aged respectively six-
teen, twelve and seven years. Socially Dr. MacKen-

zie is a member of the blue lodge chapter and coun-
cil of the Masonic fraternity of Chester, the com-
mandery of Knights Templar of Centralia, III.,
and the Chester lodge and encampment of In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Pres-
byterian, as are most of his race, while Mrs. Mac-
Kenzie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

A no more appiopriate closing of this sketch
could be made than to quote what has before been
written of him by one who has known him for
years. It is as follows: "Dr. MacKenzie is a care-
ful and indefatigable student of his profession,
and has attained a high reputation for learning
among his fellow-practitioners in Illinois and Mis-
souri. He has an extensive and lucrative practice
and is one of the most highly' esteemed citizens of
Chester. The same ability that has placed him in
the front rank of his profession is always at the
service of the community in which he lives for
the promotion of meritorious enterprises. He was
for nine years a member of the Board of Educa-
tion of Chester, and President of that body for
two terms. In his social relations Dr. MacKenzie
is as popular as he is successful in his profession."

J! H. WARD, one of the leading business men
I of Du Quoin, is a member of the well known
, firm of Ward ct Brother, and is a stock-
holder and director in the First National
Bank. His active business life has won him a
position of prominence, and it is with pleasure that
we present to our readers this record of his career.
A native of Connecticut, he was born in New
Haven, August 4, 1847, and is a son of Henry
Ward, who was born in New Haven in 1819. The
father was a carpenter and builder, and aided in
the erection of the first building in which Seth
Thomas made his famous clocks. At length he
came to the west, locating in Williamson C'ounty,
111., whence he removed to Carbondale, Jackson
County. He is now a resident of Du Quoin.

J. tl. Ward had fair educational advantages in
his youth, and was thus fitted for the practical
duties of life. Soon after the close of the war he

250

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

went on the road as a salesman, traveling for two
years in Iowa, anrt one 3'ear in Texas and Indian
Territorj'. He tlien engaged in the butchering
and grocery business in Carbondale, and subse-
quently- was a dealer in men's clothing at that
place. About 1873 he came to Du Quoin, where
in connection with his brother, "W. D., he engaged
in the livery and stock business, to which he has
since devoted his energies. They have become
the largest stock shippers in this section of the
state, and have accumulated a handsome fortune
along this line. They have also done an exten-
sive livery business, and are the owners of the large
brick building in which they carry on this enter-
prise, together with other business property- — a
thousand acres of farming land, several residences
which they rent, and some valuable real estate in
Carbondale. On their farm they have a large num-
ber of blooded cattle and horses. Our subject is
also one of the incorporators of the First National
Bank, and is one of its stockholders and directors.

In May, 1875, Mr. Ward wedded Miss Cephise
Slawson, who was born in New Orleans, and was a
daughter of Hiram Slawson, a native of New York.
The latter was the nephew of .Joseph Slawson, the
street car inventor, who died in New York City
worth half a million. He served as foreman of
his uncle's works in New Orleans. Mr. and Mrs.
Ward have but one child, Hiram H., sixteen years
of age.

Sociallv, Mr. Ward is a Royal Arch Mason, and
in politics has been a life-long Democrat. He was
elected a member of the County Board of Com-
missioners in 1887, and served for three years.
He has also been twice elected to the Board of
Aldermen of Du Quoin, and is one of the stock-
holders and directors in the Du Quoin Building
and Loan Association. He started out in life for
himself with no capital, but has steadily worked
his way upward and is now numbered among the
substantial citizens of Perry County.

W. D. Ward, who is the senior member of the
firm of Ward & Brother, was born in Litchfield,
Conn., in January, 1848, and came with his i)arents
to the west. When he started out on his business
career, he became a dry-goods merchant of Carbon-
dale, but after a short time he sold his store and

removed to Du Quoin, where he has since been as-
sociated with his brother in all of the business and
pi'operty interests before mentioned. In the family
were five brothers and one sister, but the latter,
Elraira, died at the age of eighteen years, and John
died at the age of six. Another brother, George
F. M., is an extensive clothing dealer of Mt. Ver-
non, 111., and Samuel is in the clothing business in
Murphysboro. W. D. Ward was united in mar-
riage with Elizabeth, daughter of Jefferson Snider,
of Carbondale, and to them were born four chil-
dren, two of whom are living. Snider aged twelve,
and Myrtle, three years of age. Mr. Ward is an
Odd Fellow, and like his brother has alwa3's been
a Democrat, but his time has been so largely taken
up by business interests that he has never con-
cerned himself greatly in political matters.

— --S- ■.o«o.fcJ-/"V^5)"°*** *^'^

AJ. JAMES C. HOLBROOK. While Ran-
dolph County has much in the way of
natural resources and commercial trans-
actions to commend it to the public at
large, the chief interest centres in the lives of those
citizens who have achieved success for themselves,
and at the same time benefited the comraunit}' in
which they reside. Prominent among these men
is the subject of this sketch. Having come to the
county in 1845, he has since that time taken an
active part in laying the foundation for the pres-
ent prosperity of his community.

Our subject was born in Sherborn. Mass.. May
27, 1817, and is a son of Clark and Betsey (Bul-
leu) Holbrook. The father was a large sheep
grower in his native place, and at the same time
carried on business as a merchant. He was the
son of James Holbrook, who was also a native of
the above place in Massachusetts, and was of Eng-
lish descent.

Our subject obtained his early education in the
schools near his home, and later took a course of
study in an academy at Brattleboro, Vt. It being
his desire to become a lawyer, he began his legal
studies in the otlice of Gov. William Bebb, of Ham-
ilton, Ohio, to which place he went in 1836, and was
graduated from the law school in Cincinnati about

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

251

1840. After being admitted to the Bar, Mr. Hol-

l)rooii went to Hamilton, Oliio, wiiere he engaged
in tlie [iractice of liis profession until 1845, the
j'ear of his advent into Sparta, tiiis county. There
he built up a large practice and remained until
1852, when he came to Chester and opened up
business in this city. In 1854 he represented his
district on the Whig ticket in the Legislature. He
was residing in Chester on the outbreak of the
Civil War, and later was appointed Paymaster in
the arin^' b}' President Lincoln, continuing in this
position until the close of the war in 1865. He
then returned to Chester, and on account of ill
health was obliged to discontinue his law prac-
tice. He was later elected Police Magistrate, and
served eight years.

Mr. Ilolbrook was married May 15, 1845, at Ham-
ilton, Ohio, to Miss Eliza Isabella McDill. She was
born in Hamilton, December 28, 1822, and was the
daughter of the Rev. David and Lydia McDill, who
were of Scotch descent. Tlie maternal grandfather
of Mrs. Holbrook, John McDannell, was a Colonel
in the Revolutionaiy War. To our subject and liis
wife were born seven children. Their eldest son,
a graduate of Monmouth College, and an attor-
ney-at-law, died in his twenty-fifth year. Two
other sons died in infancy. Clara, now Mrs.
Henry Smith, is quite a noted lecturer on the
science and laws of health, and in the fall of
1893 she lectured a week in W^ashington, D. C.
She organized the Chautauqua Assembly in Ches-
ter, and has always been foremost in forwarding
movements for the benefit and development of
intellectual culture. She is now a widow, and
lives with her children on a ranch in California.
Edward is a druggist in Chester, and is regarded
as one of the most skilled in his calling in this
part of the state. Elizabeth, who died January 31,
1893, was a very talented j'oung lady and was
given a fine musical education. She also won a
wide reputation as an authoress, and wrote a novel
entitled '-Old Kaskaskia Days," which was widely
read. She was a young lady of great refinement and
sweetness of manner, and of broad and liberal cul-
ture. Her active mind was always seeking new
avenues of investigation and aiding in the enlarge-
ment of human understanding. Her great purity

of heart and nobility of character were among the
many charms which made her society sought by
the best people in the community in which she
dwelt. She was an indefatigable worker in the
Columbian Society, and by her energ}' did much
to help to make a proper showing for this old spot
of historic interest. She was graduated with first
honors at Monmouth College. Lydia, a lady of
intelligence and culture, married James Reed, of
Sparta, a mechanic for building bridges.

Mr. Holbrook is a Democrat, and is a very popu-
lar man. He is generous and open-hearted and is
read\' at all times to do what he can to benefit
both business and social circles. He and his wife
are members of the Presbyterian Church.

HJHZ

---^

.. M. BATP^S, who is numbered among the
i/Av/ leading business men of Du Quoin, is a
^^J native of Mississippi, his birth having oc-
curred in Woodville, Januarj' 9, 1852. His father,
James G. Bates, was a native of Kentucky, born
in 1817, and was a harness and saddle maker by
trade. He wedded Mrs. Mary Ellen (Smith) Cot-
ter, a native of Wilkinson County, Miss., and a
representative of one of the pioneer families of
that locality, where her father was at one time an
extensive slave holder. By her first marriage she
became the mother of three children, John M.,

i Matilda E. and Hlugene M. Mr. Bates served as a

] soldier during the Mexican War, and was taken
prisoner during that struggle, being held in the

I city of Mexico when it was captured by General
Scott. When the war was over and the countrj-
no longer needed his services, he located in Mis-

I sissippi, where he engaged in harness-making un-
til 1858. That year witnessed his arrival in Du

j Quoin, where he followed the same trade until his
death, in 1863. His wife passed away in Du Quoin
in 1876. He had a brother, William, who was a
Lieutenant in the Mexican War. and on comino
to Illinois settled on a farm in Franklin County,

j where he departed this life in 1866.

In the Bates family were five children, of whom

! our subject is the eldest. He had two brothers
and two sisters. One of the former is livina: in

252

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Arkansas. Tlie utlier, Charles P., disappeared nine
years ago and has not been heard from since. His
sisters reside in Texas and in Kansas City, Mo.
W. M. Bates has been familiar with harness-mak-
ing since liis earlies't days. Wlien in his eighth
year lie began lo lielp his father in the shop wlien
he was not in school. Upon his father's death he
was thrown npon his own resources, and the suc-
cess of his life is therefore due to his own efforts.
For seven years he was in the employ of J. Mess-
more, after which he went to St. Louis, where he
followed the trade of harness-making. Later he
carried on the same pursuit in Dixon and in
Marion, 111., and in 1878 returned to Du Quoin,
where he established the business which he has
since successfully conducted.

On the 2d of October, 1879, Mr. Bates was
united in marriage with JSIiss Elizabeth Hughes,
who was born in Aston. Lancashire, England, and
during childhood came lo America with her par-
ents, .lames and JIary A. (Ogden) Hughes, who
settled in Du Quoin. They have had six children,
but lost one in infancy. Those living are, Mary
P., thirteen years of age; Ellen A., aged twelve;
Charles J., aged eight; Beatrice, six years of age;
and Paul W., the baby of two yeare. The one de-
ceased bore the name of Clara. The parents are
both members of the Catholic Church. In his po-
litical affiliations, ftlr. Bates is a Democrat, but has
never sought or desired public office, preferring to
give his entire time and attention to his business
interests, in which he has met with a well deserved
success.

(Vi )i>;ILEY GRAY, one of the oldest, best known
and most highly respected citizensof Jack-
son County, now makes his home in Elk-
ville, where he is practically living a retired life.
His parents, Russell and Martha (Phelps) Gray,
were natives of Hopkins County, Ky., and there
the father followed farming as a means of liveli-
hood. On the 1.5th of August, 1825, a son was
born unto them, to whom the name of Wiley was
given. Two years later, on horseliack, they crossed
the state of Kentucky to Illinois and took up their

residence in Perry County, where the boy grew to

manhood, his time being passed in the usual man-
ner of farmer lads of that day, while with the fam-
ily he experienced the hardships and trials of
frontier life.

After arriving at 3'ears of maturity, Mr. Giay
came to Jackson County, where he has since made
his home. On the 17th of September, 18.61, he
was united in marriage with Miss Julia Glotfelty,
and to them were born four children, Philip.
Franklin, Martha and E^liza. In August, 1864,
the mother passed away, and was laid to rest in
the village cemetery. Two years later, in 1866,
Mr. Gray married Miss Pha?be Porter, a daughter
of Russell R. S. and Dorothea (Burnliam) Porter.
Her parents were numbered among the early set-
tlers of Ohio, and in 1844 they left the Buckeye
State and emigrated to Jackson County, 111. Seven
children were born of the second marriage, of
whom fiveare yet living, namely: llattie.I., Annie,
Russell, Amy and Wiley.

When the thi'eats of secession were carried out
and the south attempted to destroy the Union, Mr.
Giay entered the service of his country in defense
of the Old Flag, and the cause it represented. He
participated in many of the most noted engage-
ments of the Rebellion, and made for himself an
honorable war record. As a private he joined
what was popularly' termed the "preachers' regi-
ment,'" the Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, which
was commanded bj' Col. James F. Jacques. His
term extended over nearly four years of hard cam-
paigning, during which time he followed the fort-
unes of General Sherman through tlie Atlanta
campaign. He participated in the hard-fought
battles of Chattanooga, F'ranklin, Nashville and
others, and was ever found faithful to his dutj',
although the service was hard and arduous. When
hostilities had ceased and the preservation of the
Union was an assured fact, he received an honor-
able discharge, and returned to his home with the
consciousness of having been faithful to his coun-
try when the loyalty of its citizens received a
severe test.

Mr. Gray is a member of I)c Soto Post No. 564,
G. A. R., and belongs to the Lutheran Church.
He is an honored pioneer, and can relate many

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

253

laughable and interesting incidents of frontier life.
The countj' in which almost his entire life has been
passed lie has secMi developed from an almost un-
broken wilderness, and has ever borne his part in
its advancement and progress.

ARMON II. FOX, one of the prominent
early settlers of Murphysboro, foi' many
years was a traveling salesman, and later
•)) was appointed by Governor Altgeld pur-
chasingagent for theSouthern Illinois Penitentiarv
at Cliester. He has spent his entire life in the
county which is still his iiorae, his birth having
occurred in Vergennes, June 16, 1836. His father
and grandfather both bore the name of William,
and were natives of Virginia. Tiie latter came
with teams to Illinois in 1824, locating in Bradley
Township, Jackson Count}', where he carried on
farming until his death.

William Fox, Jr., was a 3'oung man at the time
of the removal of the family. In Bradley Town-
ship he married Hannah Cheatam, a native of Ten-
nessee, who came with her parents to this com-
munitj' during her girlhood. They began their
domestic life on wild land near«Vergennes, and
Mr. Fox cleared and developed a farm. In the
spring of 1852, he went overland to California
with ox-teams, and was captain of tiie company
with which he made the trip. On reaching Trinity
County, he engaged in mining and in merchandis-
ing, his death there occurring in 1867. His wife
passed away on the old homestead in tiiis county,
at the age of seventy -six. Of their six sons and
three daughters, all grew to mature years, and five
are yet living.

H. H. Fox, the fifth of the family, was reared on
the old home farm. In the winter season he at-
tended school for three months, and during the
remainder of the year aided in the labors of the
field. On attaining his majority he left home, and
was married in A'ergennes, February 27, 1855, to
Miss Julia A., daughter of John Gill, a native of
Virginia, who in his boyhood came to this state.

For man 3' years he was a well known farmer of
Somerset Township. In 1864, he removed to De
Soto Township, where he carried on agricultural
pursuits during the remainder of his da^'s. He
wedded Ann Shumake, a native of Virginia, and
they became the parents of eight children, two of
whom are yet living. Mrs. Fox was born in Som-
erset Township. Our subject and his wife have
two children, Maiy A., wife of W. E. Chambers, a
general merchant of Murphysboro, and John, who
is here engaged in the livery business.

On leaving home, Mr. Fox began the cultivation
of a forty-acre farm, which he afterward traded
for a tract of eighty acres. Upon this place was
a log house, and he cleared and improved the land,
transforming it into rich and fertile fields. His la-
bors as an agriculturist continued until 1867, when
he came to Murphysboro and embarked in the hotel
business, becoming proprietor of the Henderson
House. A year later he entered the retail groceiy
trade and built a two-story brick building, in which
he carried on business until 1872. He then sold
his stock, but still owns the store. On disposing
of his goods he became traveling representative for
the firm of J. M. Anderson & Co., wholesale gro-
cers of St. Louis. In the fall of 1880 he was elected
Countj' Sheriff on the Democratic ticket for a term
of two years. He faithfully discharged his duties,
and when his time had expired again went on the
road, continuing with J. H. Brookmier, of St. Louis,
until 1889. He next was traveling salesman for
Meyer, Smith & Robyn, wholesale grocers of St.
Louis, with whom he continued until January',
1893, when he became purchasing agent for the
Southern Illinois Penitentiary. To this work he
devoted his entire energies until the Governor de-
clared that office vacant throughout the state. He
now works in the interest of the Bauer Grocery
Corapanj', of St. Louis.

Mr. Fox is a member of the (Jdd Fellows' lodge,
and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. In his political views he is a Demo-
crat, and has several times served as Alderman
from the First Ward. He has known Murphys-
boro since it was a small hamlet of one hundred
inhabitants, and with its growth and upbuilding
he has been prominently identified. His public

254

aud private life are alike above reproach, and an
honorable, upright career has won him the warm
regard of all with whom business or social rela-
tions have brought him in contact.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHlCAL^ECORa

]^ of Du Quoin, who is recognized as one of
IjCU the progressive young men of Perry County,
is^mbered among the native sons of Illinois, his
birth having occurred in Abingdon, Knox County,
on the 21st of November, 1861. His father, b. H.
Ritchey, was a native of Kentucky, and was a law-
yer by profession. In an early day he emigrated
to this state, settling in Knox County, and became
a prominent man in the early history of that com-
munity. He there practiced law and took quite a
leadina part in politics, being a stanch supporter
of the'"principles of Democracy. He held the office
of Postmaster of Abingdon, and was also Justice
of the Peace. The mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Nancy Dodge, and is a native of
Indiana. She went to Knox County, HI., with her |
mother, her father having died during her early
ahlhood, and is still living in Abingdon.
° The subject of this sketch was the youngest in a
family of five children, but three of the number
died in early life. Frank L.. the only brother, is
now a grocery merchant of Abingdon. The sub-
ject of this sketch was reared in Abingdon, and
received his education in the public schools of that
place. At the age of twelve years he entered a
newspaper office to learn the business, thus taking
up the pursuit which he has made his life work.
Soon after he went into the office of the Knox
County Democi-al, of which his brother was foreman
at the tin>e, and there remained for two years, dur-
'i„<r which time he becime thoroughly familiar with
the business in all of it« details. Later his brother
established what was known as the Abingdon Ex-
press and E. H. Ritchey continued in that office
for eioht years. Later he attended school for a
time Tnd experience, observation and study have
nroved to him a faithful teacher, and made him a
well informed man. The next work of Mr. Ritchey
was in the office of the Enterprise, where he con-
tinued for three years.

In 1890, our subject was united in marriage

with Miss Ida Burridge, a native of New York.
Their union has been blessed with one child, Cleta,
now two years of age. The parents have already
won many warm friends in this community and
rank his;h m social circles.

On leaving Abingdon, Mr. Ritchey went to
Manito, Mason County, where he established and
carried on the Manito £j-jjress for two years. On
the expiration of that period he sold out, and in
November, 1893, came to Du Quoin, where he es-
tablished the Adcocate. This paper, which is inde-
pendent in politics, is devoted to general and local
news and to the best interests of the community.
It is already enjoying a good ciiculati.m. and a
liberal patronage promises to be obtained. In his
social relations. Mr. Ritchey is an Odd Fellow and
a member of the Modern Woodmen. He also be-
longs to the Knights of Pythias, and is a Past
Chancellor of that lodge.

\1) AMES D. BAKER, Warden of the Southern
III Illinois Penitentiary, was born in New
I! York City. March 16, 1854. and lived there
(^/' until 1868, receiving his primary education
i^Tthe schools of that city. His parents moved to
St Clair County, 111- in 1868, and here he re-
mained engaged in clerking and teaching school
until 1874, whan he engaged in the banking busi-
ness at Lebanon, 111. He followed that occupation
continuously until January, 1894. when he with-
drew from that line of business. During his resi-
dence in St. Clair County, he served as Township
Treasurer, School Treasurer, County Treasurer and
Mavor of Lebanon.

Our subject is a son of Daniel and Mary h.
Baker, natives of Ireland, whose family comprised
three sons and one daughter. The father is now
a merchant in Indian Territory. On the 3d of
August, 1879, Mr. Baker married Miss Ida B.
Blanck, who was born in Lebanon, 111., and is a
dau<Thter of Charles and Jennie E. Blanck.

In religious belief Mr. Baker is a ineml>er of the
Methodist Church. Politically he is a strong Demo-
; at, and in the deliberations of that party always
takes a prominent part. His ■"--f 3\«f f^'
penitentiary has been most successful, and his fu-
ture field is a very promising one.

l^fT^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

257

)RYCE CRAWFORD, formerly a prominent
l|i-:v, farmer and stock-raiser of Randolph Coun-
f^ll; ty, now resides in the city of Sparta, and
devotes his attention to looking after his
investments there and elsewhere. He is the pro-
prietor of over four hundred acres of land in this
county, twenty-seven hundred acres in Kansas,
besides valuable town property. He also owns
$1,080 worth of stock in the gas company in that
place, and has a large sum of money to his credit "
in the bank.

Our subject is the son of William Crawford,
who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, about 1767,
and passed the remainder of his life in his native
land, dying in 1842. He was b}^ occupation a malt-
ster, and possessed many pleasant personal quali-
ties, which endeared him to all who knew him. He
was a thoroughly Christian man and a member of
the Presbyterian Church. The maiden name of
our subject's mother was Helen Beverige. She
was likewise a native of the above county in Scot-
land, and when quite young was taken into the
home of her eldest sister. Her father was a sea-
man. The parents of our subject reared a family
of fourteen children, all of whom lived to man-
hood and womanhood with one exception. They
bear the respective names of Andrew, John, Will-
iam, David, Robert, George, Henry, James, Ellen,
Benjamin, Bryce, Jane, Margaret and Mary Ann.

Our subject was born in the j'ear 1815, in Ayr-
shire, Scotland, and resided in his native land un-
til 1838, when he embarked on a sailing-vessel
bound for America. After landing here, he made
his way to this state, and for two years was em-
ployed in working out by the day on railroads.
Later he located in Sparta Township, and became
the owner of a quarter-section of land, which he
farmed for thirty-five years. Patient industry and
perseverance, which were the marked characteris-
tics of his life, gave him an impetus upward to as-
sured financial success. In 1875 he removed to
the city of Sparta, and since that time has been en-
gaged as administrator for many valuable estates.

July 10, 1840, Mr. Crawford was united in mar-
riage to Miss Marion Barr, who was also born in
Ayrshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of An-
drew and Jane Barr, and at her death, which oc-

curred in August, 1892, was a devout member of
the Presb3'terian Church. Her union with our
subject resulted in the birth of eight children,
namely: William D., Jane, Nellie, Andrew, Mary,
Margaret, Marion and Andrew, the latter of whom
died in infancy.

In his political relations, our subject has always
been a stanch Republican. He has served as Treas-
urer of township 5, and was School Treasurer for
a period of thirteen years. Deeply interested in
all matters pertaining to local and national wel-
fare, he is ever ready to lend a helping hand in
the promotion of progressive enterprises. Relig-
iously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church,
with which he has been connected since 1840, and
has served his congregation as Trustee for nearly
two-thirds of the time.

l(s), ^^ ^

m^"

'~^m

ONRAD DEHNER, a well known resident
of Red Bud, located in this place in 1859,

^^^ and has since been numbered among its
progressive business men. The record of his life
is as follows: He is a native of Prussia, and in
that country passed the days of his boyhood and
youth, no event of special importance occurring
during the time. In 1852 he bade adieu to home
and friends and sailed for America. On landing
in this country he made his way to St. Louis, and
in that city continued to reside until 1859, when
he came to Red Bud. Here he worked at various
employments until, through his industiy and en-
terprise^ he had acquired some capital, when in
1870 he embarked in business for himself. He
has since bought a valuable property, on which
he has erected a good building, which stands as a
monument to his thrift and enterprise.

After living in this country for a time, Mr.
Dehner sent for his mother to join him. She
came to him, and acted as his housekeeper until
her death, which occurred in Red Bud, at the ad-
vanced age of sixty-five years. She was a devout
member of the Catholic Church, and had many

258

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

warm friends in this community, who held her in
high esteem for the many excellencies of her char-
acter.

During the earlier years of his residence here,
Mr. Dehner labored early and late, and as the result
of his untiring efforts and strict economy, he ac-
quired capital, which has since been increased by
judicious investment, until he is now numbered
among the substantial citizens of the community.
His example ma}' well serve to encourage others
who, like himself, start out in life empty-handed.
In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has al-
waj'S steadily refused office. Mr. Dehner has many
warm friends in this community, and has the con-
fidence and regard of those with whom business
and social relations have brought him in contact.

^m\

^®p^

ELIHU B. McGUIRE is the efficient and pop-
ular Mayor of Sparta, and a man whose
business ability and sterling worth have
placed him among the leading citizens of Ran-
dolph County. He well deserves representation
in her history, and it is with pleasure that we
present his record to our readers. The family is
of Irish origin. His grandfather, John McGuire,
was born on the Emerald Isle, and on leaving that
country located in South Carolina. He served in
the War of 1812.

Henry L. McGuire, the father of our subject, was
born in 1805 in the Chester District of South Car-
olina, where he lived until 1832. Thence, with
only fifty cents in his possession, he started north,
and arriving in Illinois, located in Washington
County. In 1866 he came to Sparta, where his
death occurred in 1875. By occupation a farmer,
he entered a small tract of land in Washington
County, and to this he added from time to time
as his financial resources were increased, until he
had about five hundred acres. On removing to
Sparta, he purchased a house and lot and retired
from active business. In politics he was a Repub-
lican, and for a long period was a member of the
Reformed Presb3'terian Church, in which he served

as Elder for a number of years. Later, however,
he joined the United Presbj'terian Church. His
school privileges were ver}- limited, yet he became
well informed, for he read extensively, and in bus-
iness acquired a good commercial education.

Henry McGuire was twice married. He wedded
Eliza Campbell, bj' whom he had three children:
Jane Matilda, wife of Hugh Matthews, a success-
ful farmer of Jordan's Grove; Nancy T., wife of
S. W. McKelve^', who is represented elsewhere;
and Eliza, deceased. His first wife having died,
in 1837 Mr. McGuire wedded Mary Lyons, who
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 1,
1 803, and when two years of age was brought to
America by her father, James L3'ons, also a native
of County Antrim. In 1805, Mr. Lyons emigrated
with his family to South Carolina. While cross-
ing the Atlantic, one of the children, a babe of
six months, died. In 1833 the family removed
to southern Illinois, settling on Elkhorn Prairie.
Their nearest trading post was Sparta, fourteen
miles awaj'. Mrs. McGuire was the eldest of a
large family. She was full of energy and deter-
mination, was industrious, frugal and hopeful,
and was a worthy example for the early settlers.
She had six children, but only John and Elihu
survive her. She also leaves two brothers and a
sister: John R., of Marissa; Robert, of Houston;
and Mrs. Jeff Rainey, of Belleville.

To those who knew Mrs. McGuire best she was
ver3' dear, and no death in this community has
been more widely or deeply mourned. She brought
happiness to those around her, for her life was
ever devoted to the interests of others. From
earl}' 3'outh she was a member of the church,
but for many years she was unable to attend
services, yet she alwa3s maintained her deep in-
terest in religious matters. In her last years she
many times expressed herself as ready and will-
ing to go to the home beyond, and on the 20th
of September, 1893, she passed away, at the ad-
vanced age of ninety years. Surely the world is
better for her having lived.

Elihu B. McGuire was born* in Washington
County, 111., in 1814, and with the famil}- came
to Randolph Count}'. He continued with his
parents until separated from them by death, car-

PORTRAIT A^TD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

259

ing for them in their declining years and supply-
ing them with all the comforts he could command.
His business interests have been largely in the line
of land speculating, although for a number of
years he was engaged in the breeding of horses
and mules with Mr. McConachie. He is President
of the Merchants' Exchange Bank, which was or-
ganized in 1892, with a capital of 825,000. He is
a stockholder in the building and loan association,
a Director of the Sparta Gas Compan}', and Vice-
President of the Allen Improvement Compan3'.
He is indeed prominent in business circles, and bj'
his connection therewith has aided materially in
the growth and upbuilding of the cit}-.

In politics, Mr. McGuire is a Democrat, and in
1888 was elected Chairman of the Central Com-
mittee. In 1893, he was elected Ma3^or of Sparta,
which position he is now creditably and acceptablj^
filling. His philanthropic and generous nature has
been made manifest in the aid he has given to
a number of homeless children toward securing
their educations. His life has been well and
worthily passed, and he is numbered among the
most valued and honored citizens of Randoli)h
Countv.

i^^Gi

JOHN B. HAMILTON occupies an important
place in the farming community of Ran-
dolph County and is active in advancing
the agricultural interests of township 4,
range 5. His father, .John Hamilton, was a native
of Ireland, while his mother, who prior to her
marriage was Miss Isabel Boyd, was born in
Ohio. They were married in the latter state,
there reared a large family of thirteen children,
and there remained until death. They were mem-
bers of the United Presbyterian Church and stood
well in their communitj'.

The five children who are now living of the
parental family are, John B. (our subject), Thomas,
Johnston, Margaret and Jane. Alexander died
while a soldier in the Civil War, in which conflict
the three other sons also took part. John B., of
this sketch, was born in Coshocton Count}', Ohio,
in 1839, and at the age of sixteen j-ears began to

make his own way in the world. He came to Illi-
nois six j^ears prior to the outbreak of the Civil
War, and after spending some time in Blooming-
ton made a trip to Texas, and on his return located
in Randolph County.

In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in the
Union army, becoming a member of Coinpan\' G,
Eightieth Illinois Infantry, which was organized at
Centralia. With his company he joined the regi-
ment at Louisville, Ky.', and later participated in
the battle of Perryville. He was in the Atlanta
campaign, and during the conflict at Peach Tree
Creek was shot through the right leg, and in con-
sequence was confined in the hospital for some
time at Nashville. Later be was removed to Mound
City, 111., where he remained until he was full}'
recovered, and then rejoining his regiment at Straw-
berry Plain, Tenn., he went with them to Green-
ville, that state. On his return to Nashville some
months later, he received his honorable discharge,
after a faithful service of three years.

After the establishment of peace, Mr. Hamilton
came to Randolph County, where he has since
been engaged in farming. October 1, 1868, he
was married to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Stewart
and Sarah (Gillespie) Burns. The father was born
June 22, 1793, in County Antrim, Ireland, and
the mother, a native of Chester County, S. C, was
born August 3, 1802. Thev were married March
7, 1820, in South Carolina, and on coming to Illi-
nois in 1830, located on a farm in Randolph
County, when the countiy roundabout was very
sparsely settled. The father departed this life in
the year 1865, and the mother in the year 1890.
They reared a family of twelve children, ten
of whom are living, the youngest being forty-
five years old. Three of their sons, James G.,
David P. and William G., served in the late war, and
the father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr.
and Mrs. Burns were members of the Associate Re-
formed Church and weie classed among the earliest
settlers and well-to-do people of this locality.

Mrs. Sarah M. Hamilton was born April 19, 1841,
and has become the mother of two children,
Sarah F^tta, now the wife of William H. Fulton, and
William John, who resides at home. The estate
of our subject comprises eighty-six acres, which is

260

PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the old Burns homestead, and the house whicR
the family occupies was built fifty-one j^ears ago.
He devotes his attention to mixed farming, and in
the management of his affairs shows that he is
possessed of good business talent, and at the same
time has proved himself invaluable in the upbuild-
ing of his township. Our subject and his wife are
members of the United Presbyterian Church at
Tilden, and Mrs. Hamilton is an active worker in
the missionary society, in which she has held the
office of President for two terms. In politics Mr.
Hamilton always votes with the Republican party.
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Hamilton are,
Eliza F., now Mrs. John McDill; James G., who
married Mary M. Edgar; Samuel, who married
Nancy Cooper; Nan?y L., the wife of William B.
Taylor; Joseph, who married Mary Lewis; John S.,
now the husband of Hannah McMillen; Archie,
who married Marj' B. Hyndman; David P., who
married Jane Roseborough; and William G., who
married Josephine Tovera.

The Burns faniih' holds a reunion every 3'ear,
and their sixth annual celebration took place at
the residence of our subject October 14, 1893,
when a goodly number of the family were in at-
tendance. A double interest was attached to the
meeting, inasmuch as it was the twentj'-fifth anni-
versary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton.
After an excellent and bountiful dinner, James G.
Burns, in behalf of the donors, tendered numerous
valuable wedding gifts to the couple, who in re-
turn responded in a pleasant manner. After a
most enjoyable time the company adjourned, de-
ciding to meet the following year at the home of
Mr. Hamilton.

•N-

"Sp^OBERT BOYD is the fortunate possessor
L;*^ of a farm located in township 4, range 5.
'^\ Randolph Count}'. He won considerable
^^ distinction as a soldier, having served for
two years as a member of the Union army. The par-
ents of our subject, Samuel L. and Jane (Gibson)
Boyd, were natives of South Carolina, while his
paternal grandfather, Samuel Boyd, Sr., was born
in Ireland in 1777. The latter, after emigrating

to the United States, was married in South Caro-
lina to Nancy Boyd, and came to Illinois about
the year 1825, locating on section 17, township 4,
range 5. In that early day the country was verj'
thinly settled, and not an improvement detracted
from the primitive charm of his home. With
characteristic energy he set about the clearing
and improving of his estate, on which he reared
his family, and there lived until his decease. Only
one son of that family is now living, John S.,
who makes his home in Kansas.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Robert
Gibson, came to this state in an early day, and made
his home in AVashington County at a time when
the neighbors were few and far between. There
he was married and there he made his permanent
home. Both himself and wife are now deceased.
They reared a family of nine children, of whom
John is deceased. Those living are Mar}-, Rob-
ert, Nancy, James, Jane (the mother of our sub-
ject), Samuel, William and Margaret.

Our subject was born November 7, 1843, on the
section where he is at present residing, and received
his education in the district school near his home.
In December, 1863, when the Civil War was at its
height, he left home and enlisted liis services with
the Union army, becoming a member of Company
K, Fifth Illinois Cavaliy. He joined his regiment
at Vicksbuig, and later fought on the Yazoo River
under General Custer, and after that was stationed
at Vicksburg until the following summer. Then,
with his regiment, he went into Tennessee, where
they were engaged in fighting General Forrest,
and after routing that officer went to Memphis,
and later to Texas, where they were detailed to
skirmish. He received his honorable discharge
in the fall of 1865, and during his entire period
of service was never wounded or taken prisoner.

Returning home from the war, Mr. Bo3'd in the
spring of 1866 was united in marriage with Miss
Marion Bicket. The lady is a native of this coun-
ty and the daughter of John Bicket. She became
the mother of six children, and departed this life
in 1880. Those of the family who are still liv-
ing are, Mary J., Maggie B., John H., Samuel L.
and Robert E.

Our subject had a brother who was also a sol-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

261

dier in the late war, and who died in 1864,
while in the army. Religiously, Mr. Boyd is
a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
Socially, he is a Grand Army man, and holds
membership with the post at Coulterville. In poli-
tics he always votes with the Prohibition party.
He has been quite active in public affairs in his
township, and has been elected School Director
of District No. 3.

-,,., NDREW BURNETT, of Baldwin, is one of
(^ytJIi the honored pioneers of Randolph Coun-
t3% who since an early day has been fa-
miliar with the history of this community,
has watched its growth and upbuilding and has
aided in the work ofj^rogress and development.
He is recognized as one of the valued citizens of
the community, and it is with pleasure that we
present this record of his life to our readers. He
is a native of the Emerald Isle, and a son of An-
drew and Ann (Wilson) Burnett, both of whom
were born in Count}' Tyrone, IreLand, where they
grew to mature years and were married. When our
subject was a child of only two years, they crossed
the Atlantic with their family to America, and lo-
cated in the Abbey ville District of South Carolina,
where they spent sixteen years. On the expiration
of that period they came to Randolph County, in
the autumn of 1840. They had a family of seven
sons who grew to manhood, namely: .James,
William, Alexander, John, Francis, Andrew and
Wilson.

Andrew Burnett passed most of his boyhood in
South Carolina, and at the age of nineteen he em-
igrated westward, taking up his residence in R.an-
dolph County, 111., where he embarked in farming
on his own account. He managed the affairs of
his father's family, and in his control of the same
displayed more than average ability. In 1844, he
entered a tract of wild land from the Govern-
ment, and with characteristic energj' began its
development, transforming the raw tract into
richly cultivated fields. As his financial resources
increased, he added to it from time to time, until

he now owns nearly six hundred acres of valuable
land, which yields to him a handsome income, and
he is now numbered among Randolph County's sub-
stantial agriculturists. June 2, 1853, Mr. Burnett
was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda Preston,
daughter of Daniel Preston. They have become the
parents of a family of six children, namely: Daniel
F.; W. J., now a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa;
Andrew W.; Robert A.; James P., now a resident
of St. Louis; and C. C, who completes the family.
The Burnetts are widel}- and favorably known in
this locality, where they have so long resided, and
in social circles holds an enviable position.

In his political views Mr. Burnett is a Democrat,
but has never had time or inclination for public
office, preferring to devote his energies to his busi-
ness interests. He has been an industrious and
hard-working man, and his labors have been re-
warded by a comfortable competence. He now has
a beautiful home and a valuable farm, and in his de-
clining yeais is surrounded, not only with the ne-
cessaries, but with many of the luxuries of life. He
has reared a family of children who are a credit to
him, and his career h.as been one which has gained
him high regard.

^Mf

y'-jILLIAM H. CAMPBELL. Among the men
who are actively advancing the stock-
„ ^ raising interests of Illinois stands our
subject, who occupies a leading position among
the farmers and stock growers of Evansville Pre-
cinct. He has horses, cattle and hogs of standard
grade that are as fine as any to be found in the
state. His beautiful estate consists of two hundred
acres and is located on section 17. He was born
a half-mile from where he now lives, August 12,
184.5.

Samuel and Nancy (Glasgow) Campbell, the
parents of our subject, were natives of South Car-
olina, and in companj' with the McBride and
Crozier families, came to Randolph County in an
early day. They died in Evansville Precinct, the
father in 185G, and the mother twenty years later.
The former was an influential member of the Pres-
byterian Church, while his good wife was a mem-

262

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They
reared a family of five sons and three daughters,
of whom William H., of this slvctch, is the only one
living. He was reared in this precinct, and re-
ceived his education in the district schools during
the winter seasons. His father d^'ing when he was
quite 3'oung, he was obliged to aid in the main-
tenance of the famil}% and thus learned to carry
on an estate in the best possible manner.

Mr. Campbell and Miss Pauline Schuline, a na-
tive of New York, were united in marriage Feb-
ruary 16, 1874. The parents of Mrs. Campbell
were early settlers in this county, where the3' were
prominent and wealth}' farmers. To our subject
and his wife have been born the following five
children: Mary C, Albert J., William H., Anna
V. and Agatha E.

Mr. Campbell cast his first Presidential vote for
Seymour, and voted with the Democratic party
until 1892, when he joined the People's party.
With his famil\-, he has been a member of the
Catholic Church since 1887. He has taken a
prominent part in educational matters, and has
been School Director. He is now serving as Trus-
tee of his township. A part of the farm which he
owns was included in the old homestead, which he
purchased from his mother in 1878. It is beauti-
fullj- located about two and one-half miles east
of Evansville, and from its cultivation he reaps a
handsome income.

--■^

^AVID McCONACHIE, a leading business
man of Sparta, is also the owner of one
hundred and sixteen acres of land in
Randolph County, which valuable prop-
erty has been acquired through his indomitable
interest and good management. He is also largely
engaged in shipping stock, and a man of en-
terprise, he has taken an active part in the devel-
opment of this county, and has been a prominent
factor in the promotion of various important
matters.

David McConachie, the father of our subject,
was born in Count}- Antrim, Ireland, in 1800, and

emigrated to America in 1848, landing in New Or
leans. Thence he made his waj' up the Mississippi
River and lived for some time in Chester, but later
moved on a farm five miles south of Sparta, where
he resided until a few years prior to his decease. He
was a farmer by occupation, and died while living
in Sparta in 1885. He had received a good Eng-
lish education, and on coming to America had
sufficient means to purchase a quarter-section of
land. He was a member of the Convenanter
Church in his native land, and when he died, in
1885, it was felt by all who knew him that a good
man had gone to his final reward. The paternal
grandfather of our subject, David McConachie,
also a native of Count}- Antrim, was a prosperous
farmer, and lived to the advanced age of one
hundred and eight j-ears.

Mrs. Violet (Hunter) McConachie, the mother of
our subject, was born in County Antrim, Ireland,
in 1816, and was one in a family of six children,
whose parents lived and died in the Emerald Isle.
Eleven children were included in the parental
family of our subject, namely: John H., David (of
this sketch), Violet H., Robert C, Eliza Jane,
W^illiam A., Jennie, Alexander, Ann, Thomas and
James. His first wife having died, the father of
our subject was married in 1881 to Mrs. Elizabeth
HoUida}', who departed this life in April, 1893.

David McConachie, who was born February 11,
1834, in County Antrim, Ireland, accompanied his
parents at the time of their emigration to America,
and remained at home until 1852. He had been
given a good common-school education, and when
reaching his eighteenth year began to earn his
own money by working out on farms. He was
thus emploj'ed only for a twelvemonth, when he
rented and cultivated land on his own account.
In addition to tilling the soil, he operated a thresh-
ing machine until 186 hand in that3-ear, the Civil
War being in progress, he bought and sold Gov-
ernment cattle, horses and mules. Mr. McCona-
chie was thus employed until the close of the war,
when he engaged in the mercantile business in
company with his father-in-law, A. P. Foster,
which connection lasted for two j'ears. At the
end of that time our subject again began dealing
in stock, this time shipping mules to Mississippi,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

263

in which branch of business he has been engaged
for tlie past twenty-five years.

The lady who became tlie wife of our subject
April 22, 1862, was Miss Eliza Foster, a native of
this county. She is a well educated lady and the
daughter of A. P. and Mary (Crawford) Foster,
the former of whom came to this section as early
as 1832 from South Carolina. His first location
was made on a farm ten miles south of Sparta,
which he continued to operate until 1846, when
he removed to Preston and engaged in the mer-
cantile business for one summer. Later he be-
came identified with the business interests of Ches-
ter, forming a partnership with Alexander Beard.
In the year 1851, however, he returned to his
farm, and after two years spent there, Mr. Foster
went again to Chester and operated a general
store until 1854. In that year he came to Sparta,
and here made his home until 1869, whence he
went to Shiloh. Later, he made his home in Oak-
dale, and on returning to Sparta departed this
life, February 11, 1871. In early life a Democrat,
he later voted with the Republican party, and was
a man who kept himself thoroughly posted on the
issues of the hour. He served as County Judge
of Randolph County in 1848, and was a popular
and gifted man. He was a member of the United
Presbyterian Church and aided greatly in the
spread of the Gospel in this section. The pater-
nal grandparents of Mrs. McConachie were James
and Ann (Morrow) Foster, natives of Ireland and
the United States, respectiveh'. The former on
coming to the United States with his family made
his iiome in South Carolina.

Of the three children born to our subject and
his wife, we make the following mention: Lauros
G. is engaged as a teacher in the Rugby school in
Philadelphia. He is a finely educated young
man, is a graduate of Knox College at Galesburg,
and has been a student in the Pennsylvania Uni-
versity, also in the Johns Hopkins University. Will-
iam E., the second son of our subject, is engaged
in business in Sparta, and Mary V., who is a grad-
uate of the Sparta High School, remains at home
with her parents.

While his private affairs naturally receive the
major part of his time and attention, yet Mr. Mc-

Conachie is interested in public affairs and in prin-
ciple and belief is a Republican. His wife is a
member of the United Presbyterian Church, and
is foremost in aiding religious and benevolent
enterprises.

OHN DAUER, whose sketch we now have
the pleasure of presenting, is a German by
birth, having been born in Bremen, Ger-
many, in 1830. He is the son of John and
Robe (Storey) Dauer, and grew to man's estate in
his native country, where he learned to cultivate
the soil and acquired the principles of successful
farming. His education was limited, but natural
ability and fondness . for knowledge more than
atoned for the lack of what is commonly called
"schooling."

The parents of our subject were likewise natives
of Germany, where thej' died, the father in 1849,
and the mother in 1834. John Dauer was a farmer
and shoemaker, and was twice married, the mother
of our subject being his first wife. Only two chil-
dren of this marriage are living: Peter, and John,
of this sketch. Tbe latter emigrated to the United
States in 1852, and after remaining for a time in
Maryland, went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he spent
a few days, and from there journeyed to Ohio, later
to Kentucky, and finally made a permanent settle-
ment in Illinois, arriving in Randolph County in
1855. Here he was variously engaged, working
bj- the day and month for about three years, when
he located on a fort3'-acre tract of land, and has
since followed farming.

Miss Margaret Meyeroth and John Dauer were
united in marriage September 21, 1858. The lady
was born in Germany, and the six children of
which she became the mother are, Frederick G.,
Andrew T., August J., Dora B., Magdalena M. and
Theodore H. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Dauer
located upon the tract above mentioned, where he
resided for thirteen j'ears, and then disposing of
his forty acres, purchased the quarter-section where
he now makes his home, and which is located in
township 5, range 6. He has made this place his

264

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home since 1870. Like most of tlie early settlers,
he was obliged to put up with numerous incon-
veniences, but finally made good headway, and has
rapidly gained a competence and many friends.
He and his wife are sincere Christian people, and
the German Lutheran Church has in tliem two
of its best members. Our subject is a Republican
in politics, casting his first ballot for Abraham
Lincoln.

' ^ ^P •

W^-^ ENRY HITZSMANN. Randolph County is
if )!■ greatly indebted for its present wealth and
/^^^ I'igli standing to the sturdy, intelligent and
\^)j enterprising tillers of the soil who came
from Germany, and who have been instrumental
in developing the vast agricultural resources of
their adopted state. As a worthy member of the
farming communit}' who have contributed toward
its material advancement, it gives us pleasure to
present Mr. Ilitzsraann in this volume. He has
long been associated with the agricultural interests
of township 4, range 8, where he h.as built a com-
fortable home, and owns a valuable estate of four
hundred and thirtj' acres.

The birth of our subject occurred January 4,
1839, in Furstentuhm, Schaumburg-Lippe, Bucke-
burg, Germany, where also his parents, Fred and
Wilhelmena (Me3-er) Hitzsmann, were born, the
father in 1811, and the mother in 1810. Mr. and
Mrs. Fred Hitzsmann emigrated to the United
States in 1858, and after locating in Randolph
County, the father, who was a poor man, rented
land, which he operated four years. Being a hard
worker and a good financier, he managed to save
enough of his earnings to purchase land, and at
the date of his death, December 29, 1877, he was
proprietor of one hundred and eighty acres of
good land, located on Horse Prairie. His wife,
the mother of our subject, reared a family of seven
children, and is still living.

The subject of this sketch received a good edu-
cation in Germanj', and was a lad of seventeen
years when he crossed the Atlantic, determining
to make a fortune for himself in the New World.
This was one year previous to the emigration of

his parents, and it was through him that they lo-
cated in this county. He has always followed the
occupation of a farmer, and that he has met with
good fortune in the prosecution of his. calling is
made sure when we announce that he is the pro-
prietor of four hundred and thirty acres of land,
and is one of the solid men of his township.

The marriage of Mr. Hitzsmann with Miss Wil-
helmena Wiebke occurred December 18, 1862.
Mrs. Hitzsmann was born in Randolph County, and
is the daughter of Fred and Wilhelmena (Schrieber)
Wiebke. Of the ten children of which she became
the mother, only six are living, namelj': Ernest,
Hcnr}-, AVilliam, Charles; Wilhelmena, Mrs. Charles
Fair; and Lena, the wife of Rudolph Attman.
The Democratic partj' ever finds in our subject a
faithful supporter. He is a thoroughly upright,
honest man, always dealing fairly and squarely
by all, and his estimable character has given him a
high place among his fellow-townsmen. He and
his good wife are members of the Lutheran Church,
and heartilj- aid in its everj' good work.

foreign birth who have contributed their
quota toward the development of their
adopted land, and who by patience and persever-
ance have made America what it is, may be prop-
erly mentioned this gentleman, who is well known
for his integrity as a citizen. He is an active
farmer, making his home in township 5, range 7,
Randolph County, where he is carrying on opera-
tions with more than ordinary thrift and sagacity.
He owns one hundred and fifty-three .acres of land,
which is considered one of the model farms of the
township.

The parents of our subject, who were also na-
tives of the Fatherland, were Christopher and
Fredreka (Nasstedt) Meineke. They reared a
familj' of ten children, and spent their entire
lives in their native land. Fritz, of this sketch,
received his education in the Old Countr}-, where
his birth occurred June 19, 1830. He remained
there until 1869, when, liaving heard glowing ac-
counts of the New World, he decided to tr^' his

/."^.M^^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

26?

fortunes in America, and came hither in 1869.
Finding his way lo Randolph County, he located
in Ellis Grove, where he worked out by the day
for four j'ears. Then finding himself able to rent
land, he operated a farm near Ellis Grove for a
year, and then moved to Evansville Precinct,
where he was similarly employed and rented prop-
erty for two years.

At the time of localing on his present property,
it contained but niuet^'-six acres, and Mr. Meineke
worked hard to place the land under cultivation
and clear the sixty-six acres which were in a wild
state. He erected as good buildings on the place
as circumstances would allow, added to his acreage,
and at the present time everything on the farm
betokens the industry and thrift of the owner.

Miss Minnie Hopfe, also a native of Germany,
became the wife of our subject in 1855. She ac-
companied her husband in his trip to the United
States, and by her union has become the mother of
three children: Fritz, William and Minnie (now
Mrs. William Ricknagle). She is a devoted mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which
denomination Mr. Meineke is also connected. In
political affairs he always casts his vote with the
Republican part}'. He has held the oflice of School
Director for manj' 3'ears, and is an incumbent of
that position at the present time.

^T/OHN H. WILSON, who is now living a re-
tired life in Columbia, Monroe County, was
born in this county August 8, 1819, and is
a representative of one of its honored pio-
neer families. His father, William Wilson, was
born in AVashington County, Ky., and when about
five years old was brought to this place by Mrs.
Tolbott. Here he grew to manhood, and after ar-
riving at mature years he entered from the Gov-
ernment large tracts of land. He married Ma-
tilda Wallace, and then located on a farm a mile
from Columbia, where in the midst of the forest
he hewed out a good home, transforming wild,
unimproved land into rich and fertile fields. This
worthy couple became the parents of nine children,
seven of whom reached manhood and womanhood,
while four are yet living, namel}': Catherine, wife

of John S. Morgan, who resides near Columbia;
Deborah, of Monroe County; George and John H.,
both of Columbia.

Upon the old homestead farm our subject spent
the daj's of his boyhood and youth, and in the
subscription schools acquired his education. When
about twentj-three 3eai-s of age he was appointed
Deputy Sheriff of the countj', and so well did he
fill the position that in 1846 he was elected Sheriff
for a term of two years. He proved a capable
officer, discharging his duties with promptness and
fidelity. In 1848 he was again elected to the
same oflice, and in 1851 was re-elected, filling the
position for a term of eight years. He was a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention which in
1870 framed the present constitution of the state,
and served on the finance and other important
committees.

In May, 1844, Mr. Wilson was united in mar-
riage with Sarah, daughter of Edward T. Morgan,
a native of Kentucky, and one of the early settlers
of Monroe County. The lad}' was born and reared
near Columbia, and after their marriage the young
couple located on a farm two miles and a-half from
this place. After two years they came to the town,
and Mr. AVilson embarked in general merchandising
under the firm name of Wilson & Winel. This
partnership continued for four years, when Mr.
Wilson formed a partnership with L. Warnock,
and purchased the Columbia Star Mills. He fol-
lowed milling for about four years, when he sold
his interest to Ernest Gross, and resumed agricult-
ural pursuits, which he has since carried on.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson was born a son,
Joshua, a lawyer of Waterloo, and the present
State's Attorney for Monroe County. In politics
our subject is a Democrat, and he has frequently
served as a delegate to the county, congressional
and state conventions of his party. Socially he is
connected with the Odd Fellows' society, in which
he has held various offices. He now has a com-
fortable home in Columbia, besides his valuable
farm of four hundred acres. He has been a resi-
dent of Monroe County since 1819, and is there-
fore one of its earliest settlers and honored pio-
neers. Through life he has been a hard worker,
and by his diligence and perseverance he has

ie^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

achieved success. He is a man of straightforward
purpose, whose life has been characterized by hon-
esty, and he is ever spoken of in the highest terms,
being respected by young and old. rich and poor.

r^.;..}..^.}..;.^.^.-

'illOHN R. ALLEN. In the perusal of this
volume the reader is doubtless impressed
with the fact that it is not accident that
helps a man on in the world, hut persistent
energ\' and unceasing industry. The life of John
R. Allen affords an illustration of the fact that he
who is shrewd to discern opportunities and quick
to grasp them will attain a high place in the re-
gard of his fellow-men. A laborious, painstaking
man, his was a life of diligence, honor and suc-
cess, and when the sun of time sank below the
horizon of eternity it was felt bj' all who knew
him that a good man had gone to his final reward.
At his death, which occurred August 26, 1890, he
was one of the leading business men of Sparta,
and had for many years been intimately identified
with the progressive interests and rapid advance-
ment of the city. The people of his community
attested to their esteem for him by electing him
Maj^or of Sparta in 1889, which position was un-
solicited bj' him.

Andrew M. Allen, the father of our subject, was
born in the year 1810, in Preble County, Ohio,
and when a lad of six years removed with his
parents to this county, locating near Evansville.
Andrew M. continued to reside at home until
1827, when, his mother having died the previous
year, the household was broken up, and his fa-
ther made his home thereafter with his children
until his decease, which occurred July 5, 1845, at
the home of his son, William Allen, near Preston.
The father of our subject was a tanner by trade,
but spent the greater part of his active life on the
farm. Politically, he was a Jacksonian Democrat.
A devout member of the Presbyterian Church, he
allowed no man to excel him in hospitality or kind-
ness. The paternal grandparents of our subject,
John and Sarah (Allen) Allen, are natives respec-
tively of New Jersey and South Carolina. The
former accompanied his parents at the time of
their removal to Savannah, Ga.,and while residing

in Jefferson County, that state, was married to
Miss Sarah Allen, who was born in Soutli Carolina,
and located with her parents in Georgia. John
Allen and his wife then moved north to Preble
County, Ohio, thence to Randolph Count}-, this
state, where their decease occurred. The grand-
father, who was a prosperous farmer, was a Demo-
crat in politics and served in the War of 1812.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Robert Allen,
was a native of England, and, coming to America
prior to the Revolutionary War, located in New
Jersey. Being the eldest of his father's familj', he
inherited the estate, as was the custom of that
countiy, and as a consequence, was in very afflu-
ent circumstances. He was an extensive ship-
owner, and also held large possessions in Jamaica.

The subject of this sketch is a native of this
count}', having been born March 21, 1839, near
Evansville, and continued to reside at home un-
til the outbreak of the Civil War. Although a
mere boy, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-
second Illinois Infantry, under John E. Dedrick,
who is now in the Pension Department at Wash-"
ington, D. C. As a soldier, young Allen served
in some of the most decisive battles of the Re-
bellion, such as the siege and capture of New
Madrid, Stone River, Belmont, Farmiugton, siege
of Corinth, Resaca and Chickaniauga. While in
the latter battle he was sliot in the leg. September
9, 1863, and was taken to the hospital at Crawfish
Springs, where his limb was amputated. As that
hospital was later captured by the Confederates,
our subject was taken to Chattanooga, and on the
7th of October, 1863, was exchanged and soon
thereafter discharged. He was a quiet, unobtru-
sive soldier, and won not only the respect of his
comrades, but the confidence and esteem of his
superior officers.

After his return from the arm.y, John R. Allen
established the first regular provision store in
Sparta, which he continued to operate until within
eighteen months of his death. A man of enter-
prise, he always took an active part in the devel-
opment of every measure set on foot for the ad-
vancement of the cit3% and was a prominent factor
in the promotion of various matters of mutual
welfare. He was very charitable and benevolent,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

269

and established the cash system in business,
pa3'ing the fanners either in cash or goods for
their produce. During the financial depression
early in the '70s, in order to help restore confi-
dence, Mr. Allen sent to St. Louis for gold to pay
the farmers, which fact not onlj' helped to in-
crease his own business, but stimulated trade
throughout tlie city.

April 29, 1864, John R. Allen married Miss
Mar\' C, daughter of Samuel and Nancy McClin-
ton, and to them has been born one son, C. F.
Allen. . In his political relations our subject was
an uncompromising Republican, but at the same
time conceded to everyone else the rights he
claimed for himself. It was while on his way to
the Republican Convention which was held in
Evansville that death claimed him as his own.
That sad event occurred August 2G, 1890. In
early life he was a member of the United Presby-
terian Church, but later joined the Presbyterian
* Church, in which he was an Elder for many
3' ears.

AVID B. BOYD, a progressive farmer re-
siding in township 5, range 6, Randolph
Count}-, has risen to a position in agri-
cultural affairs which many might envy.
He is the owner of five hundred acres of valuable
land, and has been largely' instrumental in bring-
ing about man}' of the new and successful meth-
ods of advancing business, educational and social
standards. His father, Thomas Boyd, was born in
County Antrim, Ireland, in 1784, and emigrated
to America, locating in South Carolina about
1801.

Thomas Boyd made his home in the above
named slate until 1830, when he decided to try
his fortunes in the Prairie State, and coming to
Randolph County, located in township 5, range 6,
where he was residing at the time of his decease,
January 11, 1849. His occupation was that of
farming. He was pressed into the British service,
and while on a vessel, lost his hearing by the
concussion of guns. In politics he was a Whig.and
religiously was a member of the Reformed Pi-esby-

terian Church. Thomas Boyd was the son of John
and Susan (Neally) Boj'd, natives also of Coun-
ty Antrim, Ireland. Like man}- of their fellow-
countrymen, they made their way to the United
States. They died in South Carolina, where they
were farmers. Previous to coming to America,
the grandfather of our subject was a weaver and
ganger. His famih' consisted of three sons and
two daughters, John, Thomas, Samuel, Susan and
Marj'.

Mrs. Mary (Humes) Boyd was likewise born in
the Emerald Isle, and when her parents, David and
Elizabeth (Montgomery) Humes, emigrated to the
New World, she accompanied them on the journey
and located in South Carolina. There her father,
who was a prosperous farmer, was an active member
of the Presb^'terian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Bo3'd were married in 1807, and the children born
to them were: Elizabeth and Susan, now deceased;
John, who died in 1849; William, who departed
this life in his twenty-second 3'ear; David B., of
this sketch; Thomas, and one who died in infanc}'.

Our subject was born IMa}* 22, 1819, in the New-
bury District, S. C, and there continued to reside
until the decease of his parents. He was given
but few educational advantages, and upon reach-
ing mature 3-ears engaged in farming pursuits.
After coming to this count}-, in 1830, he first pur-
chased eighty acres of land from his father, and
on the death of the latter, came into possession of
the old homestead, which he has occupied for over
sixt}' 3'ears.

December 30, 1847, Miss Tabitha Jane Brown
and our subject were united in marriage. Mrs.
Boyd was born within two miles of where she is
now living. She is the daughter of David and
Margaret (Morrow) Brown, natives respectively
of South Carolina and Kentuck}-. Her parents were
married in the Blue Grass State, and coming to
Illinois, in 1826, located on Livel3- Prairie. David
Brown was the son of Isaac and Jane (Means)
Brown, natives of South Carolina. The grand-
father died in Kentuck3'; his good wife came to
Illinois, and departed this life in Randolph Count}'.

To Mr. and Mrs Bo}'d have been born nine chil-
dren: Maggie, Mrs. Samuel Wasson, of this coun-
ty; Mary, who lives at home; Anna, Mrs. Samuel

270

PORTRAIT A]ST) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Fulton, of this county; William, who is a coal
dealer in St. Louis; David, who is engaged in the
coal business at Sparta; Thomas A., who nialies his
home with his parents, and three who died in in-
fanc}'. A man of untiring energy, Mr. Boyd's
success in life is proved by the fact that, although
he started without money or land, he has accumu-
lated over five hundred acres, upon which he is en-
gaged in general farming. In politics he is a stanch
Republican. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian
Church, with which denomination his wife also
holds membership.

If/ OHN KNOX BLAIR is one of the shrewdest
and most intelligent agriculturists of town-
ship 5, range 6, Randolph Countj', as is
showu bj' the success which has crowned
his eflforts. He was born February 6, 1828, in
Tennessee, and is the son of James and Jane
(Wiley) Blair, natives of .South Carolina, where
the former was born in 1797.

James Blair, the father of our subject, accom-
panied his parents, William and Elizabeth Blair,
on their removal to Tennessee in 1816. The
latter were both natives of Ireland, but the grand-
father of our subject died in Tennessee. In that
state the parents of our subject were married, and
in 1832 came to Randolph County and lived on
what is now known as the Rile3' McKelvy Farm.
Two years later the father entered land from the
Government, which is the same property owned
b\' the 3'oungest brother of our subject, James F.
The old homestead contains two hundred acres,
which tlie father cleared, and of which he made a
valuable estate. He was a member of the New
Light Covenant Church, in which he was an Elder.
He departed this life February 25, 1860. The
mother of our subject was born in 1799 and died
in 1890, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.
She was also a member of the Covenant Church.

Our subject was the fourth in order of birth
of a family of seven children, his brothers and
sisters bearing the respective names of Samuel
W., William R., Tirza M., James F., Martha and

Louisa. John K. was only four j'ears of age at
the time his parents removed to Randolph County,
and here he received a limited education in the
district schools. He remained at home until his
marriage in 1852 with Miss Mary E. McCoughan,
who was born in this couutv.

After his marriage, Mr. Blair removed to Perry
County, where he resided for five years, and then,
his wife having died October 5, 1857, he returned
to this county with his children, Gilbert S., Lem-
uel and Mary E., the latter of whom is now de-
ceased.

Gilbert S., the elder son, married Miss Ida Mc-
Guire, and resides in Parsons, Kan; Lemuel, the
second son, is a graduate of the Chicago Homeo-
pathic Medical College, and a practicing physician
in Edgerton, Kan.; he married Sabina Reed, of Ced-
arville, Ohio, who is deceased. Mre. Mary Blair was
a faithful member of the New Light Covenant
Church, in which bodj- her father was an Elder.

The lady whom Mr. Blair married in 1862 was*
Mrs. Mar}- Catherine (Brown) Wj-lie. By her
marriage with Samuel Wiley she became the
mother of three children, onlj- one of whom.
Flora, now Mrs. James M. Hathorn, is living.
By this union Mr. Blair had a family of three
children, of whom James is deceased. Those liv-
ing are Samuel L., Jr., and John Riley. After his
second marriage, our subject removed to the farm
owned by his wife, where the}- resided until 1880.
He then purchased his present farm, it being the
place where Mrs. Blair's father located upon com-
ing to the county. In politics, Mr. Blair voted
with the Republican partj- until two j-ears ago,
when he joined the ranks of the Prohibitionists,
and now casts his ballot fou the candidates of that
organization.

Mrs. Blair was born in this count}- in 1830, and
is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Morrow)
Brown, natives of South Carolina, w-ho migrated
to Kentucky, and thence in 1827 came to Ran-
dolph County. Here Mr. Brown entered the land
which is now owned by our subject, cleared and
made valuable improvements on the same and re-
sided there for fifty-five years. He was born in
1797, and six years prior to his decease, in 1884,
was afflicted with the loss of his eye-sight. He

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

271

was four times married, his first wife being a Miss
Steele, by wbom lie had one child, who is now de-
ceased; his second union was with Miss Elizabeth
Morrow. His thirti wife was Miss Chambers, and
his fourth a Miss Woodside. Joseph and Eliza-
beth (Morrow) Brown had a large family of cliil-
dren, as follows: James M., deceased; Elizabeth J.;
David, now deceased; Mary Catherine, ]\Irs. Blair;
Joseph; Alvira A; John B.; Nancy M. and William
M. The parents were members of the Associate
Reformed (now the United Presli^'terian) Church,
in which the father held the office of Elder.

-^^

(3=

■'?^|ll^^^'"

^1|_ UGH EASDALE. One by one the pioneers
i[)|! of Randolph County are passing away, and
1^^^' their labors and struggles will soon be a
(^) matter of history. It is well to preserve a
brief account of the privations and difficulties un-
der which the}' labored in laying the foundation
of our material, civil and religious prosperity.
For this purpose a few facts regarding the honored
gentleman above named will be presented to our
readers.

The subject of this brief sketch was of Scotch
birth, and was born in Ayrshire in October, 1814.
He was reared to manhood in Scotland, and for
many years made his home on a farm with his
grandmother in that country. He was given a
good education, and deciding to come to America
in, 1840, he crossed the Atlantic, and after landing
in the New World, made his way to Illinois and
located in Randolph County.

The marriage of our subject, which took place
in 1849, was with Miss Mary Aitken, who was
born in Ayrshire March 31, 1831. Mrs. Easdale
was the daughter of James and Barbara (Stephen-
son) Aitken, also natives of the above place, where
the mother's decease occurred. The wife of our
subject came to America in 1849, in company with
two of her brothers, and with them made her home
in this county. After her marriage with our sub-
ject, the young people located upon a tract of
land in township 4, range 5, which in that early
day bore no improvement. The estate comprised

three hundred and fifty acres, and at his death
Mr. Easdale had placed two hundred and seventy
acres under good tillage. The farm is supplied
with a comfortable residence and all the accom-
paniments in the waj' of barns, sheds, etc., that are
needed in properly carrying on a farm. Our sub-
ject was engaged in mixed farming, and made a
specialty of breeding fine blooded horses.

Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eas-
dale, we make the following mention: Mary mar-
ried William Crawford, and resides in Kansas;
Maggie is the wife of John Stephenson, and makes
her home in this township; Janet is the wife of
Samuel Boyd; Ida married James Lindsey; and
Hugh A., Helen and Robert are at home. Mr.
Easdale was Treasurer of the United Presbyterian
Church, of which he was a member for many
years. He was School Director of this district for
many years, and also served as Township Trustee.
A stanch Republican, he represented his party as
delegate to the various conventions. He possessed
those noble personal qualities which justl}' classed
him among the best citizens of the county. The
farm is managed by Mrs. P'.asdale and tlie three
children who are at home. She is an intelligent
and capable woman, and is a member of the United
Presbyterian Church.

'^\ OSEPIl R. PRESTON, a well known .agri-
culturist residing on township 4, range 7,
is one of the native sons of Randolph
County and a representative of one of its
honored pioneer families. In 1839 there came to
Randolph County Robert H. Preston, with his wife
and children. Tliej' located on a farm adjacent
to Baldwin, purcliasing land of Jack Boyd, an
earlj' settler of the community. The journey
westward was made with a one-horse wagon.
While in tlie east, Mr. Preston worked in woolen
mills, being a weaver by trade. He brought with
him to the west $600, which he invested in land,
and at once engaged in farming. Although he
was unfamiliar witli this pursuit, he met with most
excellent success in his undertakings. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Flem-

272

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

ing, was a native of New Jei-sey. Their family
numbered three sons and a daughter: vSarah H.,
widow of John A. Spaeth, who resides with her
family in Wilson County, Kan.; Joseph R., of this
sketch; and Albert L. and Alfred L. (twins). The
latter now resides near Baldwin, but the former
died, leaving one son, who now makes his home
in Baldwin. The father of this family was very
successful and acquired a handsome competence.
He was a faithful member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South, and gave liberally of his
means for the erection of the house of worship in
Baldwin. He was always ready to support any
worthy' enterprise, and the poor and needj* found
in him a friend.

Joseph R. Preston was born on the old home-
stead farm in 1841, and his boj'hood and }'outh
were spent amidst pla^' and work. He early be-
came familiar with all the duties of farm life, and
in the common schools of the neighborhood he
acquired a good English education. At the age
of twenty- years he was united in marriage with
Miss Margaret, daughter of William Cox, one of
the earl3' settlers of Randolph Count}-. They be-
gan their domestic life upon the old homestead,
and Mr. Preston erected the house which is still
their home, and in which manj' happy years have
been passed. Seven cliildren were born to them, of
wliom four are living, namel}': WiHiara R.,who mar-
ried Sarah F.Carter and is engaged in merchandis-
ing in Baldwin; Absalom K., M. Ma}- and John C,
who are still under the parental roof. Elizabeth E.
died at tlie age of sixteen years, and the others died
in early childhood.

The home farm of Mr. Preston comprises two
hundred and eighty acres, and in connection with
this he operates one hundred acres about a mile
west. His lauded possessions aggregate seven
hundred acres, the greater part of which he has
cleared and developed himself. For several 3^ears
he devoted his time and energies chiefly to gen-
eral farming, but for some years past he has
been quite extensively engaged in stock dealing.
His business career has been a prosperous one,
owing to his diligence and well directed efforts,
and he is recognized as one of the practical and
progressive farmers of the community. In poli-

tics he is a stanch Democrat, but has alwaj-s re-
fused public office. He contributes liberally to
worth}- enterprises calculated to advance the gen-
eral welfai'e, and jierforms many acts of kindness
and charity, but all are done in a quiet and unos-
tentatious manner.

<^T UGUST H. KOCH, who is numbered among
lO/// II ^jjg leading business men of Red Bud, con-
tl ducts a harness establishment, and is also
i@y a dealer in road vehicles and farm imple-

ments. He is a native of the town which is still
his home, his birth having occurred here in 1855.
His parents, Henr}' and Sophia (Reinhart) Koch,
were both natives of Germany, and in that coun-
try were reared and married. The year 1840 wit-
nessed their emigration to America. The}- located
in St. Louis, but after a short time came to Red
Bud, where the father engaged in business as a
merchant-tailor until his death. The family num-
bered six children, but with the exception of our
subject all are now deceased. One brother, Henry,
grew to manhood and married, leaving at his
death two children.

August H. Koch spent the first fourteen years of
his life under the parental roof, and then went to
St. Louis, where he served an apprenticeship of a
term of four years to a harnessmaker. He thor-
oughly mastered the business, becoming an expert
workman, and then returned to Red Bud, where
he opened his store. His trade has constantly in-
creased from the beginning, and he now does as
large a business as any harness dealer in the coun-
ty. In 1889 he had purchased a stock of spring
wagons, and the following year he added a stock
of carriages, buggies, farm implements, etc. His
enterprise and business ability have been the im-
portant factors in his success, and have placed him
among the substantial citizens of the community.

In the year 1878 Mr. Koch was united in mar-
riage with Sliss Katrina Diehl, a native of Monroe
County, III. By their union have been born
eleven children, seven of whom are still living.
The parents hold membership with the Lutheran
Church, contribute liberally to its support, and

PORTKAIT AND BTOGRAPHTCAL RECORD.

273

take an active part in its growth and iipbuilding,
doing all in their power to advance tiie cause.
Mr. Koch exercises his right of franchise in sup-
port of tlie Republican party, and is a warm ad-
vocate of its principles. He served for one term
as City Treasurer, but has never been an office-
seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and
attention to his business interests. A well and
worthily spent life has won him the high regard
of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and
we take pleasure in presenting to our readers this
record of one of the native sons of Randolph
County.

• ^ P •

bllOMAS B. STEPHENSON. A man of un-
tiring energy, the subject of this sketch has
been successful in life, which is proved by
the fact that, although he started for himself with-
out money, he has accumulated a comfortable home
and is now one of the prominent citizens of Ran-
dolph County. He resides in Sparta, where he is
Secretary and Treasurer of the Sparta Pressed
Brick Company, of which he was one of the organ-
izers. He is also a stockholder and Director in
the Sparta Creamery, and has been prominentlj'
connected with the organization of the building
and loan association, of which he is the Secretary.

The father of our subject, Edward Stephenson,
was born in Lancashire, England, in 1829, and at
the early age of nineteen was united in marriage
with Miss Elizabeth Preston. "With his wife and
a family of five small children, he left his native
land to seek a home in the New World. He natu-
rally turned to Her Majesty's province of Canada,
and having acquired an education for the profes-
sion of a school teacher, he turned his attention to
that in his new home. But only a few more years
were allotted him in this world. The hardships
and anxieties of frontier life overcame him, and
while yet a young man he laid aside his armor
and entered into eternal rest.

After a few years of widowhood, our subject's
mother married the brother of her deceased hus-
band, John D. Stephenson, who was born in 1836
in Lancashire, England. In 1857 he emigrated to

America, and locating in Canada, remained at To-
ronto until 1860. when he came to the States and
made his home in Sparta. The following j'ear he
moved to a farm four miles northeast of the city,
which he cultivated and resided upon until 1892,
whea he returned to Sparta, and is now living a
retired life. He is a carpenter by trade, but fol-
lowed farming through the greater part of his
active life. His early education was received in
the common schools, and-although his advantages
were not of the best, he improved his spare mo-
ments, and became one of the well posted men of
the section. In politics he is a stanch Republican,
and is deeply interested in all matters pertain-
ing to the advancement of his community. He
held the oflices of Road Commissioner, Township
Commissioner, .Justice of the Peace and School
Trustee, and is recognized as a man of extended
influence. He was formerly an official member of
the Baptist Church, but is now associated with the
Brethren.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Chris-
topher and Margaret (Walker) Stephenson, were
also natives of Lancashire, England, where they
lived and died. The grandfather, who was a.
canal-keeper, was the son of William Stephenson,
a Scotch sailor. The maiden name of our subject's
mother was Elizabeth Preston. She likewise was
born in the above shire in England, and was a
daughter of John and Ann Preston, prosperous
farmers, who spent their entire lives in their native
land. During the latter 3'earsof her young woman-
hood, Mrs. Stephenson made her home with her
eldest brother, Roger, who was a Quaker, and
through him received a good education.

The mother of our subject was first married
about 1848, and tiie union was blessed with the
following named children: Roger P., Christopher,
John, Edward, Thomas B., Margaret and Elizabeth
A. To her second marriage five children were born,
James, William R., Sarah J., Mary and Alonzo J.
Tlie eldest son is now living in Salma, Kan., where
he is pastor of the First Baptist Church; Christo-
pher makes his home in Denver, Colo., and is a
prominent lawyer of that place; John lives on the
old homestead near Sparta; Edward makes his
home in Jackson, Mich., and has charge of the

274

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Baptist Church there; Margaret is the wife of R.
S. Burns, a. carpenter residing in Sparta; Elizabeth
married Michael S. (Crawford, a farmer in Crawford
County, Kan.; James is a member of the firm of
Stei)henson Brothers, in Sparta; AVilliam R. is the
junior member of the same firm; Alonzo is em-
ployed in the pressed brick works, in which our
subject is interested; Sarah J. and Mary are at
home.

Thomas B. Stephenson was born November 20,
1855, in Lancashire, England, and accompanied
his parents on their removal to Canada in 1857.
He was reared to manhood in Randolpli Countj',
111., in the meantime attending school when oppor-
tunity offered, and also engaged in farming pur-
suits. Later, his knowledge gained in the public
sciiools was supplemented by attendance at the
Carbondale Normal University, where he was
a student for about two years. He earned his
first money by teaching school in Cumberland
County, III. After being thus engaged for two
years in that place, young Stephenson returned to
Randolph County, and was employed as teacher
in this vicinity for four years, the last two terms
of which time he taught in the liigli school at
Sparta.

In 1881, while teaching school, Mr. Stephenson
purchased the stock of goods from S. F. Hyndman,
of Sparta, and, associated with his brother-in-law,
J. L. Beattie, continued to carry on business as
Stephenson & Beattie until 1890. In 1888, prior
to disposing of his interests in that line, our sub-
ject became book-keeper in the bank of F. R.
Crothers & Co., with whom he remained until Feb-
ruary of 1892. Mr. Stephenson assisted in incor-
porating the Sparta Pressed Brick Company, which
was organized with a capital of $14,000. It is a
valuable acquisition to the town and gives employ-
ment to many men. Tiie building and loan asso-
ciation, which was incorporated in April, 1886, in
a measure owes its existence to our subject, as does
also the Sparta Creamer}', of which he is a stock-
holder and Director. The latter was organized in
1884, and now has a capital of ?!10,000. The com-
pany paj'S out for milk each year from S50,000 to
$60,000, and the product of the factory finds a
ready sale in this vicinity. The Gas and Oil Com-

pany of Sparta, of which Mr. Stephenson is now
Treasurer, operates twelve wells, and has a capital
stock of $15,000.

October 8, 1879, IMiss Mary, daughter of Jacob
B. and Elizabeth (McMillan) Beattie, became the
wife of our subject. She is a native of Sparta,
while her father was born in Allegheny County,
Pa., and her mother was born in Paisley, Scotland.
Mr. Beattie came to Randolph County in 1818,
and located in township 4, range 5. February 9,
1853, he married Elizabeth McMillan, and the}'
still reside upon the old homestead. To Mr. and
Mrs. Stephenson have been born three children,
Edward B., Bertha E. and Carl C. In his political
relations, our subject always votes with the Repub-
lican party, and few residents of the county are
more widely known, and none more favorablj', than
he. With his wife he is associated with the Brethren.

■^--

'-■^

EUSADE PALMIER. This gentleman may
truly be called a self-made man, as will be
/- -i i seen by the perusal of his history. He oc-
cupies a valuable estate of five hundred acres lo-
cated in Prairie du Rocher Precinct, Randolph
County, and ranks among the highly respected
citizens of the county. He is an enterprising
farmei', prudently changing his crops in order to
keep up the fertility of the soil, and devotes the
greater amount of his land to grain, without
neglecting other articles of produce, however.

Joseph and Mary L. (Chilcot) Palmier, the par-
ents of our subject, were natives of St. Clair Coun-
ty, this state, and were of French descent. They
came from Canada in an early day and located in
St. Clair County, where tlie father of our subject
departed this life. His good wife is still living,
at the advanced age of eighty-four j'cars. They
were the parents of eight children, of whom three
sons and two daughters are yet living.

Eusade Palmier, of this sketch, was born May 7,
1845, in St. Clair County, this state, and there re-
mained with his parents until reaching his twelfth
year, when, his father having died, he accompanied
his mother on her removal into Randolph County,

"J-^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

277

where be has since made his home. At the usual
age he began attending school, receiving his edu-
cation in a rude log cabin, which bore little resem-
blance to the modern structures of to-day.

January* 3, 1866, our subject and Miss Sophia
Mougin were united in marriage, and to them
were born nine children, namely: Arsen, Alfred,
Cora, Louise, Vita, Marcel, Eddie, Harry, and Lean-
der, wlio died when twelve j-ears old. INIr. Palmier
lias been one of the important factors in promo-
ting the growth and prosperit}- of his precinct, and
being a progressive, liberal, public-spirited man,
occupies a high place in social and educational
matters. His fine farm is pleasantly located one
and one-half miles southeast of Prairie du Rocher,
and from its tillage be reaps large profits.

In politics, our subject gives his allegiance to
the Democratic part3', and he cast his first vote
for .Sej-mour. He has never sought office, but at
tlie solicitation of his fellow-citizens, he has served
with satisfaction as Trustee of Prairie du Rocher,
and, all in all, is an influential citizen.

^ I^ILLIAM SCHUCHERT, ex-Mayor of the
\r\/// city of Chester, and one of the leading
\^/^ citizens of the place, is engaged in the diy-
goods and grocerj- business, carrjing in bis estab-
lishment a full line of all articles used in city and
country households. He has done much toward
advancing the prospentj- of the citj', and by his
unceasing application to business has secured a
competency, while his unwavering honesty and
true nobilitj' of character have won him the high
regard of his fellow-men.

Like many of the best citizens of Randolph
County, our subject was born across the waters in
Germany, the date of his birth being September
28, 1832. He is the son of J. F. W. and Mary (Selig-
man) Schuchert. The father, who was a black-
smith by occupation, emigrated to the United
States in 1848, and on landing in New Orleans,
made his waj' from the Crescent Citj^ up the Mis-
sissippi River to Chester, where be arrived in
February of that year.

The parental family comprised two children, our
5

subject and John F., the latter being a resident of
Cape Girardeau, Mo. "William was a lad of six-
teen 3-eais when he accompanied his father to the
New World, prior to which he had received a good
education in the model schools of his native land.
On arriving in Chester, be assisted his father in
opening up a blacksmitli shop, and remained with
him for two years, when be went to St. Louis, Mo.,
and for six months was engaged as a clerk in a
hotel. Returning to this City, lie again associated
himself with bis father in the blacksmith's trade,
and continued thus employed until 1852, at which
time, having caught the gold fever, be went to
California and engaged in mining. Not being very
successful in this venture, be retraced bis steps to
Ciiester in 1858, and entering the store of H. C.
Cole, worked for him until 1867. He then pur-
chased the stock of goods from his employer and
engaged in business on his own account. In 1883
he moved into bis large slore-room, 33x68 feet in
dimensions, located on Water Street.

In 1860, William Schuchert and Miss Luami Cas-
tellaw were united in marriage. Mrs. Schuchert
was born in Haj'wood County, Tenn., and is the
daughter of Alfred Castellaw. In his political re-
lations our subject is a stanch Democrat, and finds
time in the midst of his business interests to bear
an active part in the political affairs of his neigh-
borhood, and for six years held the office of Maj'or.
He is also interested in educational matters, and
indeed in all movements which contribute to the
general welfare of the citj-. Socially, he is a mem-
ber of Chester Lodge No. 57, I. O. O. F., which
he is serving as Treasurer. He represented this
order in the Grand Lodge in 1867, and Sovereign
Grand Lodge in 1885.

^^EV. ,J. B. SCHLOTMANN, rector of St.
Augustine's Church, at Hecker, was born
at Hausstette, Grand Duchy of Olden-
^^ burg, Germany, August 7, 1860. He at-
tended the parochial school of bis native place,
and afterward attended the gj^mnasium at Vechta.
He emigrated to America October 1, 1880, and
continued bi§ studies at St. Francis Solanus Col-

«7«

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lege at Quincj', 111., graduating at the end of the
scholastic year, in 1884, having obtained the de-
gree of A. M. He studied tlieology witli tlie Bene-
dictine Fathers at St. Meinrad, Ind., and was or-
dained priest June 9, 1887. Rev. J. B. Schlot-
mann became rector of St. Augustine's Church Oc-
tober 16, 1887, whicli position he still holds.

\T_^ UGH R. GUTHRIE, M. D., is not only one
rjj^ of the oldest ph3'sicians in Randolph Coun-
i^^ ty, but is one whose extensive practice and
(^) high standing in professional circles prove
conclusively his mental and phj'sical endowment,
his careful culture, and his painst.aking efforts to
continually add to his theoretical linowledge and
practical sivill.

Our subject is a son of Thomas C. Guthrie, who
was born in 1797, in County Antrim, Ireland, and
emigrated to tlie United States in 1817. His first
location in the New World was made in Crawford
County, Pa., where he taught school for one year,
having received an academic education before
leaving his native land. ' Thence Thomas Guthrie
went to the Smoky City, and entering the West-
ern University of Pittsburgh, was graduated from
that institution in 1822. While there he was a
student under General Black's father, who was
professor of Latin, Greek and theologJ^ The
father of our subject was licensed to preacli by the
Pittsburgh Presbytery in 182.5, and as a minister
of the Gospel he first located at Pine Creek, Alle-
gheny County, Pa.,where he had a charge for thirtj--
five years. Thence lie went to Mt. Pleasant, nine
miles from that place, where he established a mis-
sion and continued to preach for twelve years.
At the expiration of that time, on account of his
failing health, he gave up the active duties of a
pastor, and in April, 1874, came to Sparta and
made his home with his son, the subject of this
sketch, until bis decease, wliich occurred in 1876.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were
Hugh and Sarah (Cathcart) Guthrie, natives of
Countj' Actrirn, Ireland, where the former passed
away; the latter died in Pennsylvania. 'Phe pa-

ternal great-grandparents were natives of Scot-
land, who, after removing to Ireland, located in
County Antrim. Our subject's mother, whose
maiden name was Eliza Caskey, was a native of
Pennsylvania and the daughter of Joseph and
Martha (Thompson) Caskej', wlio were born in Ire-
land, and after emigrating to the llnited States
made their home in Pennsylvania. The parents
of our subject were married by Dr. Black, in Pitts-
burgh, December 30, 1828, and reared a family of
four children, namelj': Joseph C, Hugh R., Samuel
and Lizzie M. They are all deceased with the ex-
ception of Dr. Guthrie. Lizzie M. was a mission-
ary to India in 1873, and while there was sent to
Japan, where she remained about five years. In
October, 1878, she returned to the United States,
and departed this life at San Francisco in April,
1880.

The mother of our subject having died, Thomas
Guthrie was married January 26, 1837, to Mrs.
Nancy McLean , the daughter of Barnard Gilleland,
a native of western Pennsylvania. She became
the mother of four children, and died June 1,
1847. Her children were named Margaret, James,
Barnet and John K. In 1848 the father of our
subject married Mary McFann, who died in 1889,
at the advanced age of ninety-one j-ears.

Dr. Hugh Guthrie was born February 23, 1831,
in Allegheny Count}', Pa., and there resided with
his parents until the spring of 1855, with the ex-
ception of a few months, in the meantime having
taken a literary course in Duquesne College.
Upon leaving home he came west, and tauglit
school for ten months in Perry Countj', 111., and
then returning to Allegheny County, began the
study of medicine. He attended lectures in the
Universitj' of Pennsylvania, and received his di-
ploma as Doctor of Medicine in 1855. When
ready to locate for ttie practice of his profession,
he went to Madison', Wis., and after a residence
there of two years came to Sparta, 111., and con-
tinued here until 1864. Januaiy 1 of that year,
he went to St. Louis, and took a post-graduate
course in the St. Louis Medical College. Tiien re-
turning to Sparta, he made his home in this city
for one summer, when he went to Philadelphia,
and there also took a post-graduate course in the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

279

University of Pennsylvania, after which he at-
tended lectures on surgery in the Jefferson Medi-
cal College. Returning to St. Louis in 1866, he
practiced for a short time, and the following year
came again to Sparta, where he has since made his
home, and is now one of the oldest and most
prominent citizens in the county.

March 7, 1861, Dr. Hugh Outhrie and Miss
Helen B., daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary Ann
(Miller) Farnan, were united in marriage. Dr.
and Mrs. Farnan were natives respectively of Ire-
land and New York, and after coming to Illinois
they located in Sparta. To our subject and his
wife have been born three children: Mary E., the
wife of W. G. Pardee, an attorney at Santa Fe;
Ada, who is a graduate of tiie Jacksonville Musi-
cal College; and Margaretta.

In liis political relations the Doctor is a strong
Republican, and socially' is a member of the South-
ern Illinois Medical Association, the Illinois State
Medical Society, the American Medical Associa-
tion and the Mississippi Yallej' Association. He
was reared in the faith of the Presbj'terian Church,
and for a number of years has held the position of
Trustee. He is now President of the School Board,
and a member of the local Board of Health.

^PE

E^-

W[OHN J. HELBER was a native of Stras-
I burg, Germany, and at the age of ten years
was brought by his father to America, the
family locating in Darke Count}', Ohio.
There the father died, leaving two sons, John J.
and his j'ounger brother. Christian. They were
reared to manhood in the Buckeye State, and hav-
ingattained to mature 3'ears, they madetlieir home
in the city of Cincinnati until after their mar-
riage.

Mr. Helber was joined in wedlock to Miss Bar-
bara Stoehr, and with his wife removed to Farm-
ington, Mo., in the _year 1852. A year later his
brother and his wife also became residents of that
place. The brothers were both shoemakers, hav-
ing learned the business in their youth in Cin-
cinnati, and in Farmington they carried on a
large shoe factory, manufacturing shoes for the

slaves of the planters in that locality. Mr. Hel-
ber was appointed Postmaster of Farmington by
President Lincoln, and held the office for two
3'ears, but was then forced to leave, as on account
of his political views the lives of himself and fam-
ily were in danger. He had to sacrifice his prop-
erty in this removal and thereby lost heavily.

In 1861, his brother Christian enlisted in the
Union armj', and became second Lieutenant o
the company to which he belonged. He served
until about the close of the war, when he was
drowned in Duck River, Tenn. He left at his
death five children: Jacob, Laura, Emma, Wesley
and Edward, residents of Farmington, Mo.

On leaving Farmington, our subject determined
to locate where slavery was not permitted, for he
was a stanch advocate of Abolition, and in conse-
quence took up his residence in Iroquois County,
111., where for a year he engaged in merchan Using.
At the end of that time, in August, 1865, on ac-
count of the ill-health of liis wife, he came to Red
Bud. Resuming work at the trade of shoemak-
ing, he followed it until 1869, when he opened a
general merchandise store and continued in that
line of business until his death, which occurred in
1883, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a
stanch Republican in politics and alwa^-s took an
active part in the campaigns. Mr. Helber, who
was greatly interested in the study of ethnology,
collected many curious and interesting Indian
relics and made a special study of the customs and
modes of life of the different tribes and the imple-
ments they used in warfare and work. An hon-
orable, upright man, possessed of man}' excellen-
cies of character, Mr. Helber had the high regard
of a wide circle of friends, and his death was deeply
mourned.

Mrs. Helber still survives her husband and is
living in Red Bud. In the family were seven
children: Emil}', now the wife of W. J. Perkins,
of Red Bud; Maggie; William, who is engaged in
the livery business; John C; Alfred, who carries
on a jewelry store in St. James, Minn.; and
Arthur, a resident of Red Bud.

Charles T. Helber, the eldest of the familj', be-
came interested with his father in merchandising
in 1875, and they carried on business under the

280

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

firm name of J. J. Helber & Son until 1879, when
W. J. Perkins was admitted to partnership, and
the firm name was changed to Helber & Co., un-
der which style business is still conducted.

The senior member of the firm, as it now stands,
was married in 1876, the lad^- of his choice being
Miss Alice Spence. To them have been born five
sons, Orloff, C. Julian, C. Roland, Spence L. and
S. Verdi.

In his political views, Charles Helber is a Repub-
lican. For a year and a-half he served as mail
agent on the Mobile ife Ohio Railroad, and carried
the first mail on this road from Murpli3'sboro to
Cairo. He possesses the business ability for which
his father was noted, and the firm of Helber & Co.
isenjo^'ing a large and lucrative trade.

'^--

eONRAD YOGES, a worth}' representative
of the agricultural interests of Randolph
Count}', who now follows farming in town-
ship 4, range 8, claims German}' as the land of his
birth. He was born near Hanover in 1836, and is a
son of Conrad and Sophia (Kothe) Voges, who were
also natives of the same country. In 1852, they
came with their family to America, and their first
location was made in Randolph County. They
owned a part of the land on which the village of
Red Bud now stands. At that time the town con-
tained only five houses. The parents afterward
removed to Monroe County, where their remain-
ing days were passed. Their family numbered
the following children: Conrad, of this sketch;
Henry, who is living in Monroe County; Sophia,
wife of William Schuck; Wilhelmina, wife of John
Boren, of Red Bud; Hannah, wife of August Reib-
bick, who is living in Belleville; August and Ham-
mond, both of whom are residents of Monroe
County.

Our subject spent the first sixteen years of his
life in Germany, and then accompanied his parents
on their emigration to America. In this county
he was reared to manhood, and became familiar
with farming in all its details as carried on in a
frontier settlement. Having arrived at years of

maturity, he was married in Randolph County to
Miss Wilhelmina Kroemer. Only three of their
children are now living: Dora, wife of William
Hettehiemer, of this county; Sophia, wife of Fred
Mehring, and Henry, who is at home and aids in
the operation of the farm.

Mr. Yoges is the owner of more than four hun-
dred acres of rich land, all of which he has accu-
mulated through his own efforts. His farm is now
under a high state of cultivation, and the well
tilled fields and many improvements seen, indicate
the careful supervision of tbe owner. Mr. Yoges
is also Secretary of the Creamery Association, and
is Secretary of the Horse Prairie Township Mutual
Insurance Company. He belongs to the Lutheran
Church, and in politics is a stalwart Democrat, who
does all in his power to insure the success of his
party. His fellow-townsmen have frequently
called upon him to fill positions of public trust.
He held the office of County Commissioner for
one term, and for over twenty years has been
School Director. For the past four years he has
served as Justice of the Peace, and is now filling
that oflSce. In the discharge of his public duties,
his faithfulness and promptness have won him high
commendation and led to his re-election. He is
true to every public and private trust, and a well
spent life has won him the confidence and good
will of all with whom business or social relations
have brought him in contact.

^IJ^ICHGLAS HAMMEL. It is a well estab-
[ jjj lished fact that a man of natural ability, if
'l v2^ possessed of integrity and energy, can ac-
complish almost any given purpose in life. Every
day furnishes examples of men who commenced in
life empty handed and in a brief period of time
accumulated considerable fortune. Such is the
case with our subject, who was born in Germany
May 11, 1828, and has been a citizen of this coun-
try since 1840.

The mother of our subject died when he was two
years old. He remained in his native land, where
he was given a fair education, until 1840, when,
in company with his father, Jacob Hammel, he em-

POETRAIT A^'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

281

barked on a sailing-vessel for the United States.
Their destination was St. Clair Count}-, this jtate,
and there the}- made their home until the decease
of the father in 1855. In that 3-ear our subject
came to Randolph Count}-, and after various re-
movals, located upon his present property in 1866.

After locating here, Mr. Hammel did hard pio-
neer work in improving his property for many
years. He devotes his entire time to agriculture,
and to the quarter-secticn which he first owned he
has added until his possessions number three hun-
dred and ten acres. It is well improved with all
the modern machinery found on the estate of an
intelligent farmer, and is pleasantly located one
mile northeast of Preston and eight miles west of
Sparta. In connection with his farming operations
Mr. Hammel for eighteen years operated a thresh-
ing machine.

In 1851 our subject and Miss Dorothy Armstuch,
who was born in Pennsylvania, were united in mar-
riage, and to them have been born ten children, of
whom the five living are, Catherine, Mrs. William
Rinehart; George; Tracy, the wife of Daniel Liber;
Frank, and Sophia, Mrs. Albert Rinehart. In his
political relations Mr. Hammel has always voted
with the Republican party. Religiously he is a.
member of the Lutheran Church, with which de-
nomination his wife is also connected.

ASPER HORSCHMAXX, who is engaged in
farming on section 29, township 3, range 8
west, Monroe County, was born in Deburg,
Germany, November 4, 1839, and is a son of .John
and Elizabeth Horschmann, who in 1840 came
with their family to this country, and located in
Round Prairie Precinct, of Monroe County, where
the father entered one hundred and twenty acres
of land from the Government. He also bought
one hundred and sixty acres, and liad a fine farm
of two hundred and eighty acres, which he opened
up from a wild and uncultivated tract. He cleared
tl\e land and transformed the raw prairie into rich
and fertile fields. He w.as one of the honored
German settlers of this community and a leading
farmer. In the family were five sons and two

daughters, of whom the following are yet living:
Peter, a resident of New Design Precinct; Casper;
Jacob, of Prairie du Long; Matt, of Randolph
County; Dora, who is living near Belleville, 111.;
and Lizzie, wife of William Meuerich. The father
of this family died February 8, 1865.

Mr. Horschmann of this sketch was reared on
the old homestead farm, which he helped to clear
and develop, and was educated in the public
schools, but bis privileges in that direction were
quite limited. He worked as a farm hand for a
time, and then learned the butcher's trade at Cen-
treville, where he was also employed in a brewery.
During two spring seasons he was engaged in
steamboating. Thus to various pursuits he de-
voted his energies in order to get a start in life.

On the 4th of April, 1864, Mr. Horschmann was
united in marriage with Miis Caroline Burker,
daughter of Louis Burker, who was a native of
Germany, and who came to the United States in
1847. He first settled in Randolph County, but af-
terward removed to Duquom, where he made his
home for some time. Later he became a resident
of Springfield, 111. Our subject and his wife be-
gan their domestic life upon the farm which has
since been their place of residence, and their union
has been blessed with the following daughters:
Dora Josephine, wife of Melcha Sauer, who is liv-
ing in Monroe County, near Red Bud; Mary Eliza-
beth, wife of Michael Bell, who makes his home in
Prairie du Round Township; and Gertrude, wife
of Anton Scherle, of the same township.

During the late war, Mr. Horsclimann was
drafted for service, but on account of ill health
was exempted from duty. He is recognized as one
of the leading agriculturists in this community,
where he owns and operates one hundred acres of
fine land. He carries on farming and stock-rais-
ing, and is quite successful in his undertakings.
The improvements upon his place stand as monu-
ments to his thrift and enterprise. His residence
is a comfortable and commodious dwelling, which
is situated in the midst of well tilled fields, which
yield to the owner a good income. He also owns
a house and three lots in Red Bud. He and his
family are all members of the Catholic Church,
and in politics, he is a stalwart Republican. For

282

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

twelve years he served as Constable, proving a
capable officer. Mr. Horscliniaun is a self-made
man, and, aided by his wife, he has achieved success
in life. He is a highly respected citizen, and with
pleasure we present to our readers this sketch of
his career.

^^=:0# P • .

■{flOSEPH LINDSAY, a native of Randolph
most intelligent and
farming commu-
I and carrying on the
extensive agricultural interest of township 4, range
6. He owns one hundred and cight\'-three acres
of finely developed land located on section 24,
where he and his family are enjoying the comforts
of life.

Thomas and Jane (Strahan) Lindsay, the parents
of our subject, were natives respectively of Ken-
tucky and Pennsylvania, the father having been
born February 7, 1792, and the mother July 24,
1801. Mrs. Jane Lindsay was the daughter of
James and Ann (Blair) Strahan, early settlers in
this county. The father of our subject was a pa-
triot in the War of 1812, and during that period
took part in the battle of New Orleans. On com-
ing to Illinois, he located on the outskirts of the
Irish settlement in Randolph County. Soon after-
ward he was married, and witli liis wife made his
home on the farm upon which our subject is resid-
ing, and which was then a wild and uncultivated
tract. For many years the only living creatures
near his home were wild animals and Indians;
here the parents continued to reside, giving their
entire attention to the improvement and thor-
ough cultivation of their farm. The father died
in April, 1854, while his good wife, who survived
him many years, departed this life August 24, 1880.

The parental family included five sons and four
daughters, of whom six are living. Joseph, of this
sketch, was born December 16, 1840, on the old
homestead, and when old enough conned his les-
sons in a school which was carried on by means
of subscriptions. He remained at home until at-
taining mature years and tlius received a thor-
ough training in farm duties, so that when the

estate came into his possession he was well fitted

to supcessfully manage it.

The lady who became the wife of our subject
in 1874 was Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas
and Ann (Edgar) Dock, natives of Scotland. On
emigrating to America in 1853, the parents came to
Illinois, making their first home near Marissa, St.
Clair County, and later made permanent settlement
in township 4, range 5. Mrs. Lindsay was born in
July, 1842, in Scotland, and has become the mother
of three children, Fred, Frank and Alfred.

Mr. Lindsay has always resided upon the old
homestead and devotes his time to mixed farm-
ing. His tract is in a perfect state of cultivation,
and by proper rotation of crops is made to yield
a good increase. He has given his children good
educations, and his eldest son is attending the
Sparta High School. He is a close observer and
is thoroughly in sj-mpathy with movements of a
political and religious nature. In regard to the
latter point he is a member of the Presbyterian
Church at Sparta. In politics he is identified with
the Republican part}- and is well known through-
out the community as an honest, upright and
warm-hearted man.

\f ACOB MELLY, who resides in Red Bud
and is one of its representative business men,
deserves honorable mention in this volume,
and with pleasure we present the record of
his life to our readers. He is now engaged in the
manufacture of brick and is doing a good business.
He claims Illinois as the state of his nativity, his
birth having occurred in Belleville in 1858. His
parents, Michael and Sophia (Rudolph) Melly,
were both natives of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and
in childhood came to America. Their marriage
was celebrated in Centreville, 111. They afterward
removed to Belleville, and about 1859 went to
Evansville, 111., whence they came to Red Bud a
year later.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Melly was born a family of
six children, all of whom are yet living, namely:
Mary, Sophia, Jacob, Joseph, Emil and Willie.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

283

The father here established a brick manufactory,
and from his yards came nearly all llie brick which
has been used in the building of this place. Evi-
dences of his handiwork are therefore seen on
everj' side and indicate his thrift and enterprise.
He continued business along that line until his
death, which occurred in 1882. In politics he was
a stanch Democrat, was an active Christian gen-
tleman and a man of sterling worth, who had the
high regard of all with whom business or social
relations have brought him in contact.

Under the parental roof Jacob Melly was reared
to manhood, spending his boyhood days amidst
play and work in the usual manner of farmer lads.
The public schools of the neighborhood afforded
him his educational privileges. From early life
he was more or less in his father's brick-yard and
soon became familiar with the business in all its
departments, so that upon his father's death, in
1882, he immediatel3- took charge of the business,
which he has carried on continuously since, enlarg-
ing his facilities to meet the demand of his in-
creasing trade. He now does an extensive busi-
ness, orders coming from long distances, for the
product of his yards is of the best quality and
therefore finds a ready sale on the market.

Mr. Melly, his sister and mother, live together
in the old home, which has now been the abode of
the famil}' for a number of years. They are all
members of the Catholic Church and are people of
prominence in the communitj', where they liave
many friends.

~ -S-^-i'^^^' S ■ ; •

ylLLIAM MARTIN SCHUWERK, attorney-
at'law at Evansville, is one of the ablest
and most popular men in his profession.
He was born near Cleveland, Ohio, April 12, 1856,
and is a son of Peter Paul and Elizabeth (Mosser)
Schuwerk. The father of our subject was a native
of Wurtemberg, German j-, where his birtii occurred
in 1814. In 1852, when a young man, prior to
his marriage, he emigrated to the United States,
and two 3-ears later was married in Cuyahoga
Count}-, Ohio.

In the fall of 1859, the parents of our subject
made their advent into Randolph County and lo-

cated on a farm near Evansville, where the father
was living at the time of his decease ten j'^ears
later. After his death, the mother of our subject
removed to the citj', where her decease occurred
in 1888. She reared a family of six children, of
whom Rosa, Fred and Paul are deceased. Those
living besides our subject are Mary and Anna.

■William Schuwerk, of this sketch, accompanied
bis parents on their removal to Illinois in 1859,
and received his primary education in the scliools
of Randolph County. Later he entered McKen-
dree College, and was graduated from that insti-
tution and its law department in 1882. The fol-
lowing year he began to practice his profession,
and to-day has a large clientage and is one of the
leading lawj'ers in thejjouuty.

June 7, 188.3, our subject and Miss Mary M.
Hoffman were united in marri.age. Mrs. Schuwerk
was born in Macon Countv, 111., in 1862, and was
the daughter of Miciiael and Josephine Hoffman,
wlio at present make their home near this city. To
our subject and his wife have been born two chil-
dren. Myrtle M. and William H.

The popularity of Mr. Schuwerk is indicated by
the fact that he was elected a member of the
Thirty-sixth General Assembljof the Illinois Leg-
islature in 1888, serving a term of two years. His
record is that of a man interested in public im-
provement, liberal in his views regarding appro-
priation, but averse to extravagance or fraud. In
his political views he always afiiliates with the
Democratic party, and cast his first vot« for Sam-
uel J. Tilden.

Socially Mr. Schuwerk is a Mason, and joined
Kaskaskia Lodge No. 86 in 1885. He is also an
Odd Fellow, being a member of Egypt Star Lodge
No. 285, of Red Bud, 111. He is a ciiarter member
of Hercules Lodge No. 228, K. of P., at Chester,
111., and is connected with Lodge No. 2658, K. of H.
at Red Bud, and the Odd Fellows' encampment at
Chester. He has been very influential in these
different orders and represented the Masons in the
Grand Lodge at Chicago during 1887-88-90-92.

The Hon. Mr. Schuwerk was admitted to prac-
tice in the United States Courts in June, 1890. He
sees at a glance the difficult point in question and
readily sees the means to be adopted to carry it.

284

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Stanch in principles, clear in perception and de-
cided in character, he deserves the good things
which have come to him and the high character
for probit\- which he has gained through his busi-
ness and social acquaintance.

jlL^ENRY VOSS, one of the worthy German
W)f) citizens of Monroe County, now follows
l^^ farming on section 36, township 3, range 8
(^) west, where he owns and operates one hun-
dred and forty-seven acres of good land. With
the exception of twenty acres, the entire amount
is under a high state of cultivation and well im-
proved. He raises grain principally, and the
waving fields tell of bountiful harvests and indi-
cate to the passer-by the thrift and enterprise of
the owner.

The father of our subject, Fred Voss, was born
in the province of Hanover, Germany, on the 18th
of May, 1821, and there married Miss Dora Tott.
He was a carpenter by trade, and followed that
business in his native laud. In 1856 he emigrated
with his family to the New World, and took up
his residence in Randolph County,'IIl., where he
followed carpentering until 1868. He also owned
and operated one hundred acres of land in that
community. In the j-ear just mentioned he came
to Monroe County, and located upon the farm
which is now the home of our subject, there se-
curing two hundred acres of land. It was an un-
improved tract, but ere his death he had trans-
formed it into one of the fine farms of the
neighborhood. He passed away April 20, 1893, in
the faith of the Lutlieran Church, of which he was
a member. In his political views he was a Demo-
crat.

The Voss family numbered eight children, five
of whom are still living, as follows: Henr^-, whose
name heads this record; Fred, a resident farmer of
township 3; Fredericka, wife of AVilliam Nagel,of
Randolph County; Anna, wife of Herman Nagel,
also of l^ndolph County; and Sophia, wife of An-
drew Wickelheim, of Montgomery Count}', Mo.

Henry Voss was born in Germany April 26,
1848, and was a youth of onl}- eight summers

when he crossed the ocean to this country. His
education was acquired in the public schools of
Randolph County, and he was early inured to the
labors of the farm. On the 21st of October, 1873,
he was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Nagel,
daughter of Ernest Nagel, one of the early settlers
of Randolph County, and a native of Germany.
Six children grace their union: Henry, Caroline,
Herman, Charles, Ernst and August.

After his marriage, Mr. Voss located upon the
farm which has since been his home, and to the cul-
tivation of which he has since devoted his energies.
He is recognized as one of the leading agricult-
urists of the community. In religious belief he is
a Lutheran, and in political faith he i.s a Democrat.
He has served as School Director of his township,
and takes an active interest in evcrj-thing per-
taining to the welfare and advancement of the
com muni t3\

AMUEL W. McKELVEY. Among those
to whom Randolph County owes a debt of
gratitude for their share in the develop-
ment of her great agricultural resources
and the various affairs through which the interests
of society are advanced, the name of Samuel Mc-
Kelvey should not be passed unnoted. He was
born in township 4, range 6, of this county, Jan-
uary 26, 1829, and is still residing on the home
farm located on section 36, where he is the propri-
etor of four hundred broad acres. The early recol-
lections of our subject are of a country much more
primitive in appearance than that upon which his
eyes now rest. The pioneer school which he at-
tended during his bo3'hood was held in a log
house with primitive furnishings.

The father of our subject, Charles McKelvey,
was born in the Chester District, S. C, in Novem-
ber, 1789. He was the eldest son of Hugh Mc-
Kelvej", a native of County Antrim, Ireland, who
came to America and located in South Carolina
about 1787. The grandfather of our subject came
to Illinois the year it was admitted into the Union
as a state, and located upon the farm now occupied
by the widow of William McElheiney, situated on

'.W

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

28?

the Sparta road from Coulterville, In this county.
He was one of the very early settlers in tliis local-
ity and accumulated a large amount of land. He
had three sons and three daughters, all of whom
are now deceased, and he departed this life about
1836.

Mrs. Mary (Hunter) McKelvey, the mother of
our subject, was also a native of South Carolina,
where her birth occurred July 22, 1797. She was
the daughter of John Hunter, who lived and died
in that state. The parents of our subject were
married March 26, 1817, in South Carolina, and
in the fall of 1823 came overland to Illinois,
locating on the farm which our subject is now oc-
cupying. The tract included a quarter-section of
oak openings, and at the time of his decease, April
26, 1856, Charles McKelvey had placed one hun-
dred acres under good improvement. His wife
died January 22, 1881, after having become the
mother of ten children, only five of whom are liv-
ing, Alexander R., James R., our subject, Sarah
(Mrs. John C. Ritchie) and Amelia (Mrs. William
Walker). The parents were active members of the
Reformed Presbyterian Church and had many sin-
cere friends throughout tiieir community.

Samuel W. McKelvey has spent his entire life
on the home farm. He supplemented the knowledge
gained in the primitive schools of his locality by
attendance at the Sparta Academy. After the de-
cease of his father he took charge of the farm,
which now embraces four hundred acres all in one
body, and which is devoted to general farming.
He is also one of the largest stock-raisers in the
county, having included this branch of farming
with his other large interests in 1880. He now has
a herd of over eighty head of registered Jersey
cattle on his estate and supplies one creamery in
this locality with cream. He has paid great atten-
tion to the breeding of his cattle, and it is safe to
say he has one of the finest herds in the United
States. He was one of the first to establish the
Sparta Creamery, which is still in existence, and
in many other waj's he has aided in the industrial
development of this country.

May 18, 1858, Samuel W. McKelvey and Miss
Nancy T., daiigliter of Henry L. and Elizabeth
(Campbell) McGuire, were united in marriage.

The lady is a native of Washington County, 111.,
where her birth occurred April 12, 1833. Her
father was a native of South Carolina, and her
mother was born near Erie, Pa. By her union
■with our subject have been born five children, viz.:
Charles Sumner, Eliza, Ella, Henr^' Elmer and
Samuel W. The eldest son married Miss Lizzie
Gaud, and makes his home in Santa Anna, Cal.,
where he is practicing law. He is a graduate of
Knox College, Galesburg, 111., while the remaining
children completed their studies in the Monmouth
College. The family are members of tiie United
Presbj'terian Church at Sparta, and our subject is
one of its most active members, having been Trus-
tee, a member of the session and a delegate from his
church to the synod held at Hanover, III. He has
always been a great worker in the Sunday-school,
and held the Superintcndency for thirteen jears.
Mr. McKelvey never fails to cast his vote in
favor of Republican candidates, and although
frequently solicited to do so, always refuses to
a(!cept office of any kind. In 1870 he erected a
fine brick residence on his place which cost $5,500,
and wiiich is finished and furnished in modern
style. The estimable character and useful life of
our subject have secured for him the respect of
his acquaintances and the deep regard of those
who know him best.

g<.;,, >is_^ -^

3<~T^^B— — ■ — -m

\1l.^ ERMANN F. WIEBUSCII is engaged in the
l/jj; hotel and retail liquor business at Chester,
i^^ being proprietor of the Wiebusch Hotel. He
(^) is a native of this cit}', where his birth oc-
curred November 11, 1857. He is the fourth child
born to Claus and Mary (Kipp) Wiebusch, the
former of whom is a native of Germany, and came
to America when a young man of eighteen years.
A brick mason by trade, he followed that occupa-
tion during his active years in Chester. He has
now attained his seventy-second year, while his
good wife has lived to see her seventieth birthday.
In his boyhood the subject of this sketch was a
student in the Lutheran school at Chester, where
he acquired a pr.actical education. He became self-
supporting at an early age, and for a time worked

28d

JPORTRAIT A]S'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

out on farms, and was also engaged as a teamster.
When twent^'-two years of age he began in busi-
ness for iiiinself by establishing a retail liquor
store in Chester, of which he is still the proprietor,
and at the same time is '"mine host" of the "Wie-
busch Hotel. In 1881 he married Miss Wilhel-
nnna, daughter of William and Sophia (Crumve-
der) Sternberg, natives of Germany, who settled
upon a farm near Blair, Randolph County. The
union of Mr. and Mrs. Wiebusch was blessed by
tlie birth of two children, one of whom died in
infancy. George, who is still living, makes his
horae with his parents.

Mrs. Wiebusch is a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a
stanch Democrat in politics, and while his private
affairs naturally receive the major part of his
time and attention, yet he is interested in the wel-
fare of the public, and is prominent in local mat-
ters. He has served as Alderman of the Third
Ward for four years, and has been Director of the
Fair Association for six years. Socially, he is a
member of the American Legion of Honor, and
has been Treasurer of that order for six j-eais, and
at the present time holds the office of Commander.
In 1884 and 1886 he was Chairman of the Chester
Democratic Club, and indeed his name has been
inseparably associated with the political affairs of
this county for a number of years.

jr.., LEXANDER WILSON was for man}' j-ears
SLj! a leading and influential citizen of Ran-

111 li dolph County. Here he was born and
^ . reared, and iiere he spent his entire life.
He comes of a family of Irish lineage, his grand-
father, Alexander Wilson, haA'ingbeen a native of
the Emerald Isle. He was also the founder of the
family in America. After his emigration to this
country, he took up his residence in Randolph
County, where he spent his remaining days.

Foster Wilson, the father of our subject, was
born in this county, and b}- occupation was a
farmer. Throughout life he followed that pursuit,
and in his undertakings met with g«od success.
His death occurred about the 3'ear 1880. He mar-

ried Rachel Stephenson, also a native of Illinois,

as were her parents. She was called to her final rest
in the year 1849. To Mr. and Jlrs. Wilson were
born three children: Alexander, whose name heads
this record; Margaret T., who became the wife of
James Anderson, and died leaving four children,
Nancy, Alex (deceased), William and Loiene, of
Sparta; and John, the youngest, who died at the
age of seventeen.

Alexander Wilson was born in 1843, and re-
mained with his parents on the farm until after
his mother's death. At the age of eight years he
went to live with his uncle, Isaac Nelson, with
whom he continued until 1864, when, having at-
tained his majority, he started out in life for him-
self. He followed various emploj'ments, but the
greater part of his time and attention were de-
voted to farming. Wiicn the war broke out he re-
sponded to the country's call for troops, and did
valiant service as one of the boj-s in blue of Com-
pan3' C, One Hundred and Fift3'-fourth Illinois
Infantry.

On the 24th of October, 1867, Mr. Wilson and
Miss Elizabeth Lawson were united in marriage,
and bj' their union were born nine children:
Louisa, wife of Charles Thompson; Jessie and
Ella, who are in St. Louis; Maggie, at home; John
Alex, who died at the age of nine years; Mattie,
at home; and three who died in infancj'. The fa-
ther of this famil\' continued his agricultural pur-
suits for a number of 3'ears, and by good manage-
ment, industry and enterprise acquired a comfort-
able competence. He never took a very prominent
part in public affairs, but was alwa\'S found on the
side of those enterprises calculated to promote the
general welfare. In politics, he was a stanch sup-
porter of the Republican part}', and socially was
connected with the Grand Arm}' of the Republic.
He was alike true to his country in times of peace
and in war, and no trust reposed in him was ever
betrayed. His death occurred February 26, 1884,
and was deeply mourned b}- many friends, who
held him in high regard.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Wilson
married James B. Anderson, who was born in Ran-
dolph County in 1826, on a farm southeast of
Sparta. There he spent his entire life with the ex-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

289

ception of a short time passed in Pittsburgh, where
he worked in a cotton factory. By occupation he
Was a farmer. He started out in life for himself
empty-lianded, and not only provided for his own
wants, but also supported his motiier, giving her a
home until her death. He first married Matilda
Nimoek, and unto them were born two sons, one
who died in early childhood, and .James, who died
at the age of twenty-one. By the second marriage
there was a daughter, Mary, who died when only
three weeks old.

In his political views, Mr. Anderson was a Re-
publican, and took quite an active part in local
politics. For several j-ears he served as School
Trustee, and was an efficient ofHcer. He held mem-
bership with the Presbj'terian Church, and served
as Elder for some time. He took quite an active
part in church and benevolent work, and was al-
wa3-s found on the side of riglit. He was called
to his final rest July 12, 1893.

¥1'

^ j^ILLIAM EDMISTON. The result of en-
ergy and perseverance is nowhere better
illustrated than in the career of Mr. Ed-
miston, who began life with only the ability with
which Nature had endowed him. He is at the
present time one of the well known and highly
respected citizens of Tilden, Randolph County.
He is the son of William Edmiston, who was born
in Virginia in 1795. The paternal grandparents
of our subject removed from the above state to
Lincoln County, Tenn., about 1810, where Will-
iam, Sr., entered the War of 1812, taking part in
the battle of New Orleans. The family is of
Scotch origin.

Mrs. Sarah (Askins) Edmiston, the mother of
our subject, was a native of Tennessee. She was
the daughter of George and Sarah (Muelharan) As-
kins. the former of whom was born October 23,
1755, and the latter January 27 of the same 3-ear.
They had a familj- of four children, and the
mother of our subject was born April 5, 1799. In
1815 she married William Edmiston, a son of
Susan (Hanah) Edmiston, and they resided in
Tennessee until 1832, when thej^ emigrated to Illi-

nois, arriving in Randolph County April 19. They
immediately- located on section 5, township 4,
range 5, and there the father erected a log cabin,
which rude structure was his home for many years.
The wife and motiier departed this life July 19,
1833. the year after coming hither, and her hus-
band continued to reside upon the home farm un-
til reaching advanced years. He afterward made
his home with our subject until his death, which
occurred in 1885, at the age of ninety-one years.

In the parental family of eight children, the
subject of this sketch is the only survivor. His
mother was a member of the Reformed Presbyte-
rian Church, and although his father never united
with an}' congregation, was alwa3's a strict observer
of the Sabbath. In early life a Whig, he later
joined the Republican part}', and during the late
war was a strong Union man. He was very prom-
inent and influential in this county, and aided in
the organization of the various townships.

Our subject was born March 21, 1823, in Lincoln
County, Tenn., and was a lad of nine years when
he came to this county, and he grew to manhood on
the pioneer farm. He has spent sixt3'-two 3-ears
of his life in Randolph County, and has thus been
an e3'e-witness of the wonderful changes through
which it has passed, and has aided very materiall3'
in bringing it to its present high standing among
its sister counties in the state.

Miss Nancy, daughter of Thomas and Jane
(Stralian) Lindsa}', became the wife of our suliject
Februar}' 28, 1844. The parents of Mrs. Edmiston
were natives respectively of Penns3'lvania and
Kentucky, and were married after coining to this
county, in Red Bud, in 1821. They located on
Flat Prairie in 1827, where they passed the re-
maining 3-ears of their lives, the father d3ing in
1855, and the mother in August, 1880. The3^
were the parents of eight children, of whom those
living are, Eliza Ann, Mrs. Edmiston, Margaret
Jane, Samuel, Thomas B. and Joseph. Her parents
were members of the Associate Reformed Church,
in which Mr. Lindsay was an Elder. He was a prom-
inent man in his localit3', and during the War of
1812 was a patriot in its ranks.

Mrs. Edmiston was born May 2, 1827, in Red
Bud, this county, and after her union with our

290

PORTRAIT AND BIOGlLAl»MlCAL RECORD.

subject located on section 9, township 4, range 5,
whicli was then an undeveloped tract. They be-
gan life in a little log cabin, which was pro-
vided witli a chimney built of clay and sticljs,
and during the first night spent in this rude
structure the snow covered the floor to a depth
of six inches. They continued to make their
home in that cabin until the year 1864, wiien
Mr. Edmiston erected a fine brick residence, which
contained nine rooms and a basement, and wiiich
cost liim, exclusive of his own labor, $8,000. It
bears all the modern improvements, is furnished in
a tasteful manner, and is one of the best residences
in the precinct. In 1862 he built a fine barn on
his estate, which was valued at $1,000.

In 1871 our subject gave each of his five chil-
dren land and other gifts amounting to about
$7,000, and removed with his wife into the village
of Tilden, where for some time he was successfully
engaged in the grain business. Of their family,
James Henry married Maggie Bicket and lives on
the old homestead; William Thomas, who married
Martha Goren, makes his home on section 16,
of this township; John Harmon married Josephine
McGuire, and is also a resident of the above town-
ship, where Jane Ann and Charles Fremont are
living. The former is the wife of Alexander Bicket
and resides on section 17, and the latter married
Martha E. Stephenson, and makes his home on
section 9.

Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston have been .active mem-
bers of the United Presbyterian Church for a quar-
ter of a century. Our subject has been interested
in Sunday-school work, and has taught a class for
ten years. He is a strong Republican in politics,
and has represented his party frequently as dele-
gate to the various conventions.

^^EORGE II. CAMPBELL, a well known citi-

I ^^ zen of Sparta, who since 1881 has been one

Of of tl

tiie editors and proprietors of the Sparta
Plain Dealer, is a representative of an old family
of this community. His grandfather, Abel Camp-
bell, was born in Mansfield, Conn., and his wife in
Norwich, Conn. He was of Scotch-Irish lineage,

and was descended from one who served as a
soldier under Charles the Pretender, and after the
battle of Culloden, fled to Ireland, where he mar-
ried, and then emigrated to America.

Lewis H. Campbell, father of our subject, was
the sixth in a family of eight children, and was
born in Middlebury, Vt., in 1818. At the age of
twent3'-five he went to Troy, N. Y., where he
worked in the car factory of Eaton, Gilbert & Co.
In 1846, he emigrated to St. Louis, where he en-
gaged in painting, and in 1858 came to Sparta,
but in 1879 again returned to St. Louis, where he
now makes his home. In politics he is a Republi-
can, and he has served as Justice of the Peace in
this count}'. He is a faithful member .and active
worker in the Baptist Church.

In Albany, N. Y., Mr. Campbell wedded Mary
Scott, a native of that city, and a daughter of
Marshall Scott. Her grandfather was LTriah Scott,
of Sharon, Conn., and there her father was born.
When a 3'oung man, he went to Albany, and there
married Maria, daughter of Leonard Lewis. She
died of cholera in 1832, leaving Mrs. Campbell,
then a babe of two years. The parents of our sub-
ject had a famil}' of five children. Lewis P., the
eldest, now of St. Louis, wedded Mary Gorsuch, of
Sparta, daughter of Dr. Gorsuch, a druggist and
physician of this place. Thej"^ have one cliild,
Frank. Charles M., who is business manager for
the Word & Works Publishing Company of St.
Louis, married Clara Morrow, and they have two
children.

Our subject started out in life for himself at the
age of fifteen, beginning work as a printer in Mon-
mouth, III. Since that lime he has been identified
with newspaper work. In 1881, lie became con-
nected with the Sparta Plain Dealer, in company
with Don E. Detrich, and is now a member of the
firm of Campbell & Smith, editors and proprietors
of that paper. Tliis is a well conducted sheet and
receives from the public a liberal patronage.

Mrs. Campbell bore the maiden name of Marian
Crawford. She was born in this county, and is a
daughter of Bryce Crawford, who now resides in
Sparta. Mr. and Mrs. Caaipbell have one child,
Grace. They are members of the Presbyterian
Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and has

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

291

served as a member of the City Council. Socially
he is a Master Mason, and belongs to Hope Lodge
No. 162, A. F. & A. M.

'•i-***'^^ •i"5"J"i-F

llJOHN MURPHY. In every state in the
I Union, Irish-American citizens are to be
^^ 1 found, making their way steadily onward
^^f/ in the accumulation of property, and se-
curing their means by honest industry and untir-
ing zeal. In Randolph County a good position
among the farmers and land-owners is held by Mr.
Murphy, who is a native of Ireland, born in Coun-
ty Antrim in April, 1823. He grew to manhood in
the Old Country, and there received a good edu-
cation.

In the spring of 1849, when determining to
try his fortunes in the New World, our subject
boarded a sailing-vessel, and after a tedious voy-
age landed on American shores. Spending six
months in New York City, young Murphj^ came
further west and purchased a farm located a short
distance from his present estate. This he later
sold for $17,000, and invested that money in sec-
tion 3, township 4, range 5, which he immediately
set about clearing and improving, and where he
still makes his home.

The lady whom our subject married in 1853 was
also a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and bore
the maiden name of Mary Smith. They have seven
children now living, who bear the respective names
of .John, Annie, Mar}', .Jane, Thomas, Roliert and
Gracie. They have all been given good educa-
tions, and Annie is married and resides in Ne-
braska. John makes his home at Oakdale, Wash-
ington Count3% 111., and Robert is at Monmouth
College.

In 1864 Mr. Murphy enlisted his services in the
Union army, joining Company F, Twenty-eighth
Illinois Infantry. After joining his regiment at
Memphis, Tenn., he participated in the battles of
Mobile and Whistler. He was in the service for
twelve months, and during that period was neither
wounded nor taken prisoner.

Receiving his honorable discharge October 19,
1865, at Brownsville, Tex., Mr. Murphy returned

home, and has ever since given his time and
attention to farm pursuits. In addition to rais-
ing the various cereals he makes a specialty of
breeding fine draft horses, and has a number of
splendid animals on his place. With his wife he
IS a member of the United Presbyterian Church at
Tilden. As might be expected, he is a (irand
Army man, holding membership with Post No. 209,
at Coulter ville. He is a worthy representative of
the Republican party, lias taken an active part in
local affairs, and has been called upon by his fel-
low-citizens to serve as a member of the School
Board, which office he has filled with entire satis-
faction.

\Yl OHN G. IIOY^, who carries on general farm-
ing near Red Bud, Randolph County,
where he owns and operates forty acres of
<^^ good land, was born on Ralls Ridge in
1848. His father, Bartholomew Hoy, was a native
of Ireland. He came to this country, and having
arrived ai. years of maturity married Julia Whalen,
a native of Maryland. They became the i)arents
of eight children, namely: Thomas, a resident of
Red Bud; James M., of New Mexico; Mary; Bridget,
deceased; Patrick, of California; Agnes, wife of
William Jakle, of St. Louis; John G., and Isa-
bella, wife of James Roscow, of Red Bud.

The father of this family' emigrated to Randolph
County in 1832, locating in Prairie du Rocher,
where he engaged in merchandising for two years.
He then sold out and came to this locality, where
he purchased a half-section of land which he
fenced and improved, transforming it into richly
cultivated fields. He was a consistent member of
the Catholic Church, and in politics was a Repub-
lican. In his business he was sagacious and far-
sighted and won success. His death occurred about
1870.

Mr. Hoy whose name heads this sketch was
reared to manhood on Ralls Ridge, and the greater
part of his life has there been passed. In his
youth he became familiar with the duties of farm
life, and to agricultural pursuits he yet devotes
his energies. His fields are well tilled, and the

292

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates
the careful supervision of the owner. He man-
ages the Rail farm of three luindred and forty
acres, and also engages in raising sheep, cattle and
horses, making a specialty of llolstein cattle.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hoy
and Miss Mary A., daughter of T. Leo Mudd,
whose people were the very earliest settlers of the
countj'. Six children have been born of their
union, namely: Julia M., Agnes A., T. James,
Clara, Patrick A. and John B. Mr. Hoy and his
family are members of the Catholic Church and
contribute liberallj' to its support. In politics he
is a stanch Democrat and warmly advocates the
principles of his party. For four years he has
served .is Justice of the Peace, proving a capable
and efficient officer. His life has been a bus}' and
useful one, devoted almost entirely to farm labor.

, OLON R. BOYNTON, M. D., who is en-
gaged in the practice of medicine in
vSparta, comes of one of the oldest Amer-
ican families. They came originally from
Yorkshire, England, emigrating to America about
the year 1620. Our subject's great-grandparents
were Richard and Charlotte Boynton, and the
former reached the advanced age of ninety 3'ears.
The grandparents were Richard and Elizabeth
(Davis) Boynton, natives of New Hampshire. The
former was a member of the Masonic fraternity
until the death of Morgan. He served two ye.ars
in the Revolutionary War. His father was a
merchant of Salem, JIass., and died when on board
bis own vessel on the Atlantic.

John Bo3'nton, the Doctor's father, w.as born
in Boston, Mass., in 1816, and there remained un-
til he had attained his majority. In 1838 he mar-
ried Harriet Whitney, who was born in Boston in
1817, and was a daughter of Stephen and Ruth
(Whitmore) Whitney. Her grandparents, William
and Rebecca (Cody) Whitney, were natives of
Roxbur}', Mass., and the former served in the
Revolutionary War, in which he was wounded.
He afterward received a pension in recognition
of his services. Upon their marriage, Mr. Boj'n ton

and his wife removed to Quincy, 111. When a
youth he had served a seven years' apprenticeship
to the carpenter's trade, which he followed through-
out life. In 1841 he went to St. Louis, where he
was employed as a contractor. His last days were
spent in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, 111.,
where he died in 1888. He held membership with
the Methodist Episcopal Church, for many years
was one of its local ministers, and by his labors
did much good in the world.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bo3''nton were born eleven
children. Willis and the child next in order of
birth are both deceased. John R., an eminent
surgeon, who is connected with a medical school
of Chicago, married Framelia Curtis and has two
children, Hattie and Nonine. Georgia is the wife
of William Bodiker, a coal dealer of Murpbys-
boro, by whom she has a daughter, Susa. js[^ilia
is now deceased. The Doctor is the next younger.
Otis, deceased, was a contractor. Susie is the
widow of John Aylmer, of Murphysboro, and the
mother of one child, Hattie. Joseph, who is a
master mechanic living near Duquoin, married
Maggie Reed, and they have three children: Lillie,
Joseph and John R. Two children of the Boyn-
ton family died in infancy.

Dr. Boynton was born in 1852 in St. Louis
County, Mo., in the old Seven Mile House on the
St. Charles Rock Road. He there lived until five
years of age, when his father removed to Ridge
Prairie. In his boyhood he was emploj'ed in farm
labor and in aiding his father as a carpenter. He
then studied engineering, and in his leisure hours
read medicine. He took his first course of lectures
in 1880, in the St. Louis Homeopathic Medical
College, from which he was graduated in 1882.
In the spring of the following j-ear he located in
Sparta, and has had a constantly growing practice.
He has won considerable note .as a surgeon and is
now local surgeon for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad,

In 1872 the Doctor wedded Miss Zoe Whilaker,
a native of England, who crossed the Atlantic with
her brother on the Great Eastern in 1860, and lo-
cated in St. Clair Count}'. They now have one
son, Charles 0. The parents are both members of
the Presbyterian Church, and are people of promi-
nence in this community, holding an enviable po-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

293

sition in social circles. Dr. Boy n ton is a self-made
man. He has been very successful in his under-
takings, and in his profession is rapidly growing
in popularit}'. In his political views he is a Re-
publican. He holds membership with the Masonic
fraternity and also with the Railroad Surgical As-
sociation.

• ^# P ' .

eHRISTIAN F. GUEBERT was a native of
Germany, and a son of Christian and So.
phia Guebert, who were also born in the
same countr}'. Emigrating to America, their last
days were spent in Red Bud, 111. Their family
numbered three sons and a daughter, as follows:
Christian, William, Heniy and Sophia. The fam-
ily are all members of the Lutheran Church, and
take a very active part in church and benevolent
work. The Gueberts are all representative people
and are numbered among the leading families in
the community in which they have so long re-
sided.

In the common schools Christian Guebert ac-
quired a good education, and under the parental
roof he was reared to manhood. At length he de-
termined to seek a home in America, and crossed
the Atlantic in 1854. He here married Miss E.
Kraemer, and unto them were born thirteen chil-
dren, twelve of whom reached adult age.

Mr. Guebert was an industrious and enterpris-
ing man, and through his untiring labors and per-
severance he accumulated nearly an entire section
of land in the neighborhood of Red Bud. There
he made his home until his death, successfullj-
carrying on agricultural pursuits and placing his
land under a very higli state of cultivation, thus
making it one of the valuable and desirable farms
of the neigliborhood. He also took a commend-
able interest in public affairs, was a warm friend
of the common schools and gave all of his chil-
dren good educational privileges. In politics he
.was a stalwart supporter of the Democr.acy, and
in religious belief was a Lutheran. His family
all belonged to the same church. Mr. Guebert was
called to his final rest in 1892, having survived
his wife about ten years. Tiiey were both active

workers in the church, and those who knew them
held them in high regard for their many excel-
lencies of character, and their sterling worth.
Their loss to the community was widely felt, and
it is with pleasure that we present to our readers
a record of the lives of people who were so well
and favorabl3' known.

Henry W. Guebert, their eldest son, was born
in 1856, on the old homestead, which has always
been his place of abode, and is dear to him from
the associations of his childhood, as well as those
of his niaturer years. He now owns and operates
one hundred and fifty acres, which he has placed
under a high state of cultivation. The well tilled
fields and man3' improvements on the place, to-
gether with its neat appearance, indicate the thrift
and enterprise which is so characteristic of the
family.

In 1885 Henry Guebert was united in marriage
with Miss Berta, daughtei of Chris Rosenberg,
of Monroe Count}'. Their union has been blessed
with four children: Rosa, Freda, Louis and Ed-
win. Mr. Guebert has long resided in this lo-
cality and is familiar with its history from an
early day. He has taken a deep interest in the
upbuilding of the community, and has ever borne
his part in the work of public advancement.

SAAC MORRIS, who carries on agricultural
pursuits in township 5, range 6, Randolph
County, has spent his entire life upon the farm
which is still his home, and which was liis birth-
place. He was born April 5, 1822, and comes
of an English family, his grandparents, Samuel
and Lucy (Stephens) Morris, having both been
natives of P^ngiand. Emigrating to America, the
grandfather followed farming in South Carolina,
where he became quite well-to-do.

William Morris, father of our subject, was born
in Yorkshire, England, June 7, 1797, and there
lived until 1789, when he crossed the Atlantic and
spent the remainder of his boyhood in the Abbey-
ville District of South Carolina. He there mar-
ried, but his wife died not long afterward. He
removed to Preble County, Ohio, and thence

294

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

came to Illinois in 1816, locating upon the old
Monis homestead. He entered from the Govern-
ment a farm of one hundred and sixt}' acres, built
a log cabin and began life in true pioneer style.
As tiie years passed, however, he became well-to-do,
and had five hundred acres of land, which he
willed to his sons. In the War of 1812, Mr. Mor-
ris served under General Harrison. In politics he
was a Republican, and was a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity. He also belonged to the United
Presbyterian Church. He was a very temperate
man, never using tobacco or intoxicants, and he
left to his family the iniceless heritage of an un-
tarnished name. His death occurred in 1873. The
mother of our subject bore the maiden name of
Elizabeth Newton, and was a native of Ireland.
The marriage was celebrated in 1810, and she died
in Randolph County in 1831. Ten children were
born of tlieir union: James, who died of cholera
in 1832; Newton, Ephraim and William, all de-
ceased; Lucy, widow of Joseph McNuUy; Eliza-
beth, deceased; Pauline, Sarah and Alice.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, Isaac Mor-
ris spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and
the occupation to which he was reared he has
made his life work. In 1843 he was united in
marriage with Priscilla Colbert, a native of Ran-
dolph County, who died in February, 1848, leav-
ing two children, one who died in early childhood,
and Elizabetli, who died at the age of thirty years.
In 1851 IMr. Morris was again married, his second
union being with Mrs. Mary Campbell, who was
born in this county. They had i-eveu children:
Marj' Jane, who died at the age of two years; Al-
bert, now of Sparta; James, who died at the age
of four months; Priscilla Ellen, wife of William
A. Ennis, b}' whom she lias four children, Mary E.,
Ora Ethel, Lydia Elizabeth and Hilda Ellen; Lydia
Annetta, at home; Sidney Thomas, who died at
the age of seventeen; and William Henry, who mar-
ried Nellie Allen, by whom he has one child. He is
now in a wholesale commission house in Omaha,
Neb.

On attaining his majority, Mr. Morris started
out in life for himself. He has alwa3's followed
agricultural pursuits, and is regarded as one of
the practical and progressive agriculturists of the

community. He is a man of good business ability,
and his success is due entirely to his own efforts.
He votes witli the Republican party. Both he and
his wife iiold membership with the United Presby-
terian Church, and are people of sterling worth,
who hold an enviable position in social circles.

<y; .}..i..i.^..^^..i..i.»»»» ^ »»»'i"5"i-»»»»-8H' ;X>

llj'^ ^ A. DINGES, M. D., who is engaged in the

jjf )j^ practice of medicine and also carries on a
'Xy^ drug store in Red Bud, has the honor of
(^ being a native of Illinois, his birth having
occurred in Waterloo. His parents, George and
Eva (Eckel) Dinges, were both natives of Ger-
many, born near Frankfort-on-the-Main, where
they grew to mature years and were married.
About 1854 they bade adieu to their native land
and crossed the Atlantic to America. Their fam-
ily numbered six children, four of whom are still
living. The father jvas a blacksmith by trade
and one of his sons followed the same pursuit.
One son, George, left home in 1861 to enlist among
the boys in blue of the Union armj-, and for a
time served under General Sigel. He continued
with his company until after the siege and cap-
ture of Vicksburg, and then died in Mississippi of
yellow fever. Another brother, Adam, was killed
b}' a mule, and at his death left a family of seven
children. Two of the sisters reside in St. Louis,
and one in Monroe County, 111.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood in
the place of his nativity, and during his j'outh
began clerking in a drug store, thus earning his
own livelihood. At the age of seventeen he left
home and went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he
spent one year, on the expiration of which period
he located in St. Louis, where he continued in the
drug business for five years. He then again changed
his location, coming to Red Bud in October, 1878.
In the autumn of 1883 he entered the Missouri
Medical College, of St. Louis, from which institu-
tion he was graduated after pursuing a three years'
course, in 1886. He at once returned to Red Bud,
and again took charge of the drug store which he
had established in 1878. He also opened an of-

John Steele

Mrs.Jane Steele

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

299

fice, and has since been successfully engaged in
the practice of medicine.

In the spring of 1879 Dr. Dinges was united in
marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry
and Margaret (Lohbeck) Schrage, who remained
in Red Bud with her little ones while the Doctor
attended college. They have three children, viz.:
Eugene George, Ellanro Margaret and Henry Al-
phons. The famil>^ is one of jjrominence in the
community, its members ranking high in social
circles.

Since 1891 Dr. Dinges has been an honored
member of the Southern Illinois Medical Associa-
tion. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now
serving his second term as County Coroner. He
and his family hold membership with the Catho-
lic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic
Knights of America, which society' he is now serving
as State Vice-President. His skill and abilit3' in
his profession have won him an enviable reputa-
tion, and he is now doing a good business, both as
a medical practitioner and as a druggist.

\l I OHN STEELE, who was for many jears a
successful and prominent general agricult-
urist of Washington County, and a public-
spirited citizen, widel}' and liighly esteemed,
entered into rest September 11, 1882, mourned by
a host of old-time friends, in whose hearts his
memory will long be green. In 1865 he removed
to Sparta, where he led a retired life until his de-
cease.

James Steele, the father of our subject, was born
in Franklin County, Pa., where he was reared to
mature years. In 1835 he decided to better his
financial condition by coming to Illinois, and lo-
cated on Elk Horn Prairie, where he was residing at
the time of his decease, in 1860. He was very pros-
perous in his calling of an agriculturist, and there
was scarcely a man in his vicinity who possessed a
better knowledge of the Scriptures than did .James
Steele. He was an Elder of the Covenanter Church
and was one of the organizers of the congregation
at Elk Horn. In politics he was a stanch Repub-

lican, and was one who had the confidence of all,
his word being considered as good as his bond.

Mrs. Isabel (McClintock) Steele, the mother of
our subject, was likewise a native of the Keystone
State, and was married to James Steele in 1802.
The eight children of whom they became the par-
ents were, John, James (deceased), Alexander,
Ezekiel, Cj'rus, Robert, Emily and Isabel. Mrs.
Steele departed this life in 1833.

Our subject was born March 4, 1804, in Frank-
lin Count}', Pa., and there resided with his parents
until 1835, when they removed farther west. Two
years later he joined them, locating in Elk Horn,
where he purchased three hundred and eighty
acres of land, which he improved and resided
upon until 1865. He was very methodical in his
work, and was self-made in the truest sense of the
word, all of his property being the result of much
hard labor on his part. His life was an eminently
useful one and he was one of the foremost of the
venerable citizens of his township. Few residents
of the countj' were more widely known and none
more favorably than he.

In 1837, in Fayette County, Pa., .John Steele
married Miss Jane Sitherwood, a native of the
al)Ove count}'. She was the daughter of Edward and
IMary (Walker) Sitherwood, natives respectively
of England and New Jersey, and both are now
deceased. In his political relations our subject was
a member of the Republican party. He never held
nor aspired to public ofHce, preferring to devote
his attention exclusively to his private affairs.
He was a member of the Covenanter Church and
was Elder in the Elk Horn congregation.

■jllOSEPH KLINKHARDT is the enterprising
I proprietor of the Hecker Creameiy, located
in Hecker, 111. He is one of the native sons
_ of Monroe County, his birth having oc-
curred here, December 11, 1856. His father, Theo-
dore F. Klinkhardt, was born in Germany December
11, 1816, there grew to manhood, and in his native
land married Caroline Kasten, also a German by
birth. In 1840 he crossed the Atlantic to Amer-
ica, and iJi 1842 brought his family to the New

300

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

World. Coming west, he purchased property

south of Freedom, .and when joined by his family,
located upon his l.md, which was a tract of wild
prairie. He at once began its cultivation and im-
provement and lived in true pioneer st3ie during
the early years. He was enterprising and indus-
trious and success crowned his efforts. From time
to time he made other purchases, and at his death
owned six hundred and sevent3^-five acres of
farm land, besides other real estate and personal
property. In politics he was a supporter of the
Republican party, and served as Postmaster of
Ilecker for about twelve years. He was also Jus-
tice of the Peace for a period of twenty-two
years, and was also Notary Public. He served as
Trustee of the Catholic Church for many years.
He was prominent in public affairs and was widely
known as a valued and highly respected citizen.
His death occurred December 30, 1880, aud his
wife passed away on the 21st of June, 1884. They
were the parents of six children, of whom one
died in infancy. Five grew to mature }-ears and
four are 3-et living, namely: Mar}-, wife of John
Mann, a farmer of Perr^' County; Ellen, wife of
Ernst Waldraaun, of Washington County, 111.;
Tlieodore, a farmer living two and a-half miles
south of Freedom; and Joseph. Augusta grew to
womanhood and became the wife of Charles Frick,
but is now deceased.

Mr. Klinkhardt was reared on the old home-
stead until fifteen years of age, when he went with
his parents to Freedom. He was educated in the
public sciiools and spent one term in St. Patrick's
College. He then assisted his fatlier in the store
and also carried on farming until his marriage.
On the 21st of September, 1875, he married Miss
Anna Thum, daughter of Jacob Thum,a native of
Switzerland. The lady was born in Belleville,
111., and was reared in Monroe Count}'. They
have four children, Eliza, Theodore, Emma and
George.

After his marriage, Mr. Klinkhai-dt operated his
father's farm until after the latter's death, when
he bought out the entire place. For ten 3'ears he
continued its cultivation and was a successful
farmer. On tiie 1st of August, 1890, he estab-
lished the Hecker Creamery, which he has since

carried on in connection with the cultivation of
his land. He owns two hundred and twent3'-five
acres of land, one hundred and twenty acres of
wliich are in St. Clair County, and the remainder in
Monroe County. It is all under a high state of cul-
tivation and is well improved. He keeps on hand
a large number of cows for dair3' purposes, and the
product of his creamery is so fine that he always
receives the highest market prices in Belleville
and St. Louis, to which places he ships his butter.
His business career has been a prosperous one. In
politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has served
as District Clerk aud School Trustee. He and his
wife hold membership with the Catholic Church,
aud he is one of the Trustees of tliat organization.

sig-^s-gis-sie-Ssg-sie^-sig^ie^s^M^^

^{ ACOB B. BEATTIE. A foremost position
among the agriculturists of Randolph Coun-
t3' must be accorded to the subject of this
sketch, who owns and occupies a fine farm
of two hundred aud forty acres on section 33,
township 4, range 5. He is the son of James H.
Beattie, who was born near Newburgh, N. Y., in
1788, and is tlie grandson of Francis and Jane
(Hall) Beattie, also natives of the Empire State.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Thomas
Beattie, was born and married in the North of Ire-
land, and after coming to the United States set-
tled in Newburgh in 1740.

The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Hannah Burkhardt. She was born in Allegheny
County, Pa., in 179.5, and was the daughter of
Jacob Burkhardt, who was born in German}-, and
after coming to America served as a soldier in the
French and Indian War. The parents of our sub-
ject were married in 1816, and four 3'ears later,
the father, deciding to locate further west, sailed
down the Ohio River in an emigrant boat, being
accompanied on the journe3' b3' the families of
AVilliam Marshall and William Temple. Arriv-
ing at Shawneetown, January 1, 1821, they came
overland to Randolph Count3- and located upon a
farm in township 4, where the3- were among the
earliest settlers. Here the father of our subject
opened up a farm, and at the time of his decease

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

301

had accumulated a large estate of six hundred and
forty acres. His wife, of whom our subject is the
only surviving son, died in 1819, and afterward
he married Miss Margaret Black. Of the five
children born to them onl\- one is living, Robert
T.; Francis H. died in 1886, leaving a family of
five children: Nettie, John B., William S., Rob-
ert and Jefferson. Mrs. Margaret Beatlie died in
1840, and the father of our subject departed this
life in 1846. The latter was industrious, prudent
and thrift}-, and had many warm friends through-
out the county.

J. B. Beattie is a native of Pennsylvania, where
his birth occurred June 24, 1818, in Allegheny
County. He was two years of age when his father
came to Illinois. Here he received his education
in the pioneer schools and here he was reared to
farm pursuits. He has been a resident of town-
ship 4, range 5, for the past seventy-three j-ears,
and has been an important factor in advancing
the agricultural interests of the county. At the
time his father located here the country was in a
wild condition, and was very sparsel}' inhabited.
Deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of game were
plentiful. Our subject's means were ver}' limited,
but he was reared to habits of industry, and was
energetic and ambitious, so that by j'ears of hard
toil he has accomplished the pioneer task of de-
veloping a highly productive farm from the wild-
erness.

In February, 1854, Mr. Beattie and Miss Eliza-
beth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mclnt3're)
MclMillan, were united in marriage. Mrs. Beattie
was born December 5, 1829, in Scotland, where
her parents were also born. They are both now
deceased, and at their death left a family of three
children: John, Mrs. Beattie and Alexander. To
our subject and his wife have been born six chil-
dren: ISIary J., now Mrs. T. B. Stephenson, whose
sketch will be found elsewhere in this Recokd;
James Hall, who married Ada "SVarner and resides
in Kansas Cit}-, Kan.; John Alexander, who mar-
ried Miss Patience O. Rusk, and also resides in the
above place; Jacob L., who makes his home in
Sparta, this county; William M. and Hannah 11,
both at home.

Our subject is a devoted member of the United

Presbyterian Church, while his good wife holds
membership with the Christian Church near her
home. In his political relations he is a Prohibi-
tionist and has aided the progress of that party
in this section very materially. He has been
a School Director for the past ten years, and
as the incumbent of that position has given en-
tire satisfaction. His fine estate, which includes
two hundred and forty acres, is all cultivated with
the exception of seventy-five acres. The land is
supplied with substantial improvements that make
it one of the most desirable farms in the county.

^|[ OHN C. RITCHIE is one of those progress-
ive, wide-awake farmers who find both
^,^1 ; pleasure and profit in cultivating the soil,
^^^ and by means of dignitj' and ability tend
to raise the standard of their chosen occupation.
Besides agricultural pursuits, he is also interested in
dairy farming, owning at the present time twenty-
nine Jersey cows. His estate, which comprises two
hundred acres, is pleasantly located on section 10,
township 4, range 6, where also he has erected his
creameiy, and now turns out each week two hun-
dred pounds of butter.

The father of our subject, Robert J. Ritchie,
was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1794, and
was the son of William Ritchie, who married a
Miss Hemphill. Tlie maiden name of our subject's
mother was Jane Marshall. She was a native of
South Carolina, and the daughter of James Mar-
shall, who was married in that state. On coming
to Illinois in 1837, he located on a farm three
miles south of Edin, this count}-, and three years
later came to this township. Here he entered land
from the Governmeiit and made his permanent
home, d3-ing in 1866. His good wife preceded
him to the better land by many years, departing
this life in 1844. The}' were the parents of six
children, of whom those living besides our subject
are: Mary, the wife of Moore Smith, who re-
sides on section 11, township 4; and Jane, Mrs.
Coulter, who lives in Arkansas.

After the death of his first wife, the father of
our subject was married to Miss Margaret, daugh-

302

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter of Samuel Little, one of the earliest settlers in
this section. By this union was born a daughter,
Martha, who is now the wife of George Marshall,
and who lives in Arkansas. The parents of our sub-
ject were members of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, and were good and consistent Christians.

John C. Ritchie was born January 31, 1835, in
Fairfield District, S. C, and was only two years of
age when his parents made their advent into this
state, and five years old when they located on
what is now his farm. Here he grew to man's
estate, attending the district school and supple-
menting the knowledge gained therein by a terra
of six months in tlie Sparta schools. When eigh-
teen years of age he hired out by the month to work
on farms, and spent five years thus employed.

In 1858 Mr. Ritchie and Miss Sarah, daughter
of Charles and Mar}' (Hunter) McKelvey, old set-
tlers in this county, were united in marriage. Mrs.
Ritchie was born November 26, 1836, on the old
McKelvey homestead, in this township, and has
spent her entire life in Randolph Count}-. After
the decease of his father, our subject purchased the
interest in the old homestead of his sisters, and
since then has been engaged in its profitable op-
eration. As before stated, it comprises two hun-
dred acres, and he has added to his income as a
farmer by erecting a creamery on the farm, which
is supplied with all modern machinery, and the
churning is done by steam. The product of the
dairy, which is of high grade, is disposed of mostly
at Marissa. Mr. Ritchie is also largely interested
in stock-raising, and has a number of Chester-
White hogs on his farm.

Of the nine children borji to our subject and
his wife, we give the following: Charles M. mar-
ried Jane Hemphill; Mary Ida is the wife of Oli-
ver Wiley; AVilliam S. is the next in order of
birth; Jane Amelia is the wife of Hugh McClure;
James L., John W., Sidney Willis, Sarah Mabel
and Stella are at home. They have all been given
good educations, and the eldest son, who is a min-
ister in the United Presbyterian Church, has a
charge at Oakdale, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie
are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church,
in which body the former has been Trustee for
thirty years. He has also filled the office of School

Director, and in politics votes the Prohibition
ticket. William 8., the second son of our subject,
is attending school in the Allegheny Seminary, in
Alleghenj^ Pa., where he is fitting himself to be-
come a minister, for which calling James and John
are also preparing themselves. James is attending
school at Groves City, Pa., and prior to going
there was graduated from the S|)arta High School,
standing one hundred in every study for three
examinations.

■ ^# P • .

W GUIS GREGSON devotes his time and at-
I (©) tcntion to agricultural pursuits on section
jl' — ^v\ 21, township 3, range 8 west, Monroe Coun-
ty, where he has under his control four hun-
dred and forty acres of good land. He is a son of
James Gregson,a native of England, who when a
boy came to this countr}' with his father, John
Gregson, who settled on Round Prairie, in Mon-
roe County. Here he entered land from the Gov-
ernment, and upon the farm which he there de-
veloped made his home until his death.

James Gregson was reared under the parental
roof, and when he attained to man's estate, pur-
chased a farm adjoining the old place. He was
married in 1818 to Philipena Lower. Her fa-
ther was a native of Germany, and upon coming
to this country, settled on Round Prairie in an
early day. In the family were four sons, namely:
Philip, Henry, Conrad and Peter. Mr. and Mrs.
Gregson located on section 30, township 3, where he
owned one hundred and sixty acres of laud, besides
his eight}' acres on Round Prairie and forty acres
on the creek. There he followed farming until a
short time before his death, when he removed to
Red Bud. By his first marriage he had three chil-
dren, who are yet living: Louis, of this sketch;
John, of Red Bud; and Peter, who is living on the
old homestead. After the death of his first wife,
Mr. Gregson wedded Mrs. Mary Lower, and they
had three children: James M., a conductor on a
street car in St. Louis; William H., who is living in
Jackson County, 111.; and Emily, the wife of Hugh
Murphy, County Assessor of Monroe County. The
father of this family was an honored pioneer of

PORTRAIT AND BIOGiaAPHICAL RECORD.

303

this section, and was a man highly respected for
his sterling worth.

On the home farm, November 5, 1840, occurred
the birth of Louis Gregson. He is now probably
the oldest native settler of the township. He was
reared under the parental roof in the usual man-
ner of farmer lads, and after arriving at years of
maturity he was married, in February, 1866, to Miss
Elizabeth McQuillan, daughter of John McQuillan,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in tliis work. She
was born in .St. Louis, but her girlhood days were
spent in this cQunty. The young couple began
their domestic life upon the farm which is now
their home. They became the parents of 6ve chil-
dren, and the family circle 3'et remains unbroken
by the hand of death. Edward L., the eldest, is
now a farmer of this community; Albert J. aids in
the operation of the home farm; Louis J. is teach-
ing school on Round Prairie; Gu}' Joseph and
Martha Marj' are still with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Giegson own four hundred and
forty acres of valuable land, and he devotes his
time and attention to general farming and stock-
raising. He makes a specialty of the breeding of
fine Norman horses. In polities he is a supporter
of the Democracy, and has served as Highway
Commissioner, Supervisor and School Director.
In these various positions he has ever discharged
his duties with a promptness and fidelity that have
won him high commendation. He and his family
are all members of the Catholic Church, and are
prominent people of this community, holding an
enviable position in social circles.

LFRED ADAMS. There is in the devel-
(@7LI|| opment of every successful life a lesson
to everyone; for if a man is industriously
ambitious and honorable in his ambition,
he will undoubtedly rise to a position of promi-
nence, whether having a prestige of family and
wealth or the obscurity of poverty. We are led
to these reflections in reviewing the life of Mr.
Adams, who is Sheriff of Randolph County.

A native of this county, our subject was born
within three miles of Chester, March 27, 1849,

and is the son of James and Filizabeth E. (Easton)
Adams. His parents were natives of Scotland,
whei'e they were married, and about 1839 emi-
grated to the United States, locating the follow-
ing year in this county. They were farmers by
occupation and were numbered among the well-
to-do citizens of this section until their decease.
The father died in March, 1883, when in his
seventy-third year, and his good wife departed
this life in April, 1873. They reared a family of
seven children, of whom our subject is the only
one now living.

Alfred Adams, of this sketch, passed his boyhood
days on his father's farm, pursuing the advantages
open to him in the common schools. Having no
taste for agriculture, he determined to gain a good
education and thus fit himself to occupy almost
any position in life. He took a course of study
in McKendrce College, at Lebanon, this state, and
after completing liis studies returned to the home
farm, where he married Miss Clementina Cowing,
March 23, 1869. Mrs. Adams was a native of
England, and was born in Liverpool December
19, 1848. She was a daughter of Capt. Ran-
dolph K. Cowing, and was only eleven years old
when she came to the United States. Her father,
who was a sea captain, was lost on one of his trips
while crossing the Atlantic.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been blessed with a
family of three children, viz.: Minnie F., Natalie
G. and Clementina B. In October, 1870, Mr.
Adams came to this city, where he embarked in
the retail grocerj' business, which he only carried
on, however, for a twelvemonth. Later, he pur-
chased a sale and livery stable in the city, of
which he was the proprietor for eight years, dur-
ing wliich time he managed his affairs in a most
systematic manner. He was then compelled to
dispose of his barns on account of being elected
City Treasurer for a term of two years. For the
succeeding three }^ears he was engaged in the in-
surance business.

In 1886 Mr. Adams was honored by his fellow-
townsmen b}' being elected County Treasurer for
a term of four years on the Democratic ticket.
He filled this office very acceptably, and was so
popular in political circles that on the expiration

304

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of his term as Treasurer he was elected Sheriff of
Randolph County, which position he is holding
at the present time. He is discharging the duties
thus devolving upon him with sound judgment,
rare discrimination, tact and fairness, and the
people are well satisfied with his manner of con-
ducting tlie affairs of his office. He has been very
prominent in the upbuilding of the county, and
was one of the organizers of the Chester Improve-
ment Company. Socially, our subject is a mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias, and was one of
the charter members of the lodge in the city of
Chester.

'■^ OHN B. BRATNF.Y, Postmaster at Preston,
I Randolph Count}-, is also acting as agent
^^ I for the sale of wagons, buggies and sewing
^^fJ machines. He is a native born citizen of
this count}', a son of one of its honored residents,
and owns and superintends the management of his
farm of two hundred and twenty-one acres, which
is located one mile from Preston.

Our subject was born one mile from where he is
at present residing, February 25, 1827, and is the
son of Joseph and Elenor (Beatty) Bratuey. The
father, who was born in Tennessee, came to this
state about 1818, where he purchased land from
the Government at $1.25 per acre. Finally making
his way to Randolph County, he built a sawmill
near this place, which be operated for several
years with indifferent success. Tlien moving up-
on his farm, lie cleared and improved it, and was
engaged in its operation for some time. After-
ward he settled in Preston (which was in that
early day known as Pollock), and engaged in the
mercantile business. Later, however, he opened a
tanning establisiiment in Evansville, and was en-
gaged in that branch of business at the time of
his decease, in the winter of 1849. He was a very
enterprising citizen and never lost an opportunity
to advance the welfare of his township materially
or socially.

Our subject has one brother living of a family
of three sons and one daughter. He received his

education in a primitive log schoolhouse, which
was the best that the locality afforded. It was
situated in the woods and bore little resemblance
to the convenient and comfortable school build-
ings of to-day. Our subject and his brother, New-
ton, were taken into the home of their maternal
uncle in childhood. John B. remained with this
relative until starting out in life for himself. A
short time prior to attaining his majority, he went
to New Orleans, and on his return north came
again to this count}', which has since been his
home. During the Mexican War he joined a vol-
unteer company, but as their services were not
needed he did not go to war.

In 1850 Mr. Bratney was united in marriage
with Miss Mary Jane Crozier, who was also born
in this county and reare^ on a farm, one mile
from the birthplace of our subject. After their
marriage the young people moved upon the farm
which had been left to Mr. Bratney by his father,
and on which lie had erected a comfortable resi-
dence. There he farmed until 1858, when he was
appointed Postmaster at Preston. Moving into
the village, he engaged in merchandising in con-
nection with his oflScial duties and there lived for
twenty years. He has, however, held the office of
Postmaster since his first appointment, during
Buchanan's administration, and is still the incum-
bent of that position. He has also been Justice
of the Peace for two terms, was Trustee of the
School Board, in which body he is now Clerk, and
holds a similar position among the Road Commis-
sioners. He cast his first Presidential vote for
Zachary Taylor, and after the organization of the
Republican party was a member of its ranks until
1892, when he joined the People's party.

Mrs. Mary J. Bratney died eleven months after
her marriage, and Miss Henrietta, the sister of our
subject, kept house for him until her marriage with
Alexander Mann, one of the old settlers of this
county. She is now deceased. The lady whom
our subject married in 1853 was Miss Margaret
Thompson. She became the mother of a son,
Theodore S., who resides in St. Louis. His mother
died in Preston in October, 1864. The present
wife of Mr. Bratney, with whom he w.is united in
1868, was Miss Mary W. Pollock, aud to them has

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

305

been born one daughter, Nettie F., now Mrs. W.
A. Glore, of Steeleville.

Robert, the grandfatlier of our subject, was a
soldier in the War of the Revolution, and the fa-
ther of Mr. Bratney served in tlie War of 1812,
under General Jackson. The former with his wife
is buried on the farm now owned by our subject.
Robert Bratney, the brother of our subject, was
shot and l\illed by his tenant, to whom he had
rented his farm near Preston. He was a man of
excellent character, and at the time of this sad af-
fair was living in Sparta.

^(OHN HAGP:D0RN, Justice of the Peace
in Evansville Precinct, is also a prominent
farmer, whose practical sagacity and thrift
have brought him to the front as an agri-
culturist. To this interest he also adds that of
nurser3'man,and is lyell liked and respected bj' all
who know him. Born in Prussia May 31, 1832,
he is the son of Paules and Victoria (Hase) Hage-
dorn, also natives of Prussia, where the mother
died in 1861.

The fatlier of our subject, who came to the
United States in the year 1866, died that same
year at the home of our subject. The parental
family included six children, of whom three be-
sides our subject are living — a brother in the
Old Country and two sisters in America. John,
of this sketch, was educated in Germany, and
was there married on the 10th of February, 1857.
On the 28th of the same month the young cou-
ple started for their new home in America,
and, making their wa}' directly to this state, lo-
cated in Belleville, St. Clair County, where they
made their home during the summer. Then, com-
ing to Randolph County, Mr. Hagedorn located
on property near his present home, clearing land
and cultivating and embellisliing it with substan-
tial buildings. On this present farm he continued
to reside while improving another one he liad pur-
chased. He is now tiie proprietor of two fine es-
tates, which are located three miles east of Evans-

ville, one comprising eight}' acres, and the other
ninety-five acres of land.

Mr. Hagedorn branched out in the nursery busi-
ness in 1888, and now supplies the people in this
section with the choicest variety of trees and
shrubs. He also raises great varieties of fruit, for
which he always finds a good market in the city.
Miss Christina Metz and our subject were united
in marriage in 1857.- Mrs. Hagedorn was born in
Prussia, Germany, and by her marriage has be-
come the mother of six children, of whom those
living are: Sophia, Mrs. Edward Ludker; Minnie,
the wife of James H. Mathews; and Theresa, at
home.

Mr. Hagedorn is a genial gentleman, and his
social qualities make him a general favorite, while
his ability gives him a prominent part in the
management of local affairs. In politics he votes
the Republican ticket, and has been Constable
since residing here, or for eight years, and has
served a like period as Justice of the Peace.
That he is popular is shown by the fact that, al-
though bis precinct is strongly Democratic, he
never fails to be elected when brought before the
people. He served as Deputy Sheriff for seven
years, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
With his wife and family he is a member of the
Catholic Church.

• "^^ •

^ OHN HEBERER was one of the pioneers of
Monroe Count}-, 111. A native of Darm-
stadt, Germany, he was born in 1812, and
in 1832, at the age of twenty years, crossed
the Atlantic to the New World. He took up his
residence in Monroe Count}', 111., locating near Red
Bud, where he entered land from the Government,
making a settlement farther south than any other
resident of this locality up to this time. He then
turned his attention to the development of the
wild land, and transformed the raw tract into
rich and fertile fields.

Mr. Heberer was twice married. He first wedded
Miss Frick, whose people were among the pioneer
settlers of Illinois, and two children were born
unto tliem. John, tlie eldest, is now a resident of

306

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Perry County, where he is extensively engaged in
farming. Kate became the wife of Peter Wicklein,
and died, leaving six children. After the death
of his first wife, Mr. Ileberer wedded Mar3' Schara-
ville in St. Louis. The marriage was celebrated
ou the day following their first meeting. Thej'
became the parents of six children, viz.: Will-
iam, a farmer; Henry, who died at the age of
twenty-one; Charlie, a farmer of Jackson County;
Alexander T. ]).; Edward, who is now engaged
in the real-estate business in Red Bud; and Adam,
an agriculturist of Jackson County.

The family resided in Monroe County until about
1880, when the farm in that locality of two hun-
dred and eighty acres was sold, and the}' came to
Red Bud. Here the father died in 1884, and the
mother two years later. They were prominent
members of the Lutheran Church, to the support
of which they contributed liberally. Mr. Heberer
was one of its most active workers, doing all in
his power for its advancement. In 1860 he joined
the ranks of the Republican party, of which he
became a stanch advocate, and for four years he
acceptably tilled the office of Justice of the Peace.
His life was one well worthy of emulation, and
his loss throughout the community was deeply
mourned.

Alexander Ileberer was born in Monroe Coun-
ty in 1857, and was there reared and educated.
To his father he gave the benefit of his services
until he had attained to man's estate, when he
began selling fruit trees for the Samuel Bayles'
Nursery Companj' of St. Louis. He was thus em-
ployed for three years, after which he spent one
year as a farmer. In the meantime he was united
in marriage with Miss Maiy Waldmann, by whom
he has four children.

In 1883 Mr. Heberer went to Jackson County,
where his brothers had previously located, and
purchased one hundred acres of land, to the im-
provement of which he devoted his energies until
his return to Red Bud, in March, 1893. He here
purchased the Dunn Brothers' livery stable, and
now has the largest livery stock in the city. His
vehicles are of the finest, and he has some good
horses. From the public he receives a liberal pat-
ronage and is now doing a good business, which

he well merits. Mr. Heberer is a member of the
Treubund of Red Bud. Both he and his wife were
reared in the Lutheran Church and are people of
worth, who have many friends throughout this
community.

<^ MLLIAM E. LOHRBERG is a leading and
\/\/// successful mercliant of Red Bud, his na-
W^ tive town, where he was born in 1854.
His parents, Henrj' and Mary (Wicklein) Lohr-
beig, were both natives of Germany, and during
childiiood came to this country, locating in Ran-
dolph Count}', 111., where their marriage was cele-
brated. Eight children have been born unto them,
of whom William is the eldest. Josephine is now
the wife of J. H. Parrott, of Kansas City, Kan.
Elizabeth is the wife of P. Eisenbart, of Monroe
County. George is engaged in farming in Mon-
roe County. Rebecca, widow of Henry Ratz,is the
proprietress of the Commercial Hotel. Maggie is
the wife of Al Ratz, of Red Bud.

In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject
was reared to manhood, and the common schools
of the community afforded him his educational
privileges. He followed farming in Monroe Coun-
ty until twenty-seven years of age, when he went
to Kansas City, Kan., there spending one year.
On the expiration of that period he came to Red
Bud and secured a position as salesman in the store
of Mr. Ratz. In connection with Henry Ratz, the
son of his old employer, he purchased his present
store, and since 1885 the business has been carried
on under the firm name of Lohrberg & Ratz.
They carry in stock everything found in a first-
class mercantile establishment, and have succeeded
in building up a good trade as the result of their
courteous treatment, fair and honest dealing and
earnest desire to please their customers.

In 1884 Mr. Lohrberg was united in marriage
with Miss Mary Diehl, and unto them have been
born five children, as follows: Ralph, Elenora,
Henry, Tolga and Edwin. Socially, Mr. Lohrberg
is connected with the Knights of Honor and is a
member of the Odd Fellows' societj'. In politics
he is a supporter of Democratic principles.

In connection with his other interests, our sub-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

309

ject is agent for the Heim Brewing Company, and
is also engaged in tlie manufacture of soda water.
He owns an interest in a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres in Monroe County, and is the sole
owner of one hundred and twentj' acres in the
same county, which yields him a good income. He
is recognized as one of the best business men of
Red Bud, and tliough yet a young man, is widely
and favorably known. He is also public spirited
and progressive and takes an active interest in the
advancement and growtii of the community in
which he makes his home. It is with pleasure that
we present to our readers the record of his life.

^( AJ. CHARLES J. CIHLDS, M. D. All
loyal Americans will agree that the old
soldiers who sacrificed iiome comforts, en-
dured hardships and braved dangers dur-
ing the da^s of the Nation's peril are deserving
of remembrance. Tbe historian cannot detail the
lives spent on the tented field, but he can mention
the chief events by whicli the gallant soldier se-
cured victory, too often, alas, at the price of manly
vigor and missing limbs. Were there no other
reasons than his army life, we should be glad to
present to our readers an outline of the history of
Major C'hilds, a prominent ph3'siciau of Randolph
Count3', who is residing at Coulterville.

Our subject was born March 12, 1826, fourteen
miles from the city of Baltimore, Md., and is a son
of Nathaniel Childs, who was born in Maryland in
1770. The family traces its ancestry back to three
brotliers who came to America from Sweden, one
locating in New England, another in South Caro-
lina, and the third in Maryland. Our subject's
great-grandfather was a blacksmith in Erametsburg,
Md., where ho lived over two hundred years ago.

Nathaniel Childs, the father of our subject, was
a soldier in the War of 1812, where he commanded
a mounted company. The lady whom lie married
was born in Baltimore in 1785, and bore the name
of Mis5 Ann Jcssup. She was the daughter of
William Jessup, a native of England, who emi-

grated to America during the Revolutionary War.
Our subject's parents came west in 1839 and made
a permanent home in St. Louis, where the father
was engaged in running a sawmill. He took an
active part in politics in that city, and was a mem-
ber of the Cit}' Council for ten years. He was Pro-
bate Judge in Baltimore for a number of years, and
was a valuable and influential man in his commu-
nity. He depaited this life in 1852, and his good
wife died in 1865.

Our subject is the onlj' survivor in the parental
family of sixteen children, fourteen of whom grew
to mature years. He was a lad of twelve years
when his parents removed to St. Louis, where his
education was completed. He first attended the
college at St. Charles, that state, and later the St.
Xavier Catholic College at St. Louis. Deciding to
become a physician, Mr. Childs entered the Eclectic
Medical Institute of Cincinnati with the Class of
'45, and two years later became a student in the St.
Louis Medical College, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1848. After practicing three years in that
city he went to Madison, Ind., and after a resi-
dence there of three years returned to the Mound
City. A twelvemonth later, however, he came to
Chester, this county, where he engaged in the
practice of his profession until 1861, when he took
up his abode in Sparta, this countj'.

In September of the above year. Dr. Childs en-
tered the Union army, being commissioned Eirst
Lieutenant of Company K, Fifth Illinois Cavalry.
He was sent to Pilot Knob, Mo., in February, 1862,
and advanced through Arkansas to Helena, in the
meantime skirmishing with Generals Price and
Van Dorn. July 1, he moved with his company
to Jackson Port, Ark., and in the skirmish which
followed with General Hovey, Major Childs led
the advance in person, and compelled the retreat
of the enemy. Later they went to Clarendon, and
on crossing the White River to Helena, Ark., he
encountered the guerrillas. He then received com-
mand to go forward with one hundred men as
guards along the river, and in February, 1863,
joined Grant's army.

His health having been very much impaired. Dr.
Childs returned home, intending to devote his
time to his profession. His plans were frustrated,

310

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

however, in May, 1864, by a call for one hundred-
day men, when he raised a company of one hun-
dred and thirty-iive volunteers, and on going to
Springfield was commissioned Major of the One
Hundred and Fort3r-second Regiment. He was
then ordered to Memphis, Tenn., where he served
under Gen. A. J. Smith. At the time Forrest made
his last raid on Memphis, our subject's regiment
was ordered to hold White Star Station, which he
did at the head of his command. On his return
to Memphis he was ordered to Chicago, where they
were to be mustered out. General Price at that
time was making a raid in Missouri, and Major
Childs' regiment was called upon to go down and
aid in the defense of St. Louis. They went for-
ward, and after reaching the citj' reported to Gen-
eral Rosecrans, who ordered them to Benton Bar-
ricks and afterward to guard the Missouri Pacific
Railroad. After ten daj'S thus occupied the}' re-
turned to Chicago, where they were mustered out
November 1, 1864. Major Childs was very popu-
lar with "the boys" and was on many occasions
highl}' complimented for his brave actions by his
superior officers.

On returning home from the war, Dr. Childs
practiced medicine in Sparta until April, 1874,
when he came to Coulterville, and has since made
his home at this place. In March, 1847, he mar-
ried Miss Elizaljeth A. Balridge, who was born in
Ohio, November 13, 1828. She is the daughter of
Alexander H. Balridge, M. D., who was Professor
in the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mrs. Childs is a lady of high culture and fine edu-
cation, and by her union with our subject has be-
come the mother of eight children, of whom those
living are: Emma F., the widow of S. B. Brown;
Nathaniel, a student in the theological college at
Xenia, Ohio; Charles A., a farmer; Elizabeth May,
the wife of C. R. McKelve}', and Sally J., the wife
of R. A. Leiper. The Doctor is a Presbyterian re-
ligiously, while Mrs. Childs holds membership in
the United Presbyterian Church.

In politics the Doctor always takes an active
part, and began making political speeches in be-
half of the AVhig party when eighteen years old.
He is an influential citizen, and was President
of the Board of Trustees of Coulterville for

twelve years. The schools of this vicinity find
in him an earnest advocate, and the Sparta High
School owes its existence to his push and en-
ergy. He has been School Director for the past
nine years, and during that time was Secretary of
the Board.

Dr. Childs was a personal friend of Gen. John
A. Logan, Governors Yates, Hamilton and Fifer»
and Senator CuUom. He was present at the state
convention that instructed for Grant, during which
time the contest between Logan and Farewell
for the United States Senate took place. At dif-
ferent times he has been associated on committees
with Stephen A. Douglas, Jr., and Robert Lincoln.
He has been delegate to five state conventions, and
presided over the first Republican convention, held
in Randolph County in 1856.

•S^

^=!^,EORGE HOMRIGHAUSEN is a Notary
i|| ,==, Public and a well known citizen of Red
^^j) Bud. His father, Henry Homrighausen,
was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1822, and came
to America in 1841, locating in St. Louis, where
he remained some months. In companj- with a
friend he then went to Kansas Cit}', but finding
no employmeut there, returned to St. Louis, where
be worked in flouring mills. In 1847 he was
married to Sophia Scharch, and in March, 1854,
came with his family to Monroe County, 111.,
where he purchased eighty acres of land. The
forty-acre tract on which he settled was but par-
tially improved. He at once began its further
development, and from time to time made addi-
tional purchases, until at his death he owned five
hundred and sixty acres of valuable and highly
improved land. He came to this country a poor
man, but by industry and economy arose to a posi-
tion of affluence.

To Mr. and Mrs. Homrighausen were born ten
children, eight of whom grew to mature j^ears:
George, of this sketch; Frank, of Monroe County;
John, who resides on the old homestead; AVilliam
and August, who are also living in Monroe Coun-
ty; Catherine, who makes her home with the
brothers just mentioned; Elizabeth, wife of Ernst

POETEAIT A^'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

311

Heyl, of Monroe County; and Annie, wife of
George Hepp, Jr., of Monroe County. The father
of this famih- held many offices of public trust.
He served for sixteen yeai-s as Justice of the Peace,
was seven 3'ears Town Tre.asurer, and was filling
that position at the time of his death. In politics
he was a stanch Republican, and was a member of
the Evangelical Church, in which he took an act-
ive interest. He died April 5, 1884, and his wife
passed away October 2, 1887. They were consist-
ent Christian people and had the high regard of
all who knew them.

George Homrighausen was horn in St. Louis in
1851, and was only three 3-ears old when his par-
ents came to Illinois. He grew to manhood on his
father's farm, aiding in the labors of the field in
the summer months and attending the common
schools through the winter. He thus acquired a
knowledge of the common branches, and at the
age of sixteen he entered the seminary of Oakfield,
Mo. Later he attended school in Waterloo, and
having successfully passed an examination in 1869,
he taught his first school in Prairie du Long in the
following winter, after which he taught five con-
secutive terms in the Union school. Afterward
he followed his profession in Monroe Count\',
having charge of the school at Freedom. Through
each winter season until 1885 he followed the vo-
cation of a teacher at various places. In 1873 he
attended the Normal department of the Southern
Illinois University, of Carbondale. In 1885 he
abandoned teaching and devoted his time to farm-
ing until 1891, when he located in Red Bud.

In 1876 Mr. Homrighausen married Miss Eliza-
beth, daughter of Philip Sauer, one of the pioneers
of Monroe County and a native of German3'. He
came to America in 183.3, at the age of twenty-
four, locating in Pennsylvania, and remaining
there until 1838. when he removed to Arkansas
and engaged in contract work. In 1839 he re-
moved to Monroe County, where he purchased
and improved two hundred and eighty-eight acres
of land, making his home thereon until his death.
His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sen-
sel and was a resident of Round Prairie. Thej'
became the parents of the following children:
Nicholas and William, who are millers, of Evans-

ville; Philip, a farmer of Randolph County; Mary,
deceased; Catherine, Mrs. August Slehfesl, now
deceased; M.igdalena, Mrs. John Bartlie, Jr.; Eliza-
beth, wife of our subject; and Sophia, wife of
Frank Homrighausen.

Our subject owns a valuable propertj^ in Red
Bud and a well improved farm of one hundred
and sixtv acres in Monroe Countj', which j'ields
to him a good income. He devotes his time to
looking after his interests and to his duties as No-
tarv Public. He held the office of Town Treasurer
in Prairie du Long for eight years and was nom-
inated on the Independent ticket for County
Clerk. He was one of the organizers of the Farm-
ers' Mutual Benefit Association of Monroe Coun-
ty and served as its President for several years.
He is a member and Trustee of the Protestant
Evangelical Church, and has lived an honorable,
upright life, which lias gained him the confidence
and good will of all witli whom he has been brought
in contact. He is numbered among the pioneer
settlers of this locality' and is well known in Ran-
dolph and adjoining counties.

^^IMOTHY LIDDY was born in County
'rf^^ Limerick, Ireland, in 1809, and on emigrat-
^^^ ing to America located in St. Louis, where
he was engaged in contracting and in grading
streets. In the winter of 1843-44, he came to
Randolph County, bringing with him his wife and
one child, and locating upon a farm of one hun-
dred and sixt}- acres, which he had purchased in
1842. In 1844 the country was almost flooded,
the water reaching the highest mark ever known
in this community.

In 1842, Mr. Liddy was joined in wedlock with
Margaret McKenna, a native of Dublin, Ireland,
who came to America in 1834 with her mother
and brothers. One son, James, was born unto
them ere the3' left St. Louis, and on their farm
upon the prairie the famil3' circle was increased
by the birth of five children: Lizzie, who died at
the age of three 3'ears; Margaret; Katie, wife of

312

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORt).

John "Wall, of Waterloo, now deceased; John, de-
ceased, and Daniel.

At the time of his death, Mr. Liddy owned
over eight hundred acres of valuable land, the
greater part of wiiich was situated in one body,
and all of which had been accumulated through
his own efforts; his industry, economy and good
management being the factors that won him his
well merited success. He owned besides this a
third interest in nine hundred acres in the Missis-
sippi Valley, near old Ft. Charter, all of which
is now owned by his son, Daniel. In 1865, Mr.
Liddy was stricken with paralysis, and from this
affliction died in 1872. He retained his faculties
up to the very last and transacted his own business.
His wife survived him about four years. They
were worthy people, and their many excellencies
of character gained them high regard.

John Liddy, the second son, resided on the old
homestead with his brother, Daniel, and they were
equal partners in the business until the death of
the former. He died from sunstroke in August,
1888. James, the eldest, disposed of his business
interests in Randolph County, and is now a resi-
dent of Perryville, Mo.

Daniel Liddy was born in Randolph County in
1853, and received a common-school and academic
education. On the death of the father, the two
brothers succeeded to the business, and since the
death of John, Daniel has carried on the business
alone. He has sold none of the propert3', but has
managed it all, and in his careful supervision has
displayed excellent business and executive abilit3^
His sister 3'et owns an interest in the propertj'.
In the nine hundred acres, of which the father
owned a third interest, the other owners were
John and Daniel, and the property is now in the
possession of the latter. On this farm stands a
small village, which was esuablished by Mr. Liddj'.
Altogether he and his sister own about twelve
hundred acrres of fine land, which he manages and
superintends personally. They reside on the old
homestead in the house erected b^- their father be-
fore his death.

In their political views the members of the
familj' are Democrats, but before the war, Mr.
Lidd_v, Sr., was a strong opponent of slavery. He

and his wife were conscientious Catholics, and
reared their children in that faith. The name of
Lidd^' is inseparably connected with the agricult-
ural interests of this communit}', and in Daniel
Liddy the family has a worthy' representative.

^ ESSE BANNISTER, a well known citizen of
I Randolph County, is descended from good
^^ ' old Revolutionary stock, his paternal grand-
^^f) father, Jesse Bannister, having aided in the
struggle for independence. After tlie war was
over he received a pension in recognition of his
services. He was born in 1754, and much of his
life was passed in Vermont. He was a son of
Thomas Bannister, and his grandfather was Joseph
Bannister, one of three brothers, who came from
England to America in 1660 and settled in Massa-
chusetts.

The father of our subject, Oliver Bannister, was
born in Worcester, Mass., in Julj-, 1794, and when
a young man of twentj--one went to New York.
There he engaged in the manufacture of cloth
until 1829, when he came west to Illinois, settling
in Randolph County, where he also operated a
carding machine and manufactured cloth. Later
he removed to Eden, where his death occurred.
By occupation he was a weaver and dj'er, and
after coming west he followed farming in addition
to other enterprises. At one time he owned four-
teen hundred acres of land, but lost much of this
in an unfortunate investment. He was a man of
good habits and lived an upright, honorable life.
In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a
Republican. He belonged to the Reformed Pres-
byterian Church, and served as one of its Trustees.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Paul-
hemns, was a native of New Jerse}-, and her father
was a native of Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Bannister
had a large familj', but only four grew to mature
years: Charlotte, who is deceased; Lj'dia, who died
leaving one son; Lucretia, wife of John Baird; and
Jesse.

The subject of this sketch was born in the Em-
pire State, and when two years of age was brought
by his parents to Illinois, wliere, amid the wild

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

313

scenes of frontier life, be was reared to manhood.
He remained under tlie parental roof until twent}'-
six years of age, when, in 18o3. he was married,
the lad}^ of his choice being Margaret, daughter of
Joshua and Margaret Smith. Her parents -were
natives of Ireland, and from that country emi-
grated to Canada and thence to Missouri. Mr. and
Mrs. Bannister became the parents of eleven chil-
dren: Ormsby, who is now living in Eden; Laura,
wife of C. Young, of this township; Olive, at home;
Mar}', the wife of Alfred Miller, of Kansas; Eliza-
beth and William T., both of Kansas; Irene, who
died at the age of ten; Joshua R., who died at the
age of twenty-two; U. S. Grant, at home; Charlotte,
who died at the age of one 3"ear; and AValdo, who
completes the family.

Mr. Bannister began farming in his own interest
upon his marriage, purchasing sixty acres of land
at *10 per acre. From time to time he has extended
the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises
four hundred acres of good land, all of which is
under a high state of cultivation and well im-
proved. The place is neat and thrift^' in appear-
ance and gives evidence of the careful supervi-
sion of the owner. His time is largel}' taken up
by his business, but he devotes some attention to
public interests. For twentj' years he was a mem-
ber of the School Board and did eflfective service
for the cause of education. He is now serving as
Township Trustee. In politics he is a Republican.
His wife is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church.

PREDERICK GUKER was born near Stras-
: burg, in Alsace-Lorraine, in 1808, and at
the age of nineteen crossed the Atlantic to
America. At the early age of eight, he was thrown
upon his own resources, and for seven j'ears worked
in a mill. He then served a three years' appren-
ticeship to a baker, and a year later he determined
to seek a home and fortune beyond the Atlantic.
On the 4th of July, 1827, he landed in New York,
where for five j-ears he worked at his trade. He
then went to New Orleans, and for three jears was
employed in the oldest baker}' in the city. In
January, 1836, he went up the Mississippi to St.

Louis, and a month later entered the emploj' of
John McGinnis, of Kaskaskia, 111., as a baker. He
served one year, and then bought out his em-
plo3'er, carr^'ing on the business in his own inter-
est, in connection with which he also established a
hotel and liveiy business. These three enterprises
he conducted until 1858, but the high waters of
the winters of 1844, 1851 and 1858 completely
swept away all he had accumulated.

Mr. Guker then turned his attention to farming,
but in December, 1859, again went to New Or-
leans. He had married in 1835, in that city, the
lad}' of his choice being Margaret Medart, a native
of Germany, who came with her parents to this
country in 1832, locating in the Crescent City.
Twelve children were born to our subject and his
wife, eight of whom grew to mature years. Chris-
tina became the wife of Michael Case, and died
leaving two children, Louisa and William; Mrs.
Caroline Hendricks died leaving one son, August,
now of New Orleans; Louise is the wife of George
Hatters, of Algiers, La., and has three children,
Georgiana, Clara and Vivian; Fred D. is now liv-
ing in Red Bud; Margaret is the wife of John
Rail, of Red Bud Precinct, by whom she has nine
children; Sophia is the wife of James Ashton, a
conductor on the Southern Pacific Railroad in Al-
giers, La., and they have four children; Mary E.
is the wife of William H. Toy, of Omaha, Neb.
Daniel died in Red Bud, leaving five children,
who make their home in Randolph County.

In September, 1865, Frederick Guker came to
Red Bud, where he made his home until his death,
in April, 1875. In politics he was a stalwart sup-
j)orter of the Democratic party. Warm hearted
and generous, he gave libeially of his means to
various interests and enterprises, and no needy
one ever left his door empty-handed. He had the
high regard of all who knew him, and his death
was deeply mourned.

Fred D. Guker was born in Kaskaskia, 111., April
15, 1840, and in 1846 was taken to New Orleans,
where he lived with an aunt, Mrs. Christine Rivoil,
until 1854, when he returned home on a visit,
spending six months in this state. In 1855, he
again went to the Crescent City, but the following
year returned to Kaskaskia, and continued to live

314

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with his parents until 1859. lu that j'ear he again
went south, and from 1861 until April, 1862, was
in the Confederate army. He was taken prisoner
at that time, and on being paroled, went to New
Orleans. lie acquired a good education in Algiers,
La., and after coming to Red Bud, taught school
for about six years.

In 1873, Mr. Gukerwas united in marriage with
Miss Olive, daughter of William Briekey. She
died in January, 1876. and he afterward married
Miss Mary Gross, a native of Missouri. Ttiej' had
six children, five of whom are yet living: Reginald
E., Fred D., George G., Irene E. and Clarence A.
Edgar F. died in childhood.

Mr. Guker has been honored with election to
office. He has served as Town and City Clerk
since May, 1874, with the exception of one term,
and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for
sixteen consecutive years. He was Notary Public
for fifteen consecutive years, and has been Town
Treasurer since June, 1892. In all these offices he
has ever been found faithful and true, and the
promptness and fidelity with which he has dis-
charged his public duties have won him high com-
mendation. He votes with the Democratic part}'.
Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and the Odd Fellows' and Knights of Honor lodges,
in all of which organizations he has served as Sec-
retary. A man of sterling worth, he has many
friends throughout the couimunit}', and is held in
high esteem b^' all.

THOMAS II. BURNS. It is impossible in a
brief biographical sketch to render full jus-
tice to prominent men, and yet there are
some who are so iutimatei^- and clearly identified
with the countj^'s welfare, and whose names are so
familiar to all, that it is only right to dwell upon
what they have done and the influence of their
career upon others. To this class belongs Thomas
II. Burns, who is the present Trustee of township 5,
range 10, Randolph County. He is an active,
wide-awake fanner, who has won success in pur-
suing his favorite occupation.

Our subject's birth occurred in Monroe County,

this state, December 8, 1841. lie is the son of
James and Lucinda (Brewer) Burns, the former of
whom was born in Perry County, Mo., in 1808.
He was of Scotch-Irish descent, a farmer b\' occu-
pation, and departed this life in 1848 in Monroe
County, this state, where he had resided for a few
years. The mother of our subject is still living, at
the advanced age of eighty j-ears, and makes her
home in this county. Our subject and his brother,
Basil K., are the onlj' members living of the
parental family of eight children. The former re-
ceived a limited education in the common schools
of Randolph County, and after the decease of his
father, remained at home with his mother until
reaching his majority.

On the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas H.
Burns joined the Union ranks, and became a mem-
ber of Company B, Fort3'-ninth Illinois Infantry,
which was commanded b}' his brother, James P.
At the battle of Ft. Donelson, in which our sub-
ject participated, his brother was killed. Thomas
H. was present at the siege of Corinth, and at the
battle of Pleasant Hill, La., and with his company
was detailed on the raid after Price. At the bat-
tle of Nashville, which followed, he was color
bearer, and in 1862, when at Henderson, Tenn.,
was taken prisoner and sent to Columbia, that
state, whence he was paroled ten days later and
couve3'ed to Columbus, Ohio, where he was ex-
changed. During the last three ^years of his serv-
ice he was Corporal of his company, and although
in the war from the beginning to the close, he was
never wounded, but for a month was confined in
the hospital at White Station, Tenn., where he had
an attack of bilious fever.

After the establishment of peace, our subject re-
turned home to Randolph County, where he worked
out b}' the month for a year, and October 16, 1866,
was married to Miss Mary A. Hull. The two chil-
dren who have come to bless their home are
Henry E. and Sarah. Mrs. Burns is a faithful
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while
the mother of our subject is a Catholic in religion.

Mr. Burns has made this township his home
since 1876. He is truly a self-made man, and has
met with both friendship and financial success in
his journey through life. He owns two hundred

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

315

and forty-eight acres of well improved laud, and
his residence is located one and a-quarter miles
northeast of Brewersville. In politics he votes
with the Republican party, and cast his first bal-
lot for Abraham Lincoln. He takes an active in-
terest in public affairs, and is now filling the office
of Township Trustee. As might be expected, he is
a Grand Army man, being connected with >;ichol-
son Post No. 457, at Red Bud.

i^^m^^^mm

<« felLLIAAJ
V^ activeb

<^ j^ILLIAM P. McLaughlin, a wide-awake
man of Randolph County, is now
i^ely connected with the business in-
terests of Sparta, and conducts a large queensware
and grocery store, carrying a stock valued at
13,500. He is also the owner of a valuable estate
of three hundred acres, the greater portion of
which is under an admirable state of cultivation,
and which brings him a good income from its
rental.

Mathew McLaughlin, the father of our subject,
is 4 native of Ireland, and was born in County
Antrim in 1817. He crossed the Atlantic about
1833, and landing on American soil, made bis way
to this count3% where he purchased land on section
36, township 5, range 6. Here he conducted farm-
ing o|)erations, and was more than ordinarily suc-
cessful in his chosen calling. He was classed among
the wealthy agriculturists of his township. He
received such an education as was common to give
the youth of his day in Ireland, and departed this
life on the alx)ve farm in 1883. He was ever a
consistent Christian, and was a devoted member of
the Presbyterian Church. He was a prominent man
in politics and alwaj's cast his ballot for Repub-
lican candidates.

Michael and Jennie (Patton) McLaughlin, the
paternal grandparents of our subject, were also
natives of Ireland, where they were well-to-do
farmers. They emigrated to the United States in
company with their son alx)ut 1833. The maiden
name of our subject's mother was Martha Kell.
She was born in South Carolina, and accompanied
her parents, John and Nancy Kell, on their re-
moval to Randolph County. She died some time

in the '50s, after having become the mother of four
children, those beside our subject being John (de-
ceased), John, the second of that name (who is
also deceased), and Margaret, now the wife of
James C. Wilson, of this count}'.

A native of Randolph County, William P. Mc-
Laughlin was born Decembert' 12, 1846. He re-
mained at home with his parents until reaching
his majority, in the meantime attending the dis-
trict schools during the winter months, and work-
ing out on farms through the summer seasons.
When ready to establish a home of his own he was
married, in 1867, to Miss Eliza Jane Ward, and
the young couple immediately- located upon rented
property-, which he continued to operate for the
following four 3-ears. At the expiration of that
time, his father having died, our subject fell heir
to the old homestead, on which he made his home
until 1883, the date of his removal to Sparta. For
the succeeding five years, however, he gave his
personal attention to the management of the
home farm, but in 1888 rented the propertj' and
launched out in the grocery business. , He has a
well equipped establishment, and is prompt and
courteous in his dealings with customers, and as a
consequence is carrying on a very lucrative trade.

Mrs. Eliza J. McLaughlin was a native of this
county, and was the daughter of Josiah and Jane
(Caldwell) Ward, natives of South Carolina. She
became the mother of three children, and departed
this life on the 14th of April, 1875. She was
one of the leading members of the Presb^-terian
Church, and in all things maide her life accord with
the principles taught by that denomination. By
this marriage there were the following children:
Martha J.. Charles A. and Eliza J. The latter
died on the 8th of September, 1875. In the year
1876 our subject was united in marriage with
Miss Margaret, daughter of Alexander and Mar-
garet (Anderson) Russell, natives of Ireland. Mrs.
McLaughlin was born in this county, and b}- her
union with our subject has become the mother of
the following four children: Margaret E., William
L., Martin Henry and Ira G. Margaret E. de-
parted this life July 8, 1879.

Our subject is an official member of the United
Presbvterian Church, with which denomination his

316

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wife is also connected. He is a stanch Republican,
and as one of Sparta's most enterprising citizens,
has ahva^'s been identilied witli uiorements bene-
ficial to the communilN-.

'jfjOIIN R. McQuillan is the junior member
of the firm of Mudd & McQuillan, dealers
^-^ in general merchandise at Red Bud. He
'f^f' was born on the old McQuillan homestead
in Monroe County, January 21, 1851, and is a son
of John McQuillan, Sr., whose sketch ap[)ears else-
where in tliis work. He was reared upon the old
farm and early began work in the fields. His
primary education was acquired in the district
schools of the neighborhood, and was completed
by study in the Mound City Commercial College
of St. Louis.

Having arrived at 3ears of niaturit}', Mr. Mc-
Quillan was united in marriage with Miss R. J.
Dinan, daughter of Timothy Dinan, one of the
early settlers of Monroe County. The lady was
born and reared in this county, and the marriage
of the young couple was celebrated in 1879. They
began their domestic life upon a farm and there
lived for a number of years, Mr. McQuillan devot-
ing his time and attention to the cultivation of
his land. Three children came to bless their
union, .John, Walter and Gus.

In 1888, Mr. Mcfjuillan left the farm and came
to Red Bud, forming a partnership with W. T.
Mudd, which still exists. For the past six years
they have carried on general merchandising, and
now have a fine store at the southwest corner of
Main and Market Streets. They began operations
on a small scale, but their trade has constantly in-
creased and they now have one of the largest
stores in the place. They carry a fine line of
goods, and by fair and honest dealing, earnest en-
deavors to please their customers and by courteous
treatment they have secured a very liberal patron-
age. The members of the firm are both men of
good business ability, enterprising and energetic,
and their success is well deserved.

Besides his store Mr. McQuillan owns a valuable
farm comprising two hundred and eighty acres of

rich land in Prairie du Long Township, Monroe
County. This tract is under a high state of culti-
vation and is well improved with all the acces-
sories and conveniences which go to make up a
model farm.

In his political affiliations, Mr. McQuillan is a
Republican and is a stanch advocate of party
principles. He has served as School Director of his
township, but has never been an office-seeker, pre-
ferring to devote his entire time and attention to
his business interests. He belongs to the Catholic
Knights of Illinois, of which he is now Treasurer.
He and his family are all members of the Roman'
Catholic Church. Their home is one of the fine
residences of Red Bud, and is the abode of hospi-
tality and good cheer.

^^EORGE SAXENMEYER, manager of the
Ij I— : Saxenmeyer Lumber Companj', of Red Bud,
^^J! and one of the progressive and enterprising
business men of this place, has here spent his en-
tire life. It is his native town. His father, George
M. Saxenmeyer, was born in Bavaria, Germany,
and in 1846, bidding adieu to home and friends,
sailed for the New World. He located in St.
Louis and was there united in marriage with Miss
Sophia Friesenberg, and unto them was born a
family of seven children: Theodore, Annie,
George, Ferdinand, Bertha, Herman and Sophia.
The father was a harness-maker by trade and fol-
lowed that business throughout his entire life. He
was called to his final rest in 1886.

George Saxenmeyer was born in 1857, and in
Randolph County, under the parental roof, grew
to manhood. The common schools of the neigh-
borhood afforded him his educational privileges,
and on starting out in life for himself he learned
the harness-maker's trade, beginning that business
in 1872. He devoted his time and energies to the
work for nineteen years and met with good success
in his undertakings.

In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sax-
enmeyer and Miss WilhelminaC. Deterding. Their
union has been blessed with six children, five of
whom are still living, ihree sons and two daugh-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.

319

ters: F'rederick, Minnie, Theodore, Ilenrj- and
Tlieresa. Que daughter, Matilda, died in early
childhood.

Our subject continued to engage in harness-
making until 1891, when he disposed of his inter-
est in that business in order to embark in another
enterprise. He became one of the organizers of
what is now known as tlie Saxenmeyer Lumber
Company, and was made its manager, and was also
chosen .Secretary and Treasurer. Jn the two years
which have elapsed since its formation, he has suc-
ceeded in establishing an extensive trade and has
gained a high reputation for the excellent qualit}'
of lumber in which he deals. This is one of the
largest lumber concerns in southwestern Illinois,
and the success of the companj' is now an assured
fact, owing to the untiring labors and well di-
rected efforts of the manager. In his political
views Mr. Saxenmeyer is a Republican. He keeps
well informed on the issues of tiie day, but has
never been a politician in the sense of office-seek-
ing, preferring to devote his entire time to his bus-
iness. He may truly be called a self-made man,
and he is a citizen whom Red Bud could ill afford
to lose.

' ^ ^ P

mEDEKICK PARROTT,oneof the wealthy
land-owners of Monroe Count}-, now liv-
ing on section 1, township 4,i'ange 9 west,
claims France as the land of his birth, which oc-
curred on the 7th of November, 1816. He is a
son of George and Ann (Eagle) Parrott, lioth of
whom were born and reared in France. The father
worked in a cotton factory in that country for
some time. In 1828, he determined to seek a
home and fortune in the United States, and with
his family came to this country. He first settled
in Stark County, Ohio, where he worked on a canal
and made his home until 1840. From that time
until his death he resided upon the farm which is
now the home of our subject. Mr. and INIrs. Par-
rott had a family of nine children, of whom four
are still living, namely: Frederick, George, Peter,
and Louis, a resident of St. Louis.

Our subject was only twelve years of age when
he accompanied his father on the emigration to
7

America. During his boyhood he lived in Stark
County and worked on a canal. When about
seventeen years of age he left home and began
working on steam boats on the Ohio and Missis-
sippi Rivers. In that wa}' the five succeeding
years of his life were passed, and when that period
had expired he came to Illinois with the deter-
mination of making his home in the west. About
1833 he entered a tract of eighty-nine acres in
Randolph County, upon which he settled. It was
still in its primitive condition, not a furrow hav-
ing been turned or an improvement made thereon.
He devoted some time to its cultivation, butafter-
ward returned to stearaboating, and the property
was not further develojied until his father settled
thereon in 1840.

In Canton, Ohio, on the 23d of September, 1847,
Mr. Parrott married Maria Vallat, daughter of
Francis Vallat, a native of France. The lady was
born iu that country November 3, 1822, and came
to the United States three years before her marriage.
The young couple began their domestic life in Ran-
dolph County, hut after a short time Mr. Parrott
sold his property there and came to Monroe
Count}', locating upon the farm which is still his
home. He has now resided in this community
longer than any other of its citizens, and is very
familiar with the history of the county's develop-
ment and upbuilding. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parrott
were born nine children, of whom two sous and
three daughters are j'ct living: Virginia, who en-
tered St. Joseph's Convent in St. Louis, Mo., and
is now known as Sister M.; Elizabeth, who is Sis-
ter Superior in St. Joseph's Convent in Tucson,
Ariz.; J. H., who is engaged in the real-estate bus-
iness in Kansas City, Kan.; Frank, who aids iu the
operation of the home farm, Mary C, wife of Nel-
son Ziebold, who is engaged in the milling busi-
ness in Red Bud; and Emma Louisa, at home.

Mr. Parrott owns about fifteen hundred acres of
land and is one of the largest tax payers in tlie
county. His success in life has all been achieved
through bis own efforts, and is therefore well
merited.- From a humble position in life he has
worked his way upward to one of affluence. In
politics he is a stalwart Republican. His first
Presidential vote was cast for William Henry

320

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Harrison, and his last for Benjamin Harrison,
the illustrious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero,
lie and his family are all members of the Catho-
lic Church. Their home is one of tlie finest coun-
try residences in Monroe County, and is the abode
of hospitality and good cheer. The members of
tiie liousehold are prominent people and rank high
in social circles.

'^-

=-f

ROF. J. H. GANS, of Red liud, who for
many years has been devoted to the work
of instruction, and is well known as an
educator, was born in Fayette County,
Pa., in the year 1831, and is a son of John and
Jaue (Holmes) Gans, who were also natives of the
Keystone Slate, the fatlier's birth having occurred
in Fayette County, while the mother was born in
Carlisle. Their family numbered seven children:
George, who was a prominent law3'er and served
as Judge of the Court at Eaton, Ohio, for nine
3'ears; Amanda, who died in childhood; Joseph, a
practicing attorney of Richmond, Ind.; J. II., of this
sketch; Harriet, who is the wife of Dr. Tuttle, of
Eaton, Ohio; David, wlio joined the boys in blue
of the Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, was made cap-
tain of his companj', and died in the service; and
Esther, wife of Capt. John R. Cook, a prominent
resident of Irontown, Ohio. The Judge was a
man of more than ordinary ability', who won a
prominent place in his profession. He wedded
Miss Maria Morris, a highly educated lady of Fay-
ette County, Pa.

In his youth Professor Gans attended the com-
mon and academical schools of his native coun-
ty, and in 1854 entered Washington College, of
Washington County, Pa. Previously, however,
he had engaged in teaching school in both Penn-
sylvania and Virginia. He was graduated from
Wasiiington College in 1858, and then resumed
teaching, and also took up the study of law at
Sullivan, Ind., where he was afterward admitted
to the Bar. Locating in Eaton, Ohio, he there
continued his law studies with his brother. Judge
Gans, and was admitted to practice before the Su-

preme Court of Columbus. Continuing his resi-
dence in Eaton, he in 1863 became chief clerk un-
der Captain Denny, in tlie Quartermaster's depart-
ment, in the Army of the Potomac, and when the
war closed he located in Logansport, Ind., where
he engaged in practicing law for about four years.

In October, 1865, Professor Gans married Mrs.
S. A. C. O'Brien, nee Colbiirn, a native of Boston,
Mass., and a daughter of Marcus and Catherine
(Hubbard) Colburn. Her father was a native of
Rindge, N. II., and was a son of Josiah Colburn,
wlio traced his ancestors back to the earl \- Puritans.
Members of the family fought in the Revolution-
ary War. The grandparents located in Boston,
where their son received a fine education. He be-
came a teacher of music, and was a leading mem-
ber of the Handel and Hayden Musical Society.
His family were also fine musicians. He located
in New York, where for tliirty-two years he taught
music in the city schools. He had a son, John,
who was a finely educated man, and one of tlie
first to leave New York for the gold fields of
California. The vessel on which he sailed was
wrecked, and he was picked up by an English ves-
sel and taken to Australia. He became connected
with a large commercial compan\% and located on
the Sandwich Islands. He there married, and at
his death, which occurred at the early age of thirty-
three, left a family of two sons and a daughter.
Mrs. Gans was the second of the Colburn famil3-.
Marcus died in childhood, and one died in in-
fancy. By a former husband, Mrs. Colburn had
one son, George C. Rexford, who succeede(j Mr.
Colburn as a teacher of music in the schools of
New York Citj-. He held that position twenty-
six years. He is a very fine singer, and an accom-
plished man. In his social relations, Mr. Rexford
is a Knight Templar. He has one son, George H.,
who is a fine actor, and by his second wife he has
a daughter. The Colbiu'n family were all origin-
all}' Congregationalists. They were energetic,
liigh minded and noble people, who won positions
of prominence, and in the musical world especially
they were leaders.

Like the other members of her family, Mrs. Gans
was highly educated in music in Boston and New
York, and under Madame E. Seguin, she studied

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

321

Italian opera. She has taught music in the Po-
tapsco Female College, near Baltimore, Md., where
she had formerly been a pupil two years, was Prin-
cipal of the musical department of the Ontario
Female College of Canandaigua, N. Y., was Super-
intendent of the musical department of the Ohio
Female College at College Hill, Ohio, and after-
ward was emploj'ed as music teacher in the Pres-
byterian College, in which both male and female
students were received. It was there she met and
married Professor Gans. She afterward accepted
a position in the Methodist Female College of
Springfield, Ohio, and later engaged in teaching
with her husband in St. Louis.

By a former marriage, jMrs. Gans had two sons.
The elder, Oswin J. O'Brien, is connected with the
Riverside Printing Company of St. Louis, as fore-
man. He is married and has five children: Blanche,
Oswin, Mabel, Julia and Sybil. The other son,
Ignatius, died at the age of fourteen j-ears.

On leaving Logansport, Professor Gans went to
St. Louis, and for eight years was Principal of one
of the public schools of that city. He afterward
served as Superintendent and Principal of the
schools of Columbia, Jlonroe County, for five years,
and then came to Red Bud in 1883, where, with
the exception of one j'ear, he has been engaged in
teaching continuously since. After leaving St.
Louis, he was employed as a teacher in the Salem
Academy, at Salem, Ark., for about eighteen
months, and at Frederick, Mo., for one year.
While in California, in the winter of 1891-92, he
taught at Los Gatos, Santa Clara County. In Feb-
ruar\', 1892, his wife went to Honolulu, and the
Queen of the Sandwich Islands favored her with
a reception. While there she made a special studj'
of the natives of that country, their customs and
habits, and since her return has delivered a num-
ber of lectures concerning them.

In his political views, the Professor has been a
Republican since the organization of the party.
While in Arkansas, he was appointed County Su-
perintendent of Schools. In the fall of 1890, he
was the candidate for that office on the Republican
ticket in Randolph County. Socially, he is con-
nected with the Masonic fraternity and with the
Ancient Order of United Workmen. Both he and

his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Culture, education and more than ordinary abil-
ity have made them prominent people in literary
and social circles, and Professor Gans and his wife
are among the leading spirits in the circles of so-
ciety in Randolph County.

■i---

^-f

^^\ HARLES II. BOEDEKER, a lumber iner-
(l( ^ chant and dealer in agricultural imple-
^^/ ments in Red Bud, came to this place in
1875 from Monroe County, 111., where his birth
occurred. He was born in 1854, and was the third
in order of birth in a family of five children, who
grew to mature years. The parents were Fred and
Christine Boedeker.

Our subject spent the days of boyhood and
youth upon his father's farm, attending the com-
mon schools through the winter season, while in
the summer months he aided in the labors of the
field. When he had arrived at man's estate he
bade adieu to home and friends and came to Red
Bud, where he at once embarked in the lumber
business in partnership with his brother Henry.
Together they carried on operations for about
eight years, when in the year 1883 Charles H.
Boedeker purchased his brother's interest and
has since carried on the trade under his own
name. He devotes his entire time and attention
to the business and is therefore a successful dealer.
He carries a good assortment of all kinds of lum-
ber, and by straightforward dealing and courteous
treatment of his customers he has secured a liberal
patronage. Since becoming sole proprietor of the
business he has also dealt in farm implements,
handling threshers, engines, binders, mowers, etc.

In 1875 Mr. Boedeker was united in marriage
with Miss Christiana Dann,a representative of one
of the early pioneer families of Monroe County,
111., and a cultured lady, who wins friends where-
ever she goes. Five children have been born of
their union, but two are now deceased. Those
yet living are Tillie, Ardine and Elsie. Mr. and
Mrs. Boedeker are widely known throughout this
community, where they have now resided for al-

322

PORTRAIT A]S'D BlOGRArmCAL RECORD.

most twenty yeare, and in social circles they hold
an enviable position.

In politics Mr. Boedeker is inde|)endent, casting
his vote for the man whom he thinks best quali-
fied for the office, regardless of party affiliations.
In religious belief he and his wife are Lutherans.
Mr. Boedeker is recognized as a man of good busi-
ness abilitv, wide-awake and enterprising, and his
diligence, sagacit}' and well directed efforts have
brought him a deserved success. Tiie community
recognizes in him a valued citizen, for he ever
takes an active part in all that pertains to the
welfare of the community and the promotion of
its best interests.

3****^^ ♦*•{••!•=

^AVID A. FOSTER, who is now living a
retired life, and is one of the pioneers of
Randolph County-, was in early 3'ears a
progressive farmer of township 4, range 5,
and rose to a prominent position in agricultural
affairs. His fine estate, located on section 31, he
has divided among his children, and is now living
retired from active work.

Robert Foster, the father of our subject, was a
native of Abigail District, S. C., where his birth
occurred Februarj- 13, 1785. Grandfather Samuel
Foster came from Ireland, and when a 3'Oiing man
located in the above place, where ho remained
until death. The mother of our subject, whose
maiden name was Susan McClinton, was also a
native of South Carolina, her birth occurring in
1793. Sh§ came to Illinois in compan3' with her
father, John McClinton. The latter was a native
of South Carolina, and after coming to Randolph
County, made his home in the old Irish settlement
near Preston.

The father of our subject rcnioved to this state
in 1807, and the following year married, and lo-
cated on what is now known as the John .Shuline
])lace. When he took possession of the property
it was one unbroken stretcli of brush and timber,
but by means of inexhaustible energj' and good
business judgment he cleared the land and resided
upon it until his decease, February 12, 1821. His
good wife, who became the mother of nine chil-

dren, died in 1829. Of that large family only two
are now living: William, who makes his home in
Sparta Precinct, this county; and our subject.
The deceased are Samuel, John, James A., Parme-
lia, Elizabeth Jane, Nanc^', and one who died in
infancy. After the death of his lirst wife, the fa-
ther of our subject married Sarah Kell.

()\ir subject was born January 13, 1822, on the
old homestead in this county-, where he attended
the pioneer subscription schools and was reared to
manhood. Having been doubly orphaned when
nine years of age, he made his home with his eld-
est brother until reaching his fourteen tii your, when
he began life on his own account. His lirst work
was in Sparta, where he was emploj'cd in a butcher
shop, receiving for his services ^1 per day.

!n 1844, David A. Foster married Miss Rebecca
M., daughter of Hugh C. and Nanc^" M. (Askins)
Gault, natives respectively of North Carolina and
Virginia. The}' were living in Tennessee at the
time of their marriage, and removed to Illinois in
1831, locating on section 18, townsliip 4, range 5,
Randolph County. After residing there for many
years they removed to Eden, where their dece.ose
occurred. Mrs. Foster was born January 17, 1823,
in Lincoln County, Tenn., and after her union with
our subject, moved into the little log house on
section 18, in which thej' continued to live until
1850. In that year Mr. Foster removed to section
31, where his wife's death occurred Februarj- 23,
1884. Had she lived three d.\ys longer she would
have completed the fortieth year of her wedded
life.

To our subject and his wife were born nine chil-
dren, seven of whom are living. The first death
in the faniil3' occurred -in 1880, when Miss Min-
erva, ayoung lad}' of nineteen years, departed this
life. Nancy, the wife of Hugh Clark, is also de-
ceased. Those living are, Robert, William S.,
John C, Samuel McClinton, Mary E., Susan E.
and Ilaltie F. Our suliject's fine estate, which
comprised one hundred and twenty acres, has been
divided among his children, with whom he makes
his home. He is a devoted member of the United
Presbj'terian Church. He is President of the
Sparta Precinct Dei)artment of the Old Settlers'
Association, and has been a member of the Good

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.

323

Templars' order for many years. lie takes an in-
terest in political affairs, and has always voted the
straight Republican ticket. He lias frequently
been a delegate to conventions, and May 4, 1863,
was one of three sent to represent Randolph Coun-
t3' in the State Union League held at Springfield.

^^1 NDREW DOUGLAS. The name of Doug-
w£M las belongs to one of the most ancient

/// ii and powerful noble families of Scotland.
^1 According to one tradition the family is

descended from one Theobald, to whom Arnold,
Abbot of Kelso, made a grant of land on the
Douglas, or Black AVater, in Lanarkshire, about
the middle of the twelfth centur\-. Another story
relates that their progeiiitf>r was an unknown
chief, who received as a reward for success in
battle, land in tlie same locality about 770 A. D.
The best historians, however, trace the recor(J
back no farther than to William D. Douglas, 1175
to 1213. From him in direct descent come the
men who have made the name of Douglas il-
lustrious. "The good Sir .Tames" fought with
Bruce at Bannockburn, and commanded a part of
the Scottish army. After tlie death of Bruce, he
was intrusted with the King's heart, which was to
be taken to the IIol}^ Land, but on the way thither
he was killed by the Saracens. The Douglases be-
came a powerful family, and in the fifteenth cen-
tury there was a proverb extant, "No man may
touch a Douglas nor a Douglas' man, for if he do he
is sure to come b3- the waur." The Angus branch
of the Douglas family became especially famous,
and to its members was granted the right to cast
the first vote in Parliament, to lead the vanguard
in battle and to bear the crown in public solemni-
ties. This last right was held by the family up to
the present century. On the field of battle and
in public service the Douglas family has. been
prominent, until the name is found on almost
every page of Scottish history. They became di-
vided into two branches, the Black and the Red
Douglases.

Andrew Douglas, of this sketch, was descended
from the latter, who followed peaceful avocations

more than the warrior's life. Springing up at a
wild and romantic period in early Scottish his-
tory, the line is descended through a succession of
powerful and warlike chiefs, who were connected
with every hard-fought battle of their countr}-.
The vitality- of the family has been maintained in
a wonderful degree. In later years its members
have become prominent in science, law and states-
manship, and man}' of its worthy representatives
are numbered among American people.

Mr. Douglas whose name heads this record was
born in Roxburglishire, Scotland, only five miles
from the English border. There occurred the
battle of Chevy Chase, between Earl Douglas and
Lord Percy. This is celebrated in an old English
ballad. The date of our subject's birth was July
Ifi, 1818, and his parents were James and Janet
(Lowrie) Douglas. He obtained his earl}- educa-
tion in the schools of the neighborhood, which he
attended until twelve years of age. The family
numbered three sons and three daughters. The
father was a farmer and miller. Andrew remained
at home until twenty-five years of age, when he
determined to seek a home in America. He was
then joined b}' other members of the family, and
in 1843 they landed in New York City. At once
they came to Randolph Count}', III., where an
uncle. Lot liouglas, had settled twelve years be-
fore. The family rented land for a time.

In January, 1848, Andrew Douglas wedded Eliza,
daughter of .lohii Craig, one of the early settlers
of this county. She was born in Paisley, Scot-
land, May 13, 180'.), and came to America in 1840.
The young couple began their domestic life upon a
farm which M^-. Douglas had previously purchased.
They became the parents of two sons and three
daughters: John, who married Eliza Towsley and
lives in this county; Eliza, wife of John Chaplin;
Andrew, who operates the old homestead; Sarah
J., who became the wife of Charles Livsey, who
died February 5, 1888, since which time she has
lived with her mother; and Beulah M., who mar-
ried Frank Labriere and lives near Chester.

In 1846 Mr. Douglas bought one hundred and
twenty acres of land and entered other tracts,
transforming the raw prairie into rich and fertile
fields. In the home farm were three hundred and

324

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

sixty acres, and in all he owned eight hundred
acres of valuable land in Randolph Connt3". He
was a man of good business abilit.v, and industry
and enterprise were numbered among his chief
characteristics. lie inherited also some of the best
qualilios for wliicli the Douglas family was noted,
and throughout this communit}' he was regarded
as a man of sterling worth and strict integrity.
He passed away March 19, 1879.

\1L^ ENKY BOLLIXGER, of Steeleville, is rec-
lj)|i ognized as one of tlie leading business
i^y^^ men of tliat place, a man prominent in pub-
(^) lie affairs and in all that pertains to the
best interests of the community. Tiie record of
his life is as follows: He was born in Switzerland
September 1, 1833, and is a sou of Henrj' and An-
nie (Walter) Bollinger, wiio were also natives of
that country, and who there spent their entire
lives. Henry engaged in the grocery business and
was a successful merchant and business man.

Our subject attended the public schools of Switz-
erland until he had attjiined the age of fourteen,
when he left the school room to serve an appren-
ticeship in a watch case manufactory. He there
continued for a term of four j-ears, during which
time he thoroughly mastered the business. At
length he determined to seek a home bc3-ond the
Atlantic, hoping thereby to benefit his financial
condition. It was in 1853 that he crossed the
brinj' deep, landing at New Orleans, whence
he made his way northward to Chester, 111. As
his health was somewhat impaired and he did not
wish to engage in indoor labor, he worked at any
emploj-ment which he could find for six months,
and then went to Evansvilie,Ill., where he learned
the cooper's trade, following the same until 1858.
In that year, Mr. Bollinger returned on a visit
to his native land, and spent some time among the
friends of his childhood and the scenes of his 3'outii.
On his return he resumed work at the cooper's trade
in Evansville, where he continued until tlie break-
ing out of the late war, wlien, {)rompted by patriotic
impulses, he responded to the country's call for
troops, enlisting in Company B, Twentj'-fourth

Illinois Infantry. He was mustered in at Alton,
and was in active service for three j'ears. At the
battle of Chickamauga he received a gunshot
wound through the left leg and was confined to
the hospital for three months, after which he re-
joined his regiment. His old wound, however,
still troubles him. He was ever found at his post
of duty, faithful to the Old Flag and the cause it
represented, and when the war w.as over he was
honorably discharged, being mustered out at Chi-
cago.

Mr. Bollinger was married December 27. 1865,
to Amelia Giesemau, daughter of Heury and Sophia
Gieseman, who emigrated from Germany to Amer-
ica in an earlj' daj*. To our subject and his wife
have been born sis children, and the family yet re-
mains unbroken. They are, Herman, Annie, Albert
(a prominent attorney of Waterloo, III.), Heniy,
Edward and Oscar.

Mr. Bollinger is a member of Chester Lodge No.
57, I. O. O. F., and of the Grand Army post of
Steeleville. His wife belongs to the Lutheran
Church. In politics he has been a Republican
since attaining his majorit}'. On his return from
tlie war he resumed the coopering business in
Evansville, 111., where he continued until Januaiy
1, 1865, when he came to Steeleville, and here he
has since made his home. During the first year and
a-half he can led on coopering and then embarked
in the sale of malt liquors and in the hotel business.
He is still engaged in the former business, and is
recognized as one of the leading citizens and bus-
iness men of this place.

'jf'OSEPH M. ARNIN is a dealer in general
■ merchandise at the southwest corner of
^^ Main and Church Streets, Columbia. He
^^!f/ has been part owner in this store since
1887, and has been sole proprietor for more than
three j'ears. He carries a fine line of goods, and
b}' fair and honest dealing and courteous treat-
ment of his patrons has secured a large trade. He
is ranked among the leading business men of the
city, and as such we present him to our readers.
Mr. Arnin was bom March 19, 1860. His fa-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

325

ther, Johii Arnin, was a native of Baden, Germany,
and in 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to the New
World. He located lirst in St. Louis, but after a
short time came to Columbia, where he was em-
ployed as a farm hand. A year later he secured a
situation as engineer in a mill, and filled that po-
sition for the long period of a quarter of a cen-
turj', or until his retirement from active business
life in 1890. He was married in Columbia to Miss
Annie Harm.aceii, daughter of George Ilarmacek,
who was born in Bohemia, Prussia, and on coming
to this countr}', in 1847, settled in Cairo, 111., whence
he came to this place. He was a stone mason.
Unto Mr. and Mre. Arnin were born four children,
of whom two are living, Joseph M. and Louisa.

Our subject spent the d.a3-s of his bo^'hood and
youth in his parents' home, and in the public schools
acquired his education. When that was completed
he spent three years in clerking for J. P. Ebel.
On the expiration of that period he went to St.
Louis, where he was empld_ved as a salesman by
Otto Kerner, a dr^'-goods merchant on Broad-
way. He afterward clerked for William Neuen,
and then returned to Columbia. For ten j'ears
he was a salesman in the employ of Reid &
Scheuler. When the junior partner died, Mr.
Arnin purchased an interest in the business, which
was conducted under the firm name of Reid vfe Ar-
nin for three years, when our subject bought out
his partner and has since been sole proprietor.

In 1882, Mr. Arnin was joined in wedlock with
Miss Lizzie, daughter of Philip Cupferschmidt. a
baker of Columbia. The lad^' is a native of St.
Louis. Bj' their union they have live children:
John,' Bertha, Arthur, Harry and Olivia. The
family- is one well known in this community, and
its members hold an enviable position in social
circles. Mr. Arnin votes with the Republican
party, and is now serving as one of the Trustees
of Columbia. For the past eight years he has
been an efficient member of the Board of Educa-
tion. Sociall}', he is connected with the Ancient
Order of United Workmen, of which be is Treas-
urer, and is Senior Warden of the Masonic lodge
of this place. In 1892, Mr. Arnin erected the
large two-story building in which he now does
business. His store room is 28x90 feet, and he

also has a large wareroom. He was also one of
the originators of the electric light company.
An enterprising and progressive man, he has aided
materially in the upbuilding of the city and the
promotion of its best interests. He is numbered
among its leading business men, a place which is
well deserved, for he has worked his way upward
by merit, and his success is but the just reward of
his efforts.

■ • — ^D i^P — •

ULIUS WELGE, a prosperous general agri-
culturist and successful stock-raiser, is resid-
ing upon one of the best farms in town-
^_^ ship 7, range 6, Randolph Count}-. Like
manj^ of the best residents .of his section, he is a
native of Germany, and was born July 15, 1830.
He is the son of Hartwig and Christina (Meyer)
Welge, also natives of the Fatherland, where they
were farmers b}' occupation.

Julius, of this sketch, attended school in his
native land until reaching his fourteenth year, and
after leaving the school room he worked at various
trades, and finally decided to become a carpenter.
When reaching his majorit}', however, his plans
were frustrated, as he entered the German army and
served his country for three years as a soldier. At
the expiration of that time he made his way
to America, and finally coming to Chester, he
worked for nine years for the H. C. Cole Milling
Company. Later he was emplo3'ed for two years
by Thomas Holmes, who was also engaged in the
milling business, and in wliatever position he was
called upon to occupy he always gave the utmost
satisfaction. Mr. Wclge has been a verj^ hard
working man, and a few j'ears ago he purchased the
farm on section 16, where he is now living, and is
engaged as a general agriculturist.

In 1857 our subject and Miss Vena, daughter of
Burnhard and Dora (Segteg) Olendorf, were
united in marriage. The parents of Mrs. Welge
came to Randolph County in an earlj- day, and
were ranked among the best citizens in township
7, range 6. To- our subject and his wife were born
nine children, one of whom died in infancy.
Those living are, Ida, wife of William Vieregge;
Augusta, who married Adolph Welge; Otto, who

326

POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHCAL RECORD.

married Mary Heitkamp; Lucetto, tlie wife of
Cliarles Hartenberger; Julhis, Dena, Signuin and
Charles, at home. Mr. Welge and famil3' are ac-
tive members of the Lutheran Church. In poli-
tics he is a Democrat, and in every enterprise to
which lie gives his support lie maintains a deep
and unwavering interest. Ihe patient industry-
and tireless perseverance of our subject have been
the marked characteristics of his life, and combined
with his natural ability have given him an impetus
upward, which will result in his assured financial
success.

[(S)^ ^Mih .(Sj

(®^"

ejf(^^^

^^EORGE B. COREY. Through the good
jll (=^ management of his farming affairs in gen-
^:^l eral, the subject of this sketch has demon-
strated the fact that skdl and labor combined pro-
duce the best results. He is the owner of about
four hundred acres in Jackson County, and makes
his home on section 13, Somerset Township, where
lie has resided for many years. As an agriculturist
and business man, he stands liigli in the confidence
of the people, whose regard he has won by lionor-
able dealings and genial courtes}-.

The parents of our subject, Levi and Sarah
(Gross) Corey, were natives of Massachusetts, and
the latter, tradition saj-s, was a descendant of
French ancestors. Grandfather Gross assisted in
the construction of the American ship known as
"Ironsides." For several generations the Corey
family resided in Massachusetts, where they be-
came well and favorably known as patriotic and
loj'al citizens. Two of that name fought in the
Revolutionary War, one being killed at Bunker
Hill, where the other gallantly led his troops as
Captain. Another uncle of our subject, Asel Corey,
participated in the War of 1812.

The subject of this sketch was born in Worces-
ter County, Mass., August 10, 1831, and was reared
to manhood in the place of his birth. At the age
of sixteen he comn.euced to learn the drug busi-
ness, which he followed for several years. Edu-
cated in the common .and liisjfh schools, he hassup-

plemented the knowledge there obtained by ex-
tensive reading, and is now a well informed man,
posted upon all general topics of interest. In
1857 he came to Illinois, locating in .lackson Coun-
ty, and two jears later purchased his present farm,
then situated in the midst of a dense forest. Fort}-
acres had been partially cleared, and to the clear-
ing and cultivation of the remainder of the tract
lie gave his time for mauj- years. His first home
was a frame house containing two rooms, to which
he has since added until he now occupies a pleas-
ant and commodious residence.

August 1, 1862, the name of George B. Corey
w.as enrolled as a member of Company K, Seventy-
third Illinois Infantry, which became a pait of tht
Army of the Cumberland. With his regiment he
fought in numerous engagements, including those
of Perry ville and Stone River. At the latter place
he was severely- injured, and is now in receipt of a
pension of *12 per montli. At the close of the
war he was honorably disclmiged, June 30, 186.5,
and returning to Illinois, took np the pursuits of
peace. His career as a soldier was one of which he
ma}^ well be proud. Enlisting as a private, he af-
terward served as Fourth Sergeant of his company,
and for a time filled the position of Hospital Stew-
ard'at Jsashville, Tenn. He was instrumental in
the organization of Worthen Post No. 128, G. A.
R.. of which he was Commander for three years.

The lad\- who, Februaiy 28, 1801, became the
wife of George B. Corej' bore the maiden name of
Rebecca Friedlinc, and was born in Somerset Coun-
ty, Pa., April 22, 1842. Her parents, Daniel and
Rachel Friedline, natives of Penns^ivania, are now
deceased. To our subject and his wife there have
been born three children: Addie V., who is the
wife of G. II. Will, a resident of De Soto Town-
ship; Kate D., the wife of Frank G. Procunier, of
Chicago; and Sarah L. G. Mrs. Corey is identified
with the Lutheran Cluirch, and is a devoted Chris-
tian lady.

In politics a stanch advocate of Republican prin-
ciples, Mr. Corey has been elected on the ticket of
that part}- to numerous positions of influence and
honor. He served as Highway Commissioner and
Clerk of Somerset Township, and in 1890 filled
the position of United States Census Commissioner

RESIDENCE or HARVEY N EVI LIE , CH ESTER , ILL.N015

^i^V Tt^ rT'-. . ^

"='"^'^3 '

J..

^^'-l

rtAJ^-^i'^f^^^

'^-.ttj»e»;.»^ii-t>.ii^

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE B. GO R EY, 5EC' 12 &15 .,50MER 5 ET TP,JACK50N CO., I LL.

PpRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

329

of this township. As a citizen he gives his sup-
port to all measures for the benefit of the commu-
nit}', and is a inan who occupies a high place in
tlie regard of all who know him.

-.^.{.^.j..^.^.^.^-

and prominent business man of Chester,

^J where he is residing at the present time. He
was born in Washington County, this state, .July 13,
1834, and is a son of Harvey and Aly (Haryman)
Neville, natives respectivelj' of Kentucky and
Tennessee. The mother was twelve xeai'S of age
when her parents removed to Washington County,
where she met and married Ilarvej' Neville. Her
death occurred in 1874. A man of patriotic spirit
and great courage, the elder Mr. Neville served as
a soldier in the Black Hawk War. He iield the rank
of First Lieutenant in the Mexican War, enlisting
in 1848. During the Civil War, though advanced
in J'ears, he went to the front with the bo^'s in
blue and rendered valiant service to the cause of
the Union as Captain of Company H, Twenty-sec-
ond Illinois Regiment. Returning to Kandolph
Count}', he remained here until his death, wliich
occurred in 1878, at the age of sevent3--four 3-eai-s.

On the paternal side our subject is of French
descent, while his inotlier's famil}- is of German
origin. He is one of six survivors of a large fam-
ily of children. He attended the common schools
of liis native county, and in 1851, after coming to
Chester, continued his studies in this city. Later
he entered JIcKendree College, and after a two
3-ears' course in that institution began life on his
own account by engaging in mechanical engin-
eering.

The lad}' whom our subject married August 7.
1857, was Miss Mary E., daughter of Robert Mann,
of this city. When establishing a home of his
own he made Chester his permanent abiding place,
and became owner of the steamer "Belle of Ches-
ter," a ferr}' boat plying between this place and
Clary ville. He owns the steamer "Nick Sauer," a
packet running from Chester up the Kaskaskia
River.

Of the seven children born to our subject and his
wife, five are now living, namel}": May Phonetta,

the wife of John D. Gerlach, whose sketch appears
on another page of this record; .Joseph T., Cap-
tain of the steamer "Nick Sauer;" Edith E., wife of
Benjamin L. Simpson, of Columbus, Ohio; .Jennie
A. and William AV.,at home. The wife and mother
died in 1890, at the age of fifty-nine 3'ears. In his
l)olitica! relations Mr. Neville is a strong Rei)ub-
lican and always casts his vote for the candidates of
that part}-. He is a member of Chester Lodge No.
72, A. F. & A. M., and is also identified with H.
G. Reynolds Chapter No. 84, R. A. M. In 1892
he erected a beautiful residence in Chester, where
he and his two youngest children entertain their
hosts of friouds.

^■M-+*+4-5"H

\|, OHN BERNARD LONERGAN, an influen-
tial farmer of Ruma Precinct, Randolph
County, was born on a steamer on the Missis-
sippi River, May 29, 1835, when his parents,
Michael and Bridget (O'Rciley) Lonergan, were
going from Memphis, Tenn., to St. Louis. His
father was born in County Tipperary, Ireland,
and crossed the Atlantic when a boy. After spend-
ing some time in Canada, he came to the States
and made his home in Potlsvillc, Pa., and later in
Philadelphia. Subsequently he went to New Or-
leans, thence to St. Louis, and in 1836 came to
Randoli)h Couuty on a prospecting tour and pur-
chased land, on wliich it was his intention to lo-
cate the following spring. His death during that
winter, however, prevented the fruition of his
plans. Later, his widow, with the family, settled
on a farm in this county, and there resided until
her decease, in 1853. Three brothers of our sub-
ject's father accompanied him on his trip to Hli-
nois,and also located in this county, where one is a
cooi)er, another a shoemaker, and the third a gun-
smith and engineer. William Lonergan, an uncle
of our subject, w.as very wealthy, and died in St.
Louis when seventy-four years of age.

The subject of this sketch was one of three chil-
dren born to his parents, of whom his brother
William resides in Cairo, in this state, and Michael
is deceased. He was reared in this county, where
he received a limited education. At nineteen
years of age he went to Louisiana, Mo., and while

330

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

there married Miss Jane Williams, the date of their
union being October 21, 1860. The following
year Mr. Lonergan returned to this county, where
his wife died in 1881. The five children of which
she became the mother were named, Bridget L.,
Maggie, Sarah E., Cliristena and Laura E.

The lady whom our subject chose as his second
wife was Miss Eliza Blaiz. Slie is tlie daughter of
Expedient and Margaret A. Blaiz, and was born
August 15, 1847. Five cliildren were born of
this union, one of whom, Henrj', is deceased.
Those living are Julian, Aggie, Josephine and
Charles. An industrious man and a reliable citi-
zen, ]Mr. Lonergan is respected as he deserves by
his fellow-citizens. He has held many positions of
trust, has done efficient service as a member
of the School Board for nine years, and has also
been Road Supervisor for four terms. He held the
office of Justice of the Peace, and was Constable
for four years. In ])olitics he alwa3's votes with
the Democratic part}-, casting his first ballot for
Stephen A. Douglas. He is linown and respected
for the honest3^ and sincerity of his character, and
has been administrator for several valuable estates
in the countj-. He owns a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres in Monroe County, this state.
This property is occupied by tenants, and has been
improved by neat buildings and good fencing.

l/OHN M. SCIIROEDER. Perhaps no very
thrilling event has happened in the life of
tliis steady-going and reliable citizen, but
_ he is one of those who have assisted in es-
tablishing the financial prosperity of Jackson
County and upholding the standard of morality.
His life occupation has been that of a farmer, in
whicli he has been very successful, accumulating a
valuable properly and fortifying himself against
the days when he may wish to retire from active
labor. His homestead lies in the southern portion
of .Somerset Township, and with its well tilled
fields, substantial buildings and general air of
comfort, forjns an attractive picture in the land-
scape of that region.

A native of Prussia, the subject of this sketch

was born February 2, 1833, and is a son of Henry
and Elizabeth Schroeder, natives of Germany. At
the age of eight j'ears he was orphaned by his
mother's death, and three years afterward, in com-
[jany witii his father and the other members of the
family, iie emigrated to America, taking passage on
a sailing-vessel and arriving in New Orleans after a
tedious v03'age of about forty days. From that
city the family went north to St. Louis, and after
a short sojourn there, removed to St. Clair Count}^
111., in 1844, settling near Belleville, when that
now nourishing cit}' was a small village. Soon
after locating there the father died. He is sur-
vived by tlie following children: Elizabeth, wife
of Michael Seifert,a residentof Pen-}' County, III.;
John M., of this sketch; Michael J., living in Du-
(juoin. III., and Adam, whose home is in .St. Clair
County, this state.

Owing to the death of his father, our subject was
in 3'outh thrown upon his own resources and was
obliged to be self-supporting. His educational ad-
vantages were therefore limited. For a time he at-
tended a subscription school in St. Clair C'ount3'.
Tlie schoolhouse was built of logs; slabs and planks
were utilized for seats, upon which the 3'outhful
seekers after knowledge passed the tedious hours.
When necessar3' to heat the room, a fire was built
in the large firepl.ace, and the smoke was coaxed
to ascend outward b3' means of a stick and mud
chimney, all not escaping in that way finding
ready access to the outer air throirgh the numerous
cracks in the walls.

Although his school facilities were so meagre,
3-et Mr. Schroeder there laid the foundation of
the love of learning that remains with him to the
present time, and b3' abundant and judiciousl3'
selected reading he has supplied the lack of a bet-
tereducation in liis 3'Outh. In 1853 he went to
California via New Orleans and the Isthmus of
Panama, and for two and one-half years engaged
in working in the gold mines of that state, meet-
ing with fair success. He returned home b3' prac-
tically the same route as he went, and resumed
farming operations in St. Clair Count3', where he
remained until 1887. That 3ear witnessed his ar-
rival in Jackson County and his location in Som-
erset Township. In 1891 he came to the farm

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

331

where he now resides. He is the owner of eighty
acres of valuable land, and his wife also owns an
eighty-acre tract.

The first marriage of Mr. Schroeder united him
with Looma Wildernian, who became the mother
of four children: Lulu, wife of M. Bollion; Maggie,
a teacher in the public schools of St. Clair Coun-
ty; .Joseph, living in Murphysboro, 111.; and Eliza-
beth, wife of H. Bost. The present wife of
Mr. Schroeder bore the maiden name of Alice
n. Wilderman, and their union has resulted in
the birth of one child, John. Since coming to
Jackson County, our subject has been active!}'
identified with Somerset Grange No. 370, and for
several years has served as Master of the lodge.
While residing in St. Clair County he served as
Master[lof St. Clair Lodge No. 24, A. F. &r A. M.,
at Belleville, and is now identififed with the lodge
at Murphysboro. At the time of the laying of the
corner stone of the present state capitol at Spring-
field he was present, having been a delegate from
the Masonic order of St. Clair Count}'. In pol-
itics he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic
party. Having learned the trade of chair-m(jking
in that city, for several years he manufactured
chairs there, and at one time employed as high as
thirty laborers and mechanics in the business.

,OBERT II. MANN. One of tlie most hon-
ored citizens of Chester is the gentleman
whose personal history is outlined in these
)^) columns, and who for many years has
been intimately associated with the progress of
Randolph County. He presents a marked type of
the energetic, patriotic and sturdy sons of the
great west — suaviter in modo, fortiter in re — with
whom the high sense of duty stands first in every
relation of life. Progressive in thought, and en-
dowed by nature with a strong character and de-
cision of purpose, he has achieved a success of
which he is worthy, and which is the deserved re-
ward of his energetic efforts.

Born in Randolph County, HI., August 26, 1833,
our subject is the son of Robert and Salina M.
(Balch) Mann, natives respectively of South Caro-

lina and Tennessee. His father came to this coun-
ty in 1817, and settled near Preston, where he en-
ergetically entered upon the task of clearing and
improving a farm, meeting with considerable suc-
cess in his labors as a tiller of the soil. In 1851
he settled in Chester, where he continued to live
in retirement until his death in 1878.

In his youth, tlie subject of this sketch was a
student in the private schools of Randolph County,
after which he conducted his studies in a Ger-
man school in this place. Entering upon his ac-
tive business career, he became a clerk in the em-
ploy of H. C. Cole <fe Co., with whom he remained
for six years. In 1857 he embarked in the real-
estate business, which he conducted successfully
until the outbreak of the Civil War. At the open;
ing of that conflict, he enlisted as a member of
Company I, Tenth iHinois Infantry, Col. James D.
Morgan commanding. In March, 1862, his regi-
ment was incorporated with the Army of the Mis-
sissippi, under General Pope.

Among the important engagements in which
Mr. Mann participated were those of New Madrid
and Island No. 10, after which he was ordered to
Arkansas, and from there proceeded to Pittsburg
Landing and Corinth, taking part in those mem-
orable battles. He afterward marched through
various parts of Mississippi, and going into camp
at Big Springs, remained there until July 20, 1862.
He was ordered thence to Tuscumbia, Ala., to guard
the line of the Memphis ife Charlestown Railroad,
where he remained until the latter part of Septem-
ber, 1862. Next he accompanied his regiment in-
to Tennessee, and in July, 1863, was ordered to
New Fosterville, on the N.ashville ik Chattanooga
Railroad, where he remained for one month after
the battle of Mission Ridge and the East Tennessee
campaign.

In JanuaiT, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted, and
then was given a thirty days' furlough, atQuincy,
III. Proceeding to the front, Mr. ]\Iann took part
in the Atlanta campaign and in the inarch to the
sea, and afterward was taken sick at Savannah. For
meritorious conduct he was promoted to the rank
of First Lieutenant. He was on staff duty the
greater part of his service, in which capacity he
was serving at the time of his discharge. His rec-

332

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ord as a soldier is cliaracteiized b_v tiie loftiest pa-
triotism and most unwavering courage, and is one
of which his friends may well be proud.

Returning to the pursuits of civi<!life,Mr. JIann
resumed his real-estate business, in which he has
since engaged. lie has considerable valuable prop-
erty in Chester and vicinity for sale, and is also
tlic agent for land owned b^' eastern parties. In
politics, he supports the Republican party. So-
cially, he is identified with Chester Lodge No. 57,
I. O. O. F., of whicli he is the oldest member, liav-
ing united witli the lodge May 10, 1855. lie is
also connected witli Randolph Encampment No.
55. As would be supposed, he is prominent in tlie
Grand Army of the Republic, and holds mem-
bership in Swaiiwick Post No. 212, of which he
has been Commander for some time. A man of
sound judgment, moved bj' honest purpose and
love for the general welfare of the people, he is
always found identified with the right, and as
migiit be expected, is popular with liis fellow-citi-
zens.

^^(^

IZEKIEL15ARBER. Randolph County fur-
nished its full (juota of noble men to the
I' — ^ rank and file of the Union armj-, among
whom our subject occui)ied an honorable place.
He is now one of the prominent business men of
Sparta, where he is engaged in the real-estate busi-
ness, and has been administrator for many valu-
able estates. Mis father. Ezekiel Barber, was born
November 22, 1802, in Marietta, Ohio, and was
onl}' two and a-half years old when he w.as brought
by his parents to this county, they settling in Ellis
Grove.

The father was a farmer by occupation, and bj'
tr.ade a millwright. He received an education such
as it was possible to procure in that earlj- day. His
death occurred four months prior to the birth of
our subject. He was the son of Alexander and
Nancy (Dennis) I'arber, natives respectively' of
Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The grandparents
were married in Ohio, and after coming to Illi-
nois, located in Randolph County. The^y had
started for Missouri, which was the home of Daniel
Boone, but being taken sick while en route, re-

turned to Kaskaskia, 111., where he died. He was

a Whig in politics, and served as Justice of the
Peace for over h.alf a ceiiturv, being appointed
by Governor Edwards in 1809, and filled the
oHice until 18G0.

The great-grandparents of our subject, Ezekiel
and Sour!inc3' Barber, were also natives of Connec-
ticut, whence tho\- later removed to Ohio, and
from there to Illinois, making their home at Eilis
Grove, this countj', until their death. The great-
grandfather was a stone-cutter b}- trade, and a
farmer by occupation, and served as a soldier in
the Revolutionary War, being present at the bat-
tle of Trenton. He was a member of the Presby-
terian Church. The Barber family, which is of
Scotch descent, was first represented in America
about 1700.

Mrs. Jennie (Murphy) Barber, the mother of our
subject, was born in North Carolina in 1797. She
w.as a j-oung lad}- of eighteen years when she
came to tliis county, and w.as a daughter of John
Murphy, a native of Ireland, and a brick-layer
b}' trade, who, while a patriot in the Revolution-
ary War, participated in the battle of Kings Jloun-
! tain. He and his wife defiarted this life in Perry
I Countj-, 111. The mother of our subject died in
j June, 1877, while a resident of Carroll County,
this state.

The parents of our subject were married in
1823, and reared a famil^^ of two children. Alex-
ander, formerly a resident of Grafton, this stale,
died in 1888. He married Miss Con wa}-,, and they
became the parents of eight children, four of whom
are living: Francis, Ida J., Horace G. and John.
Ezekiel, the second son, w.as born December 15,
1827, near Ellis Grove, this county. A year later
his mother went to live with Grandfather Barber,
with whom tliey continued to reside until August,
1831. Our subject was educated in the old log
schoolhouse of pioneer days, and when old enougli
worked in a grist and sawmill for his grandfather
m this county. In 1844 he went to Galena, and
after working in the lead mines of that place for
one and a-half 3'ears, he removed to Wisconsin.
After two years spent in that state, he returned
to the home of his grandfather, and worked for
his uncle, James Barber, in the saw mill for two

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

333

years. In 1850, having been seized with the gold
fever, he crossed the plains to California, where
he prospected for gold for two years, meeting with
fair success. At the expiration of that time he re-
turned home, and for a Iwelverooutli again worked
for his uncle in the mill.

In 1853 p;zekiel Baibcr niairitd IMisss Mary .1.
Frazer, who was born in 1831 in Indiana. .She was
the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Frazer,
natives of Pennsylvania and Bowling Green, Ky.,
respectively. The father of Mrs. Barber was a
cabinet-maker b^- trade, in politics was a Whig, and
socially was a prominent Odd Fellow. He died at
Rockwood, 111., January 1, 1845. Mrs. Frazer de-
parted this life in New Albany, Ind., in Septem-
ber, 1847. To our subject and his wife were born
six children, of wlioni Bell, Charlie, Cora and Wil-
lie are deceased. Those livinj; are Nellie and Min-
nie, both highl}' educated young ladies and school
teachers.

The jear of his marriage Mr. Berber eiig.agcd in
the mercantile business at Rockwood, and after
disposing of his interests in that line, he became
keeper of a wood yard in the same place. He was
filling that position when, in 1864, he enlisted,
and was assigned to the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry.
This regiment then being with Sherman on the
march to the sea, he was temporarily with others
organized in the Fourth Battalion, in which he
participated in the battle of Nashville on the 15th
and 16tli of December, following Hood's retreating
army into Alabama. Returning to Nashville, he
was senttoNewbern, N. C, where he again was tem-
porarily assigned to the One Hundred and Twen-
ty-second New York Infantry, and participated in
the battle of Kingston, N. C, March 8, 9, 10 and
1 1, 18G5. He joined the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry,
March 25, 1865, and was discharged at Louisville,
Ky., July 13 of that year.

Returning from the army, our subject went to
Rockwood, and from theie to Missouri, it being
his intention to prospect in the lead mines in
Granb^^ Soon, however, he returned to Rock-
wood, and until 1888 was engaged in shipping
fruit, grain and cattle to St. Louis. At present he
is the proprietor of a fine farm located in town-
ship 8, range 6, besides having valuable town prop-

erty. He is also engaged in loaning money, and
is administrator for an estate worth $50,000. In
his political relations he is a strong Republican,
and is an influential member of Post No. 181,
G. A. R., at Sparta. Although not a member of
an J' denomination, he gives liberallj- of his means
to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
with which his wife is connected.

Alexander lochhead derives both

@/lJI pleasure and profit from the management
li of his estate, which is located on section
18, township 7, range 6, Randolph Coun-
ty. It bears a full line of improvements, and in
addition to the business of a general farmer, Mr.
Lochhead in 1891 began in the dairy business, and
he now has a paying route iu the cit^' of Chester.
He is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, the date of
his birth being November 27. 1839.

The father of our subject, who also bears tiie
name of Alexander, was reared to manhood in his
native laud, Scotland, where he was an engineer.
The lady to whom he was married, and who be-
came the mother of our subject, was Miss Christina
Flemming, also born in Glasgow, Scotland. In
the 3'ear 1840 the parents set sail for America,
when our subject was only a few months old, and
on arriving in the New World, the^' made their
wa}' directlj' to this county- and located on a farm
five miles from Chester.

For a number of years after coming here the
father of our subject lived on rented laud, and
continued to follow the occupation of a farmer
until 1846, when his decease occurred. The
mother of our subject was later married, her hus-
band being Amos Taggert, and she departed this
life iu 1875. Alexander of this sketch is a man
of limited education, but sound common sense
and accurate judgment, and in the pursuit of his
occupation of farming has become the owner of
valuable property. AVhen ft lad of fifteen years
he went to Chester and tiegan clerking in the
grocery store of George Rust, with whom he re-
mained for four years, and then returning to farm
life, has since devoted his time to cultivating the

334

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

soil. He is engaged in general agriculture and
reaps annually an abundant harvest frona his
place, wliich thus makes excellent returns for the
time and labor which he has invested.

October 5, 1858, Alexander Lochliead was mar-
ried to Eliza E., daughter of Isaac and Annis
(Cochrane) Rust, natives of Maine. Their mar-
riage was blessed by the birth of nine children,
three of whom died in infanc3^ Those living are,
Melvin, who married Carolina Heitkanip, and is a
prosperous farmer near Chester; Albert R., who
married Elizabeth Conn, and is also engaged in
farming pursuits in this county; James; Christina,
Gilbert and Grace, who are at home. Our subject
and his wife are devoted members of the Method-
ist Church, and arc classed among the substantial
citizens of their township. Mr. Lochhead has al-
ways voted with the Republican party, has been
Road Commissioner and School Director of his
town, and with excellent judgment and keen per-
ception has materially' aided in the upward prog-
ress of the public schools.

/^) IIRI^TOPHER HACK, who is engaged in
[l(^l, farming in Vergennes, claims Mississippi
^^^' as the state of his nativity. He was born
in Claiborne County, April 15, 1840, and is the
son of Christopher Hack, a native of Germany,
who when a small boy came with his parents to
America. He had one brother, who lived in New
Orleans. The mother of our subject died when
her son was very young. He left liome when
about ten years of age and began working on a
steamboat on the Mississippi River, being thus
employed until the beginning of the war, when he
came north to Cairo, making his home in that
place and in Mound Cit}' until 1862.

Mr. Hack th^n enlisted in the Union navy, and
was on board the "Monarch" during the greater
part of his service. He was also detailed for car-
penter work on the "Lancaster Ram," "Diana"
and "Queen of the AVest." He participated in
many naval engagements — the siege of Vicksburg,
the expedition to assist Siierman, went up the
Arkansas River to Arkansas Post, and landed with

the troops as volunteers at Greenville. In the
spring of 1864 he was discharged, but continued
to remain in Vicksburg until the following July,
when he returned to Jackson County.

Mr. Hack first located in De Soto, and then
came to Vergennes. He was married in Vicks-
burg, in 1860, to Miss Mary Westfall, who died
in the following year. On the 31st of May, 18C4,
in Vicksburg, he wedded Miss Nancy Westfall, a
sister of his first wife, and a daughter of David
and Elizabeth (Lyons) Westfall. Her parents were
both born and reared in Ohio, removing thence to
Mississippi. Her father enlisted in the I'nion army
and died in the service. They had the following
children: Leander, Adam, Melvina, Mary M., Fran-
ces and Nanc}". All are deceased except Fiances.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hack were born five children.
William and Minerva, twins, born Ma}' 30, 1866,
died in infancy; Alice, born July 15, 1869, is the
wife of William Mann; Henry C, born November
6, 1871, is the next younger; and Mary A., born
September 13, 1874, is now deceased. The mother
of this family passed awaj' January 31, 1876. and
on the 12th of December following Mr. Hack mar-
ried Mahala Law. The}' have one child, ililton
A., born September 22, 1885. Mrs. Hack died May
21, 1889, and on the 10th of April, 1890, our sub-
ject wedded Dollie Graer, widow of Benjamin
Graer. The}' have two children: Fannie, born
January 18, 189-1; and Charles B., July 22, 1893.

Mr. Hack has followed farming tliroughout the
greater part of his life, and for seven years has
carried on general merchandising in Vergennes. He
now owns two hundred and eighty acres of valuable
land, besides considerable property in the village,
and by well directed efforts, enterprise and in-
dustry has acquired a handsome competence. He
is a member of the United Brethren Church, in
which he serves as Trustee, and is also a member
of the building committee, which is now engaged
in the erection of a new house of worship. In
politics he is a Democrat, and has held the office
of Highway Commissioner and Township Treas-
urer. He has taken an active part in politics, but
has never been a narrow partisan. Socially, he is
connected with the Masonic fraternitj- and the
Odd Fellows' society, and is now Trustee of the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

335

latter lodge. He possesses excellent business and
executive ability, and the prosperity which has
crowned liis efforts is but the just reward of his
labors.

^ ^P •

eHRISTIAN BKARE, whose sketch now in-
vites attention, is one of the oldest resi-
dents in the state of Illinois. In the course
of his long life he has witnessed many clianges
and an immense amount of progress in tlie state,
and lias also accumulated a considerable fortune.
Longevit}' for some reasons and in some cases is
not a desirable thing, but it certainly gives a man
a vastamount of valuable experience, and gains him
a larger number of successes than can be accom-
plished in a shorter span of years. Mr. Beare is
one of the progressive farmers of township 6,
range 7, Randolph County, where he owns an ex-
cellent estate of four hundred and fifty acres.

Our subject's birth occurred near Berne, Switz-
erland, March 28, 1817, he being the third in or-
der of birth in a family of five children born to
Joseph and Gretta (Meyer) Beare. He emigrated
to America when nine years of age with his par-
ents, who first settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and later
went to Canton, the same state. Some time later
the family located on a farm near East St. Louis,
but remaining there only a year, came to Randolph
County and located on the farm which is now the
home of our subject. He obtained very little
schooling in his youth, but was naturally of a
studious turn of mind, and through his desire for
learning and eagerness to seize upon everything
to increase his store of knowledge, he acquired a
good idea of business. During his ^-ounger days
he aided his father in the care of the farm, and
energeticall3' shared the toils of seed-time and har-
vest. He gained a thoroughly practical knowledge
of the pursuit of agriculture, and was well fitted
at an early age to self reliantly begin the battle of
life. In 1843, when he was twenty-six years old,
our subject sold the first crop of wheat for himself,
and has continuously worked at his chosen pursuit
until he has won a goodly amount of this world's
goods. His productive farm lies one-half mile
west of Ellis Grove, where he does all his trading.

His father bad a family of five children, and came
to this country expecting to make a good home
for them. His efforts were not in vain, for they
are all comfortably situated in life, and the family
is one of the wealthiest in Hie county.

Mr. Beare was married Eebruary 9, 1843, to
Martha Lenherr, a daughter of Christian and Eliza-
beth (Kloepeustien) Lenherr. The parents cele-
brated their golden wedding February 9, 1893,
and were surrounded' b3' seven children and eigh-
teen grandchildren. They are enjoying their
remaining days in peace and comfort. To our
subject and his estimable wife has been born a
family of eight children, one of whom died in in-
fancy. John and Christian, are twins, and the
former married Lizzie Heckraan, who died in the
year 1883; the latter married Sophia Heckman.
Joseph married Sarah Hargis, and is a merchant
in Ellis Grove; Lizzie is the wife of Louis Wehr-
heim, and they are residents of Ellis Grove;
Henry married Emma Hargis,' and is also a mer-
chant in Ellis Grove; Isaac, who is the present
County Clerk of Randolph County, makes his liome
in Chester; and Mary is the wife of Joseph Heob,
who is a merchant in Ellis Grove. Mr. and Mrs.
Beare are consistent members of the Methodist
Church, and are highly esteemed by their many
friends and acquaintances. Mr. Beare is now in
his seventy-seventh year, and is hale and hearty.
In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, casting
his first vote for Van Buren. All of the children
are also advocates of Democracy, and rank high in
the esteem of their fellow-citizens.

I^OBERT HOUSTON, foreman of the Ran-
IWj dolph Mines, of Percy, and a highly re-
'4i\\\ spected citizen of the coniraunit}-, claims
^^ Scotland as the land of his nativity. He
was born in June, 1841, and is the second child of
Robert and Agnes (Gray) Houston. His father
was a miner in Scotland, and lived in that coun-
try until 1853, when with his family he emigrated
to America, locating near Caseyville, Ky., where
he began working in the mines. In 1859, he came
to DuQuoin, where he spent most of his time en-

336

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

gaged in miiiiiig until his death, which occurred
in July, 1888. Ilu won the high regard of all with
whom lie was brought in contact, and his loss was
deeply mourned. His widow is yet living near
])u( Juoin.

Mr. Houston attended school in .Scotland dur-
ing his early years, but his educational privileges
were limited, for at the age of nine years he went
into the mines with his father, and was thus ein-
pIo\ed until coming to America in 18o4, when a
youth of thirteen. Here he at once resumed min-
ing, and has since followed that pursuit with the
exception of one 3'ear, wlicn he entered the employ
of a farmer, thinking that he might improve his
education thereby. He worked in the fields, and
for one term attended the district school, after
which he returned to the mines. At the age of
nineteen, he began working for himself, and was
employed as a miner until lie had attained his ma-
jority.

At that time, prompted by patriotic impulses,
Mr. Houston entered the service of his countiy,
enlisting at DuQuoin as Fife Major in tlie Highty-
(irst Illinois Infantry for three years. He was
with the regiment in all of its many engagements,
and when the war was over, he was mustered out
in Vicksburg, August 5, 1865, and received his
discharge in Chicago.

When the countr3- no longer needed his services,
Mr. Houston returned to DuQuoin to visit his
peopl, and then went to Mobile, Ala., where he
spent the two succeeding years of his life. In
1868, he returned to Sparta, and engaged in coal
mining until 1880, when he took charge of the
Rosborough Coal mines, being Superintendent of
the same for seven years. He then went to In-
diana, where he was emploj'cd for a few months,
but after a short time he returned to Illinois and
located in Percy, where he now serves as manager
of the Randolph mines. These mines turn out about
three hundred tons i)er day in the working season.

In 1875, Mr. Houston was united in marriage
with Miss Agnes Brown, daughter of James B. aud
Margaret (Grant) Brown, who were of Scotch de-
scent. By this union five children were born, as
follows: Maggie, widow of Andrew Moffat, who
resides with her father; Robert, Myrtle, and Eva

and James A., twins. All are now under the pa-
rental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Houston are members
of the Presbj'terian Church, and he is a member of
some civic societies, belonging to Mope Lodge No.
162, A. F. & A. M., of Sparta, the Royal Arch
Cliai)ter of Madisonville, Hopkins Countj', Ky.;
aud Sparta Post No. 181, G. A. R. In politics, he
is a supporter of Republican principles. He has
lived an honorable, upright life, devoted largely
to legitimate business interests, and is highly re-
spected \>y all who know him.

\T|01IX a. IIAIIN occupies an important place
in the farming community of township 7,
range 6, Randolph County, aud resides
upon the old homestead where he was borni
near Chester. His father. Christian Halm, was
born in "West Baden, Germany, where he was
reared to mature years on his father's farm, and
emigrated to America when a young man. He
was a tailor by trade, and after coming to Amer-
ica made his first location in Kaskaskia, this state,
where he began working at his trade. He was
the first German to make settlement in that place,
but only remained there two jears, when he came
to Chester and established himself in the tailoring
business, in which he was fairly successful for
four years. Christian Hahn then purchased land
near Chester and gave himself up to the work of
its cultivation, residing there until his death,
which occurred in 18C3.

Soon after coming to Illinois, and while mak-
ing, his home in Kaskaskia, the father of our sub-
ject was married to Miss Elizabeth Fortman, of
German parents, and their union was blessed by a
familv of ten children. John A., of this sketch,
who was the youngest in the famil}', was born
February 20, 1852. He enjoyed only limited op-
portunities for obtaining an education, aiding
his father in the care of his farm, thus gaining
a thoroughly practical knowledge of the pursuit
of agriculture. After his father's death, John re-
mained at home with his mother and carried on
the home place, which has since come into his pos-
session. His mother now makes her home with

- d: ^^

-h-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

339

him, and although having attained the advanced

age of eighty-seven years, isenjo^'ing good health,
and even- pleasant Sunday she may be seen walk-
ing to church.

May 12. 1874, .John A. Hahn and Miss Mary C,
daughter of Mathew and Adelia (Riker) Muerer,
were united in marriage. Mrs. Halin's parents
were natives of German}', but at the time of her
marriage were residing in Missouri. A family of
three children has come to bless the home of our
subject and his wife, Clara, Anna and .Joseph.
The}' are all being given good educations and are
students in the high school at Chester. In his re-
ligious belief, Mr. Hahn and his entire family are
devout Catholics. He is a strong Democrat in
politics, but has never held or aspired to political
office, preferring to devote his attention exclu-
sivel}' to his private affairs.

ON. J. F. TAYLOR, an attorney-at-law, who
111 is successfully engaged in legal practice in
Carbondale, is one of the prominent citi-
zens of southern Illinois. His father, .James
Taylor, was born in Columbus, Ind., in 1826,
and is a son of Aaron Ta^'lor, who was born in
Marietta, Ohio, in 1800, and came of an old Vir-
ginian family. The motlier of our subject bore
the maiden name of Catherine Formwalt. She
was born in Fayetteville, Tenn., in 1829, and was
a daughter of .Jacob Formwalt, who was born in
the same state and was of German descent.

The paternal grandfather emigrated to Illinois
in 1832, and settled in Golconcia, Pope County,
where he followed farming. There James was
reared and educated, and for some time he en-
gaged in teaching. The country found him among
its defenders during the late war. He was' a Ser-
geant of Compan}' K, One Hundred and Thirty-
sixth Illinois Infantry. When the regiment re-
turned, he was left in the south and was reported
dead, but six weeks later he reached home a physi-
cal wreck. His brother, Caleb M. Taylor, was
Colonel of a Louisiana regiment in the Confeder-
ate army.

The Formwalt famil}' came to Illinois in 1835
8

and settled in Pope County, where Mr. and Mrs.
Taylor were married. They now reside nearHarts-
ville. 111. They hold memliership with the Baptist
Church, in which the father served as Deacon for
forty years. In the family were nine children, six
of whom are yet living, namely: J. F., Spencer B.,
Caleb M., Richard F., AVilliam F. S. and Priscilla L

Our subject, who was born January 4, 1849, in
Pope County, was reared on the home farm, and for
four terms was a student in the State Normal School
at Bloomington. He then served as Principal of the
public schools of Elizabethtown for two years, and
for two \-ears was Principal in Rosiclare, then a
prosperous mining town. Later he attended the
law school in Bloomington, Ind., and w.as admitted
to the Bar in the Supreme Court of Illinois in
June, 1876. In 1877 he was elected Judge of the
Count}' Court of Hardin County, and served for
five years, never having but one opinion reversed.
In 1886 he was elected to the State Legislature, and
served as a member of the judiciary and other im-
portant committees. Five years ago he came to
Carbondale, where he has since been successfully
engaged in law practice.

In 1874 Mr. Taylor married Elizabeth Hemphill,
a native of Polk County and a daughter of Squire
Davidson Hemphill, of North Carolina. His fa-
ther removed from that state to Polk County, 111.,
in 1830. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born four
sons: Oscar T., Otho Breeze, Clifton L. and Charles
Harold, all of whom are students in the Normal
Institute of Carbondale. The parents are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and take an
active part in its work. Mr. Taylor is a Mason,
and is now serving as Worshipful Master of She-
kinah Lodge No. 241, A. F. <t A. M., and as High
Priest of Reynolds Chapter No. 75, R. A. M.

As a stanch Democrat Mr. Taylor has always
taken a warm interest in political affairs, and has
served as Chairman of the Congressional Campaign
Committee of the Twenty-second District. He is
the author of the only bill which became a law in
this state, appropriating money for the aid of
L'nion soldiers who were disabled in the service.
By this act, ^2,000 were appropriated for the relief
of John B. Tucker, of Hardin County, a gallant
Union soldier, who enlisted at the call of Governor

340

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Yates in 1861, and while in the service of his coun-
try lost both arms by tlie accidental discharge of
a cannon. At tiie time of entering the service he
was a citizen of Illinois and crossed the river into
Kentucky to enlist. The bill read as follows:

See. 1. Be it en.icted by the people of the state of
Illinois represented in Ceneral Assembly, that the
sum of $10,000 be and the same is hereby appropri-
ated out of the State Treasury to John B. Tucker,
of Hardin County, late a private soldier in the
Fifteenth Regiment of Kentucky Cavahj' in the
late w.ir, and afterward by re-enlistment in Com-
pany B, First Green River Batter}- of Kentucky
\'olunloers, in the service of the United States while
in line of duty in obedience to orders of his supe-
rior otlicers, who had both arms shot off by the ac-
cidental firing of a cannon.

Sec. 2. The Auditor of Public Accounts shall
draw his warrant on the treasury of the state of
Illinois for * 10,000, hereby appropriated in favor
of said John B. Tucker. The Treasurer shall pay
said sum of mone}' on presentation of said
warrant.

The bill was afterward changed to read ^2,000,
and was passed as amended. It was first referred
to a committee which reported unfavorably, but
Mr. Taylor prevailed upon the committee to give
him a rehearing and they then reported favorably.
The enemies of the bill had it referred to the Com-
mittee on Appropriations, which reported favorably.
The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee moved
to strike out the enacting clause ic the House of
Representatives, and it was then debated between
that gentleman and Mr. Taylor, who won. He
followed the bill into the Senate, went before the
different committees there, and advocated it until
it was enacted into law. He is a lawyer of acknowl-
edged ability, a power in the court room, and his
career, both public and private, has won him the
high regard of his associates.

(^ WILLIAM A. WOOD has been prospered
\/\/li *'"'^® ^^ came to this countrj', over forty
^^ years ago, and has been a resident of Ran-
dolph County during that entire period, with the
exception of two 3'ears. While assisting in the
development of township 4, range 6, he has ac-
quired a comfortable property and is still actively

engaged in farming, owning two hundred and
sixty acres of laud on section 35, and as a stock
breeder has on his place thirty head of fine Jersey
cattle.

The father of our worthy subject, James Wood,
was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, where his
mother, who prior to her marriage was Miss Jane
Ilumphrej', was also born. They both died many
years ago in their native land. The father was
a d3-er and shoemaker b^' trade, and besides
rearing a farail}- of thirteen children, he and his
good wife performed the part of parents to three
other children, one of whom is Hugh Wilson, Sr.,
(whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this Rec-
ord). The parents were both members of the Es-
tablished Churcli of Scotland.

William Wood, of this sketch, who is also of
Scotch birth, was born in Ajrshire, Sei)tember 13,
1833, and received a good education in the com-
mon schools of his native land. He came to
America in the year 18.52, and passed two years in
Maryland and Kentucky. Then coming to Illi-
nois, he located on his present fine estate, which
was at that time in a wild condition, and at once
commenced the improvement of his farm, which is
now in all respects one of the most desirable in
the neighborhood. It is supplied with ample builil-
ings for every purpose, including a comfortable
dwelling, good barn, etc., and the machinery for
operating the farm is of the most modern style.
Mr. Wood is engaged in mixed farming, and is
particularly successful as a stock-grower, owning
thirt}- head of Jersey cattle, beside having eight
milch cows.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Susan,
daughter of John Rusk, was celebrated in 18r)3.
Mrs. Wood is a native of Scotland, where her birth
occurred June 13, 1830. Thej' are the parents of
two children, William A., Jr., and Mary. They
have also taken into their hearts and home four-
teen other children, among whom were Mary,
David, Lizzie and Belle Rusk, John Beard, Eliza
Rusk, Perry C. Fillis, James and William McGuf-
fey, James Wood, a'nd an infant who died. He and
his wife possess in an eminent degree those genial
social qualities that attracted friends, of whom
they have many, and their charming home is the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

341

center of '..hat true hospitality that knows so well
how to welcome and speed the parting guest.l

When first locating here, Mr. Wood owned
eighty acres of land, but, being industrious and
possessed of marked foresight and sound judg-
ment, before long had accumulated two hun-
dred and &ixty acres, placing the entire amount
under imi)rovement. His farm was found to con-
tain a fine coal vein, which he opened up and
mined very successfully for about twenty years.
He has, however, given up this line of work and
deTotes himself entirclj- to farming.

Our subject is a member of the United Presby-
terian Church, and though called upon many
times to accept office, has always refused to do so.
He is a particularly healthy and robust man, and
in the past forty 3'ears has never "had occasion to
seek the advice of a phj'sician. He is a stanch
Re[)ublican in politics. Mr. Wood has given his
children a good education. His son is a graduate of
Monmouth (111.) College, and he also took a course
of study in the University of Michigan. In 1878
he went to Colorado, at the same time visiting Cali-
fornia, Washington, Arizona and Canada. When
a little over fourteen years of age the son entered
the Union army, serving through the entire war,
and was with General Sherman on his march to
the sea.

JT| AMES M. PILLERS, one of the native sons
l{ of Randolph County, has since 1886 en-
I! gaged in dealing in live stock in Steele-
s;^J^ ville, where he at present makes his home.
He is a man of good business abilit}-, energetic
and enterprising, and his well directed efforts have
won him a fair degree of success. The record of
his life is as follows:

Mr. PiUers was born March 2, 1854. and is the
eldest child of P. W. and .Jane M. (Wilson) Pillers,
both of whom were also natives of Randolph Coun-
ty, being representatives of pioneer families of this
community. Both the Pillers and Wilson families
originated in Ireland. The father of our subject
was a prosperous farmer of Randolph C'ount\-, and
followed agricultural pursuits until his death,
which occurred on the 7th of April, 1886, His

widow still survives him, and is yet living on the
old homestead. They were both worthj' and
highly respected citizens of this community, and
bore a prominent part in the work of u|ibuilrting
and development.

The subject of this sketch attended the district
schools of the neighborhood until twelve years of
age, after which his mother taught him at home
for a time. Later he spent the winter seasons in
the school room until eighteen years of age, while
through the summer months he aided in the labors
of the farm. At that time he entered the Sparta
High School, which he attended for eight and a-
half months, when he was quarantined for forty
days on account of small-pox near his home. He
then returned to the farm, where he worked for
some time, operating the old homestead in his own
interest. He successful!^- carried on agricultural
pursuits until 1878, in which year he removed to
Blair, 111., where he engaged in dealing in live
stock for eight years, when, in 1886, he came to
Steeleville, and has since engaged in the same line
of business. Inl893 he purchased a hotel here,
and is now the genial and jjopular landlord of the
Pillers House.

On the 14th of June, 1875, Mr. Pillers was
united in marriage with Miss Emma M. Garven, a
daughter of George and Eliza M. (Gordon) Gar-
ven. Her father's family was of Scotch lineage,
and her mother's of Irish origin. Mrs. Pillers is a
native of Randolph County, and is a member of
the Presbyterian Church. By their union were
born three children, George W., James M. and
Rose Gertrude, and the family circle yet remains
unbroken. The two sons are attending school.

Mr. Pillers is a member of Alma Lodge No. 497,
A. F. & A. M., of Steeleville, and three months af-
ter his initiation into the same he was elected to
office, and has since continued to serve in some
official position. He has held ever}- office except
that of Master, which he resolutely refused to ac-
cept. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, has
served as Village Trustee, and is now Police
Magistrate and a member of the School Board.
He is ever prompt and faithful in the discharge of
his public duties, thus proving a capable officer.
He lives a quiet unassuming life, but is admired

342

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and respected by all who know him for his many
excellencies of character and his sterling worth,
lie is indeed a wortliy representative of one of the
honored pioneer families of his native county.
The grandfather, .John Pillers, served in the Black
Hawk War as Major.

JOHN BOURCHIER carries on agricultural
pursuits on section 34, Carbondale Town-
ship, Jackson County, where he has a good
,;j^ farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres
of rich land. Of this, one hundred acres are under
a high state of cultivation, and 3ield to him a
golden tribute in return for the care and labor he
bestows upon them. He also raises a good grade of
stock. The neat and thrift}- appearance of the
place indicates the owner to be a practical and
progressive farmer.

Mr. Bourchier was born in County Limerick,
Ireland, July 27, 1846, and is a son of Thomas
and Maria (Hincs) Bourchier, both of whom were
natives of the Emerald Isle, the former born in
1819, and the latter in 1820. The year 1849 wit-
nessed their emigration to America. Tiiey landed
at New Orleans and spent a 3'ear and a-half in
that city, after which they came to Jackson Coun-
ty. In his native land Mr. Bourchier had en-
gaged in the grocery and bakery business, and
after coming to America was eraplo3'ed as a sales-
man in a dry-goods store for a time. He knew
nothing about farming, but secured a tract of land
on which was a log cabin. His nearest neiglibor
was four miles distant, and it was eleven miles to
the nearest postoffiee. Practical experience made
him a good agriculturist, and in course of time
he developed a fine farm, on which he made his
home until his death. He served as School Di-
rector for the last twent}' j'ears of his life, and
was a prominent citizen. He and his wife were
members of the Catholic Church. His death oc-
curred September 15, 1881, and she passed aw.ay
on the 30th of November following.

Our subject was onlj' three years old when
brought bj' his parents to the New AVorld. He
was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life,

and aided in the arduous task of developing a
new farm. He took charge of the old homestead
on the death of his parents, and it has since been
his property.

In 1872 Mr. Bourchier was united in marriage
with Miss Mary, daughter of George and Amanda
(McCulloni) Simmons, both of whom were natives
of Keutuckj', the former born in 1823, and tlie
latter in 1826. They were married in that state,
and thence emigrated to Illinois. Tlie father was
a soldier in the Mexican War. ilrs. Bourcliier
was born in Randolph Couutj', 111., on the 2d of
June, 1851, and acquired her education in the
schools of Chester and the Southern Illinois State
Normal Universitj'. She is a lady of culture and
refinement, and presides with grace over her hos-
pitable home. Unto our subject and his wife-
have been born six children: Thomas, Laura E.,
Anna M., George, Clarence R. and Nellie.

ilr. Bourchier takes quite an interest in polit-
ical affairs, and b}^ his ballot supports the men
and measures of the Democracy. He has served
as School Director, and the cause of education re-
ceives his hearty support. He and his wife are
devout and consistent members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and also take an active interest
in the work of the Sunday- -school. The family is
one of prominence in this community and well
deserves representation in this volume.

JOSEPH WILLIS CALDWELL, who is suc-
cessfully engaged in farming in township 5,
range 6. Randolph Count}', has the honor
^;j_,^ of being a native of this state. He was
born in Warren County in 1839. His grandpar-
ents, Joseph and Mary (Reed) Caldwell, were na-
tives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively, and on
emigrating to this country, located in Ohio, where
they were married. The former was a son of Sam-
uel Caldwell, who came to America in the "May-
flower." The family is noted for longevity.

The father of our subject, William Caldnell, w.<is
born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1807, and in
1818 went to Pittsburgh, and thence removed to
Indiana, where for two years he engaged in teach-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

343

ing school. On the expiration of that period he
went to Galena, III., where he engaged in teaching
in a log schoolhouse, and also worked in the lead
mines until the breaking out of the Black Hawk
War in 1832, when he entered the service. He
was wounded at Ash Grove, and was taken to Big
Mound, 111., where he remained for two months.
He then rejoined his company, and followed the
Indians to Oakwalks.

The troops there disbanded, and Mr. Caldwell
went to Warren County, where he married Jane
Orr, a native of Kilrain, Ireland. When a maiden
of seven 3'ears, Mrs. Caldwell became a resident of 1
Pittsburgh, Pa., and thence she came to Illinois in
1834. B}- their marriage, which was celebrated in
September, 1835, the3' became the parents of a large '
family, of whom we note the following: .James A., I
who is a farmer living six miles north of Sparta, 1
married Lizzie Ilolworth, and they had ten chil-
dren, nine of whom are yet living; Alex M. died
in 1860; Joseph AV. is the next younger; Mary E.
is the widow of Charles A. Beattie, and lives in
Randolph Countj- with her two children; Martha
M. is the wife of William J. Dickey, b3' whom she
has five children; Elizabeth A. is the widow of
Thomas Crawford, of Coulterville, and had six
children, three of whom are living; William F.,
who was married, was killed by the caving in of a
silver mine in New Mexico; Stephen A. died at
the age of nine years; and one child died in in-
fanc\'.

The father of this family' secured one hundred
and sixty acres by a land warrant in AVarren County,
entered a quarter-section, and also purchased one
hundred and sist_v acres. lie there made his home
until 1849, when he removed to Putnam Count^',
and after residing there for ten years, came to
Randolph Countj', in 1859. In the spring of 1864
he removed to the farm upon which our subject
now resides, making it his home until his death in
1884. For a number of j'ears he engaged in teach-
ing school, and was also a teacher of shorthand.
His extensive reading and excellent memory' made
him a well informed man. In politics he was fii-st
a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and for some
years he faithfully- served as Justice of the Peace.
He was a member of the Associate Reformed

Church, was one of the foundei-s of the Seceder
Church of Warren County, which he joined in
1828, and later became a member of the United
Presbyterian Church. In 1848 he was made one
of its Elders, and filled the position until his death.
He was trulj' one of nature's noblemen, and was
noted for his charity' and benevolence. His wife,
who was born November 6, 1808, is living with her
son, at the age of eightj'-five 3'ears.

Mr. Caldwell whose name heads this record re-
moved from his native count\- to Putnam County
in 1859, and thence came to Randolph Countj-,
where he has since made his home. He remained
with his parents until 1861, when, prompted by
patriotic impulses, he joined Compan3- II, of the
Twent3--second Illinois Regiment. He was three
times wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and
was taken prisoner at Crawfish Springs, but was
afterward paroled and exchanged. When he se-
cured his release from southern imprisonment he
went home on a visit, but after two months re-
joined his regiment in Tennessee, and continued
in the service until honorablj' discharged in Spring-
field in 1864. For a year after being mustered
out he remained at home, and then purchased a
farm of one hundred acres, upon which he resided
for seven 3'ears, when in 1873 he removed to his
present farm.

In 1865, Mr. Caldwell married Miss Amanda J.
Ireland, a native of this count3', and a daughter
of Martin and Mary (Siiort) Ireland, natives of
Kentuck3'. from which state they came to Illinois
in 1836. Her father died in 1884, but her mother
is now living in Mill Creek. The famih' is of
Irish descent, and was founded in America in
Colonial days. Mr. Ireland was numbered among
the boys in blue of Compan3' H, Twentj'-second
Illinois Infantr3-. He enlisted in 1861, and served
until 1864. He was wounded at the battle of
Stone River and at Chickamauga. He had four
sons in the service: John aud William H. H. in
Company H, Twent3--second Illinois; Thomas in
Compan3- C, Thirtieth Illinois; and Peter in Com-
pany F, One Hundred and Fift3--fourth Illinois In-
fantrj-. John died in the hospital at Murfrees-
boro, Tenn.

Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have reared two orphan

344

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

children. At the age of fifteen months Nancy
Tash came to them, and remained with them until
her marriage to Sylvester Brown. Charles E. Ire-
land has found a home with them since the age of
six years. He is now a student in the Gem City
Business College of Quincj', 111. Our subject and
his wife are faitiiful and consistent members of
the Presbyterian Church of Sparta, in which he
has served as Elder for eight j'ears. They are
prominent in church and benevolent work, and
are ever found on the side of right. Mr. Caldwell
is a member of the Sparta Building and Loan As-
sociation and of the creamer^' company. As the
result of earnest effort and close application, he
has met with good success in business, and is now
the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres. In poli-
tics, he is a Republican, and is a charter member
of Sparta Post No. 181, G. A. R., in which he lias
held all the offices.

\Jl OHN A. C. FLOYD, who carries on general
farming on section 22, Carbondale Town-
ship, .Jackson Count}', was born March 27,
^^^^ 1844, in the neighborhood of his present
home. His parents, Nathaniel W. and Nancj^
(Bush) Floyd, were botlunatives of Kentucky, and
in that state their marriage was celebrated. About
1841 the\' came to Illinois, settling northwest of
Carbondale, and later removed to Rockwood, Ran-
dolph County, where the father carried on a wood-
yard. During the Civil War he was a member of
the Home Guards. He met his death by accident
about twenty years ago. His wife still survives
him, at the age of eighty, and makes her home
with our subject, who is the only survivor in a
family of eleven children. Mrs. Floyd is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church, and her husband was
one of its ministers for thirty years. In politics
he supported the Republican party.

Under the parental roof Jolin Floj'd was reared,
and in the schools of Rockwood he was educated.
Responding to the country's call for troops July 1,
1861, he became a member of Company A, Seventh
Illinois Infantry. He was the first man in Jackson
County to enlist in the Union army. With his regi-

ment he was sent to Irontou, and to Pilot Knob
after Jefferson Thompson. He then aided in build-
ing Ft. Holt, and afterward participated in the
battles of Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson, and was
chased by the enemy to Clarksville. Subsequently.
Mr. Floyd was under fire at the battles of Nash-
ville, Sliiloh and Corinth, and after a thirty days'
furlough spent at home; he rejoined his regiment
at Corinth and then moved on to Pulaski. After
the battle of Tuscumbia, he went with the arm}- to
Florence, Ala. His brother, Armistead, was taken
prisoner, and died in Andersonville Prison. Only
four of the company escaped capture after a
hard run. This was followed by a battle against
General Hood's forces at Altoona Pass, where our
subject was wounded in the neck and in the left
shoulder. He was then sent to the hospital at
Rome, Ga., later to Chattanooga Hospital, thence
to Nashville, and on to EvansviUe, Iiid.. where he
was discharged May 8, 1865, after three years and
ten months of hard service, during which he
spent one year in the mounted infantiy. He was
always found at his post, faithful to his countr}'
and the Union cause. He now receives a pension
of 124 per month.

Mr. Floyd was married January 19, 1865, to
Eliza Boien, who was born in Jackson County,
September 22, 1841, and is a daughter of James
and Sarah (Wingett) Boren. the former a native
of Tennessee, and the latter of South Carolina.
Her parents were married and came to Illinois in
1829, locatingon section 26, Carbondale Township,
being among the first settlers of the community.
His death occurred at the age of eightj'-foui-, and
his wife passed away at the age of seventj-two.
To Mr. and Mrs. Floyd were born four children, of
whom two are yet living: Alfred T., who married
Elizabeth Timpner, 'o\- whom he has one child;
and Sarah L. They are also rearing three orphan
children.

Upon his marriage, Mr. Floyd located in The
Glades, and after two years located upon a fruit
farm, where he also spent two years. He then
bought the old homestead of seventy-nine acres,
on which he has since made his home. His land
is under a high state of cultivation and well im-
jiroved, and the owner is regarded as one of the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

345

representative agriculturists of the community.

He takes an active interest in politics, and is a
warm advocate of Republican principles. He be-
longs to the Grand Army post, and has served as
Officer of the Day for three terms. He and his
wife and botli children are meml^ers of the Chris-
tian Church, and are people of generous and be-
nevolent im|)ulses, highl}' respected by all.

[(s). ^mMp... ,@j

(^ '®f^i^~ "^

j^^ AMUEL W. MARSHALL, M. D., is one of
*^^^ the foremost members of the medical pro-
|(l/jl) fession of Sparta, as well as one of its
most progressive and valued citizens. His
grandfather, James Marsliall, was a native of Ire-
land, and in 1795 founded the family in America.
He settled in the Eairfield District of South Caro-
lina, and there successfully engaged in teaching,
and also served as Justice of the Peace.

The father of the Doctor, Robert W. Marshall,
was born in South Carolina in 1799, and removed
thence to Randolph County, 111., in 1836. lie lo-
cated four miles north of Sparta, and there made
his home until his death, which occurred March 4,
1871. He was educated by private instructors, and
was a classical scholar. At the age of thirty he
entered the Charleston Medical College, from
which he was graduated in 1834. He then began
practice, which he continued throughout his life.
He was a man of recognized ability as a surgeon
and stood at the head of the profession in this part
of the state. In politics he was a Republican. In
religion he was a member of the Koformed Pres-
byterian Church, in which he served as Elder. He
was a charitable, noble man, and had no enemies,
for all who came in contact with him recognized
his goodness and were his friends.

In 1834 Robert W. Marshall married Susanna,
daughter of James Arnett, and a native of South
Carolina. She was also a member of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church,, and her death occurred in
1852. The family numbered eight children: Elea-
nore, who died in South Carolina; William T.,
who died about 1873; Ellen C, wife of William

MeClinton, of Sparta; Samuel W.; Sarah Jane,

who died at the age of six 3^ears; Sarah, who be-
came the wife of W. J. Porch, of Randolph County,
and died in the fall of 1876, leaving two children,
Eliza and William; Henrietta, and Charles F., who
was educated in the St. Louis Medical College, and
was practicing in Baldwin, 111., at the time of his
death. He married Hattie C. Kenned}'.

The birth of Dr. Marshall occuned in Randolph
County in 1840. He remained with his parents
upon the farm until 1864, although in the mean-
time he attended Union Academy. In 1860 he
commenced the study of medicine with his father,
and in 1862 began a course of lectures in the St.
Louis Medical College, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1864. He then located in Sparta, but the
following fall was appointed assistant surgeon of
the Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantiy, under Dr. Kile.
As his superior was at brigade headquarters. Dr.
Marshall was the onl}' surgeon with the regiment.
After six months' service he returned to Sparta,
where he has since engaged in practice.

In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of the Doc-
tor and Miss Marcella Eiker, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, who came to this place with her parents,
Samuel and Elizabeth (Hoover) Eiker. Her par-
ents were both born in the Ke3Stone Slate, and
are now deceased. While the Doctor and his wife
have no children of their own, they have reared
three orphan children. Alice was educated in
Monmouth ■College, and is the wife of C. C. French,
pastor of the United Presb3terian Church of
Greenwich, N. Y.; Frank E. received a commercial
education, and is now book-keeper in the Carothe'
Plow Works; Finley C. is book-keeper for the
Keys Commission Company, at llie National Stock
Yards at East St. Louis.

Dr. Marshall votes with the Republican part}'.
He has been a member of the School Board for fif-
teen years, and for about five years was its Presi-
dent. Socially he is connected with the Grand
Army of the Republic, is a member of the Ameri-
can Medical Association, and belongs to the South-
ern Illinois Medical Association, of which he has
served both as Vice-President and President. He
and his wife hold membership with the United
Presbyterian Church, in which he has held the of-

iPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fice of Elder for fifteen years. They are earnest
workers in its interest, doing much for its ad-
vancement and upbuilding.

^]0I1N LICKISS. England has contributed
to the United Slates many estimable citi-
zens, but she has contributed none more
worthy of success than the subject of this
sketch, who for j^ears has been prominently iden-
tified with the growth and development of Ran-
dolph County. For some time he engaged in farm-
ing in township 6, range 5, but in August, 1893,
disposed of his estate and purchased property in
Steeleville, where he is now living.

Our subject was born in Yorkshire, England,
November 5, 1836, and is the third in the family
of Captain John and Mary A. (Scott) Lickiss. His
father, who was also a native of England, followed
a sea-faring life for forty years, but in April,
1865, he brought his family to America and lo-
cated upon land near Steeleville, 111. There he
continued to reside until his death, which occurred
July 18, 1888. His widow is still (1894) living,
and although eighty-three years of age, is vigorous
and strong; she makes her home with our subject.

Having attended school until fifteen years of
age, our subject then entered a merchant's office,
where he completed his business education. He
remained in that office as clerk until his father
concluded to come to America, when he joined
the family, and crossing the ocean located in Ran-
dolph County. For a few years he assisted his
father in the cultivation of the home farm, after
which he came to Steeleville and entered the em-
ploy of the firm of Lickiss <fe Son, his uncle and
cousin, for whom he clerked three years. He then
went to Chester and accepted a position, as book-
keeper for John F. Schuchert, with whom he re-
mained for three years.

Returning to Steeleville, Mr. Lickiss embarked
in the mercantile business, which he conducted for
three years. He then disposed of the stock and
accepted a position with H. C. Cole & Co., in
whose employ he worked for twelve years. Owing
to failing health he resigned that position, and lo-

cating upon his farm near Steeleville, superin-
tended the management of the estate until August,
1893. As above stated, he now makes his home
in Steeleville. In politics he is a Democrat and
never fails to cast his ballot for the nominees of
that party. Socially he affiliates with Chester
Lodge No. 57, I. O. O. F., and has been the in-
cumbent of the various chairs in the lodge, which
he has also represented in the Grand Lodge.

In 1858 Mr. Lickiss married Miss Sarah F.,
daughter of Staple and Sarah (Doty) Malone, na-
tives of South Carolina, who came to Illinois in an
early day. Mrs. Lickiss was born in Randolph
County, 111., and by her marriage has become the
mother of eleven children, eight of whom are de-
ceased. Those living are: Rebecca, who married
Hubert Townsend, a prominent insurance agent
of St. Louis, Mo.; Mary F., who married Alexander
Allison, a farmer and stock-dealer residing in
Chester; and Alice C, who resides with her par-
ents. Mr. Lickiss and his wife are members of the
Baptist Church, and he is a Deacon in the congre-
gation at Steeleville.

SAAC C. BEARE. There is something about
the life of a prosperous and popular }'Oung
man very pleasant to contemplate — something
that gives encouragement to those seeking to m.ake
for themselves desirable positions in life. Such
an example is given in the person of Isaac C.
Beare, who is generally' conceded to deserve un-
limited praise for the success he has attained, be-
ing at the present time Count3' Clerk of Randolph
Count.y.

Our subject is a native of Randoljjh County and
was born February 20, 1860. He is the son of
Christian and Martha L. Beare, natives of Switz-
erland. Thev made the trip to the United States
in 1830, locating in Stark County, Ohio, and
about 1840 came to this county, where they fol-
low farming.

Isaac, of this sketch, was the sixth child in order
of birth of his parents' family of seven children.
He attended school some in the country, but
gained his education mainly in the Central Wes-

' \%v,

-3is^'>'*^

".r. ,fe' JtSi^ ■

K^'

<Q6aX^^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

leyan College at Warren ton, Mo. When starting
out in life for himself he clerked for eight months
in his brother's store in Ellis Grove, this county,
remaining with him until 1890.

Mr. Beare has always been a member of the
Democratic party, and is active in public life. In
1890 he was elected to the important office of
County Clerk, assuming the duties of the office
December 4 of that year. He is a man of excel-
lent habits, possesses a keen and intelligent mind,
and in the incumbency of his office gives entire
satisfaction. He possesses many social qualities
and has a host of warm friends who delight in his
success.

349

J'OHN McQuillan, an enterprising farmer
residing on section 17, township 3, range 8
west, Monroe County, was born in Dayton,
Ohio, April 2, 1820, and is a son of Ed-
ward McQuillan, a native of the North of Ireland,
who in early life emigrated to this country, and
died in Brown County, Ohio. When John was
quite a small lad his parents removed to Cincin-
nati, and a few years later to Brown County. He
was a youth of ten when his father died, and his
mother died of the cholera in 1832. He was thus
left an orphan at the age of twelve years, and
then went to live with his eldest brother and sis-
ter, with whom he continued until sixteen 3'ears
of age. At that time he went to Cincinnati, and
began serving an apprenticeship to the butcher's
trade under Henry Cottom. Two years were spent
in that city, after which his employer purchased a
farm in Monroe County, III., three miles west of
Red Bud, and our subject accompanied him to
the west in 1839, continuing in his service for
two 3'ears and a-half.

In 1841, Mr. McQuillau went to St. Louis, where
he worked at his trade, and followed other pur-
suits whereby he might earn an honest living. He
continued in that city until 1849, since which time
he has lived in Monroe County. In 1847, be pur-
chased his present farm of James Eckels, paying
$1,000 for one hundred ^nd twenty acres. A lo<^
house was the only improvement upon the place,
which was largely covered with brush, but he at
once began to clear and develop the land, and has

made additional purchases from time to time un-
til he now owns twelve hundred acres in one bod 3-.
He also has two hundred .acres in St. Clair County.

On the otii of .September, 1842, Mr. McQuillan
married Jliss Mary Thompson, daughter of Robert
Thompson, who was born in England, and there
spenthis entire life. His daughter came to America
in 1840 with her mother, two brothers and a sister,
and located in St. Louis. Her death occurred July
28, 1885, and was widely mourned. Seven chil-
dren were born of that union, of whom five are
still living: Edward, who is fanning in St. Clair
County; Elizabeth, wife of Louis Gregson, of Mon-
roe C'ount3-; John, who is engaged iu merchandis-
ing in Red Bud; Mary, wife of Theodore Klink-
hardt, a resident farmer of tliis community; and
Martha, wife of Joseph Roscoe. They live with
our subject. .Sarah became the wife of Valentine
Rapp, and died December 23, 1876. There are
also twenty-three grandchildren.

Mr. McQuillan is one of the oldest settlers of
this township. His land is now operated by his
children, and he gives his time to mechanical con-
trivances. He lias patented three inventions — a
cart replacer, a car coupler and a portable ladder.
All of these are useful and will probably have a
good sale. His home is adorned with pictures,
the beautiful frames of which he has made in his
leisure moments. Much of the furniture is also
his handiwork, for he possesses great mechanical
skill. Mr. McQuillan sUirted out in life emptv-
handed, but by determined efforts overcame the
obstacles in his path, and has steadily worked his
way upward to a position of wealth and affluence.
He is now one of the largest land-owners in the
county. He cast his first Presidential vote for
William Henry Harrison, and since the organiza-
tion of the Republican party has been one of its
stanch supporters. In religious belief he is a
Catholic.

<i^*)HOMAS McINTYRE, one of the pioneers of
1(^0^ Kan'^'jlpli County, now makes his home on
^^^^' section 1, township 4, range 6, and has the
confidence and esteem of the people throughout
this part of the countiy. He is a son of John Mc-
Intyre, who was born in 1787 in the Highlands of

350

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Scotland, where also his grandfather, Daniel Mc-
Intyre, was born.

The maiden name of the motlier of our subject
was Margaret Oatl3-. She was born in Paislej',
Scotland, in April, 1797, and was the daughter of
Thomas (^atly. Her parents were born and mar-
ried in Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. John Mclnt3-re
resided in Renfrewshire, Scotland, where the
former carried on his occupation of a weaver until
1839, when he crossed the Atlantic, and after
landing in America came west as far as Illinois,
where he made his home. He had visited this
country in 1804, when a lad of seventeen j-ears,
in the interest of the Hudson Bay Fur Company,
and had traded among the Indians. He remained
for eleven years, and during that time learned the
Indian language, which he could speak very well.

After locating in Randolph County, the father
of our subject purchased one hundred and twenty
acres of land on section 12, township 4, which was
then in its primitive wilderness. The following
year, after erecting a cabin, he was joined by his
family, who aided in hewing out a home from the
wilderness. They suffered all the privations in-
cidental to pioneer life. From their home to the
Okaw River there was not a cultivated farm.
Their neighbors were few, but Indians, deer and
wildcats were veiy plentiful. The first year after
coming here there was an immense prairie fire.
Undaunted b\- obstacles, tiie father worked with
diligence and soon accumulated considerable prop-
erty.

The parental family included four children, of
whom those living are, Daniel, who lives in Ar-
kansas; John, who resides in Oklahoma; and our
subject. The parents were members of the Pres-
byterian Church. The father died in 1865, and
his good wife followed him to the better land ten
years later. John Mclntyre was a Republican in
politics. He was very prominent among the pio-
neers of this county, with whose interests his name
has been inseparably connected, and his worth was
appreciated throughout the entire community.

Thomas Mclntyre was born September 10, 1835,
in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and was five years of
age when his parents emigrated to America. Their
landing was made in New York harbor, whence they

went to Philadelphia. From there they went to
Pittsburgh, and later came by boat to Chester, this
county, the trip being made down the Ohio and up
the Mississippi River. While at Louisville, our
subject and his brother John, who were both young
in years, took a skiflf and began to row down the
river. Being in ignorance of the falls, which were
just ahead of them, they would have plungeii
over had they not been rescued by people from
the shore. Young Mclntyre after coming to this
county attended school on Flat Prairie, which was
conducted in a rude log house.

January 31, 1876, Thomas Mclntyre and Miss
Sarah Ann Curry were united in marriage. The
lady was a native of Ireland, where her birth oc-
curred January 13, 1839, and after her parents lo-
cated in Knox Count}', Ohio, she was there reared
to mature years and given a good education. B3'
her union with our subject has been born one child,
Maiy Ellen. Mrs. Mclntyre is a devoted mem-
ber of the Reformed Presbj'terian Church, and
although our subject is not a member, he is a reg-
ular attendant and a liberal contributor to tlie
same. Although in early life a Republican, he
now reserves the right to vote for the man whom
he considers will best fill the ofHce. He has been
School Director of his district for sis years and is
a man of much influence in his community.

•il OHN H. BARTON, editor of the Herald of
Carbondale, and one of the prominent citi-
^,^1 . zens of the community, was born in West
^5^^ Carlisle, Ohio, January 2, 1837. His par-
ents, Henry and Charlotte (Harris) Barton, were
also natives of the Buckeye State, tlie former born
in 1809, and the latter in 1813. The mother was
a daughter of Lazarus Harris, one of the early set-
tlers of Ohio. Her entire life was spent in that
state, and her death there occurred in 1857. Mr.
Barton early in the late war enlisted in the Light
Artillery of West Virginia, and was wounded at
the battle of Cross Kej-s, Va. After his recoverj'
he did hospital service in Washington, D. C, until
discharged on account of disabilit_y resulting from
his wound. He then continued his residence in

Portrait ang biographical record

351

the Capitol City until called to the home beyond,
in 1890. In the Barton family were ten children,
of whom four are yet living, namely: John H.;
David L., of Mercer, Pa.; Vina, of Colorado
Springs, Colo.; and Mrs. Flora Nelson, of Urichs-
villc, Ohio.

Our subject acquired liis education in West Bed-
ford, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen years began
learning the printer's trade under Joseph Medill, ou
the Coshocton Republican, in 1851. He worked at
the case for some time and became thoroughly famil-
iar with the business. He was thus employed until
October, 1860, when he removed to Cairo, 111-
During the war he entered the service of his
countr3', and for two years faithfully defended the
Old Flag and the cause it represented. He held
the rank of First Lieutenant of Company I, Eigh-
teenth Illinois Infantry'.

It was in September, 18G6, that Jlr. Barton ar-
rived in Carbondale, where he has since made his
home. He purchased the paper called the New
Era and continued its publication until 1872,
when he retired for a season. In 1868 he pur-
chased the Free Press, which he sold in 1892. He
is now at the head of the Hei-ald, which is a bright,
newsy sheet, ably conducted and edited. It is de-
voted to the local interests of the community and
to the geneial advancement of civilization and
education.

The entire Barton famil}' has supported the Re-
publican party, and its members have ever been
faithful to their country. In the late war, the
father of our subject and five of his sons were in
the service at one time. The eldest son, Lafayette,
was killed at the battle of Shiloh; Alonzo D. died
from the effects of a wound received at Mills
Springs, Kj'.; Lewis W. died from disease at Tus-
cumbia, Ala., and John II. and David L. aie 3'et
living.

September 10, 1863, Mr. Barton was united in
marriage with Miss Joanna Meagher, who was
born in Ypsilanti, Mich., in June, 1838. She was
educated in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a lady of cul-
ture and refinement. Six children grace their
union: David L., John L., E. E., Flora L., Josie
May and Dick S. Mr. Barton is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife belongs

to the Catholic Church. He is a Royal Arch Mason,
and has served as Master of the blue lodge and as
High Priest of the chapter. He has also served as
Commander of John W. Lawrence Post No. 297,
G. A. R. He has frequently been sent as a dele-
gate to the state conveniions of his party, but has
never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote
his entire time and attention to his business inter-
ests.

'RITZ STUMPF is a native-born citizen of
Monroe County and is now an important
^\ member of its farming community, own-

ing and ably managing a finely improved farm
within the corporate limits of township 1, ranges
9 and 10 west. Mr. Stumpf was the joungestson
born to his parents. His birth occurred on his
fntlier's homestead January 27, 18.56, and he was
reared and educated here. He was bred to the life
of a farmer, and having a natural taste for this
calling, he adopted it for his life work when he
arrived at years of discretion. He owns the old
home estate, which comprises one hundred and
seventeen acres, all under excellent tillage and
amply i)rovided with neat and well ordered build-
ings. For a period of thirteen years prior to pur-
chasing his present estate, he farmed rented land.
His career as a farmer has shown him to be sharp,
practical and a good manager. He conducts his
work in a business-like manner, so as to secure
good returns, and the income that he derives from
the cultivation of his land is very satisfactory.
He is actively interested in all that pertains to the
welfare of his native township, and no one is more
zealous in promoting its interests than he. In
politics Mr. Stumpf is a stanch Republican and his
influence is used to advance the cause of his party.
Our subject is a son of John Stumpf, who was
born near Darmstadt, Germany, in 1819. In his
native country he early learned the trade of a
baker and followed it until coming to the United
States m 1834. He at once bought forty acres of
land in this county and township, which was a
wild and heavily timbered piece of land, and which
is still a part of the present estate of our subject.

352

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Tlie father worked hard and long to bring about
its cultivation. John Stunipf was united in mar-
riage with Elizabeth Rodeinech, on tlie 19th
of April, 1838, who bore her husband nine chil-
dren. Three of the family died in infancy, and
those who grew to mature years are: Philip and
Michael, farmers in this county'; Catherine, who
married Henry Beck and resides in Columbia;
Henrietta, wlio married William Diesel and is now
deceased; Elizabeth, tlie wife of Paul Miller, and
our subject. Tlie parents of this family were hon-
ored members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
at New Hanover; and the fatlier passed from this
life in 1882. His good wife is yet living and
makes lier home with our subject.

Our subject was married when twent3- years of
age to Elizabeth Klohr, a daughter of Jacob and
Margaret Klohr. Mrs. Slumpf is a native of Mon-
roe County-, and by her union with our subject
has become the mother of two children, Jacob and
Catherine. She was called from this life on the
15th of December, 1880, and Mr. Stumpf took as
his second wife Miss Theresa, a daughter of Chris-
tian and Theresa (Roemann) Scheler. By tiiis
second marriage five children were born, Fred,
Minnie, Louis, William and Edward. Mr. and
Mrs. Stumpf are valued members of the Evangel-
ical Lutheran Church at New Hanover and are held
in iiigh esteem in the community in which they
live.

Hi-3

^ OHN BAER, a highly respected farmer re-
siding on section 20, township 3, range 8
west, Monroe Countj', was born in the
province of Hessen, Germany, March 2,
1818, and in the land of his birth spent the days
of his boyhood and youth. He w.as educated in
its public schools and there learned the tailor's
trade. In 1838, at the age of twenty years, he
came to the United States, landing in Baltimore,
Md., whence he went to Louisville, K3'., making
the journey in a flatboat from Wheeling. In
Louisville he worked at his trade for about two
years and then removed to St. Louis. On leav-
ing that cit}' he took up his residence in Belle-

ville, 111., and later came to Monroe County,
where for a time he worked as a farm hand.

In 1840 Mr. Baer's parents came to America
and entered a farm near Lebanon, St. Clair Count}'.
Our subject aided in its operation for two years
and then came with his father. William Baer, to
Monroe Count}', where the latter entered Govern-
ment land on Prairie du Round. This was a wood-
land tr.act, but the labors of the father and sons
cleared it, making of it a good farm, upon which
Mr. Baer, Sr., spent his remaining da3's. In the
family were five children, but only two are now
living, John and Catherine.

In May, 1847, John Baer enlisted in the Mex-
ican War, in Company B of the St. Louis Le-
gion, under Captain Wacliner and Colonel Eas-
tun. He continued in the service for eighteen
months, and w.as mustered out in Independence,
Mo., in October, 1848. When the war was over,
Mr. Baer returned to this count}' and was given a
land grant of one hundred and sixty acres in rec-
ognition of his services. He began farming for
himself in 1850, and in 1851 cliose as a com[)an-
ion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Barbara
Welsch, whose parents were natives of Germany.
His farm was a wild and unimproved tract, not a
furrow having been turned nor an improvement
made thereon, but he at once began clearing it, and
in course of time the timber land w.as transformed
into rich and fertile fields. For a number of years
he carried on general farming and stock-raising,
but his place is now rented.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baer were born thirteen
children, twelve of whom are yet living: William,
a farmer of Washington; Henry, an .igriculturist
of Belleville, III.; John, who is living in San Fran-
cisco; Louisa, wife of John Wicklein; John Jacob;
Sophia, wife of John Valentine, of Monroe Coun-
ty; George August and Ernest William, both of
whom are farmers of Washington; Catherine
Mary, wife of Carl Ilartman, a merchant of Burks-
ville; Magdelena, wife of Herbert Burt, of Wash-
ington; August, Carl and Carrie, who are still at
home.

In politics Mr. Baer is a supporter of Republican
principles. For one year he served as Town-
ship Supervisor, and for many years has been

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD.

353

School Director. The cause of education finds in
him a warm friend and he takes an active interest
in everytliing pertaining to the welfare of the com-
munitj' and its upbuilding. He is a member of
the Evangelical Church, and is one of the oldest
settlers of the township. He can relate many in-
teresting incidents of the da^'S when tliis was a
pioneer settlement, and iie lived in true frontier
stj'le. His life has been well and worthily passed,
and by his own industrious efforts he has acquired
the competence which now enables him to live
retired.

-^v o♦o.•@^><^■.o♦o.. V-

EWIS LEMEN, a representative farmer of
?g) township 3, range 9, living on section 7,
^ was born in Monroe County, Jul3- 29, 1853,
and is a son of Josiah D. and Susan (Bales) Lemen,
both of whom were natives of Illinois. The father
was born and reared in tliiscountr3', and attended
the common schools, where he completed his edu-
cation. A well spent life and close attention to
the details of his business made his career a pros-
perous one. He was a good neiglibor and a kind
hearted man, and the community recognized in
him a valued citizen. His wife w.as left an orphan
when quite young. She proved to her husband a
faithful companion and helpmate, but siie died in
December, 1863, at the early age of twenty-nine
3'ears. The}' were the parents of six children:
Lewis, William, Albert, Jennie, and two who died
in infancy. Mr. Lemen married for his second wife
Bridget Riley, who is also now deceased. Of the
six children of that union three died in infancy.

Tlie great-grandfather of our subject, Elder
James Lemen, was the third son of the Rev. James
and Catherine Lemen, who emigrated from Vir-
ginia to Illinois in 1786. They were the parents
of six sons and two daughters, all of whom were
leading members of the Baptist Church, four of
the sons being ordained ministers. Elder James
Lemen was born in Illinois, October 8, 1787, and
was the second white child born of American par-
entage in this territoiy. When about twenty j-ears
of age, he joined the church and commenced
preaching. He was ordained in New Design, 111.,
in the only Baptist Church in the state, in 1809,

the organization having been effected in 1796. He
and Elder John Baugh were the only members of
what was then known as Cantine Creek Church,
now Bethel Church, with which Elder Lemen con-
tinued his membership for over sixty years, or un-
til the time of his death. He was an active and
efficient minister of the Gospel, who traveled far
and wide organizing and building churches and
laboring with marked success. He did his work in
Illinois, Missouri and other western states. His
father was the first person baptized by immer-
sion in Illinois, and at the father's ordination
Elder Lemen assisted. He also preached his fa-
ther's funeral sermon, and his brother Joseph
[)reached the funeral sermon of their mother. By
the marriage of Mr. Lemen and Polly Pullian,
which was celebrated on the 8th of December,
1813, were born eleven children. On Tuesday
evening, February 8, 1867, the life of this good
man ended. He walked fearlessly in the path of
duty, and nothing could turn him from the course
which he believed to be right. He was conscien-
tious and true in all things, and lived as a faithful
follower of the divine teaching. He was untiring
in his labors in the ministry, and both by precept
and example he led manj- to enter the straight and
narrow way. On his death, the following resolu-
tions were passed:

Whereas, God in His wisdom and goodness has
seen fit to remove from us our beloved brother,
the Rev. James Lemen, Therefore

Resolved, That in his deatli, the ministers aud
churches of this association liave lost an eternal
friend and wise counselor; that 1)3' his firm ad-
herence to, and advocacy of, Bible doctrine, com-
pleted with his consistent Christian life, he not
only endeared himself to us while he lived, but
left a name and memoiy that unite us to him and
the God whom he loved, a memory that gives
warning in danger, cheerfulness in adversity and
Iiumility in prosperit}'.

That in this heavy blow we recognize Him who
handles the rod, and that we praise Him for the
grace which enabled the departed and ourselves to
know it was for our mutual and eternal good.

That we sympathize with the afflicted relatives,

hoping that tlie\' may so imitate the virtues of the

departed that he may not i)rove to he lost to them,

but onlj' gone before.

1 Lewis Lemen was reared in Illinois, and re-

354

iHHrriurr and biographical record.

mained with his parents uutil llieir deaths. He
was married May 19, 1881, to Mary V. Tolin, and
they liave become the parents of four children,
Clyde v., p:dith I., Carrie M.and William T. The
wife and mother was born on the farm which is now
her home. In early life she attended the common
schools, and at the age of sixteen entered Almira
College, at Greenville, III., where she studied tliree
terms. She is a woman of intelligence, well posted
on matters pertaining to history, and is a fine con-
vijrsationalist.

Mr. and Mrs. Lemen began their domestic life
upon the farm where they yet reside, and in con-
nection with agricultural pursuits lie has also en-
gaged in teaching. He entered upon this work at
the age of twenty years, and followed it for fif-
teen consecutive years, after which lie rested from
that labor foi- a few years. He is now teaching
near Columbia, and is recognized as a competent
and able instructor. The cause of education has
ever found in him a warm friend, and he believes
it to be one of the safeguards of the nation. He
has served as vSchool Director for several years.

In his political views, Mr. Lemen is a Populist
and takes an active part in local politics. JSociall}',
he is connected with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. Both he and his wife are faithful mem-
bers of the Baptist Church, and are highly re-
spected citizens, who hold an enviable position in
social circles. They are worthy representatives of
one of the oldest families of the state, and well de-
serve mention in this volume.

\Ti OIIX MrCLINTON is one of the native sons
of Randolph County, and a leading and in-
(lucntial farmer of township 5, range 5. He
was born here September 22, 1822, his par-
ents being Samuel and Nancy (Miller) McClin-
ton. His grandfather, John McClinton, was a
native of Ireland, and when a small boy was
brought by his parents to this country, the family
locating in South Carolina. He came to Randolph
County' in 1802, and his death occurred the fol-
lowing year. He was a blacksmith and farmer,
and on removing westward, bought Government

land near Kaskaskia, becoming one of the first sel-
lers of that locality.

Samuel McClintou was born in the Abbeyville
District of South Carolina in the year 1800, and
was brought by his parents to Illinois, where he
spent the remainder of his da3's. Throughout life
he followed the occupation of farming. He died
in 1856, on the old homestead, three miles north of
Sparta. His wife, who was also born in the Ab-
beyville District, passed away in Randolph Coun-
ty in 1841. Both were faithful members of the
United Presbyterian Church, and were highly re-
spected. Their family numbered six sons and five
daughters, and with one exception the children
are all yet living, namely: John, Jurenda, Will-
iam, James, Berele, David, Joseph, Serena, Mary,
BetS3' J. and Nancy J.

In the county of his birth, John McClinton
spent the days of his boyhood and youth. The
subscription schools afforded him his educational
privileges, and he remained with his parents until
he had attained his majority. He thus became
familiar with all the duties of farm life, and to
agricultural pursuits has since devoted his ener-
gies. As a companion and helpmate on life's jour-
ney he chose Miss Mary Keuned^^, who was born
near Fayetteville, Tenn. They were married in
1844, and became the parents of six sons and two
daughters: William T., now residing in Kansas;
James R.; Mary, deceased; Samuel, also of Kansas;
Joseph C., who is living in Indian Territory; John
F.; Clinton A., of Idaho; and Millie V., the wife
of James W. Hood.

Soon after his marriage, Mv. McClinton pur-
chased forty acres of land and began farming for
himself. He cultivated that tract until 1856, when
he purchased his present farm. He now owns one
hundred and thirt}' acres of rich and highly cul-
tivated land, pleasantly situated four miles south-
east of Sparta, and the farm is one of the finest in
the community. The owner is recognized as a
progressive agriculturist, and the neat appearance
of his place indicates to the passer-by his enter-
prise. In politics, Mr. McClinton has been a Re-
publican since the organization of the party. His
first Presidential vote was cast for John P. Hale.
He and his family are members of tte United

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

355

Presbyterian Church, and are people of promi-
nence in this commnnity, holding an enviable
position in social circles where true worth and in-
telligence aie received as the passports into good
society.

/RITZ BEGEM ANN, who resides in Steele-
^ ville and follows farming in Randolph
County, being one of the successful agri-
culturists of the community, claims Germany as
the land of his birth, which occurred about 1840.
He was the fourtli child born unto Henry and
Wilhelmina ( Westenbarger) Begemann, who were
also natives of Germany. The father followed
farming in that country until 1848, when he bade
adieu to his old home, and, accompanied by bis
family, sailed for America, liaving determined to
try iiis fortune in the New World. He located
near Steeleville, where he engaged in farming
until retiring from active business life on account
of his advanced years. Me died in 1872, at the
age of seventy-three. His wife departed this life
in 1849, soon after coming to America.

The subject of this sketch attended school in his
native land until the emigration of the family to
the United States, which occurred wiien he was a
lad of eiglit summers. He was afterward a stu-
dent in the public schools near Steeleville, and
tliere acquired a good Englisli education. In early
life he became familiar with all of tlie departments
of farm work, and aided liis father in tiie cultiva-
tion of the home farm until lie had attained his
majority, when he started out in life for himself.
He worked as a farm hand for four years, after
which be engaged in teaming between Steeleville
and Chester for a period of seven years. When
that time iiad expired, he engaged in farming for
himself and has since carried on agricultural pur-
suits. His land is always under a high state of
cultivation and well improved, and he is regarded
as one of the practical and progressive farmers of
Randolpli County.

In 1863 Mr. Begemann was united in marriage
with Miss Marcella, daughter of Charles F. and
Sarah (Bryan) Jay. Eight children were born

of their union, but Allen died at the age of

three years. Those still living are: Emma, wife
of William Moulic, a prominent druggist of Percy;
Mary and John, who are at home; Alice A., wife
of James Gillespie, a resident of Steeleville, 111.;
Fred, Albert and Bernice, who are yet attending
school. Mr. Begemann resides in Steeleville in
order to give his children the better educational
advantages of the town and thus fit them for the
practical duties of life. The family is one of
prominence in the community, and its members
rank higjj in the social circles in which they move.
Mr. and Mrs. Begemann are members of the
Methodist Church, in which he serves as Trustee,
and are active workers in the Master's vineyard.
By his ballot he supports the Prohibition party.
He has served as Township Supervisor for three
years, and has been a member of the Board of
Trustees of Steeleville for seven years. His long
continued service well indicates his fidelity to
duty and the confidence and trust reposed in him
by liis fellow-townsmen, who regard him as one
of the valued citizens of the community and hold
him in high esteem on account of the many ex-
cellencies of his character.

/p^EORGE H. BILDERBACK. The agricult-
fll __ urists of Randolph County are, as a rule,
^^4' possessed of general intelligence, a thor-
ough understanding of their calling and great en-
ergy, and they therefore rank well among the
farmers the world over. One of these gentlemen
who are successful!}' pursuing the peaceful occu-
pation of tilling the soil is our subject, whose
comfortable estate is located on section 25, town
ship 7, range 6.

Mr. Bilderback is a native of this county, and
was born near Kaskaskia April 3, 1826. He is
the second child in a family of eight children
born to John and Sarah (McCormick) Bilderback,
who were also natives of Randolph County, where
the father died in 1837, and the mother departed
this life in 1853. George H. obtained a limited edu-
cation in the schools near his home. His father
d^'ing when he was but eleven years of age, he was

356

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eomiielled to aid in tlie cariying on of tlie home
farm in order to support his mother and sisters.

Mr. Hilderback has always followed the occupa-
tion of a farmer, and when ready to establish a
lionie of his own, in 1856, he was married to Miss
Nanc\' A., daughter of James F. and Rachael
(Long) Glenn. Mrs. Bilderback was born in Ohio,
of which state her parents were natives, and was
fifteen 3ears of age when she accompanied them
on their removal to this state. By her union with
our subject twelve children have been born, of
wliom those living are: Sarah R., who is the wife of
Clarence Barber, and resides in this count}'; Will-
iam II.; who married Elizabeth Moore, and resides
near his father; Alice A., who married William C.
Bilderback and lives near the old home; INIargaret
N., who is tiie wife of Charles Moore, and makes
her home near Rockwood; and Wallace E., at home.

Our subject and his estimable wife, together
with tbeir eldest daughter, are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and have established
a cozy home, where they welcome their hosts of
friends. Mr. Bilderback is greatly respected in
the county where his life has been passed, and his
career has been creditable in the extreme. He has
served as School Trustee and Director, and is ear-
nest in his efforts to forward the educational inter-
ests of this locality. He is a member of the Re-
publican party, and cast liis first vote for General
Taylor.

. • ^ P •

eOL. B. L. WILEY was born in Jefferson
. Count}', Ohio, in 1821, and is a son of
Abel Wiley. His father was a native of
Maryland, and was a carpenter and cabinet-maker
by trade. About the time of his marriage he re-
moved to the Buckeye State, locating in Jefferson
County, where he lived until 1857, when he came
with his family to Illinois. His last days were
spent in the liome of the Colonel, and after his
death his widow went to live with her daughter
in Putnam County, 111.

Colonel Wiley's educational privileges were quite
limited. For many years he worked at the car-
penter's trade as a means of livelihood. In 1846
he enlisted in the Mexican AVar, and served as a

non-commissioned officer for a year. Previous to
that service he had come to Illinois, where he en-
gaged in teaching school. In 1847 he located in
Jonesboro, this state, where he followed carpenter-
ing for some time.

On tlie 5th of December, 1850, theColonel was
united in mariiage with Miss Emily, daughter ol
Winstead Davie, of Union County, 111. The lady
was born in 1830, in that county, and tliere they
began their domestic life, but in 1860 came to
Jackson County and settled upon the old home
farm. The following year Mr. Wiley responded
to President Lincoln's call for troops, enlisting in
the Fifth Illinois Cavalry. He was appointed
Lieutenant-Colonel by Governor Yates, and served
in that capacity until 1863, when he resigned and
returned. He then entered the Provost-Marshal's
office in Cairo, where he was employed until 1865,
when he returned to the farm. The four suc-
ceeding years of his life were devoted to agricult-
ural pursuits, and in 1869 he was appointed by
Governor Palmer as Commissioner of the Insane
Asylum at Anna, which position he filled for three
years.

Unto the Colonel and Mrs. Wiley were born
nine children, eight of whom are yet living, viz.:
AVilliam, John, Anna, Ben, Dan, Ciiarles, Mary
and Henry. James is now deceased. Colonel
Wiley was a prominent and influential member of
the Masonic fraternity, which he joined during
the Mexican War, and was Deputy Grand Master
of the state. On the organization of the Repub-
lican party he joined its ranks, and was ever one
of its stalwart supporters. He was one of the few
who voted for Fremont in 1856 in this locality.
For many years he was County Commissioner, and
was twice nominated for Congress. His death oc-
curred in March, 1890, and many warm friends
mourned his loss, for he was a prominent and
highly respected citizen.

John Wiley, son of the Colonel, was born Au-
gust 10, 1854, in Jonesboro, 111. He was educated
in the district schools, and spent his childhood
days in the usual manner of farmer lads. In 1880
he married Margaret Applegate, who was born in
Williamson County, 111., April 12, 1854, and is a
daughter of Louis Applegate, a native of Ohio,

C/y^ ceOfT/. ^^ g/7^<^^^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

359

and a veteran of the Civil War, who is still living
in Jackson Conntj-. Four children grace the union
of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley: Charles, Bessie, Fannie
and John.

Mr. Wile_y is now the owner of eighty acres of
land, the greater part of which is cievoted to fruit-
growing. In his business dealings he lias met with
good success and acquired a comfortable compe-
tence. He holds membership with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Masonic fra-
ternity of Makanda. In politics he is a Repub-
lican. He has served on the School Board, and for
two terms has been Township Supervisor. He is
a representative and progressive citizen, one who
manifests a commendable interest in everything
pertaining to the welfare of the community.

l®), ^^^mh... ,(Sj

(^ '^f^^'" ^^

REDERICK KOCH, Sn., who is living a re-
tired life in Columbia, was born in the
kingdom of Prussia, Germany, August 7,
1828, and is a son of Frederick and Christina
Koch. His bo3'hood days were spent in his native
land, and its public schools afforded him his edu-
cational privileges. He learned the trade of car-
pentering with his father. When aj'oung man of
twenty-two he determined to stek a home and for-
tune beyond the Atlantic, and has never had oc-
casion to regret the fact that he carried out his
resolution.

In 1850 Mr. Koch sailed for America, and took
up bis residence in AVaterloo, where for one year
he worked at his trade. In 1851 he came to Col-
umbia and embarked in business as a carpenter,
continuing operations along that line until 1876,
when he began farming. He had previously pur-
chased land in the American bottoms, where he
now owns eight hundred acres. All is under a
high state of cultivation and well improved, and
to the raising of grain his time has been devoted.
His first purchase of land was a tract of three acres
near Columbia. In 1864 he bought one hundred
and seventeen acres, and to this he has added from
time to time as his financial resources would per-

mit, until he is now one of the extensive land-
owners of the county.

In 1851 Mr. Koch was united in marriage with
Miss Johanna Genzel. The lady is a native of
Prussia, Germany, and came to America in the
year of her marriage. A family of six children
has been born to them, namely: Frederick, who is
now a contractor and builder of Columbia; Annie,
wife of Fred Jleyer, a prominent merchant of this
place; Louisa, now the wife of George Young, a
rejuesentative farmer of Columbia Precinct, Mon-
roe County; Harriet, wife of Albert Kuener, who
is employed as a traveling salesman; Henrietta,
wife of Joseph Southof, who is clerking in Colum-
bia; and Emma, wife of Charles Rey, a resident
farmer of Hanover Precinct.

Mr. Koch has a pleasant home in Columbia,
which stands as a monument of his enterprise. On
all sides are seen his handiwork, for he has erected
many buildings in this place. In his business deal-
ings he has met with prosperity, for he carries for-
ward to a successful completion whatever he un-
dertakes, and by his own efforts he has worked his
wa}' upw-ard from an humble position to one of
wealth and afliuence. In politics he is a supporter
of the Democratic party and its principles, but has
never been an office-seeker. He and his family are
all members of the Evangelical Church, in which
he has served as Trustee. A public-spirited and
progressive citizen, he manifests a commendable
interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of
the community, and well deserves representation
in the history of his adopted county.

I^^^ENRY C. COLE. The following is a
Wji, brief sketch of the career of Mr. Cole. lie
'A^ is a member of the H. C. Cole Milling
(j^ Company, of Chester, and devotes the
greater part of his time and attention to purchas-
ing supplies in the way of grain for their large
nulls. A native of this city he was born May
13, 1852, and is the fourth child in a family of six
children born to Herman C. and Emily (Cocks)
Cole. He passed his boj'hood in attendance at the
public schools, and later continued his studies in the

360

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

University of Illinois at Champaign. In 1873 here-
turned to this city and engaged with his father in
the milling business. lie continued thus employed
until the death of tlie latter, in 1874, when the
business was transferred to the tliree sons, the other
members of the firm being Charles B. and Zachary
T. They operated under the firm name of H. C.
Cole (t Co. until Julj-, 1888, when the style was
changed to the H. C. Cole Milling Company-, by
which it is known throughout this portion of the
state.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Blanche
Dolbee occurred April 24, 1878. Mrs. Cole was
born .Tune ,5, 1852, in Alton, and was the daughter
of Shadrach H. and Hannah E. Dolbee. B\' her
union with our subject have been born three sons
and three daughters, to whom they are giving
good educationb^, fitting them to occup}- honorable
positions in life.

Mr. Cole has always been keenly alive to the in-
terests of his counts, and has been an important
factor in promoting them. He has been the re-
cipient of public honors from his fellow-citizens,
who have lecognized his superior business tact and
other fine qualifications and have called him to
assist in the administration of public affairs. He
has been Alderman of the city, and is at present a
member of the School Board.

\TU^ ON. JOHN .J. DOUGLAS, a progressive
ifjj farmer of township 7, range 6, Randolpii
/•y^ Count}-, has risen to a position in agricult-
1^; ural affairs which many might env\-. He
was born in the citj' of Chester, August 17, 1849,
and has since made his home in this count}-. His
father, Jolin Douglas, Sr., was born in Roxburgh-
shire, Scotland, and was a son of James, who lived
and died in Scotland. His wife, the grandmother
of our subject, came to America, and settled in
Chester in 1843. Her son John was at that time
twenty-nine j'ears of age. He was a miller by trade,
* and worked in tlie Holmes Mills at Chester until
July 4, 1849, when he died with cholera. He was
married in September of the previous year to Mar-
garet Craig, who became the mother of our sub-

ject. Mrs. Margaret Douglas was a daughter of
John and Sarah Craig, who resided on a farm near
Chester.

His mother dying when he was but a lad of six
years, our subject went to live with an uncle,
James Douglas. He was cared for by him the
same as though one of his own children, and at-
tended the counti-}- schools, at the same time learn-
ing the duties of farm work. When fifteen years
old, his ancle died, but our subject still remained
on the farm, helping to support the faniih- for
three years, when he went to learn the trade of a
miller at Chester. He completed his apprentice-
ship in three years, and aftetwaid attended the
commercial college of Bryant & Stratton at St.
Louis, completing the course and fitting himself
to enter business.

AVhen twenty-three years of age. our subject com-
menced farming on his own account on the land
which is still his home. The farm at the time of
his settlement on it consisted of one hundred and
twenty acres of only partially improved land, but
by hard work and sagacious management he has
made it one of the finest farms to be found in the
county and it now comprises three hundred and
twent}' broad and fertile acres. He carries on
general farming and stock-raising, and his land
yields him abundant harvests in return for the
labor expended. In 1871, Mr. Douglas took a
trip across the Atlantic, visiting the old home of
his parents.

October 30, 1872, John J. Douglas and Miss
Belle Adams were united in marriage. Mrs. Doug-
las is a daughter of David and Margaret (Doug-
las) Adams, both natives of Scotland, while the
daughter was born in this county. To this mar-
riage have been born the following named children :
Alice, Everett, Irving, Elmer, Robert and Maggie,
the last two being twins. They are all at home
and constitute a happy faniil}'. Mr. and Mrs.
Douglas are devoted members of the Presbyterian
Church.

In his political affiliations our subject is a stanch
Republican, and in 1892 was elected a member of
the Thirty-eighth General Assembly, to represent
Randolph, Perr}- and Monroe Counties in the
State Legislature, During this session he served

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

361

on the Road tind Bridges, Fees and Salaries, Mines
and Mining and tlie Horticultural Committees,
making a careful and diligent member. He is
classed among the pre-eminently successful agri-
culturists of bis township and has lost no opportu-
nity for improving his estate or contributing to
the welfare of the community, who hold him in
such high esteem.

^;^

'i-^m-r

^,- XTON SCHIEFERSTEIK, one of the prom-
( @/u [[ inent and successful farmers of Monroe

Ij Hi County, who carries on agricultural pur-
suits on section 1, township 3, range 10
west, claims German3' as the land of his birth,
which occurred on the 16th of February, 1825.
His parents, Casper and Mary (Keambel) Schiefer-
stein, were also natives of the same countr^^ and
in its schools were well educated. The father
earned a livelihood by selling yeast. He and his
wife never left their native land, but continued
there to reside until called to the home be3'ond.
Thej' were both members of the Lutheran Church,
and both died when about Qfty-two jears of age.

Under the parental roof Anton Schieferstein
passed his boj'hood days, and in the public schools
was educated, becoming familiar with all the com-
mon branchesof learning. When he started out in
life for himself, he worked as a farm hand by the
year for $15. After his marriage, he also engaged
in peddling yeast, as did his father. Ere leav-
ing his native land, he chose as a companion and
helpmate on life's journey Miss Catherine Gard-
ner, who was also born in Germany.

Hoping to at least secure a comfortable home, if
not a fortune, in the isew World, Mr. Schieferstein
left the Fatherland and with his family crossed the
briny deep. On arriving in this country, he came
direct to Monroe Count}-, 111., and as he had no
capital with which to purchase land, he rented a
farm for two years. By industry- and enterprise
he was enabled to secure some money during that
period, and on its expiration he bought eighty
acres of land near where he now lives. He has
added to this from time to time as his financial re-
sources have increased, until he now owns over

four hundred acres of valuable land under a high
state of cultivation and well improved.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schieferstein were born ten
children, but six of the number are now deceased.
The four still livuig are, Lizzie, Lena, Ben and
Josephine. The last-named is still with her par-
ents, but the others are all married. Our subject
and his wife hold membership with the Lutheran
Church, contribute liberall}' to its support, and
take an active interest in its welfare. In his polit-
ical views, Mr. Schieferstein is a stalwart Republi-
can. He has led a busy and useful life, and by his
well directed efforts, perseverance and economy, he
has accumulated a valuable property, and his com-
fortable competence now enables him to live re-
tired. He rents his land, and in his elegant home
he is spending his declining years in rest from all
business cares. He is a leading and influential
citizen, and one who has the high regard of all
with whom he has been brought in contact.

'^OHN FULLFORD. The name of FuUford
is known and respected throughout Ran-
^^ ] dolph County as belonging to one of the
'f^if.' earliest pioneers of this section of the coun-
try. The present representative of the name is a
son of an old pioneer, who for many years has
been an important factor in the agricultural life
of township 7, range 6, where he is one of the
well-to-do citizens.

John Fullford was born on the home farm where
he still resides November 9, 1848, and is the
younger of the two sons born to Thomas and Mary
A. (Tudor) Fullford, natives of England. The
parents were married in their native country, and
on coming to America in 1846, the father worked
in the rolling mills in New York State for seven
j'ears. At the expiration of that time deciding to
trj' his fortunes in this then western countr}', he
came to Illinois and located upon the farm which
we have mentioned. Here he followed the avoca-
tion of a farmer for many j'ears, and retired from
active work fifteen years prior to his decease,
which occurred January 27, 1893. His widow is

362

POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

still living, at the age of seventy-three years, and
makes her home with our subject.

Tlie subject of this sketch obtained his educa-
tion in the district scliool near his home, and be-
ing reared to farm pursuits, lias spent his entire
life following that occupation. His elder brother,
Thomas, dying in infancy, our subject on the de-
cease of his father fell heir to his numerous estates
and is now kept bus3' looking after iiis propertj',
which comprises both farm lands and city real
estate. He is a man of influence in his community
and is numbered among tlie successful men of
Randolph County.

In 1877 John FuUford and Miss Mary, daughter
of John Turner, of Louisiana, were united in mar-
riage. Their union has been blessed by the birth of
seven children, Alice Oracle, Lydia Priscilla, Ar-
thur Jewett, Ruby I'earl, Ebba Jewell, Ida Cecil
and Florence Elbe. In political matters, Mr. FuU-
ford is a Republican in the national elections,
but in local affairs reserves the right to vote for
the best man, irrespective of party.

•^m-

UILLIAM H. HUBBARD, the able editor
of the Free Press of Carboudale, is a na-
^Jf^ five of the Empire State, and his birth
occurred in Castile, on the 29th of June, 1849.
His fatlier, William II. Hubbard, was born in New
York in 1821, and is a son of Pliny and Charity
(Brooks) Hubbard, the former born in Vermont,
and the latter in the Empire State. He was a
solder in the War of 1812. The Hubbard family
was founded in America by three brothers of Eng-
lish birth, who in early Colonial days braved the
dangers of an ocean voyage to found homes in
the New World. One settled in Connecticut, an-
other in Massachusetts, and the third in Vermont.
Nearly all of the Hubbards in America are de-
scendants of these three brothers.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Evelyn P. Wells. She was born in New
York in 1825, and was a daughter of Walter and
Abigail (Chapin) Wells. Her father served in the
War of 1812, and drew a pension until his death.
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hubbard, Sr., located

near Canandaigua, N. Y., and made their home in
the Empire State until 1875, when they emigrated
to Michigan, locating at Ferry, where the father
carried on merchandising and fanning. He was
practically the owner of that town. About 1880
he went to Chicago, afterward resided in Texas,
and later took up his residence in Kansas City,
Mo., but he is now once more actively engaged in
business in Chicago as President of tiie Rutland
Fire Insurance Company, although he makes his
home in Kansas City. In his family were Bve
cliildren: Foster W., William H., Charles P., Frank
L., and Nellie L., the wife of F. M. Hosmer.

Mr. Hubbard whose name heads this sketch
began his education in the schools of Phelps,
N. Y., and completed it in Syr.acuse in 1867. He
then began reading law in that city and was ad-
mitted to the Bar. Opening an office, he engaged
in practice in Syracuse until 1875, which j-ear
witnessed his removal to Hart, Mich, where he
followed his profession until 1879. During that
time he served as Prosecuting Attorney of the
county. In 1879 he again went to Syracuse,
where he continued in practice until 1888, when
he returned to Michigan and bought the St. Joseph
County (Mich.) liepublican, which paper he pub-
lished until 1890. In that year he moved the
plant to Carbondale, and established the Jackson
County Republican. The paper is now known as
the Republican Free Press. When a boy, Mr. Hub-
bard had learned the printer's trade, and his prac-
tical knowledge of the business now serves him in
good stead.

Our subject was married in Geneva, N. Y., in
1867, to Mary I. Ide, a native of the Empire State,
who was born in February, 1849, and is a daugli-
ter of Darius and Mar^' (Colburn) Ide, also of
New York. Mrs. Hubbard died in 1887, leaving
two children, M. Evelyn and Charles W. In 1888
Mr. Hubbard wedded Ida Britton, who was born
in S.yracuse, N. Y., in 1852, and is a daughter of
Matliias and Fiances S. (Hibbard) Britton. Her
father was a prominent militia officer in New
York. Our subject and his wife have a daughter,
Mildred B. The parents are both prominent niern-
bers of the Presbyterian Church and take an active
part in its work. Mr. Hubbard is now teaching a

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

363

class of young ladies in the Sunday-school, while

liis wife is in charge of the infant class. Socially,
he is a member of the Masonic lodge of Cayuga,
N. Y., of which he has been Senior Deacon; lie be-
longs to Oceana Chapter No. 56, R. A. M., of
Pentwater, jfich; and Central City Commandery
No. 25 of Syracuse, N. Y. He takes a very active
part in politics, and alwajs supports the men and
measures of the Republican party.

^' OHN D. SMITH, a prosperous general agri-
I culturist and successful stock-raiser resid-
j ing upon one of the best farms in Ran-
li^// dolph County, in townsiiip 7, range 6, has
for two decades been identified with the advance-
ment of his present home interests, and, widely
known, is highly esteemed for his business ability
and sterling integritj' of character.

The father of our subject, David Smith, was
born in Pennsjivania, his father bearing the same
name. He came with his father to Monroe County,
this state, in an early da}- and assisted in clearing
a home out of the wilderness. They resided here
some time before the latter passed from this
life. He was a teacher by profession, a hatter by
trade and a very successful man in his business
affairs. David, Jr., gained his primary education
in his native state, and after coming to Illinois
was engaged for some time as a stage-coach driver.
He was married to Miss Fannie Lylie, and later, in
1844, he, with his family, removed to Missouri.
But remaining in that state only two years, he
again came to Illinois and located in Chester, fol-
lowing the trade of a butcher, besides carrying on
general farming and stock-raising to some extent.
He died about 1878, while liis good wife is still
living and makes her home in Chester, at the ad-
vanced age of seventy-four years.

Born Januarj' 18, 1842, in Monroe County, 111.,
our subject is the eldest in a family of five chil-
dren born to his worthy- parents. He was brought
to Randolph County when but two years old,
and here received his limited education. He as-
sisted his father in the butcher's business when a
lad of ten 3ears, and on attaining his majority was

given a half- interest. This partnership continued
until the death of the father, when our subject
conducted the business alone until 1889. Some
years before this, however, Mr. Smith bought a
fine farm and on the above date located thereon.
He has since been engaged in its cultivation, and
here he is carrying on mixed farming, paying con-
siderable attention to the raising of fine stock.
He prepares his own feed by steaming it, prefer-
ring this to the raw. ' The Union Creamery is sit-
uated on Mr. Smitii's farm, in which he is one of
the principal stockholders. It has been running
only about two 3-ears, but is one of the leading
establishments of its kind in the county, handling
about thirty-five hundred pounds of milk per day.
Mr. Smith was married in October, 1863, to
Margaret E. Aldridge, a daughter of Amasa and
Roxana (Gray) Aldridge, natives of Massachusetts.
Their union has been blessed by the birtii of eight
children, one of whom died in infancy. The liv-
ing are: Channing, who married Dais\- Douglas
and resides on a farm near his father; Chester,
who is engaged in the Clarion office at Chester,
and married Annie Paulis; Eunice, Bertha, Harry,
Gertie and Edna. The last-named are yet under
the parental roof. Mrs. Smith is a member of the
Methodist Church, while Mr. Smith is not identi-
fied with any denomination. Socially, our subject
is a member of Lodge No. 276, A. F. & A. M., at
Chester, and is a stanch Democrat in politics.

«^

=^>J ••• ^^^jte •?• .-^» — ii'<D | »

^lENJAMIN F. CLORE. There is no inher-
itance so rich as the records of the worthj'
lives of those who have departed from this
world and gone to receive the reward which
awaits them in Heaven. That death loves a shin-
ing mark was illustrated when it became known
that Benjamin F. Clore, one of Randolph Count\''s
best known citizens, had departed this life. He
was born in Boone County, K^-., November 2, 1832,
and was a child of two years at the time his father,
Abram Clore, removed to this county.

Our subject attended the common schools of his
neighborhood, and amid adverse surroundings
gained the rudiments of his education. His par-

364

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ents when locating here made their home at the
mouth of St. Mary's River, near Chester, wliere
our subject spent his entire life on a farm, and
where his death occurred December 19, 1891. His
marriage With Miss Liieinda Rupert occurred De-
cember 1, 1854, and Mrs. Clore at her death, June
7, 1874, left a famil3- of four sons and tiiree
daughters, of whom we make the following men-
tion: Franklin F. married Ella Condor; Albert C.
married Anna Clendenine; Gilford became the
husband of Amanda Dillinger; Alice became the
wife of Hermann Grab; Harriet L. married Cliarles
Keith, and after his death became the wife of Mr.
Tiiebold; Lucretia married Vincent Tucker, and
Zachariah O. is still single.

The lady whom our subject chose as his second
companion w.as Mrs. Mel vina F. Tingle, their union
taking place May 7, 1876. Mrs. Clore died Octo-
ber 1 of the next year, and November 2, 1880, our
subject was married to Mrs. Salinda (Moore) Petit,
daughter or John and Elizabeth (Mausker) Moore.
Mrs. Salinda Clore was born and reared in this
county, and by her union with our subject became
the mother of four children, of whom the eldest is
Nora S. Ozias died when six years of age, and
Kennetli and Franklin May are residing with their
mother, who still lives on the home farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Clore were active members of the
Methodist Church, and in his political relations
our subject was a stanch Democrat. He was well
known to the citizens of this section, and his cor-
rect mode of living gained for him a popularity
which was merited in every respect.

-^"^

PAUL I ROSE. Township 7, range 6, Ran-
dolph Count}', is the home of many intelli-
gent, industrious and prosperous farmers,
jl\ who from a small beginning have won a
competence, securing a considerable amount of land
and surrounding themselves with man}' comforts
and conveniences. Among this number may be
mentioned Paul Irose, who is now occup^Mng a
good farm on section 17.

Our subject is a native of Poland, where he was

born in June, 1842, and where also the birth of
his father, Daniel Irose, occurred. The latter was
married in his native land, and to them were born
eight children, who accompanied them on their re-
moval to America in 1854. The wife and mother
dying while en route to this country, the father
came to Illinois and located with his children on
a farm five miles east of Chester, and at once be-
gan farming, which was his vocation tiiroughout
life. At his death, which occurred in 1862, he
left a good property.

After coming to America, the father of our sub-
ject was married to Miss Mary Schlocher, and his
widow still survives, making her home in Chester.
Paul, of this sketch, attended school in Randolph
Count}', and received such an education as was
given to the boys and girls of that day. When a
lad of seventeen, he learned the trade of a black-
smith with Henry Koehns, of Chester, for whom
he worked for three years. Then going to Ruck-
wood, J'oung Irose worked at his trade with Rob-
ert Emery for a short time, then made his way
into Jackson County, this state. After two months
spent there, he returned to this county, and at
Archie Island worked for four years as a black-
smith. At the expiration of that time he came to
Chester and opened up a shop for himself, continu-
ing to do a good business for twenty -six years.
Being afflicted with rheumatism, he closed out his
business and purchased a farm two miles east of
Chester, where he is still living, engaged in rais-
ing grain and fine grades of stock.

October 22, 1868, Paul Irose was married to
Miss Catherine Murkufsky, who, like himself, was
born in Poland, and who was brought to America by
her parents when quite young. Her father, Henry
Murkufsk}', was a tailor, and met his death in the
coal mines of Penns^'lvania. To our subject and
his wife have been born eleven children, two of
whom died in infancy. Those who are living are,
Maggie, Lizzie, Paul, Katie, Joseph, Jessie, Robert,
Alice and Cora. They have all been given good
educations, and the three eldest are prominent
teachers in this county.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Irose have been reared
in the Catholic faith, they are not closely identi-
fied with the church now. Mr. Irose was in early

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

365

life a Democrat, but of late jears has voted with
tlie Republican pa^t3^ He takes a great interest in
the educational affairs of his neighborhood, and
has rendered efficient service as School Director.

D<' ^'$1

i^^ AVID MlCONACHIE, who is successfully
engaged in farming in Randolph County,
claims Ireland as the land of his birth,
which occurred in County Antrim in
1838. His giandparents, David and Jennie (Chest-
nut) McConachie, were also natives of County
Antrim, and there spent their entire lives. The
family, however, is of Scotch descent, but on ac-
count of religious persecution, its members re-
moved to Ireland. Tiie grandfather, who was a
farmer, was a member of the Scotch Seceder Church.
He died at the age of ninetj-four. His wife was
a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Leitreni) Chest-
nut, the former of whom was an officer in the Brit-
ish army. The latter was a daugliter of the Earl
of Leitrem.

Robert McConachie, father of our subject, was
born in Countv Antrim in 1810, and in 1830 mar-
ried Jane, daughter or John and Martha (Steele)
McConacliie. They became the parents of five
children: John, Jane and Robert, deceased, and
David and William, of this county. In 1858 the
father came with his family to America, and lived
in the Sparta Precinct until his death, which oc-
curred in 1879. He was a farmer and stone-mason.
In politics he was a Republican. He was a mem-
ber of the Covenanter Church, and in his native
land served as Deacon.

We now take up the personal history of our
subject, who was a young man of twenty-one
years when he came to the United States. He set-
tled in xsew York and began working upon a farm.
The following spring he joined his parents in this
county and continued with them until 1873,
when he was married. In 1861 he had purchased
eighty acres of land, which he still owns. In 1863
he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a mem-
ber of Com |)any K, Forty-second Illinois Infantry,
in which he served one hundred days. He then
re-enlisted as a member of Company K, Fifth Illi-

nois Cavalry, and continued in the service until
the close of the war, when he was honorably dis-
charged. He took part in the Meridian campaign
and also in a number of important engagements.

In August, 186.1, Mr. JMcConachie returned
home, and in the year 1873 married Miss Lu-
cinda Steele, a native of Randolph County and a
daughter of Bilen and Jvancj' (Morrison) Steele,
the fc>rmer a native of Ireland, and the latter of
Illinois. To our subject and his wife have been
born four children, Robert Henrj',Emma B., David
Rilen and Nancy Jane. The family is one of
prominence in the community, and its members
hold an enviable position in social circles.

The life of our subject has been a successful one,
and his well directed afforts have received their
reward in the comfortable competence which he
possesses. He owns two hundred and forty acres of
valuable land and has ll,000 in the buiiding and
loan association. In politics he is a supporter of
the Republican party, and he has been honored
with some local offices of public trust. He served
for twelve ^-ears as School Director, was Township
Trustee four terms, and since 1865 has been
School Trustee. He has filled these positions with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu-
ents, for he is ever true and faithful to confidence
and trust reposed in him. He belongs to the Grand
Army of the Republic, of which he is Senior Vice-
Commander, and both he and his wife hold mem-
bership with the United Presb^'terian Church.

IjU. ENRY BUETTNER, wlio carries on general
11/ jli farming on section 36, township 3, range

ili JJl 1 I o

!iW^ 10 west, is numbered among the early set-
'f^j tiers of Monroe Countj-, and as such well
deserves representation in its history. He was
born in Germany on the 29th of July, 1837, and
is a son of Henry and Julia Buettner, who were
also natives of the same countrj-. The father was
a miller bj- trade and followed that occupation in
his native land. In 1848 he brought his family
to the New World and located in St. Louis, where
he worked at the tailor's trade. He afterward
came to Monroe Countj', where he purchased an

366

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eighty-acre farm, wliicli he cultivated until selling
out preparatory to his removal to Kansas. In that
state be purchased a large farm and continued its
cultivation until his death, which occurred in
Clark County, Kan., at the age of sixty-nine years.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and in
politics was a supporter of the Republican party.
His wife died in St. Louis at the age of thirty-five.
This worthy couple had a family of seven chil-
dren, six of whomarej'et living.namel}-: Caroline,
Adeline, Henry, Herman, Julia and Henrietta.

Henry Buettner was a lad of eleven years when
with his family he crossed tlie briny deep to the
New World. He grew to maniiood in Monroe
County, and its public schools afforded him his
educational privileges. Le remained with his fa-
ther until twent3'-four years of age, when he
started out to make his own way in the world, and
as a companion and iielpmate on life's journey he
chose Miss Elizabeth Valentine, a native of Ger-
many, who with her parents came to America
when a maiden of ten jears. By the marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Buettner were born four children,
but three of the number are now deceased. The
only one living is .John, who is married and re-
sides in Monroe County. The mother died at
the age of thirty-two years, in the faith of the Lu-
theran Church, of which she was a consistent mem-
ber. For his second wife Mr. Buettner married
Mena Hesterberg, a native of Germany. She w.is
brought by her parents to the United States dur-
ing her infancy and was reared and educated in
this county. By this union were born six children,
but four of the number are now deceased. Sophia
and Julia are still with their parents.

Upon his first marriage Mr. Buettner purchased
forty acres of land and upon that farm he has
since resided, although lie has extended its boun-
daries from time to time until it comprises one
hundred and twelve acres of good land, which
yields to the owner a golden tribute in return for
the care and cultivation he bestows upon it. In
earlier years he followed threshing in connection
with his farm work, and as the result of his indus-
try and perseverance he has become well-to-do.
He exercises the right of franchise in support of
the Republican party, and has lield several school

offices, such as Director and Trustee. Both he
and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church,
and in social circles thev hold an enviable position.
Mr. Buettner is a highly respected citizen, who
during his long residence in this community', by an
honorable, upright life, has gained the confidence
and good will of all with whom he lias been
brought in contact.

^^ALENTINE KERN, who owns and operates
a good farm of two hundred and forty
acres on section 31, township 3, range 8
west, is numbered among the leading agriculturists
of Monroe County. His place is improved with
substantial buildings and all the accessories of a
model farm. It is neat and attractive in appear-
ance, and the well tilled fields indicate to the
passer-by the careful supervision of the owner.

The father of our subject, Francis Kern, was
born in the province of Deburg, Germany, in
1809, and tliere wedded Mary Schroet. It was in
1840 that he crossed the briny deep to the New
World. He spent the winter in St. Louis, and the
following spring came to Prairie du Long, Monroe
County, and located a mile and a-half south of
Freedom. After a short time he settled on section
31, where he entered eighty-four acres of Govern-
ment land, and in the midst of the forest hewed
out a farm. He built a good home and placed the
land under a high state of cultivation. He con-
tinued the operation of his farm until his death,
which occurred in 1881. In the family were only
two children, who are now living: Valentine, and
John, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in
Missouri. The father was one of the first German
settlers of this conimunit}', and was an honored
and highly respected citizen. He held member-
ship with the Catholic Church.

On the 26th of August, 1841, on the old home
farm, occurred the birth oi's'alentine Kern. He
was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, at-
tending the district schools through the winter
season, and aiding in the labors of the farm dur-
ing the summer months. Thus he grew to man-
hood, and the home of his boyhood is still his

^ '"^ -4

RE'>iDFilCE& Ml LL OT J, M. V^i LL I AM5 , VFRGEN N E5 . ILL.

L-a

•'^ i j^

l^h

^^^c

1 ^

_.U

RESIDENCE OF VALENTIN E K E RN , 5EC. 31., T. 3. R 8. MON ROE CO., ILL.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

369

place of residence. In the year 1864, Mr. Kern
was united in marriage with Miss Catherina Pur-
tle. Tlie lady was born August 27, 1843, and is a
daughter of Patrick Purtle, one of the earliest
settlers of Monroe County.

By the union of this worthy couple has been born
a family of six children, as follows: Valentine,
who was born April 20, 1865; Mary M., March 4,
1868; Henry, March 12, 1870; John, September 3,
1873; Elizabeth, April 14, 1877; .and Christian J.,
March 1, 1884. The eldest son married Maggie
Steppig, who was born May 16, 1869, and they
live on section 31, township 3, range 8. Mary is the
wife of George Stadter, a resident of Monroe Coun-
ty. The other children are still under the parental
roof. The family circle yet remains unbroken by
the hand of Death. The household is the abode
of hospitality and good cheer, and its members
rank liigh in the social circles in which they move.

Mr. Kern devotes his entire time and attention
U) the improvement and cultivation of his farm,
which is one of the best in the community, and his
labois are rewarded by a good income. He has
led a busy and useful life, yet never neglects his
public duties. He takes a warm interest in every-
thing pertaining to the welfare of the community,
and is a valued citizen. In politics, he is a Demo-
crat. He and his family are members of the Cath-
olic Church of Red Bud.

lllOHN M. WILLIAMS, who is engaged in
milling in Vergennes, occupies a prominent
^^\ j position in business circles, and is recognized
^^fJ as one of the leading citizens of the place.
He was born August 4, 1839, in Floyd County,
Ind., and is a son of Samuel and Lavina (I^ewis)
Williams. His father was born in Clark County,
Ind., November 29, 1813, and followed coopering
and agricultural pursuits, making his home upon
a farm. He married Miss Lewis in Floyd County,
and unto them were born the following children:
Sylvania, wife of Lorenzo D. Emery; David,
James, Winfield S., George W.; Thomas J., now
deceased; Mary Ann, wife of Conrad Baker; and
Samuel. The father is a Democrat in his political

views and has taken a prominent part in local
politics, being honored with a number of official
positions. He now owns two large farms and is
well-to-do. His wife died at the age of thirty
years.

No event of special importance occurred during
the boyhood and youth of our subject, which
were quietly passed upon the home farm. At the
age of twenty-one, in 1861, he came to Jackson
County, but in September of that year he entered
the service of his country as a member of the boys
in blue of Company C, Forty-ninth Indiana In-
fantry, under Col. James Keigwin. He served for
three years and ten months, and participated in
the battles of Cumberland Gap, Big Creek Gap,
Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Port Gibson, Jackson,
Miss., and the Red River expedition. In 1864 he
re-enlisted and was elected Captain of his old
company, in which position he served until hon-
orably discharged at the close of the war, .Septem-
ber 1.5, 1865. He was a faithful officer, and was
ever found at his post of duty, valiantly defend-
ing the Old Flag and the cause it represented.

When the war was over, Mr. Williams re-
turned to Floyd County, Ind., and after two
years removed to Daviess County, where he en-
gaged in farming. In the county of his nativit3%
in 1867, he married Miss Martha, daughter of
Jacob Miller. They became the parents of one
child, Ollie, who was born April 26, 1868, and who
mairied E. C. Lovejoy. They reside in Vergennes,
and have two children, Ida and Carl. Mrs. Will-
iams died in 1869, and the following year our
subject wedded Maiy E. Palmer. Four children
grace this union: William, born July 31, 1873;
Carl, May 31, 1875; Cora, June 13, 1877; and Ger-
tie, March 26, 1879.

For twelve years Mr. Williams resided in Knox
County, 111., and then came to Jackson County in
1881. Settling in De Soto, he engaged in mer-
chandising until 1884, when he came to Vergennes,
and continued in the same line of business until
1886. In that year he embarked in milling in
connection with Joshua Palmer, his brotiier-in-law,
and together they own and operate the douring
and saw mill of this place. The3' do a large busi-
ness, which is constantly increasing, and well de-

370

PORTRAIT AND BIOClRAPmCAL RECORD.

serve the liberal patronage wbieh is accorded them.
They also engage in grain dealing.

Since 1865, Mr. Williams lias been connected
witli tiie Odd Fellows' societj-, and has Iield the
office of Secretary of the lodge and other official
positions. lie votes vvitli the Republican parly,
but lias never souglit or desired political prefer-
ment for himself, although since 1885 he lias held
the office of Township Clerk. His wife is a member
of the Methodist Church, and both are prominent
people of this community. They occupy an en-
viable position in social circles and liave the warm
regard of many friends.

r$;i&$:!g-sig-§sg-®si&$;;g-^g^!&^^sis_

?)HOMAS LICKISS. All honor is due to tlie
noble pioneers of Illinois, who braved the
hardships of pioneer life, endured man}-
privations, and sacrificed much in order to estab-
lish homes for tliemselves and their families. It is
due to their patient and persistent labors that the
growth and prosperit}' of the state were laid upon
enduring foundations. Some of these men have
passed from the scenes of their earllil}' labors and
live only in the affectionate remembrance of those
who recognize their indebtedness to them.

'l"he events in the life of Thomas Lickiss, em-
braced in the period extending from his birth in
England, in July, 1811, to his death in Randolph
County, March 28, 1878, may be brieQy recorded
as follows: He was reared to manhood in his na-
tive place, and was a j'oung man of twenty-three
years when in 1834 he came to America, remain-
ing in this country about eleven years. Mean-
time, he visited Mexico, Canada and various parts
of the United States. He then returned to Eng-
land, where he married and made his home for
four years. However, he was not content to re-
main permanently in England, and accordingly
we find him in 1849 again in the United States.
The same year witnessed his arrival in SteeleviUe,
when; he afterward resided.

Having learned the trade of a blacksmith in
England, Mr. Lickiss opened a shop at SteeleviUe,
and followed that occupation until compelled by
disability to give it up. He then embarked in the

mercantile business, and conducted a flourishing
and profitable trade until the time of his death.
In 1845, he married Miss Elizabeth Denniss, a na-
tive of England, whose parents lived and died in
that country. In 1879, Jlrs. Lickiss married John,
the eldest brother of her late husband, and he con-
tinued the mercantile business until his death,
which occurred in November, 1879. Since that
time, Mrs. Lickiss has continued the business, and
notwithstanding the fact that she is neaiing her
seventy-fourth birthday, she is quite active, and
gives her personal supervision to the management
of the store. She has never had any children of
her own, but has reared three, Mar}^ A. Ford, an
orphan, who married John Sanders, and now re-
sides in California; Maud May Williamson, who
is still with her, and Fred Williamson, whom she
cared for from the time of his mother's death
until his father's second marriage.

Although Thomas Lickiss was a quiet, unassum-
ing man, the people among whom he dwelt held
him in warm regard, as they always found in him
a true friend, ever considerate and pleasant in his
manner, and they had a high opinion of his per-
sonal character, knowing him to be a man of
IM'inciple and sound integrity. In his religious
preference he. with liis wife, was a Presbyterian,
which has been the faith of tliu family for many
generations.

•5— ^=^>^^-<^

-5—

>jp^| LI BECKLEY. There is sometliing about
l^ the life of a prosperous and popular man
I*' — ^ very pleasant to contemplate — something
that gives encouragement to those seeking to make
for themselves desirable positions in life. Such an
example is shown in the career of Eli Becklc}', who
is generally conceded to deserve unlimited praise
for the success he has attained and for the strict
integrity' of his business transactions. He is one
of the largest land-owners in Randolph County,
being the possessor of seven hundred and forty-
five broad acres located in township 4, range 5,
which he operated until 1893, when he moved into
the village of Coulterville.

A native of Staflfordshire, England, our subject

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

371

was born October 25, 1827, to Daniel and Phoebe
(Scliriven) Beckley, also nativesof England, where
they lived and died, the father aged eighty-four
years, and tlie mother when two years younger.
They reared a family' of twelve children, nine of
whom are living, but only two make their home
in the United Stales, our subject and his brother
Joshua, wlio is also a resident of this county.

Eli, of this sketch, was educated and grew to
manhood in England, and wiicn coming to Amer-
ica, in 1854, settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he
embarked in business as a brewer. Remaining
there for nearly four years, he came to this state
in 1857, and located within half a mile of his pres-
ent home, which is on section 4, township 4, range
5. He leased property for three years from Alex-
ander Dicke}', but after living upon it two years,
gave up the lease and moved to a finely improved
farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, for which
he paid ^2,700. It now includes seven hundred and
forty-flve acres, which, under his careful manage-
ment, has been placed under excellent cultivation,
and now compares favorably with any other estate
in the county in point of tillage and imijrove-
nient.

Mr. Beckley has crossed the Atlantic twentj'
times in behalf of his stock-raising interests, in
which branch of farming he began in 1860. He
now imports Clydesdale and Englishshire horses,
of which he has the exclusive trade in this local-
ity. He is a stockholder in the flouring mill at
Coulterville, owns and operates the Coulterville
Creamery, and has an interest in another establish-
ment of that kind near Darmstadt, St. Clair Coun-
ty', this state. He likewise publishes the only pa-
per in Coulterville, and is looked upon as one of
the wealthy and influential citizens of Randolph
County.

In 1854, Mr. Beckley and Miss Mary Kendrick,
of Worcestershire, England, were united in mar-
riage. The lady became the mother of six chil-
dren, and departed this life in 1889. Her children
were, William Henry, Mary, Abraham L., Caroline,
Phoebe Ann and Lillie Ann. Our subject was
again married in November, 1892, the lady of his
choice being Sarah Barber. She likewise was a na-
tive of the same county in P>ngland,and is a mem-

ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beckley does
all that he can to advance the educational inter-
'ests of his locality. He is a stanch Republican in
polities, and possesses those pleasant social quali-
ties which have made for him a host of warm
friends, who delight in his success.

ATIIER GERHARD TOENNIES, Assistant
P.istor of St. Andrew's Catholic Church of
Murphysboro, was born in Germantown,
Clinton County, HI., November 12, 1864. His
grandfather, Gerhard Toennies, w.is born in Ger-
many, and was a weaver by trade. In 1849, he
came with his wife and three sons to America.
One son had crossed the previous 3'ear, locating in
Germantown. The grandparents both died of
cholera on the trip up the Mississippi River. He
was buried on the banks of the stream, and she
was laid to rest in St. Louis.

The father of our subject, Herman Toennies,
was born in Germany, and accompanied his par-
ents to the New World. By hard labor, he at
length acquired enough capital to purchase land,
and cleared and improved a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres. He is now living a retired life
in Clinton County, at the age of sixty-three
years. In 1891, he paid a visit to his old home in
the Fatherland. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of Ann M. Koebbe. was born in German^',
and in early life came with her parents to the
United States. She died September 9, 1874, leav-
ing a family of three sons and two daughters.

Father Toennies, whose name heads this sketch,
was reaied upon the home farm, and worked early
and late, aiding in the development of the land.
He then studied for a year and a-half with Father
William Cluse, now Vicar-General of the diocese,
later located in Germantown, and in 1883 en-
tered Teutopolis College, graduating from the
classical course. In 1887, he became a student in
St. Francis' Seminary in Milwaukee, pursuing a
course in philosophy and theology, and was gradu-
ated in 1891. He was ordained a priest at Ger-
mantown in St. Boniface Church, June 24, 1891,
by Bishop Jansen, of the Belleville diocese, and

'il2

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was appointed Assistant Pastor at Murphysboro.
On tlie 13th of July he came to this place, where
he has since eainestly labored. He is also Assist-'
ant Pastor of St. Elizabeth's Church, St. Ann's
Church at Radville, St. Gregory's Church at Grand
Tower, and the church at Cartersville. In 1894 a
house of worship will be erected at the last named
place.

Father Toeunies has established a Latin class in
the schools at this place. He is a highly' educated
man, and is indefatigable in his efforts to advance
the interests of his church.

AVID SCIIEIN, the popular and ellicient
]\j Postmaster of Berksville, and one of its
leading merchants, is a native of Germany,
his birth having occurred there February
6, 1850. His parents, Andrew and Henrietta
(Jacob.v) Schein, were also born in the same coun-
try, and were there educated. The father was a
machinist of Kcmpen, and was a very industrious
and hard working man. Both he and his wife
were members of the Hebrew Church. They have
now departed this life, the father's death having
occurred at the age of seventy -seven ^ears, while
his wife passed away at the age of seventy-four.
They were the parents of thirteen children, but
only three are living, Joseph, Salo and David.

Our subject acquired a good education in the
public schools of the I'\athtrland. In 1866, at the
age of sixteen 3'ears, he came with his brother,
Salo, to this country, and after spending about a
year in travel, he located in Berksville, Monroe
County, where he has since made his home. He had
had some business experience before his emigration
to the New World, for he had been engaged in
clerking in the Fatherland. After arriving here,
he engaged in clerking for six years, and was a
trusted employe, ever faithful to the interests of
those for whom he woiked. In this wa}-, through
his industry and economy, he acquired some capi-
tal, which in 1875 he invested in a business of his
own. Forming a partnership with Mr. Ziebold,
they opened a general store in Monroe City, and
together did business until 1877, when the con-

nection was dissolved, and Mr. Schein opened a
store of his own. This he conducted for eleven
years, when in 1888 he sold out and came to
Berksville, opening the stoie of which he is now
proprietor.

The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Schein
was in her maidenhood Emma Lorentz. She
was born in Iowa, but the greater part of her girl-
hood was speut in this county, where she acquired
a good education. She is a member of the Lutheran
Church, and is an estimable lady, who has many
fiiends throughout the community. B3' their
union were born eleven children, Ida (the wife of
Peter Schneider), Nelson. Henry, Julius, Heniietta,
George, Phelona, and four who died in infancy.

In his political views, ilr. Schein is a stanch
Democrat, and warmly advocates the principles of
his party. lie has served as School Director, was
Justice of the Peace for several years, and for nine
years was Postmaster of Monroe City. He now
holds a similar position in Berksville, and is a
capable and efficient officer. He is a member of
the Ilarigari Lodge, and holds membership with
the Lutheran Church. He commenced life for
himself without a dollar, but he is an excellent
financier, and by careful attention to the details
of his business and l\v well directed efforts, he has
met with signal success, and has become one of
the substantial citizens of the community.

€+^1

ANIEL j\I. DOTY. Though several years
have come and gone since this gentleman
passed away, his memory as a sincere
friend and loj'al citizen is still as fresh in
the hearts of his associates as in the days gone by
and will be perpetuated in the affection and regard
of posterity. During the entire period of his resi-
dence in Jackson County he displayed an unceas-
ing interest in the welfare of his fellow-citizens
and did all in his power to advance their material
prosperity. During the entire period of his resi-
dence in Jackson Count}', he displayed an unceas-
ing interest in the welfare of his fellow-citizens
and did all in his power to advance their material
prosperity. Especially was he intimately associ-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

373

ated with the history of Vergennes Township,
whicli for a time was his home, and in which he
achieved his higliest successes.

A native of Jackson County, 111., our subject
was born here .January 29, 1834, and was a son of
William Doty, of whom further mention is made
upon another page of this volume. In his youth
he received such advantnges as were offered by
the neighboring schools, but his education was
largely secured b^' personal investigation and pri-
vate study. From childhood days he was inter-
ested in farming, and it was natural that upon
choosing a life occupation he selected the voca-
tion of an agriculturist. Succeeding years proved
the wisdom of his choice.

November 18, 1863, Mr. Doty was united in
marriage with Miss Margaret G., daughter of
Charles and Jane (McMurray) Blacklock, all na-
tives of Scotland, and early settlers of Jackson
County, having come here in tlie '50s. She is
one in a family of four surviving children, the
others being David A., who lives in Levan Town-
ship, Jackson County; Thomas, a resident of Keo-
kuk, Iowa; and Robert B., of Somerset Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Doty became the parents of seven
children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Charles
M., James T., Agnes and Robert B.

At the age of about fifty years, before the en-
ergy of manhood had become enervated by tlie in-
firmities of old age, Mr. Dot}' was called from
earth. His demise occurred June 26, 1884, and
was mourned not only by his immediate relatives,
but also by the people throughout tiie county, for
he was a kind neighbor, a generous and self-sacri-
ficing friend and capable man. While he had not
been actively identified with politics, he never-
theless adhered with ardor to the principles of the
Democratic partj', and never lost an opportunity
to cast his ballot for the nominees of that political
organization.

So successful had Mr. Dot}' been in his agricult-
ural pursuits that at his death he left an estate
comprising more tlian three hundred acres of land.
Upon this homestead his widow has continued to
make her home, superintending the management
of the farm with such skill and efficiency that its
value has been increased by the addition of sub-

stantial improvements. In her religious belief she
is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
to wliidi she contributes systematically, and in
the work of which she is activel}' interested.

LEXANDER CRISLER, whose sketch we
now have the pleasure of presenting, is a
native of this county, and was born in
Rockwood Frecinct September 18, 1851.
Here he grew to man 's estate, commencing at an
early age to cultivate the soil and to learn the
principles of successful farming. His education was
limited, but his natural ability and fondness for
knowledge can more than atone for the lack of
what is commonly called "schooling." Mr. Cris-
ler is now occupying a fine estate on section 36,
township 7, range 6. where he devotes his attention
to cultivating the soil.

The i)arents of our subject, John and Mary
(Hindman) Crisler, were natives of Kentucky, and
came to this county previous to their marriage,
when quite young. John Crisler was a blacksmith
by trade, which calling he followed in Rockwood
until his decease, which occurred in 1866. Our
subject was a lad of fifteen years when his father
died, and he was compelled to give up any am-
bition he might have had for procuring an educa-
tion, being obliged to work on the farm and
assist in the support of his mother. The latter de-
parted this life in 1876.

Our subject began to break land on his own ac-
count on reaching his majority, and has ever since
been engaged as a general farmer and stock-raiser.
Ever3thing about his estate has been accomplish-
ed by arduous toil, and is now under a fine state
of cultivation. He was married in 1871 to Miss
Nancy Lowr}-, and they have become the parents
of eight children, two of whom are deceased. John,
Clemie, James, Edgar and Byrdare living at home,
and Willis is residing with an aunt in Chester.

Mrs. Crisler was the daughter of Hugh and
Sarah Lowrj', who were residents of this count}-
for many years; the father came from Ireland, and
the mother is a native of Alabama. Our subject's

374

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.

wife departed this life May 16, 1886, and July 4,
1888. Mr. Crisler was married to Margaret Lowry,
a sister of his first wife. To them has been born a
daugliter, Sadie, who is three j-cais old. Mrs. Cris-
ler is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

Mr. Crisler, until a few j'ears ago, was a Liberal
in politics. Now, however, he casts his vote for
tlie People's party candidates. He is one of the
most public spirited and progressive men in this
locality , and socially he is a member of Springvale
Tvodge No. 922, F. ]M. B. A., and is now Chairman
of the County Assembly'.

//r^ JACOB JOBB IS a prominent businei
[|[ (— ^ of Mae3-stown, widely and favorably
■^^^1 throughout the communitj', and it

JACOB JOBB is a prominent business man

known
is with

pleasure that we present to our readers this record
of his life. A native of Germany, he was born
June 24. 1844, to Lewis and Maggie (Heinefourth)
Jobb, who were also natives of the same coun-
try. They were the parents of eight children,
but only two of the number are yet living, Cevilla
and Jacob. The parents were both reared and ed-
ucated in the Fatherland, and Mr. Jobb was a
vcrj- well informed man. By trade he was a
weaver. In 1854 he bade adieu to friends and
countr}', and wi^h his family crossed the broad
ocean to America. He at once went to Missouri,
and purchasing forty acres of land in Cape Girar-
deau Count}', there carried on agricultural pur-
suits until his death, which occurred at the age of
fifty-six years. His wife survived him some time,
and her last days were spent in Maeystowu, where
she departed this life at the age of sixty-three. The
parents were both members of the Lutheran Church
and were highly respected people.

Midst play and work, Mr. Jobb of this record
spent the d.ays of his boyhood and 3'outh. He
was only ten years of age at the time of the
emigration to the New World, and in Missouri he
was reared and educated. He became familiar
with all the details of farm life and aided in the
labors of the field until nineteen years of age,
when he began learning the harness-maker's trade,

which he followed for a period of seven j-ears.
In 1862 we find him among the defenders of tiie
country, for he had joined the boys in blue of
Companj' F, Twenty-ninth Missouri Infantry.
He served for nineteen months, and was tiien
honorabl}' discharged. He participated in the
battles of Corinth and Nashville, and was mustered
out at Kingston, Ga.

Mr. Jobb at once returned to his home, and for
some years past has resided in Maeystown, where
he is engaged in business as a harness maker and
dealer. He has followed his trade througliout
life, and now receives from the public a liberal
patronage, which he well deserves, for he carries a
full and complete stock and earnestly desires to
please his customers. Straightforward dealing has
ever characterized his business career and undoubt-
ed I3" has been an important factor in his success.
In 1868 Mr. Jobb married Elizabeth Aites, who
died leaving one son, Albert In 1873, Mr.
Jobb married Gertrude Dillenberger, a native of
Monroe Count}', and a highly educated and re-
fined lady. Their union has been blessed witli a
family of six children, of whom five are yet living,
and are still under the parental roof, namely:
Katie, Jacob, Lizzie, George and Clara. The chil-
dren have been provided with good educational
privileges, and are thus fitted for the practical and
responsible duties of life. The parents are both
prominent members of the Lutheran Church, in
wiiich Mr. Jobb formerly held the office of Treas-
urer. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, who
warmly advocates the principles of his party.
Socially, he is connected with Maeystown Lodge
No. 3809, K. H., of Maeystown. A man of ster-
ling worth and strict integrity, lie has won the con-
fidence and high regard of all who know him.

rj^gJ K ' S i £ ^S S is'

ENRY E. EBBRECHT. The simple record
of an honorable life is the best monument
that can be reared to any citizen, and we
shall therefore not attempt to enlarge
upon the history of the gentleman above named,
who was one of Chester's most reputable residents.
He was called from this life in the prime of man-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

375

hood, February 11, 1893. His birth occurred No-
vember 4, 1862, in this city. His parents were
Henr3' and Carrie (Schrader) Ebbrecht, natives of
Germany, wlio came to tiiis country when quite
young, and were married in Chester. Five chil-
dren were born to this couple, all d^-ing in in-
fancy with the exception of our subject, who was
the j'oungest in order of birth.

Our subject received a fair education, attending
the Chester schools until reaching his fourteenth
year, when he commenced to work with his uncle,
Ernest Schrader, learning the trade of a barber,
and continuing at it for a period of three j^ears.
"When but a child of three years he lost his mother
by death and was reared by an aunt, Mrs. Wolf,
until entering the above business, when he lived
with his uncle. After leaving his uncle, he em-
barked in the business on his own account at
Buena Vista, now a part of Chester, and by his dili-
gence and perseverance soon had a large trade.
In 1890 he added a stock of jewelry, which in-
creased his business greatly.

August 12, 188.5, Mr. Ebbrecht was united in
marriage with Miss Annie Boeger, a daughter of
Fred C. and Minnie (Koelerl Boeger. Tlie father
came to the United .Stales from German}' when
but eighteen j'ears old and followed cabinet mak-
ing, continuing thus engaged until his death,
which occurred in Chester in 1887. In the mean-
time he purchased a furniture store, which at the
time of his demise was the leading store of the
kind in Chester. His good wife, who came to this
country when thirt}- years of age, was here mar-
ried and is yet living, aged fifty-nine years. Mr.
and Mrs. Ebbrecht bad one child, Lillie. She was
born July 30, 1886, and is now a student at the
Lutiieran school.

•July 2, 1889, the good wife and mother died, and
September 27, 1892, Mr. Ebbrecht was married to
Emma Boeger, a sister of his first wife. Four
months after this event, our subject was called to
the land beyond, mourned and respected b}' his
many friends and acquaintances. In politics he was
a Democrat, working for his party whenever oppor-
tunity offered, although never aspiring to public
duties. He and his wife were devoted members
of the Lutheran Church, the latter still being an

active worker in that denomination. Mrs. Eb-
brecht for awhile carried on her husband's jewelry
business alone, but recently- sold it. She commands
the respect of all with whom she comes in contact.

<X[ ^.^»^»^.^.^.»»^-^.^.^. ^ ^.4.^^^•»»»^.4^^^••^♦ :x>

"ill O H N M. C R I S L E R was for many years
prominentl}' identified with the .agricultural
interests of Randolph County, and his fine
farm, located on section 36, township 6,
range 7, is supplied with substantial imi)rovenients,
including neat and commodious buildings, and is
in every respect well improved and well managed.
Our subject was born near Chester, this county,
.lanuar}- 6, 1823, and is a son of Silas and Mary
(Shafer) Crisler. The parents were natives of
Boone County, Ky., and came to Illinois after
marriage, remaining here the rest of their days.
Our subject enjoyed onl}' limited opportunities
for an education, but studied in the subscription
schools of his native township. Aiding his father
in the care of the home farm until his death, he
then carried it on alone. When he was twenty-
nine 3-ears old, he bought land of his own, which
he carried on from then until his death, which
occurred on the 22d of December, 1885. His fine
farm was made up of two hundred and twentj'
acres, which is a well improved tract, bearing a
complete line of substantial buildings. The fertile
acreage yields various grains and is a source of a
sufficient income to surround the family with the
comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

On the 22d of August, 1855, John M. Crisler
was married to Eliza (Dean) Cowan, a daughter
of Obediali and Martha (Van Buren) Dean, natives
of Maine and New York, respeetivelj'. To our sub-
ject and his wife four children were born. Cecelia,
who married John A. Maxwell, lives in this coun-
ty; Efiie and Inez (twins) are next in order. The
former was struck with palsy when a child and has
been a cripple eversinee. Inez is the wife of Joseph
Harris and lives near Chester. Gelo, the only son, is
3'etat home. The good mother is a member of the
Presbyterian Church and is now seventy-one years
of age. She is hale and heart}- and bids fair to live
for many j-ears. She was the widow of John Cowan

376

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wlien she became the wife of our subject, and by
that marriage bore her husband two children:
diaries Dean, who married Florence Fowler, and
Sarah, who is the wife of Robert McNabney.

In politics Mr. Crisler was always in favor of
the Republican platform. He was a quiet, unas-
suming man, who by his correct mode of living
gained the respect of all with whom he had to do.
At the time of his death he had accumulated a
goodly portion of this world's goods and was en-
abled to leave his widow and children a comforta-
ble home.

^^ HARLES VESPEH. This name will be rec-
if^, ognized by many of our readers as that of
^^>'' a gentleman who has been a resident of
Steeleville for more than twenty j'ears, and who
has also been a potent factor in the development
of the interests of this section of the country. A
native of Germany, Mr. Vesper was born October
2, 1841. and is the eighth in order of birth among
nine children comprising the family of William
and Louisa (Bergmann) Vesper, both of whom
spent their entire lives in Germany.

In the excellent schools of his native land, the
subject of this sketch received a practical educa-
tion, and at the age of fourteen years commenced
to work at an ore furnace, continuing thus en-
gaged for three years. Afterward be was employ-
ed in a coal mine until 1866, when he left his na-
tive countrj', and embarking on a steamship cross-
ed the ocean to America. For two j'ears after
coming to the United States, he worked in the
mines in Pennsylvania, after which he came west
to Indiana and was employed in the mines in
Daviess County for two years.

From Indiana, Mr. Vesper removed to Illinois,
and stayed in Murphysboro until 1873, when he
located in Steeleville, and has since been a resi-
dent of this place. For ten years he engaged in the
retail liquor trade, and then entered the mercantile
business, following that exclusively for four jears.
He then entered the mines again, and still con-
tinues thus engaged, but also carries on a profitable
mercantile trade.

The marriage of Mr. Vesper occurred January

28, 1868, and united him with Miss Caroline, a
daughter of Randell and Sarah (Palmer) Delk, na-
tives of jS'ortli and South Carolina, respectively,
who came to Indiana when quite j'oung and there
continued to reside until his death. Of tliis union
there have been born eight children, two of whom
died in infancy. Those living are, Christina, who
married John Gravener, and lives in Steeleville;
Mary, the wife of John Thomas, a resident of
Steeleville; Emma, Lydia, Gracie and Carrie, who
are at home. The daughters liave all received ex-
cellent educations and are accomplished and popu-
lar young ladies.

Since coming to this countrj', Mr. Vesper has
been a careful student of its political institutions,
and as a result of his investigations and observa-
tions gives to the Democratic parly his steadfast
support. He has never been an aspirant for office,
preferring to devote his time to tiie conduct of
his business and the discharge of his duties as a
private citizen. He was reared in the faith of
the Presbyterian Church, for which he entertains
a preference. Mrs. Vesper is a member of the
Baptist Cliurch, and is active in the work of that
denomination.

1^+^!

1^^

Al^jIRD W. HINDMAN, although quite young,
IrS^ has been for some time identified with the
//?M)ll agricultural interests of Randolph Countj',
^&^ and has become quite well known as an en-
terprising and prosperous man. His present resi-
dence is on section 34, township 7, range 6, and
his estate comprises sixty acres, which are under
excellent tillage and bear numerous improvements.
The dwelling and accompanying outbuildings are
well built and are sufflcientlj' commodious for tlie
purposes for which they are designed, and include
whatever will add to the convenience in carrying
on a first-class farm.

Bird Ilindman was born Februarj' 27, 1866, five
miles east of Chester, and is the youngest child
born to James H. and Sarah (Johnson) Hindnian.
His father, who was also a native of this countj',
lived here during his entire life, and was one of
the leading agriculturists of this section. He de-

'Ol/t^

-tjs6

■d. i^^i^t^?^'

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

379

parted this life November 15, 1891, and was pre-
ceded to the better land by his good wife, who
died in 1889. The paternal giandfather of our
subject was Samuel Hindnian, who came from Ire-
land to America in an early da}-, and lived and
died in Illinois.

Our subject enjoyed only limited opportunities
for obtaining an education, studying in the dis-
trict schools near his home. Aiding his father in
the care of his farm, and energetically sharing the
toil during the seed time and harvest, he gained a
thoroughly practical knowledge of the pursuit of
agriculture, and was well fitted to carry on an
estate of his own. He remained at home, aiding
in cultivating the home farm, until reaching his
twenty-fifth year, since which time he has been
classed among the leading j'oung farmers of this
country.

In .July, 1891, Mr.Hindman and Miss Nancy A.,
daughter of Stephen and Callie (Watson) Kenni-
son were united in marri.age. Their union has
been blessed by the birth of a daughter, who bears
the name of Bertha May. Mrs. Hindman, who is
a most estimable lady, is a member of the Free
Will Baptist Church. Our subject is a stanch
Democrat in politics, and is at the present time
acceptably filling the office of School Director in
his district.

. • ^ P — •

AVID STAINROOK BOOTH, M. D., was

for many j'ears one of the most prominent
physicians of Randolph County, and at his
death his profession was deprived of one
of its noblest representatives, and the citizenship
of the community suffered a sad loss. Dr. Booth
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., .June 30, 1828, and
departed this life at Belleville, III., September 10,
1892, aged sixty-four years.

Dr. John J. Booth, the father of our subject,
was born and educated in the Quaker City, and
there practiced medicine until 1845, when he re-
moved to Fredericktowu, Mo. Our subject, who
was at that time attending the high school in
Philadelphia, remained in that city, and after
completing his studies, was, by the instruction of
his father, bound as an apprentice to learn the
10

drug business. During the last 3'ear of his appren-
ticeship he attended a course of lectures at the
Jefferson Medical College, and in the spring of
1849 joined his parents in Fredericktowu, Mo.
There he commenced the systematic stud}' of med-
icine under the tutelage of his father, and attended
the St. Louis Medical College during the session
of 1849-50. The following two years he taught
school, emploj'ing the leisure moments in reading
medicine. In 1852 he removed to southwestern
Missouri, and in Jasper County taught school and
at the same time practiced medicine.

Dr. Booth later removed to Newton Count}',
that state, and on a petition of the citizens of
McDonald Count}', they guaranteeing a certain
amount of practice, he went to Enterprise, in the
above county, and there remained until the out-
break of the war. During the winter of 1859-60
he attended the St. Louis Medical College, from
which institution he was graduated. As the peo-
ple in Enterprise, which was his home at that time,
were strongly in sympathy with the south, tiie
Doctor, who was a stanch Union man, was made
very uncomfortable, and after the election of Lin-
coln, in 1860, he desired to change his location, but
having accumulated considerable property, he did
not like to lose it, so he remained there until the
Confederate forces occupied the country. Having
gained a wide reputation as a fine surgeon, he re-
ceived intimation that his services were needed and
was requested to accompany the rebels, which he
found best to do quietly, and assisted in attending
to the wounded during the battle of Wilson's
Creek. After that conflict he returned home and
at once made preparation for leaving, which he
did on horseback after night, and by knowing the
lay of the land, he was able to keep clear of the
Confederate army.

After reaching St. Louis, Mo., Dr. Booth re-
ceived such a cold reception from his old ac-
quaintances that he went on to Philadelphia and
occupied his time in attending lectures at the
University of Pennsylvania. He passed the ex-
amination, and was mnstered into the service of
the Union army as Active Assistant Surgeon of
the Mississippi Marine Brigade. It was his inten-
tion to work his way back to Missouri and rescue

380

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his family, whom he had been compelled to leave
behind. While in that, branch of the service he
was stationed on board the "Monarch," later on
the "Switzerland," and for some time liad charj^e
of the bmall-pox hospital. At the time the "Queen
of the West" was ordered to run by Vicksburg
Dr. Booth was assigned to dut}' as the medical
officer on that vessel, which passed Vicksburg on
the morning of February 2, 1*^63. He was later
captured on the Red River, on the evening of the
14th of that month, his lioat having run aground
on a sand bar opposite Ft. Taylor, and before she
could be released, was disabled by the guns of the
enemj'. All the officers and most of the crew on
board escaped on cotton bales and in the small
boats to a place not far distant. Soon after his cap-
ture there was an exchange of prisoners, and the
Doctor and the men who were with him were sent
to New Orleans, thence to New York, and from
there to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. While in
the latter place, he employed his time in visiting
the hospitals, and in August he was ordered to
report at the New York Navj- Yard, where be was
given charge of a train load of exchange prisoners
bound for St. Louis.

In the meantime Dr. Booth iiad not been able to
gain any definite news from his family, who were
within the Confederate lines. Anxiety on their
account caused him to resign his position as Sur-
geon, which was accepted the following October.
While waiting in St. Louis, endeavoring to get an
escort from the nearest point of Union forces to
where his family was located, a vacancy occurred
in the hospital at Springfield, Mo., and he was
offered the position by the medical director of the
department. He accepted, as it took him within
a short distance of his family, and very soon after
entering on his duties at Springfield he secured an
escort and was enabled to bring his family into
the Union lines, after having been separated from
them for more than two years. He held the above
position until July, 1864, when he resigned, and
locating in Sparta, this county, remained in active
practice here until September 1, 1889. He then
removed to Belleville, where his decease occurred.

January 27, 1850, Dr. David S. Booth married
Miss Cynthia Grounds, and to them were born the

following six children: Mary (deceased), Sarah,
David, Frances, Josephine, and John J., who is now
dece.ised. Mary was the wife of James E. Jordan,
and at her decease left a son, Edward, who was
reared b3- our subject; Sarah married Dr. Jerome
Thompson, of Morrisonville, this state; David, is
the assistant of Dr. C. H. Hughes, who holds the
chair of nervous diseases in the Barnes Jledical
College of St. Louis. He is a graduate of the St.
Louis Medical College, and married a Jliss West.
Frances, the wife of William Burnett, makes her
home in Ottumwa, Iowa. Josephine is the wife of
James Sproul. Jr., and is residing in Sparta.

In his p^olitical relations Dr. Booth was a strong
Republican, and socially was a prominent Ma-
son and Knight Templar. In religious affairs
he w.ns an active member of the Presbyterian
Church. He was a man of exemplar}' habits, and was
so thoroughly devoted to his chosen calling thiit
few knew him outside of his professional life. He
was enthusiastic in everything that would add to
his knowledge as a physician and promote the
science of medicine. He was prominently identi-
fied with the Southern Illinois Medical Associa-
tion, of which he had been President; also the
Illinois State Medical Society, in which he occu-
pied the same position. He was also a member of
the American, the Mississippi Valley and the St.
Clair County Associations.

^'OlIN P. MtCLURKEN is a bright, intelli-
gent young writer, who is making the Coul-
,^^. , terville Republican a wide awake and well
"^^f managed newspaper. He was born in
Washington County, 111., and is the son of William
McClurken, a native of .South Carolina, where his
birth occurred in 1828. The father accompanied
his parents on their I'cmoval to this state in 1833,
and settled in Washington County, where he grew
to man's estate, and where his father was the owner
of a large tract of land.

Miss Mary Cherry, as the mother of our subject
was known in maidenhood, is a native of Randolph
County, and the daughter of the late George
Cherry, a pioneer of this swtiou. Here she was mar-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

381

ried to William McCliirken, and soon afterward
they removed to Washington County, this state,
wiiere they were residingat the time of the father's
decease, in the fall of 1861. The mother is still
living (1894) and has attained the age of sixty-
two. Their family consists of two living children,
our subject and Maggie E., Mrs. James Torrens, of
Washington County. The parents were members
of the Covenanter Church, in which body the.y
were active workers. •

Our subject was born September 26, 1854, in
this state, and remained upon the home farm until
sixteen years of age. Then with his mother and
sister he went to Colorado with the St. Louis West-
ern Colony, of which their pastor, Rev. A. C. Todd,
was President. While in that state he worked in
the Evans' Journal ofJico. After a sojourn of two
years in the west, he returned home, and for a few
years gave his entire time and attention to the
completion of his education, attending successively
Geneva College, at Northwood, Ohio; Monmouth
College, this state; the Northern Normal and the
Valparaiso Normal, in Indiana, thus fitting himself
to occupy any position in life. Afterward he
taught school for five years, and on July 4, 1891,
be became the editor and manager of the HejmbUcan,
in Coulterville, which he is conducting very suc-
cessfully. The paper is non-partisan in politics,
and since Mr. McClurken has had charge of it, the
list of subscribers has been largely increased. Our
subject is a member of the Covenanter Church, and
is an Elder of the congregation at Oakdale, and
also takes an active part in Sunday-school work.

■ ^ - ag ' 3 i g ae ^6-^t^«»^!S^i^-S!S-g)g-3ig-3!S-

QUIRE WILLIAM M. WILSON, a promi-
nent resident of Baldwin, and an honored
pioneer of Randolph County, was born
where the town of Baldwin now stands in
1841, and is the eldest child of James and Jennie
(McBride) Wilson, both of whom were natives of
this county. The father was born about 1820.
and was a son of George and Susanna (Anderson)
Wilson, who came to Illinois from the Abbe3'ville
District in South Carolina. The grandmother was
a native of Nova Scotia, and they were nmong

the earliest settlers of this community. The fam-
ily lived for some time in the old fort, which was
erected for protection against the Indians by the
old settlers.

The subject of this sketch acquired his educa-
tion in the common schools and afterward turned
his attention to farming, to which pursuit he had
been reared. He was a successful agriculturist
and his land was hiwhl^' improved. The town of
Baldwin was established on part of his father's
farm, and Mr. Wilson then embarked in merchan-
dising at that place, carrying on operations along
that line for a period of five years.

In 1864, our subject was united in marriage
with Miss Ellen Been, and to them has been born
a family of ten children, five of whom are yet liv-
ing: Leonard; Jennie, wifeof M. J. Delanej'; Mag-
gie; Martin and Ella. The family are all faithful
and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church
and take an active part in its work, and also in
charitable and benevolent enterprises. The father
and sons are stanch supporters of the Democratic
party.

In the year 1873, Mr. Wilson was elected Jus-
tice of the Peace, and each succeeding re-election
has found him the people's choice for that office.
About 1869, he was elected Town Treasurer, and
is still filling that position. He devotes his entire
lime and attention to his oflficial duties, and his
promptness and fidelity have not only caused his
long retention in office, but have won him the high
commendation of all and have gained him the con-
fidence and good will of those with whom he has
been brought in contact. Socially, he is connected
with the Odd Pellows' society. He is a man of
sterling worth and strict integrity, and a well spent
life has won him universal esteem.

Warren N. Wilson, a brother of our subject, was
born on the present site of the town of Baldwin
in 1857, and was reared to manhood in the coun-
ty of his nativity. In fact, he has known no other
home. His early education, acquired in the com-
mon schools, w.as supplemented by a course in
Shurtleff College, of Upper Alton, which heentered
in 1871, there pursuing his studies for two years.
Later he took up the stud^' of law, and after a
thorough preparation for that profession he was

382

PORTRAIT AND BUXtRAPH'CAL RECORD.

admitted to the Bar in Chester, in 1877, and has
since siiccessfullj engaged in practice in the courts
of tliis county. He is well read in his profession,
and is rapidly winning his way to the front rank
among leading practitioners of this part of the
state. He is a supporter of the principles of the
Democracy, and for six yeai-s he ably served in the
office of Master in Chancery. He is now serving
his eighth year as Judge of the County Court,
having been elected for two terms of four years
each.

Warren N. Wilson was married in December,
1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Helen
Crittenden, whose fatlier located in Chester among
the early settlers of the county. Both our subject
and his wife are faithful members of tiie Presby-
terian Church, and in social circles they rank high,
for the AVilson family is numbered among the old-
est arid best families of tlie county, and the his-
tory of this community- would be incomplete with-
out mention of tiiem.

£ ^••{••{••{•'^^•M-++i — =

\T SAAC MONTGOJIERY. In every department
Ijl of activity, Steeleville has its leading em-
iii porium, and unquestionablj' the mercantile
establishment owned and managed by Mr. Mont-
gomery should be ranked with the best of its kind.
Since coming to this place in 1887. he has identi-
fied himself closely with the business interests of
the town and county, and is universally recognized
as a man of superior executive ability and excel-
lent judgment.

A native of Indiana. Mr. Montgomery was born
in Gibson County, February- 26, 182.3. and is a son
of Thomas and Catherine (Teel) Montgomery.
The maternal ancestors were originally from Ten-
nessee. The grandfather came from Perthshire,
Scotland, and settled in Culpeper Court House,
Ya. He took part with the Colonies in the Revo-
lutionary- War. The father of our subject was
with General Harrison in the War of 1812, in the
west against the Indians. He was born in Culpeper
Court House, Va., removing thence to the north.
and in an early day settled in Indiana, where he
continued to reside until death. Having located

in that state during the pioneer days, the family
experienced all the hardships and privations in-
cident to life upon the frontier, and the children
enjoyed limited advantages, their time being de-
voted to the labor of clearing and cultivating the
land.

Amid such surroundings, it is needless to sa}-
that the subject of this sketch had few op|iortuni-
ties to attend school, nor did he enjoy the manj-
other advantages which the girls and bo^ys of this
generation consider a necessity. AVith the excep-
tion of three months' attendance at school, his time
was devoted to farm work, and he early acquired
familiarity with agricultural pursuits. His father
dying when he was a youth of eighteen, he and
his brothei-s afterward took charge of the farm,
which they operated for a number of years.

In 1845, Mr. Montgomery disposed of his inter-
ests in Gibson County and removed to Franklin
County, 111., and purchasing land near Benton, en-
gaged in farming there for a period of thirty-five
years. During that time he accumulated a com-
fortable fortune, and also became well known as a
man of integrity, energy' and progressive spirit.
As above stated, he came to Steeleville in 1887,
and embarked in the mercantile business, in which
he has since been actively engaged. Though now
somewhat advanced in \'ears, his mental faculties
are as keen as when in life's prime, and his health
is unimpaired.

The first marriage of Mr. Montgomery occurred
in 1845, and united him with Mi>s Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Jackson Armstrong, of Gibson County, Ind.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery became the parents of
twelve children, six of whom died in infancy. W.
P. married Jliss Eva Naylor, and is a postal clerk
of the Illinois Central Railroad; Louisa, the widow
of John McCasland, resides in Ashland, Kan.;
Henry married Bessie Orsbonie, and resides in No
Man's Land; Mary is the wife of Simeon AUmon,
and resides at Benton, 111.; and Joiin is now a
student in Ewing College. October 23, 1887, Mi-s.
Elizabeth Montgomery passed away.

August 21. 1888, Mr. Montgomery married Mrs.
Annie (Brashear) Courtney, the daughter of John
W. and Mary G. (.Spencer) Brashear, of Pennsyl-
vania. In their religious connections, Mr. and

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.

383

Mrs. Montgomery are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church. In national affairs he is a Repub-
lican, but in local matters he is conservative, vot-
ing for the candidate whom he deems best quali-
fied for the position, irrespective of political ties.
During the late war he enlisted, in October, 1862,
as a member of Company F, Fifteenth Illinois Cav-
alry, and was in active service for three years, be-
ing mustered out at Helena, Ark., in 1865. Alike
in times of peace and war, he has been faithful to
his duties as a citizen, and has contributed to the
advancement of all public-spirited measures.

ACOB KP'.LLER, M. D., who was engaged in
the practice of medicine in Steeleville for
many years, and was one of its leading cit-

'f) izens, was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1842.
His father and motlier both died in that cit3- dur-
ing the cholera epidemic of 1849, which also car-
ried off eight children of tlie family, leaving
-Tacob an orphan when only seven j^ears of age.
He was reared by an uncle in his native city,
and after attending the common schools, was grad-
uated from Wasiiington University of St. Louis,
and from the Missouri Medical College of St.
Louis. He had determined to make the practice
of medicine his life work, and to this end pursued
a tliorough course of study.

During the late war, Dr. Keller served as surgeon
in the Sixth Missouii Infantry, and at the close of
that struggle, when his aid was no longer needed,
he took up his residence in Cliester, 111. Previous
to this time he had gone to Kansas City, Mo.,
wliere he edited a medical journal for some time,
and then removed to Chester, wliere he continued
in the practice of his profession until tlie death of
his wife.

The Doctor first married Hattie T. Williamson,
of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and by their union were
born two cliildren, Robert G. and Mamie, both of
whom are yet living in Pleasant Hill. In October,
1874, Dr. Keller was again married, his second
union being with Mary Glore, a daughter of Jep-
llia and Margaret (Crisler) Glore, the former born
in Kentucky, and the latter near Kaskaskia, III.

Four cliildren grace the second marriage, all of
whom are yet living, namely: Alargaret Lulu,
Jacob, Hattie Belle and Cinderella.

After the death of his first wife Dr. Keller made
a trip to Europe and visited the colleges and med-
ical schools on the continent, thus adding greatly
to liis knowledge of medical science and to his
ability for work along that lin«. After his return
to his native land he again spent a shdi't time in
Chester, and then removed to Steeleville, where he
continued to reside until called to the home be-
yond. He was very successful in the practice of
his profession, and was regarded as one of the
leading pli^-sicians and surgeons of southern Illi-
nois, winning a most enviable reputation among
his professional brethren and among the people at
large. Socially he was u Roj'al Arch Mason, and
was also connected with the Grand Army of the
Republic. In politics he was a stanch supporter
of Republican principles, and was a progressive
citizen, who gave his support and hearty co-opera-
tion to every enterprise calculated to prove of
public benefit. He died May 21, 188,5, respected
by all who knew him. His wife, a most estimable
lad}', is living with her four children at their beau-
tiful home in Steeleville. In 1883 the Doctor
took atrip through Florida and South America.

kEWIS O. McDonald. On section 18,
township 6, range 7, Randoli)h County,
lies a pleasant, finely tilled and well im-
proved farm, which was the property of our sub-
ject. He was born neai- Preston, this country. May
6, 1857, to Thomas M. and Mary (Thompson) Mc-
Donald, aiso natives of this county, who are still
residing here. The primary education of young
Lewis was obtained in the common and district
schools near his home, but he later supplemented it
by an attendance at the school at Carbondale,
111^ Subsequently he gave his undivided atten-
tion to the pursuit of agriculture until his death,
which sad event occurred December 5. 1892, when
the community was deprived of one of Its most
honored and respected citizens. He was a very
successful farmer, one who pursued the most

384

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ^RECORD.

approved methods in the raanageraent of his es-
tate of sixty-eight acres.

Miss Jane Jones became tlie wife of our subject
March 21, 1878. Mrs. McDonald was a native of
this county, and by lier marriage bore her hus'
band four children: Clara S. and Charles T., who
died at the same time as their beloved father;
Lulu B. and William O., who are still living. The
good wife and mother passed to the land of rest
February 28, 1885, and May 18, 1890. Mr. McDonald
was married to Minnie W., daughter of Samuel H.
and Mary E. (Wiley) Thompson, also natives of
this count}-. The father is still living in Chester,
but the mother died in 1880. To this second
union of our subject one child, Clay Hill, was
born, who is now living with his mother. She is
making her home at Ellis Grove and is a consist-
ent member of the Baptist Church, as was her
husband. Mr. McDonald was a leading member
of the Farmers' Alliance at Ellis Grove, and was
ever a stanch supporter of the Republican plat-
form.

_:=^# r^^ ' .

W AMES M. TEMPLE, one of the most intelli-
gent and popular farmers of Randolph
^j^^i County, resides in township 5, range 6. He
^5^^ is a son of Robert Temple, who was born in
Allegheny Count}-, Pa., in 1813. His father, John
Temple, was a native of Scotland, and during the
Revolutionary War came to America as a British
officer, but later he left that service and joined the
Colonial ami}'. After the war he located in Alle-
gheny County, Pa., where he followed farming un-
til his deatii, although he was a w-eaver by trade.
He belonged to the Covenanter Church.

Robert Temple continued in his native county
until 1855, when he emigrated to Randolph Coun-
t}'. 111., and settled three miles southwest of Sparta.
Later he removed to the farm upon which our
subject now resides, and continued its cultivation
until his death. He inairied Rebecca Gregor}-, a
native of Pennsylvania, whose parents were born
in Ireland. To them weie born nine children:
William, who wedded Mary CaslidoUar, a mechanic
of Houston, 111.; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Mc-
Lean, a farmer of this county, by whom she has six

children; Martha, who became the wife of James

McLean, and after his death married William
Gregg, of Nebiaska, bj' whom she has two children;
Samuel, a furniture dealer of .Missouri, who mar-
ried Julia Sappiugton; John, who married Amanda
AYallace, and died leaving three children; James,
of this sketch; Robert, deceased; Joseph M.. a mer-
chant of RoUa, Mo., who married Fanny Whittum,
bj- whom he has seven children, and Charles E.,
also of RoUa, Mo. The father of this family was
a Democrat in early life, but afterward became a
Republican, and took a ver}- active interest in polit-
ical affairs. He held membership with the United
Presbyterian Chuich, in which lie served as Trus-
tee, and lived an honorable, upright life, which
won him the confidence and regard of all. His
wife, a most estimable lad}-, passed away in 1872.

James M. Temple was boi-n in Allegheny Coun-
ty, Pa., October 31, 1840, and there made his home
until 1855. He continued under the parental ruof
until 1863, when he went to the front in defense
of the Union, as a member of Company K, One
Hundred and Forty -second Illinois Infantry, serv-
ing under Captain Cliilds and Colonal Anchony.
of Chicago. In that city he was discharged De-
cember 15, 1864. Immediately afterward he re-
turned home, where he remained for a year, and
then spent three years and a-half in driving a
stage between Sparta and St. Louis. At the expir-
ation of that period he purchased his present farm,
which comprises one hundred and twenty-six and
a-half acres of good land.

The marriage of Mr. Temple and Rosanna Sap-
piugton, a native of Madison County, 111., was
celebrated August 31, 1869. She is a daughter of
Anderson and Fannie (Pipkin) Sappington, the
former a native of Missouri, and the latter of Ten-
nessee. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Temple have been
born seven children: Robert A., who married Ada
Moore, by whom he has a daughter. Lula E.; Lillie
A., wife of Lyman Morrison; Jessie M., Rosalie,
P. Roscoe, Bertha D. and Daisy W.

Mr. Temple started out in life empty-handed,
but is now in comfortable circumstances, and in
addition to his farm he owns an interest in a
creamery. His success is well deserved, for it is the
reward of his own labor. He has served as Presi-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

385

dent of the Mutual Insurance Company. In poli-
tics he is an independent Pi-ohibitionist, and was
the candidate for State Senator on that ticket. So-
cially, he is connected with tlie Grand Army of
the Republic. Himself, wife and four children
liold membership with the United Presliyterian
Churcli of Sparta. For twenty-one years he served
as an Elder in the United Presbyterian Church,
and has ever been a leading and faithful worker
for religious causes. He was true to liis country
in her hour of peril, and his fidelity and faithful-
ness are alike shown in times of peace by his ear-
nest efforts to promote tiie public welfare.

'\TJ OHN MUDD was for many years a promi-
nent and highly respected citizen of Ran-
dolph Count}', and when he passed away,
the following words were spoken of him at
the funeral service. "Mr. Mudd was one of those
old pioneer citizens of Randulph County' whose
number is growing painfully less, as the cold, piti-
less hand of death plucks them, one bj' one, from
the seclusion of the life they have chosen after
the life wliich developed our civilization and the
religion which tlieir posterity practice. No better,
nobler old gentleman has gone to the realms of
shade, and no truer Catholic and broad-hearted
philanthropist, tlian he who sleeps beneath the
humble mound in the cemeter_y where rests so
many of old Randolph's noble dead. Born in
Kentucky, he was a genuine American, and was a
true and tried Christian. He had the satisfaction,
which is so gratifying to the aged, of seeing his
family filling honorable positions in society and
the business walks of life. Having lived far past
his three-score years and ten, he was an exemplifi-
cation of the promise of the Almigiity, 'Honor
thy father and thy mother that thy days may be
long in the laud which the Lord thy God shall
give to thee.' "

Mr. Mudd was born in Slielby County, H-y., in
February, 1802, and when but seventeen years of
age came to Randolph County, locating in the
neighborhood of Prairie du Rocher. Returning
to his native state, he married Mary Brewer, and

then brought his bride to his new home. They
became the parents of six children: Vincent, who
is married and with his family resides near the old
homestead; Harrison, who died leaving four chil-
dren; F. Celine, who died leaving three children;
Sophia, wife of James Daily, of Monroe County;
William T.; and John E., who is engaged in farm-
ing near Red Bud.

After coming to Randolph Count}', Mr. Mudd
worked by the month, but by economy and indus-
try he soon secured enough capital to purchase a
small farm. To this lie added from time to time,
until at his death he owned a valuable farm of
two hundred acres. He was an unusually active
man, and his success was well deserved. He was
long a prominent worker in the Catholic Church,
and in politics was an uncompromising Democrat,
but would never accept public office, ('liarital)le
and benevolent, he gave so freely that his liberal-
ity was almost a fault. His death occurred in
April, 1883, at the .age of eightj'-one. His wife
survived him until July, 1893, when she too
passed away at the age of eighty-one. An active
Christian woman, like her husl)and she held mem-
bership with the Catholic Church.

William T. Mudd was born in this county, Sep-
tember 14, 1843, and was educated in the common
schools. In the spring of 1861 he went to Colo-
rado, where he spent about four years on account
of ill-health. In 1864 he returned, and the fol-
lowing 3'ear was united in marriage with Miss
Ella, daughter of James Roscow, one of the pio-
neers of this county, who died in July, 1»79, at
the age of sixty -seven years, leaving a family of
six children, four of whom are yet living. His
wife bore the maiden name of Maria Palmer and
was a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Mudd
have one son, John T., who works in his father's
store. He married TiUie Havermann, and they
have one child, Roscoe.

William T. Mudd and his family are all mem-
bers of and active workers in the Catholic Church.
In politics he is a Democrat. He came to Red
Bud about 1868, and worked in mercantile stores
for others until 1883, when he began business for
himself. Five years later he sold out and formed
a partnership with Mr. McQuillan, under the firm

386

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

name of Mudd & McQuillan, and the partnership
Las since continued. They deal in general merchan-
dise, and also in farm imi)lements, and are doing a
good business.

^ - . ^■^♦♦♦♦♦•S"}- - - - ^

<^UGUST WILHKLMS, wiio resides on see-
' Wl \ \ *'^" ^'' township 3, range 8 west, and

I II there carries on general farming and
^jfl stock-raising, is one of the worthy- citizens

that Germany has furnished to Monroe County.
He was born in Hanover October 15, 1841, and is
a son of Henry and Christina Wilhelms. In bis
native land the father followed weaving. In
1845 he came to the United States, with the in-
teuion of settling in Texas, but stopping at Alex-
andria, La., thence turned his course northward,
and came to Monroe County in the spring of 1846.
On section 27, township 3, range 8 west, he bought
forty acres of land and entered an eighty-acre
tract of woodland, which by hard work he con-
verted into fertile Qelds. Upon the old home-
stead he lived until his death, which occurred
May 18, 1854. He was a member of the Evangel-
ical Church, and served as a Director of the church
in his native land.

Surviving Henry Wilhelms were his widow and
six children, of whom we note the following:
Henry was born May 1, 1831, and died Novem-
ber 9, 1876. Caroline, who was born in 1834,
married Fred Wagener, who, with their three chil-
dren, August, Amelia and Lena, are still living;
she died May 18, 1868. Frederick was born in
1838, and died September 15, 1864. August, the
subject of this sketch, is the next in order of birth.
Charles, whose birth occurred in 1843, passed away
January- 15, 1866. Louisa was born March 5,
1851, and died February 13,1867. The widow
is still living (1894) on the old homestead with
her son, and has attained the advanced age of
eighty-four years.

After the death of his father, our subject
remained with his mother until he was old
enough to work out as a farm laborer. Soon,
however, he drifted to the city, where he worked
at various occupations in order to obtain the
money for an education. In 1861, wlien the war

broke out, he was found among the bo\'s in blue,
lie enlisted August 27, 1861, and was mustered
out November 4, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. He
was a member of Company M, Seventh Illinois
Cavalry, and participated in the operations against
New JLadrid. Island No. 10, Corinth, and in the
battles of luka, Corinth, Port Hudson and Nash-
vil'e, and the Giierson raid, in which eight hun-
dred miles were traversed in seventeen days. On
the 26tli of December, 1863, at Somerville, in an
engagement with Forrest's cavalr3', he was taken
prisoner, but through a daring effort and good
"running gears" he managed to get away from his
enemies. Altogether he was in sixty skirmishes
and engagements. During the last two years he
served as Orderly .Sergeant in his company. True
to the Old Flag and the cause which it represented,
he stood by his colors until the desired end was
attained and the Union saved, after which he
came back to his mother and commenced work on
the old homestead.

June 13, 1867, our subject married Miss Eliza-
beth Von Schreeb, daughter of Adolph and Bar-
bara (Welsh) Von Schreeb. Her father, who was
born in tlie province of Mecklenburg, German^',
joined the Dutch army at the age of fifteen years
and went to the East Indies, from which place he
sailed on a ship for China. During the voyage he
was thrown overboard by a gale, but by means of
a plank his life was saved. On reaching China, he
was sick with yellow fever, and was taken on
shore and placed under a shade tree, where he was
found by a Chinese couple, who were mourning
the loss of their only son. They adopted him as
their child, and with them he remained for five
years. Then, embarking on a ship, he returned
to his native land, where he had long been counted
with the dead.

In 1834 Mr. Von Schreeb emigrated to the
United States and engaged in boating on the
Mississippi River until 1836, when he came to
Monroe County and entered eighty acres on sec-
tion 22, township 3, range 8 west. There he cleared
a farm and made a good home, which continued to
be his place of abode through life. He here mar-
ried Clara Waldmann, by whom -he had three chil-
dren, two djing in infancy. A son, Ernest Will-

«i , i4k"^

rtTW- )'

RESIDENCE OF TRANK M AT N E Y , 5EC. 25.,T. 6 .,R. 7., RANDOLPH CO., ILL.

riif

'.w ^

fe»^A^^^^ ■^.--«s^v.^.^r^^iV3;g-^a.s^---^,:..^"s~»--fe^a^^4i^^tis^^^ .. --: .g^ '..-e.^

;^5#^ii^

RESIDENCE OF AUGU5T WILHELM5 , SEC.2Z., T. 5. R. 8 ., MO i I KO LOJLL.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Sd9

iam, is living in Ottawa, La Salle Count}', 111.
In 1847 Mis. Clara Von Schreob died, and during
the following year Mr. Von Sclireeb married Bar-
bara Welsh, their union being severed b}' his
death .lanuary 22, 1849. One child was born of
this marriage, Elizabeth, whose birth occurred May
25, 1849. Mr. Von Sehreeb was one of the earli-
est settlers of this community, and was an honored
pioneer. He helped to haul the logs for the build-
ing of the old Evangelical Church in this township,
and was one of the faithful members of tliat re-
ligious organization.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Willielins were born fourteen
children, ten of whom are yet living: Hellena, wife
of Philip Hecke, of this community; Mary W., at
home; Edward W., August E., Elizabeth C, Albert
J., Anna JL, Frank E., Adaline M. and Adolpli
H. Louisa, Henry, Josephine and S3-lvester died
in cliildhood. The famil}' has a pleasant home on
a fine farm of three hundred and fort}' acres. Of
this two hundred acres are under a high state of
cultivation, and the neat and thrifty appearance
of the place indicates the enterprise and careful
supervision of the owner.

In his political views, Mr. WiUielms is a Kepuli-
lican. For the long period of twenty-one years he
served as School Director, and for three years
was Road Commissioner. He is a prominent
worker in the Grand Army of the Republic, and is
now Commander of Henry Nicholson Post No.
457, G. A. R., of Red Bud. He also belongs to the
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, and is a mem-
ber of the Evangelical Church. He served as one
of its Directors for a number of years, and is
numbered among its faithful workers. Since 1846
he has lived upon his present farm and is one of
the honored pioneers of the county.

l(S), ^iMjjk .(sj

^/'RANK MATNEY. As a representative of

P^ the progressive and successful farmers and
stock-raisers of Randolph County, especial
mention belongs to the subject of this sketch, who
conducts general agricultural operations on sec-

tion 25, township 6, range 7. Through the exer-
cise of careful management in the conduct of his
business affairs, he has become the owner of one
hundred and twenty acres, wliich he has placed
under excellent cultivation.

The father and mother of our subject bore the
names of Sylvester and Rlioda (Hill) Matney, and
were natives of North Carolina, whence they re-
moved to this state, and spent their last days in
Marion County. There was born to them a fam-
ily of two children, of whom our subject was the
elder, the date of his birth being August 6, 1846.
Losing his parents when quite young, our subject
caine to this county when twelve years old, and
lived with Charles Sanders, near Chester. He re-
ceived his education in tlie common schools in the
neighborhood, and worked on the farm for Mr.
Sanders for his board and clothing.

When seventeen years old, in 1863, young Mat-
ney enlisted in the Union army, in Company I,
Tenth Illinois Infantry, and proved a gallant sol-
dier, remaining in the service until the close of
hostilities. He was a participant in twenty-seven
battles, among which were some of the most famous
of the war. May 30, 1865, he was mustered out,
and was honorably discharged at McDougal Hos-
pital, near New York City. He was wounded at
Bentonville, N. C, and remained in the hospital a
short time.

After leaving the army, Mr. Matney purchased
a farm, and has since actively engaged in his
i chosen vocation, raising the various kinds of grain
I and blooded stock. He is very popular wherever
known, and makes a friend of every man he meets.
One of his most prominent qualities is his sterling
business cliaracter. In his work he is methodical,
and his sagacity in business matters has won him
the admiration of all with whom he has dealings.

March 11, 1869, Mr. Matney married Miss Feli-
city Montroy, and by their union four children
were born. Two of these died in infancy, aud
the remaining two, who reside with their par-
ents, bear the names of Caroline and Mary Jane.
Mrs. Matney is a daughter of B. and Julia Montroy,
and is of French descent. Our subject is a member
of Adair Post,G. A. R., at New Palestine. In poli-
tics a Republican, he is interested in county, state

S90

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ftnri national issues. He is a liberal-spirited man,
and is ever ready to aid in all matters of local en-
terprise, although not an aspirant to public office.

JOSEPH PATTON, who is engaged in farm-
ing and stock-raising in Randolph County,
is the ninth in order of birth in a family of
, ^ ten cliildien, and was born September 8,

1815, in Steuben ville, .Jefiferson County, Ohio. His
grandfather, Joseph Patton. was a native of Ire-
land, and upon emigrating to America, settled in
Faj-ette County, Pa. His son Thomas, the father
of our subject, was born on the Emerald Isle in
1768, and at the age of three was brought to
America. He witnessed many incidents of the
Revolutionary War, and these made an indelible
impression upon his mind. While in Steuhenville,
he sei'vod as Associate Judge, and was Clerk of the
Common Pleas Court for seven years. In 1818, he
removed to thevicinitj' of Cadez, Ohio, where he
made his home for fouileen years, engaged in
farming and teaching. In politics he was a Demo-
crat, and was an Elder in the Associate Reformed j
Ciiurch. He died February 28, 1832, at the age
of sixty-three, and the following obituarj- was
written by Ruv. John McCartliur, of Cadez, Ohio :
"The deceased was for many years a resident of
Harrison and .Tefferson Counties, and held a suc-
cession of civil offices, among which ma\- be named
those of Associate Judge and Cleik of the Courts
of the latter count}-, and that of the eldership
in the Associate Reformed Congregation in this
place, and has left a widowed partner, several chil-
dren and a numerous circle of friends. His mind
was of large original capacity', vigorous, discrim-
inating, comprehensive, amplified and adorned
with a rich furniture of knowledge, both useful
and entertaining. Piercing with more than com-
mon readiness through the thin veil of names to
things, it refused to receive doctrines or to adopt
customs supported by no other plea than that of
prescription. But though independent, it was free
from any air of lomance, and practical rather than
theoretical in its pursuits. His opinions were
formed after a severe scrutiny of the evidences

upon wliich they were based, and consequentlj' re-
tained with a firm grasp, though not with that ob-
stinacj' which will not stoop to doubt its own
infallibility. A playful, lively, varied wit, an
habitual cheerfulness, and affable and unassuming
disposition, abundant controveisial resources, ren-
dered him a pleasing and instructive companion.

"As the head of a family he was a husband of
'truth-tried love,' and a father doubly dear, be-
cause he softened parental authority- with the
charms of friendship. Age secured him voluntary
respect, but did not invest him with a morosen'ess
which repels the approaches of youth and inter-
dicts familiarity. Religion shed a mild but steads-
radiance over his character. It was unostentatious
and humble, teaching its subject to say of himself,
'I am an unprofitable servant,' and of the Divine
Rideemer, -He is all in all.' He had not yet num-
bered his three-score and ten years of health, al-
most uninterrupted, until the short and painful ill-
ness which terminated in his dissolution, left his
bodily powers strong and the force of his mind
uninvaded until a few da^ys before his expiration.
He bore his illness with Christian fortitude, and
from its commencement anticipated and looked
forward with composure to his change. 'Mark the
perfect man and behold the upright, for the end
of that man is peace.'

The mother of our subject was in her maiden-
hood Jane Parkhill, daughterof David and Martha
(Morrow) Parkhill, and a sister of the wife of
Governor Morrow, of Ohio. The Parkhill family
is of Irish descent. Mrs. Patton moved to Ran-
dolph Count}-, 111., where she lived for nine years,
and died in 1855, in her eighty-fourth year. By
her marriage she had ten children: Joseph and
David, both deceased; Elizabeth, deceased wife of
James McCullough; James, a farmer; Sarah, Mrs.
William Miller; John, a carpenter; Joshua D., an
attorney; Maria, formerly the wife of Rev. H.
Stevenson; Joseph, of this sketch; and Esther,
who died in infancy. All are now deceased with
the exception of our subject.

Mr. Patton, whose name heads this record, re-
mained with his parents until after the death of
his father. His educational privileges were lim-
ited, and early in life he became inured to hard

l>ORTItArr AND BIOGRAPHICAL EECORD.

391

laboi*. In l84l he made a permanent location in

Randolph County, 111., and in 1845 purchased of
'Squire McCoruiick his present home, upon wiiich
he has since resided. In 1846 he married Marga-
ret Kingston, who was born in Ohio in 1828, and
came to Illinois in 1843. She is a daugliter of
Christopher and Marj- (Stephenson) Kingston.
For twenty -one years she has been an invalid, but
has borne her sufferings witli Christian fortitude.

To Mr. and Mrs. Patton were born eleven chil-
dren: Sarah Jane, wife of W. M. K. Lyons, by
whom siie lias four cliildren; Elizabeth, deceased;
Jlary, wife of Dr. .1. T. Matthews, of Omaha, Neb.,
by whom she lias four sons; Margaret, who mar-
ried A. D.Fulton and has two children; .Tames A.,
a minister of the Covenanter Church, residing in
Evans, Colo.; Thomas, pastor of the old Cove-
nanter Church in East Coldeu ham, N. Y.; Adeline,
wife of J. II. Peters, a farmer of Perry County, by
whom slie has one child; William C, who man-
ages the home farm, is married and has two chil-
dren; Flora Maria, at home; Christopher and Eliza,
both deceased.

At the early age of sixteen years Mr. Patton
was thrown upon his own resources, and the care
of his mother and three sisters also devolved upon
him. His life has been a busj'and useful one, and
as the result of his untiring efforts he is now the
owner of one hundred acres of valuable land. He
is a Prohibitionist. Religiously he is a member of
the Covenanter Church of Sparta, in which he has
been Elder for forty-four years, and was Clerk of
the session for forty-three jears. He has lived in
harmony with his professions and is ever found
upon the side of right, doing what he can to ele-
vate and benefit humanity.

fs==-^RANCIS SCHIFFERDECKER, one of the

PI early settlers of southwestern Illinois, now
living in Red Bud Precinct, is a native of
Baden. Germany. He was born in 1829 and is a
son of Joseph and Teresa (Bopp) Schifferdecker,
both of whom were also natives of Baden. In
1833, when our subject was a lad of four summers,
they crossed the Atlantic to America, landing in

Baltimore, Md. Their first location was in York
County, Pa., and they lived in the Keystone State
and in Maryland for seven years. In 1840 they
cast in their lot with the earl}- settlers of Monroe
County, 111., settling eight miles south of Water-
loo, where tliej- reared their famil3- of six children.
Catherine and Mary both died in Monroe County,
leaving families. Our subject is the next younger.
Teresa died in Monroe County, leaving a husband
and a family of children to mourn her loss. George
is now a well-to-do farmer of Carroll County, Mo.
Barbara is the wife of Otto Wagner, of Randolph
County. The father of this family became one of
the leading citizens of Monroe County, and before
his death accumulated a valuable pioperty. He
passed away at the age of fifty -seven. Both he
and his wife were active members of the Catholic
Church and reared their family in that faith.

Francis Schifferdecker spent the days of liisbo}'-
hood and youth upon the old homestead, and
when a 3'oung man started out in life for himself,
following the pursuit to which he was reared. He
purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres in
Monroe Count^sand as a companion and helpmate
on life's journe3- chose Miss L., daughter of Lenliart
Wagner, of St. Clair County. Their union was cele-
brated in 1855, and upon the farm which the hus-
band had purchased the^- began their domestic life,
making it their home until 1864, when he removed
to Burksville and engaged in meichandising until
1866, when they removed to the farm upon which
our subject is now living. In 1868 the wife died,
leaving a family of seven small children, as fol-
lows: George, who was married in 1893 to Miss
Anna Burgmann; Otto, deceased; Catherine, wife
of Joseph Siegfried, of Randolph County; A.Eliz-
abeth, wife of Richaid Pittmaun, of Carroll Coun-
ty, Mo.; Lidwien, wife of Frank Keres, of Randolph
County; Joseph and John. Mr. Schifferdecker has
been a second time married, this union being with
Lidwien La Forge, b}^ whom he has eight children:
Frank; Matilda, wife of Dr. Mever, of Evansville;
Henry, Mary, Teresa, Ellen, Clarence and Walter.

The farm on which Mr. Schifferdecker resides
comprises one hundred and sixty-three acres of
highly improved land. He at one time owned
over twelve hundred acres, but has given to his

392

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

children considerable amounts. He and his fam-
ily are all members of the Catholic Church, and in
politics lie is a stanch Democrat. For some time
he has been oflicially connected with tiie schools
of this community, and the cause of education
tinds in liim a warm friend. He is recognized as
one of the progressive citizens of the county and
is trul}' a self-made man, for what he has accom-
plished is the result of his own efforts, and the
prosperity which he now enj03s is the reward of
untiring labor.

ylLLIAM H. MATLACK, the well known
editor and proprietor of the Chester Trib-
une, one of the leading papers of the
count}', has exercised a markeil influence in the
affairs of this section of Illinois, not only profes-
sionally, but as a progressive, public-spirited citi-
zen, and is always to the front in guarding and
advancing its dearest interests materially, socially'
and morally. Mr. Matlack is a native of Mis-
souri, and was born in St. Louis December 3, 1844.
He is a son of William L. and Harriet A. (Mc-
Kown) Matlack. The father was born of Quaker
parents, in Moorestown, N. J., and came west in
1836. The motlier was boin in Vincennes, Ind.,
and went to Missouri with her father's family in
1835. They were married in Quincy, 111., in 1838,
and resided for many years in the city of Ches-
ter, where they ranked among its best residenta.
The mother of our subject is the daughter of Capt.
James B. McKown, of Scotch descent, and a sol-
dier in the War of 1812. She is still living in
Chester, but liis father died in 1879.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest son in
his parents' family of five children, and was given
a good education in the public schools of St. Louis.
When leaving Missouri, in 1858, he came to this
county, and took up his abode near Steeleville,
whence he later went to Spartn, and in that place
still continued his studies, attending its public
schools. When eighteen years of age he returned
to St. Louis and became a member of the St. Louis
Fire Department, with which he remained five
years. In 1866 he again came to this county, this

time making Chester his destination, and was ap-
l>oiiited Deputy Sheriff under .John R. Shannon.
This office he continued to fill during the term of
Mr. Shannon. Later, Mr. Shannon having been
elected County Clerk, oursubject entered his office
as a clerk, performing the duties devolving upon
him in a most satisfactory m.Tiiner.

In 1869, Mr. Matlack was appointed City Mar-
shal by the Hon. J. B. Holmes, Mayor of the city,
which office he resigned to accept the position of
sjjecial traveling agent for Cochrane & Brown,
general agents for the Howe Machine Company,
with headquarters at St. Louis. Mo. After being
thus engaged for two j'ears, Mr. Matlack acce[)ted
a similar position with the Singer Manufacturing
Company of St. Louis, with which he remained,
for four years, and later was a special agent for the
Wheeler A Wilson and Domestic .'^ewing Machine
Companies.

Returning to this city in 1878, oursubject en-
tered the service of the state as an officer of the
Southern Illinois Penitentiary on its establishment
here, remaining for two and a-half j'ears. At the end
of that time he became Cashier in John H. Hood &
Co.'s Bank at this place, with whom he remained
for eighteen months. Then going to Belleville,
111., he accepted the position of book-keeper with
the Fairbanks Sewing Machine Company, with
whicii he was engaged for a like period, when he
became connected with the Belleville News, and
later with the Belleville Adcocaie. At the close of
the Thirty -seventh session of the Illinois Legisla-
ture, during which Mr. Matlack was one of the en-
rolling and engrossing clerks, he returned to Ches-
ter, and soon afterward w.as elected Justice of the
Peace. In the spring of the following year he was
appointed by the Hon. William Scluichert, then
Mayor of the citj', as its ftlaishal, and upon the
I expiration of his term was re-appointed to the
same position by the Hon. James J. Morrison.

When returning to private life, Mr. Matlack be-
came connected with the Western Boot & Shoe
Manufacturing Company in the Southern Illinois
Penitentiary. He continued to act in the capacity
of book-keeper and cashier with that firm until
their removal from the place two years later,
when he went to Albuquerque, N. Mex., and

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

393

worked on the Albuquerque Democrat as one of its
staff until his return to Chester in 1890. At tliat
time he became Secretary of the first session of the
Southern Illinois Chautauqua Asserablj', and in
March, 1892, was made Secretar^^ of the Jackson
Pipe Organ Company. Tliis position he resigned
a few montlis later, and in company* with John T.
McBride, purchased the Chester Tribune. In March,
1893, lie purchased Captain McBride's interest, and
has since had sole management, taking personal
charge of the local and editorial department. It
is a six-column quarto in size and Democratic in
politics. It is a sound family paper, well supjilicd
with solid and useful information, and one of its
interesting features is the correspondence from
various localities in the county.

M AND STREICHER is one of the self-made
l@74Jj| men of Randolph Count}-, who through en-
II) terprise, industry', good management and
careful attention to all the details of busi-
ness has won prosperity. He is now engaged in the
furniture and undertaking business. A nativeof Ba-
den, Germany, he continued in that country- until
fourteen years of age,when he came to America with
his parents. George and Elizabetii (Schweininger)
Streicher, both of whom were born in southern Ger-
many. The mother is still living, at the age of
eighty-one years, and makes her home in St. Louis.
Tiie family numbered five children, as follows:
Eva, now the widow of George Decker, and a res-
ident of St. Louis; Leopold, who is engaged in
business in New York Citj-; Olivia, widow of Peter
J. Sciimidt, and a resident of Chicago; Amand, of
tills sketch; and Amelia, wife of A. Sclilinker.

Our subject spent his early boyhood days in the
Fatherland, and then crossed thebriu^' deep, as be-
fore stated. It was in 1859 that he became a res-
ident of St. Louis, where the succeeding seven
years of his life were passed. Having then at-
tained to mature years, he removed to Belleville,
111., where he worked at his trade of chair-making,
being emplo3'ed in one house for a period of ten
years. During five years of that time he was fore-
man of the factory. On the expiration of that

period he embarked in the business for himself in
Belleville, where he carried on operations until
1879, when he sold out and came to Red Bud.
wliere he has since made his home.

Mr. .Streicher was married in Belleville, in 1869,
to Theresa Junker, and unto them were born four
children, two of wiiom are still living, C. J. and
Lizzie K. The mother of this family was called
to the home bejond, and our subject afterward
wedded Louisa, daughter of William Frick, who
came to the United States in 1833. They have
become the parents of five children, two sons and
three daughters, namely; Ida, Caroline A., Oscar
W., Vilas and Clara M.

Mr. Streicher came to Red Bud in limited cir-
cumstances and embarked in business as a furni-
ture dealer and undertaker. He began operations
on a small scale, but has steadily increased his fa-
cilities to meet the growing demand, and now
probably carries the largest stock of any merchant
in his line in the count}'. His success is the result
of earnest and zealous effort and is the just reward
of his enterprise and industry.

In his political views Mr. .Streicher is a Demo-
crat, and on August 24, 188.5, was made Postmas-
ter of Red Bud, which position he held for three
}-ears and eight months, giving universal satisfac-
tion. He carried on the office in connection with
his business. .Socially our subject is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and his wife holds member-
ship with the Evangelical Church.

'^--

^-f

\|^/RANK MEHRER was called from this life
ll-W|gj; in the city of New Orleans in May, 1878.
jts He was the son of Francis and Christina
(Lehman) Mehrer, natives of Bavaria, Germaliy.
They emigrated to the United States in 1833, lo-
cating in New Orleans, and later came to Ran-
dolph County. They passed their last days on
their farm, the father dying in February. 1867,
and the mother in March, 1876.

In 1860. Miss Johanna Mueller became the wife
of our subject. Mrs. Mehrer is the daughter of
Peter D. and Johanna (Broch) Mueller, natives of
Germany. They were born in 1800 and 1816, re-

394

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

spectively. Their daughter, the wife of our sub-
ject, was born in Germany- January 30, 1837, and
is the eldest in a family of seven children born to
them, and in tiie model schools of her native home
gained a good education, which has served her
well throughout life. Three years previous to the
decease of her husband, she established a millinery
and notion trade, and b}' her sagacitj' and perse-
verance increased the business, so tiiat in January
of 1893 she was enabled to retire from the enter-
prise to a lovely and comfortable suburban home.
She is a lady of intelligence and worth, and is a
valued member of the Presbyterian Church, ever
ready to assist iu religious work or benevolent en-
terprises in her vicinity. By her marriage, Mrs.
Mehrer became the mother of two daughters, one
of whom died in infancj*. Bertha became the
wife of Ingliam Sykes in 1886, and makes her
home with her mother. She has had born to her
two children, who bear the names of Johanna and
George, both of whom are bright children.

--■^

^/ESSE M. WRIGHT, who is living on sec-
tion 15, Vergennes Township, Jackson Coun-
, ty, where he devotes his time and attention

^^f/ to agricultural pursuits, was born in Breck-
cnridge County, K}-., April 7, 1839. His father,
David AVright, was born in Norfolk, Va., and dur-
ing tlie greater part of his life followed school-
teaching. To some extent he also engaged in
farming. He removed from Norfolk when a young
man, in order to acquire the means wliereb}- he
could pay bis tuition in school. He was indus-
trious, enterprising and ambitious, and his life was
well spent. He died of Asiatic cholera in 1850.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth
Jacobs, was a daughter of Harrison Jacobs, a Rev-
olutionary soldier. Tlie paternal grandfather was
a large slaveholder in Virginia, as was Mr. Jacobs.
Both of them offered Mr. and Mrs. Wright slaves,
but thej- refused to accept them, for they believed
strongly in Abolition principles. Both were prom-
inent and active members of the Methodist Church,
and in politics he was a Henry Clay Whig. He was a

ver}' popular and successful teacher, and had the
respect and confidence of all who knew him. His
wife passed away in Kentucky in 1890.

In the AVright family were the following chil-
dren: John, Tahitlia; Ann, wife of David Schny-
der; Francis, who died at liie age of twenty five;
Sarah, wife of James Goff; Martha, wife of Charles
Walters; Catherine, wife of Jackson Johnson;
Elizabeth, wife of Charles Barnett; Jane, wife of
Walter AVelsh; and David, who was murdered in
Hawesvilie, Ky., in 1892.

After tlie deatii of his father, our subject re-
mained upon the home farm and took care of his
mother and the family. He worked hard, and
with his earnings he educated his three sisters,
Catherine, Elizabeth and Jane. In 1861 he came to
Illinois, but continued to assist his mother and her
family. He went to work as a tobacconist in Ra-
leigh, where his elder brother, John, was estab-
lished in business, and there continued for nine
years.

On the 12th of July, 1866, Mr. Wright wedded
Mary C. Johnson, and their union has been blessed
with the following children: lona A., born August
13, 1867; Ella May, November 18, 1869; Mary A.,
born January 9, 1871, and died in infancy; Thomas
D. A., born December 26, 1874; William H., Janu-
ary 26, 1877; Jesse M. J., December 5, 1880;
Harry E., March 9, 1888; and Charles H., October
24, 1892. The eldest daughter is now the wife of
Rufus Wiseley. of Murphysboro.

A year after his marriage, Mr. Wright removed
with his fainil_v to DuQuoin, where he followed
cigar-making and coopering until the spring of
1878, when he came to the farm on which he now
resides. It is under a high state of cultivation and
well improved; it is one hundred acres in extent,
and has upon it a comfortable and commodious
residence and all other modern accessories and
conveniences. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are promi-
nent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
in which he serves as Trustee and Assistant Super-
intendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he
was formerly a Republican, but is now independ-
ent, supporting the man whom he thinks best qual-
ified for the office. He is regarded as one of the
influential citizens of his neighborhood, and is

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

395

highly respected by his many friends and acquain-
tances in the eommunitj-.

Mrs. Wright is a daughter of Thomas N. .John-
son, who was born near Lebanon, St. Clair County,
111., July 7, 1816, and was a son of Malcolm and
Rebecca .Jolinson. His father was born in Ireland,
.January 12, 1777, and wiien a small boy came
with his parents to America, locating in Kentucky.
After his marriage lie emigrated to St. Clair Coun-
ty', 111., which was then an almost unbroken wil-
derness, in which the Indians were far more nu-
merous than the white settlers. He worked in the
fields with his rifle strapped to liis back, in order
to be ready for any hostile attacks from the In-
dians. He had a large family'. Margaret, born
September 12, 1808, married Charles McDonald
January 21, 1835; James was born November
10, 1809, and married Nancy N. Bonus March 31,
1833; George, born February 18, 1811, died Octo-
ber 29, 1823; AVilliam, who was born Ma}- 17,
1815, wedded Mary L. Holt November 13, 1834;
Theophilus M., born January 25, 1814, married
Elizabeth I. Chapman May 25, 1838; Thomas N.
married Harriett T. Peoples December 10, 1840;
John AV., born February 5, 1819, married Ann
Smith August 3, 1850; Jesse H., born August
20, 1820, married Cornelia S. Butcher April 25,
1847; Lavina was born January 19, 1824; Mary,
born August 24, 1825, became the wife of A. B.
Sharp November 7, 1844; Sarah N., born April 10,
1827, became the wife of Alex Chesiiey Jul}' 4,
1847; and Hugh, born January 25, 1829, com-
pletes the family. Among the sons were four
Methodist ministers, and the parents and children
were all members of that church. The father died
April 2, 1841, and his wife passed away Septem-
ber 12, 1858.

Thomas N. Johnson was reared on the homo
farm, and completed his education in McKendree
College. For several years he engaged in black-
smithing and farming, and then entered the work
of the ministr}'. in which he was actively engaged
from 1853 until 1877, when, on account of failing
health, he was superanuated, still he continued his
labors as far as able. He preached fortj'-seven
hundred and thirty sermons and took twent3'-two
hundred and fifty persons into the church. He

died December 8, 1891, at the home of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Wright. His wife, who was born No-
vember 8, 1817, died November 21, 1883. Their
children were: Martha J., born April 30, 1842;
■John D., April 13, 1844; Mary C, July 7, 1848;
Laura E., August 31, 1852; and Lavina E., No-
vember 25, 1854. The father of this family
was one of the most energetic men, and never
allowed Any obstacle to turn him from the path
of duty. In disposition he was gentle, kind,
sympathetic and generous, and never neglected an
opportunity to do good. Surely the world is bet-
ter for his having lived.

=-W"t"!-*'M-+=

li ACOB M. TINDALL. This gentleman is
the son of an honored pioneer of Randolph
,j^^, : County, and has spent his entire life within
^5^^ its bounds. It can therefore he justlj' said
of him that he has grown up with the country,
and his life in a great measure corresponds with
the development that has gone on about him. He
is now pleasantly located on section 22, township
7, range 6, with such surroundings that he can en-
joy all the comforts of life.

Mr. Tindall was born in Rockwood Precinct,
July 19, 1859, and is the third cliild in order of
birth in a family of nine children born to John
D. and Amanda (Barnes) Tindall. The father,
who was a native of Delaware, was taken by his
parents to Indiana when four years old, and after
a residence there of a like period, came with him
to this count}'. He received his education in the
schools near Rockwood, and employed his leisure
time in aiding his father to carry on the farm.
He is well known as an honest, intelligent and re-
liable citizen, and was an ordained minister of the
Baptist Church. He always voted the Democratic
ticket politically, and served very efficiently as a
School Director for many j'ears. His death oc-
curred May 28, 1887. The lady who shared his
trials and successes is still living. Her parents
were natives of North Carolina, and on coming to
this state in an early da}-, here made a permanent
location.

The subject of this sketch received his primary
education in the district schools near his home,

396

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

and in 1881 entered tlie Illinois Normal School at
Carbondale, where he prosecuted his studies in
the higher branches. After attending this school
he taiiglit in Randolph Count}' for three years,
and during tiiat time also carried on farming in
connection with teaching. lie has since, however,
given his entire attention to cultivating liis land,
and now owns one of the best estates in township 7.
In May, 1888, Mr. Tindall and Miss Chloe,
daughter of George and Catherine (Spears) Tope,
were united in marriage. Their union was blessed
by the birth of four children, one of whom died
in infancy. Those living are Eva, Harry D. and
Carrie; the two latter are twins. After weighing
the merits of political questions, Mr. Tindall iden-
tified himself with the Republican party. He has
been spoken of prominently for County Treasurer,
and on another occasion as Circuit Clerk. So-
cially, he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Chester
Lodge No. 71.

i>-^<m^

jr_^ UGH WILSON, Sk. Randolph County is
Ifjl' the home of many intelligent and prosper-
!£f^' ous farmers, who from a small beginning
i^) have won a competence, securing a goodly
amount of land and surrounding themselves with
all the comforts and conveniences which heart
can wish. Among this number may be men-
tioned Hugh Wilson, who, in addition to his repu-
tation as an agriculturist, is well known as a
man of much intelligence, honorable ancestr}'' and
Christian character. He is at present residing on
section 21, township 4, range 5, where he has a
fine estate of one hundred and fifty acres.

Hugh Wilson, the father of our subject, was
born in Aj'rshire, Scotland, and was killed in 1822,
while descending into a coal mine. He, in turn,
was the son of a gentleman who also bore the
name of Hugh, and was likewise a native of the
above county in Scotland, where he died in his
seventy -seventh year. Our subject's mother, who
was also a native of Ayrshire, was the daughter of
James Humphrey, who reared a large family and
died in his native land, Scotland.

The parents of our subject were married and
spent their entire lives in their native country.

They were members of the Covenanter Church.
Our subject, who was their only child, was born
in 1822 in Ayrehire, where he received a good
education. When a small boy he began to work
in the coal mines, which business he followed until
twenty years of age, and then, in 1842, he en-
tered the British arm^', becoming a member of
Companj' 4, Ninety-first Highlanders. The first
six months of his life as a soldier were spent
in drilling in England, and January 6, 1844,
he sailed as a part of the Guard of Honor to Sir
Paragrin Maitland to the Cape of Good Hope,
South Africa, and with his company reached their
destination March 17. Marching to the frontier,
they joined their regiment, which was doing duty
against the Caffres, and was engaged there for a
period of nine years and two months. During that
time he participated in many skirmishes under
Col. Colin Campbell. The Commander-in-Chief,
however, was Colonel Somerset.

In 1853 Mr. Wilson was discharged from the
army on account of disabilit}', after having served
eleven years and three months. In 1846, while
engaged in a fight with some Caffres, he was se-
verely wounded in the head with a "knob carry,"
an offensive and defensive weapon in the hands
of a Caffre. After his discharge our subject re-
turned to his old home in Scotland, where he
again entered the mines, and followed that occu-
pation until 1857, when he decided to try his for-
tune in America. Coming hither, he made his
waj' directly to Randolph County and purch.ased
a farm, on which he made his home for five \'ears.

The present estate of our subject, upon which
he has resided for the past thirty- years, was a
wild tract of land when it came into his posses-
sion, and the only imi)rovement which it bore was
a log house. Now it is supplied with well built
farm structures, neat fences, and everything about
the place is conclusive proof of the skill and en-
ergy of him under whose management this state
of things was obtained.

Prior to leaving his native land, Mr. Wilson
was married, in 1853, to Miss Margaret Hutton,
who was born in Ayrshire in 1820. By her union
with our subject she became the mother of three
children, of whom Hugh and Andrew S. are the

CL-^t^'i>^7^

{^^^<i^'i^l--i^-<S-'yif^

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RfXORD.

399

only ones living. Mrs. Wilson departed this life in
January, 1892, beloved by all who knew ber. Mr.
"Wilson has alwaj's been actively interested in the
schools of the neighborhood, and is a reliable citi-
zen, an intelligent man, and one whose life wins
respect from those about him.

W. ESSICK, M. D., has since 1885 engaged
'' in the practice of medicine in Mur[)h3's-

Sfysfl boro, and has been eminently successful in
his profession, winning a high reputation, which
Las placed him in the lead among the medical
practitioners of southern Illinois. He well deserves
representation in the history of his adopted countj',
and with pleasure we present his record to our
readers. He was born near Duncannon, Perry
County, Pa., October 16, 1854. The family was
originally of German descent. Many years ago the
uame was spelled Essig. and its meaning was vin-
egar. The grandfather, John Essick, was born in
Chester Count}-, Pa., followed farming in Dauphin
County, and later near Liverpool, on the Susque-
hanna River. He served as First Lieutenant in
the War of 1812, and afterward received a pension
for his services. He died at the advanced age of
ninety-nine.

Rev. John Essick, the Doctor's father, was born
in Dauphin County. He was reared on a farm, for
some years carried on farming in Perry County,
Pa., and in 1868 removed to Richland County, III.
He there carried on agricultural pursuits for a
time, but subsequently engaged in missionar}' work
as a local minister of the United Brethren Church.
His work was always performed witliout financial
remuneration. He died on his farm in 1882, at the
age of sixty-eight years. When he removed to his
farm it was an unbroken tract of land, but he at
once began its development. There were no
churches near, and wiihin six months he had or-
ganized a church and Sunday-school. Now within
site of the old home two churches stand. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Julia A. Smith, was
born in Snyder County