Full text of "Portrait and biographical record of Shelby and Moultrie counties Illinois, containing ... sketches of prominent ... citizens ... the governors of the state ... the presidents of the United States"

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Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois.

CONTAINING

Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens

OF THE COUNTIES,

Together with Biographies of all the

Governors of the §tato, and of the f residents

OF THE UNITED STHTES.

CHICAGO.

BfOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO

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jilE greatest of English historians, Mac-allay, and one of the most brilliant writers of
the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of tin-
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biographk m
Record of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their
enterprise and industry, 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
industry 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 tells also of many, very
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way." content
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — -they have done what
they could." It tells how 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 profession, 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 laud. 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 contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible
iriven to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them-
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph-
ical sketches, 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
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.

October. 1881. Biographical Publishing ( o

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HE Father of our Country was
I born in Westmorland Co., Va.,
x Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
were Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
England. His great-grand-
father, John Washington, em-
igrated to Virginia about 1657,
and became a prosperous
planter. He had two sons,
Lawrence and John. The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John.
Augustine and Mildred. Augus-
tine, the father of George, first
married Jane Butler, who bore
him four children, two of whom,
Lawrence and Augustine, reached
maturity. Of six children by his
second marriage, George was the
eldest, the others being Betty,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles
and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he left the parental residence. George
received only such education as the neighborhood
schools afforded, save 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 physica:
strength and development at an early age. He was
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair-
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life.

When George was 1 4 years 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
abandontd. Two years later he was appointed
surveyor to the immense 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 175 1, though only 19 years of
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service 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 survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili-
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac-
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro-
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North-
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territory occupied

bv Indians. The

-JO

GEORGE WASHING TON.

trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com-
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and .Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad-
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says : "1 had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit
him.

After having been five years in the military service,
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
co 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
->f Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con-
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila-
delphia.Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash-
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con-
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com-
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted
it on Tune 19, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame even-
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, ^83, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing beauty, tesigned his

commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed
Ins occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.

1 February, 1789, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he w;i>
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the pan
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and
while perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outlet, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.

At the expiration of his first term he was unani-
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi-
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances 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 armies. He chose his sill -
ordinate officers and left to 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 uniil
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12. he took
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
in lis throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh-
teenth his body was borne wih military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
Mount Vernon.

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad-
miration. The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal-
ent and character, which have been able to challenge
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na-
tions, 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 existence of man.

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
haughtiness, and ever serious without K*>in C dull.

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SEOONB PRESIDENT.

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^f|| OHN ADAMS, the second

:., President and the first Vice-
is^ President of the United States
//j was born in Braintree ( now
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten
™ miles from Boston, Oct. 19,
735. His great-grandfather, Henry
Adams, emigrated from England
about 1640, with a family of eight
I sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His
father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the bus-
iness of shoemaking. He gave his
eldest son, John, a classical educa-
tion at Harvard College. John
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a
'school of affliction," from which he endeavored to
gain .elief by devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. For this purpose lie placed himself
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He
had thought seriously of the clerical profession
but seems to have been turned from this by what he
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun-
jils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,''
of the operations of which he had been a witne^ in
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep-
:ive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (17 ^5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa-
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial
steps toward holdir. = a town meeting, and the resolu-

tions he offered on the subject became very populai
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and
.vas chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg-
lislaturc) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad-
vocated the movement for independence against tb ;
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcved
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies
should assume the duties of self-government. He
was a prominent member of the committee of ave
appointed June n, 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 Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with thj
glow of excited feeling, lie wrote .1 letter to his wife
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictatei
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 wi!
be decided among men. A resolution was passed
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde-
pendent states.' The day i^ passed. The fourth of
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary
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 i>omp, shows-

JOHN ADAMS.

games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations
from one end of the continent to the other, from this
time forward for ever. You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to
maintain this declaration, and support and defend
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can seethe
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is
w^rth more than all the means; and that posterity
will triumph, 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 Bemjamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
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 ex-
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis-
ers, 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 himself in readi-
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet
might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He
sailed for France in November, from there he went to
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and
formed important commercial treaties.

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed
Jan. 2i, 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 con-
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond-
ing, he received dispatches from his own government
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip.

February 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 re-
garded him as a traitor. As England did not
condescend to appoint a minister to the United
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom-
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788.

When Washington was first chosen President, John
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again
at the second election of Washington as President,
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash-
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President,though not without much opposition.
Serving in this office four vears,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 which he was at issue with
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people
in their struggle, for lie had no confidence in their
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or-
iginated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ-
ised, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were with England and Jefferson led the other in
sympathy with France.

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till
after death. No one could look upon his venerable
form, and think of what he had done and suffered,
and how he had given up all the prime and strength
of his life to the public good, without the deepest
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar
good fortune to witness the complete success of the
institution which he had been so active in creating and
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest
station in the gift of the people.

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, 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
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence 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
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In-
dependence forever." When the day was ushered
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew
what day it was? He replied, "O yes ; it is the glor-
ious fourch of July — God bless it — God bless you all."
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and
glorious day." The last words he uttered were,
" Tefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re-
signed his spirit into the hands of his God.

The personal appearance and manners of Mr.
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres-
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h>s
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the manners and address of Tefferson.

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THIRD FMESIDEXT.

THOMAS JEPPEESD^ if

HOMAS JEFFERSON was

born April ^. 1743, at Shad-

pwell, Albermarle county, Va.

His parents were Peter and
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson,
th j former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in Lon-
don. To them were born six
daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
When 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, hav-
been kept diligently at school
from the time he was live years of
age. In 1760 he entered William
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then z-j
years old, lived somewhat e.xpensivelv, keeping fine
horses, and much caressed 1; _ society, \ et he
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha-
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under
such influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec-
ond year of his college course, moved by some un-
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses,
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen
hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex-
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out
of the city and back again. He thus attained very
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso-
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls: and

there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more purenrinded, upright, gentlemanly young man.

Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
tice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin-
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer. But the times called for greater action.
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosei
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In
177; he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti-
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell. th>n-
majestic swell of land, caMed Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected (or his new
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye*
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon
became the most distinguished resort in our land.

In 1775 ' le was sent to the Cclonial Congress
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
laced uiion a number of important committees,
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw-
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com-
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed
to draw up the pa;ier. Franklin and Adams suggested
a tew verbal changes before it was submitted to Con-
gress. On June 2S. a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July
4. 1776 What must have been the feelings of that

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

man — what the emotions that swelled his breast —
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec-
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,
sjoverign and independent. It is one of the most re-
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort
uf the mind of its author exist, that alone would be
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality.

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Momicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef-
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses-
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by 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 Plenipo-
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned
Jan. 1, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and four years later was elected President o\er
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra-
iion was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
.orty years, he had been continually before the pub-
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de-
voted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years required, and upon the organization of
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare-
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio.

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses, —
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses, — and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a
fashionable watering-place.

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-

sary of the Declaration of American Independence,
great preparations weie made in every part of th<;
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
ot the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framet.
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-
tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill-
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled him to
decline the invitation.

On the second of July, the disease under which
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next
d;iy, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was
the third of July, lie expressed the earnest wish tha';
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life! To die on that day, — the birthday 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 tile author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to till up the record 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 scene of his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper-
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had labored together for tne good of
the country; and now hand in hand they depart.
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, 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; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery: his complexion was fair, his fore-
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and ;.:s command of tem-
per 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 un-
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver-
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.

,5S

/■ (Z/OC*-*-^ ,tsV(,

/Zt-XC-^-f £'

FOURTH PRESIDENT.

PITQES lll^DISOl}.

VMES MADISON". "Father
(i® of the Constitution, ' and fourth
^President of the United States,
; / was l)orn March 16, 1757, and
s died at his home in Virginia,
June 2S, 1836. The name of
James Madison is inseparably con-
nected with most of the important
events in that heroic period of our
country during which the founda-
tions of this great republic were
laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution of the United
States to be called to his eternal
reward.

The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the New World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesa-
peake but 15 years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an opulent
planter, residing upon a very fine es-
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
the midst of scenery highly pictur-
esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and
political attachment existed between these illustrious
men, from their early youth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.
Here he applied himself to study with the most im-

prudent zeal; allowing hirm.elf, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 177 1. with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf
quent 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 asso-
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him fur his life-work ot
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten-
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State. The next year
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly.
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and
consequently lost his election ; but those who had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,
and he was appointed to the Executive Council.

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his

JAMES MADISON.

mtellectual, 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 illustrious men in
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of
die most conspicuous positions among them.

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na-
tional government, with no power to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 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 Annapolis to discuss
this subject. Five States only were represented. The
convention, 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 that Confederate League. The delegates met at
>he time appointed. Fvery State but Rhode Island
-■as represented. George Washington was chosen
president of the convention; and the present Consti-
tution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac-
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, 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. Madkon was selected by the conven-
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 17S9.

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 fascination,
whom he married. She was in person and character
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs.
Madison.

Mr. Madison served as Secretary 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 deployed our commerce, and
our rl.ig 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, tu 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
cr c w to be paraded before him. With great nonchal-
ance 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 gun-
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and im-
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.

On the iSth of June, 1S12, President Madison gave
his appioval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, 18 13, 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 infan.
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap-
pling with the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United States under blockade.

The Emperor ot Russia offered his services as me
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit-
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa-
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens-
burg, upon Washington.

The straggling 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 doer 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
Washington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. 13, i8i5,the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau-
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re-
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi-
son died July 12, 1849,

«4sW?^itilliP^

.<S';"'-

^e^L.

FIFTH PRESIDENT.

pirjEs npjjfOR

AMl'.S MONROE, the fifth
.President of The United States,
was born in Westmoreland Co..
Va.,April 2S, 1758. His early
life was passed at the place of
nativity. His ancestors had for

- ; - ~ c_.~ T - many years resided 111 the prov-
ince in which he was born. When,
at 17 years of age, in the process
of completing his education at
William and Mary College, the Co-
lonial Congress assembled at Phila-
delphia to deliberate upon the un-
just and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separa-
tion of the Colonies, and promul-
gated the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Had he been born ten years 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 patriots.

He joined the army when everything looked hope-
less 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 sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con-
tending 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 young cadet joined the
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife

for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel-
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and Whit
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fle
before its foes through New Jersey. In four month
after the Declaration of Independence, the patrio;
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle o!
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder.

As a reward for his braver}', Mr. Monroe was pro-
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam-
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy
wine, Germanlown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain hi,
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 considerable
ardor, the study o( common law. He did not, however,
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag;
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as avolun
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.

In 1782, he was elected from King George county,
a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and by that
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having
at this early period displayed some of that ability
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwaids
employed with unremitting energy for the public good,

JAMES MONROE.

lie was in the succeeding year chosen a member of
ihe Congress of the United States.

Deeplyas Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution,
Thinking, with many others of 'he Republican parly,
'.hat it gave too much power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re-
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member
uf the United States Senate ; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction be-
tween the two great parties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep-
arated them were, that the Republican party was in
sympathy 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
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would
warrant. 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 possibly
authorize.

The leading Federalists and Republicans were
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
building up this majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com-
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de-
nounced as almost a demon.

Washington was then President. England had es-
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi-
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle 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
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres-
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de-
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations.

Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mol-
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance to
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob-
tained from Spain. Ttieir united efforts were sue
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to the United States.
This was probably 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 ob-
tain from that country some recognition of 0111
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng-
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng-
land 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 nude
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during
these trying times, the duties of the War Departmen
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con-
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex-
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elei
tion held the previous autumn Mr Monroe himself had
been chosen President with but little opposition, and
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four year.
later he was elected for a second term.

Among the important measures of his President- 7
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At tha;^
time the United States had recognized the independ-
ence of the South American states, and did not wish
to have European powers longer attempting to sub
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt
on the part of European powers to extend their sys-
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could no':
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." This doctrine immedia'elv ."fleeted the course
of foreign governments, and has become the approved
sentiment of the L T nited States.

At the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until T830,
when he went to New Vork to live with his son-in-
law, In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831

J , 5 , «-*•* ^ ^-^

XTH PRESIDRNi

1 301)1) QUIl^Y ^D^EQS. |f ^

OHN QUINCV ADAMS, the
sixth President of the United
§8States, was born in the rural
home of his honored father.
John Adams, in Quincy, M ass ,
|S|i, on the 1 1 tli cf July, 1767. Hi-,
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, listen-
ing to the booming of the great bat-
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames billow-
ing up from the conflagration of
Charlestown.

When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his fattier for Europe,
through a fleet ot hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
cou/.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again
Toh'fl Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to jtudy; then accompained his father to Holland,
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then
the University at Leyden. About a year from this
time, in 1 7 8 1, when the manly boy was but fourteen
yea-s of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min-
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed
nis studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence,

in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father I
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he agaii.
became associated with the most illustrious men oi
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind. After
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, ano.
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such cir-
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre-
ferred to return to America to complete his education
in an American college. He wished then to study
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be
able to obtain an independent support.

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be-
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap-
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reacheo
London in October, where he was immediately admit-
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with
Gieat Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight i.
London, he proceeded to the Hague.

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go toPortuga' as
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches
directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requeslirg
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions. While waiting he was married to ar.
American lady to whom he had been previously en-
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughte'
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in Iondon:
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom-
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in tut
elevated sphere for which she w*s '.'**' ined

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ;
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful-
filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited 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, rSoa. His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential mem I ers
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern-
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach-
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in-
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon
these points, and no one more resolved to present
a firm resistance.

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres-
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign-
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, 1809.

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu-
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to
the climate and astronomical observations ; 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 importai t
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five
chapters every day.

On the 4th of March, 1817. Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num-
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the
18th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon-
roe's administration, Mr Adams continued Secretary
of State.

Some time before :he close of Mr. Monroe's second
term of office, new candidates began to be presented
foi the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought
forward his name. It ivas an exciting campaign.
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re-
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty -one; Henry Clay, thirty-
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr.
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and
he was elected.

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now
:ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in
*'*». oast bistorv of our countrv than the abuse which

was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was
an administration more pure in principles, more con-
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun-
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per-
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu-
lously and outrageously assailed.

Mr Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab-
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising
early and taking much exercise. When at his home in
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast,
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his
own fire and applying himself to work in his library
often long before dawn.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi-
dent. The slavery question now began to assume
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un-
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re-
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre-
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever readv 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 usually
the first iu his place in the morning, and the last to
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, agains*
the prosluverv piny in the Government, was sublime
in its moral dating and heroism. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury
with expulsion from the House, with assassination
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final
triumph was complete.

It has been said of President Adams, that when his
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little
child, he was accustomed to repeat even- night, before
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in
his infant years.

On the 2 1st of February, 1848, he rose on the floor
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly-
sis, and was caught in the amis of those around him.
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious-
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and
said " This is the end of earth /'then after a moment's
pause he added, "lam content." These were the
last words of the grand "(lid Man Eloquent."

Si: l 'EKTli J'RESlL ENT.

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j& NDREW JACKSON, the
I seventh President of the
IP United States, was born in
Y Waxhaw settlement, N. C,
March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
from Ireland, and took up
their abode in Waxhaw set-
tlement, where they lived in
deepest poverty.
Andrew, or Andy,' as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His
features were coarse, his form un-
gainly; and there was but very
little in his character, made visible, which was at-
t.a. live.

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun-
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In
17S1, 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. " I am
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
the dauntless boy.

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear-
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert
with the same demand. He also refused, and re-
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their
mother was successful it* obtaining their exchange,

and took her sick boys home. After a long illnosv
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother wm
left him entirely friendless.

Andrew sapported himself in various ways,sj:'na9
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and
clerking in a general store, until r7 84, when he
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear,
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish
with the Sharp Knife.

In 1791, 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 performed a second time, but the occur-
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.

During these years he worked hard at his profes
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec-
ially disgraceful.

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con-
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the deiega'es.
The new State was entitled to but one meml er in
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack-
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its

ANDREW JACKSON.

sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles.

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo-
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.
, kson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose
..Lund term of office was then expiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a
complimentary 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 adminstration 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 rSi2 with Great Britian com-
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who
would do credit to a commission if one were con-
ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson
jffeied his services 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 at-
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was
in command, he was ordered to descend the river
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything,
:he men were ordered back to their homes. But the
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him
golden opinions; and he became the most popular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " ( (Id Hickory. '

Soon afler this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was
"lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the
I idians, who had combined under Tecumseh from
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set-
lers, were committing the most awful ravages. De-
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without as-i->-
i.ince, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on
one of the bends of the Tallauoosa River, near the cen-
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
Wi;h an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson
' nversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven
I vs. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. iSu. The bend

ot the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres ol
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast-
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled.

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des-
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en-
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn-
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war-
rior were killed A few probably, in the night, swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter.
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace.

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con-
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted 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 came to
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort,
and from both ship and shore commenced 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
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans,
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued,
was in reality a very 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 two thousand six hundred.

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men-
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824,
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however,
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1832. In 1S29, just before he
assumed the reins of the government, he met with
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death cf
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 memorable
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party,
condemned I >v 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, 1S45. The last years of Mr. Jack-
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man.

>^"**«fc!a*^

O 7 yuct <yz^yJu*^<^

EIGHTH PRESIDENT.

A K 7 \>V ■

ARTIN VAN BUREN, Ihe
eighth President of the
United States, was born at
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5,
1782. He died at the same
place, July 2 4i 1862. His
body rests in the cemetery
at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet
high, bearing a simple inscription
about hall way up on one face.
w The lot is unfenced, unbordeied
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
i,i 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 an-
cestors, as his name indicates, 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.

Te was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un-
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies
in his native village, and commenced the study of
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven
years of study in a law-office were required of him
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with
j. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur-
sued 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 hi*
studies for the seventh year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years ot
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil-
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van
Buren was from the beginning a politician. 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 earnestly and eloquently espoused I lie
cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed-
eral party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.

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

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi.
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump-
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei
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 t8 1 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap-
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved
to Albany, the capital of the State.

While he was acknowledged as one of the most
p. ominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had

4 S

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

the moral courage to avow that true democracy did
not require that " universal suffrage " which admits
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of
governing the State. In true consistency with his
democratic principles, he contended that, while the
i;ath leading to the privilege of voting should be open
to every 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 i 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
.lative 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 community. 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
.tie Senate. He had been from the beginning a de-
.ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the
'State Rights" view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United
States contributed so much towards ejecting John O.
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 re-
garded 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
x> touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all
:he wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to
organize a political army which would, secretly and
Tte-Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By
these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
feu thought then^could be accomplished.

kViien Andrew Jackson was elected President he
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately
appointed Minister to England, where he went the
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met,
refused to ratify the nomination, and he leturned

home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that
Senate which hjd refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor-
ite; and this, probably mure than any other cause,
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu
five. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re-
ceived 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 in
volve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer-
cial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at-
tributed to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re election.

Wiih 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. His unblemished
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he
had occupied in the government of our country, se-
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from
the presidency. 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 July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old
age, probably far more happiness than he had before
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life

yCt?. /&)9&sla^c-i

NINTH PRESIDENT.

RY MRRKOX.

ILLIAM HENRY HARRI-
SflfL SON, the ninth President of
.ffl® the L nited States, was born
■NgMI at Berke!e>. Va., Feb. 9, 1773.
His father, Benjamin Harri-
son, was in comparatively op-
ulent circumstances, and was
one of the most distinguished
men of his day. He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, w as early elected
a member of the Continental
Congress, and was conspicuous
among the patriots of Virginia in
resisting the encroachments of the
British crown. In the celebrated
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har-
rison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
speaker.

Mr Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
S^ «as twice re-elected. His son,
William Henry, of course enjoyed
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav-
ing received a thorough common-school education, he
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated
with honor soor. r.fter 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,
ligners of the Declaration of Independence.

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not-
withstanding the *emons!vances of his friends, he
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army,
.laving obtained 1 commission of Ensign from Presi-

dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old.
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap-
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory This
Territory «vas then entitled to but one member in
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that
position.

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two portions. The
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in-
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white population. The ability 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 Presi-
dent Madison.

When he began his adminstration there were but
three white settlements in that almost boundless region,
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French
settlement.

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Flam- 1.
reicned was filled with many tribes of Indian? Ab,. ■

U. OF ILL LIB.

WILLIAM HKXRY IIARR1SOX.

the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. Or.e of
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching
Panther;" the other. Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet."
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit-
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting-
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored
Indian as the gale tossed the tree -tops beneath which
they dwelt.

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was,
i.i the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed 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 conciliate
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe-
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 181 2, his army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet-
ing 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 protes-
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en-
campment, he took every precaution against surprise.
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept
upon their arms.

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa-
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi-
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
the desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide-
ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be-
fore them, and completely routing th«" foe.

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can -
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn-
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier
was plunged into a state of consternation which even
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive.
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra-
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison
was appointed by President Madison commander-in-
chief of the North-western 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
General Harrison was found equal to the position,
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re
sponsibilities.

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a
valise ; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket
lashed over his saddle Thirty-five British officers,
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle.
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted
before the fire, without bread or salt.

In 18 16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member ot
the National House of Representatives, to represent
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested
the attention of all the members.

In 1819. Harrison was elected to the Senate oi
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison 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-nominated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe 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 formed, with Daniel Webstei
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 admin-
istration 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 sick-
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after
his inauguration as President of the United States.

'-V7L

TENTH PRES/DEXT.

jj OHN TYLER, the tenth
ja Presidentof the United States.
He was born in Charles-city
Co.. Va.. March 29, 1790. He
was the favored child of af-
fluence and high social po-
sition. At the early age of
twelve. John entered William
and Mary College and grad-
uated with much honor when
but seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted him-
self with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
father and partly with Edmund
Randolph, one of the most distin-
guished lawyers of Virginia.

At nineteen years of age, ne
commenced the practice of law.
His success was rapid and aston-
ishing. It is said that three
months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the dock-
et of the court in which he was
i.jt retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he
was almost unanimously e'ected to a seat in the State
.-..-lature. He connected himself with the Demo-
:ratic 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 or his countv.

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national
bank, internal improvements by the General ^Vivsm-

ment. a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con-
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress
were so arduous that before the close of his second
term hj fo and ic necessary to resign and retire to his
estate in Charles-city Co., 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 utility. With a
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chostn
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his
native State. His administration was signally a suc-
cessful one. 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 wayward course,
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke. Mr. T\ler was the victor.

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his
seat in the Senate, he joined thj ranks of the opposi-
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he stren-
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist-
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen-
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Ge:i.
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party.
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a recoid
in perfect accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.

Returning 10 Virginia, he resumed the practice 1 1
his profession. There was a cplit in the Democrats

JOHN TYLER.

/arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef-
iersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli-
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con-
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri-
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan-
tation. Soon after this he remo\ed to Williamsburg,
lor the better education of his children ; and he again
look his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in
•839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har-
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment ot
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili-
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres-
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa-
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Govern-
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre-
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap-
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. In one short month from
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus .; and himself, to his own surprise and that of
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri-
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of
£.-ril "./as inaugurated to the high and responsible
office. H_' was placed in a position of exceeding
delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been
opjwsed tc the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a con-
sistent, horx't man, with an unblemished record.
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
Jie retain them, and thus surround himself with coun-
sellors 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 har-
n.ony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub-
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in-
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had
^elected to retain their seats. He reccommmded 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 the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto. He '*usaested. however, that he would

approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly 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 severely
touched the pride of the President.

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi-
dent 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 issued an address to the people of the
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance
between the \\higs and President Tyler were 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 unfortunate administra-
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more,
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe 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, he retired from the
harassments of office, tothe regret of neither party, aid
probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife,
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1S42;
and in June, r 844, President Tyler was again married,
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of
many personal and intellectual accomplishments.

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For-
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
books and experience in the world, and possessing
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the
storms of civil war which his own principles and
policy had helped to introduce.

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal-
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed-
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by
force of arms, 'he Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

ELEVENTH PRESIDENT.

zzzzzzj£&2%r? ■*:■.' ■ C ' y^s '-**~y >

v-%^'

AMES K. POLK, the eleventh
||skPresident of the United States,

^ was born in Mecklenburg Co.,

N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par-

Ssi, ents were Samuel and Jane

."•->,' (Knox) Polk, the former a son

of Col. Thomas Polk, who located

at the above place, as one of the

first pioneers, in 1735.

In the year 1006, with his wife
and children, ar.d soon after fol-
lowed by most of the members of
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi-
grated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
of the Duck River. Here in the
midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was subsequently called Mau-
ry Co., they reared their log huts,
and established their homes. In the
hard toil of a new farm in the wil-
derness, James K. Polk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pur-
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer,
gradually increased 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 obtain
a liberal education. His mother's training had made
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct-
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his
father, fearing chat 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 lew weeks, when at his
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon
after he sent him to Murfreesboro 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 1815, entered the sophomore
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplaiy of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious
service.

He graduated in 181 8, with the highest honors, be-
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty-
three years of age. Mr. Polk's 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 Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably been
slightly acquainted before.

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican,
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi-
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was
constantly 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 aid

/AMES K. POLK.

xnirterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his
strong influence towards the election of his friend,
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States.

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul-
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con-
tinuec' in that office. 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, always courteous; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused,
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per-
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac-
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of
March, ^39.

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo-
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the can-
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. ^o\k was inaugur-
ated President of the United States. The verdict of
the countryin favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig-
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
Almonte, immediately 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 re-
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent

with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where lie erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wa:
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
with great vigor Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,'
then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery 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 Cal-
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the
size of New York Thus slavery was securing eighteen
majestic 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 a hundred million of dollars. Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from
office, having served one term. The next day was
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even-
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly 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 tranquility and happiness were before him. But the
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fiftv-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.

^.COGn^PL^y^y/ ^y^xyy--

TWELFTH PRESIDENT.

ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
President of the United States,
Jpwas born on the 24th of Nov.,
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His
father, Colonel Taylor, was
a Virginian of note, and a dis-
tinguished patriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
wife and two children, emigrated
to Kentucky, where he settled in
the pathless wilderness, a few
miles from Louisville. In this front-
ier home, away from civilization and
all its refinements, young Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advan-
tages. 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 char-
acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, 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 1S0S, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng-
land, in r8i2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder-
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians,
,ed by Tecumseh, Its garrison consisted of a broken

company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.

Early in the autumn of 18 12, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor
made every possible preparation to meet the antici-
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came 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 ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, 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
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap-
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor-
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc-
ceeded in setting lire to one of the block-houses-
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point,
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt.
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the
rank of major by brevet.

Until the close of the war, Major 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 Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which
empties into Green Bay. Heie there was but little
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one
best could, There were no books, no society, no in-

ZACHARY TAYLOR

telieciual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of
-olonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part.

For twenty four years Col. Taylor was engaged in
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown
oeyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance.
In the year 1S36, he was sent to Florida to compel
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re-
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,
hac' promised they should do. The services rendered
he.c secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated
tc he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com-
mand of the United States troops in Florida.

After two years of such wearisome employment
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor
obtained, at his own request, a change of command,
:.nd was sutio.ied over the Department of the South-
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were,
r rom the world, but faithfully discharging even - duty
imposed upon him.

In 1S46. 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 Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over
forces much larger than he commanded

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,
the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.'

Tne tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista
: pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The
v Vhig party decided to take advantage of this wonder-
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un-
"■•ed, honest soldier as their candidate for the
1 residency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an-
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it: de
daring that he was not at all qualified for such an
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that,
'"or forty years, he had net cast a vote. It was not
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen
who had been long years in the public sen-ice found
*Lar claims set aside in behalf of one whose name

had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re-
marked, " 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 pre-
pared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. The popularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri-
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, —
Gen. Cass and Ex-President 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 sufferings were very severe, and probably
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party-
was pushing 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 Washington to be far more
trying to the nerves 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, rS5o.
His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un-
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la-
mented his death.

Gen. Scott, who was thoioughly acquainted with
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful
description of his character: — " With a good store of
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en-
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse-
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim-
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju-
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out-
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse),
whom he would not. to use his oft repeated phrase,
' touch with a pair of tongs.'

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil-
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In shor+
few men have ever had a more comfortable. '■■>>"».
saving contempt for le3rnirg of every kind.

j^ot~

jCc^^xAxru)

TJ1IRTEENTH PRESIDENT.

iH-

T ^r — Hr

MILLftRfl FILLMIIRE^

ILLARD FILLMORE, thir-
teenth President of the United
States, was born at Summer
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on
the 7 1 h of January, 1800. His
]/^ father was a farmer, and ow-
c ing to misfortune, in humble cir-
cumstances. Of his mother, the
MmJ daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,
Ui?\ of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
said that she possessed an intellect
of very high order, united with much
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis-
position, graceful manners and ex-
quisite sensibilities. She died in
1 83 1 ; having lived to see her son a
young man of distinguished prom-
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high
dignity which he finally attained.

In consequence of the secluded home and limited
i-.ieans of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad-
vantages for education in his early years. The com-
mon r.chools, which he occasionally attended were
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char-
acter 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
influences 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 o(
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Neai' the mill there was a small villiage, where some

enterprising man had commenced the collection of a
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read-
ing. 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 en-
kindled in his heart a desire to be something nu*e
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be-
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed
educated man.

The young clothier had now attained the age of
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha'.
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap-
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint-
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and
attainments that he advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The
young man replied, that he had no means of his own,
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa-
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to
take him into his own office, and to loan him such
money as he needed Must gratefully the generous
offer was accepted.

There is in many minds a strange delusion about
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col-
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal"
ind then enters a law office, who is by no means as

>;.>

MILLARD FILLMORE.

well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing-
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in-
tense mental culture.

In 1S23, when twenty-three years of age, he was
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region,
his practice of course was limited, and there was no
opportunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame.
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great
moral worth, and one capable of 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 advocate,
gradually attracted attention , and he was invited to
enter into partnership under highly advantageous
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 representative from Erie
County. Though he had never taken a very active
part in politics, his vote and his 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 very
unusual degn e the respect of his associates.

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

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep-
utation and success. After a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re-
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe
rience as a representative gave him stiength 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 ener-
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every
measure received his impress.

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,
he was elected Comptroller of the State

Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con-
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi-
dent at the approaching election. 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 tiumpet-tones all over the land. But
it was necessary to associate with him on the same
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman.

Under the influence of these considerations, the
namesof Zachary Taylor ar.d Millard Fillmore became
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was
signally 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, but
about one year and four months after his inaugura
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con-
stitution. Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi-
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.

Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition had a majority in both
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation.
The population of the free States was so rapidly in-
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in-
evitable that the power of the Government should
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.
Fillnure's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill-
more, having served one term, retired.

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres-
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that
his sympathies were rather with those who were en-
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
coidial words of cheer to the one party or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe
old a-e, and died in Buffalo. N. V., March 8, 1874.

FOURTEEXTH FRESWEXT

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•.•'.-.■vvw'.'VVV'V.;

^ ^FRANKLIN FIERCER

RANKLIN PIERCE, the
!|> fourteenth President of the
' United States, was born in
||f Hillsborough, N. H.. Nov
23, 1S04. His father was a
Revolutionary soldier, who,
with his own strong arm,
hewed out a home in the
wilderness. He was a man
of inflexible integrity; of
strong, though uncultivated
mind, and an uncompromis-
ing Democrat. The mother of
Franklin Pierce was all that a son
could desire, — an intelligent, pru-
dent, affectionate, Christian wom-
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children.

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen-
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was
by instinct a gentleman: always speaking kind words,
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; in body,
in mind, in affections, 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 very peculiarly winning in his
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de-
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing 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
Woodbury, 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 Woodbury was en-
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all
the ardor of his nature he esi>o:ised the cause of Gen.
Jackson for the Presidency. 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 yeats. The last two years lie was
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote.

In 18,33, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected
a member of Congress. Without taking an active
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom
he was associatad.

In 1S37, being then but thirty-three years of age,
he was elected to the Senate of the United States;
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced
his administration. He was the youngest member ii
the Senate. In the year 1834. he married Miss Jane
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom-
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every
station with which her husband was honoied Of the

bRANKLIK PIERCE.

three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with
their parents 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 engagements at home, and the precariuos
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 Mr.
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847.
lie took an important part in this war, proving him-
self a brave and true soldier.

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native
State, lie was received enthusiastically by the advo-
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo-
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession,
vjrj frequently taking an active part in political ques-
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise
measures met cordially with his approval; and he
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa-
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin-
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.''
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse-
quently regarded him as a man whom they could
safely trust in office to carry out their plans.

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven-
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the
Presidency. For four days they continued in session,
,-...d 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 constantlv
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all
oilier candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas-
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their
el-ctoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice
«as therefore inaugurated President of the United
States en the 4th of March, 1853.

His administration proved one of the most stormy our
country had ever experienced. The controversy be
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its
culminating point. It became evident that there was
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 ad-
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution
of the Union were borne to the North on every South-
ern breeze.

Such was the condition of affairs when President
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien-
ated 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 ad-
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also,
unmindful cf the fidelity with which he had advo-
cated those measures of Government which they ap-
proved, and perhaps, also, feelirg that he had
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him.

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pieice le-
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two
had died, and his only surviving child had been
kiued before his eyes by a railroad accident , 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 world, without wife or child.

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di-
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr.
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles 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 Gov-
ernment. He continued 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 honored communicant of the Episcopal
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen
eror.s to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al-
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns-
people were often gladened by his material bounty.

ZL//7Z£lJ Gszyccc

'7L&^rL€67?/7

1'IFTEENTll PRESIDENT

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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif-
teenth President of the United
States, was born in a small
frontier town, at the foot of the
eastern ridge of the Allegha-
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on
c'-'g^ls) the 23d of April, 1791. The place
where the humble cabin of his
father st<-od was called Stony
Batter. It was a wild and ro-
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun-
tains, with towering summits rising
grandly all around. His father
was a native of the north of Ireland ;
a poor man, who had emigrated in
1783, with little property save his
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer,
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder-
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per-
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se-
cluded home, where James was born, he remained
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual
advantages. When James was eight yeaisofage, his
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where
Lis 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 College, at Carlisle. Here he de
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution. His application
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en-

abled him to master the most abstruse subjects w
facility.

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest
honors of his clas:.. He was then eighteen years cf
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened 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 1S12, when he was
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles <>l
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu-
crative practice.

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 occasionally
tried some important case. In r 831, he retired
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac-
quired an ample fortune.

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency,
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which
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, Wei stcr.
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas-
ures proposed by President Jackson, of m iking repn-

7 6

JAMES BUCHANAN.

sals 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 office of those who were not the sup-
porters of his administration. Upon this question he
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay.
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure
against Gen. Jackson for removing 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 advo-
cated that they should be respectfully received; and
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress,"
wid he, " might as well undertake to interfere with
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the
States where it now exists."

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr.
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such,
took his share of the responsibility in the 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 that territory 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 agjinst the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50,
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce,
ir.ion his election to the Presidency, honored Mr.
Buchanan with the mission to England.

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven-
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The
political conflict was one of the most severe in which
o ir country has ever engaged. All the friends of
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re-
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre-
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re-
•eived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On
March 4th. 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four
•'ears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and
:er.. His own friends, those with whom he had been
allied in political principles and action for years, were
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be-
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin-

ciples, 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 perjury of the grossest kind,
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub-
lic. He therefore did nothing.

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con-
trol of the Government 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.

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the
South had professed to ask of the North was non-
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu-
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co-
operation of the Government to defend and extend
the institution.

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow-
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im-
becility was exhibited 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: FortSumpter
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun-
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were
appropriated by the rebels.

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away,
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak-
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver-
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the
scepter.

The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex-
perienced. His best friends cannot 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 country's
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion
We died at his Wheatland retreat, June 1, 1868.

-•-'

e^&^cT^

S1XTEEXTJI PRSS/DENT.

< ABRAHAM >

.msr-i.^ < LINCOLN. I>

GKi

BRAHAM LINCOLN, the
sixteenth President of the
United States, was horn in
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12,
1809. About the year 1780, a
man by the name of Abraham
Lincoln left Virginia with his
family and moved into the then
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years
after this emigration, still a young
man, while working one day in a
field, was stealthily approached by
an Indian and shot dead. His widow
was left in extreme poverty with five
ittle children, three boys and two
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the
boys, was four years of age at his
father's death. This Thomas was
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the
President of the United States
whose name must henceforth fo r ever be enrolled
with the most prominent in the annals of our world.
Of course no record has been kept of the life
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest.
Education he had none; he could never either read
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend-
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him-
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a
iborer in the fields of others.

When twenty-eight years of age he buili a log-
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi-
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel.
" All lhat I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate-
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother.

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his

cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Where
two years later his mother died.

Abraham soon became the sciibe of the uneducated
community around him. He could not have had a
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts
into words. He also became an eager reader. The
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read
and re-read until they were almost committed tc
memory.

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly familj
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistei
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar-
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr.
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111.

\braham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age.
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and thei>
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when
he announced to his father his intention to leave
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for-
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril-
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value ol
education and was intensely earnest to improve hi;
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin
which ardent spirits were causing, and became
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi-
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in
(lod's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain;" and a profane expression ha
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His.
morals were pure, and lie was uncontaminated by a
single vice.

Voting Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborei
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 dowr,
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis-
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin-
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give
great satisfaction to his emr>lovers. In this ad\'c;i

ABRAHAM LIS'COLX.

ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his ret arn 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 only 23
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew
lackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem,
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there ready 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, advised him to study law. He
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as-
sembled 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 re-
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law.
His success with the jury was so great that he was
soon engaged in almost ever)' noted case in the circuit.

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question.
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois,
in 1856, 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 con-
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most
notable part of his history. The issue was on the
slavery que-tion, and lie took the broad ground of
he Declaration of Independence, that all men are
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con-
test, but won a far higher prize.

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago
on the 16th 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 accommodate the Conven-
rion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes
were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most
orominent It was generally supposed he would be
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the
bloody death, n which that nomination doomed him:
and as little did he dream that he was to render services
;o his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of
the whole civilized world, and which would give him
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second
cnlv, if second, to that of Washington.

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180
electoral voles out of 203 cast, and was. therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good

and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, 186 1, Mr. Lincoln started
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his
way making speeches. The whole journey was fraught
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti-
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row,"
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled
the plot. A secret and special train was provided tc
take him from HarrisL-urg, through Baltimore, at ar
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi-
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Co
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hac.
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,
although 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.

During no other administration have the duties
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to
the lot of President Lincoln. 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, bo'h personal and national Contrary to his
own estimate of himself. Mr. Lincoln was one of the
most courageous 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 f >x his assassination,and he at last fell a victim
to o.ieof them. April 14, 1865. he, with Gen. Grant,
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It
was announced that they would t.e present. Gen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel-
ing, witn his characteristic kindliness of heart, that
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them,
verv reluctantly consented to go. While listening to
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth
entered the box where the President and family were
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the
next morning at seven o'clock.

Never before, in the history 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. It is not too much to say that a nation was
in tears. His was a life which will filly become a
model. His name as the savior of his country will
live with that of Washington's, iis father; his country-
men being unable to decide which is ti>e greater.

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SE I ENTEENTH PRESIDE A T.

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NDREW JOHNSON, seven-

. .eenth President of the United
^States. The early life of
Andrew Johnson contains but
the record of poverty, destitu-
tion and friendlessness. He
was born December 29, 180S,
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
belonging to the class of the
"poor whites " of the South, were
in such circumstances, that they
could not confer even the slight-
est advantages of education upon
their child. When Andrew was five
years of age, his father accidentally
lost nis life while herorically endeavoring to save a
friend 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 ap-
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion-
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often
read from the speeches of distinguished British states-
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more
than ordinary native 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-woikmen,
^earned his letters. He then called upon the gentle-
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner,

pleased with his zeal, not only gave him che book
but assisted him in learning to combine the letter:
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed o..
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest
and recreation to devote such time as he could to
reading.

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located a'
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pus
sessed 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 or-
ganized 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 working-classes,
to which he belonged. In 1S35, he was elected a
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes-
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thos..
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 successive
elections, held that important post for ten years In
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and
was re-elected in 1855. In all these responsible (Kisi
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished ab-..

8 4

A NDRE 1 1 ' fOHNSON.

ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work-
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected
United States Senator.

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob-
ably 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 supported the com-
promise measures, the two essential features of which
were, 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 f ree 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 Sav-
ior was the son of a carpenter."

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of rSc-o, ne
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South-
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap-
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and lie
established the most stringent military rule. His
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In
TS64, he was elected Vice-President of the United
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15,
1865, became President. In a speech two days later
he said, " The American people must be taught, if
Jhey 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 history of which is so well known,
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent

opposition to. the principles laid down in that speech.

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he char-
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly
defied ii, in everything possible, to the utmost. 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 Ten-
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre-
ferred 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 article so
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces-
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac-
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority 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 impotent';',
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi-
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar-
alleled since the day s of Washington, around the name
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten.
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im-
mortalize 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 Jan. 26, after an exciting
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten-
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con-
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach-
ing the residence of his child the following day, was
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious.
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at
2 a.m., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun-
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August,
witli every demonstration of respect.

■■•>■

<2s<-^<-~

HIGH TEENTH PRESIDENT.

*v x v v- >^ •

JLYO

Pl\? ly!

lElBf

$ eighteenth President of the
'United States, was born on
the 29th of April, 1S22, of
Christian parents, in a humble
home, at Point Pleasant, on the
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father moved to George-
town, Brown Co., O. In this re-
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
received a common-school edu-
cation. At the age of seven-
teen, in the year 1839, he entered
the Military Academy at West
Point. Here he was regarded as a
soiid, sensible young man of fair abilities, 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 in-
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis-
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating
-iidians.

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
r,f Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that
ie performed a signal service of daring and skillful
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am-
munition. A messenger must be sent for mere, along
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut.
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians,
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one
side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety.

r@s*f<!)

From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry,
10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the
battle of Molino del Rev, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha-
pultepec.

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re-
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The
discovery of gold in California causing an immense
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt.
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im-
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva-
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re-
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga-
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, —
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the armv : though
I have served him through one war, 1 do not fe* 1 that
I have yet repaid the debt. 1 am still ready to discharge
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my fcword
and see Uncle Sam through this war too."

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol-
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield,
the capital of the State, where their services were
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt.
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the
volunteer organization that was being formed in the
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th cf

i'Li'SSZiS S. GRAXT.

June, 1861, Capt. Grant received a commission as
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol-
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who
had served for 15 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 raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap-
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and
stripes were unfurled in its stead.

He entered the service with great determination
and immediately began active duty. This was the be-
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond
he was ever pushing the enemy with gTeat vigor and
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur-
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight
at Fort 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
listrict of Tennessee was assigned to him.

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how
to secure the results of victory. He immediately
Dushed 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 seventy-two can-
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most
severe blow whicli 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 Xew 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
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas-
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then
followed the bioody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him un-
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru-
ary, 1864, 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 th* 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 de-
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as-
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field.
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en-
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur-
render of Lee, April 9, 1S65.

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen.
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal-
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair.

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago.
May 2i, 186S, he was unanimously nominated for the
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294
electoral votes.

The National Convention of the Republican party
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1S72,
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati-
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292
electoral 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 every country of the civilized world,
and was everywhere received wiih 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 re-
nomination for President. He went to New York and
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm
nameof 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 of
the illustrious General.

A^£j^

NINETEENTH PRESIDENT.

9~+

r-.,'i •-,y.,y.,y. ', •..y..y.,y.,'. •■■',■;,■,■•.,' , ■. ■, ■. ':-:' : ,< : ,< : ,< : ,< ;v .• v : ,' : ,>,.- i ^>«^»«^>^><^ i

fj RUTHERFORD B, HAYES.

UTHERFORD B. HAYES,

the nineteenth President of
the United States, was born in
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al-
most three months after the
^ death of his father, Rutherford
Hayes. His ancestry 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 chief-
tains, fighting side by side with
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert
Bruce. Both families belonged to the
nobility, owned extensive estates,
and had a large following. Misfor-
.une cv-.uaking the family, George Hayes left Scot-
.and in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
George was. born in Windsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar-
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar-
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac-
turer 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 Ruth-
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was

born. He was married, in September, 1 8 1 3, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi-
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich.
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionary War.

The father of President Hayes was an industrious
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock-
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con-
ducted his business on Christian principles. After
the close of the war of 1812, for reasons inexplicable
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio.

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways,
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial
fever, less than three months before the birth of the
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be-
reavement, 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 Ver-
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted
some time before as an act of charity.

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the

9 2

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.

subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in-
quiring from time to time l: if Mrs. Hayes' baby died
last night.'' On one occasion a neighbor, who was on
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of
lira, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to
him. You have got him along so far, and 1 shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."

" You reed not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him
President of the United States yet." The boy lived,
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy
death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his
mother.

The boy was seven years old before he went 10
school. His education, however, was not neglected.
He probably learned as much from his mother and
: ister as he would have done at school. His sports
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circumstances
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo-
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings
of others, which are marked traits of his character.

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest
in his education; and as the boy's health had im-
proved, and he was making good progress in his
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre-
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he-
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en-
tered Kenyon College in 1838,31 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 office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq.,
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re-
mained two years.

In 1 S45, after graduating at the Law School, he was
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re-
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice,
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro-
tession.

In 1S49 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi-
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how-
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at
this period, had a powerful influence iq>on his subse-
quent "!fe. One of these was his marrage with Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin-
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its
members such men asTiief Justice Salmon P.Chase,

Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced
and beloved than was Mis. Hayes, and no one did
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman
hood. The Literary Cluo brought Mr. Haye: into
constant association with young men of high char
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne:s and
modesty.

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judgi o'"
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac-
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Coitncii.
elected him for the unexpired term.

In 1 861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was a!"
the zenith of his professional !if_. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take '10
arms for the defense of his country.

His military record was bright ard illustrious. In
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and
in August, rS62, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, It*.
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while
faint and bleeding displayed courage end fortitude
that won admiration from all.

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division,
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished f trvices
during the campaigns of 1864. in West Virginia." In
the course of his arduous services, four horses were
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times

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

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio,
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a populm Democrat.
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton.
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875.

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub-
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his
full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party,
but his administration was an average or- •

T i ! "£ . \ TIE TH PRESIDED " T.

I" J MliE® A . G A R F I E LD .1

AMES A. GARFIELD,

-.=f=jr

UlL tieth President cf the United

■-is

States was born Nov. 19,
1S31, i;i the woods of Orange,
aoga Co., O His par-
ents were Abram and Eliza
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New
England ancestry and from fami-
lies well known in the early his-
tory of that section of our coun-
try, but had moved to the Western
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle-
ment.

The house in which James A. was
bom was not unlike the houses of
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It
..; about ^0x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be-
n the logs filled with clay. His father was a
_.ard working farmer, and he soon had his fields
deared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built.
fhe household comprised the father and mother and
heir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and
~ames. In May, 1823 the father, from a cold con-
tacted in helping to put out a forest fire. died. At
diis time James was about eighteen months old, and
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can
:ell how much James was indebted to his biother's
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis-
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace.

The early educational advantages young Garfield
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of
ihem. He labored at farm work for others, did car-
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed
mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to-

gether. Xor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of hi=
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug-
gling 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 sureof the
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness
of 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 hi
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of
a vessel on Lake Etie. He was anxious to go aboard
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with th 3
understanding, however, that he should try to obtaii
some other kind of employment. He walked all the
j 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
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio &: Pennsylvania Canal. He re-
mained at this work but a short time when he wen
home, and attended the seminary at Chester fcr
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in
the meantime, and doing other work. This school
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of
which church he was then a member. He became
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his wa\
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the
fall of 1S54, he entered Williams College, from which
he graduated in 1S56, taking one of the highest hon-
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram
College as its President. As above stated, he early
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem-
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of
Vale College, savs cf him in reference to his relicion :

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

" President Garfield was more than a man of
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In
_ny judgment there is no more interesting feature of
nis character than his loyal allegiance to the body of
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to
the less stately and cultured Christian communions
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true
that as they step upward in social and political sig-
nificance they step upward from one degree to
another in some of the many types of fashionable
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the
:hurch of his mother, the church in which he was
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec-
'arian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'"

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of
whom are still living, four boys and one girl.

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856,
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet-
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland,
and in 186 1 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 re-
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty-
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug.
14, 1 86 1. He was immediately put into active ser-
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in acrion,
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the
work of driving out of his native State the officer
'Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed-
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres-
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had
'■>een the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years
oefore, so now he was the youngest General in the
army." 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 then ordered to report to Gen. Rose-
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff."

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with

his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won
the stars of the Major-General.

Without an effort on his part Gev 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 struggle that he
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en-
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that
body. There he remained by successive re-
elections until he was elected President in 1880.
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before t.
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whici,
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu~
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or- on the hustings by
Mr. Garfield."

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his
party for President at the great Chicago Convention.
He was elected in the following November, and on
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad-
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter
auspices than that of President Gailield, and every
day it grew in favo; with the people, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre-
liminary work of his administration and was prepar-
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com-
pany with Secretary 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 very truthfully said that this was
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc-
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peopi?
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit-
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty
days, all during the hot months of July and August,
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent
bearing was teaching the country and the world the
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass-
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept.
19, 1S83, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it.
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe-
cuted, in one year after he committed the foui deed.

TWENTY. FIRST PRESIDENT.

J HESTER A. ARTHUR,

twenty-first Presi^-ut of the

'United States was born in

Franklin Courty, Vermont, on

the fifth of Oc'ober, 1830. and is

Vj^^iSS-f^ ■ the oldest of a family of two

sons and five daughters. His

father was the Rev. Dr. William

Arthur, a Baptistd .rgyman, whi>

emigrated to tb.s country from

the county Antrim, Ireland, in

his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in

Newton ville, neai Albany, after a

long and successful ministry

Young Arthur was educated at
Union College, S< henectady, where
he excelled in all his studies. Af-
ter his graduation he taught school
r^ rjHi in Vermont for two years, and at
•^.ji^ the expiration of that time came to
New York, with $500 in his pocket,
and entered the office of ex-Judge
E. D. Culver as student. After
I being admitted to the bar he formed
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate,
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing
in the West, and for three months they roamed about
in the Western States in search of an eligible site,
but in the end returned to New York, where they
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success-
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur
soon afterward marred the daughter of Lieutenant

Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa-
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur s
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving tuo
children.

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity
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 Jon.
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to N'ew York with
his slaves, intending 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 assist in an appeal.
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed
to represent the People, and they won their case,
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause
of the slave-holders, 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 service was rendered by General
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings,
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare.
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a
verdict of $5 00 damages. The next day the compa-
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

followed their example. Before that the Sixth A ve-
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per-
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all.

General 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-
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer-
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec-
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas-
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered
great service to the Government during the war. At
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr.
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac-
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra-
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able
lawvers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if
not indeed one of national extent.

He always took a leading part in State and city
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc-
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July,
?o, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous
Xational Republican Convention held at Chicago in
June, tSSo. This was perhaps the greatest political
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It
was composed of the 'wading politicians of the Re-
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their
respective candidates that were before the conven-
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re-
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur
for Yice-President. The campaign which followed
was one of the most animated known in the history of
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his
party made a valiant fight for his election.

Finally the election came and the country's choice
.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
.vlarch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President.
\ few months only had passed ere the newly chosen
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of
anxious suspense, wher the hearts of all civilized na-

tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark
able patience that he manifested during those hours
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf-
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was
seemingly more than human. It was certair.lv God-
like. 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 only an earnest
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi-
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested
in deed or look of this man, even though the most
honored position in the world .vas at any moment
likely to fall to him.

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar-
field 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 assume the responsibilities of
the high office, and he took the oath in New York.
Sept. 20, 1SS1. The position was an embarrassing
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that 'all
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do,
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se-
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been
greatly neglected during the President's long illness,
and many important measures were to be immediately
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he
became President, and knew the feelings of many on
this point. Under these trying circumstances President
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition cl
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting sc
wisely that but few criticised his administration.
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the
close of his administration, March 4, 1885. and was
a popular candidate before his party .for a second
term. His name was ably presented before the con-
vention at Chicago, 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-
tying with him the best wishes of the American peo-
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory
to them and with credit to himself.

T^rL^T C/^uC-Cdyiy^Z

TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT.

IGJ

H» (Stimn* (f\tml

. -

TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE-
LAND, the twenty second Pres-
ident of the United States, was
born in 1837, in the obscure
town of Caldwell, Essex Co.,
N. J., and in a little two-and-a-
half-story white house which is still
standing, characteristically to mark
the humble birth-place of one of
America's great men in striking con-
trast with the Old World, where all
men high in office must be high in
origin and bom in the cradle of
wealth. When the subject of this
sketch was three years of age, his
father, who was a Presbyterian min-
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved,
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most
straggling of country villages, about five miles from
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born.

At the last mentioned place young Grover com-
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the
capacity of the village school and expressed a most

emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to
become self-supporting by the quickest possible
means, and this at that time in Fayette /ille seemed
to be a position in a country store, where his fathe"
and the large family on his hands had considerable
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services
I le first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to
receive § too the second year. Here the lad com-
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness
that his employers desired to retain him for an in
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex-
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy.
Bat instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette
ville, he went with the family in their removal 10
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a
high school. Here lie industriously pursued his
studies until the family removed with him to a point
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent,' a
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica.
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family.
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his

S. GROVE R CLEVELAND.

calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order,
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as
there was some charm in that name for him; but
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to
»sk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not
•rpeak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do,
my boy? "he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study
law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked
■ he old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put
that into your head? How much money have you
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got
anv."

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 office of Rogers,
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Lhem what he
wanted. A number of young men were already en-
gaged in the office, but Graver's persistency won, and
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and
aave the use of the law library, for the nominal sum
of $3 or 94 a week. Out of this he had to pay for
his board and washing. 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 his overcoat — he had
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular.
On the first day of his service here, his senior em-
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone 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 ;
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume.
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland
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
eiected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell
co his duty to inflict capital piT.ishment upon two
caminals. In r88r he was elected Mayor of the
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es-
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms

in the administration of the municipal affairs of that
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, hi-:
performance of duty has generally been considered
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer-
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui-
tous street-cleaning contract : " This is a time foi
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme
to betray the interests of the peoplf. and to wors;
than squander the people's money." The Xew York
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve-
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there-
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire
State. To the latter office he was elected in 18S2,
and his administration of the affairs of State was
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if
any, were made very public throughout the nation
after he was nominated for President of the United
States. For this high office he was nominated July
ir, 18S4, by the National Democratic Convention tt
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F.
Bayard, 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
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub-
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve-
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in
January, 18S5, 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 ot
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State,
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretary
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ;
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New
York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Yilas,
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of
Arkansas.

The silver question precipitated a controversy be-
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr.
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his
inauguration.

■tf*

TWENTY -THIRD PRESIDENT.

Jtj.

•c*o-g>Xi3)- < >* —

jt§ENJAMIN HARRISON, the
nS iwenty-third President, is
%? the descendant of one of the
historical families of this
i country. The head of the
23 family was a Major General
'H Harrison, one of Oliver
Cromwell's trusted follow-
- ad fighters. In the zenith of Crom-
- power it became the duty of this
Harrison to participate in the trial of
Charles I. and afterward to sign the
death warrant of the king. He subse-
quently paid for this with his life, being
hung Oct. 13. 1660. His descendants
came to America, and the next of the
family that appears in history is Benja-
min I3arrison, of Virginia, great-grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, and
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison
was a member of the Continental Congress during
the years 1 774-5-6, and was one of the original
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He
wai three times elected Governor of Virginia,
Gsn William Henry Harrison, the son of the

distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc-
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812,
and with-a clean record as Governor of the North-
western Territory, was elected President of the
United States in 1840. His career was cut short
by death within one month ;.fter his inauguration.
President Harrison was born- at North Bend,
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. :">0. 1S;>3 His life up to
the time of his graduation by the Miami University
at Oxford. Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun-
try lad of a family of small means. His father was
able to give him a good education, and nothing
more. He became engaged while at college to tlu
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en-
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Chi
1 cinnati and then read law for two years. At the
expiration of that time young Harrison received tt:.
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left iiin;
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as i
fortune, and decided to get married at once, take
this money and go to some Eastern town an . be-
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with
the money in his pocket, he started out witii his
3 - oung wife to fight for a place in the world. Me

108

BENJAMIN HARRISON.

decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at
Lli.it time a town of promise. He met with slight
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything
llie first year. He worked diligently, applying him-
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro-
fession. He is the father of two children.

In 18G0 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be-
gan his experience as a stump speakei He can-
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His
regiment was composed of the rawest of material,
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first
mastering military tactics and drilling his men,
when he therefore 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 for his bravery
?t Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen-
ial, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most
complimentary terms.

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field
he Supreme Court declared the office of the Su-
preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person
was elected to the position. From the time of leav-
irg Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864
ne 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 Sher-
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet
.ever, and after a most trying siege made his way
to the front in time to participate in the closing
'Incidents of the war,

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined " re-election as
eporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876
ie was a candidate for Governor. Although de-
eated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him
1 National reputation, and he was much sought, es-
,>eeia;.y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880,
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign,
:<nd w:. f elected to the United States Senate. Here
ne served six years, and ~'as known as one of the
ibiest men, best lawyer'" and strongest debaters in

that body. With the expiration 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 standard bearer
of the Republican party, was great in eveiy partic-
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as-
sumed 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 move-
ment became popular, and from all sections of the
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly
increased on account of the remarkable speeches
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega-
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were
his speeches that they at once placed him in the
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen.

( >n account of his eloquence as a speaker and his
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un-
commonly early age to take part in the discussion
of the great questions that then began to agitate
the country. lie was an uncompromising anti
slavery man, and was matched against some of tLe
most eminent Democratic speakers of his State.
No man who felt the touch of his blade de: ired to
lie pitted with him again. With all his eloq-'ence
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect,
but his words always went like bullets to the mark
He is purely American in his ideas and is a spier
did type of the American statesman. Gifted wit'u
quick perception, a logical 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 of eloquence and contained
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse
statements have already become aphorisms. ( )rigi-
nal in thought, precise i.\ logic, terse in statement,
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as
the sound statesman and brilliant orator t- tiK day

l|_ >&*■ «=*•

j&^

'^^^^C^^^^_

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

-mhx

.-jzmmtmism ■

HADRACH BOND, the first
Governor of Illinois after its
organization as a State, serving
from 1818 to 1822, was born in
, Frederick County, Maryland,
in the year 1773, and was
raised a farmer on his father's
plantation, receiving only a plain
English education. He emigrated
to this State in 1794, 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
ihe times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov-
ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain.
The year 1812 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, Mr. Bond
was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp-
t-on on the public domain. On the expiration of his
term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of
Pubiic Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the
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 1818 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, 1818, 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 people 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 State, 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, supported 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 faniKis 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 1824, 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,
the 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 purpose 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
lo 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 1824, 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 hod made
many fast friends by a judicious L-e::tjwment of his
gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously
tor him in the campaign.

In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg-
islature, 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. His features were
strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and
eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died
April 1 1, 1830, in peace and contentment

Id^^us^) Ccru2<7

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

Il 5

1; Ebwarfc Coles,

=^os-«9l>-5®~$^

m. .

*0»

DWARD COLES, second
Governor of Illinois, 1823-
6, was born Dec. 15, 17S6,
in Albemarle Co., Va., on
the old family estate called
"Enniscorthy," on the
Green Mountain. His fath-
er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the
Revolutionary War. Having been fit-
ted for 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
1X07. .1 ~hort time before the final and graduating
exa'iii lation. Among his classmates were Lieut.
Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Win. 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 potables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the
age of 23, young Loles founa himself heir to a plant-
ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever
since his earlier college days his attention liad been
drawn to the quescio 1 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 him to reconcile the immortal declaration
"that all men are born free and equal" wilh^he
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. Madison was because he believed
that through the acquaintances he could make at
Washington he could better determine in what par.
of the non-slaveholding portion of the 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-

1 1 6

ED WARD COLES.

ander) of the error committed by his minister at
Washington, and the 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, III , with the
intention of giving them their liberty. He did not
make known to them his intention until one beautiful
morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio
River. He lashed all the 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
ihe 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 desciibed in his own language :

"The effect upon them was electrical. They stared
at nr.e and then at each other, as if doubting the ac-
curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless
sile'nee 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 landing he gave them a general certificate
of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu-
larly 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, 1S10, President Monroe appointed Mr.
Coles Registrar of the Land Office 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 politeness and general intelli-
gence, 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 plural-
ity over Judge Phillips 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 expression 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 Yandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the
modified form of slavery which then existed in this
State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi-
tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when
it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the
population of Illinois being at that lime 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 who 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 them.

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 ca:iii to this country with Win. Penn in 1682.

After the expiration of his term of service, Gov.
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 to Philadel-
phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at
Woodland, near that city.

' O c$-(*S&^Jl>

GOVERXORS OF ILLIXOIS.

\£'\

~> AT \ -fe

lYiiiian Edwards

«r

■>>— 5-

INIAN EDWARDS, Governor
V from 1827 to 1830, was a son
p of Benjamin Edwards, and
was bom in Montgomery
o County, Maryland, in March,
L 1775- His domestic train-
'-'" ing was well fitted to give
his mind strength, firmness and
ho o:able principles, and a good
foundation was laid for the ek
character to which he afterwards
attained. His parents were Bap-
and very strict in their moral
principles. His education in early
youth was in company with and
partly under the tuition of Hon. Wm.
Wirt, whom his father Datronized
and who was more than two years
older. An intimacy was thus
formed between them which was lasting for life. He
was farther educated at Dickinson College, at Car
iisle. 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
bounty before he was 2 1 years of age, and was re-
acted 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 52 years of age ! In addition, in
1S02, he received a commission as Major of a battal-
ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1S04 was chosen a
Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton
ticket. In 1S06 he was a candidate -'or Congress,
but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of
Appeals.

Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in
the spring of 1S09, 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, 1S39. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in
June, and on the 1 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

N1NIAN EDWARDS.

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 Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of
the Territory, which office was accepted for a short
time only.

The Indians in 1810 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 years
afterward.

As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in
1 81 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-
■ later and a conscientious statesman. He thought
. eriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but was
persuaded by his old friend, Wrn. Wirt, and others to
< ontinue 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
Air. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of
Win. 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,"
cisgraced the statute books of both the Territory and
he State of Illinois during the whole of his career in
.his commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main-
tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important
;.ctor in the great struggle which ended in a victory
Tt>r his party 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 land=
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 War." 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, a f
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 havj
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 mercantile business, having no less than eight or ten
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 him
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 well 1
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 that 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.

GO VER IVORS OF ILLINOIS.

<y^J) cat . v csstH ir x . QT

^^^^M^Vg)(6^^v2)

OHN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831-
1"^, 4, was born in Montgomery Coun-
=)" ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788.
His father, Robert Reynolds and
his mother, nee Margaret Moore,
were both 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-
Dosed 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 principle
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 modern
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 1S12 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

124

JOHN REYNOLDS.

From his services in the West, in the war of 1812,
he obtained the sobriquetof 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 18 18 he was elected an Associate
Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General
Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than
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-
.rnor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he
did all within his power to advance the cause of edu-
cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun-
try, etc.; also recommended the winding up of the
state Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously
complicated. In his national politics, he was a
moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the
most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin-
istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred
in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted
the contest 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 witli 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'
ierm.

South Carolina nullification coining up at this time,
t was heartily condemned by both President Jackson
t.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 considering himself a backwoodsman, as
r e had scarcely been outside of the State since he
became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful
lays in the wildest region of the frontier. His first
iiove in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in
all elections made by the House for officers tiie 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 controlling prin-
ciple for many years. The ex Governor was scarceK
absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses
sions of Congress, covering a period of seven year^,
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
Washington. During his sojourn in that city he was
married, to a lidy 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 1S39 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
Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day
Saint!"

In 1S46 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of
the Legislature (rom St. Clair County, more particu-
larly for the purpose 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 cbse
of the war.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

i*1

«>*—*-

[LLIAM LEE D. EWING,

Governor of Illinois Nov. 3
as to 17, 1834, was a native
of Kentucky, and probably
of Scotch ancestry. He bad
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
M01 eys at Vandalia soon after the organization of
t«ii.. State, and that the public moneys in his hands
veie deposited in various banks, as they are usually
* thi. /resent day. In 1823 the State Bank was
obbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand-
-jolbr deposit.

The subject of this sketch had a commission as
■ olonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies
ne acted also as Major. In the summer of 1832,
Vien c " r as rumored among the whites that Black
Kawk and "lis 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
subordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up
Rock River in search of the enemy. On tiie 19th of
■uly, 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
gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen.
Dodge and Col. Ewing were both acting 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 toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed
his battalion in order 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-

128

WILLIAM L. D. ElVING.

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. Ewuig is often referred to
as a "General," winch title he had derived from his
connection with the militia.

It was 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 1834, Gov. Reynolds was also
elected to Congress, more than a year ahead ofcthe
time at which he could actually take his seat, as was
then the law. His predecessor, Chailes 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
Stato of Illinois, his term covering only a period of
15 da""s. namely, from the 3d to the 17th days, in-
clusive, of November. On the 17th 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
vas sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from

the responsible 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 term 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 r2th 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
Auditor 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 0$
originality. He died March 25, 1846.

^dhf&rf^u 5fa

GO I'ERXORS OF ILLIXOIS.

'3'

Jfese.pl: Ban can.

ga^|B<»Ctit t - - 5>*^TvgSNi>^zra^ fflar^ '

— •«£?— • — n — •~ , 3c»—

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
-wb acquitted himself with credit. He
was an Ensign under the daunt-
less Croghan at Lower Sandusky,
or Fort Stephenson. In Illinois
he first appeared in a public capa-
city as Major-General of the Militia,
a position which his military fame
had procured him. Subsequently
he became a State Senator from
Jackson County, and is honorably
mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for
a free-school system. In 1S26, 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 for Congress,
Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his
friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians.
\s 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 military 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
full 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 out 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 mere local and personal considerations
had ever before controlled an election in Illinois.

From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his
seat in Congress 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, formerly his
political idol, and also from the Democracy, largelv
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 above all
other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless

£32

JOSEPH DUNCAN.

sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter
j;ad 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
r gain st the course of the President. The measures
-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
Plainly 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-
-upted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on,
and the disasters that attended the inauguration of
.hese plans and the operation of the banks were mu-
tually charged upon the two political parties. Had
any oi:e man autocratic power to introduce and
carry on any one of these measures, he would proba-
bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public ;
; ut as many jealous men had hold of the same plow
Handle, no success followed and each blamed the other
!or the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan
was carried along, suffering the like derogation ot
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,
Blootr.ington 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
.laced at a little over $10,000,000, which was not
.nora 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 occutred
ai this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love-
'oy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's
ierm 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 tha
State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for
its existence at Vandalia was drawing 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 Whig 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
leceiving 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,
1h.1t 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 College at
Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and
died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted
member of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife
but no children. Two children, born to them, had
died in infancy.

Sw.

-:\

^^W/c^L^^

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

'35

. ...- -i- .

<*HOMAS CARLIN, the sixth
•'ii^^li'f Governor of the State of
Illinois, serving from 1838
to 1842, was also a Ken-
tuckian, being born near
Frankfort, that State, July
1 8, 17S9, of Irish paternity.
The opportunities for an education
being very meager in his native
place, he, on approaching years of
judgment and maturity, applied
himself to those branches of learn-
ing that seemed most important,
and thus became a self-made man ;
and his taste for reading and
study remained with him through
In 1803 his father removed
10 Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he
died in 18 10.

In 18 1 2 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 18 14 he married Rebecca
Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the
Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis-
sctri, where he followed farming, and then removed
to Greene County. He located the town site of Car-
rc'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 of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office

more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy.

While, in r838, the unwieldy internal improvement
system of 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
limes" existing that the people of the Prairie State
ever saw, the general election of State officers was
approaching. Discreet men who had cherished the
hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua-
tion, met with 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
campiign, and most of the old members of the Leg
islature 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 Carlb
remained non-committal. This was the first time
that the two main political parties in this State were
unembarrassed by 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,-

715-

Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature
(1S39), the retiring Governor (.Duncan^ in his mes-

• 3 6

THOMAS CARLIN.

sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the
internal improvement system, presaging the evils
Uireatened, 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 further loan
of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal alone. Cti'cago 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-
ceed 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
sc 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 appointment
.h rough 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
:his regard, however, was finally sustained by the
Supreme Court, in a quo warranto 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.
States, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas —
all Democrats.

It was during Cov. 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., to 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 Mew 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," Ihey
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 supported 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 ;o
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 1841 the
Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov.
Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader,
as a fugitive from j ustice. Gov. Carlin issued th ;
writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved.
It was again 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, 1841, 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, as before his ele-
vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In 18-9
he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the
Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4.
1S52, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife?
and seven children.

{A-isns&^d

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

■39

Tlioiiia

_ .^. *.*& -& *~

=3*~ •**ir<&~3<i

^■ i-y ^

"^HOMAS FORD, Governor
from 1842 to 1S46, 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
girls. With a view to better her
condition, she, in 1804, removed to
Missouri, where it had been cus-
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 first

schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey,
for which he had to walk three miles. His mother,
though lacking a thorough education, was a woman
of superior mental endowments, 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 early promise of superior en-
dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His
proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P.
Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend
The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states-
man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant
of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the
Illinois &: Michigan Canal, and after whom the
I county of Cook was named. Through the advice of

! 4

THOMAS FORD.

this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the
study of law; but Forquer, then 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-
ing 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
Tudge 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
ne 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 8th 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 and 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 Dower 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 10 be a seeker for the position of door-
keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid-
night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view
Df effecting a "combination ! "

Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary
politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a
political 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 of the high
financial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and
•he Mexican War.

In the first of tnese the Governor proved himself
'o be eminently wise. On coming into office he found
'he State badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of
.r.c notorious "internal improvement" schemes of

the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to
show by way 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 important thoroughfare,
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. Tlie 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 country, 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
|udge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of
course was non-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 people 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 successor. 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, of 450 small octavo pages, and is
destined to increase in value with the lapse of time.
It exhibits a natural 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 contemporaries 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 hi* con-
temporaries who were prominent during his term of
office as Governor.

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

^^<p^^ 6^>^^c^y

GOVERXORS OF 1LLIXOIS.

143

l.-^:'-*-^.^'"^.

K&?#

Augustus C. French,

Augustus c. French,

Governor of Illinois from
1846 to 1 S5 2, was born in
the town of Hill, in the
State of New Hampshire,
Aug. 2, 1 80S. He was a
descendant in the fourth
generation ot Nathaniel
French, who emigrated from England
in 1687 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
Drief 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
jtrong attachment sprang up between him and Ste-
phen A. Douglas.

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

elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1S44 he was
a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for
Tames 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, Win. 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

144

AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH.

By the new Constitution of 184S, a new election for
State officers was ordered in Novembei of that year,
before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was
re-elected for the term of four years. He was there-
fore the incumbent 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 i,36r 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
and did not run again.

Governor French was inaugurated into office dur-
ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed
during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2,
1848. The policy 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 permission 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 lime, 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,
ilthough 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 ths
population 851,47.-1.

In 1S49 the Legislature adopted the township or-
ganization law, which, however, proved defective,
and was properly amended in 1851. At its session
in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed
a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions
This beneficent measure had been repeatedly urged
upon that body by Gov. French.

In 1S50 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 thera 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; and 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, r85o, 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 185 1 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 rS65, at his home in Lebanon, St
Clair Co.. Til.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

•47

US?

|OEL A. MATTESON, Governor
r §{fe** 1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808,
in Jefferson County, New York,
to which place his father had re-
moved from Vermont three years
before. His father was a farmer
in fair circumstances, but a com-
mon English education was 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 father's home, when he mar-
ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed,
ivith his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered
a claim on Government land near the head of An
Sable River, in what is now Kendall County. At
that time there were not more than two neighbors
within a range of ten miles of his place, and only
<hree or four houses between him and Chicago. He
opened a large farm. His family was boarded 1 2

miles away while he erected a house on his claim,
sleeping, during 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 Senato-
holding over, was found to be in the same distric*.,
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

T4»

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
this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms,
discharging its important duties with ability and faith-
fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest,
when work was resumed on the canal under the new
loan of $1,600,000 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 Dexter A.
Knowlton. 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 things 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 powerful 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 the Terri-
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-nom-
inated by the Democrats. But after a fewballotings
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 nth 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 1855 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 $137,818,079 to $349,951,272; the pub-
lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,-
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 canai scrip, 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 187 2-3, at Chicago.

^t^^uj^e.

GOVER.XOXS OF ILLINOIS.

■5i

^illiai^ I£. ©issdl.

.' ■' ; .' : i f .v : .' : / : . r ^i' :)■:»■ : ■' ?* } :v : i. :. : i .:v. l i:v. 1 . w-\ i c\

i » i *. 1 . i

[LLLYM H. BISSELL, Gov-
^ emor 1857-60, was bom
£S April 25, 1S11, in the
State of New York, near
Painted Post, Yates County.
His parents were obscure,
honest. God-fearing people,
who reared their children under the daily
example of industry 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 charms. In a few years he discovered
his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when
he approached the age of $o 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
readv local notorietv. It soon came to be under-

stood that he desired to abandon his profession and
take up that 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 1840 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 that 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 exemplarv
in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent.
He was twice married, the first time to Miss Tames,

15 2

WILLIAM H. BISSELL.

of 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 him but a short time,
and died without issue.

When the war with Mexico was declared in 1 846,
Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his
regiment, 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 the 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-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and
thus became identified with the nascent Republican
party.

During his first Congressional 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 his term of office, as the Constitution of
this State forbade any duelist from holding a State
office.

In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth
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
County, 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 rathei
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 had 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 except 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 the expiration of his
gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He
died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, of
which He harV been a member since 1854.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

'55

site

-5-

-J—

p- : OHN WOOD, Governor 1 860-1, and
ftp** the first settler of Quincy, 111.,
was born in the town of Sempro-
nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co. f
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 next two years he pursued
fanning. 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
point, 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 ?
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 hall

fOHN WOOD.

that number of females. Since that period Mr.
Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un-
til his death, and far more than 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
f ace of a constant large opposition political majority.
In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In ^56,
on the organization of the Republican party, he was
chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the
ticket with Win. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the
death of the latter, March iS, rS6o, he succeeded to
the Chief Executive chair, 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 r86o, resulting in the 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 the 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 the 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
Washington, and in April of the same year, on the
breaking cut of the Rebellion, he was appointed

Quartermaster-General of the State, which position
he held throughout the war. In 1S64 he took com-
mand as Colonel of the r37th 111. Vol. Inf., with
whom he served until the period of enlistment ex-
pired.

Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi-
fied with the 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,
1S2C, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter,
formerly of Salem, Washington Co., X. Y. They had
eight children. Mis. 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,
1SS0, 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.
Abernethy; 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.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

tS.)

I^iel\ard Yates.

>ICHARD YATES, the "War
Governor/' iS6i-4, w.is bom
Jan. 1 8, 1818, on the banks of
the Ohio River, at V'arsaw,
Gallatin Co., Ky. His lather
g^ moved in 1831 to Illinois, and
after stopping for a time in
Springfield, settled at Island
Grove, Sangamon County. Here,
after attending school, Richard joined
the family. Subsequently he entered
Illinois College at Jacksonville,
where, in 1S37, 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 with 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 party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great
-•rdor in the exciting "hard cider" campaign for
riarrison. Two years later he was elected to the
Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic
stronghold. He served three or four terms in the
Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora-
:^ry that by 1850 his large Congressional District,
extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties
. orth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him
fire Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic
opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop-
ular man who had won distinction at the battle of
Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had
peaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position.

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

It was during Yates second terra iii 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 r86o 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 Blooming-
ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were
also candidates before the Convention. Francis A
Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for
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 cf
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 the

i6o

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 orator)' was scholarly and
captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they
were transported. 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 impassionate
appeals, urging upon the people the duties and re-
quirements of patriotism; and his special message
in 1863 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 with
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
1 S62, 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
v ie 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 to
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 (then) present
executive duties, Gov. Yates was provoked 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 sine die, the Governor, having
the authority in such cases, surprised them all by
adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding 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 in
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 rebellion
in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the
camp at the time, first had his suspicions of danger
aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters
which passed through the Camp postofrice. 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 others, 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 November following.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

163

Miehard J* Oglesby.

-£p-

I^KICHARD 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 Governors." 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, he 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 w.u
had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature
quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and
he enlisted. The 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 important 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 jrn.-

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 gillantry, his commission to rank
from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he
was assigned to the command of the 16th Army
Corps, but, owing to inability fro 11 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. Win.
Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant
Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were
James C. Robinson, of Clark, 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 v.sited his home at Decatur, and took from it
his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of six
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
amend nent 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 1S59 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 the
.oration of the Industrial College, the Capital, the

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

During the year 1872, it became evident that il
the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the
office of Governor, they could 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 put into
the field Gustavus Koemer for Governor and John
C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election
gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from
35>334 to 56,174, — 'he 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 sodu 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, 1879, 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 join:
ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the
jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov-
ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. 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 each,
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.
calculated favorably to impress the average masses.
Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol-
icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanism
among Republicans, while at the same time hisjovia.
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 gestures,
tremendous physical power, which in speaking he
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 emphasis,
he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure.

Oc^

GO VERXORS OF ILLINOIS.

n>7

J o if xV M. Pa l mer

^■ : OHN Mc AULEY PALMER, Gov-

ts^

1Kb ''■■

-■■fe

ernor 1869-72, was born on
E.igle Creek, Scott Co., Ky.,
Sept. 13, 1817. During his in-
fancy, his father, who had been
a soldier in the war of 18 12, re-
moved to Christian Co., Ky.,
where lands were cheap. Here
the future Governor of the great
Prairie State spent his childhood
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 183 1
he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County.
Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for
about two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's
mother 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 brother, Elihu, entered this school and remained
18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried
variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching.

During the summer of 1838 he formed the ac-
quaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his

first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in
political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi-
dence, fired 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 law, and in the spring entered a law office at Car-
linville. making his home with his elder brother,
Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con-
siderable orginality 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
1 847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con
vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 hi
was elected to the State Senate, and at the special
session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slaver}
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 th<
Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuing
a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward.

i68

JOHN MC AULBY PALMER.

however, hesitating to break with his party, he par-
ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nomi-
I. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which
i i | i.ilifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas-
Nebraska act. But bter in the campaign he made
the pkmge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska
Democrat, and was elected. The following winter
K p it i i 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 1S56 he was Chairman of the Republican State
Convention at Blootnington. He ran for Congress in
1859, but was defeated. In 1S60 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
Washington.

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 Major
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 14th
Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign.
At Pe.ich-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 the 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 over 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 by the Republican State Convention which met
at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination would
probably have 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 majority of 44,707 over
John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee.

On the meeting of the Legislature in January,
1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was
that portion of the Governor's message which took
broad State's rights ground. This and some minor
points, which were more in keeping with the Demo-
cratic sentiment, constituted the entering wedge fir
the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received
from the Republican party, and ultimately resulted
in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The
Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro-
duction of numerous bills in the interest of private
parties, which 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 ; and it was passed over the
Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto,
the "tax-grabbing law" to pay r^ilrosi subscriptions,
the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The new State
Constitution of 1870, 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, 187 r, 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
has 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 the 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
point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner
and 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 he 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 his habits and manners
and is a true American in his fundamental principle. 1
of statesmanship.

(7VVERXORS OF 1LLIXOIS.

171

•. '. . •. •. '. : '. : ', : '. • ■, ; •. •. '■ •. v..', •. ■, •. '. •. >y.> : >• : 1 1 : .' : .' : v .* .' .' ■' .' i'_.j r ■' i t ssi t ^>'^? i'^

:N LOWRiE BEVER-
IDGE, Governor 1873-6, was
born in the town of Green-
wich, Washington Co., N. Y.,
July 6, 1824. His parents
£g5*kr/ were George and Ann Bever-
"J.-^3i4^-l|^ '<Jg e - His father's parents, An-
drew and Isabel Bcveridge, 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
youngest 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 Scotland at the close of the
Revolutionary War, settling also in
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

America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid
was the training of young Beveridge that he never
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 his parents, who could obtain a livelihood
only by rigid economy and industry, could not send
him away to college. He was raised upon a farm,
and was in his 18th 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 1S42 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., 111., 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, nat willing to bur-
den the family, he packed his trunk and with only
$40 in money started South to seek his fortune

172

JOHX L. BEVERIDGE.

Poor, alone, without friends and influence, lie 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, 1S48,
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 1S48 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, practiced
.aw, worked in public offices, kept books for some of
the business men of the town, and some railroad en-
gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed
to Evanston, 1 2 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 cf
cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a
company for it. He succeeded in a few days in rais-
ing the company, of course enlisting himself along
with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles,
HI., was mustered in Sept. rS, and on its organiza-
tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at-
tached, Oct. rr, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the
Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment
until November, 1S65, participating in some 40 bat-

tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days'
fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment
the greater part of the summer of 1S63, 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 another com-
pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1S64, was
commissioned Colonel of the t7th 111. Cav., and
skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the
reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smiths
army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various
sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered
out Feb. 6, 1866, safe 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 clientage, and no political experi-
ence except to help others into 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 unfinished business of h;-
office. He was then elected State Senator; in No-
vember, 187 1, he was elected Congressman at large;
in November, 1S72, 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 Congressman at large, Lieutenant
Governor and Governor. The principal events oc-
curring during Gov. Beveridge's administration were:
The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun
in T869; the partial success of the "farmers' move-
ment;" " Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at
the Centennial.

Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov
Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever-
idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial
paper at 7 1 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block).
Chicago, and since November, 1S81, 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 Kalb County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet
Henry and Mrs. Isabel French.

GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

>75

HELBY M. CULLOM, Gover-
nor 1877-83,(5 the sixth child
of the late Richard N. Cullom,
and was born Nov. 22, 1829, in
Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa-
ther then resided, and whence
both the Illinois 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
capital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about

'873-

Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up
to agricultural pursuits, attendi-.'g school as he had
•opportunity during the winter. Within this time,

swever, he spent several months teaching school.

and in 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 he heard Hon. E. B. Washburne 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 health
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 l'eoria, and while he re-
gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in
a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he
went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City
Attorney, on the Anti-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. Practicir^

r 7 6

SHE LB V M. CULLOM.

law until i860, he was again elected to the Legisla-
ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo-
cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow-
ing he was elected Speaker, probably the youngest
man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis-
lature. After the session of 1 861, he was a candidate
for the State Constitutional Convention called for
that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the
disgrace of being connected with that abortive parly
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
New 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
another 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
Ohio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro-
duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of
law in Utah, which caused more consternation among
the Mormons than any measure had previously, but
which, 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,
placed 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
1S73 and afterward, the effect of which had seemed
to gather force from that time to the end of Gov.
Cullom's first administration. This unspeculative
period was not calculated to call forth any new
issues, but the Governor's 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 time 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 the
Democrats; and although the former 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 time was
about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again
became Republican, and no representative of the
Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov.
Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 1SS1. 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-
lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted
Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov-
ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United
States 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.
12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had
two daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863,
to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr.
C. is also in sympathy.

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS.

■79

ag#ss: o as:

I ^ olpt jML Hai^iltoi^- I

^^L\\^y^^

E;*Hjl-*£

OHN MARSHALL HAMIL-
TON, Governor 1S83-5, was
born May 28, 1847, in a log
house upon a farm about two
miles from Richwood, Union
County, Ohio. His father was
Is Samuel Hamilton, the eldest son
cf Rev. Wm. Hamilton, who, to-
gether with his brother, the Rev.
^amuel 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, r854, Mr. Hamilton's father 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 Roberts 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 father. Here, after many long years
of toil, they succeeded in payii.g for the land and
making a comfortaWe 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 1S57 caused the family to come near losing
their home, to pay debts ; but the father and two
sons, William and John, " buckled to '' and perse-
vered in hard labor and economy until thev 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 thev
met often for drill and became proficient; but when
they offered themselves for the war, 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

r8o

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, ^ r - 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 department. 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 time he had commenced the study of law, and
after earning some money as a temporary Professor
of Latin at the Illinois Wesleyan 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 Tudge.
Admitted to the Bar in May, 1S70, 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
>mall, 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
1 ; iroken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamilton
was sworn in as Executive of Illinois. On the 4th
of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con-
gress.

In July, 1S71. Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen
M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Wm. G. Williams,
Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan 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 part '' on the stump "
in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was
sleeted 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 chiet 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, again; . ;
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 President 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 Wabash
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. Cullom
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-licensj
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,
1S84. 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

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$ C^0^[ JOSEPH WILSON FIFER. This
distinguished gentleman was
elected Governor of Illinois
November 6, 1888. He was
IK3K "• \- popularly known during the
'.-let IS' campaign 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
Henry Clay Whig 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.

Young Joseph attended school some in Vir-
ginia, but it was not a good school, and when
his father removed to the West, in 1857, Joseph had
not advanced much further than the "First Reader."

Our subject was sixteen then and suffered a great
misfortune in the loss of his mother. After the death
of Mrs. Fifer, which occurred in Missouri, the
family returned to Virginia, 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 broth-
ers were put to work. The elder Fifer soon
bought a farm near Bloomington and began life as
an agriculturalist. Here Joe worked and attended
the neighboring school. He alternated farm-work,
brick-laying, and 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, 33d Illinois Infantry;
he being then twent}' years old. In a few days

184

JOSEPH W. FIFER.

the regiment was sent to Camp Butler, and then
over into Missouri, and saw some vigorous service
there. After a second time helping to chase Price
out of Missouri, the 33d Regiment went down
to Milliken's Bend, and for several weeks "Private
Joe" worked on Grant's famous ditch. The regi-
ment then joined the forces operating against Port
Gibson and "Vieksburg. Joe was on guard duty in
the front ditches when the flag of surrender was
run up on the 4th of July, and stuck the bayonet
of his gun into the embankment and went into the
city witli the vanguard of Union soldiers.

The next day, July 5, the 33d 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, ter-
ribly wounded. He was loading his gun when a
minie-ball struck him and passed entirely through
his body. He was regarded as mortally wounded.
Hit brother, George, who had been made a Lieu-
tenant, proved to be the means of saving his life.
The Surgeon told him unless he had ice his brother
Joe could not live. It was fifty miles to the nearest
point where ice could be obtained, and tlie roads
were rough. A comrade, a McLean county man, who
had been wounded, offered to make the trip. An
ambulance was secured and the brother soldier
started on the journey. He returned with the ice.
but the trip, owing to the roughness of the roads,
was very hard on him. After a few months' care-
ful nursing Mr. Filer was able to come home. The
33d 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 October, 18C4, having been
in the service three years and two months.

"Private Joe" came out of the army a tall,
tanned, 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 have finished their college course, the young
soldier saw that if lie 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 entered
Wesleyan University Jan. 1, 1865. He was not a
brilliant student, being neither at the head nor the
foot of his class. He was in great earnest, how-
ever, 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
already read law some, and as he continued to work
hard, witli the spur of poverty and promptings of
ambition ever with him, he was ready to hang out
his professional shingle in 1869. Being trust-
worthy he soon gathered about him some influen-
tial friends. In 1871 he was elected Corporation
Counsel of Bloomington. In 1872 he was elected
State's Attorney of McLean Count}'. This office
he held for eight years, when he took his seat in
the State Senate. Here he served for four years.
His ability to perform abundance of hard work
made him a most valued member of the Legisla-
ture.

Mr. Fifer was married in 1870 to Gertie, daugh-
ter of William J. Lewis, of Bloomington. Mr.
Fifer is six feet in height and is spare, weighing
i inly 150 pounds. He lias a swarthy complexion,
keen black eyes, quick movement, and possesses a
frank and sympathetic nature, and naturally makes
friends wherever he goes. During the late Guber-
natorial campaign his visits throughout the State
proved a great power in his behalf. His happy
faculty of winning the confidence and good wishes
of those with whom he comes in personal contact is a
source of great popularity, especially during a polit-
ical battle. As a speaker he is fluent, his language
is good, voice clear and agreeable, and manner
forcible. His manifest earnestness in what he says
as well as his tact as a public speaker, and his elo-
quent and forceful language, makes 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 candi-
date for Governor. He proved a popular nominee,
and the name of " Private Joe " became familiar
to everyone throughout the State. He waged a
vigorous campaign, was elected by a good majority,
and in due time assumed the duties of the Chief
Executive of Illinois.

TRANSPORTATION,

NE of the most important fac-
tors in the business develop-
ment and prosperity of a
city, county or State, is its
railroad communications. A
retrospect of the history of
Shelby and Moultrie Counties since
the advent of railroad facilities, will
convince the careful observer of the
immense benefit resulting from the
introduction of this essential adjunct
of commercial enterprise. The fol-
lowing brief sketches of the Leading
railroad- of this section of the great
commonwealth will form an interesting feature of
this Rei om>. It may be remarked in this connec-
tion that the roads referred to are not only the im-
portant corporations of Illinois, but stand among
the first in the Nation.

-~-

1 •{••M-fr-
'•i-M-S—

The Wabash.

ry ■ * ( ) the pulilie and our thousands of readers in
( ($\ general: — It will no doubt be interesting to
Vs./ all if we give a brief description of this
road. The Wabash, as now known, has been op-
erated under several names from time to time. It
is the offspring, as it wen-, of the first line of mad
projected in Illinois, then known as the Northern

Cross Railroad, extending from Danville to
Quincy. This was chartered in 1X37. and upon
it the tirsl locomotive was placed in the winter of
1838-39, running from Meredosia, on the Illinois
River to Jacksonville. In 1X42 the road was com-
pleted from Jacksonville to Springfield, and three
trips wcrt.' made per week- The track was of the
old fiat rail style, which was made by nailing thin
strips of iron on inn parallel lines of timbers placed
at the proper distance apart and running length-
ways of the road. The engine as well as the road
soon became so impaired that the former had to be
abandoned, and mules substituted as the motor
power. However such locomotion was destined to
he of short duration, for the State soon aftei sold
the entire road for a nominal sum. and thus for a
short time was suspended one of the first railroad
enterprises in Illinois. Hut in the West a new era —
one of prodigious industrial activity and far-reach-
ing results in the practical arts — was dawning, and
within thirty years of the temporary failure of the
road mentioned. Illinois had outstripped all others
in gigantic internal improvements, and at present
has more miles of railroad than any other state in
the Union.

The Great Western, whose name has been suc-
cessively changed to Toledo. Wabash & Western.
Wabash, and Wabash, St. Louisa- Pacific, and Wa-
bash railroad, and The Wabash, the 'last of which
it -til bears, was an extension of the Northern
Cross Railroad, above mentioned, and traverses
some of the finest portions of Illinois, Indiana and

TRANSPORTATION.

Ohio. Ii soon became the popular highway of
travel and traffic between the Easl and West.
Through a system of consolidation, unparalled in
American railways, it has become a giant among
them, and has added many millions of dollars to
th<- value of bonds and shares of the various com-
panies now incorporated in the Wabash system. The
road takes its title from the river of that name, a
tributary of the Ohio, which in part separates the
States of Illinois and Indiana. In looking over
the map of the Wabash Railroad ii will be seen
that the line extends through the most fertile and
wealthy portions of the United States, having
termini at more large cities than any other West-
ern Road. It was indeed a far-reaching sagacity
which consolidated these various lines into the
Wabash system, forming one immense chain of
commercial activity and power. It> terminal fa-
cilities are unsurpassed by any competing line. It>
tablished in commodious quarters in St. Louis. The
line- of the road are co-extensive with the import-
ance of the great transportation facilities required
for the products of the Mississippi Valley. This line
passes through the States of Iowa. Missouri, Illi-
nois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

The various lines of road may he divided into
the following:

Mi lo-
st. Louis to Chicago 286

Toledo to Kansas City 662

St. Louis to Des Moines 360

Logansport to Detroit 207

Chicago to Laketon Junction ....

Clayton to Keokuk

Bluffs to Quincy. . . v

Streator to Forest

Attica to ( 'ovington

Champaign to Sidney

Edwardsville to Edwardsville

Crossing

Bement to Altamont and Effingham

Brunswick to Omaha

Roseberry to Clarinda

Salisbury to Glasgow

Centralis to Columbia

1 2:!
42

Ii).",
•°>7
1.",
12

<;:!
225

21
l.">
22

Prom the above main line and branches as indi-
cated, it will readily he seen that the Wabash con-
nect- with more large cities and great marts of
trade than any other line, bringing Omaha, Kan-
sas City. Des Moines. Keokuk. Quincy, St. Louis,
Chicago, Toledo and Detroit together with one
continuous line of steel rails. This road has an
immense freight traffic of cereal-, live -tock. vari-
ous productions and manufactured articles of the
Wot and the State- through which it passes. It>
facilities for rapid transit for the vast productions
of the 1 packing houses of Kansas City and St.
Louis, to Detroit. Toledo and the eastern mart- of
trade. i> unequaled. A large portion of the grain
production- of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa. Missouri,
Illinois and Indiana, finds its way to the eastern
markets over tin- lines of this road. The Wabash
has always taken an advanced position in tariffs,
and il> course toward it> patrons hasbeen jusl and
liberal, SO that it has always enjoyed the coinnien-

dati f the business and traveling public. 'The

road bed is one of the best in the country, and is
ballasted with gravel and stone, well lied and laid
with steel rail-. 'The bridges along the various
lines and branches are substantial structures. 'The
depots, grounds and general property of the road
are in good condition. The management of the
Wabash is fully abreast of the times. 'The road is
progressive in every respect. The finest passenger
cars on the continent are run on its lines, and
every efforf made to advance the interest- of n>
patrons. The passenger department is unexcelled
for the elegant and substantial comfort afforded
travelers. On several of the more important
branches of the system, dining cars are run.

_=]

^H:

Mile- of main line and branches. . . 2204

Illinois Central Railroad.

F^)IIIS i> one of the largest corporation- in
Illinois, and with its splendid terminal fa-
cilities in Chicago, and it- numerous subur-
ban trains has been a potent factor in building up
the South Side and South Chicago, while at the
same lime enriching itself. Ii- management has
always been careful and conservative, and it i> not

TRANSPORTATION.

too much to say that it has been im «-t potential in
developing many of the rich agricultural districts
of the State, besides fostering and encouraging the
growth of towns an<l cities along its line. As this
was one of the early roads of the State it will not
be uninteresting to give a brief history of its in-
ception:

In September. 1850, Congress passed an act. ami
it was approved by President Fillmore, granting an
aggregate of two million, five hundred and ninety-
five thousand ami fifty-three acres to aid in build-
ing this road. The ad granted the right of way
and gave alternate sections of laud for six miles
on either side of the road. The grant of land was
made directly to the Mate. On the mth of Fel>-
ruary, 1851, the Legislature of Illinois granted a
charter to an Eastern company to build it. with a

capital stock of $1,000, I. The Legislature in

granting the charter and transferring to the cor-
poration the lands, stipulated that seven percent
of the gross earnings of the road should be paid
semi-annually into the treasury of the state for-
ever. This wise provision, in lieu of the liberal
land grant yields a handsome annual revenue to the
Mate: also that in the event of war, Government
transportation should he furnished at a certain
reduction from the juices regularly paid by the
ifeiicnil (■oveinnieiit for such services. The pro-
ceeds of land sales have heen regularly applied to
the redemption of construction bonds, and it is
significant that while the original issue of mort-
gage bonds amounted to $22,000,000; thai amount
has heen so reduced that in L891 the whole issue
will lie practically retired, and the stockholders
will own a road in Illinois more than one thousand
miles in length, fully equipped, with no outstand-
ing liability other than the share of capital.

It may lie noted here that when the general
Government donated lands to the States of Illinois,
Mississippi and Alabama, it was intended that
through the aid derived from these lands a through
artery of travel should be established between the
lakes and gulf ports. Had the war not supervened
the project would then have been carried out in its
entirety, and the North and South movement of
traffic would have been fully developed, but the
enforced delay in carrying out the original pro-

gram was utilized in building up the State of Ill-
inois, and in perfecting the track of this road.
Strict attention to local business has always been a
marked characteristic of the Illinois ( 'antral Hail-
road management.

By an extensive system of railroad construction
and by it.s leased lines it lias termini in many im-
portant centers of trade in the Missouri and Mis-
sissippi Valleys, as well as the great chain of lakc>
at Chicago. Through this vast system Chicago is
brought into close connection with Sioux Falls.
Dak.: siuux City. Cedar Rapids and Dubuque,
Iowa: Lyle, Minn.: Dodgeville and Madison, Wis.
At Cairo the Ohio River is spanned by a magnifi-
cent steel bridge, from which point south connec-
tions are had with the great cotton mart of Mem-
phis and the principal cities of Mississippi, and
New Orleans. During the past year a fast or lim-
ited train has been put on between Chicago and
New Orleans, greatly shortening the time between
those points. The train consists of superb and
elegant equipped Pullman sleepers, dining aud
smoking car-. On account of these splendid facil-
ities this has become the favorite route between
the North and South. Thus it will be seen that
the great metropolis nestling on the lake, by this
sinuous artery of iron is brought into close traffic
relations with the leading marts in the Sunny
South, as well as the semi-Arctic region of Dakota.
affording the traveler both in summer and winter
unsurpassed facilities for reaching a pleasant clime.

fe: ••• C*^s=

H&*

Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago «& St. Louis
Railroad. (Big 4).

*j~+ Ills line was originally known as the In-
( f~\ dianapolis & St. Louis. The road bed is of
V_y substantial build, well ballasted, tied and
ironed. It enters the state of Illinois in Edgar
County, and the principal towns which it passes
through in Illinois are Paris. Charleston, Mattoon,
Shelbyville, Pana, Hillsboro, Litchfield, Alton and
East St. Louis. For many years after the road was
built it was one of the most potential factors in
promoting the material growth of Shelby County

TRANSPORTATION.

in the central and eastern part. The line is laid
through a fertile district and receives a fair pro-
portion of traffic It is now controlled by the
Vanderbilt system and its rolling stock has some-
what unproved.

^=§>-^<t

Q>~*

Chicago & Eastern Illinois

S now extending its line through .Moultrie and
Shelby Counties via Sullivan and Shelbyville
1 from Danville, thus increasing the facilities
for communication with Chicago.

»! ■ , > | 1 I ■! I ' 1 *■

? I ' l ' I ' I

The Ohio & Mississippi Railroad.

^|p*IlF southwest part of Shelby County is trav-
M^. ersed by the Shawneetown and Beardstown
\||P< division of the Ohio* Mississippi Railroad.
The principal stations in this county are Tower
Hill. Cowden, Lakewood and Holliday. The line
at Flora intersects with the main road, running
between Cincinnati and St. Louis.

^§*§K^M ;

Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad.

» 1 1 [ s-, important road whose termini are at To-
ledo and St. Louis, enters Shelly County
from the east at Neoga, where it crosses the
Illinois Central. The two important station- in

the county are Stewardson and Cowden. other
stations are Kingman. Mode, Fancher andllerrick.
At Stewardson the line crosses the Wabash, and at
Cowden the Ohio A Mississippi road. This line
ha- contributed largely to the development of the
southern part of the county.

Peoria Deoatur & Evansville

JPg^&RAVERSES Moultrie County from a south-
( (~~\ east to a northwest direction, crossing the
V_y Wabash at Sullivan, the county seat. Other
station- in the county are Dalton City, Bethany.
Hampton, AJlenville and Coles. This road opens
up a market for the various products of Moultrie
County with Peoria and Evansville and the many
cities lying between.

Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad.

70EMFRLY known as the Illinois Midland
\—(s) Road. It was constructed in 1872; it enter-
Moultrie County from the west, in the
northern part of Dora Township and extends due
easl to Lake City, where it diverges from a straight
line in a southeast direction to Lovington. where
the Wabash is crossed, the next stations being
Williamsburg and Arthur.

st-- 1

•

i|= &~? >~p(-< $n& 5

•$$&&

and M$,oul-bi?i@ (S&unbi&s

Wit

mow.

INTRODUCTORY.,

^^-•->s>^

^HE time has arrived when it
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
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered
i he wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their
li.ritage, are passing to their graves. The number re-
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days
)f settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser-
vation of events without delay, before all the earlv
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 Foon 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 to the amount of intelligence they possessed.
Th-; pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu-
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people

to perpettfate 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 ceme-
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his
life, his achievements, the work .lie has accomplished,
which otherwise would be forgoiten, is perpetuated
by a record of this kind.

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we
eng'ave their 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 live*
are unworthy of public record.

% M: W -

■ •

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ltd

w:,^

BIBTi RlVP-FliGJ

- &

.v-SiJK^-

JOIIX R. EDEN, who
esides in Sullivan, was
>orn on the banks of the
Joking River, eight miles
from Owingsville, Bath

^St^^ C " , ""- v - Ky ' Fehrawy '

L826. His father, John Paul Eden
was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1796,
and Jeremiah Eden, the grandfa-
ther was a native of England, who
came when a young man to Amer-
ica and settled in Maryland. From
that State he removed to Kentucky
about the year 1800, and became a
farmer in Bath County. There he
bought a tract of timber land, which hecleared and
turned into a rich and productive farm, making it
his home until death called him away.

The father of our subject was reared and mar-
ried in Bath County, and resided there until 1831.
when with his wife and four children he removed
to Indiana. The removal was made with team-.
and the far-famed prairie schooners, in which were
all their household goods. Travelingby slowstages
and camping by the way. the family reached In-
diana and settled in Rush County. Having en-
tered a trad of Government land, they built a
cabin in the wilderness and commenced to clear a

farm. The maiden name of the mother of our sub-
ject was Catherine Can. and she was born in Ken-
tucky in the year 1800, being a daughter of Joseph
Can. In 1835 she was left a widow with six chil-
dren to care for and she had a hard struggle to
maintain them and keep them together. In 1852
she removed from Indiana to Illinois, and spent
her last years here with a son Joseph, dying in
L870.

The subject of our sketch commenced when very
young to assist upon the farm where his services
were much needed. In his younger days there
were no railroads, and Cincinnati was the nearest
market and depot for supplies. The products of
the farm formed the principal living of the family,
and the mother made all the cloth which was used
in the family, carding, spinning ami weaving the
raw material into the needed fabrics.

The Brat school which Mr. Eden attended, was
in a cabin built of round logs. The chimney was
made of >tieks and clay, and the fireplace occupied
nearly one end of the building. The only window
was produced by a log being taken out through
nearly the entire length of the building, and it had
no covering of glass, but in cold weather greased
paper was used to cover the aperture to keep out
the wind. The benches were made of puncheon
with wooden pins for legs. Holes were bored in

192

PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the logs under the window. and -i pegs_supported a
smooth puncheon which served as a writing desk
for the older scholars. He was very studious, mak-
ing the most of the opportunities afforded him and
at the age of eighteen commenced teaching, receiv-
ing the usual salary of 120 a month and his board.
He taught during the fall and winter for seven
years, occupying the remainder of the year in farm-
ing, and using every fragment of time not other-
wise absorbed, to study law.

In is.")2 Mr. Eden came to Illinois, traveling bj
railroad to Terre Haute. Ind.. and thence by stage
to Shelbyville, and a few days later was admitted
to the bar and commenced practice. He practiced
there until the fall of 1853, when he came to Sulli-
van and since that time has made this place the
main field of his work except when absent upon
official duty.

A liappy and congenial matrimonial alliance was
madc by our subject in 18~)ti. when he chose as his
wife Roxanna Meeker, a native of Bennington
Township. Delaware (now Morrow) County, Ohio.
This lady is a daughter of Ambrose ami Hannah
(Ilartwell) Meeker, and a sister of the Hon. .Jona-
than Meeker. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Eden
comprises live living children, namely: Emma.
Rose. Walter. Belle and Blanche. Rose is now Mrs.
.1. Martin, of whom a sketch will he found else-
where in this volume.

Ex-Congressman Eden has always espoused the
political views which had their ablest advocate in
the author of the Declaration of Independence,
and he cast his first vote for Lewis Cass. Ever
since he came here he ha- been a prominent man in
his district, as his natural abilities and well cul-
tured mind have given him a commanding in-
fluence. In 1856 he was elected state- Attorney
for the Seventh Judicial District, which office he
filled for four years. He represented the Seventh
District in the Thirty-eighth Congress. Iieing elected
thereto iu 18(>2. This was followed by his re-elec-
tion, and service in the Forty-third, Forty-fourth,
Forty-fifth and Forty-ninth Congresses. During
this long period the boundaries, and numbers of
the Congressional Districts were changed, and he
represented the following counties: Moultrie. Ma-
con. Piatt. Champaign. Ford. Iroquois, Vermilion,

Douglas, Coles. Edgar. Clark. Cumberland, Effing-
ham, Shelby, Jasper, Crawford, Lawrence. Fayette.
Montgomery ami Macoupin.

The most important committees of which this
honorable gentleman was a member during the
various sessi( >ns, were a.- f< >11< >w-: 1 Hiring the Thirty-
eighth Congress the Committee on Accounts and
Revolutionary Tensions: in the Forty-third the
( ommittee on Claims and the Freedmen Affairs;
in the Forty-fourth he was Chairman of the Com-
mittee on War Complaints, and a member of the
one appointed to investigate the Presidential elec-
tion: during the next Congress he wasagain Chair-
man of the same Committee, and during the Forty-
ninth he belonged to the Committee on the Judi-
ciary and Revision of Laws. In 1868 he was a
Democratic candidate for Governor of Illinois.

In every sphere of life, either professional or as
a public servant, the Hon. John R. Eden has proved
himself well-equipped and able to meet the serious
emergencies which come before a man of affairs.
As an attorney he has been successful in his prac-
tice, and ha- built up an extensive clientage, and
as a member of Congress he worked honestly and
honorably for the prosperity of the entire country
and the interests of his constituent-.

A portrait of the Hon. Mr. F2den accompanies
this biographical notice.

,EORGEW. LONGEXBAUGH is one of the

old settlers in Pickaway Township, being
the owner of a farm located on section 20,
at Longenbaugh corners. He early learned the trade
of a blacksmith and on his settlement here estab-
lished his smithy in the fall of 1858. He owns a
fine little home on forty acres of land. This he
operate- in connection with his business. He is a
genial, whole-hearted fellow, necessarily well-
known throughout the township, and justly popu-
lar with his fellow-men.

Our subject first came to the county in 1855,
ami for two years worked as a journeyman at Prai-
rie Bird, and later he spent a little more than a

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1U3

year with a partner in Moweaqua. He sold out
however, his share of the establishment, and came
to Pickaway Township and has here ever since
been engaged, having done all the work in his line.
On his advent into this county our subject was fl
single man. He was born in Pickaway County,
Ohio. October 21, 1834. and is the son of Jacob
and Catherine (Yantis) Longenbaugh, natives of
Ohio, who there lived and spent their la>t days in
Pickaway County, passing away at the age of sixty-
eight years. Our subject's father, like himself, was
a blacksmith and fanner. Mrs. Longenbaugh was
a member of the German Reformed Church.

Our subject is the second son and third child of
seven children, four of whom are yet living, he of
whom we write being the only one residing in Illi-
nois. He grew up at home, learning his trade
at his father's smithy. About the time when
he became of age he determined to start out in
life for himself and came to this State, where he
has ever >ince lived. Politically our subject is a
Democrat, using his vote and influence for that
party. He has since coming here, been Highway
Commissioner and Justice of the Peace for a jjood
many years, and is now Notary Public, having
filled that office for several years.

Our subject was married in Flat Branch Town-
ship. March 11. 1858, to Miss Eliza Cockrain. She
was bora in Tennessee and came to Illinois when a
young woman with her parents. Robert and Mary
(Ray) Cockrain. On coming to the county they
settled in Flat Branch Township, there procuring
a farm, where a few years later the husband ami
father died while yet in middle life. His wife sur-
vived him for several years, finally passing away
on the old farm, being quite advanced in years.
They were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Longenbaugh was one of eiuhi children, three
of whom are now deceased, she was educated in
her native State in the county schools, and had al-
most reached womanhood when her parent- re-
moved to Illinois. She and her husband are attend-
ants upon the Baptist Church.

Eight children have come to bless the home of
the affectionate parents. Of these one died in in-
fancy. The living children are: Mary C, Sophro-
pia .1, and Samuel, who are twins. Anthony 1!..

Sarah E.. William W. and Joseph E. The eldest
daughter i- the wife of Charles Pogue, who is a
farmer in this township. Samuel is a blacksmith at
Prairie Bird. His twin sister, Sophronia, is the
wife of Robert Hunter, who is a real estate dealer
and insurance agent in Decatur, this State. An-
thony B. took to wife Miss Julia Pogue, and is the
proprietor of a farm in this township. Sarah E.
i> a teacher here, as have been the other daughters
before their marriage. William W. and Joseph E.
are still at home and assist their father on the farm.
Our subject ha- given his children every educa-
tional advantage that his mean- would allow.
They are naturally bright and easily assimilate the
progressive idea- of the day.

OSEPH II. VOILES i- the Superintendent of
the Shelby County Poor House, which is lo-
cated on section 4. Rose Township. His
father wa- Oile> Y. Voiles, ami he was born
in Decatur County, Ind. He wa.- united in mar-
riage with Lucinda Merritt, a native of Kentucky.
and -ettled in his native county where he spent his
days, and passed away in 1863. His wife afterward
came to Shelby County where >he died in January.
1885. They had a family of ten children of whom
our subject wa- the eldest.

Joseph Voiles was born in Decatur County. Ind..
December 28, 1843. in- father was a shoemaker
by trade, but owned ami operated a farm besides
following his trade. Our subject grew to man-

1 Ion hi- father's farm. I'pou September 15.

1864. this young man who had barely reached his
majority, took to wife Miss Maris J. Gentry, who
was born in Franklin County. Ind.. and who became
the mother of ten children. Those who grew to
maturity were as follows: Mary I..; Chloe. who
died when about eighteen years old: Rosa E.. who
is the wife of Henry Sherwood; Franklin A..
Oscar M.. William II. and Perley. Three who died
young bore the name- of Henry. Alva and Cathe-
rine. Mrs. Maria Voiles died in Rose Township.
February 12, 1886.

194

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

When Mr. Voiles was tir.-t married he settled in
Decatur County, [nd., and engaged in farming,
which business he >till carried on after coming from
there to Shelby County in 1870. He was married
a second time in Oconee, this county. December
>~t. 1887, to Miss Anna M. Gould, daughter of
Stephen and Jerusha (Read) Gould. Mr. Gould
died in Shelby County. February 7. 1885. Of a
family of seven children Mr-. Voiles is the eldest.
and she was born in Union County, End., June 7.
1857. She is the mother of one child, I.eland C.

In September, 1881, Mr. Voiles was appointed
Superintendent of the Shelby County Poor House,
in which capacity he has gained the good opinion
of every one who understand- the workings of the
institution. The house is noted tor it- cleanliness
throughout and for its good management. Much
credit is due both Mr. and Mis. Voiles for their ex-
cellent care of it< inmate-: ami in their gentle and
kindly treatment of them they have truly evinced
the genuine Christian character which is theirs.
They are both connected with the Methodist Church
and Mr. Voiles has always taken an active part in
religious work, being Class-Leader, Steward and
Trustee. His political views have led him to affil-
iate with the Democratic party, in whose policy he
firmly believe-.

m>^r<m

THOMAS Wool). To he an honorable
and efficient agriculturist in the State of
Illinois, where the soil respond- so gener-
ously 'to the hand of him who cultivates it. is to
be almost ensured in having a comfortable home
and happy and congenial surroundings. The in-
telligent and praiseworthy people who settled in
tlii-^ State in its early days brought with them such
conditions and such institution- as tended to
gather about them the besl class of emigrants, and
they and their descendants have built up such so-
cial conditions as have tended to the prosperity
and happiness of all.

We find upon section 8, Oconee Town-hip.
Shelly County, a prosperous farmer ami stock-
raiser in the person of Thomas II. Wood, who was

born in Woodbum, Macoupin County, this State.
September II. L862. He is a son of .1. M. and
Elizabeth M. ( Milliard) Wood, the former being
horn in Sangamon County. 111., in 1823, and the
mother in the same state in 1*2(5. The mother, who
became a widow in May, 1887,afterher removal to
this county, still resides on her farm in Oqonee
Township. The Wood family is pleased. to count
itself as descended from the sturdy English stock
which is representative of the people who de-
manded from King John that noble instrument —
the Magna Charta.

Eight -on- and four daughters were horn to the
parents of our subject, namely: l'erminda. now
Mrs. L. Howell, of Dodge City, Kan.; Mary, who
ha- been twice married. lirst to .lame- Coffee ami

after her widow 1 1 to .I.e. Lemay. and now lives

at Gillespie, Macoupin County: Jennie, the wife of
J. S. March, of Oconee: John II.. who live- with
hi- wife. Ella Brennan, in Woodburn, Macoupin
County; William J., who has been an invalid tor
the la-t fifteen years, resides with his mother:
Leonard I)., who i- farming in Gandy, Neb., and
i- married to Clarissa Holbrook; Luther and Abbie,
who died in early childhood; Weston, who resides
in Oconee Township with his wife. Sadie Doyle;
Thomas, our subject; .lame- M.. who married Gilla
Combesl and resides on a farm in Oconee Town-
ship; Waller B., who married Blanche Brown and
live- upon the parental homestead.

The subject of this brief life review came to
Oconee Town-hip with his parents when a young
lad of some twelve years, and here he grew to
manhood and has made his home from that day to
this, lie obtained his education in the district
schools of Illinois, which gave him an excellent
preparation for hi- life work, and received thor-
ough training upon the home farm in the practical
work of agriculture. February 2-'i. 1883, was the
day of days in the life of this young man as it
united him in marriage with the lady of his choice,
Mis- Clara B. Speaker, daughter of David and
Abbie Speaker, of Oconee, she was horn Novem-
ber 27, 1861, in thi- township, of Rhode Island
parentage. She lost her father when a little child
and her mother took a second husband,. whose
name is Combest She had three daughters by her

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD.

195

tir>t marriage, Mr-. \Y 1 being tin- second in ag

and the others l>ein<r Ida M.. now Mr-. Bowiner, of
Providence, R. I., and Cilia A., dow Mr-. Murray.
..f Pana, 111.

To Mr. and Mrs. TV 1 two sons were born —

Joseph", who came to them December 17. 1883, and
the youngest, who was born March •"». 1891, is
Cecil. Mr. Wood has always taken an active in-
terest in political affairs and voted with the Demo-
cratic party until quite recently when he joined
the Fanner-' Mutual Benefit Association and now
work- heartily with them for the benefit of the
farming community. He holds no church connec-
tion, but i- an active promoter of all movements
which look to the prosperity and improvement of
the township, in which he own- two hundred acres
of rich and productive land, most of which i- situ-
ated on section 8, where he makes his home. IIi>
farm i.< finely improved and he lives in compara-
tive ease, reaping the rich reward of the efforts oi
his earlier rears.

/-* EORGE TV. RICHARDSON, of Shelbyville,
I — has for many years been closely identified

V J( with the agricultural interest- of Shelby

County, and i- regarded a- one of its most honor-
able and reliable citizens. He is descended from
good old Revolutionary ami pioneer stock, ami
is a native of the Mate of Indiana, horn in Warren
County August 13, 1836. His father. .lame- Rich-
ardson, was al-o an Indianian by birth, horn in
Parke County, of which his father. John Richard-
son, wa- a very early settler.

The grandfather of our subject was a native of
North Carolina and the son of a Revolutionary
soldier who lo-t his life in battle while fighting
for the freedom of his country. John Richardson
passed his boyhood in North Carolina, and was
there married to Mary Salers, al-o a native of that
Mate. In 1800 he left his old home with his fain-
ilv to establish a new one in the forest primeval of
the Northwestern Territory. He penetrated to the
wilds of what is now Indiana, and wa- one of the

first white men to settle in that territory, locating
in what is now Parke County. When the land was
surveyed and came into the market he purchased
a tract heavily timbered, from which by hard labor
he cleared a farm. He was a resident of Indiana
until 1834, when he sold his property there and
again became a pioneer, coming to this county and
buying Government land in what is now Windsor
Township. He improved a large farm, upon which
lie lived some years, and he then once more changed
hi- residence to still another State, going to Mis-
souri, where he remained a few years ere he returned
to this county, where his earthly pilgrimage was at
length brought to a close December 31, 1865, he
having attained a ripe old aire. Hi- venerable wife
survived him until 1875, when she died in Big
Spring Township.

The father of our subject wa- reared in Indiana,
and in due time took unto himself a wife, marry-
ing in Warren County, that Mate. Delilah Small.
a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Knight and
Lydia Small. He bought a tract of land in that
county and farmed it until 1839, when he. too.
imbued with the same spirit that had characterized
his ancestry, became a pioneer, coming to this
State with his wife ami two children, making the
entire journey by land, bringing his household

g 1-. ami camping by the wayside at night. He

settled in what is now Windsor Township, where
he entered Government land, besides buying other
land, which he has since improved into a fine farm,
which is still his home. He and his family first
lived in a loir bouse that stood on the land when
he bought it. hut some year- later he replaced that
humble abode by a more commodious frame struc-
ture, and erected other suitable farm buildings.
He is held in meat respect by his fellow-citizens
a- one of the pioneers u f the county who has ma-
terially contributed to it- growth. Death ha- de-
prived him of the companionship of the wife of
his early manhood. They reared two children —
our subject and hi- brother John, the latter of

whom occupies a part of hi- father's old home-
stead.

George W. Richardson was hut three years old
when hi- parent- brought him to Illinois, and it
may he said that lie grew with the growth of the

196

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county which has ever since been his home, as at
that time it too was in its infancy. The country
round about their new home was almost in its
primitive condition, and the land was mostly in
the hands of the Government, which has since dis-
posed of it at $1.25 an acre, or at a smaller price.
Our subject attended the Bret schools opened in
the county, that were taught in log houses. The
seats were made of slabs or logs split and one side
hewed smooth, and wooden pins were inserted for
legs, and there were no hacks to the ~eals. The
schoolrooms were lighted by an aperture made by
the removal of a log, greased paper serving in-
stead of glass. A slab laid on pegs driven into
holes that had been bored into a hie- in the side of
the building was the primitive arrangement for a
writing desk for the older pupils. When the fam-
ily first came to the county deer, wild turkeys ami
other tcame in abundance roamed where are now
finely cultivated farms and busy towns. St. Louis,
one hundred and twenty miles away, was the near-
est market to the settlers of this region, nine days
being consumed in making the round trip. The
people lived mostly on the products of their farms
and the women spun and wove the cloth in which
their children were clothed.

Our subject remained an inmate of the parental
home until he married and established one of his
own. After attaining manhood he worked a part
of his father's farm a few years and then bought a
farm for himself in the same township. In the
busy years that followed he greatly increased its
value by judicious cultivation and by the many
tine improvements that he made, and under his
thrifty care it became one of the choicest farms in
the township of Windsor. In 1888 he took up his
residence at Shelbyville, though he still owns and
superintends his farm.

That our subject has a happy home replete with
comfort is partly due to the active co-operation of
his estimable wife, from whom he has always re-
ceived a cheerful assistance and helpful counsel.
They were united in marriage in 1855. Mrs. Rich-
ardson was in her maiden days Mary E. Bland.
She was born in Licking County. Ohio, and is a
daughter of Joel and Harriet (Dittenhauer) Bland.
Her marriage with our subject has been blessed

with children, of whom these three are living:
Ebenezer A.. Palmyra and Stephen. The latter is
a prosperous farmer in Windsor Township. Eben-
ezer. the eldest son. is one of the leading lawyers
of the county. He received his early education in
the district school and subsequently attended the
Weslevan University at Bloomington. He studied
law with Judge Ames and H. J. Hamlin, was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1883, and has since practiced
his profession at Shelbyville.

Mr. Richardson is a man of solid worth, possi —
ing those traits that command respect in the busi-
ness world and win esteem among his neighbors
and associates. He and his wife are sincere Chris-
tian people as is attested by their every day con-
duct in all the relations of life that they sustain
towards each other, towards their children and all
about them. They and two of their children are
members in high standing of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. In his political views our subject is
a decided Democrat. He has held important public
positions with credit to himself and to the benefit
of the community. While a resident of Windsor
Township he represented it as a member of the
County Board of Supervisors, and he was also Jus-
tice of the Peace while he lived there. He has
likewise been an incumbent of that office since he
came to Shelbyville, having been appointed to it
in 1889, and he was re-elected to the same position
in 1H90.

WILLIAM J. CLARK. To the city-bred man
or woman who from childhood has heard
of the remarkable progress of the Central
States and has been constantly reading of the won-
derful improvements made by various pioneers
whose names wander promiscuously through the
alphabet from A to X Y Z. it seems almost incred-
ible that as late as 1871 large tracts of prairie land
were taken up. the land being at that time in a
perfectly wild and uncultivated state. While the
progress of our country and especially the im-
provements in its agricultural districts are unques-
tionable, the fact also remains that the country is

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

197

one of such magnificent distances thai Uere are
yet opportunities for bright- and energetic young
nun to experience pioneer life, although not. per-
haps, in the sense in which the settlers of the '30s
and '4iis experienced it, with it> privations, make-
shifts and entire absence <>f congenial society.

Our subject located on his present farm on sec-
tions 21, 2t< and 29, of Flat Branch Township, in
1871. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres,
and at the time of his purchase was in a crude, un-
developed, uncultivated state, it- most luxurious
product being that enemy of the farmers — field
daisies, with a multitude of other prairie flowers.
Before securing x\\i- farm he had improved one on
section 21, having come to the township and county
in 1854, with his father. The latter purchased and
improved a new farm, upon which he died.

Our subject was born in Warren County, Ohio,
on the 29th of October, 1836. He is a -on of William
R. Clark, who was born in Hamilton County. His
early training was that of a farmer lad. and when
he reached manhood, like a majority of young
men. he took the most important Step of his life,
that of marriage, hi- wife's maiden name being
Mir*- Nancy Berger. They were married about
1830. The lady is a native of Virginia although of
German parentage and ancestry. She had come
to Ohio with her father and mother when quite
young and was reared in Warren County.

The original of our sketch, with ten brothel's
ami sister-, came by the overland route with his
parents to Illinois in 1854. Their home during
the journey hither was in the old-time prairie
schooner, and it was after a long and tedious jour-
ney that they landed here. They began making
their home in the new Mate on section 21. where
the father and mother both afterward died, the
former passing away in September. 1889, at the ,
Sue of eighty-seven years. He was a Democrat in
polities and a hearty co-worker in all progressive
causes. His wife died four years before her hus-
band, at the age of seventy-nine years.

Our subject is one of a pair of twin-. He be-
came of age after coming to this township, and
was here married to Ann E. Scott, his marriage
taking place in December, 1864. The lady was
born in Knox County, End., February 1, 1835. She

is a daughter of Charles ami Sarah (Weidner)

Scott, nativesof Indiana and -Virginia respectively.
They met and married in Indiana, where the\
-pent tin' whole of their married lives. Mr. Scot I
died in 1S44. at the age of fifty-six. Mrs. Scott
survived her husband by a g 1 many year-, pass-
ing away in 1*77. She was born in 17'Jtf. Both
she and her husband ucn- members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church.

Mi-, (lark i- one of a large family of eleven
children. She was reared to womanhood in her
county, and there enjoyed very good educational
advantages, finishing her school course at Lebanon.
hid. she i- the mother of but one child. Charles
s.. who wa- graduated at the Valparaiso (Ind.)
Normal School, and was later connected with the
counti offices, holding successively positions in
the County Clerk's office, that of County Treas-
urer and also with the Circuit Clerk. He is now
engaged a- the operator of a farm, in which he is
very successfid.

Mr. Clark has for -some years past devoted him-
self chiefly to the raising of horses, mainly road-
sters, and has acquired quite a reputation through-
out the county for breeding tine animals. Mrs.
Clark i- a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. Clark and son are Democrats in poli-
tic-.

"P i*

HEODORE F. DOVE, who is practicing law
at Shelhyville. Shelby C 'utility, has gained
^y distinction in his profession in the courts of
thi> county, where, at one time, he occupied a prom-
inent position as an educator, and during his resi-
dence here li i^ name has ever been closely associated
with the best efforts of the citizens of Central Illi-
nois to promote it- social and religious advance-
ment, and its well-being generally.

Among the pioneers of Ohio who were active in
it- early development was the Dove family, of
whom Henry Dove, the grandfather of oursubject,
was then the head. He was horn in Rockingham
( ounty, \ a.. February 7. 1765, coming of one of
the old Colonial families of that State, and there

198

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he grew to manhood and married, taking as his
wife Mary Magdalina.Altarfer, who was also horn
in the Old Dominion. January 1. 1775, the date of
her birth. Grandfather Dove lived in his native
State until 1804, and he then took his wife and
the five children that had been horn to them across
the border into Ohio, makingthe journey over the
mountains and through the intervening rough
country with pack horses, and there founded anew
home in the primeval forests of Fairfield County, of
which lie was one of the earliest settlers, lie had
previously visited that locality in search of a suit-
able loeation. journeying on horseback and carry-
ing his silver for the purchase of land in his sad-
dle bags. He invested in a tract of heavily w led

land in what is now Bloom Township, paying there-
for at the rate of x2..">o an acre. There was a log
cabin on the land, in which the father of our sub-
ject was subsequently horn. His father replaced it
after a few years by a more substantial hewn log
house. 20x30 feet in dimensions, which is still
standing and is used as a dwelling. For many years
there were no markets for produce nearer than Cin-
cinnati, and consequently stock was very cheap,
and horses, cattle and hogs were driven to Haiti-
more to he disposed of. The highest priced horses
would bring but $40 at Fairfield, large hogs sold
there for $1, and steels were sold from $6 to $8
each. The people raised their own food, varying the
fare occasionally by a haunch of venison or bear
meat, or wild turkey, for all kinds of game then
abounded. By years of faithful toil the grandfather
cleared a farm, on which he passed his closing years
serenely, dying at a good old age in 1856. His wife
preceded him in death many years, dying in 1817.
She was a notable housewife, was expert in spin-
ning and weaving, and clad her children in gar-
ments of homespun.

The father of our subject grew to a stalwart
manhood under the pioneer influence that he ob-
tained in his native county in the days when he
was young. The school that he attended was taught
in a log house, rudely furnished with slabs for seats,
which were without backs, and there were no desks
such as are in use at the present day. Holes were
bored in logs, into which wooden pins were inserted,
and a wide plank placed upon them answered the

purpose of a more elaborate writing desk for the
large scholars. Mr. Dove resided with his parents
until he attained his majority, and he then began
his independent career as a farmer by renting the old
family homestead, lie afterward purchased the in-
terest of the other heirs, and still retains the farm,
although he ceased to occupy it in 1883, when he
came' to Shelly ville. and is living here in retire-
ment at a venerable age. He has always been a de-
voted adherent of the Democratic party since he
cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson
more than half a century ago. Religiously, he is a
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
which he joined in 1829.

Mr. Dove was first married May 21. 1835 to
Mary Small, who was born in York County. Pa.,
March 1*. 1S14. and was the eldest daughter of
John and Elizabeth ( Loucks) Small, who were also
lVnnsylvanians by birth. The mother of our sub-
ject died September 1. 1K77. leaving behind her the
record of a life spent in well-doing, and the blessed
memory of a true womanhood. She was reared in
the faith of theGerman Reformed Church, but after
her marriage united with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, to which her husband belonged. Of that
marriage eight sons and seven daughters were
reared to maturity, of whom twelve are living;
April 19, 1883 the father of oursubject was married
toa sister of his first wife. Tarcy Hall Small, and in
her he finds a devoted companion.

Theodore F. Dove, of whom this sketch is prin-
cipally written was born on a farm in Bloom Town-
ship, ten miles northwest of Lancaster. Fairfield
County. Ohio. April 22. 1846, said farm being also
the birthplace of his father. Elijah Dove, who was
born there July 27. 1811. Theodore gained the
preliminaries of his education in the local district
schools, and afterward pursued a liberal course of
study at the Fairfield Union Academy, from which*
he was graduated in 1869, his proficiency in math-
ematics having won him the compliment of being
selected to teach a class in that branch while a stu-
dent in that institution, lie subsequently entered
the Ohio Weslevan University at Delaware. Ohio,
and in due time graduated from that with a high
standing for scholarship. He first turned to teach-
ing after lie left college, and was thus engaged in

PORTRAIT AND r.liK.UAl'lIKAI. RECORD.

199

his native Stale until 1*74. when lie came t<> Shel-
byville to aceepl the position of Superintendent of
the city schools.

Our subject's work as an educator was, however,
but a means to an end, as he purposed to adopt the
legal profession, and in preparation therefor he de-
voted Iii— -(■are time to the study of law. At the
close of the school yearin 1875 he returned to Ohio,
and was admitted to the bar in Delaware County.

He came back to Shelbyville ami resumed the
charge of the schools, which flourished under his care,
and he held his office until 1876. In that year he
again returned to the State of hi- nativitv.and for
three months practiced law at Columbus. He next
opened an office at Danville. III., ami was in that
city until April, 1 s 7 7 . when he came to Shelbyville
to enter into a partnership for law practice with
W. J. Henry. He severed his connection with that
gentleman in August, 1879, and since then has car-
ried on his legal business alone. II*- enjoys a good
l>raetiee.aud has an enviable reputation as one of our
most trustworthy lawyers, and his client- feel sat-
isfied that he will use hi- best efforts in their he-
half, knowing also that he is well versed in all the
technicalities of the common law. and understands
thoroughly how to employ his knowledge to the
best advantage so as to impress the jury.

The marriage of Theodore Dove with Miss Alia
W. Clark was consummated December 27.is77.and
the home that they have established in this city i-
a cheerful, cozy abiding place, its pleasant hospital-
ities being one of the social features of the commu-
nity, where host and hostess have made many
friendships during their residence here. Their two
sons, Theodore C. and Frank Roy, complete their
household. Mrs, Dove is. like her husband, a na-
tive of Ohio, her birthplace at Mechanicsburg,
and she is a daughter of Dr. John and Minora ( Will-
iams) Clark.

In local affairs, our subject has done good service
as a member of the Shelbyville School Hoard. He
i- un-werving in his allegiance to the Democratic
party, as he believes its policy the best for the
guidance of the nation. He is prominent socially
a- a member of various organizations, the Masonic
Lodge of Carroll. Ohio: Modern Woodmen of
America: and of Big Four Lodge, No. 136, Order

of Tonti. He and his wile are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, their names being as-
sociated with those who are most liberal in its sup-
port, and who by the daily example of live - guided
by Christian principle- have contributed to raise
the moral standard of their community.

■=--

C H

[S_

EANDER A. STORM. Less than thirty years
have passed over the head of our subject

1 and yet he has made himself a place and
recognized position in commercial life, which speaks
well for the inherent qualities that he possesses.
There i? nothing petty about Mr. storm's methods
of dealing, and we predict that the future will
bring him opportunities which he will seize, and
which will carry him on the highway to prosperity.
Making his headquarters in Strasburg, Shelby
County, he is constantly making excursions into
whatever part of the State promises a fine return
in the staples in which he deals — hay and grain, and
thus he obtains not only a perfect acquaintance
with his own line of business, hut a broad intelli-
gence of the general aspect and condition of the
agricultural class in this State.

Leauder Storm is a son of Harrison J. Storm.
Hi- mother was in her maiden days. Harriet Ran-
kin. They were both native- of Shelby County
and experienced the vicissitudes of pioneer life.
For a further history of Mr. Storm Sr. see sketch of
.1. X. storm in another part of this volume. Our
subject was Imni iii Ash Grove Township. Shelby
County, this State May 15, 1863, and astrologers
would doubtless tell us that his personal and busi-
ness success and the peace which the country at
large is at present enjoying, arise from one and the
same cause, the conjunction of certain astral
bodies at that momentous period in the history
of the war.

The original of our -ketch wa- reared to man-
hood in Ash Grove and Big Spring Township.
He received his education in the common Schools.
When eighteen year- of age, he left home and
went to California ami was there employed in
different ways, lie remained, however, in that

200

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

State only about ten months and then returned to
Big Spring Township, where lit- stayed until the
completion of his twentieth year. He then was
united in marriage to Miss AnnieCox, after which
lie settled in Big Spring Township, and was en-
gaged in fanning until the fall of 1888 when he
came to Strasburg, where he has since been a res-
ident.

Mr. Sturm is now engaged in buying and ship-
ping hay and has given his attention to this busi-
ness since 1889. His marriage took place in Shelby
Township. Two children have come to the young
people. Raymond, who died in infancy, and a
bright little one who is the joy and pride of her
fond parents, and who hears the pretty child name.
Flossie. In his political preference our subject is
a Democrat. He is the owner of a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres, that is very valuable
land. He is an enterprising young business man
wlio i- sure to make his mark in the world.

" •i " i " t i, i i %z~? -:--:--:--:--

FREDERICK DOEHRING. The owner of
the farm located on section 36, of Richland
1 Township, is a mosl loyal and appreciative

German-American citizen. Full of energy ami vi-
tality Mr. Doehring has not allowed himself to be
distanced in his agricultural efforts by any of his
aeighbors. He was born in Germany, September
21, 1821, and he has now arrived at a point where
he can look back upon the changes of his own life
in relation to the changes that, as a whole, have
taken place during nearly three-quarters of a cen-
tury. He was reared on a farm in hi- native land
and there remained until he was twenty-three years
of age when he came to America. lie landed in
New York and from there went to Ohio.

The Bohemian spirit seemed to have possessed
our subject at this period of his life, for from Ohio,
lie removed in quick succession to Kentucky, Indi-
ana, remaining a while in St. Louis, Mo., thence
came to Madison County, this State, where he set-
tled and began the serious business of life, remain-
ing there twenty-six years, during which time he
was engaged in the business of farming. In the

Spring of 1869 lie came to Shelby County and set-
tled in Richland Township, where he has ever since
been a resident, and to which he has given the ef-
forts and results of his mature and ripened years.

Mr. Doehring has erected agoodset of buildings
upon his farm which comprises three hundred and
twenty acres. He was married in Madi-on County,
this State, about 1848, to Dora Brockmejer, who was
born in Germany. By her he became the father of
six children, three of whom are Using. They are
Frederick, Herman and Dora, all names that are as-
sociated with some of the greatest productions in
German literature. The daughter is now the wife
of Lewis Miller.

Mrs. Dora Doehring died January 11. 1889. She
was a good and capable housewife, a tender help-
mate and fond mother, ambitious for her children.
and self-sacrificing to any degree that they might
have every advantage. What better eulogy can we
give the mother than that she made home pleasant?
Mr. Doehring has always followed the calling of
farming, in which he has been reasonably succi —
ful. In his political relations he i- a Democrat,
believing that that party works more for the inter-
est and advantages of the people at huge than any
other.

Mr. Doehring has rilled several public offices in
the township gift. While in Madison County he
held the office of Supervisor for one year, and dis-
charged its duties satisfactorily to it- constituents.
He. with his family, is a member of the Lutheran
Church. The farm upon which he at present lives
bears evidence of careful attention, thoroughly
well cultivated, its buildings are in excellent order
and our subject's home residence is the epitome of
comfort and neatness, lie i- a good man and a
a 1 citizen.

^#s#gf;t-»*08rM

■x> .

A. STEWARDSON, of the linn of Hamm
.v Stewardson, of Strasburg, shelly County,

is an enterprising and able young business
man. The firm of which he is junior member

deals in hardware, agricultural implements and fur-
niture, stoves and tinware. Although not ret

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

201

thirty years of age lie is the owner of some line
land in this county, aside from the position thai
he holds in the firm, and in which he is building
up a reputation for business tact and talent, and a
keen foresight in financial matters that make him
rank already with the best business men in the
township. Mr. Stewardson comes from a good
family who are noted among their acquaintances
for their practical and common-sense views of the
affairs of daily life.

Mr. Stewardson's father was Thomas Stewardson,
who is now a resident of Shelbyville Township.
His mother in her maiden da\ - was Sarah C. Brady.
They were the parents of thirteen children, and of
these our subject was the fourth in order of birth
of the second set of children. He was born in Shel-
byville Township November 25. 18(52. (For a
fuller history of his parents see sketch of Thomas
stewardson in another part of this volume.) Our
subject grew to manhood in his native county.
lie reeived a good common-school education in the
schools of the vicinity, and he passed his early life
in a divided attention to school duties and assist-
ing with the work of the farm until he was twenty-
one years of age, remaining during that time
under hi- father's roof. He then for a period of
a year and a half engaged in farm labor for other
farmers in the neighborhood. At the end of that
time he came to. Strasburg and was employed by
J. N. Storm as clerk in his store for a period of
about six years.

On leaving Mr. storm 's employ our subject was
for six months engaged in farming and August 1.
1890, he formed a partnership with Martin Ilamm.
to engage in the business of which they are now
proprietors. He has ever since devoted himself to
the interests of the tiwn. which carries a tine stoek
of implements, and which is doing a good business.
He is besides the owner of forty acres of land in
Richland Township, which is well cultivated and
valuable land. The calling of agriculture, how-
ever, is not tin' one to which our subject feels him-
self best adapted, preferring to deal more intimately
with men.

Our subject left the rank and file of bachelors
February 24. L886, and was united in marriage to
Elnora Davis, who was born in this county. Their

wedding was solemnized in Windsor. The young

couple have had three children, whose name- aii'
Ethel, Mamie and Myrtle. The second child.
Mamie, is deceased. Politically he of whom we
write attiliates with the Democratic party. He has
been Justice of the Peace for about two years and
is well qualified to till any position in the gift of
the township. When a man has made such a suc-
cess of life at Mr. Stewardson's age. the world has
reason to expect of him unqualified success in the
future. Having already shown his ability, he will
be given prominent positions both in public and
private affairs.

j ! i ' i i i i

I | i | i , < . . < m <

OHN W. MIDDLESWORTH. Somebody
has said that the most desirable thing in
life is to be well born, but there i> a differ-
ent way of construing the expression among
different classes of people. The writer's idea of
good birth is the endowment of a fine physical
constitution, crowned and sanctified by high men-
tal and moral faculties, and having parents in
whom shine "high erected thoughts, seated in
hearts of courtesy." As Oliver Wendell Holmes
says in his charming conversations over the tea-
cups, the selection of parent- should be attended
to several years before one's coming into the
world, and all sociological questions should be
carefully balanced. In the case of our subject this
last consideration happened naturally and without
his interference, lie is a son of A. Middlesworth.
of Shelbyville. an honorable, upright and worthy
man. to whom his son is much indebted, both phys-
ically and mentally. A sketch of the gentleman
may be found in another part of this volume.

Our subject was born in Shelby County, 111..
September 11. I860, when the country was in the
throes of secession and discussion was ripe over the
decision of the Dred Scott affair. However, when
he was old enough to understand these matters the
strife was ended and the country was resuming its
normal condition. Farmers who had left the plow-
share to take the title and sabre had returned to
their homes and resumed the duties of agricultural

202

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

life. When John Middlesworth was eleven years
old his father removed to Shelbyvillc in order to
give his children better educational advantages.
There our subject received his education and con-
tinued living under his father's roof until his mar-
riage, which occurred October 10, 1883. His wife's
maiden name was Alice Stewart; with her he ex-
perienced but one year of domestic bliss as her de-
cease took place July 10, 1884.

Later our subject was united in marriage with
Athie Brooks, their nuptials being celebrated Sep-
tember 28, 1885. The present Mrs. Middlesworth
is a pleasing and attractive lady. She is a daugh-
ter of Josias W. and Martha 1). (Selby) Brooks and
one of seven children, there having been three
sons and four daughters in her parents' family.
Mrs. Middlesworth being the youngest daughter.
she was horn inMoweaqua, [11., January 28,T 867;
Her interest centers in her home and family, which
includes three bright and attractive children. Their
names are: Raymond B., William W. and - Glen S.
He has long followed the calling of farming and
is now the owner of four hundred and sixty-six
acre- of finely improved land. .Many valuable im-
provements have been made upon his farm.

He of whom we write has long taken an active
part in political affairs and has been an office-holder
in the township in which he has lived. He is an
adherent of the Republican party. His townsmen
have shown their confidence in his executive abil-
ity and sound judgment by giving him one of the
most important offices in the township gift, that of
School Director. He and his wife are earnest Chris-
tian people and members of the Presbyterian
Church.

AXIFL KESLER, one of the prominent
business men of Cowden, Shelby County.
I^f carries a full line of agricultural imple-
ments and deal- extensively in grain.
He was horn in Fairfield County. Ohio, February
2o. 1845. his father. .John, being a native of the
same county, and his mother. Mary (I. ear) Kesler,
being born in Lancaster, Pa. They were happily

united in marriage in Fairfield ( ounty, Ohio. June
1. 1843. and became the proud parents of seven
sons and two daughters, >ix of whom were horn in
the county just named anil the three youngest
came to them in Shelby County, this Stale.

Among the children of John and Mary Kesler,
our subject was the first-horn. Following him came
Isaac who i- engaged in the lumber business in
Cowden: Samuel who carries on fanning in Dry
Point Township; Simon who i> an invalid and re-
sides with his brother, our subject: John who farms
in the township just named, as does also Charles,
the next son in age; Laura, now the wife of Albeit
L. Crumley, who resides in Cowden and whose
husband is associated with her brother Daniel in
the grain and implement business; William i- a
telegraph operator and station agent in Edna, Kan.,
and Alice died at the age^of twenty-one after hav-
ing married Albert L. Crumley who later became
the husband of Laura.

The father of this family, with Daniel and Isaac
was a soldier during the Civil War. He was a
member of the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry and
died of typhoid fever at Louisville. Ky., June 18.
1865. His wife is still living at Cowden. Daniel
enlisted in Company G, One Hundred ami Forty-
third Illinois Infantry and served bravely for seven
months. Most of his time was spent in the South-
west, a- he was assigned to duty in Arkansas.
Isaac belonged to the same regiment as his father
and served gallantly for nine months, being then
discharged on account of peace being declared.

Daniel Kesler chose as his partner to share life's
joys and sorrows, Mi— Elizabeth Thompson, a
daughter of John Thompson, of Ohio. She was
born in Pickaway County, that State, where she
lost her parents by death previous to coming to
Illinois. The marriage took place March 11. 1865,
and proved to be a true union ami one which led
up to a life of more than ordinary domestic happi-
ness and prosperity. They are both earnest and
active members of the Free Methodist Church and
they find in its communion and duties comfort in
the trials of life and broad opportunity for use-
fulness.

To Mr. ami Mrs. Kesler have been born eight
children, six of whom are now living. Mary Nettie

&.&*

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

20.1

is married to Lincoln Becbtel and resides on a farm
in Dry Point Township; Elmer and Charles who
are both unmarried and 'reside at Pullman. 111..
near Chicago, are in the employ of the Pullman
Palace Car Company. The next daughter, Annie,
makes her home with her parents, and the younger
ones. Harry and Bessie, arc still at hone. Two
lovely infants, John and Lola Belle, were snatched
from their parents' arms by death.

He nf whom we write is well known throughout
the length and breadth of Shelby County as an
honorable business man. possessing the esteem and
confidence of all with whom he is associated in
business. He deals in grain, stock and agricultural
implements and has at present the control of the
stock business at Cowden. This is a patriotic fam-
ily who did not hesitate when the call came for
volunteers to defend the old flag and the eternal
principles of liberty in which they had been
brought up. Political matters with them are based
upon moral issues and a hatred of slavery and a
love for their country became a controlling influ-
ence. They cheerfully sacrificed the comforts of
home and yielded with resignation to the loss of
their father when the time came. During all Mr.
Kesler's earlier years he was a Republican in his
sentiments and vote, but a few years ago became a
Prohibitionist and has since voted witli that party
on legislative and national issues.

ON. EDWARD ROKSSLER. In this sketch
we present to the attention of our readers
a short record of the life history of a man
who is well known in Shelby County, not
only on account of his honorable war record, lint
also as the former representative of this district in
the Legislature of the state of Illinois. We also
invite the attention of the reader to his portrait
mi the opposite page. His father. Christian Roes-
sler. was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and came
to America in 1815, locating in Lancaster, Fair-
field County. Ohio. lie learned the trade of a
wagon-maker in the Old Country and pursued that

business at different places in Europe. A skilled
and competent workman, he earned an excellent

reputation for thoroughness and efficiency. Upon
coming to Lancaster. Ohio, he engaged in business

for himself, and his work was noted far and wide
for its excellence and completeness. He continued
thus employed in Lancaster until 1832, when he
sold out and purchased a farm in Fairlield County.
where he turned his attention to far mini;' and made
it his home until 1849.

During the year just mentioned Christian Roes-
sler sold his farm in Ohio and emigrated to Illi-
nois, settling in what is now Rose Township.
Shelby County. There he continued to live until
his demise, which occurred in September, 1861.
His marriage in Lancaster united him with Eliz-
abeth .Miller, who was born in Hesse-Cassel. Ger-
many, in the year 1799. She lived until July.
1871, when she passed away in Pose Township.
Both Christian Roessler and his wife were earnest
in their religious life as members of the Lutheran
Church. He ever took an active part in local
affairs and was efficient in helping to build the
old Indianapolis it St. Louis Railroad when it
passed through Shelby County, and was a stock-
holder in that company. He had a family of four
sons and two daughters — Reuben. Edward: Re-
gina, who is the wife of 15. Christman; Andrew;
Philip, and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles
Pfeiffer.

Lancaster. Fairfield County. Ohio, is the native
town of our subject, who was born January 13.
1825. In that town his early years were passed,
and he was about nine years old when his father
removed to the farm, where the boy grew to man-
hood, alternating his attendance at the district
school with the healthful pursuits of farm life. He
continued to remain at home until he had reached
his majority and then enlisted, in 1846, with his
brother Reuben, in the United States Army for
service in the Mexican War. Edward became a
member of Company P. Fourth Ohio Infantry, and
was in service all through the war. The most im-
portant engagement in which he took part was the
battle of Monterey, lie was mustered out of the
service at Cincinnati. Ohio, and returned to Lan-
caster, the same State.

206

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The young man bad determined to come West,
and in the spring of 1 H 4 '. > he removed to Shelby
County, 111., with his father's family. He bought
about two hundred and forty acres and his father
some five hundred acres, all of it in Rose Town-
ship. During the season lie set about improving
his land and preparing to establish his home in the
new country. During the latter part of the sum-
mer he returned to the old home in Fairfield
County, Ohio, and was there married August 5,
18411, to Anna Stumpf, who was horn in Yerden,
Hanover, Germany, her birth occurring February
11, 1831. She was two years old when she came
witli her parents to Ohio, h'er father being Gearhart
Stumpf, and her mother's maiden name being Cath-
erina Luehrs. The mother died of cholera in Cin-
cinnati. Ohio, iu 1848, and the father did not long-
tarry, but passed away after reaching Rose Town-
ship in 1852.

Mr. and Mrs. Roessler are the parents of twelve
children, namely: Reuben, who died in infancy;
David, who married Charlotte Wetzel; Solomon,
who married Susie Kellogg, and is a military en-
gineer in the Regular Army; Charles, a farmer,
who married Emma Wetzel, now deceased; John,
who took to wife Anna Harbour and is a professor
in Valparaiso Normal School; Anna, now the wife
of George Wendling; Amelia, who married Ed-
ward Wagoner; Clara, who is Mrs. Adolph Reiss;
Charlotta, the wife of "William Zollinger; Minnie,
who is engaged in the Hoopeston College, of
Hoopeston, 111., as a teacher of vocal and instru-
mental music, in which she is very proficient;
George and Henry.

( )n the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Roes-
sler took an active part in forwarding enlistments.
and himself raised an independent company, of
which he was commissioned Captain. Hiscompanv
was assigned to the Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry,
and he afterward raised two companies, which were
asssgned to the same regiment. In consequence of
his energy and zeal he filled the office of Colonel,
although not regularly commissioned, and re-
mained in that position until he resigned in No-
vember, 1 862.

In the fall of 1870 the subject of this sketch was
elected to the Twenty-seventh General Assembly

of the State of Illinois, lie filled this responsible
position with ability and satisfaction to his con-
stituents, and has continued to take an interest in
politieal matters, especially in local movements.
He was elected the first Supervisor of Rose Town-
ship, after the organization of that township, and
served in that capacity for about ten years, and
for several years was Chairman of the Hoard.

Roth Mr. and Mrs. Roessler are prominent mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church and are active workers
in its schemes of benevolence. They are liberal
contributors to all church purposes and helped
generously in the project of constructing a new
house of worship. Our subject's chief business in
life has been the pursuit of agriculture and he is
now the owner of two hundred and forty acres,
upon which he has placed good improvements, in-
cluding excellent and commodious buildings.

BIA CHIRPS. Located in the fertile val-
ley of Jonathan Creek, is a farm of four
fii hundred acres, located on section 15. of
the township which takes its name from
the water supply. Picturesque and beautiful are
the meadows, pasture, orchard and wood lot of the
farm, and happy should be the owner of so tine a
place. The fortunate man who is possessor of this
land, is he whose name is at the head of this sketch.
He settled in the county in the fall, November 26,
1858, and since that time, has here made his resi-
dence, applying his time and attention to the up-
building and cultivation not only of his own pos-
sessions, but also to the improvement and the
elevation in tone, of the whole community.

Abia Chipps was born in Harrison County. W.
Va., June 8, 1852. and is a son of Asa W and Mel-
vina E. (Duvall) Chipps, natives respectively of
Morgan and Harrison Counties. W. Ya. They were
married in their native State, in 1851. The fam-
ily came to this county in 1858. and purchased
eighty acres of raw land. This is now beautified
and made valuable by a line walnut grove which
was planted by our subject. The mother of the

PORTRAIT AND P.lot iRAPIIK A I. RECORD.

207

family died April l. 1863. She had -ix children,
of whom four lived to be grown. Tiny are Abia,
Kate, Addie and Jefferson E. Kate is now the
widow of John Landers; Addie is the wife of l{.
1). Curd, and resides in Des Moines, Iowa: Jeffer-
son K. operates a farm of his own.

Our subject's father was a second time married,
this union being with Mrs. Mary S. Adams nee liar-
ton, and in 1*77. he removed with his famih to
Columbia, Mo., remaining there for fourteen years
and then returned to this county. By her previous
marriage, Mrs. Chipps, Sr.. was the mother of one
son. whose name was .lames Williams. Politically
the father wa- a Democrat, and held local Office.

Our subject was reared on a farm and educated
at the Academy of Mount Zion, 111. A thoughtful
young man. fond of study and of original research,
he developed a liking for pedagogic work, and en-
gaged for some lime in teaching, in which he con-
tinued even two years after his marriage, which
was solemnized January 1. 1*77. his bride being
M is- America E. Lilly, who was horn in this county.
After marriage our subject purchased eighty acres
of land, and this amount with its proceeds, he so
carefully husbanded, that he is now the owner of
four hundred acres of land. He is engaged in the
business of stock raising, which he finds very profit-
able, bringing much of his stock to the metropoli-
tan market-.

( )ur subject and his wife are the parents of seven
children, whose names are as follows: Ilallie. Wil-
lis: Clifford, who is deceased; Raymond, Karl.
Alta and Paul. Politically our subject is a mem-
ber of the Democratic party. He has been Super-
visor of the township for live terms, and has held
various minor local offices. Socially he is a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

m>^*%

S V

*—

yfcESLEY M. METSKER. A large and weli-
improved farm in Tower Hill Township.
V V Shelby County, is owned and occupied
by Mr. Metsker. and its possession gives conclusive
evidence of the ability with which he has prose-
cuted his calling. It consists of two hundred acres

on section 17. and is embellished with substantial
buildings for the shelter of stock and storage of
»rain. A passer-by will note with pleasure the
orderly arrangement and neatness characterizing

the place and the evidences of a pleasant home
life that are seen about the residence.

The family of which our subject is an honored
representative originally came from ( rermany. The
immediate progenitor's of Mr. Metsker were John
and Sarah (Mowan) Metsker. natives of Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio respectively. There were horn to
them six children, our subject .being the second. The
father died in Stark County, Ohio, at the age of
seventy-two years: he wa- an honorable man. whose
memory is revered in the hearts of his children.
The mother died at the residence of our subject in
Tower Hill Township in 1**.").

The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio,
September fi. 1834 and was reared to manhood in
his native place. He lived on a farm although his
father followed the occupation of an engineer in a
blast furnace. He attended the district schools,
where he became practically well informed in ordi-
nary branches of study. Upon attaining to the
opening years of a stalwart manhood Mr. Metsker
in a few years earned enough to admit of his
establishing a home, and accordingly he was mar-
ried in Canton. Ohio, in November. 1858, to
Catherine Heck, a native of Tuscarawas County.
Ohio, and born about 1836.

The young couple settled in that county where
they continued to reside until 1865. In that year
they removed to Illinois, choosing as their home
section 17. Tower Hill Township, Shelby County,
and here Mr. Metsker ha- since resided. Six chil-
dren came to bless the home, a record of whom we
give below: John W.. married Miss Nellie Dean
and is a farmer in Colorado; Martha: Mary, is the
wife of Charles W. Wolf, a fanner of Tower Hill
Town-hip: Alice married James Bottsford; Emma
and Lewis are still at home. The wife anil mother
died at her home November 4. 1871.

Mr. Metsker was again married, choosing a.- his
bride Miss Elizabeth Heck, the sister of his former
wife, and they have three children — l-'rcd. Augus-
tus and Perrv. Mr. Metsker has always been en-

■>i 18

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

gaged in agricultural pursuits and has embellished
his farm with good buildings. Politically he casts
his ballot for the candidates of the United Labor
party, the principles of which he believes will best
subserve the welfare of the Government. He has
held the important office <>f School Director and
has in other ways been closely identified with the
progress of the community. Mrs. Met-ker i- a faith-
ful member of tin- Lutheran Church and enjoj - the
esteem of her large circle of acquaintances.

OHN P. GLASSCOCK The agricultural
community of Whitley Township. Moultrie
County, is one of the prime elements in the
industrial and financial success of the
county. It is notable a- being of a superior order.
both in intelligence and enterprise and nowhere
can lie found more efficient farmers or finer-look-
ing farms. Among these capable agriculturists we
name witli pleasure and pride the gentleman of
whom we are now writing.

Asa Glasscock, the father of our subject, was a
native of Virginia and his mother. Mary (Pen-
quite) Glasscock was a Peunsvlvanian by birth.
The Old Dominion was the scene of their marriage
and they shortly afterward emigrated to Kentucky
settling in Fleming County in 181(3 and living
there for a number of years. Asa Glasscock finally
died in Mason ( ounty, Ky.. and his wife passed
away in Warren County, Ohio. They hail eleven
children of whom our subject was the youngest.

Fleming County, Ky., i> the native home of
John 1'. Glasscock and April 22, 1825 was his natal
day. In this county he passed his early years, a
little later emigrating to Masen County and after-
ward to Warren County. Ohio, where he grew to
manhood. The varied experiences of his early
year- and the thorough drill which he received
upon the farm added to his natural ability, pro-
ducing a tine and vigorous young manhood, well
equipped to undergo the struggles of life.

In Warren County. Ohio, tin- young man met
the lady whom he chose from all the world to tie

hi- life companion, and he was married in 1845 to
Catherine Crosson, by whom he had five children,
namely: .Mary C. Sarilda. Margaret K.. Catherine
S. and one who died in infancy. The lovely
mother of these children died while' the family
still resided in Ohio and somewhat later our sub-
ject was married in Warren County to Elizabeth
Mount, who also became the mother of live chil-
dren — George O.. Ruth A.. Martha A.. Frances
Anna and l. S. .Mrs. Elizabeth Glasscock died in
Whitley Township in 1**7 upon the 12th of Sep-
tember.

It wa- in 1869 that Mr. Ola— cock determined to
remove from Ohio to Moultrie (ounty. 111., and
here he settled upon section 16, Whitley Town-
ship, where lie has ever since been a resident. Upon
his farm here he has placed excellent buildings
and his home i- not only attractively located hut
i- also a place where friendly and social gatherings
are held and where neighbors ever feel that they
are welcome. Mr. O las-cock has been Highway
Commissioner, having tilled that office with satis-
faction and profit to his township. He has ever
taken a fair degree of interest in local politics and
i- considered one of the sound Republicans of that
section of the county.

=^i

SAAC HORN. An honorable citizen and a
thorough business man. a practical mechanic,
and the representative of a worthy family is to
lie found in Isaac Horn, who i- now a farmer and
stock-grower residing on section 2;t. Sullivan Town-
ship. He was born in Washington County. Pa..
July :?<). 1832. Hi- parent- John and Mary M.
(Gantz) Horn, as well as his paternal grandparents
were natives of Pennsylvania, while the great-
grandparents on that side came from Germany.

The subject of this sketch worked with his father
upon the farm in Pennsylvania until he reached
the age of nineteen years, when he worked at the
carpenter'- trade until 1870, at which time he made
his permanent home on a farm in Moultrie County.
111. It was in 1865 when he came to Illinois and
on account of failing health being obliged to stop

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

■>w

his mechanical work he decided to settle upon a
farm. Forseveral years pasl he has done but little
more than to superintend his various interests in
Moultrie County.

Tlir marriage of Mr. Horn, February 13, 1870,
united him with Miss Barbara A. Hudson, a daugh-
ter of J. J. Hudson, for whose family history, the
reader will please see the sketch of Isaac Hudson
upon another page. Of the Horn family there
were twelve children born, seven sons and five
daughters, namely: Martin, who resides on a farm
in Knox County, Ohio; George C, who lives on
the old homestead in Washington County. Pa..
which was entered from the Government by the
great-grandfather of our subject; two girls who
died in early childhood; Hugh X.. who resides in
Henry County, Iowa and is engaged in farming;
our subject; Mary M.. the widow of W. M. D.
Price, who resides in California: Hannah, who
married first Eleven Alva, who died in 1868, and
i- now Mrs. Squire Woodruff: Jacob, who enlisted
in a cavalry organization afterward known as the
Ringold Cavalry, and having served three rears
died a few days after the expiration of his term of
service, passing away in Clarvsville Hospital, Md.:
John, who died in Pennsylvania when sixteen
years old: Sarah Maria, wife of George Coogle
wlio resides in her native county and William M.
who owns a portion of the old homestead in Penn-
sylvania a tine tract of three hundred and four
acres which was divided between George and
William.

Isaac Horn was the financier of the family ami
in his early days undertook the difficult task of
saving the old homestead from the relentless hand
of a security debt which was contracted by the
father. By dint of a tremendous effort and the
Sacrifice of years of his early manhood the prop-
erly was saved and he afterward sold his interest,
a-- did the other heirs, to the two brothers. The
parents passed away in Pennsylvania.

To our subject and his estimable wife six children
came: the eldest, a .-on. died in early infancy: the
second a girl died when nine months old; Leslie
C, was horn August :'>. 1*77; Doy < >.. February -'i.
1882; Karl A.. April 12, 1884; and Chester July 3,
1KSC. When Mr. Horn came to Illinois in 1865,

he brought with him the results of hi- savings at
the carpenter's bench and his -hare from the -ale
of the old home-tead. making in all about 17,000.
This he invested in lands anil improvements in
Sullivan Town-hip. Mrs. Horn had inherited two
hundred and seventeen acres and to this her hus-
band has added at different times by purchase until
they now own eight hundred and sixty-two acres
of fine farming and timber lands. Fine improve-
ments and good buildings are upon the place. I die
of their farms, a tract of three hundred and live
acres, located near Sullivan, is usually rented out
on -hares.

This gentleman has ever taken a thoroughly in-
telligent interest in public affairs and his political
convictions have led him to ally himself with the
Republican party, but office he has never sought
and has often declined, as he prefer- home-life and
the quiet pursuit of agriculture to the turmoil of
the political arena, lie has accumulated a line
property, the income from which will afford him
and his family a good living during their lives.

r€h

■&3

Fhs-

■ OHN R. McCLURE, a successful general groc-
ery man. doing business on the east side of

the public square at Sullivan. Moultrie
County, has recently erected a fine, two-story
brick building, 70x25£feet with a basement, where
he is carrying on an extensive business. His first
store was opened in January. 1857, since which
time he has been a successful merchant, with the ex-
ception of fourteen years, during which time he
engaged in farming in Sullivan Township. He has
lived in this countj since October, 1853, making
his home either in Sullivan or vicinity, and ever
showing himself an energetic and public-spirited cit-
izen.

Mr. McClure is active in local politics, being
warmly attached to the Democratic party, and was
at one time an Alderman of the city. He is deeply
interested in schools and a promoter of the cause of
education. Hewasborn in Franklin County, Ind..
August *. 1835. His father. Lewis D. McClure be-
ing al-o a native of that county and a soil of Will-

21(1

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

i.'iin MeClure, a Kentuckian who came of Scotch-
Irish descent, but whose parents were born in Vir-
ginia. They came to Kentucky in the time of
Daniel Boone and became pioneers near Lexington.

William MeClure became a tanner and was mar-
ried in Butler County, Ohio, to Miss l'helie Eads.
an aunt of the late Capt. Eads who built the great
bridge at St. Louis, and also the builder of the
Mississippi River jetties. Some years after marriage
this couple, about the beginning of this century,
removed to Franklin County, Ind., and there spent
the remainder of their days, being past middle life
at the time of their decease. They were consistent
and earnest members of the old-school Baptist
Church. Lewis I). MeClure, the father of our sub-
ject, was born and reared in Franklin County. Ind.,
and learned the trade of a blacksmith which he fol-
lowed for a number of years, after which he under-
took farming. He was married in Franklin County
to Miss Elizabeth Rockefellar, a kinswoman of the
great oil speculator. Her parents. John and Mary
(Thorp) Rockefeliar, were early settlers in Franklin
County, coming then' in 1805 from Trenton. X. J.,
and there remaining through life. They were
Methodists in their religious convictions.

After the birth of three children Lewis J). Me-
Clure and wife left Indiana with a team and wagon
and after a long and tedious journey landed in
Clark County. 111., where they settled upon the farm
where they now reside. Mr. MeClure having reached
the age of seventy-eight years and his wife being
now eighty-two. They have both been active
workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church through-
out life and they are enjoying a quiet and peaceful
old age.

John R. MeClure is the eldest of six children, all
but one of whom are still living. When eighteen
years old he set out for himself, coining to Sullivan
County, where he began life as a poor boy with
but little means, and has now accumulated a com-
fortable but modest fortune. Hismarriage to Miss
Sophronia Tichenor, a native of Sullivan County,
Ind., occurred in this comity. She died in the
prime of life, leaving two children — Fdgar who is
at home and assists his father; and William, who
took to wife Laura Matterson, and lives in Sullivan
City, although lie also assists his father a part of

the time, but is a printer by trade. Mr. MeClure
was the second time married in Sullivan, Miss
Julia Calkins, who was born in Licking County.
Ohio, becoming his wife. Her father. Uranius
Calkins, lived to the age of four-score years, and
her mother is still living in Licking County, being
now about three-score and ten. Mr. and Mis.
Calkins were efficient and consistent members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. MeClure,
like her husband, is a member of the Methodist
Church, and is a true and good woman. She is
bringing up her live children in the Christian faith
and giving them the best advantages possible for
an educational and domestic training. Their names
are Charlie, Ida, Cora, Flora and Elmer. Mr. Mc
Clure is a charter member of the lodge of Odd
Fellows, and also of the Masonic lodgeal Sullivan.

'• L

«+£

LT3

EV. ELIJAH GOLLOGHER. The work
of a minister in the Western States has ever
\V entailed a great degree of severe labor and
*^ privation, and the brave men who have
undertaken the work of the preacher among new
settlements have had abundant opportunity to em-
ulate apostolic self denial and zeal, and have many
of them (piite undermined their health by the severe
efforts which they passed through. Such an one is
our subject who now resides in Stewardson, Shelby
County, and who was born in Holland Township.
March 21. 1841.

Mr. Gollogher is the son of Wesley and Sarah
( Middlesworth) Gollogher, who were natives of
Fairfield County. Ohio. The paternal grandfather
of our subject, Thomas Gollogher, was born in Ire-
land and came to the United States while a young
man. While living in Pennsylvania, he was united
in marriage to a lady of German birth and soon re-
moved to Fairfield County, ( )hio. where they reared
a pioneer family of eight sons and two daughters.
Wesley Gollogher was the seventh son in that fam-
ily, and he like his father, became a farmer by oc-
cupation and in 1 s:>7 removed to Indiana.

In 1839 the father of our subject came to Shelby
County, 111., and settled in Holland Township, pur-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

211

chasing a small claim and entering some three hun-
dred acre- of land. Here he made his borne until
l.sT.s. when he removed to Shelbyville, «1htc he
died January 28, 1880. He and his affectionate
and faithful wife had been most harmoniously re-
lated in their wedded life and their separation by
death was brief, as her passage to the other world
took place February 28, 1880, just one month after
his. In their religious life they had been connected
with the Methodist Church and were valuable and
valued workers therein.

The children of this worthy couple are Mis. Mary
.1. Allen who resides in Wallace, Neb.; Sarah A.
who is now Mrs. S. W. Wilson and resides near
Shelbyville; Elijah, our subject; Louisa M.. mar-
ried the Rev. David Gay and makes her home in
Decatur; Minerva, whose husband, X. 1'. Smith.
Is a physician in Paris, 111.; Thomas .1. who resides in
Shelby County, and Lucy M. who married 11. B.
smith M. 1). of Shelbyville.

Farm training and the life of a schooi hoy in
the common schools of Shelb) County, tilled up
the early year- of our subject, but he did not take
all of his education by any means in the school-
house, for he ha- carried it on through life as he is
an extensive reader and a man who delights in the
pursuits of literature which is broadening and im-
proving in its effects upon his mind. In 1866 he
left the farm and for six years was in the grocery
trade at Shelbyville, after which he returned to
the farm for five years.

Elijah Gollogher was but sixteen years old when
he gave himself to Christ and became a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Being a nominal
member of the church did not satiisfy him as he be-
came at once an active worker in both church and
Sabbath-school, and for many years devoted him
self to the work of a local preacher.

It was in 1 S7f) when this earnest man became a
member of the Illinois Conference, after winch he
located as pastor at Oconee for two years, at Lov-
ington for two years and one year at Slewardson.
Not having had the advantages of a thorough edu-
cation in his boyhood, he endeavored to supplement
this while carrying on his pastoral work, and owing
to over exertion his health failed. This obliged him
to de\ ote himself again for four years to the culti-

vation of his farm, after which he became pastor
for one year at Bismarck, then for three years at
Murdock. and one year at l.erna, but on account
of throat trouble he was obliged to leave the min-
istry permanently and in the fall of 1890 he erected
a beautiful residence at Stewardson where he hopes
to make his home for life. He owns eighty acres
of land in Prairie Township, upon which he is car-
rying on fruit raising.

The Rev. Mr.Gollogher was married May 22,1862,
to Rebecca E. Young, a daughter of Thomas and
Sarah (YVertinan) Young, who has proved a faith-
ful and true-hearted companion. This lady was
born in Christian County. III. The Democratic
party commanded the respect and vote of our sub-
ject in his early life but it was not long before he
decided to ally himself with the organization which
placed Abraham Lincoln in the Presidental chair.
His deep and serious interest in the cause of tem-
perance leads him now to vote for prohibition
and to work for its success in both the moral and
political field.

—

*-7Z-^lI()MAS PORTER was born in one of the
//T\ early pioneer homes of Central Illinois, on
V_y a farm fifteen miles southwest of Spring-
field, April 11. 1831, and consequently has wit-
nessed much of the development of this part of the
Male from a wilderness. And not only that, but
he has aided in its growth by his work as a prac-
tical farmer in Shelby County, where he now owns
a valuable farm, finely located in Moweaqua
Township.

Our subject's father. Henry Porter, was born in
Maryland, and came from there to Illinois in 1!S2(I.
He was one of the first settlers of Sangamon
County, and fora few years resided on Lick Creek,
where he busied himself in fanning the virgin soil,
lie then became a pioneer of Christian C ounty. and
with his limited means he bought forty acres of
timber that was partly grown, and after he had

built a log house to shelter his family, he c -

menced to clear his land. lie remained a resident
of that county many years, living to see it well

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

developed, and died there at the venerable aire of
ninety years. In early manhood he married Nancy
Bowles, who was likewise a native of Maryland,
and she died on the home farm in Sangamon
County.

Our subject was but three years old when his
parents removed to Christian County, and he was
brought mi amid pioneer surroundings, as at that
time the country was very sparsely inhabited, deer,
wild turkeys and other kinds of game being very
plentiful where there are now productive farms
and busy towns. There were no railways, and the
nearest flour mill was in Sangamon County, fifty-
five miles distant. People lived off the products
of their farms, their limited fare being occasionally
varied by the addition of game, and com meal
was the principal breadstuff.

When Mr. Porter was eight years old he went to
live with John Campbell on the banks of Lick
Creek, and remained with him three years. The
sturdy, independent little lad then eared for him-
self after that, and used to earn his living by
working out by the month or day. For some
years he was employed in a saw-mill, and in due
time he was enabled to marry and establish a home.
After marriage he turned his attention to farming
in Shelby County, on a farm owned by his father-
in-law in Flat Branch Township. He farmed there
sixteen years, and at the end of that time bought
his present farm, which is classed among the finest
in all Moweaqua Township. Its two hundred and
eighty at res an 1 admirably tilled and yield large
harvests in repayment for the care expended upon
them, while its improvements are of a good order.
including three sets of commodious frame build-
ings.

In January, I*."i7. Mr. Porter was married to
Miss Julia Ann Stombaugh. and in her he found
all that a true wife can be to her husband. She
was a tender mother to their children, of whom
there are five living: Mary Catherine, wife of John
T. Haslam; Eliza A., wife of George 15. Carrington;
Sarah Isabelle. wife of Wesley Snell; Dudley, who
married Mary Prescott; and [daG., wife of Eugene
Harper. Mrs. Pinter who was a daughter of Mar-
tin ami Catherine (Traughber) Stombaugh, was
born in Tennessee July 27. 1828, and died in the

home in this township that she had blessed so many
years March 15, 1891. She was a Christian in
word and deed, and was a devoted member of the
Protestant Methodist Church.

In this summary of the life of our subject it is
shown that he is a self-made man. who began to
make his own way in the world at a much earlier
age than is usual with boys, and with down-right
hard labor, seconded by thrift and prudent man-
agement, has become possessed of a comfortable
property, so that he is well fortified against pov-
erty, and can pass his remaining years free from
the necessity of incessant toil. He is a thoroughly
good citizen, a man of sterling honesty, and has
led a consistent Christian life since he joined the
Protestant Methodist Church in 186] with his wife.
In politics he is a Democrat, tried and true.

_©Oo

immmm.

C20_

.v~

-J

^^IIOMAS L LEGO ITT. This successful
farmer and old soldier who resides on sec-
W tion 7. Whitley Township, is the son of
Thomas X. Leggitt, who was born in Licking
County. Ohio, and of Evaline E. Kliver. a native
of the same place. There they were married and
made their first home and thence removed in course
of time to Vigo County, Ind.. where they resided
a year before coming to Edgar County. There
they settled and remained permanently for eleven
years, after which they returned to Indiana and
purchased a farm in VigoCounty where they lived
for five years. Thomas X. Leggitt then sold out
his Indiana farm and removed to Kansas, settling
near Independence where he died in 1889. His
bereaved widow survives him and is making her
home with her children in Kansas City.

Of the fourteen children of this worthy couple
our subject was the third in order of age, being
born in Licking County. Ohio. August ;». 1842.
He was still residing under the parental roof when
the Civil War broke out and President Lincoln
made his first call for troops, our young man
promptly enlisted in the service of his country, the
date of his enlistment being April 2(1. 1861. He
joined Company G, Forty-third Indiana Regiment.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKl'ORD.

215

.•ind served until August 29, 1*(;2. when In- was
mustered out of service.

Bu1 this >h< >ri period of warfare did not satisfy
the young soldier and lie recruited and was mus-
tered in again in Company 11. Seventy-first Indi-
ana Regiment, or sixth Cavalry, serving in thai
company until September, 1865, with the exception
of three month.- during which he was in Company
K. of the same regiment. He was wounded at
Moore's Landing, Ark., the ball going through his
left hand. All through tins period of conflict lie
was the same brave, unflinching, intrepid soldier.
\\(ii thy of trust and reliance and full of enthusiasm
for the old flag and the Union. He neverfelt that
he did or could do too much tor his native country
and its institutions of liberty.

When the war was over our young hero returned
to his father's home in Edgar County. 111., but re-
mained with him only a lew months as he had now
resolved to strike out for himself. In March, 1866
he came lo Moultrie County and began work by
the month, afterward going to the home of an
uncle and remaining two years.

In .Moultrie County this young man found the
lady who was to be his companion through life and
was united with her in marriage April 20. 1871.
She was a widow at the time of her marriage with
him. her name being Mi's. Julia A. Whitfield, nee
Reed. She was a native of .Moultrie County, hav-
ing been born here November 11. 1844. After
marriage they settled in Whitley Township where
lie has -nice been a resident.

The six children who have been granted tO Mr.
and Mrs. Leggitt are Thomas I., Clara .1.. Mary E.,
Julia E., William A. and Olive A. William A.
died when only nine months old but the other
children have lived to be the joy and comfort of
their affectionate and judicious parents. Mr. Leg-
gitt has always been engaged in agricultural pur-
suits and is a successful man in his work. One
hundred and fifteen acres of rich soil constitutes
his farm, upon which he has made excellent im-
provements. Of his war record he may truly feel
proud as it proved the stuff of which he was made
and all who knew him in that relation are proud
to say that he did good service and his full duty
by his country in her hour of need. At the time

he was mustered out he had the rank of First Cor-
poral. The buildings upon his farm are first-class
and his home is a delightful one. within the walls
of which he and his amiable wife extend toward
their friends a gracious hospitality.

•>J— >J- , ' > i > i t ' ■

M ' i ' i ' i '

ELEAZAli
tinction
J sions is

fr^S LEAZAR A. PYATT, M. I). To attain dis-
ion in any one of the learned profes-
the proud ambition of many a man
who is struggling through the early portion of his
career, but it is looked forward to as the prize to
be gained toward the end of the race, and when
then gained it may well be accounted as having
been worth a struggle. We occasionally. how r ever,
know of an instance when a man still young has
attained to this high position, and his success is
certainly worthy of applause and emulation. Such
was the success of Dr. l'yatt, of Bethany. Moultrie
County, during the early days of the Civil War.
when he was placed in a position of responsibility
and trust which established his reputation for all
time.

Or. Pyatt, who located in this county in 1868,
and is therefore the oldest physician in Bethany,
was born in Yancey County. N. C, October '.). HS32,
and is a son of Joseph and Jane (Brooks) Pyatt,
both of North Carolina, the latter being of Scotch
descent. The grandfather of Joseph l'yatt was
born in Coventry. England, of French parentage
and came to the United States when only sixteen
years of age, just before the breaking out of the
Revolutionary War. He immediately attached
himself to the cause of political liberty and served
all through that period of conflict and shared in
the struggles and hardships of Washington's army.
At the conclusion of the war he settled in Burke
County. X. C, and engaged in farming, though he
was a hatter by trade.

The father of our subject was reared a farmer,
and having married in his native State. North Car-
olina, resided there during his cut ire life, and dying
at the age of seventy-four years, lie and his wor-
thy wife reared two sons and four daughters and
our subject is the fourth in order of birth, lie was

2IG

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the only one to choose a profession, as the others
have all lieen abundantly satisfied with the pursuit
<>f agriculture. Burnsville Academy in his native
county gave to him a thorough education and pre-
pared him excellently for the pursuit of his profes-
sional studies which he began at a very early aire.

When only twenty-five years old the Doctor was
prepared to commence practice and located at Poor
Hill. Tenn. lie subsequently entered Jefferson
Medical College at Philadelphia, and took his di-
ploma from that institution in 1861, soon after
which he entered the Confederate army. He was
mustered in as a private hut as soon a- his talents
and his professional skill became known he was
made Assistant Surgeon-General, having charge of
the Eastern Department of the Tennessee during
the formation of those forces, some twenty thou-
sand men being mustered into service in that de-
partment. After the duties of that position was
discharged Dr. Pyatt was appointed Regimental
Surgeon of the Nineteenth Tennessee Infantry,
where he remained until the close of the war. being
especially active during the engagements at Shiloh
and Stone River.

After the war Dr. Pyatt went to Virginia and
was married October lii. 1865, in Washington
County, that State, to Ann E. Mahaffey, daughter
of Hugh Mahaffey. She was a native of the county
in which her marriage took place, having been born
there July 20. 1845. After marriage the young
couple settled in Hancock County. Tenn.. whence
in 1867 they came to Illinois and foreight months
were located at Mt. Zion, from which point they
removed to Bethany. Dr. and Mrs. Pyatt have
had six children, one of whom died in infancy and
another. Mary Grace, married Warren A. Wilkinson
and died April 23. 1891, leaving one son. Walter
A., who is now deceased. Those who are living of the
Doctor's family are: Edward C. a druggist at
Brownsville, Ore.; George A., who is now attend-
ing Lincoln University; Lulu Pearl and Anna
Dorothy.

Dr. Pyatt is a Democrat in his political views.
l>ut is not extremely partisan, notwithstanding the
fact that he was connected with the Confederate
service, hut he esteems it 1 lis duty to take enough
interest in local matters to cast his vote on election

day. In regard to his large and lucrative practice
and the handsome property which he has accumu-
lated, he may truly he styled a self-made man. for
he had but 13.00 and a horse when he made his
home in Tennessee after leaving his native state,
and he was obliged to pawn his horse for six months'
hoard. This, however, was only the beginning, as
he at once commanded an extensive practice and
was never again in straightened circumstances.
He has easily accumulated property, as he has both
the professional and business qualities which lead
to success, and he now has over nine hundred acres
of finely improved farming land, upon which he
has placed over $9,000 worth of tiling. His land
is all in Marrowbone Township, near Bethany, and
i- considered one of the best farms in the township.
His residence is said to he the finest in Moultrie
County and it is not only beautiful in the exterior
and delightfully located, but it is also furnished
throughout with good taste and is the scene of cor-
dial hospitality and domestic happiness. He is
connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, which he has joined since coming to this
county, as he had formerly belonged to the Old
School Presbyterian Church.

A lithographic portrait of the Doctor accompan-
ies this sketch.

Jp^IIOMAS 11. GRAHAM. Circuit Clerk of
//jjS shelly County, is a native of this Stale and
V_y a representative of one of the early pioneer
families of Illinois. He is a veteran of the late
war. and he is well known and honored as one of
Shelhyville's most worthy citizens. He was horn
in Coles County. April 20, 1839. His father. Mar-
tillas Graham, was horn at Ft. Harrison. Ind.,
November 25. 1^11. He was a son of Jonathan
Graham, who was horn in North Carolina, January
12. 1788. He was one of the pioneers of Indiana,
where he located in territorial days on a tract of
timber land in the vicinity of Ft. Harrison, and
he cleared a farm from the wilderness. At the
time of his settlement there Indians were more
numerous than the whiles, and were oftentimes

PORTRAIT AND RKMiRAl'IIICAL RECORD.

217

troublesome, and during the War of 1*12 lie ac-
cepted the advice of Gen. Harrison to retire to the
fort. He left the must of his belongings in hi*
cabin, and that night after he had removed to the
fort his home was ransacked by the Indians .'11111
the block bouse was fired, lit- continued i" reside
at the fori until 1831, when he sold bis farm to
Thomas Springer, father of the Hon. William
Springer, and removed to Illinois. He spent one
year in Coles County, and then coming to Shelby
County, bought a farm one mile above town on
the river. There was a gristmill on the place
operated bj horse power, and he managed that,
while his sons carried on his farm. A few years
later he sold that property, and returning to Coles
County, bought a home seven miles north of Mat-
toon and later entered Governnent land in the
same locality, lie lived there some years hut after
the death of his second wife he spent the rest of
his life with his children. The maiden name of his
first wife, grandmother of our subject, was Annie
Hill. She was horn November 20. 1786, and she
died on the farm in Shelby County.

The father of our subject was reared and edu-
cated amid the primitive scenes of the pioneer days
of hi* native State. Later he accompanied his
parents to their new home in the wilderness in
this state, and followed farming with his father in
this county until the family returned to Coles
County, when he entered a tract of land from the
Government, his claim being located seven miles
from Mattoon on the line of Moultrie County. He
built a frame house on the place, and at once began
the bard work of reclaiming his land from its nat-
ural wild condition. There were no railways, and
as there was no market for grain In' fed his to his
stock, which he drove to St. Louis or Chicago to
sell. After living there two years lie returned to
this county, and became prominently identified
with its manufactures, purchasing a carding-mill at
Shelbyville, which was operated by horse and ox-
power, lie built an addition to the mill, and at
the time of his death, which occurred January 25,
1851, he had just introduced machinery to start a
fulling-mill. He was a man of much energy of
character and enterprise, and his removal while yet
in life's prime was a serious l< »> to the interests of

the county, where his name is still cherished as that
of an honored pioneer who helped to lay the

foundations of its prosperity.

The parents of our subject were married August
.'j. 1835, and the maiden name of his mother was
Phananda Williams. She was horn in Pulaski
County, Ky.j December .">. 1813. Her father was
the Rev. Baylis Williams, a native of Virginia,
coming from one of the wealthy old families of
that State. lie inherited slaves, hut as he was op-
posed to the institution of slavery, he liberated
them and removed to a free state. He resided in
Pulaski County. Ky., of which he was a pioneer,
until 1830, when he came to Illinois with his wife
and seven ch ildren , journeying thither with teams.
bringing along household goods, and driving his
stock. For four weeks the family traveled, camp-
ing and cooking by the wayside at night and on
Sundays, and at length arrived in this county, and
settled one mile south of Shelbyville. The grand-
father bought six hundred and forty acres of land
in that vicinity, three miles south of the town, and
there his mortal career was brought to a close in
1831. Thus early the influence of this good man
was losl to his community. He was of a strong,
versatile character, and besides being a practicing
physician, was a preacher of much local fame in
the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and often-
times he preached to his fellow -pioneers in the log
court house. His mortal remains were deposited
in the Ridge Cemetery. The maiden name of his
first wife, the maternal grandmother of our suh-
jecl. was Elizabeth Bowen. She died in Kentucky
in 1817. The venerable mother of our subject
still resides in Shelbyville. She retains in a re-
markable degree her mental faculties, and is greatly
respected for the genuine worth of her character.
She has been a consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church since 1K.S2. Her husband joined
in his youthful days, and was an earnest Christian
and supporter of the church until the day of his
death. In his politics he was an old-line Whig.
and was opposed to slavery.

The subject of this biographical review laid the
foundation of his education in the public schools
of this State, and at the age of twelve years en-
tered a printing office to learn to set type. His

218

PORTRAIT A>'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

employer soon suspended, and the ensuing two

years the lad was engaged at various kind- of
work, and attended school during the winter ses-
sions. At the age of fourteen he again entered a
pi'inting office, and worked therein until lx.">7. He
then accepted a position as clerk in the Circuit
Clerk's office at Shelbyville and acted in that ca-
pacity until 1859, when he started for the Terri-
tory of Kansas, going by rail to st. Joseph, Mo.,
and thence by Stage to Lawrence, which was then
a village of about two thousand people. The
ensuing year he was engaged there a- manager of
a sawmill, hut in the fall of I860 he gave up that
position to resume his old trade in a printing office,
where lie was employed until July, 1861. In that
month he started with Others for the Rocky Moun-
tains, making the journey across the plains with
six yoke of oxen. At that time there were but
very few white settlers between St. Joseph and the
Rockies, and buffaloes and other wild animals
roamed in large herds across the sterile plains
known as the "Great American Desert."

Mr. Graham roughed it as a frontiersman in the
mountains nearly a year, and then retraced his
footsteps to Kansas, where in duly. 1862, he en-
listed in Company B, Twelfth Kansas Cavalry. He
was soon detailed to serve in the Commissary De-
partment, and rendered valuable aid in that im-
portant branch of the service until after the close
of the war. He was honorably discharged with
his regiment at Ft. Leavenworth in July. 1865, and
returning to Lawrence, he continued his residence
in Kansas until 1868, when he came hack to his
old home at Shelbyville: From that time until
1881 hi- wa- a clerk in different law offices, and in
that year wa- appointed Deputj County Clerk, lie
retained that position until 1886, and was after
that clerk in a law office until he was elected to his
present office as Circuit Clerk in 1888, for a term
of four years. Hi- selection for this important
position was a wise one in point of qualification
and experience, and he is performing the work
connected with it with characteristic zeal and de-
votion to his duty.

A- a gentleman of unimpeachable integrity and
high standing in the county where so many years
of his life have been passed, our subject is looked

upon with consideration and genuine respeel by all

who know him. lie is soundin his political view-,
which arc in accordance with the tenet- of the
Democratic party, which has in him an earnest
supporter. Socially, he i- allied with the Black
Hawk Lodge, No. 183, K. of 1'. He is a Director
in the Laborers' Loan Association, and lias helped
to make it a success.

E~ PHRAIM II. COOK, of Shelbyville, is one of
the most popular, keen anil wide-awake of
the men whose liberal, progressive and far-
sighted methods have been potent in the making of

thi- county. He ha- in various ways borne a part
in its upbuilding and in the extension of its indus-
trial interests for more than thirty years, and to-
day is widely known a- one who ha- been influen-
tial in the introduction and breeding of fine horses
in this section of the state.

In Washington County. Md.. is the birthplace of
our subject, two miles from Hagerstown, and he
tirst opened his eye- to the familiar scenes of his
boyhood October 2, 1834. His father. John Cook,
was a native of Franklin County, Pa. He was
married at Greencastle, his native State, to Miss
Hannah Hoffman, who was horn in Baltimore
County. Md. and died in Funkstown. the same
Mate, in lsis. leaving live children — lohn, I reorge,
Fphraim II.. Eliza and William. The father was a
blacksmith, and removing from Greencastle to
Funkstown. he followed his trade there for a time
and then opened a hotel. He resided there until
his death in 1857, and hi- community was thus de-
prived of one of its most substantial citizens who
was greatly respected.

He of whom this brief life-record is written was
educated in his native town, and at the age of
seventeen the energetic, -elf-reliant youth began an
apprenticeship at Hagerstown to learn the trade of
a carpenter and joiner, lie served two years, and
having gained an accurate knowledge of his calling
he worked at it on his own account at Greencastle,
Pa. one season, and at Baltimore, Md.. for the same
length of time. With characteristic foresight and

PORTRAIT AND I5K (GRAPHICAL RECORD.

219

business acumen he judged that the more newlj
settled regions of the great Prairie state offered :i
wider field to men in his line than the older por-
tions of the country that had long been inhabited,
and he resolved to take advantage of such oppor-
tunities as he might seize here to build up his for-
tunes, and in 1855 we find him Located at Mi.
Morris, in OgleCounty. He was actively employed
at his trade there until 1859, and in thai year took
an important step in life in then making this county
his future residence, which has accrued to his ben-
efit as well as to that of the community at large.
He has ever since made Shelbyville hi- home. He
carried on the business of contractor and builder
tor some years, was instrumental in introducing a
Style of architecture useful as well a> ornamental,
and some of the best buildings here, including the
Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches are
monuments to his skill. lie is a man of large en-
terprise and by no mean.- confined his attention
wholly to his work as a contractor, but branched
out in other directions, and at the same time was
interested iii a flouring mill at Windsor and in a
saw-mill ten mile- south of the city, also engaged
in the lumber business and farming, and for a time
was interested in the foundry.

Soon after coming here Mr. Cook bought his
farm, which i- a valuable and well improved prop-
erty, advantageously located three miles east of the
city. It is admirably adapted to stock-raising
purposes, and Mr. Cook devote- it principally to
the business of breeding horses, and with Mich

Success that he is the owner of some Of the finest
thorough-breds, draft and trotting horses in the
country. At the present time he has four stallions,
one of them an imported English draft horse and
one an imported Clydesdale. He i> the owner of
the celebrated -Hazel X.." of the Hambletonian and
Membrino stock, registered number 11,600. He is
a handsome bay with black point-, and i- consid-
ered one of the finest horses in the State. "Cuya-
hoga Chief", another of his fine horses, is a handsome
black, of the Blackhawk, Morgan and Membrino
Chief strains.

Mr. Cook was married in 1858 to Ellen Virginia
Pouke, a native of shepherd-town. Ya.. and a
daughter of .lame- and Angelina (liver-) Pouke.

They are very pleasantly situated in one of the
well-appointed residences of Shelbyville, whose
furnishings and surroundings are luxurious, and
the cordiality and good will exercised by its gen-
erous host and hostess and others of the household
toward all who enter therein i- something to be
remembered with pleasure. Mr. and Mr-. Cook
have seven children, namely: Wilbur; Eva, wife of
Charles E. Haydon; John 11.. Nellie. Harry. Walter
and Charles.

Our subject has not stooped to query whether or
no "life i- worth living", but ha- made it so by
sheer force of an active spirit and an indomitable
will, guided by sound sense and high principles
and seconded by a judgment in business matters
that is unerring and bya masterly ability to accom-
plish whatever he -et- his hand to. He is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is liberal in his
contributions for it.- support, ami exercises true
public spirit in all things that will in anyway en-
hance the well-being of the community. He is a
Republican in politics and i- devoted to his party.

ACOB GALSTER As his name would in-
dicate, our subject is of German descent.
although born in the United States. His
birthplace was Tuscarawas County. Ohio,
and his natal day was April 4. 1843. He i- now a
resident on section 27. and also own- land on see-
tions 'I'l anil 28, Rural Town-hip. having made a
settlement in Shelby County in the fall of 1864.
His parent- were the Rev. MathiaS and lio.-anna
(Haller) Galster, who were natives of Germany, and
coming to the United States, were married in Tus-
carawas County. Ohio, and there resided until 1853,
when they removed to Huntington County. Ind..
whence in 1864, they came to Illinois and settled
in Rural Township.

Mathias Galster, the father of the original of
our -ketch was a minister of the Evangelical
Church for some forty year-, lie was a zealous
worker, and had a special tact and talent in organ-
ization, having organized four churches in Illinois.

220

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

located respectively at Pana, Taylorsville, Oconee
and Rural Township; also several in Ohio and in
Indiana. He was bora November 2. lull, in the
the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, and came
to America with his parents when eighteen years
of age. lie was converted at the age of twenty-
two years, and felt that his mission in life was to
preach the Gospel to the edification and sanctifiea-
tion of his hearers. The first services that he con-
ducted were held in private houses. In Ohio, he
founded eight new churches, and at Huntington.
Ind., four churches.

On coming into Rural Township, our subject's
father purchased a half section of land, and here
resided until his death, which occurred March 25,
1KK7. His wife had preceded him by several years,
having died March W. 1880. He of whom we write,
is one of five children, all of whom are grown up.
Their names are Mathias, Jacob, our subject; Will-
iam F., Christina and Mary. Mathais fought as a
soldier in the Forty-seventh Indiana, and died
while in service; Christina is now .Mrs. August
Rosthner; .Mary married William Stanger, and died
in 188;">. Our subject's maternal grandfather emi-
grated at an early day from his native land and
died in Shelby County.

< )ur subject came to Shelby County with his fam-
ily, and May 6, 1869, was united in marriage to
Elizabeth K. Mautz, a daughter of George G.
Mautz, for a history of whom see sketch of Philip
A. Mautz in another part of this volume. After
marriage our subject settled witli his wife on the
place where he now resides. He owns and operates
one hundred and forty-two acres of land, which is
in first class condition, bearing excellent improve-
ments.

Mr. and Airs. Galster have had nine children,
eight of whom are living. They are Rosene M.,
George M., Barbara, Rebecca. Elizabeth, Jacob R.
F., Anna C. W., John William and Samuel K. C.
The children are all vigorous and intelligent young
people, who promise to be the pride and comfort
of their parents in their declining years. Politi-
•allv our subject is a Democrat. He has held the
office of Town Collector for five years, and the con-
fidence that his townsmen have in his judgment
and ability, is evinced by the fact that he has been

elected to the position of School Director for sev-
eral years. Mr. Galster was, some years ago, the
victim of an accident which has made him a crip-
ple for life. While riding he was thrown from his
horse, and his foot being so firmly fixed in the stir-
rup.as to prevent his shaking it loose, he was dragged
for some distance and broke his leg in two places.
He with his wife and family are members of the
Evangelical ( Ihureh.

JLLIAM PATTERSON, a general farmer
ind stock-raiser living near the city of
tyyj Sullivan, Moultrie County, which place
has grown from an unbroken prairie to its present
populous condition since he came here in the spring
of 1H.'5(>, is one of the old timers of the county, and
was a merchant for several years in Sullivan, lie
came here prior to the winter which is so famous
in the annals of the county as being marked by the
"sudden change"" in temperature, when ice froze
several inches thick in fifteen minutes according to
the traditions of the old inhabitants.

Mr. Patterson took his farm when it was mostly
unbroken prairie, and has achieved success, although
at one time he lost a modest fortune. He still owns
an excellent farm of more than one hundred acres
which is well improved, but most of his property is
within the city limits. While he was engaged in
the mercantile business he was unfortunate and met
with heavy losses, but has recovered from them.
He was here lief ore the county was changed from
Shelby to Moultrie, and in the early days wild game
was abundant, and he says that lie has seen as many
as forty deer together at one time.

Mr. Patterson is a native of this State, being born
in Union County, August (!. 1*17. His father,
Levi Patterson, was a native of Kentucky, and his
grandfather, James Patterson, was a Virginian by
birth, and prominent in the War of LSI 2. lighting
with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and be-
ing one of the regiments that met, defeated and
slew Gen. Packingham. He is now interred in the
soil of Sullivan County, having spent his last years

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORL.

221

in this region and dying in old age. 1 1 is religious
belief had led him to conned himself with the
Baptist Church, and his political opinions allied
him with the Democratic party.

Levi Patterson was reared in Kentucky, and
there married Jane Penrod, a Tcnnesseean by birth
and education, and the young couple soon emi-
grated to Illinois, settling at an early day in Union
County, where all their children were born. In
1836 the whole household removed to what is now
Moultrie County, traveling a distance of just two
hundred miles, which trip, at that time traveling
with team and covered wagon, occupied one month.
Levi Patterson entered a large tract of Govern-
ment land which was at that time known as the
"Lost Land." the Government's first survey hav-
ing been lost. Here he lived and died, passing
away at the age of fifty-five years, an earnest mem-
ber of the Christian Church in his religious belief,
ami a stanch Democrat in politics. He was twice
married and both wives brought to him children.
and died in this county.

Our subject is the second child by his father's
first marriage, and he has all the experience of a
pioneer, and loves to tell the story of the log
schoolhouse with its stick cuimney, puncheon floor
and rough seats. After reaching his majority, he
returned to Union County to claim his bride in the
person of Miss Margaret Carriker. a native of that
county where her parents had settled al an early
date, coming there from North Carolina. They
came of Dutch stock, and belonged to old and
highly esteemed North Carolina families and. died
in l'n ion County full of years.

For more than half a century .Mr. Patterson and
his faithful and devoted wife have labored together
and she is now in rather poor health, while Mr.
Patter-on is still robust and active. They were
both members of the Christian Church, and helped
to organize that body here, being among its char-
ter members, and Mr. Patterson acting as Deacon
for years. He had held some local offices of trust
and responsibility, and has always adhered to the
principles of the Democratic party, and at present
the Farmers' Mutual Kenetit Association claims his
allegiance.

A truly patriarchal family, is that of Mr. and

Mrs. Patterson, six children having passed to the
Other shore, and eight being still upon this side.
They are as follows: Daniel, who took to wife
Ellen Hoke, and now farms in Sullivan Township;
William .1.. wlio is in the same line of work, and
married Rebecca Lynder; Bushrod, who married
Miss Kate Blackwell, who has died, and who now
makes his home with his father while managing a
farm in this township; George, who took to wife
Miss Lyda Glabrook, and now lives on a farm in
Whitley Township, this county; Belle, who lives at
home; Maggie, who is the wife of Stephen Under-
wood, and lives on a farm in this township; and
Sarah, is the wife of Richard Palmer, and lives in
Nelson Township; and Sue A., wife of John Hani,
and lives in Washington state.

-t€>*<!^

NTHONY GILLESPIE. A country with-
out a nation, a people without a flag, it is
not surprising that so many of the warm-
hearted, sunny tempered, Celtic race should
rally under the stars and stripes, and ally them-
selves to the American people as loyal and true-
hearted citizens of the land in which they are
granted, not only freedom, but opportunity for ex-
ercising their native keenness and of rising to the
positions in both civil and political life for which
they are so eminently lifted. Our subject, who is
a native of the Emerald Isle, and was early at-
tracted to the United States by the superior advan-
tages that it offered to industry and energy. He
was born in County Mayo. Ireland. March 2.").
1835.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native
county and emigrated to the United states. His
landing in New York was made May 1.3. ltC>7.
and there he remained until the following spring,
when he came to this county and was engaged at
farm labor by the month for a period of four or
five years. He then rented land in Rose Town-
ship, which he was engaged in cultivating- thor-
oughly for some six years, after which he purchased
a farm in Tower Hill Township, where he has since
been a resident. The place of which he is the

222

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

happy possessor, comprises two hundred and forty

acres of good land upon which our subject has
placed valuable and numerous improvements. He
has erected good buildings on his farm, and has a
very comfortable and attractive residence.

He of whom we write, was married in Shelby -
ville, this State, April 7. 1861 , to Miss Anna Feeny,
who is a countrywoman of his own. having been
born in County Mayo. Ireland. Their life to-
gether has been very happy, as each endeavors to
suit the other. Three children have grown up
around them. They are John, William and Mary
Ann. In his political preferences our subject affili-
ates with the Democratic party, and under this
party he has been awarded several township offices,
having held the important position of Highway
Commissioner and School Trustee. Religiously he
with his wife and family are adherents of the
Catholic Church, and are among the most devoted
and loyal members of that religious body. Our
subject has always been engaged in farming and
agricultural pursuits, and is well up in the progress
and science of his calling.

The father of our subject was Patrick Gillespie.
His mother was Ann Clark Gillespie. They were
both natives of the county in which our subject
was born and there they departed this life. They
were the parents of six children;, and of these An-
thony was the voiumest .

V *=s

\f? YMAN A. GOULD, who is one of the firm
I (©) of Gould Brothers, dealers in grain and also
HL -"^, Vice-President of the Commercial State
Hank of Windsor, Shelby County, is one of the
representative men of the place, having first class
business ability, and known as a practical, far-see-
ing manager whose judgment of commercial affairs
may be depended upon. His firm is recognized
throughout the county as one in whom implicit
confidence may be placed, and it may lie said of
him of whom we write, that he has cultivated "high
erected thoughts, seated in a heart of courtesy."
Lyman Gould is a son of David Gould, who was

born in Drummondsville, Canada West in 1802.
His mother was Sarah (Symonds) Gould, a native
of Windsor, Conn. David Gould was a farmer In-
occupation, lie had removed from his native place
to Niagara County. X. Y., with his parents when
about two years old. and there he spent his life, his
decease taking place in the county in which he had
lived for so many years, in 1880. The mother still
survives (1891) at the age of eighty-one. Nine
children entered the home circle, and of these our
subject was the fifth in order of birth. He was
born in Cambria, Niagara County, X. Y.. August
30, 1841. Reared on his father's farm, he remained
under the home roof until the spring of 1870.

He early enjoyed the advantages of a good com-
mon-school education in the State that prides her-
self on the thoroughness of her district school sys-
tem. He was thus fitted for practical commercial
life, his native shrewdness and wit helping him out
in emergencies. In the spring of 1870 he came to
Decatur, this State, and was in the employ of the
Wabash Railroad Company for about eight months.
In the fall of that year, however, he came to Wind-
sor, and was with his brother, of whom a sketch
may be found in another part of this volume, and
was engaged in buying grain for the firm of E. it
I. Jennings. lie was thus engaged for one yew,
and in the following spring, 1K72, in company
with his brother. George F. Gould, he built the ele-
vator at Windsor, and since that time, they have
been large dealers in the cereals. In 1883, they
dissolved partnership, George F. disposing of his
interest to another brother, F. I). Gould, and since
that time the firm has been known as Gould Broth-
ers. They enjoy the distinction of being the chief
grain buyers in Windsor, and indeed, there are not
many who deal so extensively in this article of
commerce south of Chicago.

He of whom we write is the possessor of a fine
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located in
Richland Township. This he rents. He has been
Vice-President of the Commercial State Bank since
the autumn of 1890. Mr. Gould's domestic life is
all that could be desired. His wife is a Cleveland.
Ohio. lady. They were there married October 15,
1H73. The lady's name in her maiden days was
Miss Clara A. Ford. They are the parents of four

MRS. M.SCHNEIDER.

MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL IIKtoRD.

22't

children, whose names are as follows: Horatio
Clark, Kate C. Mary A. and Lyman A.. Jr. Mr.
Gould has been a member of the City Council for
several years and also School Director, in which
position he has done efficient work. In his j >« >1 i t i-
cal preference he is a staunch Democrat. TheFree
Tariff plank in that platform is such as appeals
most directly to his business interests. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Gould are deeply interested in religious
work, our subject having been a member of the
church since 1866. First a Congregationalist,
since coming t<> tlii.- State he has been connected
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife
lias been a member of the Congregational (lunch
from girlhood.

^M!

[< HAEI, v < HNEIDER, the honored foun-
der of the city of Moweaqua, Shelb)
County, who i> now living in retirement
in this beautiful locality, is one of theearly
pioneers of Central Illinois, and his name is indis-
solubly linked with its rise and growth. Hi- pro-
gressive public spirit and generous benefactions,
bestowed with rare judgment and critical discern-
ment as to the future needs of the community and
the l>est way to promote it- highest interest, have
been instrumental in pushing forward various en-
terprises that have Ween of greatbenefit to thi- sec-
tion of the Mate.

On the banks of the beautiful river Rhine, in
Germany, our subject was horn in September, 1818.
His father, who bore the same name as himself, was
born in the same Rhenish province, and was there
reared on a farm. He married Mary Bauer, who
was a native of that part of Germany, and died
therein 1820. In 1824, the father of our subject
resolved to emigrate to America, where he hoped
to better his condition. He came to this country
accompanied by five of his seven ehildren.and first
settled at Bethlehem, Pa. In 1827 he removed to
Ohio, and for a time resided near C incinnati. He
subsequently identified himself with the pioneers
of Brown Countv. in the same State, and on the

farm that he lK>Ught there passed the remainder of
hi- life.

Michael Schneider, of whom these line- are writ-
ten, was a lad of eleven years when his father came
to tlii- country, and he and a sister were at that
time left in charge of an uncle, but two years later
the father -cut for them, and they set sail from
Hamburg in May. 1826, landing at New York eighty
days later. Our subject went to Ohio with his
father, and for a time lived with him near Cincin-
nati, which was then only a l;- 1-sizcd village.

He was a strong, self-reliant, manly hoy. and at
once commenced to earn hi- own living, finding
employment with Andrew Heredes, with whom he
remained some years, and in 1833 he came with
him to Illinois, making the journey hither over
those great highways of pioneer travel, the Ohio
and Mississippi River-. He located with his em-
ployer on Lick Creek, in Sangamon County, and
there Mr. Heredes erected one of the first -team
grist mills ever operated in the Slate.

In 1835 Mr. Schneider borrowed $50 of Esq.
Campbell, and entered forty acre- of Government
land in what is now Christian County, his purchase
adjoining the present site of Moweaqua. He bought
the claim of Mrs. Denton, and five acres of it were
cleared, and a log house stood on the place. There
were no railways here for many years after he set-
tled on his land in 1837, and he had to draw all
hi- main to St. Louis with ox-teams, where lie sold
it for thirty-seven and a half cent- a bushel, and
his hogs only brought him $1.25 to $1.50 a hun-
dred pounds. Deer were plentiful, and with prairie
chicken- and wild turkeys, formed a welcome addi-
tion to the fare of the pioneers.

Mr. Schneider worked early and late in the up-
building of hi- new home, being greatly assisted by
the active co-operation of his wif e, and he prospered
exceedingly in his effort- to secure a competency.
He invested his money judiciously, continually
entering and buying other land near hi- original
purchase until he had two thousand acres, all told,
of land of surpassing fertility. This included the
land upon which the thriving city of Moweaqua
now stands. Attracted by the unrivalled beauty
of the -pot. ami the natural advantages for the site
of ,-i town, our subject determined to plat the land.

228

PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

.-mil afterward carried out his plans, which have
given to this county one of its brightest ornaments,
one of "the prettiest villages of the State." toquote
from an enthusiastic admirer, and here center many
lovely homo and happy firesides in dwellings of
a modern and attractive style of architecture. Its
people are cultured, thrifty, prosperous and enter-
prising; its church privileges and educational ad-
vantages are exceptional: its varied industries and
business enterprises are ably conducted undersound
financial methods. One attraction of the city.
though it may be a negative one. is eminently
worthy of mention, and that is the fact that there
have been no saloons for the sale of liquor here for
years, which speaks well for the temperance and so-
briety of the citizens.

In 1882 Mr. Schneider removed from Mowea-
qua, and has since lived retired from active busi-
ness. He has always taken a deep interest in all
that concerns this city, which owes its origin to him.
and no man has done more to established it on a
solid basis of enduring prosperity than he. or has
been more influential in raising its moral and relig-
ious status. All schemes to add to its beauty have
met with his hearty approval, and his generous gift
of land for a public park in 1882 has greatly in-
creased the attractiveness of the place. He encour-
aged the building of the railway through here by
a liberal donation of land and lots, and to Mr.*
Eastman he gave land on condition that he would
built a mill within the corporation limits of the
city.

The blessings of a happy married life have been
vouchsafed to our subject, as by his marriage in
October, 1833, with Miss Margaret Kantz he secured
a true and loving wife, and they have lived
in peace and harmony for nearly fifty-seven
years. They have reared these seven children to
honorable and useful lives. — Michael. Christopher.
Margaret. William. Valentine, Adam and Caroline.
Mis. Schneider was bom in Baden, Germany, March
21. 1811. and is a daughter of Christopher and Car-
oline (Lichtenberger) Kantz. who were also natives
of Baden. Her father spent his entire life there.
while her mother came to America in the latter
part of her life and died in Iirown County. Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Schneider are people of earnest re-

ligious convictions, who lead exemplary Christian
lives. Their parents were members of the Lutheran
Church, and they were reared in that faith, but
early in their married life they united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and for more than
half a century have been consistent and devoted in
their membership with that church, and have borne
a prominent part in its upbuilding in this section
of the country. In their early life here when they
lived in a log cabin, their humble abode was always
open to preachers of all denominations, and meet-
ings were frequently held within its walls. They
contributed liberally of their means towards the
erection of the present house of worship of the
Methodists, and are generous in their support of
the Gospel. On another page of this volume the
lithographic portraits of Mr. and .Mrs. Schneider
are presented, and it is a pleasure to thus perpet-
uate the lineaments of this worthy couple.

ENRY KIC1IMAX. The enterprising little

village of Fancher counts among its inhab-
itants some first-class business men. and
y^y, among them we are gratified to note the
Postmaster and merchant whose name appears in
connection with this sketch, and who is one of
the really enterprising men of Shelby County. His
birth took place in Butler County. Ohio. October
24. 1843. His parents were Samuel and Susan
(Hill) Richmond. The father was born in New
Jersey; and went to Ohio when he was sixteen
years old. going on foot all the way from his na-
tive State to Butler County, Ohio. In that latter
named county his mother was born, although she
was of Southern parentage, her parents being na-
tives of Baltimore, Md.

The parents of our subject had eight children
gathered about their fireside and our subject was
next to the youngest of this number. After the
death of the mother the father again married and
had two children by his second union. It was in
1858 that Henry came to Illinois witli his father,
and located in Shelly County, where the latter
died some five years ago. Farming occupied the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

229

young man for aboul seven years after attaining
his majority, but later lie engaged in the meal busi-
ness, owning and operating a meat market al Wind-
sor for five or six years.

Aboul this time Mr. Rich man moved on to a
farm near Stewardson, in Prairie Township, and
remained thereabout five years and in 1**7 be
made his final removal to Fancher and entered the
mercantile business with William Hilsabeck. This
partnership continued for aboul one year when our
subject withdrew from the connection and opened
a store in an adjoining building. Mr. Hilsabeck
operated his store for about a year after which bis
stock was sold out and he removed from the place.

leaving Mr. Richman in possession of tin ly

store in that line of goods in the place.

This enterprising merchant carried a full line of
general merchandise, consisting of dry-goods, groce-
ries, provisions, clothing, hoots and shoes, hats and
caps, hardware, tinware, patent medicines, notions
and millinery. He has a handsome storeroom and
it is well stocked with a well selected line of goods
and he is doing a very satisfactory business. When
he began his capital did not exceed $400 and his
stock is now worth at least $5,000.

The first marriage of Mr. Richman was his union
with Miss Ella Fitzgerald, whodied two years after
marriage. She had one child which died in infancy.
His second wife was. before her marriage to him, a
widow. Mrs. Lizzie White, whose maiden name was
Hilsabeck. She was born in this county, and lias
one daughter by her marriage with Mr. Richman.
Gertie, now eleven years old. Mr. Richman is the
Postmaster at Fancher and has held this position
through most of the present administration.

The military record of our subject is of interest
to every One who loves his country, as he was a
soldier dining the Civil War, belonging to Com-
pany II. Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry. This regi-
ment was assigned to the Department of the South-
west under Gen. Banks. He participated in all the
labors required of the Fifty-fourth, although his
company escaped at the time the rest of the regi-
ment were taken prisoners at Ashley Station. Ark.

The Republican party is the political organi-
zation with which Mr. Richman affiliates and he
takes a lively interest in political affairs, being

public spirited and enterprising. lie is a thorough
business man. having theconfidence ami esteem of
all with whom he is associated either in business or
in social life. His efficient and interesting com-
panion is an earnest worker in the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.

£+£i

R. PATTERSON, of the firm of Meeker &

Patterson, attorneys-at-law and real estate
and insurance agents of Sullivan, was born
in Moultrie County, December is. 1849.
The family has been prominently connected with
this county lor many years. The grandfather of
our subject. Levi Patterson, was born in Shelby
( dunty. Tenn.. of American parentage and was one
of a large family which was well represented in
theWarof 1812. One of the brothers was wounded
while lighting under Jackson at the battle of New
Orleans. Levi Patterson was a young man when
lie removed to Illinois, locating in Union County,
where he grew to manhood on a farm. He married
Mrs. .lane Pen rod. ner Beggs, a native of Tennes-
see, who had lost her first husband in this State.
After his marriage Levi Patterson settled on a
new farm in Union County which he cultivated
and improved and which is yet known as the old
Patterson homestead. In 1836 he came with his
family to Moultrie County, locating in Sullivan
Township where he entered Government land and
upon the farm which he there developed made his
home until his death on the 10th of June, 1849.
His first wife died soon after they came to this
county and he married a lady of Irish birth. Miss
Anna Patterson. After his death she became the
wife of a Mr. Simmons and was called to her final
rest in 1875 at the age of fifty years. Levi Patter-
son was a Methodist in early life but later joined
the Christian Church and was one of its original
founders in this county. Honest and upright, he
had the resped and confidence of all who knew
him and we'd deserves mention among the pioneers
of this locality.

Jonathan Patterson or "Donty" Patterson. as he
was commonly known, was the father of our sub-

230

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ject. When a youth of fourteen years he accom-
panied his parents to Moultrie County, and in
Sullivan Township spent his boyhood days. His
school privileges were limited and he bore ih«'
usual experiences of pioneer life. Having attained
to mature years he determined to make a home for
himself and on horseback returned to Union
County. 111., where he married Pearlina Carriker.
With his bride he returned, traveling a distance of
two hundred miles on horseback and in tine fron-
tier style they began their domestic life but by
energy, perseverance and good business ability he
became one of the wealthiest men in the county.

Public spirited and progressive, Mr. Patterson
was a valued citizen and did much the best inter-
ests of the community, lie built one of the finest
homes in the county, erected a large mill in Sulli-
van, sunk a coal shaft at that place and afterward
became a director in a proposed railroad which,
however, was never built. He alsoaided in sinking
an artesian well on the square and in those two
enterprises lost $20,000. Any industry calculated
to benefit the community received his support,
lie loved to aid in every good work of improve-
ment and did what he could toward the promotion
of every reform. The cause of temperance found
in him a warm friend and his labors to suppress
the saloons were untiring. lie canvassed Central
Illinois, making speeches in favor of prohibition
and cast his last vote for the Prohibition party.
He had previously voted with the Democracy.
Some years be f 'ore his death he became an invalid
but as far as possible hecontinued his works for the
best interests of the community. For some years
he was Deacon in the Christian Church and died
in that faith September l.'i. 1878.

As before stated Mr. Patterson wedded Miss
Carriker. who was born in Union County, 111., Jan-
uary 12. 1824. and there resided until her marriage.
She still lives on a farm near Sullivan and is well
preserved for a lady of her years. She. too. is a
member of the Christian Church and has many
warm friends in this locality. D. R. Patterson was
educated in the public schools and for some years
engaged in farming. On the 1st of January, 1880,
he began reading Blackstone in .Indue Meeker's
office, where he is now a partner, and after a year

was elected Police Magistrate, which office he yet
fills. Ill the meantime he practiced law in a small
way until November, 1890, when he was admitted
lo the liar, since which time he lias devoted his en-
tire energies to the profession. The firm was es-
tablished in January, L891, and ranks high at the
county bar. Combined with the experience of the
older member is the energy and activity of the
younger one which insures their success.

Mr. Patterson wedded Miss Ruth Leatherinan.
who was born in Lawrence County, Ind.. in 1843.
and when seven years old was brought by her fa-
ther. Peter Leatherinan. to Douglas County. III.
Her mother had died in Indiana. After following
farming for a number of years her father removed
to Kansas in February, 1878. and a year later was
called to his finalrest. Mrs. Patterson became a suc-
cessful teacher,having passed three years as a teacher
in Sullivan Academy, and at one time numbered
among her pupils the gentleman to whom she has
since given her hand in marriage. Their children
are: Oscar L..who was graduated from the Sullivan

scl Is at the age of sixteen years; Harvey and

Ernest at home, and Nathan I)., now deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Patterson and their children are members
of the Christian Church and the family are promi-
nent in public and social affairs.

AMES S. WELCH. M.. 1).. deceased. Sulli-
van. Moultrie County, is proud to name
those in her foremost rank who have fallen
in the conflict of life, but who have fallen
honorably and whose past record makes them be-
loved and respected by those who knew them and
whose example is worthy of emulation by the ris-
ing generation. Among such names we present
Dr. James S. Welch who died at his home in Sulli-
van. September 1. 1884. He had lived in the
county for a good many years and was formerly a
resident of Shelby ville. where for some time he
was in the merchantile business. Sangamon County,
this State, had been his home previous to his com-
ing to Shelbvvillc.

Dr. Welch was horn in Sangamon County, III..

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

28 I

February 3, 1840, and as he had lost his father
when quite young he had been reared ti> manhood
by his mother who ha- since died in Sangamon
County, full of years and in the enjoyment of
the respecl and affection of all who knew her. Our
subject was a student at Ann Arbor, Mich., and
later was graduated from the St Louis Medical
College. He practiced his profession for a short
time only and then became a druggist, in which
line of business he was very successful.

Our subject was prominent in political and social
circles, was active in promoting the success of the
Democratic party and was identified with the order
of odd Fellows at Sullivan. This order took charge
of the funeral ceremonies after his death and he
was buried with the honors of the lodge. His in-
telliireuee and affability brought him many friends
and his business ability commanded the respect
of all.

Miss Anna Reeder became the wife of Dr. Welch
in Sullivan. She is a native of Warren County,
Ohio, and a daughter of George W. and Jane
(Thompson) Reeder, native- of Ohio who came of
Eastern parentage, being descended respectively
front families of Virginia and New Jersey. Mr.
and Mr-. Reeder were married in Warren County,
Ohio, and at once went to Wisconsin, becoming
early settlers near Monroe, Green County, in the
days when the Indian- were much more numerous
than white-. They traveled from Ohio by way of
water, taking the river at Cincinnati, LToinjr down
the < >hio and up the Mississippi to Galena, 111., and
thence with teams to Green County, Wis., where
they lived for nine years, transforming the raw
prairie into a productive farm which lie- two and
one-half miles from the present city of Monroe.
That city wa- at one time located upon their land
lmt during a county-seat war was removed an an-
other -ite. On Leaving Wisconsin they returned to
Warren County, Ohio, and in the spring oi 1865
they came to Illinois, settling in Coles County neat
Mattoon, where they lived for two years and then
came to Shelby ( ounty. Six years later they re-
moved to Normal. McLean ( ounty. and there Mr.
Reeder, died in 1 881, being then nearly seventy-
two year- of age.

Mr. Reeder was a strong Republican in politics

and a leader among men. and wa- a successful
farmer all his life. His wife, who survives him. is
now seventy-two years of age and make- her home
with her daughter, Mrs. Welch. She is the mother
of seventeen children, ten of whom are yet living.
Four of her sons, Joseph 11.. Allen B., Caleb T. and
.lame- ( '.. wen soldiers during the War of the Re-
bellion. The eldest of these fell at the battle of
Ft. Donelson by a shot from the enemy's guns.

lie wa- a member of the Eleventh Indiana Zouaves:

•

the second -on mentioned died from typhoidfever
upon a hospital hoat after the battle of Franklin,
in which he took part: he was a Sergeant in an Ohio
regiment. The last two named fought through
the war and escaped unhurt. .lames Ileitis now a
Kansas farmer, while Caleb F. is a general mer-
chant at Stewardson, Shelby County.

Prof. Rudolph Reeder, another son of this emi-
nent family, i- -nice— fully filling the Chair of
Training in the Normal School at Normal. 111.,
while another. Prof. George W. Reeder. has been
Principal of various schools in Kansas and Colo-
rado; their sister, Mr-. Welch, was carefully reared
and well educated, completing her course in the
Normal University at Normal. 111., and was for
twelve years a teacher, serving both in Mattoon and
Sullivan, having been only sixteen years old when
she began teaching, she i- a Methodist in her re-
ligious belief anil her mother belongs to the Bap-
tist Church, she i- an earnest temperance worker
and is active in promoting every movement which
will lead to the prohibition of the -ale of alcoholic
drink- in her town and country.

•■

OlIN LUFFERS. The name at the head of
this sketch i- that of a practical fanner and
stock-raiser residing on sections 17 ami 18,
of Pickaway Township, where he settled in
1851. since that time he has put a great number
of tine improvements upon the place so that it is
now a most comfortable and desirable home. He
came to Shelby County in 1 846 and since that time
he ha- lived here and in Flat Branch Township.
Our subject hegan life here a- a poor man and

232

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lias since made all that he now possesses, and is at
the present time looked up to as one of the most
successful men in the county. He is worth at

least $20,000 and pays annually fr $80 to $100

in taxes. His farm, which consists <>t' one hundred
and forty acres, is in very good condition. He is
noted throughout the county for his industry and
honesty.

Our subject is of German birth and parentage,
having first seen the light of day in the Kingdom
of Hanover, Germany, January IS. 1826. His par-
ents, who are Germans, were poor but worthy peo-
ple and they lived and died in their native king-
dom at quite an advanced aire. They were George
and Ellen Luffers and were small farmers; the father
adding a carpenter's trade to his stuck in store to
aid in the support of his family. They were mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is one
of four children, there being three sons and one
daughter, all of whom are now in this country.
A sister died at an early aye in .Madison County,
111. Mr. Luffers was the lirst of the family to come
to the United States, being only eighteen years of
aire when he left his native land, lie took passage
on a sailing vessel called the -Little Competitor,"
and after eight weeks and three days spent on the
ocean lie landed in New Orleans, coming thence to
St. Louis. This little trip occupied ten days. It
can now he accomplished in a little over one day.
The delay was caused by the ice blockade on the
river, for our subject came northward by boat.
He then came to Edwardsville. Madison County,
this State, where hespent his first year. Here he was
married in the township of Pickaway, in October,
1859, to Miss Louisa Smith. She was born in
Madison County in 1828, and was a daughter of
Thomas and Mary (Tolly 7 ) Smith, natives of Ken-
tucky, who came to Illinois in an early day and
settled in Madison County, where both parents
died while yet in middle life. Mrs. Luffers spent
the greater part of her life before her marriage in
hei native county. She has ever been a true help-
mate to her husband and is no small factor in his
successful career.

Our subject and his wife have had no children
of their own but they have been the loving foster
parents of several children. These art' Laura Car-

barn, who is now the wife of M. F. Cutler, a farmer
in this township; Kate ( toodwin and Thomas ( tood-
win. the latter of whom is deceased. Kate married
Ilerm Methias and they live on a farm in Flat
Branch Township.

Our subject came to his present location from
Madison County. 111., where he had arrived in
1845, spending about twelve months in that place
doing what he could in the way of earning money
for self support. His wages were but $7 or $8
per month at that time. Soon after marriage,
however, he obtained the nucleus of his present
farm, and since that time has been steadily ad-
vancing in his financial position. Politically
Mr. Luffers affiliates with the Democratic party.
He has held the position of Commissioner of High-
ways and satisfactorily discharged its duties. He
and his wife are charming people, having attained
the mellow aye at which life is no longer a" strife
but a waiting period for the better thing that is to
come after. They are both attendants upon the
Baptist Church and are liberal supporters of the
same.

Y ■ ' i ' H "■! '

AMES BARTON. Shelby County has an
excellent reputation throughout the State
for good farms and excellent stock, and
those who are carrying on the industries
connected with farming and stock-raising, have in
almost every case achieved a creditable and satis-
factory success. Among the independent farmers
in Dry Point Township, we find on section 15, the
home of .lames Barton, a native of the county,
born June 7. 1853. in Okaw Township.

David and Mary (Craig) Barton, the parents of
our subject, were natives of Bedford. Ya.. the fa-
ther being born in L818 and the mother in 1813.
The former passed away from life on the farm
where our subject now resides in 1886, and the
mother makes her home with her son James. Their
family consists of four stalwart sons and three beau-
tiful daughters. William, the eldest, married Mary
.1. Dihel and resides on an adjoining farm; Rhoda
has been twice married, as after the death of her

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

233

lirst husband, John T.Jones, she married < . R.
Barton, and resides in this township; Elizabeth
died in W65 al the age of nineteen years, and
Charles passed away al the same age in lstiT:
David married for his first wife Mary A. Reynolds,
who died in 1882, and his second marriage was
with Mary L. Flanders, and he now resides in this
township; the next child in order of age is our
subject, and the youngest i- Mary K. who married
Y. L. Dihel and died in this township in 1881.

Our subject received his education in the com-
mon schools of the country districts and in the
graded schools at Shelbyville. He early undertook
the profession of a teacher, which work he began
in ISTil and continued for twelve years. In 1890
he »ave up his place at the teacher's desk and de-
voted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits.

The happy union by marriage of .lame- Barton
and Mary V. Finks, occurred May 2,1878. This
lady i- a native of this township, of Southern
parentage and was here brought up to young
womanhood. She was born October 12, 1859, and
i- a daughter of C. L. and Alpha Finks, natives of
Virginia, who became residents of Shelby County,
this State, in the early days of the history of its
.settlement.

Mis. Barton is the second child in a family of six,
her brothers and sisters being James II. . who died
in this township in 1890; C. W. who married and
resided on a farm here: J. M., who married, but
died in 1890 of typhoid fever: Silas W. who is
married and living in the same township, and
Annie, wife of ILL. Austin who also resides in
Dry Point Township.

Mr. Barton was elected Supervisor of Dry Point
Township in 1888 and has twice succeeded himself
in that honorable position, being now on his fourth
year in that office, which he has tilled to the satis-
faction of his constituents. For two years he served
as Township Tax Collector and is now serving his
eleventh successive year in performing the duties
of School Trustee of the town-hip. His beautiful
"arm of one hundred and sixty acres is in a tine
state of cultivation and it- chief product i- hay.

Tin- household of our subject has been blessed
In the birth of two daughters and time -on-: Liz-
zie, born March 9, 1879, John D.. March ■>■>. 1882;

Thaddeu- \V.. February 15, 1884; Allie Ella, Feb-
ruary it!. 1886, and Chester Roswe 11, February 5,

1888. These affectionate and judicious parents

have the great happiness of -till keeping all their
little ones about them and seeing them preserved
in life and health. They are both earnest and con-
scientious members of the Separate Baptist Church.
The subject of this life sketch has been a life-
long Republican and is pleased to boast that he has
never cast any other ballot than that which is en-
dorsed by the Republican party. He is well-known
as one of the most public-spirited and enterprising
citizens of the township and takes an active part
not only in political affairs, hut also in all move-
ments which arc intended to promote the social
and financial prosperity of the community. His
brother William fought in the Union army during
the Civil War. Mr. Barton has been a member of
the Masonic order hut at present is not affiliated.
Both he and his estimable wife arc very active ill
church and Sunday-school work, taking great in-
terest in the advancement of the cause of relig-
ion through that worthy ally of the church, the
Sunday-school. One peculiar feature of the liar-
ton family is that every male member of the
famih for two generations has married a woman
whose first name was Mary, and even those who
have twice married have observed this rule.

T. BAIL. Among the most active and use-
ful citizens of Sullivan are a class of men
who now are able to employ their energies
more directly in the line of public improvements
than they could in the days when they were more
heavily burdened with work. These are the retired
farmers who having gained wealth and insured
their last days in comfort and competence, haye
withdrawn from active work and given themselves
and their faithful companions the luxury of rest
and ease in their declining days.

Mr. Hail, whose name appears at the head of this
-ketch left hi- farm in East Nelson Township in
1890. To thai tract of land he had come in 1852

23 I

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and there he grew to manhood, married and began
farming. lit- now owns three hundred and sixty
acres of as fine land as is to be found in Moultrie

County and it is all under cultivation. lie placed
upon it a tine set of farm buildings and has made
it his Inline from that day until he retired from
service.

Our subject was horn in Pike County, Ohio, No-
vember 19, 1842, his father being .Joseph Rail, a
native of Virginia, and son of a Welshman who
died in the Old Dominion. Joseph was still quite
a young man when he came to Ohio and was mar-
ried in Pike County to .Miss Elizabeth Divens, a
native of Pennsylvania of Dutch Stock. She had
come when a child with her parents to Ohio and
there grew to womanhood. In 1«.")2 the Rail fam-
ily came to Illinois traveling by team and wagon
and camping out on the road. They were some
four weeks on the way. and reaching Easl Nelson
Township took up a farm there. It was on this
farm they made their home and there Joseph Rail
died in November, 1864, having reached the age
of seventy-one .years. lie was a Republican in his
political views and .Methodist Kpiscopal in his
church connections. His bereaved widow who is
now eighty-eight years old. is yet as efficient as
many ladies at sixty and makes her home with her
son. our subject. She is a great reader, very intel-
ligent and active and an earnest and conscientious
Christian, being still counted as one of the pillars
in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

E. T. Rail is one of his mother's thirteen chil-
dren who lived to be grown, and eight are yet living.
All througb his early and mature years he devoted
himself untiringly and persistently to his labors as
a fanner, lie was married to Miss Elizabeth Wiley,
who was horn near Leroy. McLean County. 111..
July 12. 1JS4S. She is a daughter of Thomas and
Margaret (Brean) Wiley who were horn of Pro-
le-taut stock in the North of Ireland. They were
married in their native island and came soon after-
ward to the United States, settling in Vermilion
County, 111., before coming to McLean County and
afterward, in 1849, to Moultrie County. There
they took and improved a new farm and there
lived and died. Mr. Wiley passed away at the age
of seventy years and his wife was taken from him

when she was only forty years old. They were
Protestants in their religion as are all of thai sturdy
class who come from the North of Ireland.

The children who have come to Mr. and Mrs.
Rail are Albert S.. who died when a little child:
Anthony 1... who is soon to he admitted to the bar
and who was educated in the law school at Valpar-
aiso, Ind. and at DePauw University, Greencastle.
Ind. He is a hard student and is fitting himself
liberally for success in his profession. The next is
Florence, who is the wife of .1. D. Goddard, a
farmer in Past Nelson Township, and Lulu L.. who
is at home. Both Mr. Bail and his son are earnest
and ardent Republicans in their political views and
it is their aim to stand by the party which stood
by the administration during the Civil War.

ILLIAM M. KITTRICK. The name at the
head of this sketch is that of one who was

\ A /

y V a compatriot with the poet Moore, and
even yet his heart rebounds at the words of the
old soul;'.

"The harp that once thro' Tara's hall

The soul of music shed
Now hangs as mute on Tara's wall

As if that soul were tied —
So sleeps the pride of former days.

So glory's thrill is o'er.
And hearts, that once heat high for praise.

Now feel that pulse no more."

However successful a native of that unhappy land
may Ik- in his adopted country he cannot hut he
saddened at the thought that Ireland is no more
what it was in the days of the Kings.

Our subject is in the meridian of life and the
hot of hi> successes are before him. He is of Irish
parentage as well as birth, his father having been
William McKittrick, who was a native of the Em-
erald Isle, and his mother. Margaret (Quarrel) Mc-
Kittrick, also of Ireland. They emigrated to the
United States in 1858, and the father died after
locating in Moultrie County, this State. The
mother passed away in this county. They were
Hie parents of thirteen children of whom our sub-
ject was one of the youngest: he was born in Ire-

PORTRAIT AND lilt )( . RA1M IK AL RECORD.

235

land September 29, 1 849, and was about nine years
of age when, with hi- parents, he came to America.
They at once located in Madison County, this State,
where our subject lived for seven years and then
they removed to Shelby County where he has ever
since been a resident. Hi' has always been engaged
in farming, and has followed this pursuit with a
reasonable degree of success.

Thi' marriage of the original of our sketch t<><ik
place in thi.- county, March 22. 1*77. The lady
tn win mi he was united was in her maiden days
Laura A. Patton, a daugher of James 11. ami Lydia
(Friezner) Patton, the former a native of Virginia
and the latter of Ohio. The father's death occurred
in this county and he left to his bereaved wife ten
children, of whom Mrs. McKittrick was the third:
she was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 15,
1853. Our subject and wife are the parents of -ix
living children, whose names are as follows: Lydia
A., William C, James F., Milo E., Margaret E. and
and Mark N. The deceased children were taken
away in infancy.

A short period of our subject's early married life
was spent in Cold Spring Township, after which
they settled on section 26, of Tower Hill Township,
where they owned two hundred acres of good,
arable land. Mr. McKittrick is in his political
tastes and favors a follower of the Republican
party. He has been a School Director for some
time. Neither our subject nor his wife are united
by membership to any church, being liberal in their
religious belief, still they do their part toward
the support of the Gospel and exert and wield a
good influence in the community.

^t!^>

Rs. MARTHA A. ( WOOD) GOODWIN, a
native of Shelby County, this state, born
A near the town of Woodburn, Macoupin
County, comes of the old pioneer stock of
Illinois, and is a daughter of David B. Wood, a
prominent and well-known citizen of her native
county, she is the widow of Thomas Goodwin,
a former prosperous farmer of Penn Township, and
she still occupies the old farm mi sections 31 and

:>2. where -he helped her husband make a comfort-
able home in which the most i if their married life
wa- pa— ed.

Mrs. Goodwin's father was bora in Kentucky.
of which State hi- father, .lames Wood, was also a

native and a pioneer. Tin- grandfather of our
subject came from Kentucky to Illinois and was
one of the Hist settlers near the present site of
Bunker Hill. Macoupin County. At that time the
surrounding country contained lmt few white in-
habitants, and deei'. wild turkeys and other game
were still plentiful. There were no railways and
for several years Alton and St. Louis were the
nearest markets for the pioneers. Grandfather
Wood improved a good farm upon which he resided
until his demise.

Mrs. Goodwin's father was young when his
parents left his early Kentucky home to seek an-
other in the untried wilderness of Illinois. He
wa- reared to agricultural pursuits, and the old
farm south of Woodburn that his father developed
from a state of nature is now in his possession and
he -till makes it his home. He ha.- arisen to an
important place among the farmers and stock-raisers
of Macoupin County and is known for the integ-
rity of his character, his sound wisdom and his
worth as a citizen. The maiden name of his first
wife, mother of Mrs. Goodwin, was Barbara Davis.
she died when her daughter was very young. His
second wife wa- Mary Clanton, a native of South
Carolina.

Mr-. Goodwin wa- carefully trained in her girl-
hood in all useful household duties, and among
other things learned to card and spin. and after her
marriage she spun the wool to make her husband
a suit of clothes. She continued an inmate of her
father's household until she wa- wedded in 1865
to Thonia- Goodwin, a most worthy young man
of English birth and ancestry. Their union was
one of mutual helpfulness and happiness, and
among its blessings were the eight children born
to them — lennie. Samuel. Maria. Hat tie. .John. Rose.
George and Daisy. .lennie died when young, and
Maria, who was married to William Wyatt and re-
sided in Johnson ( ity.Tenn., died August is. 1891.
The children occupy the old home with their mother.
Mrs. Goodwin is a member of the Methodist Epis-

236

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

copal Church and in all things is a consistent
Christian.

Thomas Goodwin was born af Vale Mills. Stoke-
upon-Trent, England, May 1. 1835. His parents
were Thomas and Jane< Goodwin, and they were also
natives of England. They came to America in
1844 and located in Madison County, this Stale.
where the father spent the remainder of his life.
The mother passed her lasl years in Macoupin
County whither she removed after the death of
her husband.

Mrs. Goodwin's husband was a boy of nine years
when his parents brought him to America. He
was reared and educated in Madison County and
in early manhood adopted the calling of farmer as
his life-work. In 1SG7 he came to Penn Township
and bought a tract of wild prairie land on sections
.SI and 32. and threw his whole energies into the
pioneer ta>k of reclaiming it. He was exceedingly
industrious, working early and late to accomplish
his undertaking, and in due time hi> labors were
rewarded and the change that he wrought made
him one of the best farms in the neighborhood.
lie plaeed his land under line cultivation, erected
neat and orderly buildings, and planted fruit.
shade and ornamental trees to make his home more
attractive. Here he laid down his life ere yet it
had passed its meridian, closing his eyes in the
dreamless sleep of death February 21. 1884, leav-
ing behind him the record of years well-spent and
a tender memory of a kind husband, a good father
and a just and true neighbor and friend.

% AVID (.. SAXNER. V. S., prominent and well-
), known as a wealthy farmer and stoek-raiser.
residing in Penn Township, Shelby County,
lias large landed interests in this, Macon and Moul-
trie Counties, and has contributed extensively to
the development of the great agricultural resources
of this section of his native State as one of the most
enlightened and advanced men of his class within its
borders. He is much interested in raising fine road
horses, the Hambletonian strain being his favorite.

and he also bears a high reputation as one of the

most intelligent and skillful veterinary Slug* - of

the county.

May 16, 1*42. is the date of the birth of our sub-
ject, in one of the pioneer homes of Madison County
of which his father. Samuel Sanner. who was an
early settler. The latter was a native of North-
umberland County, Pa., and in early manhood mar-
ried Barbara Paul, a native of Preston County. W.
Ya. In 1833 he came to Illinois with his family
and loeated in the wilds of Madison County, nine
miles north of Edwardsville. During the many
years that he lived there he applied himself busily to
pioneer work, and in due time was well rewarded
by becoming the possessor of a goodly amount of
property. Fnl866 he took up his abode in Penn
Townshipand there his remaining days were passed
in tranquillity and comfort until he elosed his eyes
in the dreamless sleep of death. He left behind him
a good life-record and a memory that is cherished
with reverence in the hearts of those who knew him.

<>ur subject was the eighth child in a large fam-
ily of children, twelve in number, and in his child-
hood he had ample opportunity to acquire habits of
industry and steady application that have been of
use to him in his after life, as his father wisely de-
termined that his boys should lie able to do all kinds
of work on the farm, while at the same time he de-
sired they should have an education. Our subject
was well equipped in that respect, as in his youth
excellent schools had already been established in
Madison County, and he attended them whenever
opportunity offered, and gained a sound knowledge
of mathematics and other common branches. When
the war broke out he was scarcely more than a boy.
but he was eager to fightin defense of the old Bag.
Owing to circumstances over which he had no con-
trol, however, he was obliged to abandon the
thought of enlisting until 1864, when he left the
parental home September 3. to enroll as a mem-
ber of Company A..( hie Hundred and Forty-fourth
Illinois Infantry, commanded by t apt. George W
Carr the regiment being mustered in at Alton. He
was disappointed that his regiment was detained at
Alton to do garrison duty instead of being sent to
the front, some of the men being sent to Missouri so
that he saw no active service in the held. He was

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

2:i;

soon detailed for service in the regimental band and
remained at Alton during tin' winter of 1864-65.
The war closed the following spring, and he was
honorably discharged July l l. 1865, and mustered
out :it Springfield.

Returning to his father's farm after his exper-
ience a- a soldier Mr. Sanner brought his family
from his native county to this county in the spring
of 1866. Ho continued to be an inmate of the par-
ental household on section 21. Penn Township,
until lie established a home of his own, securing as
.-in efficient helpmate to preside over it. Miss Mary
E. Freeland, then a resident of Milan Township,
Macon County, to whoinhe was married in April.
1870. Her father, David J. Frecland, was a native Of
North Carolina whence became to Moultrie County;
this Mate, when he was a boy of fifteen years. He
was engaged in farm work in that ami Coles
County some years, ami then took up his residence
in Milan Township, of which he is now one of the
extensive land-holders. He married for his second
wife Martha .Sawyer, a native of Coles County,
and Mrs. Sanner is their eldest child.

When he married Ml'. Sanner commenced his in-
dependent career as a farmer on a half section of
land in Milan 'Township, and resided on that place
for six years. At the expiration of that time he
came back to Penn 'Township to take charge of his
father's farm on section "21. In 1 S77 he took pos-
se-sion of his present homestead, a beautiful farm
of three hundred and twenty acres, finely located
no section 23, Penn Township. Ho still retains his
Macon County farm of half a section, renting that
and part of his farm in Penn 'Township, and he has
a thousand acres of land in all. including fifteen
acres of timber in .Moultrie County and town prop-
erty in Bethany. He is extensively engaged in
general farming, having his farm well stocked, and
he pays particular attention to breeding tine
roadsters of Hambletonian blood. He has a thorough
knowledge of the horse, having made a carefu|
study of the animal for years, and is an acknow-
ledged authority on all questions pertaining to it
as hut few men observe the good points of a
horse quicker, or detect its weak parts sooner than
he. IK' i- also a successful veterinary surgeon of
twenty-five years standing.

A man of an active temperament, and indomi-
table will and a large nature, our subject has won

his way to a high place among our valued ami use.
fill citizens. Ill— ha- been a busy life, hut not l.\
the force of sheer hard work has he acquired his
property, his labors having been directed by a clear.
well-balanced intellect, by practical business methods
and by excellent powers of discrimination and
judgment. In all his dealings, he has borne him-
self with unswerving adherence to the principles of
truth and probity, and his reputation is unblem-
ished. 'The Sanner family are noted for their devo-
tion to the Republican party, and our subject is no
exception, he being one of the strongest advocates
of the Republican policy in this part of the State,
ami has been since in early manhood he cast his first
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
Socially, he is identified with William Penn Camp.
M. W. A., and he is also a member of Prairie Lodge
K. of II. He i- a stock-holder in the Prairie
Home Building and Loan Association, and all en-
terprises to promote the growth of the county find
in him cordial support.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanner have been truly happ\ in
their married life, and their home has been glad-
dened by the birth of children, of whom they have
had ten. namely. — Charles Wesley. Carrie Belle,
Franklin Ellis (who died in infancy). Samuel Wal-
ter. Cyrus David, Orville Arthur. Lawrence Lester,
Robert Lincoln. Etta May and Martha Barbara.

ALCOLM I). LANK. One of the patriotic
sons of our country, who in her time of
peril gladly sprang to her defense and
-pent almost the entire period of the Civil
War in the army, we are proud to name as the
brave soldier whose name heads this paragraph.
He is now devoting himself to the peaceful pur-
suits of farming up ... cct ion 19, Ridge Township,
Shelby County, li. was born in Fairfield County.
Ohio, October 26, 1.832, and his parents were William
and Maria (Griswold) Lane. Hi.- father was born in
Ohio, and hi- paternal grandfather in Westmore-

238

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

land. Pa., while his mothev was a native of Con-
necticut, whose ancestors came originally to Mary-
land, and built one of the first houses which was

erected on the site which is now covered by the
city of Baltimore.

Four sons and two daughters, grew up together
beneath the parental roof, and Malcolm was the eld-
est of the number; .Marcus died in this State in 1880;
Naomi. Mrs. William Propeck, lives in Denison
City, Tex.; Rachel, the wife of Jesse Columber, lives
in this county; Henry and .lames M. now reside in
.Marshall County. Kan.; and John died at the age
of seventeen years.

Our subject was married December !). 1855, to
Miss Melinda Updegraff, of Miami County. Kan., a
lady who was horn in Clarke County. Ohio. Jan-
uary J. 1838, and went to Kansas with her parents,
Andrew and Margaret (Lowman) LTpdegraph, who
were natives of Ohio, in 1855, where she made the
acquaintance of Mr. Lane. The young couple re-
sided in that State for live years after marriage,
and after the war made their home in Shelby
County, this State.

Malcolm I). Lane enlisted in Company I, Seven-
teenth Ohio Infantry, in August. 1861, and was
made a Corporal, lie served with Gen. Thomas in
Kentucky, and participated in an engagement at
Wild Cat, Ky., Mill Spring. Stone River, Chicka-
mauga. Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and the At-
lanta campaign, finally marching with Gen. Sher-
man to the sea. ilis regiment then joined in the
famous march back through the Carolinas to Wash-
ington, I). C, and were present at the Grand Re-
view in l.sii."). The gallant services of this young
man were the cause of his being promoted, first to
First Sergeant, then to Sergeant-Major, and finally
to the rank of First Lieutenant of his company.
He was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky.,
July Hi. 1865, and returned to Shelby County, 111.,
where he taught school during the winters for some
fifteen years.

Nine children have blessed the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Lane, namely: Samuel G.. Emma A.. Milton
A. and J. Monroe ( twins). . Minnie R., George A..
Katie M., Ella M. and Walter M. The father of
these children is wide-awake to all political move-
ments and earnestly affiliates with the Republican

party. He was three times elected Assessor of his

township, and has held the office of Justice of the
Peace, also that of member of the School Board as
well as other minor offices. The family are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which their re-
ligious activities find abundant opportunity for
exercise.

^MM^

ENRY CROWL. lie whose name is at the
lead of this sketch resides on section 6,
Okaw Township, having settled in Shelby
); County in 1861. lie was born in Knox
County, Ohio. March 31, 1833, and is a son of John
and Nancy (Steinmetz) Crowl, natives of Virginia,
near the old Maryland line; it is uncertain whether
the mother may not have been born in Maryland.
The families of both father and mother removed to
Ohio and settled in Knox County, where they were
pioneers. John Crowl, the father of our subject,
was a soldier in the War of 1812. After marriage
he located in Knox County. Ohio. His first wife,
the mother of our subject, died in 1.H44. She was
the mother of eleven children, nine of whom lived
to be grown. They were. Mary. John. Catherine.
Lydia, Henry. George, Hannah. Cordelia and
Amanda.

The original of this sketch was the only member
of his family to come to Illinois. He was reared a
farmer, his father having followed that pursuit all
his life, as had his grandfather before him. Our
subject received his education in the district
schools of his native place, acquiring a know ledge
of the branches that are indispensable to a practical
business man. He was married Octobei 2.'t. 1859,
to Miss Sarah Ann Marshall. The lady is a daugh-
ter of Robert and Nancy Marshall, and was born
in Ohio, where her parents were pioneers.

Mr. Crowl came to Illinois in 1860, his first stop
being in Livingston County, and in 18(11 he came
to Shelby County and settled where he now resides
they having at that time a small tract of unim-
proved prairie land heri 1 . They now own one
hundred ami seventy-six acres of well-improved
land that under the capable management of our

PORTRAIT AND I'.K it iUAPIIIC AL RECORD.

•i.",: i

subject i> made to yield Bnecrops. He has erected

upon the place a g 1 residence and barns, liis

place having many of tin 1 latest improvement in
agricultural implements.

Mr. and Mrs. Crowl have been the parents of
seven children. Five of these are now living, viz:
Henrietta who is the wife of Samuel Turner; John
M.. Arthur W., Emery A. and I.oreu L. lie of
whom we write is an adherent of the Democratic
party, believing that the principles of this party
are those most suited to a Government where free-
dom and personal liberty are supposed to he sov-
ereign, lie has held some otliees in the gift of tile
township, having filled the positions of Road Com-
missioner and School Director to the entire satis-
faction of his constituents. Mr. Crowl is a modest,
unassuming man. hut one who is universally liked
by his fellow-townsmen and neighbors because of
his amiability and friendliness.

1 LFRED F. ALLEN. County Clerk of
Shelby County, is one of our most able

/ ! and popular civic officials, lie is a native
(v of Indiana, horn in Sugar Creek Town-

ship. Parke County. March 'i, 1H47. His father,
.lames Allen, ami his grandfather, Thomas Allen.
were Virginians by birth. The father of the latter
who was also named Thomas, served seven years as
.1 spy in the interests of the Colonists during the
Revolution. He was a man of a hold, resolute
character, fearless and undaunted in time of peril.
and his services were invaluable in securing in-
formation of the movements of the enemy for his
superior officers, lie removed from Virginia to
Kentucky about 1812, and was a pioneer of that
State. In 1*22 he went to Indiana to spend his
last years, and made his home with his sou in
Fountain County until death closed his mortal ca-
reer. His remains were depositee! in Wolf Creek
Cemetery in Park County.

The grandfather of our subject spent his early
life in his native Virginia, and was there married
to Elizabeth Summers, who was also of Virginian

birth. In August, 181 2, accompanied by his fam-
ily, he went to Kentucky, and for some years re-
sided in the wilds of that Slate. In 1822 he made
another move and became a resident of Indiana,
being among the first to settle on the line between
Parke and Fountain Counties, performing t he jour-
ney thither with teams and pack horses. He entered
a tract of land in Parke and Fountain Counties,
and built a house on the Fountain County side of
the line, in which he lived until his death in Octo-
ber, H-544 removed from that locality one of its
most useful pioneers. 1 1 i — wifesurvived him until
lKT'.l. when she too passed away on the home farm
in Indiana.

The father of our subject was a lad of twelve
years when the family sought a new home in the
forest wilds of Indiana, where he grew to man-
hood on his father's farm. After marriage he
settled on a tract of timber land he purchased in
Sugar Creek Township, he and his bride beginning
housekeeping in a log house, which was the birth-
place of our subject. They resided there until
1857, when Mr. Allen sold that place, and coming
to Shelby County, bought a farm in Pig Spring
Township. He lived thereon some years, and then
sold it, and removing to Strasburg, is passing his
declining years in retirement, well-earned by a
long and honorable life of industry, with his chil-
dren, lie was deprived of the companionship of
his beloved wife by her deafh in 1879 at Strasburg,
She was a native of Kentucky and bore the maiden
name of Elizabeth Nickolls. Her father. John
Xiekolls, a native of North Carolina, was an early
pioneer of Kentucky, where he spent the remain-
der of bis life. He was a teacher by profession.
The maiden name of his wife was Elsie Wilson.
The parents of our subject reared six children, of
whom the following are the names: Thomas,
Alexander. .lames p.. William, Alfred F. and
Robert II.

Alfred F. Allen inherited in a good degree those
line traits of character of the sturdy Revolution-
ary and pioneer stock from which he is descended,
some of oui' best citizens coming from such an
ancestry. When he was ten years old his parents
brought him from the home of his birth to Shelby
County, and from that time until his marriage he

240

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was of much assistance to his father in the im-
provement of his farm. He was m thoughtful,
studious lad, and in the district schools, which he
attended quite steadily during Ids youth, he laid
the basis of a sound education whereby he was
well-equipped for the profession of a teacher, and
he entered upon its duties at the age of twenty-
two years. He taught the greater part of the time
the ensuing fourteen years, and then abandoned
that calling to accept a position as clerk in a store
at Strasburg. lie remained a resident of that vil-
lage until 1886, and during that time was ap-
pointed Postmaster at that place, he being the first
in the county to receive an appointment at the
hands of President Cleveland. lie gave every
satisfaction as an incumbent of that office, as lie
managed its affairs after a most business-like man-
ner, and was always courteous in his intercourse
with the people of the village, by whom he was
well-known, and who appreciated his genial social
qualities and the worth of his character.

In 1886 Mr. Allen removed to Shelbyville to
assume the duties of County Clerk, to which posi-
tion he had been recently elected. lie has ever
since retained the office, and it is conceded on all
sides, without regard to party, that no man better
qualified in every way could have been selected.

as he brings a g 1 understanding of the duties

required of him. and a clear, well-trained intellect
to bear upon his work, and his hooks will hear the
inspection of the most critical. He is an ardent
Democrat, and has been since he cast his first Pres-
idential vote for Horace Greeley, always keeping
himself well-informed in politics. While a resi-
dent of Strasburg he was an important figure in
its public and social life, and held several local
offices. He served as . Justice of the Peace and
Notary Public of that village, was at one time
Town Clerk, and also acted as Assessor and as
School Treasurer. He is a member of Jackson
Lodge, No. 53, A. F. A- A. M.; of Jackson Chapter,
Xo. ;">."). R. A. M.; of Black Hawk Lodge, No. 183,
K. P.. and of the .Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Allen was first married April 17. 1K73. to
Mis> Mary E. Davis, a native of Moultrie County,
and a daughter of Charles Davis. She died in
1H7H after a few brief years of wedded happiness,

leaving three children. Ida I. and Maggie and one
since deceased. Mr. Allen was married in 1880 to

his present estimable wife, formerly Mis- Allie J.
Storm, a native of Ash (.rove Township, this
county, and a daughter of John (. Storm. By
this marriage two children have been born. Flora
and one deceased.

jjU^ <>N. ANTHONY THORNTON, of Shelby-
J ville, Shelby County. ex-Judge of the Su-
preme Court of Illinois, has distinguished
himself on the bench ami before the tri-
bunals of this State in the course of a long prac-
tice, extending over Bfty-five years, and is to-day
one of our foremost lawyers, whose learning, per-
sonality and character have added lustre to the
bar of this county, and have been potent in rais-
ing it to its present high position in the judiciary
of this Commonwealth.

Judge Thornton is of Southern birth and an-
cestry, coming of Colonial and Revolutionary
stock. He was born on a Kentucky plantation, six
miles from Paris. Bourbon County, November 9,
1814. Hi- lather, who bore the -aim name as
himself, was born in Caroline County, \'a.. and
was a son of Col. Anthony Thornton, who was
also a native of the Old Dominion, his father being
a planter and a life-long resident of that State.
Col. Thornton took an active part in the Revolu-
t ion as Colonel of a body of Virginia state Militia,
and his commission, which was given him by Pat-
rick Henry, is now in the possession of our subject.
Animated by a spirit of adventure, and a desire to
avail himself of the superior advantages possessed
by the virgin soil of Kentucky, in 1803 the grand-
father of our subject pushed forward to the
frontier, taking with him his family and his slaves,
the latter about a hundred in number, and journey-
ing to the new home across the mountains with
teams. His daughter kept a journal, giving the
details of each day's journey, and the original
manuscript is now in the Judge's possession. For a
time after their arrival in the wilds of Kentucky
the family lived in Nicholas County, and then the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

•ill

Colonel bought a large tract of lain! in Bourbon
and Harrison Counties, and in the dwelling that
he erected in the latter county his remaining years
were passed until hi? death.

The father of our subject was reared and mar-
ried in Virginia, and subsequently accompanied
hi- parents and other members of the family in
their exodus to the forest wilds of Kentucky. He
purchased a tract of partly improvedland on Cane
Ridge, mx miles from Paris, and gave his attention
to agriculture, carrying on his farming operations
with slave labor. Hi? life was brought to an un-
timely end when scarcely past it- prime, hi? death
occurring on his plantation in the year 1819. Hi?
wife survived him only ?ix months, and then she
too closed her eyes in that dreamless sleep that
knows no waking. She was also a native of Vir-
ginia, ami her maiden name was Mary Towles.

Thus sadly bereft of a mother's and father's
rare when he was but five yearsof age, our subject
went to live with his paternal grandparents, who
reared him tenderly, and he was given every ad-
vantage to obtain a liberal education. He first
attended the common schools, which were taught
on the subscription plan, and at the age of sixteen
wa- sent to Gallatin, Tenn.. to pursue his studies at
the High School of that town. From there he went
tii Danville., and fur a time was a student at Centre
College. IK- next entered Oxford College, Oxford.
Ohio, anil so far wa- he advanced he wa? eurolled
a- a member of the junior class of that institution,
and wa- graduated with a high standing for
scholarship in the September Class of '34.

After leaving college our subject entered upon
hi- preparation fur the legal profession under the
instruction of hi? uncle John R. Thornton, of
Pari?. Ky., and in 1836 he was examined before
the court of appeals by Judge .lame- Robertson
and Judge Mar-hall, and was admitted to the bar.
In the fall of the same year he -farted Westward
with the intention of settling in Missouri, and
while on hi- way came to this county to visit Gen.
Thornton, traveling by the most expeditious route
at that time, which was by the Ohio. Mississippi
and Illinois River- to Meredosia, thence by stage
through Springfield to Shelbyville. He found here
but a small village of about two hundred people,

living for the most part in log houses, while the
surrounding country wa.- but little settled, and the
land was nearly all owned by the Government.
With characteristic acumen the Judge -non per-
ceived that here wa- a tine field for legal talent,
and he decided to tarry here, and enter upon his
profe— ional career amid it- pioneer scenes. Ac-
cordingly he opened an office in the village, and as
lie became known and his ability was recognized,
clients began to pour in upon him, and his busi-
ness steadily grew with the growth of the county.
justifying his anticipations of a good practice
when he selected this location for a future home.

Iii 1848 Judge Thornton entered the political
arena as a member of the Mate Constitutional
Convention that met that year to revise the Con-
stitution of Illinois, and his legal equipment made
hi? services valuable in the work of revision per-
formed by the members of that convention. In
1850 he was elected to the State Legislature on the
Whig ticket, and again he played an important
part as a member of that most important of all
committees during that session, the one that had
charge of railroad legislation, as then the princi-
pal railroads of the Slate were organized and their
route- defined. In 1864 the Judge wa? elected to
i ongress, served throughout two sessions, display-
ing in his career as a national legislator broad
statesmanship, and so thoroughly satisfying his
constituents that they paid him the compliment of
re-nominating him to succeed himself. Then was
presented the spectacle, rather rare in these days
of the multifarious seekers after high places, of a
man resolutely declining a proffered office, to-
gether with it? honor? and emolument?. Our sub-
ject's refusal to make the race again wa? actuated
by his desire to retire from political life, and to
resume once more hi- beloved profession. In 1870
he was elected to the Supreme Bench, a position
for which he was eminently fitted by experience.
by his wide and extensive knowledge of law. and
by the possession of masterly judicial qualities.
He administered justice vigorously, equitably, and
with a clear discernment of the merit? of each case
that came under his jurisdiction.

Notwithstanding the honor of being at the head
of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Judge Thornton

242

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

preferred his old place before the bar as an attor-
ney, and in 1873 hi? resignation of the judgeship
was tendered, an act unparalleled in the annals of
the judiciary of this Mate, and was received with
regret, his retirement from the high office he so
adorned, and where he so ably conserved the ends
■ if justice, being considered a loss t«i the bench.
Since that time he has attended strictly to his law
business, and devotes himself, heart and soul to
the interests of his extensive clientage.

The Judge is a man of strong nature, of a fine
physique and distinguished presence, is popular
with all classes, and has a firm hold upon the
hearts of the people among whom the most active
years of his life have been passed, and who delight
to do him honor. He is seen at the best advantage
amid the pleasant surroundings of his attractive
home as a genial and courteous host, a devoted
husband and indulgent father. He has been twice
married. In I860 he was wedded to Mis- Mildred
Thornton, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of
William F. and Ann Thornton. Their married
life was brief, as the young wife died in 1856,
leaving two children. William T. and Anthony,
the latter of whom is dead. In 1866 our subject
was united in marriage to Miss Kate II. Smith, a
native of this county, and a daughter of Addison
and Mary Smith. Two children have been born of
this union. Catherine P. and Lewis.

OLMADT 1'. ROBERTS, a citizen well-

e known in Shelby County (where he has
lived for many years) as an honorable and
upright man having the confidence and esteem of
all who knew him. is always named as one of the
most enterprising and energetic business men of
Lakewood. that pleasant village situated near what
was once tin- shores of Lake Miantowana. lie was
born in Wayne County, Pa.. October 16,1844,
his parents, John S. and Mary A. (Friggins) Rol>-
erts, being native- of ( ornwall, England. The
father was born in 1807 and the mother the year
previous. Their marriage took place in England
in 1830.

After twelve years of married life in the old

country John and Mary Roberts migrated to
America and located in 1842 in Wayne County,
Pa., where they remained for -even years. They
removed to Lafayette County, Wis., in 1849, re-
maining there till 1856 when they came to Shelby
County, where they spent the remainder of their
day-. The death of the father, which occurred in
1878, resulted from a sunstroke and the mother
passed away in 1884.

Colmady P. Roberts received his education in
the public school- of Wisconsin and of Shelby
County, supplemented by attendance at the acad-
emy in Shelhyville. He enlisted in the army un-
der President Lincoln's last call for volunteer- in
1865 for one year's service and after serving -even
months received his discharge on account of the
declaration of peace. He enlisted as Corporal in
Company K. Fourteenth Illinois ( new organization )
and was discharged a- ( trderlv-sergeant of his
company, lie took part in the race aftei Johnston
with Sherman's army and marched up through the
Carolinas in Virginia, to Richmond and Washing-
ton and participated in the Grand Review. The
regiment nave real service during its short term.
It was near Ft. Kearney. Neb., when orders came
to be mustered out.

To Shelby County our subject returned after his
discharge and engaged in the peaceful pursuit- of
teaching and farming, following these pursuits for
a number of years. Having reached the mature
aire of twenty-five years this young man decided
to agree practically with the scriptural doctrine
that it is "not good for man to be alone." and
chose for himself a wife in the person of Mis:- El-
mira Carder, a native of this county, who was born
here in August, 1850. They were married Novem-
ber 11. 1869. Her parents, Joseph and France-
Carder, were early pioneers of Shelby County and
Mrs. Roberts was the youngest in their family of
five children, the others lieiiiir James, Henry. Fran-
ce-, and one sister who died in early life. Only
two of this number now survive. Their mother
died in 1851 and the father remarried and had six
children by the second union, four of whom are
living. The happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts
has been blessed by the birth of four children, three
of whom Still make their home under the parental

'*.s*ki -

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V

F
i

$?//w*aj£s &jz£a^i" u ^

C^y 6%^-^-isn,-

FORTH A IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL UK(<)RI).

217

roof. The oldest, Edwin A., was born June 30,
1871, and died July t. 1891; Annie B.. born in Jan-
uary 11. 1873, is next in age and Joseph S., born
June •"•. 1875, is now attending school at Danville,
hid., at an institution under the control of the
State. Gracie R.. the pet and delight of the family,
was born April 20, 1885.

In 1872 Mr. Roberts engaged in buying grain
and produce at Lakewood and has continued hand-
ling grain and stock in connection with merchan-
dising and farming up to the present date. He
and lii— wife own about six hundred acres of farm-
ing land in the vicinity of Lakewood and also
some property within the village. lit- carries a
general stock of dry goods, groceries, readj made
clothing, boots and shoes, provisions, etc. His
store is filled with a well-selected stock and he en-
joys an excellent share of the trade of the town.

This gentleman takes a great interest in religious
w< rk and especially in Sunday-school, being a
member of the Separate Baptist Church for which
lie often preaches, being ever ready to supply
vacancies and attend funeral services. Hi- excel-
lent wife is also an active worker in the same church.
IK- i- very useful in the community and is fre-
quently called upon to settle estates and act as
guardian for minor children, in both of which
capacities he has shown himself eminently worthy
of the confidence which was reposed in him. He
ha- held the office of Justice of the Peace and is at
the present time a Notary Public. His political
views are expressed in the declarations of the Re-
publican party, in the prosperity of which he takes
great interest

;^h^

SDWARD 11. SANNER. The student of
-« history finds abundant food for thought in •

^ tlie life record of this gentleman who ha:

materially added to the wealth and importance of
Shelby County a> one of the leading agricultural
centers of the meat Prairie State since he identified
himself with it- most stirring and enterprising
farmer- and stock-raisers a quarter of a century
ago. lie has extensive landed interests both in this

ami Macon County, and a beautiful home in l'enn
Town-liiii. where he ha- a model farm, lie devotes
this estate largely to stock-raising purposes, hav-
ing here one of the best held- of Hereford- in this
section, and several line Cleveland Bay horses
among other valuable -tuck. A view of this line
homestead appears on another page of this volume.

Our subject was born April i".>. 1839, in one of
the pioneer home- of Madi-on County. Hi> fa-
ther. Samuel Sanner, "a- an early settler of thai
Section of Illinois, who took an active part ill its
development during the thirty-three year- that he
resided there. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth,
born in Northumberland. He married Barbara
Paul, a native of that part of Virginia now in-
cluded in We-t Virginia, and in 1833 came with
her from Pennsylvania to this Mate In 1866 he
removed with hi- family to this county, and here
his life was closed in his home in l'enn Township
in April. 1880, death coming to him after a long
and busy career. He left a record worthy of emu-
lation and an untarnished name that i- revered bi
his descendants and by all who knew him.

Edward Sanner grew to manhood under good
home influences, and principle- of industry and of
doing well whatever he undertook were early in-
stilled into his mind and undoubtedly have con-
tributed much to hi.- prosperity since he began his
independent career as a fanner. A- soon as he was
old enough he attended the district School and
continued a student there until he became of age,
and as he made the best of his opportunities he
obtained a sound, practical education. His father
intended to -end him to college at Lebanon, but

his services were needed at home, and the idea of

a course at college had to he abandoned, lie was
living quietly in his father's home in Madison
County when the great Civil War between the
North and South broke out. and tired with patriot-
ism, he desired to serve his country. But here
again his wishes had to give way to his sense of
duty, as some of hi- brothel's had entered the army,
and he was more than ever needed to help carry
on the farm, so he gave up the thought of enlist-
ing in a regiment of zouaves a- he had contem-
plated. But the work that he performed at home
m sowing the -eed and harvesting the crops was as

248

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

necessary to carrying on the war toa successful issue
as the hard fighting thai the soldiers did at the
front, for the wheat and com raised on the broad
prairies of the Middle and Western States to supply
the armies with needed food were important fac-
tors in suppressing the rebellion and preserving
the Union.

The removal of the Sanner family, father and
sons with their families, to this county in 1866,
was an important event in the life of our subject.
In the fall of that year he located on land bought
from the Illinois Central Railway Company, com-
prising the west half of section 20, Township 14.
(Penn Township), range 3. east. Penu Township
then funned a part of Pickaway, and the prairies
of the northern part had been passed by, with but
few exceptions, as unfit for settlement on account
of the swampy character of the soil. This proved
to be a mistaken idea, as since some of the finest
farms of the county have been improved here, our
subject's among others. With characteristic energy
he entered upon the hard task before him of re-
deeming his land from its wild condition by drain-
ing it and placing it under careful cultivation, and
to-day there is not a more desirable farm through-
out the length and breadth of Shelby County than
his, with its well-tilled fields yielding abundant
harvests, and its commodious, conveniently ar-
ranged frame buildings, including a large and
handsome residence of a modern style of architec-
ture, with pleasant .surroundings. He has added
to his original purchase, and now has one thou-
sand and ninety acres of well-improved prairie
land, two hundred and ninety acres of it lying in
.Macon County, and the remainder in this county.
(arising on an extensive business as a general
farmer. Mr. Sanner gives much attention to stock-
raising. Hereford-, of which lie has a valuable herd.
being his favorite breed of cattle, and in horses,
Cleveland Rays stand first with him. and he has
some fine specimens of that blood.

The ceremony which made .Miss Naomi Pierson,
of Bunker Hill, the wife of our subject was per-
formed November ];">. 1865, anil in her he has
found one of life's choicest blessings. Their
wedded life has been productive to them of nine
children, named Willie. Albert. Hattie. Clifford,

Ruth. Fanny. Samuel, Quintus and Naomi. Fanny
died at the age of twelve weeks. Mrs. Sanner is a
native of Jacksonville, Morgan County. 111., bora
in L840, and is a daughter of Dr. Daniel C. and
Naomi C. (Nixon) Pierson, natives of New Jersey.
Her father practiced medicine in his native State
several years prior to his removal to Illinois in
ls:S.L when he became a pioneer physician of
Jacksonville.

Nature lias dealt generously with our subject
and lias not only endowed him with a line physi-
que, but has given him a keen, discerning, well-
poised mind, and with these as capital, seconded
by decision of character and tenacity of purpose,
he could not fail to make life worth living and to
achieve whatever he desired to accomplish. He is
of an open-minded, fair, generous disposition, and
has gathered around himself many warm friends,
whom he is ever ready to oblige, and in times of
trouble or need they are sure of his sympathy
and assistance. Nurtured in the faith of the Re-
publican party, which was organized in his boy-
hood, and taught to believe that its tenets were
the only true ones for the conduct of the Govern-
ment, Mr. Sanner has always been a devoted fol-
lower of the party ever since he began to exercise
the right of suffrage by casting his first Presidential
vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

The attention of the reader is invited to the
lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Sanner. pre-
sented in this connection.

OlIN HENDRICKS. Among the prominent
families who have helped to make the local
history of Shelby County, we take pleasure
in naming again the oneof which oursubject
is a representative. John Hendricks resides on sec-
lion 22, Okaw Township, and isa son of Samuel and
Mary E. Hendricks. The grandfather of our sub-
ject, who bore the name of George Hendricks,
came to this State from North Carolina, and set-
tling in Okaw Township, made his home there with
his worthy wife and there they resided until they
were called from earth by the call which no man

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

•2411

disregards. His death occurred some years previ-
ous to that of his faithful companion. He was
born in Xorth Carolina, Jan uaiy 29, 1799 and died
July II. 1835, while his wife, who was :i native of
the same state, had her birth October 26, 1798 and
passed away April 24, 1*72. They reared to use
fulness three sons and two daughters, namely
Samuel, John 11.. Zimri, Amanda, and Losada.

Samuel and Mary F. Hendricks were the parents
of eight children, one of whom died in infancy
and seven grew to years of maturity, namely:
Rebecca A. (Mrs. Charles Turney) John, our sub-
jeet. David, deceased, Charles. Lawson, Alonsco
and Mary K. (Mr-. Lewis Hawk).

Our subject was reared i>n the farm and received
his education in the common schools of Shelby
County, lie is the eldest son and second child of
his parents, being born January 22. 1 s.">< ». His
early choice of an occupation for life was made in
favor of farming pursuits, and he was married
August 24. 1871, to Anna L. Patterson, a daughter
of James and Frances Patterson and a native of
Shelby County, 111., where she was born October
26, 1851.

About three years after marriage Mr. and Mis.
Hendricks settled upon the farm of eighty acres
where they now reside. Their eight children bear
the names of Minnie F.. William F.. John E., James
A.. Carrie F.. Rhoda F.. Myrtle P., and an infant
who is yet unnamed. The political views of Mr.
Hendricks are in accord with the declarations and
platform of the Republican party but his interest
in the welfare of the farming community has in-
fluenced him of late to vote with the Farmers' Mu-
tual Benefit Association. IK- is an active worker
in the Christian Church and a man whose useful-
ness therein is accorded by all who know him.

David F. Hendricks, deceased, a brother of our
subject, is worth} - of note in connection with this
sketch. He was horn July 24. 1853, and died May
15, 1881. Mr. Hendricks was a graduate of Chi-
cago Commercial College and was book-keeper for
a leading firm of contractors at Shelbyville. For
five years he was chorister of the Christian Sunday-
school and for one year chorister of the Royal
Purple Temperance Association and also led the
singing in church for some time. He was an hon-

ored and beloved member of the Christian Church
ami was also identified with the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows. Hi- death was greatly felt in
the community where he had made his home from
ehildhoi id.

JOSEPH F. EDEN, proprietor of the Fden
House, of Sullivan. Moultrie County, is
numbered among the honored pioneers of
the county. Only seven of those living in
Sullivan at the time of hi- arrival are still residents
of that place. Probably no man in the community
is more widely or favorably known than our sub-
ject, who was horn in Batl^ County . Ivy .. Septem-
ber 10. 1820. His father. John P. Fden, was born
in Baltimore, Md., in IT'.Hi. and the grandfather,
Jeremiah Eden, was a native of England. When
a young man he crossed the Atlantic probably lo-
cating in Maryland, where he wedded a lady of
German descent. After living for a time in that
stale, they removed to Hath County. Ky., where
they spent the remainder of their lives. Both
were members of the Methodist Church. The
father of our subject was a young lad when his
parents removed to Kentucky where he sjrew to

manh 1 and married Catherine Cann. a native of

Bath County, where her parents were early settlers.
Their union was celebrated in 1K1K. and upon a
farm in that locality they resided until 1831. when
they removed to Rush County. Ind.. locating three
miles from Rushville. .Mr. Fden procured land
upon which he made some improvements and died
at his home iii Indiana ill 1835. lie was a sound
Democrat in polities and twiee voted for Andrew
Jackson. Hi- wife survived him some \ ears and
died at the home of our subject in 1870, at the
age of seventy year-. In religious belief she was
a Presbyterian. The family numbered six children,
of whom Joseph F.. John, whose sketch i- given
elsewhere. Mr-. Moon-, of Bruce, 111., and Mrs.
Sampson, of Sullivan are yet living.

Our subject was only fifteen years of age when
his father died and being one of the older children
ol the family much care and labor devolved upon

250

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

him. He proved the main support of his widowed
mother and the faithfulness with which he at-
tended to his duties merits the highest praise. His

school privileges were necessarily limited but he
would gather hickory bark to make a torch light
and during the long winter evenings would read
such books as he could get hold of until at length
he had acquired a good practical knowledge. The
only school which he attended was a log Cabin
furnished with puncheon Hoot- and slab scats, but
so well did he prepare himself that for ten years he
was a successful teacher in Hush County, Ind.

During that time .Mr. Eden met and married
Miss Matilda M. Bussell, who was born two miles
from Rushville, Ind.. in 1828, and is a daughter of
Col. William S. and Maria (Ward) Bussell, who
were native- of Kentucky. With their respective
families her parents went to Indiana during child-
hood. Mr. Bussell served as a Colonel in the
Black Hawk War and in Indiana occupied the
office of County Sheriff. His business was that of
a merchant and dealer in live-stock. In 1834, he
started for Georgia, with a large drove of horses
and while in that State died of spasmodic colic.
He was then less than forty years of age. He was
a man of commanding presence, fine-lookini> and
his appearance commanded respect. He also served
as Colonel in the State Militia. His wife survived
him many years and died at the advanced age of
eighty-four, in Jasper County, Ind. She was a sec
ond time married, becoming the wife of Dr. Knox,
who died at the home of our subject.

Mrs. Eden remained with her mother until her
marriage, which was celebrated May 14, IK4i>. By
their union have been horn four children: William,
who wedded Belle Alexander and resides in Eresno,
Cal.; Susie, wife of Or. t ). C. Link, a successful
physician of Lincoln, Neb., who was formerly Su-
perintendent of the Insane Hospital at Yankton,
S. Dak.: .1. F.. a leading liveryman of Sullivan, who
wedded Josie Smizer; and E. B., who married
Elizabeth Beverage. He resides in Sullivan and is
engaged in the insurance and real-estate business.

In the line of his trade, Joseph Eden has become
widely known. He began operations in the hotel
business in 1864, and was very successful in his
undertaking until 18H0. when he suffered quite a

loss by tire. However, on the site of the old hotel
he erected a new one. which was completed in
1883, and on the 3d of November of that year
was opened to the public. It is situated on the
southwest corner of the square and is a three-Story
brick with basement, containing forty sleeping
rooms, besides parlors, three sample rooms, commo-
dious kitchen, dining-room. etc. The house is well
arranged and is furnished with all modern con-
veniences for the comfort and entertainment of
guests. Mr. Eden exert.- himself to make his pa-
trons feel at home and the hotel well deserve- its
popularity. In connection he also had a large and
fine livery which was burned on the Kth of August,
IH7S>. just one year after it was completed. We
thus see that he had met with reverses but with
characteristic energy he set to work to retrieve his
losses. Altogether his career lias been most pros-
perous. Previous to his embarking in the hotel
business he established a general store immediately
after his arrival March 7. 1858. and for twenty
years engaged in merchandising. In the meantime
he purchased land and followed farming and stock-
raising for fifteen years. His property was near
the city and he still owns a portion of it.

Mr. Eden has lived to see almost the entire de-
velopment of the county and has done much for
its interests. At the time of his arrival there were
only about four hundred voters in the county and
the work of progress seemed scarcely begun, lie
held the office of Postmaster of Sullivan under
Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, being first ap-
pointed in 1853 and was superseded when the Re-
publican party came into power. He was also
Justice of the Peace for four years and soon after-
ward was elected County .Indue, filling the office
for a similar period. During that time the old
county court house was burned and the present
Structure erected. .Indue Eden was the prime
mover in securing the sale of the swamp lands,
with which funds the new court house was built
and sufficient left to purchase the present poor
farm of two hundred acres. In this purchase he
met with much opposition, as many wished to use
the money for school purposes, but he persevered
and the poor farm has proved a valuable acquisi-
tion, being now self-sustaining and a credit to the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL KKCoRD.

25 1

county. When the agricultural society of the
nuinty was organized in 1857, Mr. Eden became
connected with it and for more than twenty years
ha.- been it- President, holding that position at the
present time. On the organization of the Building
and Loan Association in 1887, he became its high-
est official and i- yet it< President In politics he
is one of thestanchest advocates of the Democracy
and is a leader of his party in this portion of the
State. He has been an honored delegate to the
State and county conventions and forseveral years
has been Chairman of the County Central Com-
mittee. For thirty-seven year- he has been an
Odd Fellow and for twenty-four years has lieen a
member of the Grand Lodge of the State. He i-
one of tin' charter members of the third lodge of
Royal Templars in the State. located at Sullivan.
We thus see how prominent Judge Fden ha* been
in public affair-. 1 1 i> genial, kindly manner ha-
won him many friends who esteem him highly for
hi- sterling worth. The active part which he has
taken in the upbuilding of the county entitles
him to mention among it.- founder- and l>est citi-
zen- and it is with pleasure that we present this
-ketch to the readers of the Rei oko.

oil jMCe. 52-

gg&HARLES H. McCOY. Centuries ago, the
work of an architect only began when the
' idea, the plan- and specifications for his
work were impressed upon his mind, and confided
to parchment. After that he himself, with a myriad
of workmen went into the forests, lie wed down the
tic- that his judgment told him were best adapted
for the work in hand, ami set about putting them
in such shape with his chisel and saw. as could
he used in his building. To-day. in architect-
ure, as in every thing else, there are a hundred.
yes, more, specialties, to which as many men bring
the concentrated power of their intelligence, abil-
ity and skill. Of these specialists, no one take- a
more important part than he who furnishes the
well-seasoned timbers that go to make up the skel-
eton of a frame work, the odorous, piney shell, and
the beautifully grained, marvelously shaded woods

for the interior finish. The trade of a lumber
dealer is one in which, if one have any artistic
instinct, there is large opportunity for the fullest
enjoyment of color, tone and form.

( )ur subject, who ha- just reached that age when
success begins to Ik- grateful was born in Mifflin
County, Pa., February 10, 1851. His father wri-
the late Samuel II. McCoy, a farmer by occupation
and a native of Bucks County, Pa. where he was
born December 1. 1818. Our subject's mother
whose maiden name was Rachael J. Anderson, was
born in Mifflin County. Pa. in July. 1832. After
their marriage, the\ settled in the bride's native
county, where together they pursued the course
of life for many years, and where the father died
June 8, 1890. They became the parents of five
children, our subject being the second in order of
birth. His birthplace was in Mifflin County. Pa.
and hi.- natal day was .Inly 11). 1851.

C harles II. McCoy was reared to manhood on his
fathers farm, and remained under the parental
roof until about 1873. After that time and until
1876. he was employed in different occupations in
his native State, and at that date, he came to Piatt
County. III., where for a period of two years he
was employed during the summer months at farm-
ing and during the winter season he was engaged
in teaching in Moultrie County. At this time he
formed a partnership with .1. C. McCord and
launched into the grain and lumber business in
Rement. This partner-hip continued until 1881.
at which time the firm dissolved and for about -even
months afterward our subject was employed as hook-
keeper for a coal company in New Mexico. His
experience in that territory was new and interest-
ins, but he was not so attracted that his inclina-
tion- did not urge him to return to the Prairie
state. Coming hither again he engaged in his
former occupation, or rather, in the lumber trade,
at Atwood. remaining there. however, hut for a short
time, selling out his business and in the spring of
1883 coming to Lovington, where he resumed the
business in which he was formerly engaged but
thereafter being sole proprietor, although for
the first two year-, that i- from 1883 to 1885, he
was in partnership with his brother. S. F. McC oy.
The original of this -ketch enjoy- the reputation

252

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of being a straightforward business man honor-
able in all his dealings, and ii speaks well for his
credit that he enjoys to the fullest extent, the con-
(idence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. His
marriage took place in Bement this State, December
•25. 1879. Mrs. McCoy's maiden name was Susan L.
Tabor. Her parents were Edwin and Nancy A.
(Boyle) Tabor. She is a native of Kentucky, being
born in the metropolis of that State February 25,
1852. Their union has been blessed by the advent
of three children whose names are respectively Ed-
win T. Fred II. and Florence L. They are amiable
and lovable young people endowed with bright
minds and quick perceptive faculties. < >ur subject
attiliates with the Republican party, and although

he is greatly interested, as all g 1 men must be,

in local government, he is not in any sense a seeker
after office. He has. however, been elected to some
local posts, and has rilled the important position of
School Director with great appreciation of the re-
sponsibilities of that otliee.

'' ON. SAMUEL W. WRIGHT, Jr., repre-
sents the Thirty-third Senatorial District
in the General Assembly. From a local
\§j£)) standpoint he is an enterprising citizen and
a liberalsupporter of all worthy enterprises. Per-
sonally he of whom we write is modest and retiring.
but a thorough business man and a gentleman. He
lives on a farm, which he oversees, hut as the
greater part of his time is given to outside busi-
ness the term of "gentleman farmer" might with
propriety be applied to Mr. Wright, lie is the
owner, however, of a good farm in Sullivan Town-
ship, which, owing to his splendid management-, is
a model of neatness, order and attractiveness. Like
the majority of farmers who do business on a large
scale in the State, he deals extensively in live-
stock and is a general trader.

The original of our sketch is the only son of
.lames M. and Mildred (Dazey) Wright, and was
born in this county June 30, 1850. The family
removed, however, to Shelby County in the fall of
1850, and there the lad passed his boyhood days.

He was seventeen years old when the family came
to Sullivan, and the young man finished his edu-
cation at Bastian College, then a noted institution
of learning, but now defunct. Like the present
leader of the Republican parly, the Hon. .lames <.'..
Blaine, he began his career as a teacher, and doubt-
less, in forming debating societies for his students.
he early learned parliamentary rules and regula-
tions that were of value to him later in his career
in public life.

In 187(1 Samuel Wright was married, his bride
being Miss Angie Powell, who was born in Moul-
trie County. March 4, 1850. Their nuptials were
celebrated in Sullivan, where for a time the young
couple made their residence. Mrs. Wright is a
daughter of .John and Sarah (Harbough) Powell.
In 1879 they settled in Moultrie County, where
they at present reside. Here our subject is en-
gaged while at home, in stock-raising, being able
to boast of some of the finest breeds in the animals
that he owns. Politically, the Originator of our
sketch is an important factor in the local forces of
the Democratic party. An intelligent, educated
man. and a good speaker, he has done much for
his parly in the State. He has for three terms held
the local office of Township Supervisor, and has
also been Chairman of the Board, and has been
instrumental in effecting many changes that have
benefited the county.

In the fall of 1890 lie of whom we write was
elected to the State Senate, and was one of the one
hundred and one who supported the Hon. John
M. Palmer so ably for the United States Senate.
His standing in the Legislature speaks for itself in
the fact that he was a member of some of the
most important committees, serving on ten in
all. among which were those on appropriations,
hanks and banking, corporations, etc. He received
the highly complimentary vote of three thousand
four hundred majority over his Republican oppo-
nents and several hundred over all other candi-
dates, which speaks in most glowing terms of his
popularity in the county.

Mr. "Wright's domestic and home life is exceed-
ingly happy. His wife is a charming woman, who,
while her chief interests are centered in her home
and family, presides with ureal dignity and ele-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

253

ganoe over the domestic realm. >ln- is a delight-
ful hostess, making rich or poor, great or small.
feel at home and easy in her gracious presence.

She is the mother of eight children, whose names
are a- follows: Carrie K.. Addie ( ).. Walter P..
.lames A.. Minnie May. Edward E.. Homer W
and Samuel Palme]-.

Our subject is Past Grand Master of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and also a member
of the Knights of Pythias. In their religious re-
lation- both Mr. and Mrs. Wright are connected in
membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Our subject is a man whose biographical
sketch it is a pleasure to consider. Cultivated,
educated and manly, with no inclination to boast
of natural advantages or acquirements, he is one
who naturally takes his place at the head of affairs
and is recognized universally as one of nature's
noblemen.

r~^ EORGE W. GRISSO. The hospitable and
genial owner of the finely-improved farm
located on section 12. of Tower Hill Town-
ship, is a man whose ancestry and birth tell in his
general status, for lie is intelligent, well informed,
a lover of books and of beautiful things, altogether
a manly man and a gentleman. His father was
Christian Grisso, a native of Virginia, and his
mother Elizabeth (Detrick) Grisso. Roth parents
were of German ancestry. Our subject's father
still survives, but hi- mother passed away about
1858. They were the parent- of a family of eight
children, and of these our subject was the fourth
in order of birth, having been born in Clark
County. Ohio. August 30, 1838.

The original of thi- sketch attained to manhood
in his native county and state, and December 13.
1864, when he felt that he could take upon him the
responsibilities and duties of wedded life, he was
married to Miss Catherine Melliuger, a daughter
of Malchor and Matilda (Bowman) Mellinger, who
wire residents of Dayton, Ohio, at the time of
their death, where they had lived for mam years.

They were tin- parent- of ten children, of whom
Mr-. Grisso was the second in order of birth, she
was born in Richland County, Ohio. February 5,
L840.

After the marriage of our subject, he. with his
young wife, settled in Clark County. Ohio, and
there lived live years, from which place they came
to this county and settled in Tower Hill Township,
where they have ever since been residents. Their
domestic life has been very happy. Kindly and
forbearing, each is appreciative of the intentions
and acts of the other. Little ones have come about
them, and those who survive have grown to be
good and intelligent women, who have taken re-
sponsible and honorable positions in society. They
are a credit to their parents, and speak well for the
years of tender guardianship and care which have
been bestowed upon them. The names of the live
children are as follow.-: Carrie M.. who died in in-
fancy: Clarence A., who was also taken away while
a babe; Emma .1.: Cora M.. who is the wife of
Charles Malone: and Ivella I.

Mr. Grisso ha.- been appointed to service in
several local offices, having been Highway Com-
missioner and School Director: and the compli-
ment that ha.- been paid his judgment and ability
has been returned by faithful and efficient serv-
ice, lie ha- ever taken an active part in local po-
litical affairs, striving to have the local govern-
ment in the hands of such men as will conscien-
tiously discharge their duties irrespective of party
power. He fraternizes with the Prohibition ele-
ment, thus -bowing hi- progressive tendencies. Hi-
wife isa member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and he himself has ever been a generous contribu-
tor to the support of the Gospel.

He of whom we write ha.- found his vocation to
be that of a producer and cultivator of the rich
cereal treasures of the earth, and in this, although
a comparatively young man. he has already been
favored with a reasonable degree of success. Ib-
is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of
good land, upon which he has expended much
money and labor inline improvements. His resi-
dence i- a cozy and comfortable home, which finds
a place for the best influence wrought bv books
and music and cheerful, animated conversation on

25 I

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

current topics of the day. lie devotes the greater
part of his attention to the cultivation of small
fruit, in which he has been particularly successful.
and his farm in the warm days of June, July and
August, when the bushes are laden with their fra-
grant and juicy burdens, is an enticing and de-
lightful place to visit. Socially he belongs to the
Older of United Workmen.

During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Grisso en-
listed in the army, becoming a volunteer in Au-
gust. 1862. in Company A., Ninety-fourth Ohio
Regiment. He served about eleven months, at

State. His character was such as to give him the
warm regard as well as esteem of his neighbors.
He was an honored member of the Christian ( hurch
from October .">. 1841. and was a constant and true
friend of the Union through all the trying scenes
of the Civil War.

The political convictions of this pioneer made
him an ardent Republican yet he could not he
called a politician in the usual sense of the word,
as his intelligence and extensive reading had made
him a man of breadth and he was cordially willing
that every man should hold to his own opinions.

the expiration of which time he was discharged never cherishing any hostility toward those who

differed from him. His honorable attention to
the affairs which concerned himself and his willing-
ness to allow his neighbors the same privilege added
greatly to his popularity. His funeral, which was
one of the largest ever known in the county, at-
tested to the high respect in which this honest and
hard-working man was held.

Mr. Samuel Hendricks had in his wife a worthy
and efficient helpmate, one who made it her aim in
life to do good to all with whom she came in con-
tact, and to make her home the happiest place on
earth. She was horn in Nicholas County, Ivy..
September (1, 1826, and came with her parents to

on account of physical disability, lb' was taken
prisoner near Frankfort. Ky.. and experienced
something of the prison life, although he was par-
oled soon after his capture.

XDNZO HENDRICKS. Shelby County
abounds in a line class of farmers who have
^ given to this section of the Prairie State
an excellent reputation and have been of
help in building its commercial and agricultural

interests. To such the county owes a debt which Shelby County when quite young. Her father

is not easily paid and they will leave to their pos-
terity a heritage which will be their best possession.
Our subject, who is such a citizen and who resides
on section 29, Okaw Township, where his farm is
there tributary to the city of Shelbyville, is the son
of Samuel and Mary E. (Sconce) Hendricks, natives
of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively.

Samuel Hendricks came to Illinois when a young
man and was married in Shelby County, and gave
his entire attention to farming, until a few years

died at the age of seventy-five and her mother
survived until the venerable age of seventy-eight
Their daughter was an earnest member of the
Christian Church and a steadfast worker therein,
her death, which occurred in 1881, was felt as a
great blow not only to her home friends but also
in the community.

The subject of this sketch was born February 24,
1859, and received in the common schools of Illi-
nois the education which fitted him for life's work.

previous to his death, when, feeling that he had Upon his father's farm he was thoroughly drilled
done his share in the work of subduing the soil in the practice and theory of farming and under-
and adding to the world's riches through its culti-
vation, he retired from active life and made his
home in Shelbyville, where he died in May. 1888,
at the age of sixty-two years. His good wife
passed from earth in 1881. lb' was born March
25. 182(5. and early became a pioneer of Illinois.

took that work as his business for life. He was
married in 188(1 to l.uella Hardy, daughter of
Thomas and Eliza Hardy. Like himself she is a
native of Shelby County, and is now the mother
of one bright and promising child, to whom they
have Sfiven the name of Fail. Mr. Hendricks has

coming with his parents to Shelby County in 1831, resided where he now lives since his marriage anil
and thus spent the greater part of his life in this now has in his possession one hundred acres of fine

S£»

tes

PORTRAIT AM) B L K .\i.\ 1*1 1 K A I. RECORD.

257

soil upon which lie has placed substantial and per-
manent improvements. His political views have
led hi in in affiliate with the Republican party and
in its prosperity lie feels a keen interest.

f olIN 1'. liHAlill A.M. Living the life of a
retired farmer in the pretty village of Lov-
inglon, Moultrie County, where lie has a neat
and attractive hoine,o>ir subject lias reached
that period of life at which he may be pardoned if
lie exults in his good birth and parentage. In truth
lie was well born and a native of the State that boasts
-II many men who have attained great fame as states-
men and orators. Almost contemporary with Jef-
ferson, Lee, Harrison and many others of the men
who have enriched the historical pages of their
Matt- by valiant word and deed. John P. Brabham,
early grew up with a keen appreciation of oratory
and statesmanship, for did lie not in his earliest
infancy breathe in the very atmosphere that created
orators?

Our subject's father was John Brabham, who
was born in Loudoun County. \ a. His mother
was Mary Elizabeth Power,olso of Virginia. After
their marriage they settled in Loudoun County
and remained there for a long time. In 1835 they
determined to strike out in a new direction and
removed to Morgan County, Ohio, where they
lived for some two orthree years. They next re-
moved tn Washington County, Ohio, where the
decease of both occurred. It is not remarkable that
they did not accumulate much wealth for they had
fourteen little mouths to feed. However, as time
passed the little ones grew to manhood and wo-
manhood, becoming independent and a source of
material help and comfort to the parents. It is
a somewhat remarkable fact, that of this large
family all reached maturity and had families of
their own. The first break in the home circle was
caused by the death of the youngest child, a daugh-
ter, who left two children.

Our Subject was the fourth child in order of
birth, first opening his eyes in Loudoun County,
Va,, his natal day being on the 1 4th of April, 1818.

With his father and family he went to Ohio when
seventeen year- of age and continued under the
home roof until his marriage, which event took
place December 2-'i. 1840, in Washington County.
Ohio, his bride being Miss Doshe E. Webster, a
daughter of John and Mary ( Lurries) Webster,
the former of whom died in Hardin County.
Ohio. After the death of her husband, who was
accidentally killed by the discharge of a rifle, Mrs.
Webster returned to Washington County and there
remained until her death. She had eight children
of whom Mrs. Brabham was the third. Her birth
took place in Morgan County. Ohio. July '1 1. 1824.

After the marriage of the original of our sketch
and his wife the young couple settled in Washing-
ton County, Ohio, and there continued to live un-
til 1867, when he sold out his farm and came to
this State and county, settling in I. owe Township
on section 17. On that place they continued to
live until May. 1889, when he rented his farm and
removed to Lovington, of which he has since been
a resident. When a young man our subject learned
the cooper's trade which hi 1 carried on in connec-
tion with farming while he lived in Ohio, but since
coming to the Prairie State he has devoted his
whole attention to agricultural affairs.

Mr. Brabham is the owner of two hundred and
forty acres, all of which is well improved. The
soil, which is of the best quality, has for yearsbeen
well tilled and the buildings upon the place are
substantia] and good. Mr. and Mrs. Brabham are
the parents of live children: Diantha C. was Mist
married to John Rigg, in Ohio, in 1864, and of
that union three children were horn — Vesta. Nor-
ton M. and Arthur E. For a number of years she
made her home with her parents until in June.
1XX4. when she again married, becoming the wife
of James Jones, and two children have come to
bless this union. Walter and Wilda (twin.-), the
latter dying at the age of two years. Her two sons
by her first marriage still reside with their grand-
parents and brighten the homes and lives of the
worthy couple. Of the remaining children of Mr.
and Mrs. Brabham the following is recorded: Walter
II. died when sixteen years of age, just OS the golden
gate of manhood was opening before him and the
prospects within its portal seemed so fair; Francis

258

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

M. married Miss Rebecca Deeter; Leonidas died
when a lad of eleven years; David G. married Miss
Hattie Dougherty.

In political affairs Mr. Brabham has taken a fairly
active interest and is a Republican by preference.
He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for n
long time and lias also been School Trustee and
School Director. Both he and his wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and have
been so connected since 1N42. Nearlya half-cent-
ury of church experience and social relationship is
theirs, and they have followed the chanties which
have taken place in the customs of their church
with interest and attention. Our subject has tilled
various offices in the church, and has been local
preacher for years, also Superintendent of the Sun-
day-school. Deacon and Class-Leader. His wife
has been a constant and faithful companion in all
his good words and works, and is a woman of
beautiful Christian character, whose amiability of
disposition, gentleness and kindly spirit, have ever
been an example of good to those around her.
Mr. Brabham was a lay delegate to the Methodist
Episcopal Conference held in Bloomington in Sep-
tember, 1891, and always strives in whatever posi-
tion placed to advance the cause of religion so
dear to his heart.

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Brabham accom-
panies this sketch.

JOHN MOLL. The young gentleman whose
history it is our pleasure to here chronicle.
is a successful farmer and stock-raiser opera-
ting a place on section 20, of Pickaway
Township. The tract comprises two hundred and
forty acres of good land, which is so well managed
as to be the admiration of all who have the oppor-
tunity of seeing it. Although a young man to
have the care of so large a place he has controlled
it for the past two years, having been engaged as
a farmer in Flat Branch Township for the five
years previous to his coming here.

Our subject was born on the farm which he now

occupies, his natal day being February 27. 1862,
and he is the fourth child in the parental family.
Ilis parents were Daniel and Caroline (Wolf) Moll.
natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively,
both of German ancestry. They were married in
Ohio and at once came to Illinois, settling in Ridge
Township about 1854. Later they came to Picka-
way Township and purchased a small farm, a part
of which is now covered by the old homestead.
This was the nucleus of the handsome property
that Mr. Moll subsequently acquired. The farm
comprised nine hundred and forty acres, most of
which is now highly improved. The dwelling is a
large two-story brick house, of imposing style and
well located, commanding a magnificent view of the
surrounding country.

Six farm dwellings which make good homes for
the tenants and workmen about the place have
been built on the land. The place has been brought
to its present high tone chiefly by the efforts of
Mr. Moll Sr., who is now retired from a life of ac-
tive engagement in agriculture to a beautiful home
in Moweaqua, where lie and his wife live in quiet
retirement at the ages of three score years. They
are active and well-known factors in Moweaqua
where they hold a prominent social position. Their
church relations are connected with those of the
United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Moll is a
member. They have live living children.

The original of our sketch was reared on the
farm which he now occupies. He received the ad-
vantages of a good public school education and
is well fitted for practical business life. He was
married in this township May 4. 1884, to Miss Ida
Bell Tolly, who. like himself, is a native of this
township, where she was born September 8, L867.
Here she was reared and educated. She is the
daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Goodwin)
Tolly, who are now living at Moweaqua and are re-
tired farmers. They are old settlers in the county
and have been successful in a financial way. Mrs.
Moll was well and carefully reared. She is a bright
woman, having an unusual conversational talent,
an attractive personality and charming manners.
She is the proud mother of two children, in whose
care and education she is deeply absorbed.

Mr. and Mrs. Moll are members of the old-school

PORTRAIT AND BIO RAPHICAL RECORD.

259

Baptist Church of Flat Branch Township. Our
subject is a Republican in his politics as is his fa-
ther. IK is a member of the order of the Farmers'
.Mutual Benefit Association.

1 < (NATHAN PATTERSON, familiarly known
throughout this part of the state as "Dock"
Patterson, belongs to a family of Scotch
origin, the grandfather of our subject hav-
ing been a native of the Highlands of (Scotland,
where he received thorough training and education
and when a young man came with Gen. Lafayette
to the United states, where he served as a soldier
through the latter part of the Revolutionary War.
lie afterward settled in Tennessee and there mar-
ried his first wife, who died while in the prime of
life in Marshall County. After her death Mr. Pal
terson removed to Muhlenberg County, Ky., and
there met and married his second wife and came
to Illinois in 1828. His son, David, father of our
subject, came to Illinois the -nine year, traveling
overland with an ox-team and a horse, the horse
being hitched in front of theoxen. They brought
their household goods with them and after stopping
lor a short time in Edgar County, continued their
travels in the same way to Moultrie County, which
they reached in March. 1833. After visiting in
Shelby County they finally settled near Sullivan,
this county, and here David Patterson, the father
of our subject, began life as a pioneer in the wilds
of the new country. He helped to lay out the
present city of Sullivan and spent his last years
here, dying in October, 1867. His wife survived
him for two years and passed away at an advanced
age. By her marriage to David Patterson she had
four sons and three daughters, four of whom are
still living.

David Patterson, the father of our subject, was
born in Tennessee in 1806 and he was yet a young
man when hi- came to Illinois, and here he married
Polly tlarbaugh, whose parents. Jacob and Nancy
(Hill) Harbaugh, were of Pennsylvania Dutch stock
and came from West Pittsburg, Pa., traveling down

the Ohio River on a Hatboat, making the first set-
tlement in Muhlenberg County. Ky. After the
marriage of their daughter, Polly, with David Pat-
terson, the family Came to Illinois and settled in
what is now Moultrie Country in the year 1833,
ami here Mr. and Mrs. Harbaugh spent their last
yeai"S and died of old age. They were well-known
and highly respected among the pioneers of this

part of the State.

After David Patterson and his wife settled in
this county they took a farm and improved it and
spent the remainder of their days here. Mr. Patter-
son died while on a visit in Marshall County, Tenn.,
in October, 1866, but his remains were brought
home and lie in the cemetery at Sullivan. His
wife died in August, 1869. They were members
of the Christian Church and personal friends of
Dr. Alexander Campbell. Mr. Patterson was a
prominent man in the Democratic ranks and for
many years served as Justice of the Peace and
School Commissioner for a long while. He was
County Judge foi twelve years and helped to or-
ganize the county and to get the hill through the
Legislature, and also assisted in locating the county
seat.

••Dock" Patterson was the first born of his
parents, his natal day being October 1. 1827, and
his native place being in Muhlenberg County-, Ky.
lie was thus not quite a year old when his parents
came to Edgar County, this Slate, and was yet a
child when they continued their migration to this
county. He received a log schoolhouse education
and grew to manhood, taking up the occupation
of a farmer and stock-raiser. For forty years back
■he has been the favorite auctioneer at sales of stock
all over the county, and indeed throughout this
portion of the State. In 1*83 he came to Sullivan
and bought a livery stable which he is now man-
aging on North Main Street.

Our subject was married in this county to Miss
Julia A. Souther, who was horn in Kentucky, Octo-
ber Id. 1829. She came north with her parents in
the fall of 1833 and received her training and
education in this county. She is a woman of un-
usual ability, a faithful wife and affectionate mother.
Of their seven children four are deceased, namely :
John, Marv. William A. and Charles II.. while those

260

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who remain in this life are, Sarah, the wife of Mack
I). Philhower, a conductor on the Sante Fe Rail-
road, residing in Pekin, 111., and Nancy and Katie
who are at home with their parents. The positions
of Deputy sheriff and Constable have for nine
years been filled by Mr. Patterson and lie has
also been Township Collector. His political views
ally him with the Democracy and he is a member
of the lUne Lodge of Masons, at Sullivan. Both
he and his lovely wife are identified with the
Christian Church in which he has served as Deacon.

~<t ?

r>*<§^-«-

ELLSWORTH FOSTER was born in Picka-
way Township, Shelby County. December
_- r :>.'!. 1863. his birthplace being the farm that
he is now so successfully managing, and he lias
taken his place among the manly, independent,
wide-awake young fanners and stock-raisers who
within recent years have stepped forward to help
carry on the great agricultural interests of this
county so well developed by their pioneer sires.

Our subject i- a son of John Foster, an old and
well-known citizen of this county, now living in
honorable retirement at Shelbyville. He in turn
was the son of another John Foster, both being na-
tive- of Yorkshire, England. In 1843 the grand-
father of our subject left his early English home
to seek another in this country, bringing with him
his wife and six children. The family set sail from

Liver] 1 on the good ship Glasgow, and after a

voyage of six weeks and four days, landed at New
York, and proceeded directly to Ohio, journeying
by the Hudson River to Albany, thence by Erie
(anal to Buffalo, from there on the lake to Cleve-
land. Ohio, and then by canal to Madison County.
in the same State.

In 1849 the elder John Foster brought his fam-
ily to Shelby County, and was one of the first set-
tlers on the prairie of Todd's Point Township, but
few pioneers having preceded him to that locality,
and they had selected homes in the timber. The
country was mostly in its primitive condition, with
deer and other kinds of wild game plentiful. Mr.
Foster entered a tract of Government land, and

building at once, devoted his time afterward to

stock-raising and general farming until his life was
rounded out by death at a ripe age. His wife also
died on the home farm in Todd's Point Township.
In her maiden days she bore the name of Ellen
Atkinson. She was a Dative of Yorkshire. Eng-
land, and a daughter of Thomas Atkinson. She
rial rd 'six children, named as follows: Joseph,
Mary. John. Alice, Thomas and James.

The father of our subject was a lad of thirteen
years when he came to America with his parents,
brothers and sisters, and still has a vivid remem-
brance of his boyhood's home and of the pioneer
life that the family was obliged to lead after com-
ing to this country in the newly settled regions
where they located in Ohio and this State. He was
bred to the life of a farmer, and resided under the
parental roof until his marriage. He then engaged
in fanning in Todd's Point Township a few years.
His next venture was to buy one hundred and
twenty acres of prairie in Pickaway Township. He
busied himself in the years that followed in the im-
provement of his place, erccting:i substantial set of
frame buildings, putting the land under admirable
tillage, and greatly adding to the attractiveness
and value of the farm by planting fruit and shade
trees. In 1889 Mr. Foster yielded the management
of his farm to the competent hands of his son Ells-
worth, and retired from active labor to a plea-ant
home at Shelbyville, which he then purchased.

John Foster took Rachel Dobson as his wife in
1848. and for more than forty years they have
shared life's joys and sorrow- together. Mrs. Fos-
ter was born in Westmorelandshire, England, and
is a daughter of John and Jane (Clark) Dobson.
who were also native- of that shire, and came to
America about 1836. They settled among the pio-
neers of Stark County. Ohio, and there spent their
remaining days. Both Mr. and Mrs. .Foster are
sincere members of the Presbyterian Church, and
are people of high principle and character. They
are the parents of six children, namely : Ann Ame-
lia, J. Williams, Wesley T., J. Ell-worth. Norman
II. and Jennie.

Ellsworth Foster grew to man's estate in the
home of his birth, and was educated in the local
public schools. He was an active, sturdy, self-re-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

26 l

iiant littli' lad, and even when very young was of
much assistance on the farm, and early acquired a
thorough familiarity with agricultural pursuits.
IK' lived with hi- parents until his marriage, and
then they removed to town and he took charge of
the farm. Ilr i- managing it judiciously and with
good results, and has already acquired a good repu-
tation for his skill and practicality in carrying on
farming after the most approved modern methods.
He is Straightforward and candid in his dealing-,
stands well financially, and his pleasant social qual-
ities make him popular with his associates, lie is
an active memher of William lVmi (amp. M. W.
A. He holds sound and sensible views in regard
to politic-, and is a true Republican.

To the lady who presides so pleasantly and gra-
ciously over his home, and co-operates witk him in
extending its hospitalities to friends or strangers
who may happen beneath its roof, our subject was
married in 1889. One child, whom they have
named Faith, completes their household. Mrs. Fos-
ter was formerly Edith Noon, is a native of Wau-
kesha County. Wis., and a daughter of .lames and
Hannah (Fear) Noon, an extended sketch of whom
appears elsewhere. Mrs. Foster is a lady of culture,
and in her the Unitarian Church has a valuable
member, who is active in its every good work.

•{• ss-hs;*

X APT. HENRY 1.. HART, who won mili-
tary honors during the Civil War as an
officer of au Illinois regiment, is a promi-
nent citizen of Shelly ville. Shelby County, where
he has for some time conducted business as a fui
niture dealer, and he has also been a conspicuous
figure in the municipal government, lie was Horn
in Fairfield County. Ohio. October 20, 1*:S7. a son
of Barn hart Hart, who was horn in Pennsylvania
in February, 1812.

The grandparents of our subject removed from
Pennsylvania to the Buckeye State during the
first quarter of this century, and were among the
early pioneers of Fairfield County, where they
both died soon after they located in its primeval

wilds. Their son Barnhart was vcr\ -mall when
lie was thus orphaned, and he early had to work
for a livelihood. At the age of fourteen he was
hound as an apprentice to Mr. Beck, a blacksmith,
of Lancaster, ami served with him seven years to
learn the trade, receiving his hoard and clothes in
repayment for his assistance. At the expiration of
that time he did journey work forawhile. and then
opened a smithy in the village of Jefferson, and
carried on business in his line in that place until
1851. In that year he bought a farm in Violet
Township, and has since devoted his time to farm-
ing, being one of the prosperous, well-to-do farm-
er- of his neighborhood. In early manhood he
took unto himself a wife, whose name prior to their
marriage was Mary Wooster, and she was horn in
Germany in 1812. The following are the names
of the eight children that this worthy couple reared
to maturity: Francis ('.. Henry L., Anna M..
Charles. John, Elizabeth, Susan A. and Irvin M.
John, who was a memher of Company K. One
Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, died op-
posite Yieksburg while bravely fighting for his
country.

In the county of his nativity he of whom these
lines are written grew to man's estate, and in its
schools he gained a good practical education, lie
remained with his parents until his twenty-second
year, affording his father valuable help on his farm,
and he then came to this county, lie was em-
ployed in farming here until 1861, and then the
restless spirit of adventure and the prospects of
gain sent him to the gold fields in the Rocky
Mountains. In company with others, he started
in the month of March on the long and tedious
journey across the plains, going with a team to St.
Louis, and there embarking team and all on a river
steamer bound for Atchison. Kan., whence thev
proceeded across the prairies to their destination.
At that time buffaloes were plenty on the plains,
and Indians, who were sometimes hostile, had full
sway. Denver, which was then in its infancy, had
a population of lint three or four hundred people.

Our subject engaged in mining until fall, then
returned to this county with the proceeds of his
labors. In the month of December he volunteered
for service in the Union Army, having determined

262

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to join his patriotic fellow-countrymen Rt the front
in help defend the stars and stripes. His name
was enrolled as a member of Company II. Fifty-
fourth Illinois Infantry, and he went Smith with
his regiment. In all its campaigns, marches and
battles, he was an active- participant, and on all
occasions displayed true valor, coolness in danger,
and promptness in action that mark the genuine
soldier, which traits finally won for him deserved
promotion from the ranks to the position of First
Lieutenant, his commission being received in 1864.
From that time he had command of his company,
although he was not appointed its Captain until
February, 1865. Mis men fought well under the
inspiration of his leadership, and did their part
bravely in every battle in which they met the
enemy, continuing in the service until after the
close of the war. when they and their gallant Cap-
tain were honorably discharged.

After leaving the army Capt. Hart returned to
Shelbyville, and for some years was engaged here
in the grocery business until failing health obliged
him tn wind up his affairs and take a much needed
rest. After selling out. he spent one year in the
South and in his native State, and lie then came
hack to Shelbyville. He was employed as a clerk
until 1885, and then established himself in his
present business, in which he has been eminently
successful. lie lias a large and well-appointed
store, stocked with a full line of furniture and
house furnishing goods, our subject making it a
point to carry every article used in the fitting up
of a modern home demanded by the needs and
tastes of his many customers.

In 1866 Capt. Hart was united in marriage to
Miss Isabella Fishbaugh, a native of Ohio, and a
daughter of Mordecai and Isabella Fishbaugh. Their
wedded life has been one of mutual felicity, and
has brought them four sons — Francis ( '.. Lewis II..
William R. and Walter E.

The Captain is a man of sound business princi-
ples, is prompt in his dealings and methodical in
the management of his affairs. Hi- fellow-citizens,
recognizing these facts, and knowing their value in
a civic official, at i ne time called him to the head
of the municipal government, and for four years
he served with distinction asMayorof Shelbi ville.

He is a true Democrat in 1 1 is- politics, and in his
religious faith a linn Presbyterian, both In- and his
wife being active members of the church of that
denomination in this city.

OIIX N. STORM belongs to an energetic,
enterprising family of whom the young
men early started out ill life for themselves.
Our subject is a general merchant in the
village of Strashurg. and being thoroughly ac-
quainted in the surrounding country, he has the
advantage in both buying and selling. He of whom
we write is a son of Hiram .1. Storm, who was born
in Ash Grove Township, Shelby County, this State.
His mother was Harriet Rankin, who was born in
llii; Spring Township. Our subject's parents after
marriage settled in Ash Grove Township. The
mother died while her boys were young, passing
away in 18(;,s. The father is still living and is
employed as a farmer in Big Spring Township.
They were the parents of seven children and of
these our subject is the fourth in order of birth.
He was born in Ash Grove Township. Shelby
County, this State. January 13. 1858, and was
reared chiefly in Big Spring Township, remaining
with his father until he was eighteen years old,
when he came to Strashurg and was engaged in
wagon making and repairing, and was thus occu-
pied for about two years. He then went into the
saloon business but continued in this only a shorl
time and then engaged in the general mercantile

business.

The original of our sketch carries a good and
well-assorted stock of merchandise and enjoys a
good trade. He has filled several local offices. lie
has been both village and township (unstable.
Justice of the Peace. Village Trustee and School
Treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity. .Mr. Storm's marriage look place in Richland
Township. His wife's maiden name was Anna 1!.
Martin. She was a daughter of Jacob Martin, who
died in Richland Township. She was born in Indiana.
They are the parents of five children, three of whom
onlv are living. Their names are Merton R., Or-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

263

villi- and Ivy. Two died when very young. .Mr.
Storm affiliates with the Democratic party.

Our subject is a man who has a great deal of
executive ability, and whose business dealings are
(iii :iu extensive plane. He is engaged quite exten-
sively in addition to his local business, in shipping
eggs and poultry to tin- New York markets.

r€T

■©$.

I ARTIN L. L()\VK. Among the success-
ful business men of Sullivan, Moultrie
County, we are pleased to mention the
name which appears at the head of this
paragraph — the name of a prosperous dealer in
horses and the head of a livery stable and who also
deals in all kinds of farming implements and vehi-
cles, lie keeps a line line of turnouts and horses
at his place, which is well equipped and where he
has been conducting business since October, \XH'.).
Near the city of Sullivan he also has a good farm.
Owning about four hundred and til'ty-two acres in
this township and in East Nelson Township, and
also has one hundred and sixty acres in Douglas
County. His large property is stocked with about
one hundred head of line cattle and some fifty
head of horses and he has among them some fine
animals of good grades.

Mr. Lowe bears the reputation of being an ex-
cellent business man and a "thoroughly good fel-
low." and he is well and favorably known to the
people of Sullivan in and near which city he has
lived for twelve years. His native home was in
Harrison County. W. Va.. where lie was born in
ltfoK. He is the son of John B. I. owe. a native of
Virginia who was a farmer by occupation and died
in Harrison County in 1*7(1 at the age of seventy-
live years, lie was the son of Old Dominion par-
ents and our subject was yet quite young at the
time of his father's decease. His mother, whose
maiden name was Susan Robinson, died some years
before. She was during most of her life a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and came of
excellent Virginian stock.

Although bereaved of his parents in his youth.
Martin Lowe was given an excellent education.

lie was one of a numerous family, five of whom
are yet living. He was early thrown upon his own
resources and became independent and so more
quickly fitted for supporting himself and a family.
He was married in Harrison County. W. Va., to
Miss Elizabeth K. Higginbotham, who was born in
that county and came of an old established family.
George Higginbotham. her father, is now living at
an advanced age in Clarksburg, \V. Va., and was
bereaved of his wife, whose maiden name was
Lydia Griffin, in 1*7!).

Mrs. Lowe, the wife of our subject, was one of a
family of five children who received the best ad-
vantages in an educational line and she shows
marks of the culture which was bestowed upon
her in her youth, for she is a woman of unusual
ability and intelligence, is a true wife and a faith-
ful mother and is bringing up her three lovely
children — Omar. Georgie and Lulu — in the fear
and admonition of the Lord. She is an earnest
and conscientious member of the Methodist Church
and a valued worker in every good effort. The
political doctrines which receive the endorsement
of Mr. Lowe are those which are found in (he
declarations of the Democratic party.

£+£{

OHN N. LENOX. Born of parents who are
conspicuous for the superior mental power
that they possessed and which gave them.
wherever they resided, a prominent position
in the community, our subject was early trained in
a direction of which comparatively few men have
more than the suggestion of the true status of the
position. Had he lived a little earlier or a little
later doubtless our subject 's father would have been
a confrere with Patrick Henry or with Abraham
Lincoln. A Virginian, as was the lirst named, he
possessed all the lire and ardor of the Southern
orators, and was an effective speaker on political
occasions. As it was. Mr. Lenox. Sr.. was repre-
sentative of the best thought and policy in his
part of the country and was advanced to many
prominent positions which were unsought hv him.
John Lenox, the father of our subject, was born

264

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Virginia ami early learned the fiery speeches of
the Revolutionary heroes. His wife was in her
maiden day- a Miss Nancy Mellinger. At an early
day they settled in Shelby County, Ohio, and there
they died. Although the old gentleman was a
farmer by occupation he was ever involved in pub-
lic affairs. His ability in legislative matter- was
such a? to inevitably bring him to the front He
was County Judge of shelly County. Ohio, and
served in the state Legislature for one term. The
home life was such as to make therhildren thought-
ful and to develop in them a liking for public
affairs as well as a knowledge of Parliamentary
rules. The family comprised eight children and of
these our subject was fourth in order of birth. He
wa- horn iu Shelby County. Ohio. December 2.").
1825, and was reared to an agricultural life.

John Lenox, sr.. was married December 28, 1848,
to Rachael -lane Arbuckle, in their native county in
Ohio. She wa- a daughter of Robert and Leatha
(Harn) Arbuckle, both of whom were native- of
.Maryland, where they grew U]> and were married
and welcomed their little daughter Leatha. who
was but two years of age when they removed to
Ohio and settled in Shelby County, where they
died. Mrs. Lenox, our subject's wife, wa.- born
near Hagerstown. Md.. January 20, 1829. Af-
ter their marriage they settled in Shelby County,
Ohio, where Mr. Lenox wa- engaged in farming
and stock-raising.

In March. 1854. the original of our -ketch re-
moved from his home in Ohio to Shelby County,
this state, and in the following December settled
upon the farm on section 16, where he now lives.
They have a beautiful home pleasantly located and
surrounded with tine shade trees, and in the fruit
season one may regale one-elf with the choicest
varieties of the fruits common to this latitude.
The home ha- always been the center ami the meet-
ing place for the most cultivated people of the
vicinity, who are sure of finding in thegenial host.
an enthusiastic and pleasing talker and a kiirrlly
sympathetic listener.

Mr. and Mrs. Lenox are the parents of four
children whose names are. Zeru L. A.: Wallace \\\:
Leatha C. and John M. The eldest daughter is
the wife of William 11. Shaw, who is ex-Sheriff of

Shelby County. Wallace W. i- a farmer and -lock-
dealer in Richmond Township, and a progressive
and thoroughly business young man. Leatha C.
i- the wife of John M. Sargeant John X. i- a res-
ident in St. Louis. Mo. He of whom we write has
always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and
in stock dealing which he v has found to he very-
profitable, lie i- the owner of three hundred and
twenty acres of finely improved land upon which
he has made many valuable improvements.

In poUtics our subject is a Republican, using his
influence in favor of the party which is dear to
him by principle and by association with the mem-
ories of hi- younger days. Mr. Lenox has ever
been a generous contributor to the up-building of
churches and the support of the Gospel, and in-
deed, every progressive measure has received Ids
encouragement and aid.

OAH SYFERT. This gentleman i> at the
head of a large family of which he may
1 /_ well he proud, a- the younger members
show every mark of mowing up into as useful
members of society as the parents and older child-
ren proved themselves. The father of this gentle-
man, < Jeorge Syfert, was horn in Pennsylvania, and
passed away from earth in Fairfield County, Ohio.
He had the useful trade of a shoemaker but de-
voted himself mostly to agriculture. Hi- worthy
wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Oberly,
was a native of Pennsylvania, who also died in
Fairfield County, Ohio. This place was also the
native county of our subject, who was horn
Xoveinbe.1' 13, 1823, being one of a family of ten
children.

After heiiiir reared to manhood young Syfert re-
sided for a number of years in his native home
and then removed to Allen C ounty. the same state
and lived there for thirteen years, before coming
to Shelly County, 111. Here he made his home in
Ridge Township, in January. 1867 and has been a
permanent resident IIi> marriage had taken place
in Ohio. August 2, 1849, his bride heintr Catherine
Fiiesncr. who was horn in Fairfield County. Sept-

^^x^^.&

PORTRAIT AND BI()( IRAPHK AL PECORD.

2i;;

ember 12,1831. This day was the beginning of a long
life of domestic happiness and prosperity, and this
union brought to the happy couple fifteen children ;
John W. married Emma Askins; Franklin P. took
t<i wife Anna Shumaker; Eliza A. is tin- wife of
Edward McDonald; William B. married Elizabeth
Yantis; Andrew J. was married to Emma Stivison,
Sarah A. is the wife of William Fritz of whom our
leader will find a sketeh in ihi> book; Lodema E.
is the wife of .John Turner; Catherine R. became
the wife of Newton Lupton; Lillie 15. i> unmanned;
Lun C. married George Padgett ami the remaining
children are Ida K.. Edward M. and Oliver s. Two
little ones, ( ieorge 1 1, and Emma J. died in infancy.
Agricultural pursuits have absorbed the time
and attention of Mr. Syfert, and in them he has
achieved success, lie has erected good buildings
upon his farm and i> the owner of one hundred
and fifty-six acres, lie has served educational in-
terests as a member of the School Hoard and is an
earnest and conscientious member of the society
known a- the C'hurchof God. In political matters,
he i- untrammeled by parties, and casts his vote for
men and measures which are upheld by his own
judgment.

< jfclLLIAM A. SMITH. M. I). One of the
\ / older men and physicians in Lovington,

»V Dr. Smith belongs to a family that have
experienced pioneer life in its many interesting,
a- well as trying aspects. Hi- father was Nicholas

C. smith, who was horn in Halt i more. Md.. in 1 7s 1.
From there he went to Westmoreland County. Pa.,
at an early age, and while there he learned the car-
penter's trade and on the breaking out of the
Patriot's War in 1812, he enlisted in the regulai
army for five years, and alter the Wattle of Lake
Erie he was transferred to the Western frontier,
lie was one of the first of fifty white men who

ever set foot in Rock Island and assisted in erect-
ing the Block House in that place and afterward
erected another at Prairie du Chien. Wis. After
hi- time of enlistment had expired he returned and
settled in Davis County, Ind.. where he was mar-

ried late in the year 1S2:>. to Mi-- Margaret Boos.
who was bom near Wheeling, W. Ya.. and was (if
Swiss and German ancestry.

After the marriage of our subject's parents they
lived in Davis Country, until the winter of
1830-31, when they removed to Parke County.
Ind.. and there continued to reside until the win-
ter of 1836-37. 'They then removed to Mont-
gomery County. Ind.. at which place the father of
the family died in the winter of IS LI. Our
subject's mother died in 'Tippecanoe County. Ind..
about 18(i2. They were the parents of four sons
and five daughters, our subject being the eldest of
the family. He was horn in Davis County, Ind.,
September 24. 1S2.">.

I'p to the age of twenty. Dr. Smith made his
home under the parental roof. At that age he went
to Tippecanoe County. Ind.. and August Hi. 1846,
he enlisted in Company K. in the regiment of
Mounted Pities and served through the Mexican
War. At the end of the war he returned to Tip-
pecanoe County and entered the employ of a
gentleman by the name of Black who was engaged
in the tanning business. 'Tint- occupied he con-
tinued there until the spring of 1849, when, July
3. he was married in Clinton County, Ind.. to Mi-
Sarah A. stinson. who was horn in Ohio, September
in. 1839. 'They settled in Tippecanoe County and
there they continued to live until the spring of
I860, when the Doctor came to Sidney, Champaign
County, this state.

Long having had a taste for medicine, but never
having had an opportunity to gratify his inclina-
tion in that direction, in the winter of 1849, he
embraced a chance which offered itself to begin
reading medicine under Dr. Moses Baker, and con-
tinued with him until 1857. At that time he at-
tended a course of lectures at the Push Medical
College in Chicago, remaining in that city during
the winter of 1857-58. In the spring of 1858 he
entered upon the practice of his profession at
Odells Comers, in 'Tippecanoe County. Ind.. re-
maining there until the spring of I860, "hen he
went to Sidney. Here he remained for one year
hut in the spring of 1861, removed to Newman.
Douglas County, this state, and practiced there
until 1878, with the exception of one year ( 1873)

268

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which he passer] at Kansas Station, this State, [n
1878. he removed to Ellis. Ellis County, Kan., and
there made his home for two years, but Indiana
re-asserting her old claim over hi> affection and
loyalty, he returned and settled in Parke County.
Hi- remained in that county until 1885 when he
came to Lovington, making his advent here in
April of tin- last named year. Being one of the
older practitioners, he here enjoys a confidence and
regard that many of the younger men could
hardly expect to have attained so soon, however
aide and worthy they may be.

Dr. Smith is the father of six living' children
whose names are respectively James t '.. Alice,
Moses I!.. Anna G., Emma E. and Eva. The eldest
son is a railroad man being engaged as a conductor
on a railroad in Kansas. Alice is the wife of I>. O.
Bills; Moses B. is also a railroad conductor; Emma
E. is the wife of Walter Liston of Decatur, this
State, while Anna G. and Eva —Till complete the
family circle and give a tone of freshness and
youth to the social circle that would otherwise he
marked by the sedateness of advanced years. One
child was taken away from them in girlhood.
Julia C. was but fifteen years ,,]' age when she died
and her decease was a great Mow to her parents
and friends for she was at the loveliest period of
budding womanhood, and promised to be a woman
of whom her parents might well lie proud.

Mrs. Smith isa memberof the Methodist Episco-
pal Church and has been so connected for many
years. The Doctor is liberal in his religious belief,
lb- has for many years been a Mason, having been
so made in Laruramie Lodge. Tippecanoe County.
Ind.. in 1849. He was conspicuously engaged in
the Mexican War. during which he took part in all
the engagements under Gen. Scott from the land-
ing of Vera Cruz to the capture of the City of
Mexico, at which his company was the first to
enter the gates of the city after its capture on the
morning of September 14. 1*47. After having
performed heroic service his regiment was dis-
charged by special Act of Congress August 2*.
1848.

While in Ellis County. Kan.. Dr. Smith met with
serious reverses on account of failure of crops. He
had invested much of his money in a tract of

land, but having sustained such heavy losses in
other directions lie was compelled to dispose of his
land at a great sacrifice. In spite of the fact that
he had at this time passed his youth, he set about
retrieving his losses and with an indomitable will
and energy succeeded in a great degree in so doing,
lie i- now in the possession of a good practice in
Lovington and is much loved among the people of
that place.

In connection with this sketch a lithographic
portrait of Dr. Smith is presented to our readers.

^Tr*-*-**-

jILI.IAM II. AUGHINBATJGH, prominent
in business, political and church circles, as
'Jj^' a public-spirited and enterprising man.
who does his full share in forwarding every move-
ment to enhance the best interest of his town and
county, we may well count the gentleman whose
name appears at the head of this paragraph, lit-
is now a dealer in drugs, wall paper, toilet articles.
etc.. in Oconee. Shelby County, and was born
March 3. 1842. in Baltimore. Md.

John and Catherine (Fisher) Aughinbaugh. the
parents of our subject, were natives respectively of
Pennsylvania and Baltimore, and reared a tine fam-
ily of three sons and four daughters: Amelia was
the wife of John Caldwell, and died in Litchfield.
111.; Annie is the widow of William McEwen, and
also resides in Litchfield; our subject is the third
in age. and his next brother. Levi, resides at Ilush-
ii ell. 111., where he is engaged in business as a com-
mercial traveler; Catherine, who is the wife of John
Cress, went to the far distant West, and is making
her home at Portland. Ore.: John, who is married,
resides at St. Louis. Mo., where he is engaged as a
compositor in the office of the Republican; Susan,
wife of William Davis, makes her home at Litch-
field.

He of whom we write was educated at Hillsboro,
I1L, having come to that city with his parents in
the year l855,from Huntsville, Ala., to which they
had previously removed from Baltimore. After
the family had been living in this State for about
eight years, the mother died in 1863 in Macoupin

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RhCORD.

269

County, but the father who survived and married
again, is living with «mr subject :it Oconee.

Our subject served for two years during the Civil
War in the Quartermaster's Department, being as-
signed to duty with the armies of the Tennessee
and the ( 'umberland respectively, being in the Post
Department in both these connections. After the
close of the war he returned to Hillshoro. and en-
gaged in mercantile business, continued in that line
successfully until 1867, when he sold out and re-
moved to Oconee, this county. Here he again took
up the mercantile business and continued in it for
about six years.

William II. Aughinbaugh and .Miss Sail ic U. Wil-
mot were united in the sacred bonds of matrimony,
in September, 1*70. This lady was horn in Chris-
tian County. 111., and her wedded life began with
a prospect of great happiness, but it was cut short
by her decline in health, and she died of consump-
tion in 1873, leaving two little children to mourn
a mother's love and care. In January, 1H77. our
subject was married to his second wife. Miss Mollie
1. Wilmot. a sister of the first Mrs. Aughinbaugh,
and a native of the same place, where she was horn
in January, 1860. Two children were horn of the
second marriage. The little ones who were left by
Mrs. Sallie Aughinbaugh, Maud and Guy have both
died. The children of the second wife are Arthur
.1.. horn June 1. I879,and Bertha J., November 29,
1 883.

Our subject disposed of his mercantile interests
some years ago, and about that time was elected
Mayor of Oconee, to the duties of which ottiee he
turned his attention, adding to it a business in col-
lections, insurance and real estate, also loaning
money ami buying paper. After nine years in this
line of work, he turned his attention to the drug
business in which he has continued for eleven years.
His first official position was in the capacity of
Clerk of Oconee, lie was then elected Mayor.
serving in that office for eight years. Iii 1884 he

was elected to the office of Supervisor of thistOWTl-
-hip. a position of trust and responsibility, in which
he has served in all some three years.

Our subject belongs to the Masonic order, hav-
ing been made a Mason in Mt. Moriah Lodge, No.
">. at Hillshoro. 111., from which being demitted, he

joined the Oconee Lodge, No. 392, where he served

for twelve years as Master, and represented tin 1
same in the Grand Lodge of this State for eight
consecutive year.-. Afterward he served in this
same capacity for two years, and is the present
Representative for 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Aughin-
baugh are worthy members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, where they arc active in every good
work. This public-spirited and enterprising man
is wide awake to tin- merits of the political situa-
tion, and affiliates with the Democratic party.

NATHANIEL BRAXTON McCLUER. A

/ man who is widely known in Shelby County
being a large and successful farmer and
stockman who has done much toward introducing
an improved grade of stock into this State and to the
West generally, is he whose name is at the head of
thi> sketch, lie is a progressive and public-spirited
man whose tendencies are all towards an elevating
influence, both in business relations and in his
domestic life. Mr. McCluer resides on his fine
farm on section K, of Rural Township. His home
is one of the most pleasant places in the county and
he has spared nothing that money could procure,
to make it an ideal place of residence. He also
owns land in section ;">. His residence in the county
dates from 1865.

The original of our sketch was horn in Darke
County. Ohio, December 2!», 1829, and is a son of
Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Wilt) McCluer both na-
tives of Virginia and each of whom, with their
respective families, removed to Ohio at an early
day. Samuel McCluer, the grandfather of our
subject settled in Darke County in 1812, and was
one of the first settlers there. The maternal grand-
parents of our subject, settled in the same county
about 1814. They made their home in the midst
of the forest, clearing out as time and opportunity
permitted, a spate around the log cabin which con-
stituted their home.

Brought up as young people together, the par-
ents of our subject early recognized an affinity and
determined to make the journey of life together.

27(1

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Their marriage took place in Darke County, where
they resided the remainder of their lives, upon the
farm where they settled at an early day. The fa-
ther lived to number four-score years. The mother
passed away at the aye of sixty-six years. They
were the parents of six children whose names are
as follows: Melinda. Samuel, George, John,
Catherine and our subject. .Melinda was twice
married and died in her native State; Samuel re-
sides in Darke County, Ohio, where his brother
George died; John lives in Huntington County,
Ind.; Catherine married and died in Southern Illi-
nois. He of whom we write is the youngest of
the family. He was reared on the farm and re-
ceived his education in the district school. In IS(i).
he enlisted in Company 1>. of One Hundred and
Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, whose men enlisted for
one hundred days, but who served for rive months.
While they were not participants in any of the
decisive battles, they took part in a number of
skirmishes.

In 1H65, Mr. McCluer was united in marriage to
Melinda Almonrode. She was horn in Preble
County, Ohio, September 20, 1*42, and was a
daughter of John and Mary (Swane) Almonrode.
Shortly after their marriage our subject and his
bride came to this State and purchased two hun-
dred acres, which was the nucleus of his present
farm. At the time he settled here, his place was
hut little improved, but lie took up the calling of
farming with such vim. energy and intelligent
management, that he is now the owner of nearly
one thousand acres of land which is highly pro-
ductive and which is dotted over with stock of the
finest grade. He has been very successful in his
agricultural career.

Mrs. McCluer is an intelligent and capable
woman. She presides over the beautiful home
which her husband has made with an ease and
dignity that only native refinement and courtesy
can give. Although she is endowed with moie
than ordinary ability, she has gladly given herself
up to love's sweet servitude, her great pleasure
being in insuring the domestic comfort of her hus-
band and the rearing and educating of her chil-
dren. She has sought to combine cultivation of
mind and bodv, realizing that one with weak

physical constitution and endowed with tine men-
tal ['acidities has not the same chance in this
world, whose motto seems to be the survival of the
fittest, as one who is equally endowed with both a
Strong physical and intellectual capacity. Two of
the little ones were taken from their parents at a
tender aye Four of the children are still living,
and filled with vitality and brimming with the in-
tensity for which American children are conspicu-
ous, they are an interesting quartette. Their names
are Elmer, John. Charlesand Rose E. The beauti-
ful home within which the McCluer family live is
surrounded by a large lawn which is kept of velvet
smoothness by being frequently "one over with a
lawn-mower. His home is handsomely furnished
and the genial host and hostess hospitably entertain
the many people who are attracted hither socially
or by business.

^3-

«<3=§-

"it OHN S. EVEY. It is not necessary for the
traveler to understand the details of farm
life in order to determine the status of the
owner of any particular tract of land. It is
easy to form a conclusion from the general appear-
ance of the property, the improvements that have
been made upon it and the order or disorder that
reigns supreme. No one looking at the farm of
Mr. Evey on section 21, Tower Hill Township,
would have the least doubt that its owner under-
stands his business and is able to obtain good re-
sults from tilling the soil. The farm consists of
one hundred and eighty fertile acres, in whose
pastures good stock is found, in the sheds modern
machinery, and in the storehouses farm produce of
excellent quality. About the dwelling are the
manifestations of the refining hand of woman.

Mr. Evey is a native of Maryland, born in
Hagerstown. October 15, 1833. His father, whose
given name was Henry, and his mother, whose
maiden name was Rebecca Livers, were also born
in Maryland. The parents removed to Shelby
County, 111., about 1836, and located near Shelby-
ville, where she died. After her decease the father
came to Tower Hill Township and settled on

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

271

section 21. where he died in 1865. Hewas a good
citizen, an upright man and a devoted husband

and father. Hi> family comprised three children,
our subject being the eldest.

When he was three years old our subject was
brought by hi> parents to this county, where he
grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was
early initialed into the mysteries of farming and
when he became a man he naturally chose agricul-
ture as hir- life vocation. December 25, 1856 he
was married in Tuner Hill Township to Mi>> Caro-
line M. Jones, a native of Tennessee. This estim-
able lady was brought by her parents to Indiana.
whence, after her father's death, she came to Shelby
County with a family named Li-ten. The congen-
ial union of Mr. and Mrs. Evey has been blessed
by the birth of >ix living children, viz: William E..
David H., Captolia, Hattie, Charles F. and John
M. William E. is a farmer in Kansas; David II.
i- a successful dentist at Monmouth. 111.: Captolia
follow- the profession of teaching.

A man of striking common sense, keen foresight
and marked capability, Mr. Evey has Keen selected
by his fellow-citizens as one well qualified to till
public offices of importance. He formerly took an
active part in politics and in his political affilia-
tions i> independent, voting for the man whom he
considers best fitted to serve the interests of the
people. He has been Highway Commissioner sev-
eral years, in which position he lias accomplished
much for the good of the community. Socially, he
is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work-
men and the Farmer'- Mutual Benefit Association.

~^HT

UGH NELSON WALDEN. a well-known
stock-raiser and farmer residing on section
K/ 31, Windsor Township, Shelby County, was

(£) born just a quarter of a mile south of his
present residence. January 19, 1830. Hi- father.
Hugh Walden.wa- a native of North Carolina, and
his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Mont-
gomery, wa- born in Kentucky. They both came
to this State before marriage, and were united near
Shawnee town, and became residi ntsof Illinois Ter-

ritory in those earlj days prior to it- admission as
a State. It was in 1827 that this young couple
came to Shelby County, and settled in Richland
Township, and there they -pent the remainder of
their day-, the father being called hence in 1869,
and the mother surviving him for ten years.

Everj one of the live -on- and five daughters of
this worthy couple lived to attain maturity, marry
and establish families of their own. but eight of the
ten have now passed away, seven of them dyingof
that dire disease, consumption. The only surviv-
ing brother of our subject is Leonard V.. the young-
est of the family. He live- on the old homestead,
which i> now a portion of his brother's large farm.
Our subject ha- been twice married, his tir-t wife
being Maria Davis, to whom he was united March
17. 1853. Seven children were born of this mar-
riage, of whom three an- now living — Mary M..
Nancy Ivy and Harlan, all of whom have grown to
maturity and are living with their father. Their
mother passed away March 6, 1874. Mr. Walden
was married a second time. April 13, 1875, and was
united at that time with Theoda 1). Ila/.en. who
was born in Bridgeton, Me.. April 11. 1842. she is
a daughter of John and Esther (Libbey) Hazen.
Her father died in his native stale April 14. 1H77.
and the mother still resides in Bridgeton. < inly one
of her three sons and three daughters have passed
away, and Mrs. Walden i> her eldest. By thismar-
riage Mr. and Mr-. Walden have had three children,
all of whom are deceased, two dying in infancy.
Abbie Hazen, who wa- born October 2. 1*77. died
March 12. 1890; she wa- a bright, beautiful girl of
thirteen summers, whose place can never be tilled
to her sorrowing parent-, and who was sincerely
mourned h\ many admiring friends and playmates.
Go to thy rest fair child.

Go to thv dreamless bed
While yet so gentle, undetiled.
With blessings on thy head.
Ere sin hath -eared thy breast,

Or sorrow waked thy tear.
Rise to thy throne of changeless rest
In yon celestial sphere.
If any man may be called a pioneer of Shelby
County, Mr. Walden is pre-eminently one. as it has
been his home for sixty-one year-, six hundred
splendid acres constitute his farm in Windsor and

272

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Richland Townships, and upon them he lias excel-
lent buildings and fine improvements, the whole
estate being in fact an ideal country borne. Mr.
Walden has always been a Democrat in his politi-
cal views, and he says he expects to die a Democrat.
He is a Universalist in his religious belief, although
lie holds no church connection. His excellent wife
joined the Cambridge Baptist Chinch in Massachu-
setts, when she was only seventeen years of age.
and she has ever maintained her membership with
that organization. The township of Windsor has
honored both itself and our subject by giving him
at various times every office within its gift He
served -even year- asSupervisor, ten years as High-
way Commissioner, one term as Assessor, and
School Director and Trustee for nine and ten year-
each.

KTlll'K G. LEE. The name at the head
of this -ketch i- that of a man who enjoys
to the utmost, the confidence of the people
in the community in which he lives. This
is shown by the fact that from among the best
financial men in the place, he ha- Keen elected to
the responsible position of President of the Com-
mercial state Hank of Windsor. Shelby County.
Our subject was 1 nun in Oshawa, Ontario, July 7.
1865. He was reared on a farm until about four-
teen years of age. and in the calm pursuits of agri-
culture the mental fibre of his mind developed.
Unrestrained by fine-spun theories, he saw life as it
was and this practical view and keen insight into
affairs has ever characterized his business dealings
and has carried him on to the success which he so
eminently merit-.

Arthur Lee received the foundation of his edu-
cation in the common schools of his native place
after which he attended the High School from
which he was graduated. He then began life for
himself and was employed for a period of two
years with steel Brothers & Company, merchants
in Toronto. Canada, a- clerk. In 1886, he came to
the States, and resided in Chicago untilJuly, 1889.
He was employed as manager and had charge of

the seed department for II. Sibley a- Co. In July,
1889 he came to Windsor and organized the Com-
mercial Hank, and November 14. of the same year
it wa- re-organized a- a Commercial state Uank.
under the State law. ( )n its first organization, he
wa- Cashier of the hank and since it- re-organiza-
tion under the State law. he has been it> President.
Our subject's brother, Sidney .1. Lee. holds the
position of Cashier in the hank. The institution
transacts a good banking business, and i^- one that
wa- greatly needed in the community, now afford-
ing an opportunity for commercial exchange with
much less trouble and expense than before it- or-
ganization.

The parents of our subject are George and Lucy
(Curry) Lee. They were born in Canada. The
father died a victim of typhi. id fever, October 9,
1882, in Ontario. He was a tanner by occupation
but had retired from the active pursuits of his
calling at the time of his decease. They had three
children, of whom our subject was the eldest. Mr.
Lee wa.- married in Windsor June '.'. 1890 t<> Miss
Minnie Shaffer, who is a native of this county and
they have a very pleasant home located on the
principal residence street in Windsor. His charm-
ing young wife attracts the best social element of
the place. They have one child, an infant son.
Our subject, though yet less than thirty years of
age; ha.- won the entire confidence of the commun-
ity by his devotion to his business, and his broad-
laid and carefully-executed plans. He i- a natural
financier and has a peculiar faculty for seeing
where investments can be made with the greatest
prospects of large returns. In his political views.
Mr. Lee favors the Democratic party. In his re-
ligious views he is a Liberal. Socially, he of whom
we write is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
and has been a member of the Odd Fellow- since
about 1886. He is one of the leading member's
and occupies a prominent position.

It is not out of place to say something of the
ancestors of our subject at this point The lite of
a good man who leave- an exemplary example is
always worth reading. The paternal grandfather
of our subject was George Lee. lie was drowned
in the Straits of Belle Isle, being caught there in a
field of ice. He was not addicted to the use of any

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

273

form of intoxicants or tobacco and was a Metho-
dist minister. Our subject's maternal grandfather
was .lames Curry, who was also a Methodist clergy-
man. He died at the aire of eighty-five years.

-^~ +

yELLIAM N. WOOD, a prominent farmer
and stock-raiser residing' on section 17.
Wy/ Sullivan Township, Moultrie County, is a
native of Hardin County. Ky., where he was horn
February 25. 1*17. His parents, X. II. and Eliza-
beth (Lyon) Wood, were natives of Kentucky.
They came to Illinois in 1852, bringing this son
with them and located at Chariest own, Coles County.
■ where they staid for two years, removing thence to
Tuscola. Douglas Comity, where they remained
until they passed from earth, the mother in Janu-
ary, 1855, and the father in January, 18(>5. The
family is of English origin, although the grand-
parents of our subject were natives of Vermont,
and became pioneers of Kentucky. Of their fam-
ily our subject is the youngest of two sons'and four
daughters.

The household in which Mr. Wood was reared,
consisted of the following children: Martha R»,
who became the wife of W. L. Parker, a jeweler of
Kansas City, Mo.: Mary died at the age of twenty-
three, in March. 1863. in Tuscola; James Stratton
married Susanna Thompson, of Douglas County.
and now resides in Carlisle. Ark. ; Sarah Jane is un-
married anil resides at Lovington; William X.. and
Elizabeth E., wife of J. M. Durbrow, is living in
Champaign County.

lleof whom we write attended the public schools
near his home, and also took instruction at Lee's
Academy in Stockton. 111. He taught school for
two years before engaging in farming in Douglas
County, and was married March 14. 1875. to Miss
Margaret ('.. daughter of Peter and Mary Evans,
who was born in Licking County. Ohio. October 25.
1854.

Mrs. Wood is the youngest in a family of eight
children, whose parents came to Illinois in 1856,
and located in Moultrie County, where they both
died, the father October 20, 1873, and the mother

October 21. 1K7<>. Of this family only two are
living: Mrs. Wood, and Annie who became the
wife of Felix Weaver, and resides at Adrian, Mo.,
her husband being engaged in the stock and com-
mission business at Kansas City. The Kvans fam-
ily are of Weish and German ancestry.

The farm where Mr. Wood now resides became
the family home in the fall of 1875. One hundred
acres of this land came to his wife by inheritance.
and to it he has added by purchase until he has a
fine tract of two hundred and thirty-live acres.
upon which may be seen a tasteful and attractive
home and capacious and commodious farm build-
ings. Of their six children five are now living.
their eldest daughter, Mary, who was born Septem-
ber 1. 1876, being taken away March 1. 1K78.
Those who are living, are: Elizabeth, bora October
12. 1877; Norman II.. June 11. 1 s7'.»: Charles.
May 5. 1881; Homer Howard. October 1:5. 1XM;
Adeline. November 14. 1886. These children are
all being thoroughly educated, but remain under
the parental roof during their school days. Mr.
Wood takes an interest in public affairs, and is a
Democrat in politics, while his worthy wifeespouses
the principles of the Republican party. He has
held various offices in his township, and is a mem-
ber of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.

^S>-*<§=

*—

... BSALOM PATTERSON. A number of the

( @^j| | large landowners of Sullivan Township,
Moultrie County, who have passed through
hard struggles and by their industry and
perseverance have attained the point where they
may rest from labor, are retiring from business
and m:iking their homes in Sullivan, than which
no place is probably more delightful in which to
seek comfort. Our subject, who is a retired farmer,
came to the city from his farm in 1890, having
been lor many years a stock buyer and shipper and
still owns eleven hundred and forty acres in Sul-
livan Township, most of which is improved, the
remainder of it being well stocked ami used as
pasture land.

Mr. Patterson is a native of this township, being

271

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

born here when it was known as a part of Shelby
County, his aatal day being September 2K. 1^36.
All of his fine estate was prairie bind when he took
it and he lias himself brought it to its present
splendid condition and lias been a successful man
ill every endeavor of his life.

David Patterson, the father of our subject^ came
to this part of Illinois in 1833 after having lived
for a few years in Edgar County. Later in life lie
returned to his native home in Marshall County,
Tenn., where he died in l*i>7 at the age of sixty
years, being followed two years later by his wife.
She was a native of Pennsylvania, Polly Harbaugh
by name, and her parents belonged to that elass
known as Pennsylvania Dutch. They removed to
Kentucky and later to what is now Moultrie
County, becoming pioneers and living here to a
green old age.

David Patterson and his wife were members of
the Christian Church, and they were always suc-
cessful in life. Mr. Patterson was a Democrat in
his political views and at an early day under the
old law he had been Associate County Judge and
also held other local offices. Our subject is the fifth
iu a family of seven children, four of whom arc
yet living, are married, and reside in tins county.
The first marriage of our subject united him with
Naomi Henry, who died leaving him one child.
Mary, who followed her to the spirit land within
seven days. This young wife was a native of Shelby
County and made her home in Illinois through
life.

The second marriage of Mr. Patterson took
place in Moultrie County and gave to him as a
companion Miss Matilda Souther who was born
in this county and who also died while young.
leaving one child. Carrie, who grew to be an at-
tractive and beautiful young woman and married
Klias Woodruff. She. like her mother, died during
her early wedded life, passing away in the summer
of 1890, leaving one daughter — Ethel byname.
The present Mrs. Patterson was known in hei
maidenhood as Miss Susie Ireland. She is a native
of Kentucky and came when a young woman to
Illinois where she met and married Mr. Patterson.
She is the mother of four children, namely: Wesley,
who took to wife Miss Flornev Wagoner, and lives

upon a farm in Sullivan Township with his wife
and two children — Montie and Ora; the three other
children are still beneath the parental roof and
bear the names of Gertie 15.. Levi L. and Louie (..
Mrs. Patterson is a member of the Christian Church
of Sullivan and is an active and earnest promoter
of all Christian work. Mr. Patterson has been three
terms the Supervisor of Sullivan Township and has
held other local offices. He takes a genuine inter-
est in political movements, being a decided Demo-
crat in his convictions and an earnest worker for
the prosperity of his county.

FRANCISCO RUFFNER. The gentleman
-) whose name heads this sketch, is the owner
of a good farm located on section 33, Mo-
weaqua Township. Shelby County, and a view of
which is shown elsewhere in this volume, llecanie
hither in 1K77. and has since been a resident in this
place, giving the township the benefit of the im-
provements that he has made, and of his own genial
presence with that of his amiable family. Mr. Ruff-
ner was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 1.
1839. lie was only thirteen years of age when he
went with his parents to Allen County, hid., where
he remained for fourteen years. Later he came to
this State and located in St. Clair County, where
he was the proprietor of a farm for a period of five
years. From there lie removed to Clinton County
and five years later came to this county, where he
has since lived.

Our subject has always been engaged in agricul-
tural work, his father before him having been a
farmer. His father was Benjamin Ruffner, a native
of Ohio, and a son of Benjamin and Ann (Ooff-
nian ) Ruffner. both natives of Virginia. After
marriage they removed to Ohio and settled in Fair-
field County, which was at that time in a state of
wild unbroken beauty, with virgin forests in which
were found game of every description belonging
to the latitude. As can be imagined, the country
was then sparsely settled, and the educational ad-
vantages were not what they now are. It was there

-, ;- ■

— \'-¥

»■■■: - - -V'-.-'t- t- . j-v-.p^-— .' "<;--■>_■

-ft

^^~ ■■■-" -,"

RESIDENCE OF FRANCI5C0 RU FFN ER, SEC. 33., MOWEAQUA TR, 5H ELBY CO., I LL.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN C. BROWN , SEC. 27. , Rl DGE TR, SH ELBY CO., I LL.

■

fPU \

RESIDENCE OF J. F. KU LL , SEC. 3., PRAI Rl E TP. , SHELBY CO., I LL.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

that their son Benjamin, Jr., was born, the father
of our subject. There also our subject's grandfa-
ther spent his last years, passing awai from this
life while yd in middle ago. His wife survived
him for -dine years and settled in Champaign
County, where she died at the good old age of
seventy-seven years.

Benjamin Ruffner, lather of our subject, was one
of fourteen children, of whom two are yet living.
lie wa> educated a farmer, and one can imagine the
social breaks in the monotony of pioneer farm life
such as corn husking, barbecues, spelling school
and singing matches. From among the maidens of
the county in which he lived he chose his wife.

who was before marriage a .Miss Mary Lamb, a na-
tive of Ohio, whose parents were from Virginia
like those of our subject. Her father was William
Lamb, and her mother Catherine (t'upp) Lamb.
They lived and died in Fairfield County, where
they were well known as among the earliest and
most respected pioneer settlers. They died full of
vears and honor. They, like our subject's grand-
parents, were members of the old school Baptist
Church. Mr. Lamb served as a soldier in the War
of 1812. There were ten children in this family.
all of whom are living except our subject's mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamb each lived to he over eighty
years old.

After their marriage, our subject's parents settled
in Fairfield County. Ohio, where they remained
until after the birth of their first child. They then
removed to Licking County, there devoting them-
selves to clearing up and improving a farm upon
which they built a large brick house and laid out
many valuable improvements. Later they removed
their family, in February 1853, to Indiana, settling
in Allen County, hnt afterward they returned to
Ohio living for one year in Miami County.

A spirit of unrest seemed to possess the family
of Iiuffners. for after tin- many changes they had
made in residence, they returned to St. Clair
County, this Stati'. and a short time after located
in Clinton County, where the father died at the
age of sixty-six years. -His wife passed away at
the home of her mhi> in this township and county,
eight years later, in 1 ■-< 7 4 . She was at the time of
her demise about seventy years of age She and

her husband were devoted members of the l'.aptist
Church.
The original of this sketch is the second in order

of birth of eight children, six of whom are yet liv-
ing, all having entered the marital relation with
the exception id' one. Our subject reached his ma-
jority in Allen County, hid., and when he made
his advent into Illinois, he was still a single man.
His first marriage look place in Kentucky, where
he was united to Mis> Anna F. Coffman. She died
in the prime of her life, after the birth of her first
child, which also yielded its little life with that of
its mother. She was only thirty-four years of age
at the time of her death.

Mr. Ruffner again married, inviting to be mis-
trcss of his home Miss Mary .1. Ramsey. Their
marriage was celebrated September 27. 1 .s.sjs. in
Lancaster County, Pa., of which place the lady was
a native, being there born August 30, 1842. she
i> of Scotch and Dutch ancestry, llcr mother.
whose maiden name was Lucy Gochnau, is yet liv-
ing in her native town. The father. Samuel Ram-
sey, died in Pennsylvania while in the meridian of
life, lie also was a fanner. Mrs. Ruffner is a no-
ble woman, having the best of qualities. She is
kind, hospitable and sympathetic, and interested in
all that interests her husband, to whom she is a
great help.

_ !

ACOlS V. KILL. Among the prominent
agriculturists of Prairie Township, Shelby
County. who have helped lo give this county
its present proud position in the state is the
gentleman whose name appears at the opening of
this paragraph. His home is located upon section
:i. is quite near to the village of Strasburg, and his
settlement in the county dates from September t>.
IS.") I. when he first purchased forty aero of land
on Robinson Creek in Ridge Township. Here 111
tilled the soil for two seasons and then removed to
the region where he now lives, and purchased one
hundred and ten acres of his present property on
which at that time the principal improvements
were a log cabin and the broken soil of a very few

278

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

acres. He now owns about two hundred and thirty
acres of land upon which are splendid improve-
ments, and he has platted some additions to Stras-
burg which he has sold off from his farm. A view
<>f his pleasant homestead may be found elsewhere
in this volume.

Hocking County, uhio. was the native place of
Mr. Kull. who was born January 31, 1836, being a
son of Christopher F. and Johanna (Weidner) Kull.
natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. In their native
lend they had grown to manhood and womanhood,
were united in marriage and one child was horn to
them before leaving their Fatherland. In 1830
they came to the United States and made their first
short stop at Baltimore, Md., then went on to Ohio,
settling on the prairie in Fairfield County. When
the family arrived in the Buckeye state the father
had *.~iii which he thought would be sufficient to
keep them in frugal comfort until he could earn
more, but the ague was then prevalent throughout
that region, and the family being sick for some
time the -"S'i 11 were spent for quinine. This dis-
gusted Christopher Kull with prairie life and re-
moving to Hocking County he settled among the
hills and woods. His father, Jacob F. Kull. with
his wife made his home there, also four sisters and
a brother, Jacob F.. Jr., who died in Hocking'
Country.

The father of our subject was fond of hunting
and found plenty of game in that hilly region.
As his health improved there he was well pleased
witli Hocking County and made it his permanent
home and reared a family of fourteen children,
twelve of whom grew to maturity. They were:
Magdalena, who married John Kireher and died
in Shelly County; Christian who died in this
county: Charles: our subject; Mary, wife of G.
l'ieffer: Caroline, wife of John Ruff; Minnie, now
Mrs. .1. F. Baur; Amelia, wife of Christ Bruney;
Fmanuel. Adam: Matilda, wife of J. F. Mautz. and
Julius. The parents of this large family came to
Shelby County in 1865 and settled at Strausburg,
where they remained until called hence by death.

Jacob F. Kull was reared among the woods and
hills of Hocking County and there grew up to a
sturdy and intelligent manhood. In 1858 he decided
to take to himself a wife and was married April 13.

to Elizabeth Niller, who was born in Fairfield
( 'minty. ( )hio. February 1*. 1839. She became the
the mother of eight children and died in this
county June 11. 1*77. The children who survive
her are named as follows: Ferdinand J., Johanna
A., wife of John Piefer; C. Louisa, wife of C. Mar-
tin Rieger: Caroline Rosetta, wife of Charles Nipp;
Matilda E. W".; William and Tobias.

The second marriage of our subject took place
February :!. 1*7*. he being then united with Cath-
rine M. Clump who was horn in Fairfield County,
Ohio, August l.">. 1857. Of their six children four
are now living — Foseph B., John D., Caroline W.
and Anna S. J. The religious belief of this family
is in accord with the doctrines of the Lutheran
Church with which they are connected, and the
political views of Mr. Kull have led him to ally
himself with the Democratic party.

i FWIS BAUMGARTEN. The German-Amer-

mT) iean citizen who has done so large a share

J \ of leveling forests, breaking the soil and

subduing wild prairies to a state of cultivation are
among the most valuable and sturdy citizens of our
country. They have proved themselves one of the
essentia] element- in the building up of our country
and to them we give the honor due to a class of
men of integrity, industry and thrift.

Our subject whose birth was across seas, reside-
within the limits of the village of Stewardson and
his residence in Shelby County dates from 186S.
He was born in Germany, December 15,1827, being a
son of Frederick and Elizabeth Baumgarten,the fam-
ily came to this country in 1.S47. when this son was
not yet of age and they settled in Sullivan County.
Ohio, where the parents died, the mother at the
age of seventy-six years and the father after he
had reached the venerable age of eighty-five.

Of the eight children of this worthy couple.
Louise, the eldest, died in Germany, when about
twent) years old. Following her came Lewis, our
subject; Edward who reside- in Shelby County.
Ohio: Rosa, now Mrs. Ilenrv Roegner who makes

PORTRAIT AND BU GRAPHICAL RECORD.

27'.i

her home in Miami Couuty, Ohio; Thessa who mar-
ried Conrad Uppermann and died in Pickaway,
Ohio; Caroline afterward married Conrad Upper-
liiann: Johanna became the wife of Frederick llum-
iih'1 and resides in Decatur, Ala. and Frederick
resides in Shelby County, Ohio.

He of whom we write came to the United States
with his lather'? family, and in 1856, he was uni-
ted in marriage with Cony Brehm who was born
December 23, 1838 in Baden, Germany, her parents
being John A. and Margaret Brehm who brought
their family to the United Mate- in 1846 and set-
tled in Shelby County, Ohio. There the father
died at the age of seventy-two years and there the
mother is still living, having reached the age of
seventy-nine years during the month of. Inly. 1891.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brehm ali grew to
maturity and were as follows: Frederick who died
in Shelby County. Ohio; Catherine became the
wife of Fred Madernsides anil lives in Hall
County, Xeb.; tony, the wife of our subject;
Margaret, married Lewis Neth and lives in Pick-
away, Ohio; Barbara is the wifeof Andrew Madern-
sides and lives in this county; Elizabeth married
Antonia Augast and died in Shelby County, Ohio:
Mary married Charles Buarnd, and died in Toledo,
Ohio: and Rachel is the wife of Martin Iliegel and
makes her home in Saline County, Neb.

After marriage our subject resided for some years
in ( »hio and purchased eight} - acres of timber land
which he proceeded to clear and had about one-
halt of it free from trees when he sold out and
came to Illinois, where he purchased two hundred
and sixty acres of land in Prairie Township, this
county, very little of which was improved. There
lie made his residence and upon it erected excel-
lent buildings and put it in first-class condition.
In June 1881 he removed to StewardsoD and set-
tled where he now resides, having forty acres "t
tine land there, besides his original farm. His Stew-
ardsoii land is very finely improved and in a hand-
some condition.

In the mutation- which have been the fate of
political parties of late years, it ha- been the lot
of many men to be tossed about from one party to
another SO much, perhaps, that they have been
fickle in their political belief and attachment hut

on account of the changes which have really taken
place in the standards of political parties. In this
way. our subject who was once a devoted adherent
of the Republican party is now a- warmly attached
to the Democratic. In religious belief the family
are earnest and Von-i-tcnt members of the Luth-
eran Church. Of the ten children who blessed the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Baumgarten three only
have passed away. The living are: Rachel (Mrs.
John Bauer), John. France- ( Mr-. Andrew Bauer).
Fred. Edith. Edward and Lew i>.

ILI.IAM ( . MILLER. ex-County Treasurer

' of Shelby County, occupies a conspicuous

WW place among it- native-born sons who have

done so much within the la-t generation to advance
it to its present high standing as a rich and pros-
perous community. lie is one of the principal
farmer- and stock-dealers in this section and con-
ducts an extensive and profitable business in his
line in Flat Branch Township, where he hasa large
farm that is complete in its appointment- and is a
valuable property.

Our subject is a son of Christopher Philip Miller,
an old and well-known resident of this county,
still living on the homestead farm that he devel-
oped from the wilderness on Robinson Creek.
Ridge Township, where William was horn in his
pioneer home February 16, 1842. The father is
of German birth and origin, born twelve miles from
lie— e-C as-el. October 10, 1803, a -on of John Chris-
topher and Hannah Francisco (Stralbnann) Miller.
who were also natives ,,f the same locality as him-
self. In 1804 the grandparents of our subject left
their old home in Germany to emigrate to the
United State- of America, voyaging aero-- the
waters in a -ail vessel and landing at Philadelphia.
The family settled in Chester County. Pa., and
went from there in 1817 to Ohio with a pair of
horses and a wagon. Tiny were among the first
•to settle in Fairfield County, that State, where the
grandfather, who was a shoemaker, used to ply his
trade, going from house to house as was the custom
in those days, lie died in that county in 1825,

280

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD,

his wife having preceded him in death the year
before. They reared nine children.

Christopher P. Miller was one year old the day
lie landed with his parents in Philadelphia. He
remained with them in Pennsylvania and Ohio
until his mother's demise, though he was lint a
boy when he began to earn his own living, lie
lived in Hickory Township. Fairfield County, Ohio,
until 1839, and then with his wife and the four
children that had been horn to them there, he came
to Illinois, the journey being performed with a
pair of horse- and a wagon, lie spent his first
winter in this State in Shelbvville anil in the spring
of IS 111 seleeted a Suitable location on the hanks
of Robinson (reek and became one of the first
settlers of Ridge Township, where he has ever since
made his home on the place that he then purchased.
During the half century and more that it has been
in his possession he has wrought a great change,
improving it into a fine farm. When he settled
on it the prairies were but sparsely settled and deer
and other kinds of game were abundant. There
were no railways here and for some years St. Louis,
one hundred and ten miles away, was the nearest
market and depot for supplies.

The father of our subject was first married Sep-
tember 24. 1829, to Miss Amanda Carpenter. She
was born near Lancaster, Ohio, and died in that
State November 28, 1834, leaving two children, of
whom Ezra, a resident of Assumption, is the Only
survivor. The maiden name of Mr. Miller's secoi>d
wife, mother of subject, was Catherine Spear.
She was horn in Dauphin County, Pa., and died
on the home farm in Ridge Township. February
28, 1869. There are six children livingof that mar-
riage, namely: Amanda, wife of Sam Yantis;
Henry M.; William ('.; Mary, wife of Alvin 1'.
Weakly; Eliza, wife of G. W. Townsend, and Henri
etta, wife of William II. Bickner. .lames ('.. tin
oldest child, died at the aye of fifty-eight years.

lie of whom this biographical sketch is written
was carefully reared under good home influences
in his native township. The first school that he
attended "as held in a typical pioneer log school
house that stood in the woods on the hank of Rob-
inson (reek. The building was heated by a large
fireplace which occupied almost the entire end of

the school room, and the furniture consisted of

slab benches and a writing desk of the same mate-
rial supported on pins of wood that were driven
into the wall. September.'!. 1863, our subject was
the victim of a serious accident whereby he lost
his right arm just above the elbow. This loss
changed the tenor of his life to a great extent as
it determined him to secure a higher education
than he had already acquired, and the same fall
before his arm was healed he enrolled his name as
a pupil in the seminary al Shelbvville. lie studied
in that institution diligently for a year and in
January. 1865, entered the profession of a teacher,
taking charge of a school in Flat Branch Township.
As soon as that term closed he was called to teach
a school in Ridge Township near his old home, and
after that he taught a two month's school at As-
sumption. He then immediately returned to Ridge
Township to teach there again, and his services
were ill such constant demand, so successful was he
in imparting knowledge, showing himself to pos-
sess in a full degree the best requisites of an edu-
cator, that his time was almost wholly given to his
vocation with scarce an intermission for an entire
year. He was afterward engaged in teaching in
Ridge, Flat Branch and Tower Hill Townships for
several winters. In the summer he devoted his
time to raising hedge plants and was thus employed
for eight seasons with g 1 financial returns.

For some years prior to his marriage Mr. Miller
became a resident of Flat Branch Township ami
here he bought his first land, and after he was mar-
ried lie located on a farm on section 33. At the
close of his second term as County Treasurer, in
the fall of 1877, he located on his present farm
which is situated on section 24, Flat Branch Town-
ship. He has six hundred and fifty-five acres of
choice farming land which he is cultivating assidu-
ously besides carrying on a lucrative business in
trading in stock. He is a man of large enterprise,
keen foresight, possessinga good understanding of
the best ways of conducting his business so as to
make the most money out of it. and has a taste
for speculation in which he is in variably successful.
combining boldness and caution in due proportion
in his operations.

The same traits that have made our subject one

PORTRAIT AMi BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

281

of our solid business men have also given him
weight and influence in the public and political
life of the county and gained him distinction as
an office holder. Hi' has always affiliated with the
Democrats and has generally - supported thai party
in State and national issues, although he lias
sympathized with the National Greenback party
where questions of finance and currency are con-
cerned and shared it- prejudices in regard to mo-
nopolies. When the farmer's movement was at
its strongest in this county In- was "in- of the most
active leaders, and in tin- summer of 1873 was
honored by nomination to tin- office of County
Treasurer at a convention held at Shelbyville com-
posed of the supporters of the Farmer's movement
There was no opposition candidate and Mr. Miller
was, of course, elected, and after looking alter the
finances of the county tun years to the perfect sat-
isfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party, he
was again a candidate on the people's ticket.
Though opposed by the nominee of the Demo-
cratic party, so popular was he. he polled sixty-six
more votes than his Opponent, and that. too. in a
county that is usually overwhelmingly Democratic.

Mr. Miller was first married July 13, 1871, to
Miss Mary Chadwick, a daughter of William
Chadwick, and a native of Flat Branch Township.
She died June in. 1878, after a brief but happy
wedded life in which three children had been horn,
of whom these two survive, Ada May and t harles
Cyrus. The youngest, Bertie Sylvan, died after
its mother'- death at the aire of nine months.

Our subject was married a second time February
2. 1881, to Mrs. Nancy (Armstrong) Goodwin,
daughter of John Armstrong and widow- of Joseph
Goodwin. She was a consistent member of the
Christian Church and i- in every way worthy of
tlie respect of the community that -he shares with
her husband. Mrs. Miller was horn in her father-
pioneer log cabin in what is now Penn Township,
July 18, 1835. Her father was horn in Warren
County. Ky.. April I. 1803, his father. Aaron Arm-
strongs native of south Carolina, being a pioneer
of that section of the country, lie resided there
until 1809, when he came to Illinois which was in
that year organized a- a territory by an act of
Congress, lie located in Madison County, being

one of its early settlers, and lived there during the
War of 1812, having to live in a fort a part of the
time. He improved a farm in that COUntj and
made it his home until death closed hi- earthly-
pilgrimage.

Mr-. Miller's father married in Madison Countv.
Jennie Roach, a native of Kentucky, and in 1826
he, too, became a pioneer, coming to Shelbt County
to build upa new home in the wilderness that then
prevailed here. He made claim to a tract of Gov-
ernment land including the southwest quarter of
section 6,of township 14, range 3, east of the third
principal meridian, now known as Penn Township.
1 1 « - occupied a log cabin on his land and for a time
hi- nearest neighbor wa- ten mile- distant. Deer,
wild turkeys, wolves and other wild animals were
plentiful in this then uncivilized region which the
hand of man had done hut little to reclaim. Mr.
Armstrong entered and bought other land besides
his homestead and resided on tin- farm that he im-
proved until after the death of his wife in l.s7.">.
lie -pent the last eight year- of hi- life with his
daughter. Mis. .Miller, dying at a venerable age
August in. 1883.

Mrs. Miller developed into a vigorous woman-
hood in her parental home anil was taught all use-
ful household duties, including the art of carding,
spinning and weaving cloth. She was first mar-
ried in 1870 to Joseph G Iwin, a native of Ten-

nessee. He was a farmer by occupation and passed
his last years on hi- farm in Penn Township, dying
in 1875. By that marriage Mrs. Miller has one
child. Flo Goodwin. Mr. and Mrs. Miller's child-
ren are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They are being carefully educated and all are stu-
dents at the state Normal School, at Normal. III..
at the present time.

_-S~5"M-i

i . » .. t-l"t - L

i » I I.I.I AM II. RAGAN, although among the
\ . / younger members of the bar, has an excel-
\jjyvf/ lent reputation as a criminal lawyer. He
was horn in Fairfield County, Ohio. September 30,
1830, the son of .lames W. and Ellen (Springer)
Ragan. His paternal ancestors were of Irish ex-

282

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

traction his great-grandfather being born mi the
Emerald Isle. The maternal ancestors were of
German and Swedish blood but came to this coun-
try in the early Colonial daysand one of his great-
grandfathers served as a soldier all through the
Revolutionary War. Fairfield County, was the
native home of his parents and there they were
married and reared their family, but removed to
Illinois in 1 M(>7. and located first in Clark County.
next m Effingham County, whence they came to
Shelby County. The mother, who still survives, is
a widow, her husband having died in 1886 at the
age of sixty years.

.lames W. Ragan, the worthy father of our sub-
ject, was a soldier in the Union army during the
Civil War, being a member of Company C, One
Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. After
the battle of Haines Bluff he was detailed as nurse
on a hospital boat which bore the name of the
"City of Memphis" and went up the Mississippi
River to Paducah, Ky., at which place he was in-
jured lv a fall, while unloading the dead bodies of
the brave boys who had fallen in conflict. In con-
sequence of this accident he was placed in the
hospital at St. Louis, from which he was in due
time discharged, but he never entirely recovered
from the injury, and his sufferings from it hastened
his death.

There were eight children in the family of the
parents of our subject, namely: Laura A., now
Mrs. John J. Gallagher; William II. our subject;
Silas A;, Eber A.. George \\ '.. .lames F. and Joseph
A. (who was drowned at the age of five years, in :i
small creek near their home in Fayette County,
Ohio) and Addison A.

The early life of William Ragan was passed upon
the home farm and at the age of fourteen he hired
out as a farm hand at $5 a month, anil served in
this capacity until he reached the age of eighteen
years. lie then saw the need of an education and
so for a number of years we find him attending
school and teaching and he finally became a teacher
in the High School at Shelby ville. lie studied law
in the office of Hamlin & Ilolloway and in 1884
was admitted to the bur. After practicing for one
year he entered the Union College at Chicago,
which college is the law department of the North-

western University at Kvanston. Since taking his
diploma in 1886 he has given his entire attention
to his profession :it Shelbyville. lie has a general
practice but gives particular attention to criminal
practice.

The domestic life of Mr. Ragan is a very happy
one. as he was married July 1. 1*77. to Mary C.
Gallagher, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Gallagher,
who was born in Shelby County, where her par-
ents are among the pioneers. They have had three
children gather about their fireside, the eldest.
Jennie, dying in infancy, but Elza M. and Maude
A., remain to be the joy and comfort of their par-
ents, lie is deeply interested in political move-
ments and espoused the cause of the Republican
party until 188H at which time he supported the
Democratic ticket, stumping the State and making
brilliant and effective speeches in sixty different
places. lie has never sought office and prefers to
give his attention to private practice. He is iden-
tified with the Masonic fraternity and has been an
earnest and consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church since he was fourteen years of

=-M$+£

p="

LFRE1) REED. The sons of the pioneers
have indeed reason to feel proud of their
'honorable ancestry. The early settlers in
Illinois were a class of men and women
who came to the New West not alone for personal
aggrandizement but mainly for the benefit of their
posterity. They cheerfully endured hardships and
wrought gladly with their hands that they might
provide a future for those who are dependent upon
them. Our subject was born in Shelbyville Town-
ship. Shelby County. August 8, 1839, where he
now resides, his parents being Moses and Ruth
(Fortner) Reed. The father was born in Tennessee.
March 3. 1807. and there married a lady who was
born in North Carolina. March 12. 1808, a daugh-
ter of Micajah Fortner.

This young wedded couple came to Illinois and
settled in Shelby County about the year 1825,
when there were no houses between them and Yan-
dalia and only two or three houses anywhere in

PORTRAIT AND BI< >< JKAl'HK AL RECORD.

283

their vicinity, Indians still abounded in Shelby
County, deer and other game were plentj and
wolves came about the dooryard.

Mioses Reed entered land and settled mi section
28, where he also purchased other land and dealt
in real-estate more or less, having generally six
hundred acres of land in possession at a lime. He
made his permanent home where he first settled
and remained there until his death in November,
1884, a1 theage-of seventy-seven years. His widow
died August 13, 1890, al the very advanced age
of eighty-three years. Their ten children are Lu-
einda. now Mrs. Jackson; Edward; Elizabeth, de-
ceased; Eliza, now Mrs. Henry Hilton; Artimesia,
now ilrs. Manning; Moses; Alfred, our subject;
Elisha and Marion, deceased; and one who died
in childhood.

Having grown to manhood in Shelby ville Town-
ship, and undertaken as his work for life agricul-
tural pursuits, our subject decided to establish a
home for himself and in 1862 lie married Rebecca,
daughter of Jacob Kensil, who became the mother
of live children and died in 187:5. Two only of
her children are now living, namely: Sarah.
now Mrs. Bazel Haywood and Mary .1.. the wife of
Lewis Manning. In 1X77 Mr. Heed married Alzira
Hoard, daughter of Andrew J. and Mary J. (High-
land) Hoard. This lady was horn in Union County,
Ohio. October 14. 1856, and came with her parents
to Illinois in 1X68. They settled in Shelby County,
and here this young girl grew up into a lovely
young womanhood and received a training in the
useful arts of housewifery, in which she became
expert. Her beloved mother is still living and her
worthy father died .Inly 4. 1*86. at the age of
sixty-four years. One child only of the second
marriage is now living, a daughter Zula; a little
one dieel at the age of eighteen months some years
ago.

About three hundred acres of land now form the
home farm of this successful and thorough-going
farmer. lie prefers to devote himself largely to
stock-raising of which he makes a specialty, and in
which he is very prosperous. His political views
have led him to ally himself with the Democratic
party, and he firmly believes that the principles
endorsed by "Old Hickory" are the reliable ground

for political act ion now-a-days. The high esteem
in which lie is held by his neighbors has often led
them to urge his acceptance of various local offices,
but the only position which he has ever fell willing
to accept was that of a member of the School
Board in which In- has been very useful and has
aided materially in forwarding the educational in-
terests of his township. Socially he is a member
of tile Independent Order of odd Fellows.

I ^i ) fci I I I 1 E in f

f 1 ' I ' -

~X ROF. WILLIAM E. McCORMICK. No res-

) ident of Tower Hill. Shelby County, has
fr pursued a more honorable career or been of
J greater value as a citizen and public servant
than the gentleman whose name Introduces these
paragraphs and who is well known throughout
Shelby County. His life and character are well
worthy of imitation by those who. like himself,
must he the architects of their own fortunes and
destinies to a great extent. His habits are unosten-
tatious, his judgment impartial, his convictions
strong and his benefactions, like his labors, constant
and unremitting. In 1888 he was appointed Prin-
cipal of the public schools of Towel' Hill, since

which time he has advanced the grade of scholar-
ship, deepened the public interest in educational
matters and brought the school to the front rank
among the. academies of learning in the county.
Recently he has been invited to take charge of the
school at Windsor in this county.

Prof. McCormick is of Irish parentage. His
father. Edward McCormick. was horn in County
Oalwav. Ireland, of which county his mother, .lane
(O'Brien.) McCormick, was also a native. After
their marriage in Ireland they emigrated to Amer-
ica during the latter part of the '50s, and coming
directly to this State, settled on a farm near the
village of Tower Hill, of which they have since
been residents. They became the parents of four
children, of whom our subject IS the eldest. lie
was horn in County ( iahvay. Ireland. April I. 1858,
and was about three years of age when he was
brought by his parents to this country, lie grew
to manhood in Tower Hill Township and received

284

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a good education in its graded schools. Later he
becamea .student in the Central Normal College of
Danville, Ind.. where lie fitted liimsell' for the pro-
fession of a teacher.

Since 1«77. when Prof. McCormlck taught his
first school, he has been engaged in his chosen pro-
fession and has become well-known as a splendid
disciplinarian and one thoroughly able to impart
knowledge to others. He was married in l'ana.
111.. September 13, 1883, to Miss Minnie R., daugh
ter of Samuel Milliken. This estimable lady was
born in Shelby County, III.. June 1, 1860 and is a
lady of recognized worth of character and kindly
disposition. She and the Professor are both con-
sistent members of the .Methodist Episcopal Church,
in which he has been a Trustee. He has also served
as Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and takes
an active part in religious and benevolent work.
In politics he is a Democrat and has served the
township as Clerk and Assessor. He owns two
hundred acres adjacent to the village of Tower
Hill, a portion of which lies within the corpora-
tion.

P"^RAXKLIX D.GOULD. Our subject is one
j of the firm known as Gould Bros., dealers
in grain, who have a wide reputation for
honor and integrity, and enjoy the confidence of
the community in which they are living by virtue
of their fair and upright dealing. He of whom we
are writing was born in Cambria, Niagara County.
X. Y.. April i'l. 1 847. He was reared on his
father's farm and was engaged in farming in his
native county until 1883, when he disposed of his
farm and came to this State, settling in Windsor,
and soon after launched into the grain business in
partnership with his brother, Lyman A. Gould.

For two montns after coming to this State
Mr. Gould was employed by K. &, I. Jennings
at Mattoon, 111., in buying grain. lie went to De-
catur, at which place he remained four months,
being there employed by the Wabash Railroad
Company. He was married in Cambria, X. V..
February 2K. 1K72. to Miss Agnes ('.Colt, who was
a native of the same county and State as himself

Mrs. Gould is a refined and womanly woman and
makes a pleasant home for her husband and chil-
dren, of which she has had four. They are: Elmer
\V.. Clara M.. Florence and Grace A. It was a
great blow to the parents when their eldest child
and only son. and was taken from them in Febru-
ary, 1890. He was at the full bud and promise of
manhood, being seventeen years of age at the time
of his death, lie was a victim of that dread dis-
ease — La Grippe, which made vacant so many
places in families throughout the country, suffer-
ing severely lief ore his decease. The second daugh-
ter, Florence, died when a small child, being only
four years of age.

Although not an otlice-seekcr in any sense. Mr.
Gould, like most of the fresh, vigorous young men
in our country, cannot but be interested in politi-
cal life, lie has allied himself with the Democratic
party. Both our subject and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he havingbeen
so connected since 1866, and his wife's church re-
lations dating from childhood. Mr. Gould is a
modest and unpretentious man. whose first con-
sideration is attention to his business. He is. how-
ever, a favorite in both commercial and social
circles, and is highly esteemed as one of the repre-
sentative men of the town.

/p^EORGE A. SMITH. M. 1). A successful and
[/[ (— _, enterprising member of the medical profes-

A^iji sion. residing in Ilenton. in Ridge Town-
ship, is a son of the late John B. Smith, who was
born in Butler County. Ohio. His mother, who
bore the maiden name of Sarah Munson, was born
in Xew Jersey. The father was a farmer by occu-
pation and after his marriage with Miss Munson
made his home in Franklin County. Ind.. whence
he came in 1860 and settled in Ridge Township.
Shelby County, where he completed his mortal
career August 13, 1890. He left his faithful wife
to mourn his loss.

Our subject is one of seven children of the par-

■ ital home and is the third in order of age. lie

THOS. STEWARD SON

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

287

was born in Franklin County, Ind., October 30,
lx.">.->. and was reared to manhood upon hisfather's
farm in Shelby County. His earlier education "'as
taken in the common schools and at Shelbyville.
He entered the St Louis Medical College a1 St. Louis,
Mo., in 1876, and graduated in the Class of '79,
receiving hi> diploma at that time. He began his
professional work at Henton and has now luiill up
an excellent and broad practice. lli> marriage,
which occurred April 29, 1891. united him with
Miss Ida M. Stanley, daughter of Leroy and Eliza-
beth ( Ward) Stanley.

Dr. Smith lias taken an active part in all local
movements and is an energetic and progressive
citizen. His political views have led him to affiliate
with tin- Democratic party, in the progress of which
he feels a keen interest. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and is also identified with the
M< dern Woodmen of America. Hisexeellent judg-
ment and genial nature commend him to his fel-
low-citizens.

*^»IK>MAs STEWARDSON, one of the early
(f~\ pioneers of Shelby County and a man who
\ZS has made his record for industry, hard
work, perseverance and integrity, has a pleasant
borne on section 24. Shelbyville Township, where
bis residence dates from the fall of 1849. He was
born in the North of England, March 1*. 1818,
and i> the >on of William and Mary (Nicholson)
Stewardson. The mother died when the subject
of this sketch was hut a small hoy. leaving seven
children, of whom Thomas was the eldest. Those
who followed him were: Robert, who died in
Shelby ( ounty; Samuel, went to the West Indies
and there died; Isabella, married Mr. Brewster and
died in shelbyville: William: John, who resides in
Texas, and Mary, who died in Indiana in 1844.
The father of our subject came to tin- United
States, and settling in Illinois, lived in Shelby
( ounty until his death. He took np the land
for this son two years previous to our subject's
coming here.

Thomas stewardson was reared a farmer, and

when a young man of some twenty-three years
came to the I'nited stale-, settling in Ohio in the
year 1840, and there married three years later the
lady whom he had chosen from all the world to he
his companion through life, she was Elizabeth
l'arnell. a native of England and a daughter of
John and Agnes l'arnell. After marriage they re-
sided in Ohio for some nine years with the excep-
tion of one season, which they spent in Northern
Indiana. Elizabeth stewardson became the mother
of six children, but was called from them by death
in 1856, leaving them to mourn a mother's loss.
They are all now grown to manhood and are occu-
pying [positions of responsibility and honoring
their parents by lives of usefulness and worth.
They are as follows: John, who resides in Sac
County. Iowa: Thomas, who lives in the State of
Washington; James. Robert and William P.. who
live in Shelby County; and Samuel, who makes
lii— home in South Dakota.

In December, 1856, our subject [was married to
Sarah Brady, a daughter of Thomas and Martha
(Vaughn) Brady, and a native of Shelby County,
where she was born October 20,1839. Her par-
ents were of Southern birth and came to Illinois
in the pioneer days, taking up and improving land
here. Their death occurred in Shelby County,
and they left >ix children, as follows: William, de-
ceased; Jane, the wife of Perry Reed, who resides in
Butler County. Kan: Samuel, deceased; Sarah. Mr-.
Stewardson; Narcissa A., who married Hiram Brown
and died in Shelby County: and James, who is
also deceased.

The first possession of Mr. Stewardson in Illinois
was forty acres, and he now owns two hundred
and sixty, all excellent and well improved land.
bearing upon it good feme-, excellent barn? and a
substantial home. He followed sheep-raising for a
number of years very successfully and has the
qualities which lead to success in that department
of work, as he is prudent and attentive to the
needs of hi- stock. He now pursues general farm-
ing. Mrs. Stewardson i> a member of the Hard
shell Baptist Church and has brought up her seven
children in the faith of the Christian religion. They
are named: Martha Jane, wife of John Richardson;
Edward; Doutrlas: Henry; Mary, now Mrs. Ben-

288

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

jamiii Field; Eliza, the wife of Mathew Bain-
brig; and Albert. The political views of our sub-
ject liave brought liim into sympathy with the
Democratic party, for whose success he is desirous,
but he is not at all an office-seeker, although he has
filled successfully the position of School Director.
Elsewhere in this volume the reader will Qnd a
lithographic portrait of Mr. Stewardson.

^m>-3£-<m=

(>I1N W. BEERY, a prominent and success-
ful fanner residing on section .">. Ridge
Township, Shelby County, and a man who
I is ever active in political and church circles,
is the son of Josiah Beery, a native of Rockingham
County. Ya.. where his mother. Ann Jacobs was
also horn. They had thirteen children, and our
subject was among the older members of the fam-
ily, being born September II. 1844. in Rockingham
County, where he was reared upon a farm.

At the time of the breaking out of the war, this
young man was conscripted when only sixteen
years old. into the rebel army. lie served in the
ranks but a few days, and then was detailed to
work in a shoe shop, where he served between three
and four years. When Gen. Hunter made his
famous raid up the Shenandoah Valley, all the de-
tailed men were called out and given guns. The
enemy was routed and our subject took leave of
his brethren in arms against the Union without the
consent of his commanding officer, and coming to
Fairfield County, obtained employment at farm
labor.

Here Mr. Beery remained until his marriage Sep-
tember 2. L869, to Miss Rebecca Swartz, a daughter
of Henry and Sarah (Beery) Swartz. both of whom
were native- of Fail Held County. Ohio. The mother
died in that county, and the father in Picka-
way Township. Shelby County, 111., where he had
settled in December. 187(1. The wife of our sub-
ject was one of the younger members in a large
family of twelve children, and was horn in Fair-
field County. .Inly 22. 1847.

The young married couple continued to reside
in Fairfield County until the fall of 1872. when

they removed to Shelby County and made their
home in Pickaway Township for ten years, after
which ihe\ removed to Ridge Township, and set-
tled on section 5, where Mr. Beery owns a farm of
eighty acres upon which he has placed good im-
provements.

The children who have come to bless the home
of our subject are: Thomas C, Mary A.. Laura ('..
Elmer ('.. Docie E., Lulu F... John < ). and Onie B.
Elmer. John and Onie have passed to the better
world. The father of these children is an intelli-
gent and public-spirited man, who has always taken
an active part in public affairs, and is an ardent
and progressive Republican, lie has been School
Director for five years, and in this capacity has
done much to forward the educational interests of
the Township. In the spring of 1 8110 he was elected
Highway Commissioner, which office he has tilled
to the satisfaction of his constituents and the bene-
fit of the roads, lie has always been engaged in
agricultural pursuits, and has made them a success.
The Evangelical Association is the religious body
with which he and his good wife are connected,
and in its work they are ever ready to take part,
and to do good. He has been in this connection
Class- Leader. Trustee, Sunday-school Superinten-
dent and exhorter. Mr. Beery is a member of the
Modern Woodmen, and is also identified with the
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.

ip^ffl AMUEL W. MORTHLAND. Himself a

V S^# lover of a fine horse, our subject under-

V^J!/ stan ^ s * ne needs Of 'he traveling public so

thoroughly as to keep all grades and styles

of animals to suit each whim and taste. For the

young man who Loves a level stretch of country

and a good gait, he has in his stables roadsters that

can keep up with any in the county. For the old

physician who cannot get along without his forty

winks as he goes from one place to another, he has

the staid and reliable animals that will land him at

his destination safely, without so much as a pull at

the lines, and to the nervous lady who is afraid

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

289

of a good, fast gait, and yel wants to travel behind
a horse with some style, he gives a beautiful little
mare with glossy mane and tail, and tender eyes
thai promise of themselves the utmost sedateness
united with elegant dignity, for .Mr. Morthland is
:i livery man and cater.'- hi the traveling public "1'
Lovington, Moultrie County.

Tin' parents of our subject were Joseph T. ami
Alice (McCardle) Morthland. Tin- former was a
nativeof Pennsylvania and tin- latter emigrated in
her young womanhood to the United States from
Ireland. They were married in New York City and
came from there to Decatur, III., in the year 1859.
Two weeks after his arrival in the last-named city
Joseph Morthland died. His wife followed him a
good many years later, passing away from this life
in Moultrie County, August 17. 1889. They were
the parents of five children, and of these our sub-
ject was the eldest, lie was horn in New York
City. January 1 1. 1850, and was nine years of age
when he came witli his parents to Decatur, this
State.

Mr. Morthland early knew what it was to take
care of himself for in his young days he worked
out for his hoard and clothing, spending four or
five years in this way in Macon County, his mother
having removed to Moultrie County and married
again a man by the name of Levi Misenhelter.
Our subject went to live with his mother and made
his home under her roof until his marriage which
took place in Lovington, December in. 1872. His
bride was Rebecca McCravy.who was horn in Ten-
nessee.

After marriage the young couple resided in
Lovington for several months and then removed
to Lowe Township, where our subject was engaged
in fanning for a period of aboul four years. At
the expiration of this time he returned to Loving-
ton and purchased a livery business in July. 1878.
and has since continued giving his attention to
this business. Mr. Morthland is a genial, whole-
souled fellow who is a hail fellow well met with all
the best spirits of the town. lie is deservedly .pop-
ular with all classes of people and enjoys the con-
fidence and respect of the community.

Oursubject and his wife have had their domestic
life enriched by the advent of one daughter therein.

Her name is Ida M. and she is the pride of her
parents whose ambition it is that every talent thai
she possesses should he cultivated in the highest
degree and that she should lie an accomplished and
intelligent woman. Mr. Morthland has served on
the Village Board for several years and has tilled
the office of Township Clerk most acceptably.
Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and both an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias.
In connection with his livery business he also
makes a specialty of Normans and roadsters.
being engaged in breeding horses, lie also sells
many buggies and vehicles of all descriptions. Be-
sides his business in the village he has a general
Oversight of his farm in the township which com-
prises one hundred and twenty acres and which
brings him in a handsome revenue.

/AMES AVERY WOOD. A pleasant gentle-
man whom Moultrie County may well be
proud to claim as a son and native, is he
whose name is at the head of this sketch.
Born here March 31, 1848. his parents were Joseph
M. and Parletha (Patterson) Wood. ( )ur subject's
paternal grandfather, Avery Wood, came to this
county before 1840, and entered a large tract of
land upon which he made some improvements he-
fore his death, which occurred in Sullivan Township,
where his body lies interred. The father of our
subject was the only boy in the family to attain
the age of maturity. He was a farmer and died in
Sullivan Township in the fall of 1852, having be-
fore his death acquired a handsome property. Our
subject's mother, married a second time, a gentle-
man by the name of Montgomery, and by this union
three children were horn which were reared with
him of whom we write.

The parental family consisted of three children
whose names arc as follows: Sarah J.: James A..
our subject, and John W. Mr. Wood's only sis-
ter married William Hodge; she died in Sullivan
Township, without issue. James A. was married in
lKCD to Mary A. Hoke, a daughter of Samuel and
Amanda Hoke. She was a native of the same

290

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county and State as her husband being here born
April 18, 1849. Her death occurred June 6, 1890,
and her loss is deeply fell not only by her imme-
diate family but by many who have been the recip-
ients of her kindly sympathy and aid in times of
trouble, she lived in Sullivan Township all her
life.

Mr. Wood is a progressive farmer and although
he is comparatively a young man. has acquired a
good farm which comprises one hundred and sixty
acres of as fertile and weil-located land as there is
in the county. Upon this lie has put valuable im-
provements, and lias here a pleasant home.
He devotes himself chiefly ti> general farming.
bul has Mime fine stuck. The original of
our sketch is not content to accumulate alone
earthly riches, but realizes that for himself
and family there are treasures of learning and wis-
dom to be had for the getting. I lis- home boasts
many books by standard authors and the latest cur-
rent literature finds its way to his reading table.
He is a thoughtful reader, forming lii> ideas from
his own deductions, rejecting ready-made opinions
upon any line of thought, whether it he political
or otherwise.

Five children comprise the family of our subject,
whose name- are: Zolla Newton, Estella May, Sarah
.lane. Samuel A. and Lora Edith. Politically. Mr.
Wood's sympathies and interests center with the
Democratic party and this receives the weight of
his vote and influence. Religiously he is a member
of the United Brethren Church, and seeks to live
in his daily life, the lessons taught by the life
of the Divine Man.

P~RANK M. LOVING. Among the promin-
ent citizens of Dora Township who has
lived in this section for more than a quar-
ter of a century, we are pleased to mention the
name which appears at the head of this paragraph.
Mr. Loving is a fanner who settled in Moultrie
County in the fall of 1867, and whose pleasant
home is to he found on section 22, Dora Township.

He i- a native [Hinoisan, having been horn in Mc-
Lean County. April 14. 1855, a son of Jasper D.
and Maria J. (Messer) Loving, natives of Indiana
and Illinois, respectively.

Taylor Loving, the grandfather of our subject,
was a native of North Carolina who came to this
State and located in McLean County about the
year 1835, locating near Normal, but later remov-
ing to Gridley Township, where he became the
owner of some five hundred acres of land upon
which he passed his remaining years, dying at the
aire of about fifty, lie left a family of four sons
and one daughter. John. Philip, James. Jasper anil
Nancy, which latter became the wife of George
I ox. Jasper Loving was only about eighteen
months old when the family settled in McLean
County and he was educated in Bloomington and
(hose husbandry as his pursuit in life. He was
married in McLean County to Maria, a daughter
of John Messer. an early yioneer of the county.

After marriage the newly wedded pair settled in
Gridley Township on land which Taylor Loving
had entered from the Government He remained
with his parents and assisted them while his brothers
went to California during the gold excitement. and
after the death of the father Jasper fell heir to a
portion of the land and purchased the interest of
some of the heirs, and thus became the owner of a
fine farm.

Jasper Loving, in 1867. sold his farm in McLean
County and coming to Moultrie County, purchasi d
from the Illinois Central Railrcad Company two
hundred and forty acres of unbroken prairie to
which he somewhat later added by purchase one
hundred and twenty acres more, all of which he
improved. In 1882. on account of his wife's feeble
health, he sold a portion of his land and went to
Montgomery County. Kan., where he purchased two
small farms, but the change of residence did not
bring as much improvement to Mis. Loving's health
as had been hoped, and she left him for the spirit
world in 1884. One year later he returned to
Illinois and died June 7. is**, in Dora Township.
He was an earnest Republican in his political views
and at different times held various local offices.
The Christian Church was the religious body in the
communion of which he found comfort and strength.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

291

He and his g <<"\ wife had seven children, four of
whom lived to years of maturity, namely: Frank
M.. Mary ( .. wife of John 0. McMulIen, John T.
and Lewis V. The latter was born Jane 1*. 1867,
and reside* with our subject.

Frank M. Loving came with his father's family
i" Moultrie County in L867, and -ix year- later
chose for himself a bride in the person of Fliza.
daughter of John and Nancy McMullen. She was
born in Ohio, June 22. 1855, and became the
mother of two children. John .T. and Sylva E. The
old homestead forms the residence of our subject,
and he is the owner of eighty acres of finely im-
proved land. His political views incline him to
endorse the action of the Republican party, yet he
is independent to a considerable extent and never
allows himself to lie trammeled by party ties. In
the membership of the Christian Church he and
his excellent wife find themselves in a religious
home which is in accordance with their faith and*
sympathies.

OHS M. CUSAAC. It is contrary to the
principles of true political economy to en-
courage celibacy and discourage marriage,
and the historian regrets the necessity of
occasionally chronicling the fact that a man of
noble life, integrity and honor, has been content to
live a life of single blessedness and has not made
for himself a true home by placing at his side a
companion who would double his joys and halve
his sorrows. Yet when a single life has been con-
ducted so nobly and unselfishly as has that of our
subject, the writer willingly touches lightly upon
this dereliction from duty and is willing to paint
in light colors the life of this worthy man.

Our subject was born in Perry County, Ohio, in
1825, l>einij the son of Andrew Cusaac. a native of
Pennsylvania, and Jane Shaw, who was born in
the same State. His parents settled in Perry
County, Ohio, in 1813 and there made their home
through life. ( )f their eight children two died in
infancy. William died in Perry County, Ohio,
and Jane, who married Mr. Ensminger. resides with

our subject. ( aroline married Jacob Dial and her
death occurred in June, 1890. Two children.
James and Celis survive her. Mary married Cor-
nelius Axline and died in Muskingum County,
Ohio, leaving two children. William and Matilda.
Lncinda is the wife of Robert Yost and Sarah M..
an unmarried sister, resides with our subject. Mr.
Cusaac has ever been a kind and affectionate
brother to his sisters and their comfort and support
in times of trial.

Mr. Cusaac first located on section 29, Shelby-
ville Township, when he came to this county, and
he here purchased nearly eight hundred acres of
land. In this he was joined by his brother. A. J.
About the year lxtil he purchased the farm upon
which he now resides and upon which he has erec-
ted a plea-ant home, excellent barns and other sub-
stantial and handsome improvements, so that it is
now counted as the best improved farm in Shelby-
ville Township, and comprises some four hundred
acres of land. His political views bring him into
affiliation with the party which is proud to claim
the names of Jefferson and Jackson, but he is not
a politician nor wire puller and has steadfastly de-
clined to accept office. Ik- is a supporter of the
Presbyterian Church to which his sisters belong
and is warmly interested in the cause of Christian-
ity, although not a church member. His industry,
economy and thrift have placed him upon a sub-
stantial footing and given him the respect of his
fellow -citizens. He settled in this county in 1866,
and his pleasant home is located just outside the
citv limits of Shelbvville.

'■M~5~i- =

ANIF1. SMITH, who resides on section ID.

Ridge Township, Shelby County, is a cit-

, K Izen of superior ability and intelligence.

His father. Nathan smith, and his grand-
father, Daniel, Sr.. wen- born in Maryland. The
father of our subject was a fanner by occupation
and married, while living in Nicholas County.Ky.,
Mary Killam. who was born in Nicholas County,
December 2. 1799. After marriage thi- young
couple settled in Nicholas Countj and remained

292

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

there until death in the early prime of life. August
15, 1830. His bereaved widow, who was the
mother of live sons and one daughter, removed
the following year to Shelby County. 111., and
passed away January 30, 1880.

The subject of this writing was the second in
this family, being bom September 21, 1821, in
Nicholas ( oiinty. Ky.. where he spent the early
years of his life. The father died before the hoy
had completed hi> ninth year and when he was ten
years old he came with his mother and the family
to Shelby County, and lived for some nine or ten
years in Rose Township. Since that time he has
made his home in Ridge Township. He received
thorough training in thepractical work of farming
in his boyhood and undertook that a- his life work.

Daniel Smith and Sarah A. Wagoner were united
in the sacred bonds of matrimony in Rose Town-
ship. August 3, 1843. The bride is a daughter of
Jacob and Dradv (Sargent) Wagoner, both of whom
were Virginians by birth and first settled in Ken-
tucky, afterward in Indiana and then pursued their
pioneer life in Illinois, settling in Rose Township
in 1833. The mother died in 1840 and the father
passed away in Ridge Township, in 1857. They
were the parents of eight children, five sons and
three daughters, and Mrs. Smith, who was horn in
Washington County. Ind.. July 1. 1823, was the
sixth in order of age.

Mr. and Mrs. smith have passed their married
life in Ridge Township and here their family of
five children have been horn. George W. is a resi-
dent of Shelbyville; Mary, who became the wife of
Samuel Brownback, who died in Rural Township
in 1872, leaving one child. George, who has been
reared by his grandparents; Russell is a farmer in
Rural Township: and John J. carries on a farm in
Ridge Township. The remaining child is -Olivia.
Three little ones died in infancy. Mr. Smith has
been Highway Commissioner and School Director
for a number of years. His political convictions
have led him to ally himself with the Democratic
party and he cast his first vote for .lames K. Polk.
His wife is an earnest and active member of the
Christian Church. Mr. Smith bought his land from
the Government and has a fine estate of four hun-
dred and sixty-seven acres upon which he has

erected a delightful home, commodious barns and
other excellent outbuildings. These are situated
upon the home farm which covers some one hun-
dred and fifty acres. This intelligent gentleman
and genial neighbor has made his mark in the
community where he lives and i> worthy of the
generous estimate which is every where accorded
him.

•

~>&-

iODNEY ADKINs. There is probably no
place in the wide world where a man can SO
readily wrest from the soil a handsome com-
petency and put himself in a financial con-
dition to retire from active labor, as within the
hounds of the rich Prairie State. 'Throughout i t>
confines, north and south, east and west, we may
find thousands of fanners who have, by hard toil
•and enterprise, secured a degree of wealth which
allows them to rot during their later years, and
among these we are pleased to mctnion the still
active and enterprising gentleman whose name we
have given above.

Rodney Adkins, who resides on section (i. Loy-
ington Township, Moultrie County, dates his resi-
dence in this county from 1865, and in Illinois
from 1852. He was horn in Ross Count}', Ohio.
August 24, \X'2.'t. being a son of Staunton and
Anna (Tinnnons) Adkins. natives of Maryland.
'This excellent couple have removed from their na-
tive State to Ros> County previous to their mar-
riage. Mr. Adkins at the date of that event being
thirty years old. and his young bride but fifteen.
Subsequent to their marriage they removed to Pick-
away County, in the same State, and there settled
on a farm. Mrs. Anna Adkins became the mother
of thirteen children, and dieil at the age of forty,
but her husband survived and reached the very ex-
treme age of ninety-one years.

The subject of this sketch was the fourth in this
large family of the parental household, and re-
ceived his early training upon a farm and through
the active exercise and healthful manner of life in-
cident to agriculture, he gained a sturdy and health-
ful young manhood. He was married in Pickaway
County, Ohio. March IX. 1X47. his bride being Lo-

PORTRAIT AND BI< P.APHICAL RECORL.

293

vena Eskridge, daughter of George and Sabrlna
(Bryder) Eskridge, early pioneers of Pickaway
( ounty and native? of the little State of Delaware.
Their daughter, Lovena, was born in Pickaway
County in May, 1824.

The removal of our subject to Illinois was made
in 1852 with three team-. This was a long, weari-
some journey, but was taken leisurely, the party
camping out at night and picn icing along the road.
The principal expense which had to be incurred
was the payment of toll at the toll-gates. Upon
reaching the Prairie State. Mr. Adkins located in
Cumberland County, and became the owner oi two
hundred and forty-six acres of land within two
miles of Toledo, the county-seat. For t lii- he paid
at the rate oi $9 per acre and upon it be proceeded
to make g 1 improvements, and had it in excel-
lent condition before the exigencies of the Civil
War called him from his home and fireside.

Mr. Adkins enlisted in theserviceof hi- country
in August, 1861, and was mustered into service in
Company A. Fifth Illinois Cavalry, which regi-
ment was ordered to the Southwest, and saw service
in Arkansas. He was taken prisoner near Helena,
that state, in October, 1862, and while under guard
of six men. a captain of a company of guerillas,
who also laid claim to beinga Methodist Episcopal
preacher, rode up. and without leave or licenseshot
him in the arm. This ball, which he still carries.
so disabled him a- to cause him to be honorably
discharged in February, 1863.

Our subject returned u>( umberland County, and
in the fall of 1864 sold hi- land at $10 an acre and
proceeded to prospect in various part- of the State.
spending one season farming in Ford County be-
fore coming to Moultrie County. Here he pur-
chased eighty acres of his presenl farm, which was
then bnt little improved hut was considered of
more than ordinary value, and even then cum
manded 130 per acre. He now owns over one thou-
sand acres i if land, seven hundred and titty of
which are in one body, lie has erected a plea-ant
home, excellent barns and other good outbuildings.
Most of his prosperity may he attributed to his
thorough, systematic and intelligent stock-farming,
together with his dealings in live stock.

To Mr. ami Mrs. Adkins have been born three

children, and they have been -<• favored a- to re-
tain these children in life until now they are ma-
ture, and are taking their places in the world, be-
ing fitted to shine as members of society and to be
truly an honor to their worthy parent-. They are
by name — William s.. Mary E., (wife of Henry
Layman), and Luranna, who resides at home. For
four years past Mr. Adkins ha- rented hi.- farm and
now lives a retired life. He is a stanch Republican
in his political belief, and deems it the duty of
every patriot to exercise the right of suffrage
with which he is endowed by the laws of his land.
He take- an intelligent interest in political move-
ments, hut has never held office, as he has preferred
to devote his energies t>> Ins private business.

■>i=->W O .1.1 ) >

I ' I ' II I '

ORENZO 1>. EVANS. Our subject is one
of the thousands of brave and loyal men
afc- who came forward in the time of their
country's trial and threw their lives in the balance
with the chances of war that the L'nion might be
preserved and the brotherhood which is now be-
coming an accomplished fact between North and
South, re-established. He is at present a general
farmer owning one hundred and Gfty-three acres
on section 4, Flat Branch Township, lie is the
happy possessor of some of the best land in the
town-hip and can view his acquisition with pride,
as it is the result of his own industry and energy.
Mr. Evans was born in Montgomery County, at
Mt. Sterling, Ky., December 11. 1825. He comes
of Maryland ?tock. His father. John Evans, who
was a native of Wales, when young, came to
the United state- and lived near Baltimore with
hi- parent- fur some years. The family, however.
removed to Montgomery County. Ky.. and there
William Evans remained for some lime, lie re-
turned to Baltimore, Md., where he died and was
buried by the side of his wife who had there passed
away before the removal of his family to Ken-
tucky. William Evans lived t.> he an old man.
IK- served through the War of 1812 and was a
brave soldier. Hi? sons inherited from him his
valor, fur all of them later sewed through the late

294

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Rebellion, and one who had been Provost Marshal
of Mt. Sterling, was Later killed h\ an enemy,
who in a cowardly manner, shot him in the back,
while entering a store. Much enmity grew out of
this and the family feud even endangered the dif-
ferent families in the vicinity, nor did our subject
escape these dangers, for he had many a hair-
breadth escape from the enemy.

After the coming of John Evans to .Montgomery
County, Ky., he received training in a farmer's
life, and lived and died in his adopted State, being
quite an old man at the time of his decease. lie
had there taken unto himself a wife whose maiden
name was Miss Ann Beecraft, who was born near
Baltimore. Md.. her parents being Benjamin and
Elizabeth Beecraft. They came from Wales to this
country and after living for some time in Mary-
land, they settled in Kentucky. Their deaths,
however, took place in Indiana. The daughter,
Mrs. John Evans, after her marriage passed her life
in Montgomery County, Ky., and there died. Our
subject aud a sister are all who are now living of
this family, lie inherited the fibre of bis sturdy
Welsh ancestors and grew up full of the energy
and determination known to but few men of his
day.

When the call was made for volunteers to flghl
for liberty and freedom. Mr. Evans enlisted in the
Thirteenth Regiment of Illinois Infantry. He
served under Gen. Sherman and was in the engage-
ment against Gen. Johnson at Charlotte. N. C,
and saw active service until the close of the war,
when he received an honorable discharge for his
services in I860. He served as a private but had
been a true and brave man and for his loyalty and
valor no better record could lie referred to than
his Colonel. Mr. Lawrence, of Madison, Capt. Jones,
of the same place and Lieut. Lewis, of Munsev,
Ind.

Our subject has ever been a close student of
human nature, it having been one of his greatest
pleasures to study character as found in his travels
throughout the country. This knowledge of hu-
man nature has given him a great advantage in his
dealings with men. He is a man who has exper-
ienced much that is known to develop the sternest
Characteristics Of one's nature. His early experi-

ence in Kentucky when involved in the feud that
threatened himself and family, taught him vigi-
lance and caution, while it developed daring and
recklessness. When Mr. Evans was a young man
the hot blood -of the Southerner of Kentucky was
even more pronounced than now. and a man took
his life in his hands, when by a word, he acquired
the hostility of an acquaintance.

Mr. Evans was married in 1 K 1 « while in Ken-
tucky, to Margaret Reibland who was born and
reared ill that State. She is the mother of eight
children, four of whom are now dead, having
passed away in early years. Those who have a
monument in the heartsof their parents, are Anna.
Margaret, Mary E. and Wallace. The living chil-
dren are Sarah .1.. Jennie. John W. and Lorenzo
I). Sarah is the wife of William Simpson, who is
proprietor of a farm in this township. Jennie is
the wife of Jerome La Don and lives on a farm in
Moweaqua Township. John W. took to wife Eliza-
beth Gordon, and now lives in Donovan. III.
Lorenzo D. is a farmer in this township.

♦=♦=♦

A WHENCE WARREN. No family in Shelby
County has been more closely identified
with the development of its vast resources
than the gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs. He is the proprietor of a beautiful
and well-appointed farm, picturesquely situated on
section 9, Tower Hill Township. The estate, which
comprises one hundred and sixty acres, slopes
toward the south and with its attractive residence,
substantial farm buildings and cultivated fields
forms a picture not easily forgotten. It is our
pleasure to present on another page a view of this
tine place. Step by step Mr. Warren worked his
way until his worldly affairs were placed on a sub-
stantial basis, and to-day he is numbered among the
well-to-do men of the county. While advancing
his financial interests he has not neglected the
better things in life, but has discharged in an able
manner the duties of citizenship, and helped to ele-
vate the intellectual and moral status of the section
in which he has made his home.

EWI5 , SEC. 6. ,LOWE TR, MOULTRIE CO., ILL.

- =_: ; ; ■- - ■■ - - -- : Y--~''- -'^~:

-,-.,■-

RESIDEMCE OF L. C. ELE M 1 NG , SEC 29 , EAST NELSON TR.MOULTRI E CO.,1 LL.

y t -. ■

RESIDENCE OF LAWRENCE WARREN , SEC. 9., TOWER H I LL TP. ,5H ELBY CO., I LL

PORTRAIT AND l'.IGGRAPHlCAL RKCORI).

297

For tin- history of tin- parents of Mr. Warren
the reader is referred to the sketch of -I. R. Warren
un another page of this volume. Lawrence Warren,
who was the tiftli in a family of six children, was
was liorn in Pickaway t '< unity. ( )hii>. May II. 1829,
In his native place lie passed his childhood and
youth uneventfully, attending the district schools
during the winter season and aiding in farm work
during summer. lie has made agriculture his call-
ing in life, although he has followed carpentering
to some t xtent.

When read j to establish a home of his own. Mr.
Warren was married. August 2t. 1*.">4. to Miss
Mary Ann. daughter of John and Catherine ( Rein-
hammer) stout, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr.
and Mrs. Stout were married in the Keystone Mate.
whence they removed to Pickaway County, Ohio.
and there the father died. The mother survived
him a few years and passed away in Sandusky
County, Ohio. They had six children, the eldest
dying in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Warren, who was
the third, was horn in Walnut Township, Pickaway
County, Ohio, January 1. 1832, and was reared to
womanhood under the parental roof, acquiring a
good education and a knowledge of housewifely
arts.

Immediately after their marriage Mr. Warren
brought his wife to Illinois, making the journey
in an emigrant wagon and Locating in Christian
County. After a sojourn there of two years, he
came to this county and purchased the farm in
Tower Hill, which is still his home. Of his union
ten children were born whose record is as follows:
.lames M.. who died at the age* of twenty years:
Emanuel F., who is a professor in the Western
College at Toledo, Iowa: John, a farmer; Nelson,
who married Mis- Anna 11. Rosenberry and is a
farmer: Lewis II. and George W., farmers; Mary I.,
who died when nineteen years old: Nora J.; Otis
W., and Edward N.

Every measure calculated to contribute to the
progress of the community rinds a firm friend in
Mr. Warren, who is well known as a public-spirited
citizen. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. He was
the first Township Clerk in Tower Hill, ha- served
as Highway Commissioner and held various school
offices. Religiously he i- a member of the Metho-

dist Church, while his wife belongs to the United
Brethren Church, (if a genial and hospitable
nature, it is not strange that his position among
the citizens of this section is an influential one.
ami that he numbers his friends among the worth-
iest wherever he is known.

-^ML

ESTEH ('. FLEMING. Every traveler
I ^ who passes along the highway is led to ad-
1 — X mire the farm buildings of Mr. Fleming
on section "2'.'. East Nelson Township. These are
still new enough to have retained their pristine
freshness a nd the impression made by their attractive
appearance is re-inforced by a thorough examina-
tion of their convenient and commodious arrange-
ment. This farmer appreciates fully the true
economy of lieing saved from the wear and tear
which are incident to a poor home, illy-arranged
barns, leaky sheds and tumble-down fences, and he
has provided generously for both his family and
his stock.

Isaac Fleming, who was the father of Lester,
was horn in Cumberland County, Md.. in isis.
and married Miss Kittie A. Hilton, who was horn
in the same county in lsl7. Their early married
life was spent in Knox (ounty. Ohio, and they
came thence to Moultrie County, 111., in 1864, set-
tling in East NelSOn Township which has continued
to be the family home with the exception of three
years spent in Whitley Township. The father
passed from this life in 1S8S on the 27th of Octo-
ber, hut the mother still survives. ( )f their family
our subject was the seventh in order of age and
was horn in Knox County. Ohio, June 2s. 1S4S.

Lester ('. Fleming came with his parents to lib
nois and resided under the parental roof until his
marriage which took place in 1S74 in Moultrie
County, his hride being Mis- Mary II. Mathers, who
hore to him one child, .lames I. Mr-. Mary B.
Fleming did not long remain to enjoy her home.
hut died in September, 1S77 in East Nelson Town-
ship. The second wife of our subject hore the
maiden name of Anna 15. Mallory and she also be-
came the mother of one child. Hattie A., and died

298

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

December 18, 1886. Some time subsequent to this
sad event Mr. Fleming was married in Charleston,

111., to Rosa Maxedon, who now presides over hi-
pleasant home.

For six year.- Mr. Fleming was engaged in op-
erating a sawmill but aside from that and also
during most of that time he gave his attention to
fanning which Las been his chief business through
life, as he thoroughly cultivates his eighty acres of
land. In the spring of 1890 he became the Super-
visor of Fast Nelson Township and so well did he
-erve his constituents and transact the business of
his county that he received his re-election to the
same office in the spring of 1891. A- School Di-
rector he has worked conscientiously to advance
the schools of Easl Nelson Township and they are
year by year rising to a higher plane. The plat-
form of the Democratic party receives his hearty
endorsement and in general intelligence he keeps
abreast with the march of events and the world's
history.

Flsewhere in this volume appeal's a view of the
home where Mr. Fleming and his family are com-
fortably domiciled.

ARON .1. LEWIS. Asa fine type of the
citizens who have contributed to the pros-
' perity of Moultrie County, the gentleman
Qj whose name introduces these paragraphs

deserves especial mention. His splendid farm com-
prises one hundred and two acres on sections li and
7. Lowe Township, and is embellished with every
necessary and convenient structure, good stock
being kept and improved machinery used. The
re-iilence. a view of which appears on another
page, is a home-like structure, in which good cheer
for mind and body is always to be found. During
an honorable career as a sagacious agriculturist
Mr. Lewis has displayed those -olid traits of char-
acter that are needful to the attainment of fortune
in any calling, and in his dealings with all he has
ever shown himself to be a man of probity.

The immediate progenitors of our subject are
•lames T. and Paulina (Hostetler) Lewis. The

father, now deceased, was born in Kentucky, but
when quite young removed with his parent- to
Orange County. Ind.. where he ixrew to a vigorous
manhood amid primeval scenes. When ready to
establish a home of his Own he was married to
Paulina Ilotstetler. a native of Indiana, where
after their union they settled in Orange County.
This continued to be the home of the father until
he closed his eyes to the scenes of earth September
■>•>. 1852. The mother still survives at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-one years, and makes her
home in Indiana. She is a noble-hearted woman.
whose children may "rise and call her blessed."
She carefully reared her children, of whom there
were- eight, to till positions of usefulness and re-
sponsibility, and in working for their welfare her
hands never wearied.

The subject of this notice is now in the prime
of life, having been born March 23. 1839, in
( (range County. Ind. He was reared on a farm
and early acquired a practical knowledge of agri-
culture, and havinga natural aptitude forthisavo-
cation, he chose it for his life calling when the
time came for him to start out in life for himself.
At the age of twenty-four years he was married,
March 23, 1863, in Lawrence County. Ind.. to
Miss Martha J. Coward, the daughter of William
and Eliza (Martin) Coward. Mr. Coward is sup-
posed to have been a native of Tennessee, while
the mother was born in Washington County, Ind.
They settled in Lawrence County, Ind.. where the
faithful mother died in 1854. Twenty years later
the father came to Moultrie County. 111., of which
he has since been a resident. Mrs. Lewis, who was
the fourth among seven children, was born in Law-
rence County. Ind.. November 7. is) Land by
careful training at home she became well pre-
pared for the responsibilities of her married life.

Immediately after the marriage of our sub-
ject he brought his young bride to Moultrie
County on a visit, and both were so well pleased
with the appearance of the country that they con-
cluded to make it their home. Accordingly, in the
spring of 1864, they came hither to locate perma-
nently, and this has since been the scene of their
active labors. Having from youth been engaged
in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Lewis is a practical

PORTRAIT AND l'.Ii m . RAPIIK AI. RECORD.

299

agriculturist, and the air of thrift about his home-
stead indicates t" every beholder that he is :> man
of enterprise and good management. He settled
on his present place in December. 1875. and bere
he and his estimable wife have reared to maturity
their seven children, whom they named as fol-
low-: Benjamin I".. Anna K.. Mary K.. William
('.. II. ( .. Gertie M. and Jessie L. Mr. Lewis
has never been an office-seeker, but uniformly
cast- bis ballot for the candidates of the Demo-
cratic party, whose principles he believes to be
riilht.

MIOMAS M. WILMER Many prosperous
farmers am) stock-raisers art- to be found
"ssdy. within tin bounds of Oconee Township,
Shelby County, and perhaps in> one of them is
more notable for general intelligence and worth
both in his person and hi> family than lit' whose
name appears at the head of this paragraph, He
wa> born in Warren County, X. J., -August "2.").
1835. His parents were William A. and Catherine
(Morrell) Wilmer. The father was a native of
Pennsylvania, bora in Philadelphia in l*u."> and
the mother was horn the same year in Essex
( ounty, N. J. Five children came to cheer this
home, of whom our subject is the eldest.

The brothers and sisters of our subject are as
follows: William R.. horn in 1838, enlisted as a
private in Company P>. Seventy-third Illinois In-
fantry. He was promoted to be Hospital Steward
of his regiment and afterward Adjutant of the
regiment and was killed in battle at Franklin. No-
vember 30. 1864; Francis M., bora in 1840, enlisted
in Company <;. Fifth Illinois ( avalry. He partic-
ipated in many maneuvers and engagements but
died at home in 1864. of sickness while on a fur-
lough. He had been promoted to the office of
First Sergeant of his company; Theodocia R.. bora
May 25, 1841, was also one of the victims of the
war. Her affianced was the Captain of a company
in the Fifth Illinois Cavalry and died in service.
Miss Wilmer, never very strong, took to her bed
upon hearing the news of his death ami never re-

covered from the shock but died in September,
1865; Lambert, born November 9. 1844, married
Miss Maggie McConnell in Shelby County in 1867.
and engaged in farming. He had a bronchia] or
lung trouble and removed to Colorado in 1881,
hoping for relief but died at Ft. Morgan in that
Mate in 1887.

The removal of our subject from New Jersey to
Illinois, occurred in March. 1*.">7. and he was then
a young man under tin parental roof, which was
located on the farm where he now reside-. His
father was an itinerant minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Thomas Wilmer was married
in September, 1865, to Miss Lydia A. Reed who
was horn in Mercer (Ounty. N. J., June :?. 1*47.
Her parents came from New Jersey to this county
in l. s ">7 and located in Oconee Township where
they died, both in one year — 1883. In their fam-
ily there were eleven children, namely: John,
Abram, Winchester 11.. Achsa. Lydia A.. Alice.
Willard, Charles. George, Mary and Emily.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer five children have been
horn: Catherine M.. who first saw the light March
2, 1867, has been a teacher in the public school- of
Shelby County, for several year-: Anna E., born
March 4. 1869, is also following the same profes-
sion; Francis, horn December 17. 1871, is also
qualified as a teacher, having passed a successful
examination: Clara <;.. horn August 10, 1874,and
Classena, horn February 6, 1880, are at home.

Mr. Wilmer has always followed the business of
farming, although he was educated for the profes-
sion of a surveyor. He is a Republican in politics
and takes an interest in public affairs, making an
effort to keep himself informed on the current
event- of the day. He is a thorough and sytematic
leader. Mr. Wilmer is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, although his preference i- for
the Congregational body. Loth the paternal and
maternal grandfather of our subject were soldiers
in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grand-
father. Thomas Morrell. held the rank of Major
in the Fourth Regiment of New Jersey Conti-
nentals and was wounded at the battle of Long
Island anil left on the field for dead. (Hil-
ton 15. Fisk in the New York Independent state-
that Gen. Washington detailed four soldier- to

300

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

carry Maj. Morrell to his father's house at Eliza-
lii'ili. N. -I. On recovery he rejoined the army and
remained with it until after the battle of Brandy-
wine when his wound broke out afresh and he was
compelled to leave the service. He spent twenty
years of his later life as a Methodist minister. He
was horn in New York City in 1717 and died in
Elizabeth, X. J.,in L838.

-OOsV^^oR - ^ ^

ILLIAM II. SNELL. The gentleman of
whom we write, although deceased, still
lives in the esteem and affection of his
family, friends and neighbors, having, although
modest and retiring in his temperament, always
held an unimpeachable reputation for integrity and
honor, ami being one whose adherence to principle
»avc an elevating influence to those with whom he
came in contact. He passed away from this life
bidding his friends a last goodnight, that he might
enter into < oid's upper light, from his home on
section 19, Flat Branch Township. Shelby County,
October 7, 1890. He was one of the pioneers of
State, having located here in 1840, at which time
he settled on a tract of new-, unbroken land.

In 1842. he located on section 19, of Flat Branch
Township, where he improved one hundred and
sixtv acres of land, converting it from its virgin
wildness, until it became a garden spot, luxuriant
with waving grain and dotted with mild-eyed
kine. Here he spent the most active part of his
life. He was born in "Warren County, Ohio. Octo-
ber l'.». 1816, where he remained until he became
of aire. A full history of his family may be found
under the biographical sketch of Fred P. Snell.

Our subject was first married in his native
county to Thisby .1. Briggs, who was bora and
reared in New Jersey. She was of New England
parentage and came to Ohio when a young woman.
she was engaged in the work of teaching before
her marriage with Mr. Snell. With her husband
she came to Illinois in 1840 and bravelj assisted
him not only by her prudence and economy, but
also in a material way. in getting a start in life.
She died here while yet in the prime of life.

leaving six little children to her husband to mourn
her decease, three of whom have since died. The
living children are Sally. Fred M. and Mary 1).
Sally became the wife of Joseph McGrath, and
now resides on a farm in Flat Branch Township.
Fred M. took to wife Mary C'ertin. and now lives
near Day. Kan., where he is engaged in farming.
Mary I>. is the wife of Charles Mazy. They also
are farmers in Flat Branch Township.

Our subject was a second time married, his nup-
tials taking place in Flat Branch Township, and
the lady who consented to be the sharer of his joys
and sorrows, was Miss Louisa .1. Washham. She
was born in the East, having come West while a
young woman, and died in middle life on the old
home place. She left a family of four children
who are. Daniel B. Pugh E.. Cornelia A. and
Edward M. The eldest son took to wife .lane
Wolf and lived on a farm in Kansas. The second
son was united in marriage to Lois E. Wbrley and
resides in Ridge Township, on a farm. Cornelia
A. is the wife of Samuel Haverlield. and lives at
Assumption, this State; her husband belongs to the
army of noble men and women educators. Edward
was united in marriage to Lulu Proctor, and lives
in Assumption.

Our subject was a third time married. The cer-
emony took place in Buell Township. Shelby
County, the lady being Mrs. A. Catherine Black,
net- Summers, she was a native of Washington
County, Md.. where she was born August 1. 1832.
She is a daughter of Adam and Nancy (Ilimes)
Summers, natives of Tennessee and Maryland. Her
parents were married in Washington County. Md..
and there lived until middle age. They were old
residents of the county when they died. Tiny were
of German slock, and Lutherans in religious pref-
erence.

Mis. A. Catherine Snell was only a small child
when her parents died. She had but one sister.
Mrs. Delano, now Mrs. Eckton, of Washington
County, Md. Mrs. Snell was reared by an uncle.
Jacob Himes and was eighteen years of age when
she came with him to Illinois. Her first marriage
took place in Shelby County, her husband being
I .losiah L. Black who was a native of Pennsylvania
and came ^Vest when in middle life, passing from

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

301

this life at Prairie Bird, this county. He left one
child, Andrew D.,who tooktowife Minnie Spregg.
The\ make their home with Mrs. Snellat Moweaqua.
By her marriage with our subject, Mrs. Snell is the
mother of eighl children, six of these are deceased,
those having passed away being Lillie B.. Thomas.
Myitie M.. Russell P., Ofa ().. and Emilia, who died
eighteen months after her marriage. The living chil-
dren are Alice 1). who is the wife of Hiram B.
Goatley. Their home is in Moweaqua; William
lives with his mother at the old homestead.

Mr. Snell was an active member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in which he had been a
Steward for some time. His deceased wives and
his widow were one with him in his religious pref-
erence. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Snell
has made her home in Moweaqua. She is an
amiable and womanly woman and although ad-
vanced in years, retains perfectly, all her faculties.

Mr. Snell was a charter member of the order of
Masons in Moweaqua.

HARLES M. BANE, lie who views the
panorama of humanity with a broad and
V far-seeing vision finds much to interest
him in the prospective greatness of young men.
He loves to note the characteristics, habits and
ambitions winch point in this direction and to
prophesy in regard to those who give promise of
prominence. The future is of course hidden from
human eyes, yet a shrewd reader can feel free to
foretell much. Among those residents of Sullivan.
Moultrie County, whose future is thus of interest
is the young man whose name appears at the head
of this paragraph.

Mr. Bane is doing a general law business in
Sullivan, having been admitted to the bar in 18KK.
Upon November 22 of that year, he was examined
at Springfield by the Appellate Court in session
there and received his license from the Supreme
Court during the January following. He had
formerly been a student in the law office of R.
Peadro. whose biography is to be seen elsewhere in

this volume. He has been all his life a resident of
this county, as he was born in Sullivan Township,
October 2. 1X67), and received the training of a
farmer's boy and a common-school education.

Our subject is the son of Archie and Esther
(Bewis) Bane, both natives of Illinois, having
been born and reared in Coles County, but coming
to Moultrie County where they afterward met and
were married. They made a fine farm here and
the mother was taken away in the prime of life,
dying June 2. 1871. She was a member of the
old school Baptist Church and was universally
esteemed for her beautiful Christian character, her
broad charity and genuine friendliness. She left
six children and two had preceded her to the other
world. Their names were Margaret and Elizabeth
and a son William passed away immediately after
his mother's departure.

The five children of Archie and Esther Bane
who are yet living, are Louisa E.. the wife of C.
1'. Martin, a farmer in Whitley Township, this
county; James B., who married Mary E. Martin
and is farming in East Nelson Township: Lucinda
J., who is the wife of W. H. Steven and lives upon
a farm in Palmyra. Mo.; our subject, and Archie
A., who took to wife Martha Miller and is farm-
ing in Whitley Township.

The father of these children contracted a second
matrimonial alliance, choosing as his wife Miss
Nancy E. Mehan. She was born in Illinois and
reared in Shelby and Moultrie Counties. Since
this marriage Mr. Archie Bane lias been farming
in Moultrie County and now lives in Whitley
Township. Both he and his wife are active mem-
bers of the old school Baptist Church and Mr.
Bane is a thorough-going old-fashioned Democrat
who has held various local offices and served as
Justice of the Peace for years in Sullivan and
East Nelson Townships.

Our subject is a bright and promising young
man, well known as possessed of good habits and
excellent character. His aspirations are for the
best and highest ideals and his honorable intention
and thorough integrity mark him as one who will
ever have the confidence of his fellow-men. His
political views have led him to affiliate with the
Republican party and he is progressive in his ideas

302

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in regard to public matters. He is still living in
:i state of single blessedness and his best friends
predict that when he does take the step which will
double his joys and halve his sorrows he will make
an alliance that will be a credit to his judgment
and his heart.

■*€[•

^jr

1^ EZEKIAH WAGGONER. The gentleman
whose name is at the head of this sketch is
the owner of a line farm located on section
2;5.of Whitley Township, Moultrie County.
He is a native of this county, being born here
June 5, 1838, and a son of George and Bethaney
(Haney) Waggoner, who came to tins State in
April. 1828. and settled on Whitley Creek in what
is now known as Whitley Township. The parents
of our subject were natives of North Carolina, in
which State they were married and whence they
came to Illinois. At the time of their coming
hither there was quite an exodus from their native
town, several other families accompanying them
and all came through in two one-horse wagons.

George Waggoner entered land in Whitley
Township, and started out in life without a dol-
lar. In the early days of their settlement here
in order to get some Hour or meal ground, he was
obliged to journey to Vandalia with his wheat
or corn and patronize a mill run by horse power.
The nearest market was St. Louis, anil at that time
the butter, eggs and other produce of the farm had
to be taken thither by wagon and sold in exchange
for the necessary commodities of farm life. These
were the inconveniences of pioneer settlement, but
in many respects life was not hard, for game was
plentiful, and the ground easily tilled and aston-
ishingly fertile and productive. Indians, it is true.
were numerous, but were also friendly. Although
.Mr. Waggoner was all his life an industrious,
hard-working man. he remained a poor man. lie
lived to the age of four-score years and died June
12. 187."). Our subject's mother had died some
years previously at the age of fifty-one years.

The old people reared a family of twelve chil-
dren, their names being as follows: Alvin, Robert

and Cecilia are deceased; Sarah. William. Isaac ('.,
Elizabeth, Isaiah. llezekiah, Narcissa, Hannah and
Ira. Elizabeth married John 1>. Dougherty, she
died in this county in November, 1889; Isaiah is a
Baptist clergyman in Nebraska; Hannah is the
widow of Thomas S. Dougherty. Our subject's
parents were members of the old-school Baptisl
Church, lie of whom we write was reared on a
farm and received such early educational advan-
tages as could lie attained at the school which the
district afforded in those early days.

He of whom we write was married in March 22.
1863, to Cornelia Bullock, a daughter of Stephen
and l.avina (Iloyck) Bullock. She was born in
Delaware County. X. Y., September 22, 1846 and
came to this State with her parents in I8,">7. her
family settling in Whitley Township on a farm.
Mrs. Waggoner's parents died in 1879, her father
having attained the age of three-score years and
ten, while the mother was seventy-one years of
age at the time of her death. The lady is one of
seven children who were born to her parents and
all lirst saw the light of day in the Slate of New
York. One girl died in childhood in the Umpire
State and six came to this State with their parents.
John died in this county; George resides in Lowe
Township, as does also Reuben; Klisha lives m
Greenwood County, Kan.; Cornelia is Mrs. Waggo-
ner, wife of our subject; Milton resides in Lowe
Township.

After marriage Hie original of our sketch settled
on the farm where he now resides. There was
originally but forty acres in the tract which he
purchased and this was entirely unimproved land.
He is now the owner of two hundred and forty
acres of land, all of which is under most excellent
cultivation. Mr. Waggoner has followed mixed
husbandry anil has been reasonably successful. He
and his wife have made a pleasant home that is the
rendezvous for the best class of people in the
neighborhood. They arc the parents of eight chil-
dren, seven of whom have lived to be grown.
Their names are Milton. Narcissa F.: Quincy, who
is the wife of U. G. Armentrout; Newton, Ruth,
Cornelia and Richard. They are all bright, ener-
geticand progressive. Those who have grown to he
men and women take hold of the duties which lie

PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

303

nearest them and fulfil] them to the tn-st of their
ability, which in Itself, secures success. Mrs.
Waggoner is a member of the Predestinarian Bap-
tist Church. Politically he is a member of the
Republican party, being a firm believer and adher-
ent of every tenet and plank of its platform.

fps=a A.Ml'HI. YANTIS is a farmer located on
^^£ section 30, of Pickaway Township. lie
v£2) P avs particular attention to the breeding
of Polled Angus cattle and is the owner
of a tine farm comprising one hundred and sixty
acres, all of which is under a high state of cultiva-
tion, lie has redeemed this land from crude un-
broken prairie and has made it prolific to an aston-
ishing degree. He has occupied the farm since
1858, having thereon a fine residence that is not
only comfortable and conveniently arranged, but
is attractive and elegant. There are also barns
that are filled to bursting with the products of the
place.

Mr. Yantis" farm bears an orchard in which are
two hundred and fifty trees which are good fruit-
bearers. The place is well watered and stocked.
Our subject has lived in this township and county
since his boyhood. He was born in Pickaway County.
Ohio. April 20. 1*34. and is the eldest son of Dan-
iel ami Elizabeth (Longenbough) Yantis. natives
of Ohio, being there reared and married. In 1853
they came as a family to Illinois, traveling thither
by the overland route and livinga camp life on the
way. They finally located in what is now Picka-
way Township, this county, and here they began.
They were in reduced circumstances but soon se-
cured some new land and began the work of mak-
ing new homes. The tracts which they secured
proved to lie the best land in the county and they
have ever since made this location their home.

The father of the large family of which our sub-
ject is the eldest, is still living and enjoying the
afternoon of life, serene in the knowledge that he
has earned his rest by early toil. Here it was that
our subject grew up. lovingly cared for by his pa-
rents but early learning the rigors of pioneer lift.

He remained under the home roof until he became
of aye. and has since been working on his own ac-
count. He procured one hundred and sixty acres
of fine land upon which he still lives. Mr. Yantis
is one of the substantial men of the township, and
a genial, good-natured fellow who is loved and
respected by all who know him.

Mr. Yantis" marriage occurred in this township
and county, November 5, 1857. His wife's maiden
name was Miss Amanda E. Miller. She was born
in Fairfield County. Ohio, in 1836, being the
daughter of ('. P. Miller, of whom see the biograph-
ical sketch of W. C. Miller. When only four years
of age Mrs. Yantis came with her parents to Illinois
and settled on Robinson Creek, this county, where
she was reared and educated. She is the eldest
of the family and is an intelligent and callable
woman, being one of the energetic, ambitious
representatives of her sex in this township where
she has become well known and much liked.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of ten
children, three of whom are now deceased: Cathe-
rine was the wife of S. It. Cole; she died leaving
one child, now also deceased. William and Henri-
etta died early in life. The living children ait-
George, Mary A.. Lydia .1.. Ellen. Harvey and Da
vid. Of these the first mentioned took to wife
Emma Erietz. and is engaged in fanning in this
county: Mary A. is the wife of George M. Longen
bough, a farmer in Colorado owning an extensive
ranch; Lydia .1. is the wife of Stephen Cole, a far
mer in this township; Ellen married Harry Hunter
who also owns a farm in this township; the two
youngest sons arc still under the home roof.

TXANIEL WEIDNER. Twenty odd years
Ijj of residence in such a county as Moultrie
(gj^iir ijives a man an opportunity to show what
is in him in the way of industry, enter-
prise and integrity. He must by that time have
gained for himself a reliable reputation for either
good or ill, and have established himself among
his neighbors. Our subject has thus lived in Dora
Township, where he resides on section 20, and he

304

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

has proved himself a thoroughly good neighbor, a
successful agriculturist and a man of standing
among his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Weidner purchased eighty acres of land,
which he found but slightly improved and en-
tirely unbroken, when he first came into the county,
and he lias added to it by purchase until he
now possesses two hundred and ninety-three acres,
upon which he has placed substantial improve-
ments. He was born in Hocking County, Ohio,
December 10, 1843. his honored parents being
Frederick and Catherine Weidner, natives of Ger-
many, and his paternal grandfather being George
Weidner, who came many years ago to the United
States and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where
lie remained until death called him hence. He
had reared a family of four sons and two daugh-
ters, namely: Frederick. John, Godfred, Solomon,
Phebe, Christina and Barbara.

Frederick Weidner. the father of our subject.
was married while residing in Ohio, and made his
first home as a man of family in Hocking County,
where he pursued farming, clearing up land in the
woods and remaining there until his death, being
snatched away in the prime of life at, the age of
forty-seven years. His bereaved widow survived
him for many years and reached the age of four-
score and two years. She and her worthy husband
were the parents of eleven children, seven of
whom are still living, namely: George and John
reside in Hocking County, Ohio; Solomon is living
in Fairfield County, the same State; Daniel, our
subject; l'hebe, who married William Fletcher and
died in Dora Township: Catherine married David
Ashbauch and resides in Nan Wert County. Ohio.
and Barbara, who is the wife of William Walker
and lives in Hocking County, Ohio.

The ordinary life and training of a farmer's boy
was given to Daniel Weidner in his youth and he
grew up to a robust and active young manhood,
and set about establishing himself both in his life
work and in his life home. It was in 1867 when
he Mas united in marriage to a lady who has been
to him a congenial and helpful companion. Her
maiden home was Mary A. Beery and she was born
in Hocking County. Ohio. December 13, 184(1.
being the daughter of Abraham Beery, She has

been the mother of eleven children and has had
the sorrow of laying five of her little ones in their
graves. The six who survive are: Nannie, wife
of Augustus Reeder; Frank, Lilly, Hettie, John
and Elmer.

The political views of our subject were formerly
in accordance with the doctrines of the Demo-
cratic party, but he is now independent of party
ties. Both he and his excellent wife are earnest
and active members of the church of the United
Brethren, and in its communion and services they
find a broad field for influence and work. Their
standing among their neighbors gives them an in-
fluence which is always exerted for good, and
tlic success of Mr. Weidner in the cultivation and
development of his farm his farm has earned for
him the good opinion of all who know him.

jJ-tJ-Ht-J i ' i '

•r ' I '

ACOB G. HOLDERMAN is the junior
member of the firm of Scott tSi Holder man,
proprietors of the Bethany Holler Mills,
which are noted throughout the State for
both quantity and quality of the farinaceous pro-
duct which they prepare for use. Our subject was
was located at Bethany where he engaged in busi-
ness in September, 1KK7, and has since been a
member of the above mentioned firm, which is
broadly known as one upon whose word and judg-
ment the greatest reliance may be reposed. Their
dealing's have always been conducted on such a
basis as to win the confidence of all with whom
they are connected.

lie of whom we write was born in Montgomery
County. Ohio. January l>. 1850, and is a son of
Joseph and Amanda (Wampler) Holderman. na-
tives of Ohio and Maryland, respectively. He is
the third in order of birth in a family of four
children. His early life was passed on a farm in
his native county. It was not his privilege to en-
joy an extended education, though he was fond
of books and made excellent use of his time at
school. At the age of twenty years he went to the
city of Indianapolis where he learned the milling
business with the Gibson Milling Company. He re-

J. L. JENKINS.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3117

mained in the employ of this company for four
years, after which he went to Cincinnati and wa-
in the employ of Root *v Co., for one year.

Thus fully drilled and equipped with a knowl-
edge of the business which he had chosen as that to
which he should devote himself, our subjeel came
to Deealur, 111., where he was in the employ of
I).--. Shellebarger & Co., millers. After that he
came to Bethany, Moultrie County, and became
associated with A. B. Scott as partner in a milling
business of their own. Bis career was begun by a
thorough and complete overhauling of the entire
mill. and in this work Mr. Bolderman showed him-
self to be master of the mechanical workings of
tin- business. When hi? work was finished the place
was in first-class shape and besides being engaged
as manufacturers they cany on a merchant and
exchange business. The firm also deal- largely in
grain.

Our subject was married in 1*7'.' to Miss Maggie
Campbell, at the time of their marriage a resident
of Indianapolis but a native of Scotland, and a
daughter of Andrew Campbell. With her .Mr.
tfolderman enjoyed but four years of marital felic-
ity, her decease taking place in 1883. She left one
little daughter whose name i- Marjery. Five years
later Mr. Holderman was again married, taking as
his companion a sister of his first wife. win >se given
name is Mai. Their marriage was celebrated No-
vember 14. 1888. Mrs. Holderman is an intelli-
gent and bright woman whose wholesome presence
animates and invigorate- those who are brought
into communication with her.

In hi.- political life he of whom we write i- a
Democrat. Socially, he i.- a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellow-, and also of the
Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Holderman i-
liberal in his religion- belief; his wife, however, i?
a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which
she i- an energetic and ardent worker, both for the
support of the local organization and spreading of
the ( rospel teachings.

The father of our subject. Joseph Holderman.
pursued farming as a business until the breaking
out of the Civil War. when he entered the service
with a regiment from Indianapolis and served four
years a- trainmaster. After the war he was en-

gaged a- a i ontractor ami builder at Indianapolis,

during which he led a busy life. lb- i- spending
his declining years at Troy, Ohio, our subject's

mother died at Bunker Hill. Ind.. in 1857. of the
parental family John M. was a soldier in the Union
army during the Civil War. and was thus engaged
for three vears. in which time he did honorable
and effective service. After leaving the army he
became a railroad man, being yardmasterat Lorain,
( >hio. where he died when about forty years of age;
George II. i- Superintendent of the fire alarm and
telegraph at Indianapolis, Ind., and Orlando is a
farmer at Hunker Hill. Ind.

The paternal grandparents of our subject came
from Pennsylvania at an early day and settled on
the site now occupied by the National Soldiers'
Home at Dayton, Ohio, the grandfather pursued
the calling of fanning and was also a butcher and
cattle dealer. Jacob O. Holderman. our subject.
has been Very successful thus far in his career and.
being a comparatively young man. he has a right
to expect a greater degree of success to crown his
plans and effort- for the future.

ACKSON L. JENKINS. On the opposite
page is presented a portrait of this gentle-
man, who is a prominent farmer of Rural
Town-hip. residing on section 14. and his
residence in Shelby County date- from April. 1856.
He was born in Delaware County, Ohio. June 30,
1825. His parents were Jonathan W. and Rebecca
I Rosecranz) Jenkins, native- of Pennsylvania. His
father. Jonathan Jenkins, went to Ohio in 1816.
He there married, and in 1835 removed with his
wife to ( >gie County, and settled upon a farm, be-
ing one of the early pioneers in that part of the
state. Rebecca Jenkins was the mother of ten
children, eight of whom lived to be grown, and of
these our subject is the eldest.

The father of our subject married a second time
Mrs. Mulkins becoming his wife. He -till resides
at Oregon, this state, and ha- attained a good old
age. his natal day having been January 27. 1802.

808

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

( )ur subject was but a boy when the family removed
to Ogle County, and at that date there were at
least tell Indians to every white man. Here our
subject grew t<> manhood, and had a personal ac-
quaintance with every man in Ogle County. He
carried the first mail that was sent between Dixon
,and Oregon, and the first mail bag that he ever
-aw was one that he got at Dixon. He later ex-
tended his mail route from Oregon to Buffalo
Grove. At that time the mail wasearried onhorse-
hack. He also carried the first mail pouches that
were conveyed by wagons between ( hegon and
Rockford. He was thus employed about four years.
Our subject's father resided in town, but as he
owned a farm near the village. \ oung Jenkins tilled
the soil. In 1836 his father built the rtrst cabin in
Oregon, having passed the winter of 1835-36 at
Dixon. In 1856 our subject came to Shelby County,
having previously purchased eighty acres of land,
for which he paid $100. This he improved and
sold, and since then his residence has been in Rural
Township. The lumber for the first house which
he built in Ogle County, our subject hauled from
Chicago, a distance of one hundred miles, but when
the dwelling was erected, its magnificence outshone
anything in the county. He now owns two hun-
dred and sixty acres of land in Rural Township.

Mr. Jenkins has been twice married. .Inly 7.
1850, he was united to Harriet L. Van Loon, who
was a native of Delaware County. Ohio. She re-
moved with her parents, Mathias and Elizabeth Van
Loon to Ogle County, at an early age. she died
in Shelby County in 1861, being only thirty-four
years old at the time of her death. She left four
children — Rebecca, John, William and George R.
The eldest daughter is now the wife of V. J. Sevier
and resides in Missouri. John and George make
their homes in Rural Township, while William re-
sides in Ridge Township.

In 1 s i '> : i our subject married Mrs. Sarah A. Trav-
ers nee Downs. She was a daughter of Daniel
and Mary E. Downs, and married Alex Travels in
L856. He died in 1862, leaving four children, all
of whom passed away under twelve years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins have had eight children,
seven of whom are living. They are Alice, who
is the wife of Arthur Engle: Frank; Emma, who

married William Mose; Chester, Effa, Edith and
Lloyd.

Our subject ami his wife are members in good
standing of the Christian Church. Although in his
political inclination Mr. Jenkins was formerly a
Democrat, of late he has transferred his allegiance
to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. He is
a man who is greatly interested in all progressive
movements, the subject of education being one
which is nearest and most important to him. for in
it he realizes the influence that is strongest for

g 1 in our country. He has held the position of

School Director for thirty years, and has been a
Road Commissioner for fifteen year-.

Of a kindly and genial temperament, Mr. Jen-
kins is beloved by all his fellow-townsmen, and
having seen so many change- through which the
country has passed since the days when he carried
the mail over the prairie on horseback, he is a fer-
tile source of information to those who are inter-
ested in the history and advancement of their
Stale.

*^^i

■ z

iifs^

OHN R. LEAN. Among the representative

men of Jonathan Creek Town-hip. Moultrie
County, who are prominent in business,
farming, social and church circles, we are
pleased to mention the name which appears at the
head of this paragraph. Although still a young
man Mr. Lean has proved himself in every sense
of the popular word a ■■hustler". He is aggressive
in hi- method- of conducting business and has in
him enough "go-ahead-ativeness" to stock two
or three ordinary farms. His beautiful farm, finely
equipped with fences and all buildings necessary
for the successful prosecution of work, give- abun-
dant testimony to his thoroughness and success.

James Bean, the father of our subject, was born
in Monroe County. Ind.. and the mother Elizabeth
(Collins) Lean, who was a native of Tennessee,
died in Moultrie County, in September. 1880. They
first settled in Monroe County. Ind. and resided
there until I860, when they came to Moultrie
County, and made a permanent settlement in Sul-
livan Township. They had seven children of whom

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

309

our subject was next to the youngest in age and
he was born in Monroe County, [nd., Sept. 24, 1854.
He was consequently about six years old when his
parents left Indiana and moved to Illinois and it
was in Moultrie County that he grew to the vig-
orous and active manhood which we here recog-
nize. James Bean removed to Kansas in IS.S7.and
for two years resided in Clay County.

Men who have had in their youth every educa-
tional advantage, whose parents have been able to
give to them a college and university training can
hardly appreciate the feelings of a man who has
had to struggle single-handed to attain his intelli-
gent knowledge of letters and of the world which
every ambitious man craves. To those who have
thus educated themselves great credit is due and the
accomplishment of their laudable desire should
receive its just meed of praise. The educational
advantages offered to John R. Bean were extremely
limited and he may well lie called a self-made man.

This young man resided under the parental roof
up to the age of fifteen years, when he began life
for himself by working for two years in a sawmill
and afterward being employed at farm labor. Farm-
ing has been his chief business in life and to do it
he has devoted unceasing effort. lie was married
in Moultrie County March (J. 1S77. his wife being
Miss Nancy Drew, who was born in this county
January 5. 1851. This respected couple have been
called upon to lay one child in the grave — Frankie
C. who died in infancy. The three bright and
promising children who are still with their parents
are Ida A.. Walter C. and Edna M.

Every enterprise which concerns the industrial
and social progress of Moultrie County finds an
efficient and active promoter in Mr. Bean, and he
is one of the five incorporators of the Moultrie
County Board of Agriculture. He is a stockholder
in this institution and for seven years he has be-
longed on its Hoard of Directors. He has also held
the office of School Treasurer, and with his noble
wife is an active member of the Christian Church.
He possesses a beautiful farm of one hundred and
twenty-eight acres, upon which he has erected excel-
lent farm buildings and where he has made other
substantial improvements. Every movement which
has for its object the welfare of the farming com-

munity is of importance in hiseyesand he is prom-
inently identified with tin' Farmers' Mutual Benefit
Association. In politics he is a Republican and he
has been Chairman of the Jonathan Creek Town-
ship Republican Committee for six years.

KA ICHAEL E. SNYDER isa farmer and stock-

/ \\ raiser of Moweaipia Township, who iscon-
/ : .s tributing his quota to the preservation of
* its prosperity as a rich agricultural centre.

He was born April 1. 1S.V.I in a pioneer home in
Brown County. Ohio. Jacob Snyder was the name
Of his father, and he was born in one of the Rhine
Provinces in Germany. His father, who bore the
same name as our subject, was born in the same
locality as his son. and resided there until 1824.
In that year he came to the United States with five
of his seven children, and he lived in Pennsylvania
until 1S27, when he became a pioneer of Ohio. He
resided for a time at Cincinnati, but he finally
bought a farm in Brown County, where he made
his home until his mortal career was ended by death.

The father of our subject was reared in the land
of his birth, and was there married to Elizabeth
Shilp, who was a native of the same locality as her
husband. In 1S24 Mr. Snyder came to this coun-
try, bringing with him his wife and two children
that had been born to them in their old home. For
a time he was a resident of Pittsburg, but he sub-
sequently removed to Cincinnati, which was then
only a small place, and he bought farm land now
in the heart of the city. A few years later he re-
moved to Brown County and bought four hundred
acres of tine land, located two and one-half miles
from Carlyle, and three miles from Arnhciui.
There his years were busily and profitably passed
until death released him from life. He and his
good wife repose peacefully side by side in the
pleasant Lutheran churchyard at Ainheim. They
reared twelve children to lives of industry and to
right living.

The early life of their son Michael, who forms
the subject of this brief sketch, was passed in his
native county, and his education was conducted in

310

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

its public schools. In 1865 he left Ohio to take
up his residence in Illinois, where he shrewdly con-
ceived that a young man of sufficient enterprise
and capability could <h> well in agricultural pur-
suits. His brother Daniel came with him, and to-
gether they bought a farm in McLean County, near
the town of El I'aso. In L875 he disposed of his
share in that place at a good price,' and coming to
Moweaqua Township, purchased eighty acres of
land on section 32. which has since been his home.
He lias bought other land, anil now has one hun-
dred and forty-eight acres, that is admirably tilled,
and yields abundant harvests in repayment for his
hard toil.

On May 18. 1<S7."> was the date of the marriage
of our subject to .Miss Maggie Nottbook, a native
of Moweaqua Township, and a daughter of Will-
iam and Wilhelmina Nottbook, of whom a bio-
graphy appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and
Mrs. Snyder have been blessed with the following
four children — Annetta, Willie X., Elizabeth and
Minnie. Oursubjectand his wife are found among
the most respected membersof the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and their place in the community is
among the people that are held in the highest con-
sideration for kindly and upright lives. Our sub-
ject was formerly a Democrat, but he is now a
stanch Prohibitionist in word and deed.

MERSOX RHODES, a respected and worthy
citizen of Cushman and one of the promin-
ent business men of that village, being en-
gaged in merchandise and the transfer of grain,
was born in what is now Moultrie County. 111..
June 29, 1837. He is a son of John and Rachel
(Centony) Rhodes, the former being a native of
North Carolina, born in 1808, and the latter being
born in Kentucky, in 1811. It was in 1829 when
this couple were married in Indiana, and three
years later they came to Shelby County, 111., in Feb-
ruary, 1832, and became pioneers here. Both died in
Moultrie County after the division of counties was
effected, the mother dying in 1879 and the father in

1887. This departed couple were the parents of
nine sons and one daughter, and live of these still
survive. The children are. namely: Margaret,now
Mrs. Souther, resides in Texas; Levi, died in 1802
from the effect of measles while in the army, leav-
ing a widow; William was twice married and lives
at Anna, 111.; our subject; one who died in early
infancy; Francis Marion died in 1862 while quite
young; Loren and John who also died in early
childhood; Ililery is married and lives on a farm
in this county and Alfred, who is married and liv-
ing in Bethany. 111.

The gentleman of whom we write was united in
the bonds of marriage upon New Year's Day. 1857,
with Miss Matilda Roney. who was born in this
county in 1835. Her parents. Joseph and Eliza-
beth (Henderson) Roney, were very early settlers
of Illinois and both of them natives of Kentucky.
Soon after marriage Mr. Rhodes went South taking
a tour for his health, and decided to make his
home in Texas for seven years. It was in 18(56
when he returned to his native county and three
years later he returned to Texas, where he remained
until 1883. While a resident of the Lone Star
State he was a stock-dealer most of the time, and
during a portion of his residence there he was on
the Buffalo Range. In the fall of 1873 he built a
mill, Caddo Johnson, Texas, investing several thou-
sand dollars in this enterprise, which resulted in
very serious embarrassment two years later by
reason of its destruction by fire. He was a frontiers-
man for many years and had frequent encounters
with hostile Indians. Upon December 28, 1879, he
had the misfortune to lose his companion by death.

In the fall of 1883. Mr. Rhodes returned to his
native county and married Maria Selby, who was
born in this county in 1842. and whose parents
were pioneers in the early days and still reside
here. Her paternal grandfather, Joshua Selby,
came to this county in 1830, and her parents, Nich-
olas and Sarah (Goodman) Selby. were natives of
Indiana. Immediately after his second marriage
Mi-. Rhodes returned to Texas and brought his
family to Moultrie County, where he has since re-
sided.

The nine children by the first marriage are all
living, namely: Theodore. Serilda J.. Barton. Mar-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

311

garet, John, William. Minnie. Charles and James.
Five of ilu'in are residents of this county and four
live in Johnson, Tex. To the second marriage one
child was born, October 1"2. 1885, Gracie Gertrude
by name. After his return to Illinois Mr. Rhodes
was a farmer and operated a sawmill for about
three years. He then engaged in buying grain and
afterward combined that business with merchandis-
ing. He carries a full stock of general merchan-
dise, groceries, provisions, farm machinery, hard-
ware, etc. Mrs. Rhodes has been the Postmistress
at Cushman for about a year, and her husband was
honored with the Deputyship. This lady is a
worthy and consistent member of the Christian
Church. Mr. Rhodes is a Democrat in polities and
take:- an active interest in political affairs, serving
a- School Director.

"f&i-

I7SAAC RICHEY, a farmer and stock-raiser re-
siding on section 13, Sullivan Township, Moul-

1 trie County, was horn in Bedford County,Pa.,
May 7. 1845. Hi- parents were Abraham and Eliz-
abeth (Bollman) Richey, and were natives of the

Key-tone Mate. The father died in this county in
1881, ami the mother, who still survives, reside- in
Jonathan Creek Township, thi- county. She is
now in her eighty-third year and has been the
honored mother of nine children, five sons and
four daughters. Of the latter only one remains
on earth, but the sons are all living.

Our subject came to Illinois with his parents in
1866, and settled in Jonathan Creek Township as
his father had purchased a farm there, on which
the mother now lives. Mr. Richey has been twice
married, his first wife being Ruth Homan, a na-
tive of Kentucky. They were married in that
State in 1879, and the young wife wa- called from
earth about a year later. Our subject was a second
time married, taking as his wife Mi— Anna A.,
daughter of David Kirkpatrick. Mrs. Richey is a
native of Kentucky, and was horn in January,
1859. Her parents still reside in the latter Mate.
To this happy union four children were born, of

whom one. Oliver J.. i> deceased. The remain-
ing sons are: Clarence I).. Jessie Earl and Clyde I..

The business of farming has been the vocation
to which Mr. Richey has devoted himself with en-
ergy and enthusiasm throughout life, lie own- a
line farm of one hundred and sixty acres, with
good improvements and in a high state of cultiva-
tion. A beautiful 'park surrounds his home and
give- to it a charm which few houses can boast.
The refinement and culture which is implied by
thus beautifying one's abode is a delightful acquis-
ition to any neighborhood.

Mr. Richey is liberally inclined both in polities
and religion. He has always voted for Republican
candidates for President, but in state and local
matter- he uses hi- own judgment in selecting the
best man for the place and is governed in this by
purely business principles. He never made any
profession of religion, yet gives liberally of his
means to the support of the Gospel and other re-
ligious and benevolent enterprises, lie at one
time belonged to the Patrons of Husbandry, but is
not now connected with that body. The estimate
in which he is held by his fellow-citizen- i- shown
by the fact of his being twice elected to the office
of Township Collector of Taxes, and his having
been called upon to serve a- Supervisor of Road-.

/1I.I.IAM .!. EDDY, a leading physician of
Shelbyville, Shelby County, his native city.
Vy wa- horn October 13. 1857. His father,
the late William Eddy, a former well-known citizen
of this county, was a native of the county of Cork.
Ireland. His father was horn in the same county
as himself , and was derived from Scotch ancestry.
He wa- a shoemaker by trade and -pent his entile
life in Ireland.

The father of our subject early acquired the
shoemaker's trade of his father, and followed it in
his native land until his emigration to thi- country
in is 17. He landed at New Orleans, and coming
directly to Illinois, located at Galena, and was ac-
tively engaged in the manufacture of -hoc- in that

312

PORTRAIT AM) UIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.

city for several years. In 1856 lie came toShelby-
ville and worked at his trade here until lKTti. win n
he removed to his farm near Lakewood, and was
prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits from
that time until death closed his busy career in
August, 1890, and deprived the county of a most
worthy citizen, who had contributed his quota to
its advancement. lie was a member of the Meth=
odist Episcopal Church, and as a man of upright
character was in every way deserving of the re-
spect accorded to him. He was twice married. The
maiden name of his first wife, mother of our subject,
was Mary J. Roberts. She was a woman of many
excellent qualities, and was a consistent member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her birthplace
was in Cornwall, England, and she was a daughter
of John S. Roberts, who was a native of the same
shire as himself. He came to America with his
family in IK 1(1, and first settled in Pennsylvania,
after a residence there of a few years became one
of the pioneers of Grant County, Wis. In 1856
he came from there to this county, and identified
himself with its fanners, buying a farm in Dry
Point Township, on which lie made his home until
his death. The mother of our subject departed
this life in 1865. The father married a. second
time, and by each marriage had four children.

Dr. Eddy was given every advantage to secure
a liberal education, laying a solid foundation in
the city schools of Shelby ville. Three years' at-
tendance at the Normal School, one year at Valpa-
raiso, Ind. and two years at the State Normal at
Carbondale, 111. still further advanced him in his
studies. During that time he taught two terms of
school, and employed his leisure hours in studying
medicine, lie further prepared himself for the
profession that he proposed to adopt for his life-
work by becoming a student in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, from which
he was graduated with a high standing in 1885.
He at once opened an office in his native city,
where he is well-known and popular, and soon won
favor in his professional capacity, as he showed in
his practice that he possessed in a full degree the
requisites of a true physician — a sound knowledge
of medicine, skill in diagnosing a case and in ap-
plying remedies, and true tact and courtesy in his

intercourse with his patients, lie is a member of
the Shelby County Medical Society, and also of
the Illinois State Medical Society, the American
Association and of the Central Illinois District
Medical Society. Religiously, he and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Doctor was happily married in September,
1K88, to Miss Carrie Chafee. a native of Ypsilauti,
Mich., and a daughter of Dr. Noah F. Chafee, a
well-known physician of this city, witli whom our
subject is associated in practice. We are pleased to
incorporate in this sketch a brief account of the
life of Dr. Chafee. He was born in Vermont, Feb-
ruary 6. 1833, a son of Daniel and Miranda (Haven)
Chafee, who were also natives of the Green Moun-
tain State. His father was a farmer, and died in his
native State in 1839, leaving a widow and three
sons. The mother removed with her children to
Wayne County, N. V.. and three years later took
up her residence in Monroe County, Mich., where
she married again.

Dr. Chafee grew to manhood in Michigan, and
in 1862 came to Illinois. He stopped during the
summer at Shelby ville, where, in the fall of l.SC>2,
he enlisted as assistant Surgeon in the Fourteenth
Illinois Infantry, he having previously graduated
from the Medical Department of the Michigan
University in the spring of 1862, and he therefore
went to the front well prepared for his duties, and
there gained a valuable experience amid the trying
scenes on Southern battlefields and in army hospi-
tals during the two years that he remained in the
service. In 1863 he was with Gen. Sherman. In
1864 he was in Georgia, and at Atlanta was taken
prisoner while in the performance of his duties in
caring for the wounded and dying, and was held
in Libby Prison three weeks. After that he was
returned to Springfield, 111., and as nearly all the
men in his regiment were still prisoners, he was
discharged.

After the war Dr. Chafee returned to Michigan.
and practiced medicine in Lenawee County until
1884, when he came again to Shelbvville, and for
some years has been associated in his profession
with his son-in-law. Dr. Eddy.

In April, 1864, while on a furlough, he was mar-
ried to Miss Josephine McMath, a daughter of

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

313

Samuel and Caroline McMatli, and :i native of
Michigan. Tiny have had five children, three of
whom died in childhood, and the others are Carrie,
wife of Dr. Eddy, and Laura, who lives with her
parents.

Dr. Chafee is a sound Republican, and always
take* interest enough in public affairs to vote, but
does not give much time to politics. Religiously,
he is of the Methodist Episcopal faith. He is a
thorough temperance man. and is in all respects a
person of high character and standing asa physi-
cian and a citizen. His record as a Surgeon in an
Illinois regiment during the war is commemorated
by his connection with the Grand Army of the Re-
public.

-M-5-5-

1!. TITUS. We are pleased to present i"
our reader* a biographical -ketch of one of
the prosperous citizens, thoroughly educated
gentlemen and old settlers of Sullivan.
Moultrie ( ounty. He i- one of the best known
character* in this part of the county, and after hav-
ing Keen an active and successful attorney, is now
leading a retired life and looking after his real-
estate interests in the place. He has been a resi-
dent of the place since 1856, and one of its attor-
ney* since l.*<(>2. The well known attorney. Hon.
John R. Eden, and Judge Meeker, have been his
partners.

Seime of the most valuable buildings in Sullivan
have been put up by Mr. Titus, notably the Opera
House Block, which he own*, and he has in the
county some twelve hundred acres of land, most of
it l>eiu>r in Sullivan Township, and all of it being
finely improved. He i* one of the large property
owners of the county, and the improvements upon
his land have been mostly placed there by himself.
He was County Clerk from 1865 to 1869, and while
Supervisor of Sullivan Township, was Chairman of
the Board. He ha* always been a live Democrat,
and is frequently a delegate to Mute convention*.

Our subject was born in Brookville. Franklin
County, Ind.. and received hi* education in Miami
College, being graduated in the Class of '58, and

receiving the two degrees of Bachelor of Art*, ami
Master of Art*. While in that institution, one of
hi* instructors was Prof. David Swing, who is now
so notable as a preacher in Chicago. After leav-
ing Miami he entered the Law Schoolat Cincinnati,
and was graduated at the Cincinnati Law College
iii the Class of '60. He then spent two years in
a law office in Cincinnati before coming to tin*
place and also spent some time in teaching, lb' is
a notable linguist, being the master of five differ-
ent languages, and *tand* high among scholarly
men.

Mr. Titus has two children — a son, William li..
who is a practical farmer in Sullivan Township,
and a daughter "Winnie, who is still at home with
her father attending school and studying music, in
which latter branch she is quite skillful. As a
public-spirited man. a broad thinker and a pro-
gressive citizen, Mr. Titus is a prominent figure in
Sullivan.

-S-ss-I-=*

•S-SE*=*

AMUEL WILsoN. Many of the best char-
acteristics in every branch of social and
commercial life, arc the outcome of the
brawn and sinew of what is frequently

called the middle cla*s of society; in reality, the
best class, for in it is usually found a common
sense and practical view of affairs that is often
wanting in both the highest and lowest cla**c*.
Our subject, although having tilled a humble por-
tion in the ranks for some time, is one who by per-
severance, energy and native ability has acquired
much that many a richer man. and one who is
pleased to think himself of a better cla*s. i* want-
ing in. He is the owner of a neat little farm in
Rural Township, having been a resident of Shelby
County since 1875.

Mr. Wilson was born in Delaware County, Ind..
February 28, 1848. He is a son of William and
Lydia (Antrim) Wilson, native* of Pickaway
County, Ohio. The\ were married however, in
Indiana, and resided in that State the remainder of
their lives. The father died in 1863 at the age

314

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of forty-five. They were the parents of nine
children, eight of whom lived to be grown. They
were: Sarah, Robert, Samuel, Emma. Alva, Lizzie,
Martha and Florence. Of these Robert and Alva
are deceased.

After the death of our subject's father, his mother
married :i second husband, but there were no chil-
dren by this union. She is still living in Dela-
ware County, 1ml.. and is the object of the filial
affection and care of her children. Our subject's
advent into this State was made in 1875. He
worked by the year on a farm until 1*77, when he
was united in marriage to Mary Ann Beckett, a
daughter of William Beckett. She was born in
Utica, N. Y. Our subject and bis wife have two
children, Anna and Lenora, who are the pride and
hope of their fond parents. Politically he of whom
we write feels that his interests are best furthered
by a union with his class, and he is a member of
the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, although
formerly he was a Republican. In his religious
connection he is united with the Church of God,
as is his wife, lie operates eighty acres of land.

B$+^

ftr^VARNABAS W. FULTON, a well-known and
influential citizen of Moultrie County, bears
ISjfi I a prominent part in various local affairs.
^ — •* lie has an established reputation as a good
farmer, and an upright man, and were it for no
other reason save his valiant services as a soldier in
the late war he would deserve representation in
this volume. In agricultural affairs he has been
very especially successful and is now the owner of
three hundred and twenty acres of as tine land as
is to be found in the county. This goodly tract is
located on section 5. Lowe Township, and is well
developed and is supplied with a full line of farm
buildings.

The parents of our subject were among the earli-
est settlers of Moultrie County, coming here in
1832 shortly after their marriage in Kentucky.
Both were natives of Kentucky and bore the names
of John B. and Amy (Hagden) Fulton. Upon their
arrival in this county they located in Jonathan

Creek Township, where they improved a tract of
wild landand passed their remaining years. During
the first years of their residence here they endured
all the hardships of pioneer life, but by unflagging
perseverance and indomitable energy they con-
quered adversity and in their declining years were
surrounded by the comforts for which they had
labored so arduously in earlier life. All who love
their country and are interested in its develop-
ment, will hold in reverence the names of John B.
Fulton and his good wife.

The sixth in a family of eight children, our sub-
ject was born in Jonathan Creek Township, this
county, April 111, 1K40. His earliest recollections
are of the scenes of frontier life and he has not
only been an interested witness of the growth of
this section, but has contributed his quota to its
progress. He deserves especial mention not only
as a pioneer but also as a brave defender of the
Union. He was in his early manhood when the
war broke out and all the enthusiasm and patriot-
ism of his nature were tired in behalf of the Gov-
ernment. Accordingly he enlisted in August. 1HC>2,
in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth
Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the
war.

When the Government had no further need of
his services he returned to Jonathan Creek Town-
ship and resumed farming, to which he has ever
since devoted his attention. He was married in
that township in November, 1868, to Elizabeth
Maston, a native of Coles County, 111., and their
union was blest by the birth of two children —
William, who died when one and one-half years
old, and Barnabas, who is still under the parental
roof. The wife and mother passed from earth at
her home in Jonathan Creek Township, October
28. 1873.

The cozy home of Mr. Fulton is presided over
by a lady of intelligence and refinement, whose
maiden name was Sarah Maston and who was born
in Jonathan Creek Township, September 12, 1854.
Her parents were James and Mary (Campbell)
Maston, the former of whom died in this township.
The marriage of our subject and his estimable wife
was solemnized March 23, 1874, and the congenial
union has been blest by the birth of one child —

& igte

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'.' ■ ' " : ^ r '' 7 '"- ""•'• ■ ■■ - ■-. ~ ' '-. j -:^

„ T ^-.,..... T , -

■

RESIDENCE OF ANDREW 5ENTEL, SEX . 9. , LOWE TP..MOU LTRI E CO., I LL

Irrii'DfA

RESIDENCE OP C.W. CROU DSON , 5EC.2., EAST NELSON TP., MOULTRIE CO., ILL

RESIDENCE OF B. W. F U LTON , SEC. 5., LOWE TR , MOU LTRI E CO. , I LL.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

317

a son — Isaac W. Mr. Fulton continued to reside
in Jonathan Creek Township until 1 s 7 ."> . when be
came to Lowe Township and settled on section 5,
of which he has since been a resident. Politically
Mr. Fulton is a Democrat, believing thai the prin-
ciples of that party are best calculated to advance
the interest of the nation. Socially he and his wife
arc highly esteemed for their hospitality and many
noble attributes of heart and mind.

The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the commodious residence and other prominent
buildings on the farm of Mr. Fulton.

^i>*<§=^=->

NDREW SENTEL. The soil of this
county being very fertile and the mar-
ket facilities excellent, a great number of
(v agriculturalists secure a competence by the

cultivation of a moderate acreage. One of these
successful farmers in .Moultrie County is he whose
name introduces these paragraphs. He owns and
operates eighty acres in Lowe Township on section
9, and by close attention to his business, wise man-
agement and industry, he makes of his farm a more
remunerative piece of property than do some who
have many more acres. In all his enterprises he
receives the cheerful co-operation of his amiable
wife. t<> whom his success is largely to be attribu-
ted.

The natal day of Andrew Sentel was March 7.
1836, and he was born in Ross County, Ohio. He
is the son of the late John Sentel. a native of Penn-
sylvania, and Catherine (Reedy) Sentel. who was
horn in Ross County. In the fall of 1845 the
parents removed from Ross County. Ohio, to
Coles County, 111., whence five years later they
came to Moultrie County and settled in Sullivan
Township. Their family comprised eight children,
our subject being next to the oldest, lie passed
his younger years in Ross County where he gained
the rudiments of his education. Later lie attended
school in Coles County, although his educational
advantages were limited to the district schools of
those days.

Mr. Sentel was first married January •'!. 1858, to

Miss Man Montgomery, a native of Ross County.
Ohio, who died July 22. 1881, in Lowe Township.
The present congenial companion of Mr. Sentel,
who has been his devoted helpmate, was born in
England January 1. 1848, ami was known in
maidenhood as Anna Dalton. She was first mar-
ried to Joseph Winskill and by that union became
the mother of one child — John 1). Mr. Sentel and
bis estimable wife were united in the holy bonds
of wedlock in Sullivan. 111.. September 1!), 1.HK2,
and their union has been blest by the birth of one
child, a son. Elmer A.

When Mr. Sentel began life for himself he set-
tled in Sullivan Township, this county, where he
lived several years. Next we find him operating
a farm in Douglas County, but after sojourning
there four years, he returned to .Moultrie County,
and settled in Lowe Township on section I), which
has since been his home. In his political atlilia-
tions he is a Republican and has served the people
in various official capacities, although he prefers
domestic quiet to the turmoil incident to a public
life. He is greatly interested in the cause of edu-
cation and everything pertaining thereto, and has
served acceptably as School Director. Public
spirited and enterprising, it is not strange that his
position among his fellow-citizens is an enviable
one and that he is regarded as one of the most
prominent agriculturists of the community.

The attention of the reader is invited to a view
on another page of the attractive residence and
rural surroundings on the farm of Mr. Sentel.

IIARLKS W. CROUDSON. A traveler
through the farming lands of Moultrie
County will be pleased to observe the large
number of well-improved farms and the numerous
evidences of prosperity. In Last Nelson Town-
ship an estate of eighty acres, which is admirably
adapted for both farming and stock-raising, is
owned and operated by the young gentleman
above named. A visitor here will see everything
that is necessary in the way of farm buildings.

318

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

machinery and all the modem appliances of agri-
culture. During his residence here Mr. Croudson
has effected many improvements upon the farm
and by a proper rotation of crops has brought the
snil to a high degree of fertility, so that it is lit-
tingly classed among the best farms of the town-
ship. .V view of this place appears on anotherpage.

Douglas County. 111., was the native place of
Mr. Croudson and his eyes first opened to the light
July 2*. 1862. He was the only son in the family
circle and has two sisters, Sarah M.. now the wife
of J. W. Bailey, and Lida J., who is still at home.
The parents. William ami Lucinda (Lawrence)
Croudson, were natives of England and Ohio, re-
spectively, and passed the greater part of their
lives in Douglas County, this State, where they
both died. They were people of steady habits and
high principles, doingas they would be done by in
the various relations they sustained toward others,
and the record of their lives is unblemished and
worthy of emulation.

The education of our subject was gleaned from
the schools in the vicinity of the parental home,
and his youth was passed in mingled work and
play, his study developing the powers of his mind,
while his recreation and boyhood sports developed
a stalwart physique. Haying been reared to farm-
ing pursuits, when the time came for him to chose
a calling in life, he naturally selected agriculture
and in his chosen avocation lie has been more than
ordinarily successful. Although still quite young
he is very comfortably situated and the future un-
doubtedly contains many honors for him. He
takes an active part in political affairs and is a
Democrat in his views, believing the principles of
that party are best calculated for the national wel-
fare. He is greatly interested in educational affairs
and has held the office of School Director, during
which time he materially advanced tin' cause of
education in the community.

A very important eventin the lifeof oursubjeet
was his marriage February It. 1886, in Moultrie
County, 111., to Miss Margaret, the daughter of
William and Sarah Wiley. Mrs. Croudson was
born in this county, where she has passed her en-
tire life and where her parents still reside. She
has a cultivated mind, a sympathizing heart and

adds thereto the housewifely knowledge which is
necessary for all who make their homes attractive
and comfortable. Into Mr. and Mrs. Croudson
one child has been born, a daughter. Osa, whose
birth occurred March 22. 1890. As a farmer Mr.
Croudson is enterprising and industrious, well in-
formed regarding things connected with his work
and ranks high among his fellow-citizens.

EREMIAH II1NTFRLY. Among the most
valuable factors in the settlement and up-
building of Illinois has been that portion
of its population which is descended from
natives of the German's Fatherland. Their fru-
gal, industrious, thrifty manner of life and their
steady devotion to agriculture have aided greatly
in developing that portion of the Prairie State
where they made their homes, and have given a
reliable character to the neighborhoods in which
they live.

Mr. llinterly resides on section 24. Ridge Town-
ship, Shelby County, and his settlement in this
county dates from L858. His native home was in
Fairfield County. Ohio, where he was born Decem-
ber II. 1836, being the son of Jacob and Rachel
llinterly. Jacob llinterly. Sl\, the grandfather of
oursubjeet. was a native of Germany and became
one of the earliest pioneers of Fairfield County in
the days when that part of the country was a wil-
derness inhabited only by savages and wild beasts.

Our subject had the severe misfortune of
losing his mother by death when he was but
a babe, and he was her only child. His father
subsequently married Rachel Fairchiid, and by
this union two >ons were born — Nathaniel and
William Henry, both of whom still make their
home m Fairfield County. Ohio, where they are
respected and useful citizens. The younger of
these two was a soldier in the Civil War, and
being a member of an Ohio regiment was under
Sherman's command, and was with him in the
famous "inarch to the sea.'"

The first affliction of Jeremiah llinterly was
followed seven years later by the death of his

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

319

father, and he thus became at a tender age a double
orphan. The sorrowful child was taken care <>t"
by an uncle, with whom he passed the remainder
of Ids early years, remaining in his native county
until he attained his majority. While with his
uncle he received training upon the farm and also
spent two years as an apprentice to the trade ol n
blacksmith.

It was in the fall of 1857 that he made his
first visit to Illinois, but he did not tarry long
upon that occasion as he returned to Ohio for the
winter, but the following spring brought him
again to Shelby County, where he rented land and
prepared to establish a home. He chose a bride
from the daughters of Ridge Township. Shelby
County, and upon Christmas Day. I860, he was
united in the happy bonds of matrimony with
Sarah M. Killam. a daughter of Isaac and Nancy
Killam. who was horn April 23. 1H44. Her father
was a Keiituckian by birth, and having been reared
as a farmer, pursued that line of industry and was
married in that Mate to Nancy Lee. a lady of
Maryland.

After marriage our subject settled where he !i<>\\
resides, his wife receiving one hundred acres of
land from her father. To this he has added one
hundred and liffv acres more, and has placed upon
it all good and substantia] improvements. It is
now one of the finest farms in Ridge Township.
being thoroughly cultivated and giving an excel-
lent yield. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinterly have been horn
three children — "William II.: Nancy (.).. who died
at the age of ten years: and Cora Ann. The -on
and daughter who are left to them are making a
tine record and are proving both an honor and
comfort to their worthy parents. The religious
connection of the family is with the Christian
Church, in which they arc highly useful and valu-
able members, being active in every good Word
and work, and willing to aid in every movement,
both religious and social, which looks to the ad-
vancement of the community.

In political matters Mr. Hinterly is. and always
has been to a good degree independent, as parties
have changed and new issues have arisen he has
felt at liberty to take his stand according to his
convictions and according to what he considered

the needs of the country and the policy of wisdom
and good judgment. lie was reared in the polit-
ical belief of the Democratic party, to which he
adhered until the formation of the National Green-
back party, the doctrines of which he judged to
he the best for the financial success of our country.
Mis interests being identified with those of tin
agricultural community, he ha- now allied him-
self with the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association,
and works in accordance with that SOcietj for the
upbuilding and prosperity of the farmers.

Jacob Hinterly. St., the grandfather of our sull-
ied, was married before he came to the United
States, and. as we have said, settled in Ohio in the
very early day-. He reared two sons and two

daughter John, Jacob, Mary. Mrs. Telweilier:

and Elizabeth, Mrs. George Parkenson.

-O

-s^ QUIRE WOODRUFF, a retired farmer liv-
ing in a pleasant home on Jefferson street.
left his farm in Sullivan Township some
three years ago ami for fourteen months
made his home in Decatur before coming to
Sullivan. Moultrie County. He purchased land in
Sullivan Township when he first came to this
county in 1854 and was remarkably successful in
general farming and stock-raising, so that he now
owns four hundred and sixty-seven acres of as tine
land as there is in the county, three hundred ami
thirty-seven acres of which is under the plow and
subdrained with tiling, tine hundred and sixty
.■id.- of this land was obtained by his father.
Mose-. from the Government in 1837 and has
never been deeded outside of the family. Mr.
Woodruff has had unusual success in breeding the
best grades of sheep, -wine, cattle and horses. He
wa- born near the county seat of Fountain
County. Ind.. July 29, 1*27. his father, being a
native of New Jersey and a son of Samuel A.
Woodruff of the same State, hut descended from
old New England stock.

The grandfather of our subject learned the trade
of :i tailor ill New Jersey, and married Mi— .loan

320

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Potter and after the birth of their children they
emigrated with their family to Ohio, settling at
Shakers' village and joining thai peculiar sect, and
lived there until her death. Somewhat later her
husband tame to Indiana and died in the home of
his son Aaron Woodruff in Fountain County,
being then past seventy-four years of age. He ad-
hered to the Shaker faith till his death, although
his sons Moses and Aaron, when young men broke
away from this faith and came to Indiana, there
beginning life as farmers. This was just after the
marriage of .Moses Woodruff with Miss Margaret
Petro, a native of Pennsylvania who came to Ohio
when ten years of age. They were married in
Monroe County, Ohio, after which they came to
Indiana and made a settlement in the woods in
Fountain County. They were without means and
did genuine pioneer work in that new region, and
there Moses and his wife lived and died. Moses
passed away iii 1838 when less than forty-two
old, and his faithful wife survived him more than
twenty years and died November 1 1. 1860, at the
age of about sixty-eight years. Moses Woodruff
was an I'ni versalist in his religious belief and his
wife died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

Squire Woodruff is the first born of his parents
and he and his brother Martin, a farmer near
Sullivan, are now all that remain of the family, as
their sister Mary A. died in infancy. The first
marriage of our subject took place in Fountain
County. Ind., he being then united with Miss
Asenafh Marvin of that county, who died in
Moultrie County, 111., January 5, 1857, at the
early age of twenty-six years. The second wife
of Mr. Woodruff to whom he was united in this
county bore the maiden name of Mary Ileffel-
linger. She was born in Pennsylvania and came
when quite young first to Indiana and later to Ill-
inois, and when thirty-one years old passed away
from this life March (!, 1869. The third marriage
of Mr. Woodruff united him with Mary A. Yake-
ley. His fourth wife was formerly Miss Eliza-
beth Kepler. She died September 12,1882. Our
subject was again married to Hannah Horn who
was born in Washington County, Pa., and came to
Illinois after herfirsl marriage. Mr. Woodruff had

children by four of his wives and nine of them are
living, namely: Ethan A., Mary E., Elias P.,
Martin A., Asenath, Cora B., Helen, Margaret A.
and Edith I). The last three are unmarried and
make their home with their father.

_.;..;..;.,;.

.;..;..;..;._

•II iAIAAAM

W ST.

ILLIAM VOGEL. The substantial farmers
ilby County are a class to whom all
minded citizens feel that they owe a
debt for their share in effecting the prosperity
which makes this county so popular as a place of
residence and business. Were their work sub-
tracted from the records of the county, little would
remain to show its value Such an one is our sub-
ject, who resides on section 12, Prairie Township,
and who has been a citizen of this county from the
spring of 1862, being one of the first to settle on
Hie prairie, lie had purchased eighty acres of prai-
rie land and forty acres of timber land, the pre-
vious year, and made his home upon them in the
spring, since which time he has devoted himself
unceasingly and indefatigably to the work of forc-
ing the rich soil to give forth its wealth.

William Vogle was born in the Kingdom of
Prussia, Germany, July 22, 1831, and is a son of
Charles Vogel. Two brothers and two sisters of
our subject are in the United States, namely: Fred,
who resides in Holland Township; Herman, whose
home is in Wisconsin; Augusta; and Minnie, the
wife of August Wilke. ( )ur subject is the first one
of the family to come to the United States, as he
crossed the ocean in 1867, and first made his set-
tlement in Cook County, this State, where he
worked as a farm hand until he decided to come
farther South and devote himself to the culture of
the soil in Shelby County. Three hundred and
sixty acres of rich and arable soil now constitutes
the farm which he has transformed from a wild
prairie to a well cultivated estate, and upon which
he has placed beautiful buildings.

The marriage in 1K(>2 of William Vogel and
Elizabeth Lutz, united a couple who were destined
to have a happy and harmonious life together. The
lady, like her husband, was born in Germany, but

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

321

had been in this country for a number of years.
To them haw been born four children, namely:
August \V.. Harmon C. F.. Albert II. and Ida.
These children are becoming what their parents
would have them be, honorable and worthy citi-
zens of the Prairie State, which has become to them
a dearly loved home.

American politics have proved a subject of in-
terest tn Mr. Vogel, and he has informed himself
intelligently in regard to them, although he does
not feel bound to govern his vote by the dictates
of any party organization. In regard t<> local mat-
ters he easts his ballot for the man and the meas-
ures which seem to his judgment conducive to the
peace and prosperity of the commonwealth, but
uiinn national issues he usually votes the Repub-
lican ticket. Both he and his efficient and excel-
lent wife are earnest and active members of the
Lutheran Church, in which they were brought up.
Stuck farming has largely engaged the attention of
our subject, and he has been successful in its prose-
cution, as any one must be in Illinois, if he under-
stands this branch of agriculture, and devotes him-
self to it with assiduity. The worthy lives of Mr.
and Mrs. Vogel and their family area standing re-
proach to all who complain of hard times and pov-
erty which they have incurred by their own lack
of principle and a disregard of the industrious ap-
plication of their time and strength.

E*2=*

^ILLIAM s. MURKY. Our subject belongs
to that class of people that have formed
the brawn and sinew of the social and busi-
ness life in America. A farmer himself, residing
on a beautiful tract of land on section 36. of Lov-
ington Township, Moultrie County, his father was
a mechanic and manufacturer, and such were his
resources, the quickness of perception of his keen
mind and shrewd look, that had he been placed on
a desert island he could have built up a small vil-
lage for himself, with all the accessories necessary
to civilized and retined life. Our subject's father
was the late Samuel Shirey, who was born in Frank-

lin County. Pa., April 26, 1806. His mother. Miss
Barbara Ann Shade in her maiden days, was bora
in Pennsylvania. April 24, 1808.

Samuel Shirey was a wagonmaker by trade and
this business he followed throughout his early life,
afterward being engaged in farming. The first
part of their married life was passed in Greencastle,
Pa. Thence they removed to Maryland, and then
returned to Pennsylvania, where they continued
to live until the spring of 1861, when they deter-
mined, for the sake of their growing sons, to re-
move to a State where there was a broader field
and better chances for young men. They came
to Moultrie County and settled in Lovington Town-
ship, where the father died June 2(1. 1870. The
mother survived for some years, her decease taking
place April '1. 1889. They had a family of ten
children of whom our subject was the ninth in
order of birth.

William shirey was born in Greencastle, Cum-
berland County. Pa., January 26. 1*46. He came
to the Prairie State with his parents in the spring
of 1861, and continued under his parental roof
until he became of age and was ready to take upon
himself the responsibilities of a home. He was
married in Macon County. April 5, 1*66. to Miss
Mary C. Cue. a daughter of John and Rachael
(Kay lor) Cue. The father passed away in Macon
County, this State. The mother died in Loving-
ton Township at the residence of her son William.
Mrs. Mary C. Shirey was born in Ross County.
Ohio. After the wedding the young couple settled
first in Macon County, where they continued to
live until the spring of 1*6:1. when .Mr. Shirey
came to Moultrie County and settled in Lovington
Township, where he has since been a resident.

It is not every man who has concentration of
purpose and patience enough to be a farmer.
While there are always any number of details
about a farm to be worked out. the principal work
of planting and waiting for the outcome. i> one
of weary patience that is frequently tried to the
uttermost by the thousand and one drawbacks that
are inevitable to agriculture — drouth, flood, rust.
grasshoppers, early or late frosts, are only a begin-
ning of the trials that one might mention, that a
farmer must endure patiently and uncomplainingly,

322

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and for which no one is to blame. He of whom
we write has placed excellent Improvements on his

farm and is the owner Of three hundred and twenty
acres Of good land, well located, watered and
drained. The latest improvements in agricultural
implements are in use upon the place, and every
acre is made to produce to the uttermost. He i-
engaged in general farming. Their home is an
ideal one in point of comfort and attractiveness
from a domestic point of view; not hung with
the richest tapestries, boasting no paintings by
greal masters, it is yet the abiding-place of content.
and a pleasant assurance that each member of the
family i> the recipient of the affection and loving
confidence of the others. Mr. and Mi's. Shirey are
the parents of four living children, whose names
are John Alpha, Willis B., Myrtle M. and Gracie
Alice. Other little ones have come to the parents
as buds of promise, hut drooped and withered in
their infancy and were gathered up by the Divine
hand, and now shed the sweetness of their spirits
in a higher world.

Mi's. Shirey i- an amiable and womanly woman,
a discreet and wise mother, who studio the inter-
ests of her children, nut from an envious or vainly
ambitious standpoint, but seeking to help them to
he men and women whose principles of right and
honor shall be so high and perfect and whose in-
tellects shall lie so developed, that they will he
honorable additions to whatever phase of lite they
may he placed.

He of whom we write lias held many of the
township offices, in local political life. He has
been elected Highway Commissioner, in the smaller
places an important office, that is not always so
conscientiously attended to as it should he. but
Mr. Shirey 's constituents have no reason to com-
plain of him in this respect, for he fully realizes
that the public highways are the veins and arteries
through which How the wealth of the nation. He
lias also held the position of Treasurer of Loving-
ton Township, and that even more important post,
that of School Director. This is, indeed, an almost
sacred office, for the selection of our teachers and
the government of school affairs is one which
should lie given the most minute attention and
wisest judgment. In his political relations he i- a

member of the Republican party and the tenets
and doctrines of that body are to him vital, by
both association and inherited opinion. .Mrs. Shirey
i> a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,

while her husband is liberal in his religious lielief.
Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and also fraternizes with both Odd Fellows and
Knights of Pythias.

The indomitable spirit that our subject inherits
from his father is apparent in all his dealings.
While living in Maryland. Samuel Shirey met with
a severe loss by the burning of his wagon shop,
and also hi> blacksmith shop, which was connected
with the first-named. In this catastrophe he lost
nearly all he had. hut was undismayed and man-
fully set about retrieving his position.

_=]

OHX SIMS, is a general farmer on section
27. of Flat Branch Township, Shelby
County, and here owns one hundred and
sixty acres of well-improved land, and forty
.hi. -.in section 26, which is covered with small
timber. His home was originally procured a- a
homestead claim. It was almost all unbroken in
1855, ami Mr. Sims has since made it a good farm.
placing many valuable improvements upon it. His
success in an agricultural direction has been at-
tained mostly through general farming and >tock-
raising. He came to this county from Macoupin
County, where he had settled in 1*3*. being one
of the earliest t.. Locate there.

On his advent into Macoupin County, he pro-
cured a farm, upon which he placed some improve-
ments, he later came in IK;}."), to this county. He
was born in Madison County, this State, five miles
eastof Edwardsville, January 19, 1820. Hi- par-
ents were natives of Kentucky. His father. Austin
Sims was however, born in North Carolina, hut
removed at a very early age to Kentucky, with
hi- parents, and was there reared. He is of South-
ern parentage, although his ancestry is for the most
part Scotch. The father of Austin Sims. Sr., who
was horn and reared in North Carolina, from which
State he served through the Revolutionary War.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC AL RECORD.

:\-j:\

he having fought at the battle of Cowpens. Be
later wont to Kentucky, and then proceeded to
Southern Illinois; afterward to Morgan County.
where both he and his wife died, lie at the aire of
eighty-three years, and she eighty-one years old.
Mr. Sims and wife were, early in life, members of
the old school Baptist Church.

Austin sinis. Jr., was reared to manhood in Ken-
tucky, and there married his wife. The lad\ 's
maiden name was Jennie Nivens. She was horn
and brought up in Kentucky, being a member of
an old and highly esteemed family in that State.
After the birth of two children Austin sinis. Jr.,
ami wife removed in 1818, to this state locating
on some Government land in Madison County.
In lf*2.s. Mr. Sims went with his family to Morgan
County, and entered some land here, being one of
the first pioneers of that county. There he and
his wife spent the active years of their life, and
there Mrs. Sims died and was buried. Later her
husband came to Christian County, this State, and
died there at the aire of eighty-six years, his wife
was not so old by twenty years at the time of her
decease. They were leading members of the Chris-
tian Church ami were among the first adherents of
that reform in Kentucky, becoming interested in
it at first through the preaching of Dr. Alexander
Campbell, who was a personal friend. They fol-
lowed his teaching of the New Testament with
great care and zeal.

Our subject was one of a family of six children,
of which he and his sister, now Mrs. Polly Wilco,
of Blue Mound. Macon County, are the only sur-
viving members. He was reared to manhood in
Morgan County, ami there married Catherine
Weller. The lady was burn in Kentu -ky in 1818,
and was young when her parents came to Morgan
County, where she was reared until her marriage.
She died at her home in this township, October 26,
1881. She was a worthy woman and a kind and
tender mother, highly looked up to. not only by
the members of her family, but all those who knew
her. She was a devoted member of the Christian
Church.

Our subject was one of ten children born to his
mother; four of these died, namely, .Joel. Robert.
Alexander and Samuel. The living children are

Lorinda, George W., John 1'.. William .1.. and
Henry. Lorinda i- the widow of Samuel Tulley,
and resides in this count\ : George W. took to wife
Emma Tulley and the\ reside in Union, Ore.;
John F. occupies the father's farm, bis wife being
Lucy Ransford; William .1. married Juliana Tulley.
and resides on a farm in this township; Henry re-
mains at home with his parents and runs a part of
the farm. Mr. Sims i- a member in good standing
of the Christian Church. He i- a sound Democrat
in politics.

ON. CHARLES VnRIs. The town of
| Windsor, Shelby County, is conspicuous for
the number of young men that take a lead-
ing part in commercial life. It is compar-
atively a young town and fresh, vigorous young

hi 1 sustains it- interests, and the moderation of

middle age receives the reverence that is due it.
Our subject is one of the men of more advanced
year-, who holds the impoitant position of Post-
master in the town of Windsor. He was bora in
Summit County, Ohio, March. 21, 1838, where In-
early life was spent on a farm. When about eigh-
teen years of age. he left home to take a position
in life for himself. At this period, the most -an-
guine time of youth, all things seemed possible to
him. and the golden possibilities seemed just be-
yond his reach, lying waiting for him to stretch
out his hand in their direction.

Mr. Voris' first venture was in Galesburg, Knox
County, this State, but there he only spent about
six month-, and then worked fora while on a farm.
Minnesota was next in the way of his perigrina-
tions, and there he lived about six months, when
In- returned to Galeshurtr. residing there a short
time. He next went to Taylor County, Iowa, and
there was engaged in opening up a farm. To this
he devoted three years, and in February, I860, he
came to Windsor and engaged in the grain ami
lumber business, and in connection with this, in
1CG2. he opened a dry-goods store. He continued

324

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the lumber business about two years; while en-
gaged in this line, carrying a very good stock,
his mercantile business was conducted under tin-
best auspices. lie continued in the grain trade
for fourteen years, and during that time he
also was engaged in the banking business with
J, D. Bruce, with whom he was also in company in
his other lines of commercial life. The linn was
known as Bruce, Voris A- Co. They dissolved
partnership in 1873 and since that time Mr. Voris
has been engaged in the real-estate business and in
farming. He has always been an active agent in
the affairs of town and county.

lie of whom we write was elected to the General
Assembly in 18(56, re-elected in 1868, and in 1870,
received the honor of election to the Senate from
the Seventh District, and in 1872 was again re-
turned from the Thirty-firsl District. During this
term he was Chairman of the special committee on
stock-yards, and acted on other important commit-
tees. During his services as Senator, he did effici-
ent work in gaining advantages for his district,
lie served on the Railroad and Penitentiary Com-
mittees, and on Corporations, lie was also a
member of the committee on the rules that should
govern the Senate.

Mr. Voris has served in various local offices, and
for some time has been a member of the City Board,
His appointment as Postmaster was confirmed in
July. 1889. If is hardly necessary to say that he
has taken an active interest in politicial affairs as
he had been so identified with the Government of
the State. He is an ardent advocate of the prin-
ciples of the Republican party. He has been solic-
ited by the Central Republican Committee to
assist in the present campaign in Ohio.

He of whom we write obtained the charter for
the Bloomington and Ohio River Railroad, now
known as the Wabash, running from Bement to
Effingham, and of this road he was the first Presi
dent. For ten years he was engaged in the mill-
ing business in Windsor, and during that length
of time, the reputation that he had previously
built up as a business man of sterling integrity and
uncptestioned honor, was confirmed. His products
were always of the best character, and his dealings
with all parties was characterized by an upright-

ness and sense of honor that could only redound
to his favor.

Mr. Voris' marriage took place in shelly County,
his nuptials being celebrated November G, 1860.
His bride was .Miss Mary Jane Templeton, who was
a native of the county in which she was married.
Only two children were born of this union:
Annette and Julia, the latter deceased.

( >ur subject, on his mother's side, hasa complete
family record comprising over eleven thousand
names from the landing of the "Mayflower" to
1874; and over seven thousand names on his father's
side, from L638 to L883.

a§*^

y-*v I M ROD TA V U )R. < me of the well-known
J farmers residing on section. 1 1. Lowe Town-
l!ij& ship, Moultrie County, is a son of James
and Sarah Taylor. The father is still living, but
the mother passed away some time since in Douglas
County, this State. They had a family of eleven
children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and
he was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., May "2,
1 s 1 2.

Our subject was eight years old when his parents
Came to Illinois and settled in Douglas County,
where this son was reared to manhood and received
his education and training upon the farm and in
the district school. He remained under the pa-
rental roof until he reached the period of man-
hood and was married in Moultrie County. March
4, 1864. his bride being Mary .1. Nelson, a native
of Virginia. After living upon his father's farm
for a few years he removed with his wife to Texas,
but not being satisfied with life in that region, he
remained there only about eighteen months.

Returning to Illinois, Mr. Taylor settled on the
tract of land where he now resides — a fine farm,
well improved and comprising some eighty acres.
Six children have been granted to this worthy
couple, three of whom died in infancy and the
three who survive are .lames 1-'., Norah and Har-
vey. The principles of the Democratic party em-
body the political views of Mr. Taylor, and he is
interested in the progress of that party, although

JOSEPH WALKER,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

32/

not Mu active politician. The office of School Di-
rector has been well filled by him, and while an
incumbent of thai position he « 1 1 * I much to for-
ward tlic educational interests of the township.
Loth he and his good wife are earnest and active
members of the New Light Church, and he ever
takes a prominent part in religions movements.

"SI?

OSEPH WALKER Although our subject
makes his residence in the town of Wind-
sor, Shelby County, and thus enjoys the ad-
vantages of town life, he is actively engaged
in farming. Mr. Walker is an omniverous reader.
and being a thoughtful man who judges and
weighs for himself, lie has the advantage of some
of hi- fellow-men, whose views of general matters
and current topics are only those of some one else.
Original to a refreshing degree, our subject is very
pronounced in all his views. He is a progressive
man although not readily attracted by every new
idea that for the moment is paramount, being prac-
tical in all his affairs.

The original of our sketch was horn in Fayette
( ounty, Ohio, March 10, 1814, and thus it is seen
that he had lived a long and eventful life. The
early part of his life was spent in the woods during
which time he was engaged in dealing, and in his
native county, and he repeated the same experience
in Fayette County, Ind.. where he went when
about nine years of age. In 1887 he came West
and spent two months engaged in trading, visiting
different parts of what was then considered the far
West. At the end of that time he returned to
Fayette County. Ind.. and launched into the busi-
ness of buying and selling cattle and hogs, finding
his market in Cincinnati. They were not shipped
as now. by rail, but our subject was obliged to
drive them over the public highway.

September 20, is-17. Mr. Walker was united in
marriage in Fayette County. Ind.. with Miss Sarah
W. Horsey, and with her he began the journey of
life, with a realization of the responsibilities that
he had taken upon him. By this marriage he he-
came the father of two children, whose names are

respectively Sophronia and Amos W. The daugh-
ter became the wife of .lames llartseUof Ash Grove
Township. AmosW. is a teacher and has attained
a wide reputation as an educator of advanced and

progressive methods and theories.

Mrs. Sarah W. Walker died in Fayette County,
Ind.. about three years after their marriage and
after his bereavement Mr. Walker returned to Illi-
nois and settled permanently in Shelby County, in
1859. Prior to this he had lived here in IS 12. hut
his stay had been comparatively short. In com-
pany with another man he had purchased twenty-
thousand acre- of land in Kansas. In 1866 lie
settled in Windsor Township and was from that
time'until 1884 when he removed to the village of
Windsor,engaged in farming. He owns about six
hundred acres of land in the county and consider-
ing his various possessions, must he accounted a
wealthy man.

Although .Mr. Walker i> a farmer and has been
such for many years, he has never hound himself
down to the drudgery of agricultural life, trading
in live-stock having been his chief occupation.
Politically he is in sympathy with the promoters
of the Greenback party. He is highly esteemed in
the community of which he i- a citizen and his
opinions are regarded with a great deal of respect.
His portrait is presented in connection with this
brief biographical review.

OX. CHARLES L. ROANE, who is now liv-
ing a retired life in Sullivan. Moultrie
County, has made his home in this locality
since 1854, and in the years which have
come and gone ha- occupied a prominent place in
public affairs, lie has been prominently connected
with both the business and official interests of the
county and is widely known throughout this part
of tin- State. The story of his life is as follows:

Charles I.. Roane was born in Loudoun County,
Ya.. October :'>. 1820, and is the son of .lames
and the grandson of William Roane. The latter,
a native of the old Dominion, belonged to the
F. F. V.'-: lie -pent hi- entire life in Virginia and

328

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

died when well advanced in years. The father of
our subject was born and reared in Virginia and
became a contractor and builder of turnpike roads.
In Loudoun County he was joined in wedlock with
.Mrs. .Mary Bartlett, daughter of Col. Timothy Tay-
lor. The Colonel was born in Bucks County, Pa.,
and came of one of the old and highly respected
families of the Keystone State.

Mr. Taylor removed to Loudoun County, \'a.,
and after some years, on the breaking out of the
War of IK 12 he enlisted and became Colonel of the
Fifty-sixth Regiment of Virginia Volunteers. His
two sons were also in that service, one serving as
Colonel, the other as Adjutant and the old Colonel
commanded a regiment engaged in protecting the
city of Washington against the British forces. Fa-
ther and sons escaped uninjured and Col. Timothy
Taylor spent his last days in Virginia. The daugh-
ter Mary grew to womanhood in her native county
and when she had attained to years of maturity
gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Bartlett who
died, leaving two children. She afterward became
the wife of James Roane and unto them were born
four children, of whom our subject and his sister,
Mrs. Clark of Virginia, are now living. The, latter
is a widow of Leonard Clark, a Union soldier of
the late war who laid down his life on the altar of
his country. James Roane and his wife continued
their residence in Loudoun County, Va., for some
years, the husband there dying in 1832, when
past middle life. His widow spent her last days
in Harrison County, AV. Va., where she lived to a
ripe old age. An intelligent and cultured lady,
she had many friends and was highly respected by
all who knew her.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the
parental family. After his father's death he was
tenderly cared for and reared by his mother until
able to care for himself. He is truly a self-made
man and deserves no little credit for the success
which has crowned his efforts. As before stated
he came to Moultrie County. 111., in 1854, and
soon afterward, his fellow-townsmen having recog-
nized his worth and ability, was appointed Deputy
County Clerk. A short time elapsed and he was
elected to the position of County Clerk, which he
filled acceptably four years, then in January, 1862,

embarked in the general merchandise business,estab-
lishinga store at the southeast corner of the square
in Sullivan where he carried on operations for
twenty-three years. Mr. Roane possesses good
business ability, is energetic and enterprising and
soon won a liberal patronage which constantly
increased until his large trade netted him a good
income and he became one of the substantial citi-
zens of the community. His success was truly de-
served for he tried to please his customers and
honesty and fairness characterized all his dealings.

In the meantime .Mr. Roane was nominated, in
1883, on the Republican ticket for the Legislature
and when the election returns were received it was
found that he had been elected by a good majority
to represent the district which includes Moultrie,
Shelby and Effingham Counties. He was appointed
on several important committees, including those
of Hanking and Drainage, and was one of the
members sent to visit and report on the State
charitable institutions. His course as a member of
the House won credit for himself and his constitu-
ents and he formed many pleasant, acquaintances
among the prominent men of the State. As before
stated Mr. Roane continued in the mercantile busi-
ness for twenty-two years, at the expiration of
which time he sold out. Later he built and oper-
ated a tile factory for a few years, but it was sub-
sequently destroyed by fire. He has now retired
from business life but is still interested in Decatur
and Sullivan property.

In the city where he yet makes his home, Mr.
Roane was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Gar-
land, a native of Bedford County, Va., and a daugh-
ter of Nicholas A. and Mary (Mitchell) Garland.
The family came to Sullivan at an early day and
Mr. Garland built the first mill at that place, oper-
ating it for more some years. Subsequently he and
his wife removed to Springfield, 111., where he en-
gaged in merchandising. He was also Deputy
Sheriff of the county for some time and with his
wife spent his last days in the capital city. Mrs.
Roane is one of quite a large family. She has been
a true wife and her union has been blessed with
five children, four of whom are yet living, namely:
Lucy, wife of W. A. Cash, a commercial traveler
residing in Decatur; Fannie, wife of John K. Mun-

PORTRAIT AND UK >< iKAPIIICAI. RECORD.

329

seywho is employed :i> book-keeper for tin 1 linn of
stratton & Bird, wholesale grocers of ( 'airo; ( 'harles,
who wedded Eva Woodruff and is now engaged in
the lumber business in Campbell, Franklin County.
Neb., and Austin nt home. One daughter, Mary.
i> now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Roane are members of the Presby-
terian Church and are people of worth who rank
high in social circles and are widely and favorably
known throughout the community.

~%t

ytlLLLAM V. CARR, who has been appointed
by Uncle Sam to take charge of the postal
service at Stewardsori, Ills., was born
in what is now Dry Point Township. Shelby
County, October 9, 1*4 1. He is a son of Elias and
Nancy (Siler) Carr, natives of North Carolina and
Tennessee respectively. The father of our subject
was born in 1804. His father having died in Ten-
nessee, his mother, with a family of four chil-
dren, three of whom were girls, came to Illinois in
1816. The family first lived one year on Sand
(reek. Shelby County, they then settled in Dry
Point, and were thus the first settlers in that part
of the country, and in fact, as early as any who
located in the country.

Here the father of our subject grew to man-

1 1 pursuing fanning for a living. He passed

his remaining years in Dry Point Township
and died in the year 1848. He was a prominent
member of the Methodist Church, being a Class-
Leader at the time of his death. The mother of
our subject came with her parents to the State of
Illinois and the family settled in Cumberland,
where her father, Benjamin Siler. passed his
remaining years. While a young woman she mar-
ried Mr. Carr, whose death she did not long sur-
vive, following him in a few months, her decease
taking place in 184 l .t.

The original of our sketch is one of nine chil-
ren, five of whom are still living, all being resi-
dents of Shelby County. Martha is the wife of
the Rev. Mr. Middlesworth. Mary married George
lluffer. .Jefferson W.; John and our subject.

William V. was only four years of age when he
was left an orphan and his young life was spenl
with various person-. His sister, Mrs. Huffer, was

a foster mother to him for six years which he
spent in her household.

Educational advantages in those early days were
limited and our subject was enabled to attain
only the common branches. When there was
school, held in a log house, after he had attained
the age of nine years, he was obliged to walk three
miles in order to reach it. While a mere lad he
was obliged to work his own way. doing whatever
he found to do in order to get a li\ in<;-. In these
days when children are so tenderly cared for and
enjoy the comforts, even among the poorer class,
that were considered the most refined luxuries at
the time our subject was a boy. it makes one sad
to think how little youth he had.

The three brothers in our subject's family, all en-
listed and each served faithfully during the Civil
War. William V. Carr enlisted in 1868 as a pri-
vate of Company A., Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry,
lie served until the close of the war, being muster-
ed out November 16, 1865. He was a participant
in the battles that occurred at the siege of Vicks-
burg, was with the Red River expedition, and
was at the capture of Little Rock, Ark. While
near that place, in August, 1864. he was taken
prisoner at Batesville, where he remained until
January, 1865. He then joined his command
at Hickory Station. Ark., where he remained
until he was mustered out at Ft. Scott. After
the war our subject resumed farming in Prairie
Township and continued this occupation until
1888. when he removed to Stewardson, and in
April, 1889, was apppointed Postmaster.

In 1867. the original of our sketch was united
in marriage to Miss Deborah Blue, a daughter of
Erasmus Blue, she was born in Fairfield County,
Ohio. By this wife our subject is the father of
one daughter. Drotha. who is bright, intelligent
and winsome. Politically Mr. Carr is a Repub-
lican in party preference, using his influence and
vote in its favor and having all confidence in its
platform. He is a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, and riitds much pleasure in recount-
ing with an old comrade, common experiences

330

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC A I, RECORD.

incident to the war. He still owns his farm of
sixty acres upon which is a good tenant, he also
has a handsome property in Stewardson.

John Carr, a brother of our subject was horn in
Shelby County in 1842. lie enlisted in 1861, in
the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, in which lie
served until 186(i, having- re-enlisted in the regu-
lar army. During his military experience he was
never either wounded or taken prisoner. After
the war he returned to Shelby County and has
since been engaged in farming in Ridge Township,
where he owns two hundred acres of land in a fine
>tale of cultivation. He invited Caroline Downs
to be his life partner, sharing with him its pleas-
ures and burdens. They are the parents of eight
children.

/jp^ AMUEL 1). WEST is a prominent and well-
^fc£ known citizen of Moweaqua, Shelby County!
\J_M who has held important civic positions
in the city government. For many years
he was among the leading mechanics of the county.
and conducted a good business as a blacksmith
here until he retired October, 189(1 in favor of his
son Frank. Our subject was born at Sempronius,
Cayuga County, N. Y., August 12, 1821. His par-
ents were Thomas and Rhoda (Dunbar) West, and
they were natives of Oneida County, that State.

.Mr. West was reared in Wayne County, N. V..
whither his parents removed in 1827. As soon as
he was large and strong enough to handle the tools
he began to work with his father in his smithy,
and thus early acquired a good knowledge of the
blacksmith trade. At the age of twenty-one he
rented his father's shop at South Butler, Wayne
County, and carried on his calling there some
years. In the spring of 1854 he came to this
county, as with characteristic shrewdness and fore-
sight he saw that skilled mechanics would be in
demand in a new and growing country. He came
hither by rail to Chicago, and from there by the
same means of transport, to Springfield and Dec-
atur, and from the latter place with a team to
Moweaqua, which he had selected as a suitable loca-

tion to begin his new life. He bought a small shop
in the village and at once went to work at his
trade, which he increased from year to year, until
he was conducting a flourishing and paying busi-
ness as blacksmith at the time of his retirement.

Our subject was married in May. 1844 to Miss
Emma Baggerly, a native of ( lutario County. N. Y.,
and a daughter of Peter and .lane Baggerly. For
forty-six years they walked together through the
sunshine and shadow that lay across their pathway,
and then Death parted them, removing the faith-
ful wife from the home that her presence had glad-
ened so long. She and our subject were blessed
with two children. Frank B. and Jennie. The
former married Mollie Weakly, and they have four
children — Mabel, Bertha, Delia and Samuel. Jennie
married Joseph B. Longevan. and they have two
children living, Claud and Dwight.

Mr. West was a Republican from the time the
party was organized until 1888, and since then he
has been a Democrat and a Prohibitionist. His
fellow-citizens, appreciating his worth as a man of
exemplary habits, unswerving honesty and truth-
fulness in every word and act, and his capability,
have often called him to responsible positions. He
has served as a member of the City Council, and as
President of the Board, and also as a member of
the School Board. At one time he was elected
Police Magistrate. lie was also Justice of the
Peace three terms, and has been Notary Public for
upward twenty years.

m>^<m^

-j—

1/ ENRY DIEPHOLZ. The gentleman whose

J) name is at the head of this sketch and of
whom it is our pleasure to give a short his-
tory in outline, is a native of Germany, be-
ing there born September II. 1840: Up to his
fifteenth year he passed his boyhood days in his
native land being engaged upon a farm and in
school work, which in Germany is obligatory upon
all the subjects of the Emperor. Thus he was in a
manner fitted for the duties of manhood, although
it must have taken him some time to adjust him-
self to American manners and customs and ways of

PORTRAIT AND BL P.APHICAL RECORD.

331

thought, on coming to this country. On leaving
home, he came to America landing from a German
steamer at Baltimore, Md., and from there went t"
Cincinnati, Ohio. He was firsl employed nearCin-
cinnati in the mixed duties of attending to a brick
yard, and farming, and was t h n~ engaged for four
years, after which lie came to Madison, this state.

While in Madison County, cur subjecl was em-
ployed as a farm laborer and continued work in
this way for four years. < >n his marriage, he
rented land which he operated for four years and
at the expiration of that time, came to Shelby
County and settled in Richland Township, where
he has since been a resident. Here he is the owner
of three hundred acres of finely improved land.
Upon this tract he has erected a good ami substan-
tial set of buildings. His home is comfortable and
pleasant and his barns adequate f^>r the large crops
which are annually his farm products.

Mr. Diepholz was married in Madison County,
111. to Miss Caroline Wirth, who like himself, was
a native of Germany, but who had emigrated to
America at an early age. Our subject and his wife
are the parent? of four children, whose name- air
Fred .1.. Henry. Caroline and Hermann. Heof whom
we write is an honorable and upright man who is
highly regarded by his neighbors and fellow-towns-
men. He has been elected to till several important
offices in the town-hip government and has been
Assessor of Richland Township for three years.
also Highway Commissioner for one term and lias
done efficient service as School Direct or. In politic-.
the original of our sketch is a Democrat. Religi-
ously he and his wife are communicant? of the
Lutheran Church of their township, and have ever
Keen generous supporters and faithful adherent- of
that religious body.

1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ®^jH

— -

—^>***^U

1 _ KNRY L. FISHER, an influential farmer re-
J siding in Lowe Township, Moultrie County,
was born in Loami Township. Sangamon
County, 111., January 31, 1846. lie is the
-.hi of John 15. and Nanev I). (Webb) Fisher, na-
tives of Kentucky, who were married in Harrison

County, thai State. At an early day they removed
to Illinois and settled in Sangamon County, where
they reared a large family of children, eleven of
whom lived to attain to maturity. At the break-
ing out of the Civil War the father enlisted in an
Illinois regiment and served until the Government
had no further need of his services. Being hon-
orably discharged he returned to his home and re-
sumed operations on his farm, where his death
occurred after a long and useful life.

Henry C. of this sketch, was reared to maturity
on a farm and received a practical education in
the common schools. Until he was married he spent
hi? time under the paternal roof, with the excep-
tion of four year- -pent ill different places. A
very important event in his life and the source of
merit happiness to him. was his marriage March 14.
1S77. in Douglas County. 111., to Miss Mary Alice
Reeder. This estimable lady was born in that
place .Inly in. I8j7. and is the daughter of John
and Mary (Harter) Reeder. also natives of Doug-
la- County. Mr. and Mis. Reeder were natives of
( )hio. and reared a family of eleven children. Mrs.
Fisher being the eighth.

The first home of our subject after his marriage
was in Loami Town-hip. Sangamon County, whence
after a residence of one year he removed to Chris-
tian County. 111., and sojourned there for one \ ear.
Next we find him in Piatt County for two years
and then in Douglas County for six years and
finally in the spring of L887 he settled in Lowe
Township, this county, and he has been so well
satisfied with hi- purchase here that he has decided
to make it his permanent home, lie owns eighty-
acres on section 17. and is also the owner of one-
half section of land in Iowa. His farm buildings
are first-class, while modern machinery and im-
provements are all to lie found here.

Five children have come to bless the congenial
union of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, named as follows:
John E., Minnie M.. Lulu. May Olive, ami Willie.
A- a School Director Mr. Fisher has aided in bring-
ing about the present efficienc3 of the neighboring
schools and in his pie-cut position £f Clerk of the
School Board he is spoken well of for his capability
in that position. He i> identified with the Repub-
lican party and never fail- to cast hi- vote and ex-

332

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ert his influence for the principles in which lie
believes. As a neighbor he is cordial and friendly,

in domestic- life affectionate, and in his business
relations to be relied upon. He is therefore re-
garded with respect and has many warm personal
friends. He and his amiable wife are active mem-
bers of the Christian Church.

ON. JONATHAN MEEKER. The little
city of Sullivan, in Moultrie County, counts
among its citizens a number of men of un-
usual intellectual grasp and acumen, whose
experience in life has been such as to bring them
prominently before their fellow-men and prove the
sturdy and stanch material of which they are made.
Among such whose professional ability as well as
personal qualities commend them to our readers, we
are pleased to mention the gentleman whose name
appears at the opening of this paragraph, lie is a
lawyer of more than ordinary ability and a man
of massive frame and commanding presence.

Our subject was born in Bennington Township
in that part of Delaware County which is now in-
cluded in Morrow County. Ohio. .Inly 25, 1831.
Hi- father. Ambrose Meeker, was horn in Orange.
N. .1.. and Grandfather Meeker was a farmer and
-pent his last years in New" Jersey. His wife's
maiden name was Miss Tompkins.

The father of our subject was but two years old
when his parents died and lie was cared for by his
maternal uncle, and at the age of fifteen was made
an apprentice to learn the trade of a blacksmith at
Newark, N. .1. After completing his apprentice-
ship he started for the then far West, walking over
the Alleghany Mountain- to Ohio and settled in
in that state at Newark. Licking County. Here
he opened a shop and followed his trade for a time
before removing to Delaware County, where be
bought a farm, and for one year attended to cul-
tivating it. He then returned to Newark and re-
sinned business a- a blacksmith, remaining there
until 1832, when lie carried on the same business

at Etna after which lie became a pioneer at Mays-
ville, Union County.

The young man bought a tract of timber land
and erected a shop, carrying on blacksmithing and

farming together until 1*47. when he went to
II an cock County. 111., making the removal by teams.
There were five families in the colony and they
prospected Hist in Nauvoo, then in Clark County,
and in February. 1*4*. they came to Sullivan,
which was then a small hamlet in a sparsely settled
country with no railroad facilities. The land about
here was then owned by the Government and Mr.
Meeker purchased some property in the village
besides forty acres of partly improved land and
two hundred and forty acres of wild prairie land.
Customers came to his shop from as far away as
Douglas and Piatt Counties, and his business pros-
pered, making hyp content to remain here for the
remainder of his days. His death occurred in
1881. when he was eighty-two years old.

Hannah Hartwell Meeker, the mother of our
subject, was a native of Plymouth. Mas-., her parents
being descended from the first settlers of Plymouth.
she had two children, our subject and his sister
Roxanna. the wife of the Hon. John R. Eden. Her
death took place in February, 1K4H. The pioneer
school of Ohio afforded all the advantage- which
these children received in their early days, and the
log schoolhouse, the puncheon seats, the wide fire-
places and the unglazed windows were familiar to
their childhood.

Jonathan Meeker began work upon the farm
while still ipiite young, and after coming to Illi-
nois worked with his father in the blacksmith -hop
and attended theacademy in Sullivan, and in 1858,
at the aire of twenty-six. having devoted himself
to the study of law. was admitted to the bar and
commenced practice in Sullivan, which has been
the scene of his labors from that day to this. Re-
sides his professional duties he has been somewhat
interested in farming, and ha.- made this his recrea-
tion from intellectual effort

The young lawyer soon began to think of estab-
lishing himself in domestic life and in November.
1860. he married Nancy Parker, a native of Rush
County. End., and a daughter of Robert and Mary
Parker. Five children came to bless this union.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

333

namely: Gertrude, Bstella, Clara Belle, Raymond
and Grace. To these children their parents are
giving the very besl advantages fur a liberal edu-
cation. Clara Belle and Raymond arc graduates
of Butler University, in Indiana.

The public career of the Hon. Jonathan Meeker
began as early as 1852, when he was elected as one
of the village Trustees, in which office he served
for several terms. Soon after this he was elected
Justice of the Peace and he has represented the
township as a member of the County Board of
Supervisors, lie was elected as Representative to
the Illinois State Legislature in 1870, and placed
upon the bench of the County Judge in the year
of 1877, which honorable office he held for nine
years. At the beginning of the present year he
formed a professional partnership with D. R. Pat-
terson. Esq.. which bids fair t«-> be a business alli-
ance which will benefit both parlies and increase
their efficiency. This honorable gentleman will no
doubt continue to augment his already Hue repu-
tation as a member of the liar and as a public-
spirited citizen fur many years yet to come.

OHN W. Wool). The acquisitive faculty is
one which some men possess in a high de-
gree, and in which others are almost totally
deficient. We frequently associate charac-
teristics which are not admirable with one who is
thus endowed. This, however, is neither just nor
correct, for this faculty i- as distinctly a gift of the
Creator as is a mechanical, musical or poetical gen-
ius in people whom we cannot laud too highly for
the results of their work. The name that heads
this sketch is that of a man who possesses the ac-
quisitive faculty in a large degree,and at the same
time, he is generous and open-hearted to a fault.
He is a prosperous, well-to-do farmer, owning four
hundred and fifty acres of line land upon which
are the best improvements, a pleasing and attrac-
tively built house, good barns and granaries, sheds
and outbuildings for the shelter and protection of
his stock.

Our subject was born in Moultrie County. 111..

February 28, 1850. His parents wen- Joseph M.
and Purletha (Patterson) W 1. natives of Ken-
tucky and Illinois, respectively. For a further his-
tory see sketch of J. A. Wood in another part of
this volume. He of whom we write was reared on
a farm, and received the educational advantages
common to hoys of his age ami position in life.
On reaching manhood he was attracted by the

charms and virtues of Miss Mary .1. Kirkw Land

November 2, 1871. their nuptials were celebrated
at the home of the bride's parents, who were James
and Ann .1. Kirkwood. Mrs. Wood was horn in
Ross County. Ohio, December 31, 1852.

The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Wood was
blessed by the birth of seven children, two of whom
were taken into the fold by the Good Shepherd,
while yet in the purity of infancy. Five of their
children readied years of maturity: Minnie S.. died
February 22. 1891, at the age of seventeen years.
The living children are: M. Iiosella. Joseph W.;
James A. and b'reeda F. Our subject in his relig-
ious belief is non-sectarian, which does not. how-
ever, indicate that he is either infidel or atheist, as
he believes fully in the goodness and mercy of a
Divine Creator and Father. In political affairs he
is an ideal follower of Tolstoi, making no active
opposition to any political party or measures, and
in consequence favoring no party. He does not
vote because it is contrary to his religious belief to
do >o. leaving all political matters to solve them-
selves by natural evolution, that is guided and
governed by ( rod.

(<l >ILLIAM WEAKLY. Among the best farms
\ / nil seel i' in 3 i . Ridge Tow nshi p, Shelby
V V County, will be noticed by every stranger
or passer-by the finely cultivated acres and good,
neat buildings of the excellent farmer whose name
appears at the head of this paragraph. His father,
Benedict Weakly, was born in Maryland. March
24, 17*7. and his mother. Margatha Mathews, a na-
tive of the same State, was born May 1. 1 7 '. • 7 . They
were married December 22, 1816, and made their

33 1

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lir-t home in their native State removing after-
ward to Fairfield County, Ohio, and in the summer
of 1843 emigrated to Illinois and settled in Ridge
Township, Shelby County, where they spent the
remainder of their days; the father was called
hence November 1 I. 1858, and the mother followed
him to the grave April 15, 1878.

This worthy and venerated couple had ten chil-
dren: Robert. Rebecca, Nancy, John, Henry, James,
Margaret, Mary, William, and George. Robert is
a fanner in Kansas; Rebecca was the wife of David
Ewing and died in Ridge Township, September lfi.
1843; Nancy married Richard Keirn and died in
Assumption, 111.: John died in South Dakota. July
•J.">. 1888; Henry is a clergyman and farmer resid-
ing in Ross Township; James died in Kansas, in
Harper County in July, 1889; Margaret was the
wife of Samuel Smith and passed away in Tower
Hill Township, September 21, 1885; Mary died in
infancy; William is a farmer in Ridge Township;
and George died in infancy.

William Weakly was born in Fairfield County,
Ohio, August •"). 1835, and was about eight years
old when he came to Shelby Count) with his par-
ents and here in Ridge Township, where he grew
to manhood he has made his home from that day
to this. He lias always followed agricultural pur-
suits and is the owner of two hundred and eighty
acres of land which are highly cultivated and in a
splendid productive condition. In his political
views he is strongly inclined to believe in the doc-
trines which are promulgated in the platform of
the Republican party.

&**+*(-
?+++*-

OEL T. WALKER The name at the head
of this sketch is that of one of the linn of
Walker & Co., who are dealers in grain and
owners of the Moweaqua elevator, which
has the capacity for storing six thousand bush-
els. They have besides cribs for sixty thous-
and bushels of corn and fifty thousand bushels of
oats. Mr. Walker has had the management of the
elevator for the past three years. Under the
present management the firm buy and sell from two

to tour thousand bushels annually. They deal
chiefly in corn, and their business in this direction
is the largest of any in the county. Our subject
brings to it a judgment and executive ability that
could not fail of success.

Prior to coming to this place, Mr. Walker engaged
in business at Lawrence. Kan., dealing largely in
grain and live-stock, lie came to this county in
June, 1888. Our subject was born in Madison
County, 111.. October 13, 1835. He was only three
year- of age when his parents. Edwin and Rebecca
(Chance) Walker, removed to Lebanon. St. Clair
County, where he was reared and educated. There
he was married to Miss Eliza Alexander. She was
born and reared in our subject's adopted county,
and her parents David and Mary (Thomas) Alexan-
der were early settlers there. Her father, Mr. Alex-
ander, went there from Pennsylvania when quite
young. His wife was a native of the county and
a sister of Col. John Thomas, who is yet a resident
of Belleville, having attained an honorable old age.

After marriage, our subject and his wife lived
in St. Lawrence County on a farm for a period (if
three years, and then moved to Macon County.
settling in Pine Mound Township, at a very early
da\ on an unbroken farm which was a part of the
railroad lands of that state. By unceasing efforts
they improved it and made a line place on which
they lived for some years. Later they purchased
a farm near the present village of Walker (so
named in honor of our subject). This place they
also improved but sold on going to Kansas, in Aug-
ust, 1873. While in Kansas he spent some months
of each year in the mining districts of Breckenridge,
Colo. On leaving Kansas he came to this place
where he has since been a resident.

since Mr. Walker's advent in Moweaqua he has
been President of the Village Board for one year
ami is ex-Mayor also of the town. While in
Kansas he was Probate Judge in Anderson County
for one term, less a year, at which time he re-
signed to go to Lawrence County, Kan. While in
Macon County, he was for four years Supervisor
of Macon Township. His first vote after reaching
his majority was cast for President Lincoln and
since that time he has been an active and ardent
Republican.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

:;:;;

Mr. Walker met with a bereavement in the loss
of his Brst wife who died in Macon County, in June
1868, being :it the time only twenty-seven years <>f
age. She left three children, Lawson L. Bertha
and Mary K. Lawson is now engaged in business
with Ins father, and the same traits that have made
Ins father successful are apparent in the son. Bertha
is the wife of Henry Nougle and living in Blue
Moundville. Macon County. Mary E. is the wife
of Wesley Langley. They reside in Lawrence, Kan.

Mr. Walkerwas a second time married. The lady
whom he prevailed upon to become the mistress of
his home was Mrs. Amelia A. Ration, nee Mason.
a nativeof Lowell, Washington County. Ohio. She
came West when a young lady, as a teacher but
was soon married to William Patton in Iowa. Mr.
and Mrs. Walker are religiously inclined, Mr.
Walker being a member of the Methodist Church
and his wife, a Baptist. They are both united
however, in their sympathy for everything that
relates to the well being of their fellow-men. They
are one. also, in their love for home and home en-
joyments.

Mr. Walker's mother is still living, making her
home with her son Elijah in Mason County; she
was horn in March 1812. Her husband's natal
year was 1819. He lived until 1849. Our subject
i- one of four children; -John W., Elijah, Edwin
and J< lei T.

£+£{

~S)

y/RKDKRICK W. RISSHR. M. I). The heal-
'-y ill"' art is one that has many disciples, hut
comparatively few capable followers. Each
spring season sees hundreds of young men turned
out from our medical colleges with the degree of
M. I). A few of these are at onee so fortunate as

to step into a g 1 practice. Others spend a short

time in seeking for a location, and not being able
to wait for the happy chance that shall give them
an exercise of their healing ability, turn to some
other profession or business, still others patiently
woo fortune in their chosen calling until that tickle
lady smiles upon their efforts. Oursubjecl has been
one of the fortunate ones, for although yet a very

young man. his ability and devotion to his calling
have been recognized anil he has charge of a good

practice in the place which he has chosen for his
home.

When engaged in making mud pies and distill-
ing queer concoctions when a boy, I) i'. Risser showed
small promise of being the wide-awake and able
young physician that he now i>. He was horn in
Troy. Madison County, this State, January 1.1863.
His father, Henry A. Risser, was by birth and par-
entage a German, hut emigrated with his uncle to
America when about seven years of age, his par-
ents having both died in Germany prior to his com-
ing to America. On reaching manhood lie was
married in Chillicothe. Ohio, to Miss Cecelia Zan-
ders, who was horn in the Buckeye State. After
marriage they began their life together in St. Louis.
Mo., where they remained about one year and then
settled in Troy. Madison County, this State, of
which they have since been residents. The father
was engaged there as a merchant.

Our subject was brought up in the village of
Troy where he remained until he had attained to
manhood. He received his education in the Troy
schools where he studied until sixteen years Of age,
after which time he was engaged for three years in
teaching school, hut during vacations and in the
interims of his work he was pursuing bis medical
studies to which he had determined to devote him-
self. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Risser entered the St.
Louis Medical College and pursued his course for
a period of four years, during which he did excel-
lent work. In 1886 he was graduated from the
college and received his diploma.

Looking about for a good place in which to
locate, our subject was charmed with the village of
Strasburg and its surrounding country and de-
termined to here build himself up a profession, and
in this place he lias been ever since the commence-
ment of his career as a professional man. lie en-
joys an extensive practice and ranks among the
best physicians of Shelby County. Broad minded
and progressive, he does not recognize any pain or
suffering that it is not within the realms of science,
at least, to alleviate.

He of whom we write was married ill Strasburg.
October 10, 1888, to Miss Mary Doehring,a daugh-

338

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter of Ernst F. and Mary (Wirth) Doehring, who
an' residents of Prairie Township. Mrs. Risser was
bom in Madison County, this State. September 18,
lKli;"). Dr. and Mrs. Risser are the proud parents
of one child who bears the sweet Southern name of
Nita. She was born August 5, 1889. Our subject
and his wife are both members of the Lutheran
Church. They are popular young people in Stras-
burg, taking readily the social position to which
their culture and natural advantages entitle them.
A lithographic portrait of Dr. Risser is presented
on another page of this volume.

HSj»

MLLIAM ELDER, now a retired banker,
If/ living in Sullivan, was engaged in busi-
ness here from 1870 until 1885, during
which time his hank was known as the Farmer's
and Merchants' Lank, hut it was operated by our
subject as a private bank, and is now run in the
same way by Air. William Steele. William Elder
came to this county in the fall of 1834, and has
since made his home in what is now Moultrie
County, with the exception of four years when he
resided in Dallas County. Iowa. After coming
here he took an Interest in agriculture and im-
proved three or four farms, taking them as raw
Government land in their prairie state and trans-
forming them into finely cultivated estates.

Our subject came to this county from Morgan
County, where he had lived with his parents for
a short time only, lie was born in Jefferson
County. Tenn.. May 17. 1824, his father being of
Tennessee birth and coming of Southern stock.
The Judge in his early days was a farmer, and
while pursuing that calling was united in marriage
with Miss Didana French, a native of North Caro-
lina, who had her early education in Tennessee.

After marriage .lames Elder and his wife lived
for sonic years in Jefferson County. Tenn.. and in
the spring of 1838 they set out for Illinois, coming
according to the fashion of that day. with teams
ami wagons overland, cooking their meals by the
roadside and camping out at night. They made
their first settlement at what is the present site of

Waverly, Morgan County, where they remained
for some eighteen months, after which they jour-
neyed on to this section, where they secured and
improved a new farm in Fast Nelson Township.
Moultrie County. After a short time .lames Elder
established a store in that part of the county and
was one of the first merchants in this county and
his trade extended throughout almost every town-
ship, few of the pioneer families of the county
failing to he included in his list of customers. In
the fall of 184f> he sold out his store and coming
to Sullivan, built an hotel on the present site of
the Fden House anil also put up a store on an op-
posite corner. His executive abilities were now
severely taxed, as while carrying on the store and
hotel he was also cultivating a farm. He finally
closed out his business interests in the town and
for a while devoted himself exclusively to agricul-
ture.

The first bank which Sullivan ever saw was the
Elder Lank which was established by Judge James
Elder in 1868, and which is perpetuated in the
present existing bank. He operated this until 1H70
when, upon January (>. he passed away, being then
well along in years, as he was born in December,
1803. He had served the county for a number of
years as County Judge and has represented this
district in the State Legislature for some years. He
was a prominent man in the county for years, and
highly respected in the Republican party, to which
he attached himself after abandoning the old Whig-
party of his early days. His excellent wife sur-
vived him for several years, dying in 1882, having
reached the limit of three-score years and ten.
Throughout all her long and godly life she has
been a member, and a consistent one, of the Bap-
tist Church of which her husband had also been a
member during his earlier years, although later in
life he identified hinself with the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.

He of whom we write is the eldest surviving
member of the children of his parents. One sister
of his. Mrs. Dr. Lewis, lives in Texas; another sis-
ter. Mary, is the wife of W. P. Corbin, a furniture
dealer in Sullivan. The lady to whom Mr. Elder
was united in marriage bore the name of Louisa
Ewing and she was born in White County, 111.,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

339

May 11. 1828. Her father, Judge R, B.Ewing was
reared in Kentucky although a Tennesssean by
birth, and came to White County. III., where early
in the '20s lie married Miss Elizabeth Culberson,
after which he removed to Logan County and
afterward to .Moultrie County. He was for years
Judge of both Moultrie and Logan Counties and
for many years held the office of Justice of the
Peace. He was a leading man in that vicinity
during the early days. He had been a merchant
and fanner for years and came to Sullivan in its
pioneer days, in fact before the organization of
the county.

Judge Ewing was a Representative in the Legis-
lature of Illinois and served his constituents well.
He was from early manhood prominent in the Re-
publican ranks and also a Leading member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, filling the office of
( 'lass-Leader for many years and preaching as a local
minister on this circuit and in the county for many
years. Many funerals in all parts of this county
have demanded his services, and he was a leading
man in everyway. He was born in 1801, and died
June 8, 1ST."), being full of year- and honors. His
widow ^t ill survives, and now in her eighty-fourth
vear makes her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Bristow.

The wife of our subject is one of the live surviv-
ing members <>f her parents' family. Three of
her brothers were soldiers in the War of the Rebel-
lion and all lived to see the old Hair triumphant
and to return to their homes, two ol them having
since died. Mrs. Elder is a bright and very intel-
ligent lady and is prominent in Sullivan church
ami social circles. Mr. Elder has filled most of the
church offices and is now Trustee of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, lie is a Republican in his
political views and a stanch advocate of the prin-
ciples and policy of the party which placed "Old
A he" in the Presidential chair. He has met with
>ome financial reverses hut has nevei allowed a
misfortune to place him where he could not hold
up his head as an honest business man who is de-
termined to deal with his fellow-citizens on the
basis of Integrity.

The twu children of our subject were Belinda
Estella, a bright and beautiful daughter who died

at the age of sixteen years, and .lame- \\\. who is
at present the Mayor of Sullivan and a stock-buyer
in business, lie is a highly respected and promi-
nent citizen of this city and i- united in marriage
with a lovely and intelligent companion who bore
the maiden name of Julietta Newcome. and whose
early home was in Mattoon. 111. Nine children
have been horn to them, two of whom. Louisa and
.lames, have passed on to the care of the Good
Shepherd above. Those who are living are: Will-
iam ( ).. Arthur. Degratia, Belinda, Loanna, Lavina
and Richard.

+==*SH*

REDERICK SCHUETZ, a prosperous farmer
residing on section 2'.». I. owe Township,
made his first settlement in Moultrie County
in March, 1*77. He was horn in Prussia, Germany,
January in. is lo. being the son of Frederick Schu'etz
who lived and died in hi- native land. This son
Frederick is the only one of the family who has
ever come to the United State-. He left his native
land in 1864 and sunn landed in New York Har-
bor where he at mice took cars for the Great W est.
coming on without stopping to Bloomington, 111.
He wa- now utterly ah me anil among stangers, as
there was not a man. woman or child in the United
State- who was known In him. hut he found that
although in an alien land he was not outside the
bounds of human kindness and friendliness, audit
was nut long before he felt at home even among
strangers. He first served asa farm hand hut finally
decided to he more independent ami having
learned the methods of agriculture employed in
this country, rented land and began to work it.

The land which Mr. Schuetz first rented and
which he took charge of in 1866 wa- located in
McLean County, and he continued in that countj
for some seven years, after which he went to Piatt
County and rented land there and afterward re-
moved from thereto Moultrie County. He wa- now-
prepared to purchase property and bought the
land which he now owns, which was at that time
hut very little improved, being nearly all ran

340

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

land. He now has most of this under the plow
and in a richly productive condition and has
placed upon his farm a pleasant, commodious resi-
dence.

The marriage of our subject took place Febru-
ary 26, 1867. that united him with Mary Railing,
who was born in Prussia. Germany, March !». IS 11.
and came ti> the United Stales alone, being the
only one of her family in this country. To this
worthy couple have been born ten children, namely:
Minnie, born October 2,1867; Otto February 11,
1869; Emma. November 22, 187<»; Mary, October
19, 1H72; Fred, June 30, 1874; Sophia, August 6,
1876; Lizzie. July 27. 1X7'.); Willie, December 6,
1881; Edward. May 27, 1885. and Lydia, Decem-
ber 5, 1887.

Mr. Schuetz has a handsome farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, which is now in fine condi-
tion and very productive. It is in fact an ideal
Illinois farm and well worthy the notice of the
passerby. This worthy family arc prominently
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which they are ever ready to assist in every good
work and cast their influence upon the right side.
The declarations of the Republican party embody
the political belief of our subject and he casts his
vote with the candidates of that party.

ylLLIAM P. McGUIRE belongs to one of
those Tennessee families who emigrated to
Illinois many years ago and found upon
the prairie the air of liberty and the institutions
which they desired for their children. The year
1850 is the date of his first coming to .Moultrie
County, and he has been in the business of mer-
chandising most of the time since 1853.

( hir subject was born in Jefferson County. Tenn.,
September 17, 1829, and is the son of Thomas and
Rachel (Ashmore) McGuire, Tennesseeans by birth,
of whom more is told at length in the biography
of their son, Joseph II. McGuire, upon another
page of this book. In 1840 the family removed to
Illinois and made their first home in Coles County,
where they resided until they came to this section.

The early life of William McGuire was spent upon
a farm and he assisted his father until he started
out for himself, lie thus gained a thorough knowl-
edge of farm work and a sound and hearty con-
stitution as well as invaluable habits of industry
and application.

Margaret Ashmore. a daughter of Alfred Ash-
more, became the wife of our subject in 1856. She
was born in this county and had been brought up
here and by the judicious training and education
which had been given her she was well fitted to fill
the position which she occupied. The ordinary
trials of a young wife and housekeeper, were sup-
plemented within four years after her marriage by
the cares anil anxieties which befell the wives of
soldiers, for in 1861 her husband enlisted in the
service of his country, being mustered into service
with Company F, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

The regiment with which our subject was con-
nected was commanded by Col. William Morrison.
and Mi - . McGuire served under him. until 1863.
when he received an honorable discharge on ac-
count of a wound received in the battle of Ft.
Donelson. This wound had very serious effect upon
his constitution as the injury resulted in partially
paralyzing his leftside. After recruiting from this
injury Mr. McGuire engaged in the business of
merchandising at Bethany and has since that time
continued in this line of work.

A truly patriarchal family of twelve have clus-
tered around the fireside of our subject, and nine
of this number are living, whose names are as fol-
lows: .lames I., an implement dealer in Bethany;
Thomas a druggist of Bethany; William who is in
the store with his father; Clarence, Claude, Mary
E., wife of Thomas Lytic of Decatur; Rachel A..
Cora and Nannie. The members of the family
seem to inherit the ability and characteristics of their
parents and although still young the sons and
daughters arc adding to the family reputation by
their good judgment, business qualities and attrac-
tive traits of character.

The Republican party in its declarations em-
bodies the political principles which our subject
considers a safe guide for State and nation, lie
has been a member of the Hoard of Supervisors for
some fifteen years and Justice of the Peace for the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

.ill

Mime length of time and still holds this latter
office. Formorethan forty years be has been a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
and for a number of 3 r ears, has served as Elder
therein. He is identified with the Knights Tem-
pl-ir and also with the Grand Army of the Re-
public, in which latter organization he lias been
Commander of the Washington Alexander l'ost No.
176, Aside from his business in Bethany he was
fur one year carrying on mercantile business in
Dalton City.

I>*<§^

-l—

AMES GAVIN, an early settler of Mowea-
qua Township, Shelby County, and one of
the substantial, well-to-do fanners of this
county, was horn in County .Monauhan. Ire-
land. November l. 1817, to Michael and Anna
(Higgins) Gavin. His parents were also natives
of that county, and his mother spent her entire life
there. The father and live of the children came to
America, and the former passed his last years in the
home of our subject.

He of whom we write was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and carried on his occupation on his na-
tive soil until 1852, when he came to the United

state-, sailing from Liver] 1 and landing at New

Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. He came
from there to Naples, in this State, by the way of
the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and from there
went to Exeter, Scott County. His means were
very limited at that time, and he sought employ-
ment on a farm to earn his living. He worked by
the month for a year, and then farmed as a renter
the following live year-. He was industrious and
frugal, and at the end of that time had money
enough saved so that he could purchase land of "his
own. and he became the possessor of ninety acres
on section 2*. Moweaqua Township, and ha- re-
sided lure continuously since, lie has provided
his homestead with a line set of frame buildings,
and has added to his farm by further purchase so
that it now comprises three hundred anil sixty
ane- of choice land, that is well improved. Be-
sides this lie own- four acres of land in the village

of Moweaqua. and fourteen acres of land adjoining
the village, which constitutes a valuable property.

In 1868 Mr. Gavin took unto himself a wife in
the person of Mis. Ellen (Roche) Ilarty. who look-
well after his comfort, and has materially aided
him in the acquirement of his possessions, she
was horn in Limerick. Ireland, in 1833. Her par-
ents, David ami Ellen Roche, came to this country
in 1852, resided in the State of New York until
1858, and then came to Illinois. They lived in
Decatur for a time, and then bought a farm in Ma-
con County, where they dwelt some years. Dis-
posing of that place, they removed to Moweaqua.
where they passed their remaining years.

Mrs. Gavin was first married to John Ilarty. a
native of County Armaugh, Ireland. He died in
1866. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin have two children,
Maria and .lames. The family are members of the
Catholic Church, and are much esteemed in the
community. Mr. Gavin is a true Democrat in
politics, lleisan intelligent man. who is well read
and posted on all general subjects,and in the man-
agement of his affairs has shown himself to he pos-
sessed of sound discrimination, foresight, and an
excellent knowledge of his calling.

•»->^ T> T i » ' I »

el'RTIs W. BROWN. The center of :
grain producing country, the com:
populace abounds in middlemen wl

gj, URTIS W. BR< >WN The center of a great

commercial

rtio deal

exclusively in the chief products of the State.
Our subject, Mr. Brown, is one of these operators.
being a large grain dealer, buying from the farm-
ers and finding a market in the eastern metropoli-
tan cities. lie has displayed such quickness of
perception, knowledge of the resources of the
country and influence- upon the trade, that he has
gained the confidence of both factions or classes of
people with whom he deals. The farmers know
that in selling to him. they get a reasonable price,
and eastern buyers ami elevator owners are aware
that the grains they get of him are the best that
the country produces, and arc willing to make
concessions in his favor.

Like most of the inhabitants of the Central and

342

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Western States even yet, our subject is of Eastern
pat en tage, and also of birth. His father was Job
Brown, a native of New Jersey. His mother was
Phoebe Williams, who was probably born in New
York. They tirsl settled in New Jersey where
they continued to reside for five years. He was a
carpenter by trade and was constantly so employed
in his early home. They removed from New
Jersey to Ohio, and settled in Butler County,
where they remained about two years, and then
settled ill Johnson County. Ind.. in the village of
Edinburg. There they lived for nine years and
then came to Illinois early in 1860 and settled in
Cla\ County, where they remained until their
decease.

Our subject is one of eight children, the family
comprising five sons and three daughters. Of
these, he of whom we write was the eldest, having
been born in New Jersey, August is. 1842. He
made his home with his parents until he was about
twenty years old, coming with them to this State
early in the '60s, and with the exception of the
time spent in the war. he has ever since here made
his home, early engaging in business for himself
and acquiring business ways and knowledge.

When that terrible period in our country's
history began, at the tiring of the first gun of Ft.
Sumter, Mr. Brown responded to the call for
volunteers and enlisted in the army in 1862,
joining Company C. of the Ninety-eighth Illinois
Regiment. He served until the close of the war.
seeing much hard fighting and a great deal of
both good and bad on both sides. He took pari
in the battles of Chickamauga, .Mission Ridge, and
was through the siege of Atlanta, (la., at the
battle of Selma. Ala., at Montgomery and Macon.
Ga. He was so fortunate as throughout his
service to have escaped sickness and bore the hard-
ships of army life with fortitude and an admirable
spirit that made the best of all discomforts that
could not be remedied, lie received his discharge at
Springfield, this State, after which he returned to
Clay County. HI., and engaged in farming.
remaining there from 1869 until the fall of 1 s 7 2 .
when he came to Moultrie County.

Upon settling in this county, the gentleman of
whom we write engaged iii farming and stock

raising, his residence and place of business being
in Dora Township. He was thus occupied for
nearly seven years, when lie removed to Lovington

Township, and has here resided for two years,
during which time he was engaged in farming.
The next change was made to the village of
Lovington. and here he has been engaged in
active commercial business. He has sold agri-
cultural implements and dealt largely in stock, the
grain business, however, occupying the greater
portion of his time and attention.

Curtis W. Brown left the bachelor ranks when
in Clay County. 111., and February .'5, 1866. was
united in marriage to Miss Minerva Price, who
was a native of the same county in which their
marriage was solemnized. Mrs. Brown is an
admirable lady and has been a true helpmate and
companion to her husband. The rearing of her
family has not left her a great deal of time for
social pleasures, for she has had the care as well
as maternal duties, of ten children. Their names
are as follows: Lima. Mollie. Guy, James, Inis,
Charles, Albert, Emma, Ida and William. Most of
the children are sturdy and original young people,
with a strong vital energy, and having ideas of
their own regarding their individual and personal
rights.

Politically, our subject casts his vote with the
Republican party, having great faith in the leaders
and executives that in the wisdom of the party
have been placed at the head of the nation. That
his fellow-townsmen have reposed the greatest
confidence ill his judgment and intelligence and
ability as a manager, is evidenced by the fact that
he has been appointed to many local offices in the
gift of the township. While in Clay County, for
two years he held the office of Collector, and also
served as School Director and Highway Commis-
sioner. Since coining to Lovington Township he
has filled most acceptably the chair of Supervisor
for a space of one year, and has also been a
member of the Village Board. In his social rela-
tions he is a member of the Masonic fraternity
and also belongs to the Lovington Post of the
Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Brown is a
public spirited and generous man and has always
shown himself ready in any time of emergency

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

;i;;

either for the country at large, or the locality in
which he resides, to become an active and respon-
sible party in the upholding of the principles of

right and justice.

AMUEL F. (.AM MILL. There is no
broader field for a man to become familiar
with the phases of Human nature, than in
the business of a merchant, nor ran one
gain a more intimate knowledge of family life,
unless it lie in the legal profession, and a broad-
souled man who i- in sympathy with Ins fellow-
creatures has in this calling an unparalleled oppor-
tunity for doing good. Especially is this true of
one engaged in general merchandise, for one will
make many sacrifices of pride and self-respect if
one family is in need of the necessities "t life, and
happy is the man whose position enables him to
respond to his generous impulses and relieve these
necessities.

The gentleman of whom it is our pleasure and
privilege to here give a short biographical sketch
is a general merchant in the village of Gays being
the oldest merchant here who ha- I. ecu thus en-
gaged. He was born in Whitley Township, this
Mate. June 20, 1841. ami i> a son of Andrew and
Jane (Whittes) Gammill, both natives of North
Carolina, who with their respective families, moved
to Tennessee. Our subject was hut two years old
at the time of his emigration to that State, having
been carried thither on horseback from North
Carolina to Tennessee, in which county the young
people married, and after which in 1832, they emi-
grated to this state. -! - 1 1 1 i 1 1 1^ in Whitley Township.
being among the first settlers on, Whitley (reek.
There they entered some land and pursued their
calling of farming. They continued to reside
here, with the exception of the year? 1847 and
1H48. when they lived in Cole- County, one \ ear
of which time they made their home in the house
built and formerly occupied by Thomas Lincoln.
father of Abraham Lincoln.

The father of our subject died in 1867, at the

age of sixty-seven years. The mother passed
away in 1876 at the age of seventy-four years.
For years they had been consistent and conscien-
tious members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Eleven children clustered about their
fireside and board. One of these died in child-
hood and ten lived to he grown. They are by
name Adaline, Caroline Lucinda, William James,
.lame- Newton. Madeline. Louisa. Samuel F. and
Nancy L. and Klein \V. Adaline married Joseph
Hendricks, and died at Ottumwa, Iowa. Caroline
married John Shoemaker, of Coles County; Lu-
cinda was united to .1. H. Whetstone, of Pomona.
Kan. William resides in Woodford, Cal. .lames
was a member of Company K. of the Fifth Illinois
Cavalry, and died of smallpox, while in service.
James Newton i- a resident of Hickman. Neb.
Madeline i> the wife of John T. Alexander, of
Ottawa, Kan. Louisa has been three time- wid-
owed, her first husband was George Curry, the
second was .lame- Renner, and the third Joseph
Harden. She now resides at Pomona. Kan.
Klem \V. is the wife of Thomas Kimball of Whitley
Township.

Our subject was reared upon a farm. Hi-
school day- were limited hut being an ambitious
hoy and fond of reading, he made up by outside
work, many of the deficiencies of his school life.
During the early part of the war, -non after the
firing of the first gun, our subject enlisted. Sep-
tember 7. 1861, and was mustered into service with
Company 11. of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry. He
was mustered out November 4, 1865, having re-
enlisted in 1864. He entered a- a private, hut
was advanced to the post of First Lieutenant.
having filled all the ranks below, except those of
Orderly Sergeant and Second Lieutenant. That
long period of bloodshed was one in which our
subject lived a life-time of adventure ami experi-
ence, most of which was of a bloody and terrible
character. He was a participant in the following
engagements: that of Madron. Mo.. Corinth, and
was in the lead of Grant's army to Coffevville,
Mi— ..on the Grierson raid from LaGrange, Tenn.,
April 16, 1863, and landed at Baton Rouge. La..
May 2. 1862. During this inarch they covered
eight hundred and fiftv-three mile- and the raid is

344

PORTRAIT AND R-KXiRAPIIICAL RECORD.

memorable in the memory of him of whom we
write as being the hardest trip taken during the
war. He was also present at the siege of Ft.
Hudson, a participant in the battle of Collierville,
Tenn., Campbellville, Tenn., and was with Gen.
Smith m Mississippi, starting with his army in
February of 1864. Tin' battle of Nashville, Tenn.,
September 15 and HI. 1864, has left a deep and
lasting impression on the memory of our subject,
lie also took part in several minor engagements.
()n returning home, .Mr. Gammill resumed farm-
ing and in 1869 came to <iays and established his
present business house, llis marriage took place
in 1873 when he was unitedto Margaret C. Wilson,
a daughter of Johnand Charity Wilson. She was
bora in Ash Grove Township,Shelby County. Four
children have been the outcome of this marriage.
Their names are Mack, Tola J., Stella May, and
one who died in infancy. Mr. Gammill affiliates
with the Republican party and in recognition of
his loyalty as well as his fitness as a man of intel-
ligence and firm standing in the community, he
was appointed Postmaster at Gays, which position
he held for twelve years. In his religious prefer-
ence, he with his wife, is a member of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church. He is one of the thin-
ning ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic,
being a veteran who thoroughly enjoys, when at
reunions, a recital of the striking experiences that
he or other comrades had while in the war. Not
slow to recognize bravery in friend or foe. many
a piquant and spicy story i> at his tongue's end.

WILLIAM KANITZ. One of the substan-
tial farmers of the township anil a man
who. having had experience in two coun-
tries in his chosen calling, and having profited by
the example and results in original experiments
among the Germans in an agricultural way. Mr.
Kanitz has been enabled to make a success of buc-
colic life, that while it has not been void of pleas-
ure and beauty, has been an advantage to him
pecuniarily. He is now a resident on section 34.
of Lowe Township. Moultrie County, whereon he

ha- a fine farm that boasts of the besl improve-
ments. It is as fertile and prolific as constant cul-
tivation and intelligent care will make it.

Mr. Kanitz is a native of Germany, as his name
would indicate, having been born in Saxony.
March "2ii. 1830, and being a son of Godfried and
Theresa Kanitz. There were seven children in the
family, four sons and three daughters, and of these
three sons were attracted to the United States by
the superior advantages that it offered young men
who are industrious and ambitious to acquire
homes and fortunes for themselves. The three
who came hither are Charles, who is a farmer in
Moultrie County, Edward, who. however, was
killed by lightning in Christian County, this State.
and our subject.

The original of our sketch passed his boyhood
on the farm in his native land, and in addition to
the manifold duties of the farmer's lad, which he
early learned, he acquired the miller's trade, and
having this for his main resource, in 1853, ac-
companied by his brother Charles, he came to the
United States. Their passage hither was made in
a sailing vessel which landed in Xew Orleans, and
in that strange cosmopolitan city, they met many
of their own countrymen, and divers were the ad-
vices given the young men as to the best place to
locate, but with a customary German confidence
in one's own judgment, they determined to decide
that important matter for themselves. They went
to St. Louis and were occupied in that city as
common laborers. At the time, our subject was
afflicted with that dread disease which attacks
many foreigners who have not yet become ac-
climated, and many a time, while shaking with
ague, has he longed for his native land, but he
was in the position of the general who had burned
his bridges behind him. for he was without money,
and SO obliged to remain here.

In 1854, he of whom we write came to this State
anil located in Sangamon County, where he was
engaged for several years as a farm hand. From
there he went to .Marion County, and four years
later, in 1871, he came to Moultrie County, first
settling in Arthur, where he purchased some land.
a part of which, however, he donated for railroad
purposes. In 1874 he traded this land for thai

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«.' II i

IP-

QMnjJlJ

<CVri&j

PORTRAIT AND I!I( (ORAPIIICAL RECORD.

8 1 7

which lie now owns in Lowe Township. lie is now
the proprietor <>f three hundred and sixty acres of
good land which beat's fair improvement. Al-
though be is :i general farmer, for some 'cars be
has followed stock-raising and in that specialty
has made great advancement in the breeding of
line stock.

Mr. Kanitz. while in St. Louis, took upon him-
self the responsibilities and obligations of married
life. In 1856 he was married to Caroline llines.
who was born in Lowenstein, Germany, she came
with our subject and one brother to this country.
and the friendship that was formed on the way
over ripened into an affection that ended in a
wedding. Mr. Kanitz 's brother, with whom she
came hither, was by name Frank times who died
later in Montana.

Mr. and Mrs. Kanitz are the parents of nine chil-
dren whose names are Richard, Frank. Henry,
Joseph, Charles, Emma, Josephine, Ella and Anna.
They are all bright and intelligent young' people,
who are bound to make themselves a place in the
world. Politically our subject is a Democrat, his
early training preparing him for a recognition of
the merits and advantages of that party. In his
church relations.be with bis amiable and admirable
wife who has ever been a loving and tender help-
mate to him and a fond and careful mother, is a
Baptist.

YXIEL YANTIS. The mind of a man who
I, has lived four-score years, is to him a king-
dom in which he can send out the mes-
sengers and servants of thought, memory
and reflection, and live over the pleasures of the
past that have grown intense under the magnify-
ing influence of time. He realizes in a subdued
way the pains which at the time of their experi-
ence, seemed tragedies, modified and made inter-
esting by the lapse of years. Content has come to
gently round off the afternoon with its golden glow
of sunset. Our subject, who has ascended the sun-
lit heights, looks back over a broad expanse of ex-

perience in a land where experiences arc ever fresh

and invigorating.

()n the opposite page appears a portrait of Ml.
Yantis. who is an oldsettler and successful fanner
and stock-raiser living on his homestead, located
on sections 29 and .'!(•. of Pickaway Township,
Shelby County. This fine farm is the same which
he secured from the Government in a raw. prairie
state, comprising two hundred and forty acres. His
purchase was made in 1853, and since that time he
has bent every effort to making the farm a model
of agricultural neatness and productiveness. Our
subject came here from Pickaway County. Ohio.
He was born September 15, 1X11. in Frederick
County, Md. His father was Henry Yantis.a native of
Maryland and bis paternal grandfather was John
Yantis, who came to America from Germany prior to
the Revolutionary War and made settlement in
Maryland. As far as our subject knows, bis grand-
father did not, however, take part in the war, but
after the death of his wife, he went to Ohio with
his sons, where he remained until bis death. His
wife was a native of Maryland, who lived and died
there at an advanced age.

It was about 1815 when John Yantis, our subject's
grandfather, came with his grown sons to Picka-
way County, and there he lived for a time in the
unbroken wilderness. After a time he went with
his son William to Franklin County, Ohio, at which
place be died when past ninety years of age. His
death, however, was caused by an accident while
he was assisting his son in rolling logs. lie and
his wife were members of the Presbyterian
Church and politically he was a Democrat. Henry
Yantis. the fattier of our subject, was probably the
eldest of his father's children, of whom there were
seven,four sons and three daughters. He attained his
growth and manhood in Frederick County. Ohio,
and was married to Miss Catherine Yantis. an own
cousin, whose father had emigrated from Germany.
The parental family comprised five children,
namely: Lydia, Solomon. Elizabeth and Catherine.
besides the subject of this notice, the latter being
the only one now living.

Our subject's family settled in Pickaway County,
Ohio, when he was hut a lad and they there began
life as pioneers in the woods. Henry Yantis and

348

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his two suns cleared three farms in that county and
there our subject's father died when at the age of
eighty-seven years and nine months. His wife
had preceded him to a better world some time
at the age of seventy- live years. They were mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church and were good,
true, unaffected pioneer people. Our subject be-
came of aye in Pickaway County and there in 1833
married Elizabeth Longenbach, a sister of Isaac
Longenbach, a history of whom may be found un-
der the biographical sketch in another part of this
volume.

Mrs. Yantis was reared in Pickaway County. The
young couple took up the burdens and joys of life
together and after the birth of all their children
but one, they left Ohio, coming with teams by way
of the overland route and living a camp life on the
way. They made the journey one of pleasure in-
stead of discomfort and enjoyed the trip probably
more thoroughly than do we of to-day, who are
hurried from one end of the country to another in
the space of a few hours. They reached theirdestina-
tion without accident, and at once settled on the
tract which Air. Yantis had secured previous to
bringing his family hither, having made a journey
on horseback and reconnoitered the country well
in order to select a good location. They began life
in their new home on an entirely unbroken farm,
and although there were many privations and in-
conveniences in living so far from neighbors, they
made the conditions as pleasant as possible and the
children grew up knowing that they held resources
within themselves irrespective of others.

After securing their home, our subject and his
wife took pleasure in bringing about them com-
forts and even luxuries of life. They put up good
buildings on their place and as they were the rep-
resentative people of their township and leading-
citizens thereof, they were naturally the center of
social life. Mrs. Yantis passed to the other world
February Hi. 1890, after having lived with her
husband in a close and tender companionship for
fifty -seven years. She was born December 2, 1809.
She was a noble woman being of the liber of which
heroines are made, and her character was beautified
by a lovely temperament and genial, kindly man-
ners. She was a good wife and mother and a kind.

thoughtful neighbor. She was the mother of fifteen
children, six of whom, however, died. They were
Mary. David, Alary, Sarah, Lydia and Jacob.

The living are: Samuel, George, Henry, Solomon,
Elenore, Isaac, I )aniel. Barbara and John W. ( Jeorge
W. is a farmer in this township, and made mistress
of his heart and home, Miss Lucinda Tolly, who
died, and he later married Mrs. Mollie Smith.
Henry is a merchant in Yantisville. this township.
and married Barbara Longenbach. A biographical
sketch of Solomon may be found in another part
of this volume. Elenore is the wife of Nathan Kil-
lam, and now resides in Elk County. Kan., on a
farm. Isaac took to wife Emma Pogue, and lives
in Moultrie County. Daniel is the proprietor of a
livery stable at King City, Mo. He took to wife
Mary A. Klar. Barbara is the wife of James Min-
cer and they live on a farm in Texas County, Mo.
John, who is a resident of Shelby ville, first married
Lucy James, who died, and afterward took to wife
her sister Cordelia.

Mr. and .Mrs. Yantis have for years been mem-
bers of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and are
highly regarded among the people. He has been
the Assessor of the township for three years and
has had other local offices, lie is an adherent of
the Democratic party both by tradition and con-
viction, for. as will be seen above, his father and
grandfather before him were followers of that party.
Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Gen.
Jackson.

ENJAMIX F. McMENNAMY, M. D. The
lifeof a country physician is one of many
if^))j|! trials and hardships and yet of real satis
^~=< faction in consideration of the fact that
the one who Mils this place is of value to a
large community of families. To him they appeal
in times of distress and sorrow. He is the first
one to whom they turn for sympathy when a new
life begins and an old one passes away and his is
the kind hand which administers relief during
days and weeks of suffering and languor. One
who worthily appreciates his opportunities for in-

PORTRAIT AND UK )( iRAPHIC Al. RECORD.

34!

fluence in this capacity can do perhaps inure to
establish a proper standard of living in :i country
community than any other man. not even except-
ing the spiritual adviser. Such an opportunity has
been appreciated and improved by the worthy
gentleman whoso name appears at the head of this
paragraph, and whose pleasant home is at Bethany,
Moultrie County.

Dr. McMennamy came to Bethany in l*7ii. and
is a native of Macon County, tin- state, where he
was bora October 21, 1847, being a son of John
II. and Nancy (Hill) McMennamy. John McMen-
namy, the grandfather of our subject, located in
Macon County at a very early date, settling on a
farm there, and when the county was organized
he was made its first Sheriff. lie subsequently re-
moved to Texas where he died in Grayson County.

The lather of our subject was born in Tenn-
essee and came with the family to Illinois, and
there married a Miss Clark, after which he remov-
ed to Texas where his wife died. Subsequent to
this he returned to Macon County, this state, and
married Nancy Hill who became the mother of our
subject and two other children, none but Ben-
jamin, however, having survived. Their mother
died in Macon County in 1849, and in 1K7(> the
father again removed to Texas and there died the
the following year.

The early life of our subject was passed upon
the farm and he received his education al a semin-
ary which was then located at Mt. Zion. and so
well did he avail himself of his opportunities for
instruction that he was soon titled for the profes-
sion of a teacher, which he pursued for a number
of years. In 1869, after he had reached hi- maj-
ority, he took up the study of medicine with Dr.
N. G. Blalock, then a well-known practitioner of
Mt. Zion. but now making his home in Walla
Walla. Wash., and in 1K72 graduated from the
Chicago Medical College, The first place at which
the young doctor hung out his prof essional shingle
was at Mt. Zion. but after he had attained a little
more experience he decided to come to Bethany,
a- he believed that he would here find a better
tield for the fulfilment of his ambition.

The same year in which our subject took
hi- degree he was united in marriage upon the

28th of May to Anna E. Smith, daughter of
S. King Smith of Mt. Zion. This lady was born
in Princeton, Ky.. September 7. 1852, and to her
have been given four children, the two who are
living being Francis Earl and Clifford Dale. Be-
sides the practice of medicine the- Doctor carried
on a drug business in Bethany from 1877 to 1886.

The declaration and plat form of the Democratic
party express the political view- of Dr. McMen-
namy. but although he has held some local offices
he takes only a modicum of interest in political
movements, especially upon the local stage. He.
however, believes it to be the duty of every loyal
citizen to cast his vote upon every occasion when
a question comes up for decision or a name is
presented for office, as only by doing so can the
rights of citizenship be maintained.

An excellent and extensive practice has been built
up by this worthy physician and as it is found-
ed upon his devotion to his profession and to the
humane interests of his calling, and has been car-
ried on with unflagging interest and enthusiasm.
coupled with true research and scientific study, it
is a practice which will continue to improve in
both quality and extent for many years. Both he
and his lovely and capable companion are mem-
bers and active worker- in the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church and their pleasant home is the
scene of many social reunions among the best
circles of Bethany. The Doctor is also identified
with the Ionic Lodge. No. 812 A. F. * A. M. He
i- also a member of the Central District Medical
Societv and the Illinois state Medical Society.

Kr*~m

~7I LEXANDEE WARD. Whether it is that
C - /- I Shelby County is especially notable for

/ i the longevity of it- inhabitants or not, the
qJ writer is not certain. It is a fact, how-

ever, that almost allot' the gentlemen whose history
it has been our pleasure to write, have passed the
meridian of life and the majority of them are
pioneer settlers who can look back upon the growth
of the county from the earliesl occupancy, when
deer, and wild turkevs were much more fre-

350

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

quently seen than the face of a neighbor. Our
subject is one of the many whose experience in-
clude* the changes through which hi* vicinity and
county have passed. Now residing on section 1.
Ridge Township, he was born April 24. 1833. in
Okaw Township, and is a son of John and Cather-
ine (Lohr) Ward.

The grandfather of our subject, .lames Ward,
resided in Kentucky, and thence three of his sons,
namely. William L., John and .lames, came to
Shelby County. Of these, William L. first came,
his advent being in 1828. He located in what is
now known as Todd's Point, where he entered a
tract of land upon which he resided until about
1850, when he removed to Pickaway Township. I
residing there until his death, which occurred in
July, 1872. James Ward came to the county in
1845 and resided in Okaw Township. Later he
removed to Dry Point where he died about the
year I860. John Ward was bora in Trumbull
County, Ohio, but when very young his parents
removed to Kentucky, where he grew to manhood.
He first came to Illinois in 1830, stopping for a
time in Shelby County and then went back to
Kentucky, but in 1832 heagain returned toShelby
County, and in August, that year, was united in
marriage to Catherine Lohr. who was reared in the
same neighborhood with her husband in Kentucky.
At the time of her marriage her home was in
Morgan County. 111., where her family were early
settlers.

After marriage the young couple located in ( >kaw
Township where they entered land anil experienced
all the ups and downs of pioneer life. He was.
however, successful and became the owner of over
two thousand acres of land, a large proportion of
which he himself entered. He followed stock-rais-
ing principally, being especially interested in the
breeding of cattle and mules. He died in March,
18K0. being over seventy years of age. His wife
died in 1870. lie was always interested in politics,
both national and local. At first belonging to the
old-line Whig party, he afterward became a Repub-
lican. He was a member of the Christian Church.
being a generous supporter of the same. He was
a broad-minded, public-spirited man. interested in
all public enterprises that promised to be to the

advantage of the people. He was well and favor-
ably known throughout Shelby County as a man
of unstained honor and integrity.

John and Catherine Ward were the parents of
eleven children, one of whom died in infancy, one
in childhood and one daughter was accidentally
killed when ten years of age. Eight of the chil-
dren lived to be grown; of these our subject is the
eldest; James W. lives in Decatur, 111.; Lucinda is
the wife of James Sudduth and resides in Spring-
field. Mo.; John W. died in Okaw Township;
Charles resides in Shelbyville; George W. died in
the latter place; Elizabeth is the wife of George
A. Roberts and lives in Shelbyville, and Benjamin

F. makes his home in Lincoln. Neb.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native town-
ship and he distinctly remembers pioneer days
when deer and other game were plentiful. He at-
tended such schools as were provided and in Sep-
tember, 1859, was married to Cordelia Van Hise, a
daughter of James 11. and Sarah Van Hise. She
was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 2,
1838. The first home of the young couple was
upon the place where he now resides. It then,
however, comprised only ten acres of ground.
hemmed in by a rail fence, their first dwelling be-
ing a log cabin which was primitive, indeed. Four
years after marriage the log cabin gave way to his
present resilience, and since that time he has made
many changes in his home and placed many sub-
stantial improvements upon his place. Mr. Ward
i< now the owner of six hundred acres of land,
three hundred and seventy-three acres being lo-
cated in Shelby County, and the balance in Moul-
trie County, on which he has good buildings.

Five children are the fruit of the union of our
subject and his estimable wife. They are, Abraham
L., Catherine, Edward S., George A. and Ulysses

G. Mr. Ward is a stanch Republican in politics
and always votes at general elections for the man
he believes best fitted for tin- office. He himself
has never been ambitious to be an office-holder.
Socially he is a member of the Association of
United Workmen. Our subject is especially in-
terested and engaged in the stock business, buying,
breeding, shipping, etc.. stock to the metropolitan
markets. His history in itself is an apt illustration

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

351

of what a man may accomplish in the fertile lands
of the Middle States, by his own efforts, alone and
unaided, but with ambition, industry and per-
severance.

r«*>

HARLES W. DICK. Among the prominent
agriculturists <>f Lowe Township, Moultrie
County, who had their birth across the seas
but who have brought to their adopted country
the valuable characteristics which belong to the
men of their native land is the resident on section
8, whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
His parents. Charles and Fredericka (Hinnak)
Dick, were born in Germany and spent their
days in their native land. Our subject was the
only child by this marriage and was born in Zeitz,
Germany, December 18, 1825.

After receiving the ordinary education provided
for the German youth, our subject upon reaching
manhood learned the trade of a weaver and be-
came a journeyman, working at his trade in
various parts of the country, lie emigrated from
Germany to America in 1854. landing in New-
York in September of that year. Traveling West
he came to Columbus, Ohio, where he found em-
ployment in Pickaway County. Ohio, busying him-
self at farm labor at the wages of $8 per month,
working for such wages two years.

The marriage of our subject took place in Pick-
away County, Ohio. June 10, 1850, his bride being
Miss Anna R. Herrmann who was born in Shwele-
walte, Germany, December 19, 1882. Her parents
were Gottlieb and Eva R. (Schnyder) Herrmann,
both of German birth and who died in the old
country. Mrs. Dick came to America in 1855, mak-
ing her home in Pickaway County and lived there
and in Madison County. Ohio, until 1862, when
they came to Illinois and settled in Moultrie
County. They tried various parts of Moultrie
County, living for two years in Lovington Town-
ship then in Lowe Township where they have since
been residents.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick have been the happ\ parents
of seven children, two of whom they were called

upon to resign to the Good Shepherd. Those still
living are: Henry L. who married Dora Koken-
doffer; John \V.; Samuel who married Hattie Mor-
row; Sarah M.. wife of .lames A. Hook, and Louisa
A. who is an accomplished lady and school teacher.
Since coming to America this gentleman has de-
voted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits as
he found this more profitable upon our fertile soil
than the pursuit of his trade. He owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres and has made excellent im-
provements upon his farm. lie has filled and filled
well some of the local offices in the township and
is highly respected not only by his neighbors but
by all with whom he came in official relations.
Mr. and Mrs. Dick are members ot the German
Baptist Church, and in their religious connections
are highly honored for their true Christian lives
and earnest helpfulness in every good cause. Mr.
Dick is a public-spirited man and an earnest pro-
moter of every movement looking to the progress
of Lowe Township and Moultrie Count3 r .

•:• -:• *

/ •fr=-}-^

I OHN BUSHART. It has with too many been
the belief that if a man is once a farmer he
must always continue to be a drudge, and
Kg|J that his working days would only end with
his call to the grave; but many are finding that
this is not so, and that by hard work, enterprise
and thrift in their early days and through the
strong period of middle life they may so arrange
their affairs as to take comfort during their declin-
ing years. This has been the case with the retired
farmer whose name appears at the head of this
writing, and whose residence in Moultrie County,
dates from 1855.

Mr. Bushart was born in Perry County, Ohio,
November 15. 1822, his worthy and respected par-
ents being Jacob and Magdalena (Croomrine)
Bushart, both of them uatives of Pennsylvania.
They resided on a farm in Perry County. Ohio, for
some years after their son John came to Illinois,
when they followed him and made their home with

352

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

this son. until the death of the father at the age of
nearly ninety years, and thai of the mother at the
age of eighty-two.

The seven children of this excellent couple were
our subject; William, who was a soldier in the One
Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, and was
mortally wounded at the battle of Vicksburg; Sam-
uel, who is a farmer in Moultrie County; Elizabeth,
who married Charles Thar]) and resides in Allen
County. Ohio; Sarah J., who married Joseph Smutz
and lives at Cerro Gordo, 111.; Jacob, who was a
soldier in an Ohio Regiment and was killed at
Murfreesboro; and Eliza, who married .John Goetz,
of Moultrie ( 'ounty.

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of the

family, and was reared upon the farm, his school
days being very limited. When quite young he
engaged as a farm hand, working by the month.
and early struck out for himself. When twenty-
two years he resolved to establish a home of his
own and took to himself a wife in the person of
Catherine Patterson, daughter of Alexander Pat-
terson, she was horn in Fairfield County, Ohio,
where .Mr. Bushart was residing at the time of their
marriage, his parents having removed to that
county when he was Imt a hoy. After marriage he
worked at farming with the exception of three
years when he was in other business.

In lK.Vi .John Bushart came to the Prairie State,
and as he was still a poor man and unable to pur-
chase a farm, he rented land and worked as besl
he could. About two years after coming to Moul-
trie County, he had accumulated some money and
purchased forty acres of raw land, going in debt
for a part of it. He worked hard to pay off this
indebtedness, and before he had completed the pay-
ment, he purchased more. By great exertion and
due economy he succeeded in his endeavors. He
continued farming until the fall of 1889, when he
retired from active life, being then the owner of
four hundred and fifty-nine acres of land, upon
which he had placed good improvements, and in
which he has laid over fifteen miles of tiling. In
1.HN7 he purchased fourteen acres of land in Beth-
any, on which he erected one of the handsomest
and most comfortable homes to be found in Moul-
trie County. This is situated in grounds which

have been adorned and beautified, and here he and
his interesting wife find a happy home.

While on the farm. Mr. Bushart paid consider-
able attention to stock-raising, and also bought and
sold live slock. All but one of the seven children
of this family are still in life and health. They
are as follows: Mary E.; Eli. who died at the age
of thirteen years; George W., a farmer in Missouri;
John J.. Sarah J., Laura, the wife of X. B. Allison,
of Mattoon. 111.; and Tunis V., who married Lydia
Hagerman.

The political belief of .Mr. Bushart is in accord-
ance with the declaration of the Republican party,
in the prosperity of which he feels great interest.
Before removing to Bethany he resided in Dora
Township, and while there held various local offices,
which he always tilled conscientiously and with
benefit to the community. He is a man of deep re-
ligious convictions, and has long been a member
of the Christian Church.

ARTIN LANDGREBE. The great com-
monwealth of Illinois is the home of many
self-made men. but none whose lives afford
a better example of untiring industry,
faithfulness and zeal in personal affairs, than can
be found in the subject of this brief biographical
notice. He owns and occupies a farm in Moultrie
County, consisting of one hundred and twenty
acres pleasantly located on section 10. Lowe Town-
ship. He has elected thereon a comfortable and
substantial dwelling, good barns and other out-
buildings, and is successfully carrying on mixed
farming. He and his faithful wife have done much
hard work, and their home is the result of labor
upon which they may well look back with mingled
feelings of sorrow and joy.

Germany is the native home of Mr. Landgrebe,
and he was born June 2K, 1839. His parents, also
natives of the Fatherland, bore the names of Jacob
and Christine (Fisher) Landgrebe. After their
marriage in Germany they settled first in their na-
tive land, whence they removed in 18;j7 to Amer-
ica. Their first home in the United States was in

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL KKCORD.

353

Sangamon County, 111., where they sojourned until
186(5. being employed as farmers. Thence they re-
moved to Moultrie County and settled in Lowe
Township, where the mother died August 3, 1878.
The father still survives and makes his borne in
Lowe Township. Through his unceasing effortshe
has become well-to-do, and better than worldly
prosperity, has by his honorable dealings and iiji-
right life, gained the confidence of all.

The birth of Martin Landgrebe took place in
Germany, .lime 8, 1839, and he was the third of
the eight children born to his parents. When his
father and mother crossed the broad Atlantic to
make a home in America, he accompanied them
and with them located first in Sangamon County,
aud later in Moultrie County. His youth was
passed in much the usual manner of fanners' boys
at that early day. and the education which he
gleaned from the ordinary text books of the times,
while not extensive, was very thorough. Through
subsequent reading he has become well informed
on all subjects of importance, and being a plea-ant
conversationalist, is very popular.

The presiding genius in the home of Mr. Land-
grebe is the lady who became his wife October 1.
1863, and who was known in maidenhood as Sarah
Ann Ilarhur. She is the daughter of Levi and
Mary (Sawyer) Harbur, who died in Sangamon
( ounty, 111. Mrs. Landgrebe was born in Sanga-
mon County, February 16, 1845, and received not
only a good common-school education, hut a No that
careful home instruction which fitted her for the
duties of wifehood and motherhood, and have
given her a prominent place in the society of this
locality. Of the eleven children born to them, six
are living, viz: Mary C, born August •"'. 1865, and
is the wife of JohnSchable; Jacob I... born Decem-
ber 17. 1866, who married Ruth Shonkwilea; Lana
E., born April 3, 1871; Joseph W., September 6,
1*7:1; Benjamin F., December 29, 1877; and Dai-\
I).. February Hi. 1882.

Mr. Landgrebe dates his arrival in this county
from the year lsii7. when he settled on section 10,
Lowe Township. He has embellished his farm with
all modern improvements and buildings, and has
placed the entire tract under good cultivation. lie
ha- taken an active part in local affairs, votes the

Democratic ticket, and lias held the offices of High-
way Commissioner and School Director a number
of years, and is now School Trustee to the satisfac-
tion of all concerned, A devout Christian, his
membership is in the Missionary Baptist Church,
where he i- a J)eacoii. lie hold- a prominent place
among the people of thi- section, ami is <_ r enerally
respected for his honorable dealings and good char-
acter, our subject is one of the first settlers in
this township, and when he first came here the land
on the southeast corner of section 10, was at that
lime a large lake of water, and he says he could
travel from his place to Bement across the prairie.

-*-=^!>*<I

S)y^

>ILLIAM H.TAYLOR The business men
of Dalton City are well-known throughout
Moultrie and adjoining counties as worthy
of high esteem on account of their thorough going
integrity, their active enterprise and their prompt-
ness in responding to the necessities of a business
life. They have brought forward the financial in-
terests of Dalton and made the young town one of
mark in the county and throughout this portion
of the State, and it i> well for the rising generation
to study not only their methods hut their characters,
as they are worthy of emulation.

The lumber merchant whose oame appears at the
head of this writing, located in Dalton in 1881,
establishing the business which he has since con-
ducted continuously. He was horn in Wayne
County. HI. May 23, 1853, being a son of Robert
and Mahala (Hawk) Taylor, both natives of Ohio.
who settled in Wayne County in 1853 and are
-till residents there where the father is carrying on
a farm.

The subject of this -ketch is the third in a fam-
ily of seven living children, there being nine in
the number originally, lie was reared upon the
farm and educated in the districl schools, and in
March. 1875, he went to Macon County and pur-
sued farming until 1880, when he began work in a
lumber yard. In the fall of 1880 he came to Dal-
ton City aud took charge of the lumber business
for s. D. Moore, becoming in 1*83 a partner iii the

354

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

business, and two years later assuming the pro-
prietorship and establishing also m trade in agricul-
tural implements.

Mr. Taylor was married in January, 1881, to Anna
Bottemfleld, daughter of John and Maria Botteni-
field, of Macon County. III. Hit nativity was in
Ohio, January 30, 1K.">7. She lias two lovely and
interesting children, Edna Verne and Lynn. A
number of local offices have been filled by Mr.
Taylor to the satisfaction and profit of the com-
munity, lb' is a Republican in his political ties
and an earnest advocate of the principles announced
in the platform of that party. The Methodist
Episcopal Church forms the religious home in
whose communion and labors Mr. Taylor chooses
to place himself.

^ * i ' i t^^ t ^r ' '

/ip^USOX SWEET, a general farmer and stock-
[l | ( raiser of Renn Township, Shelby County is
x Vt/f< ranked among the most thrifty and enter-
prising men of his class in this section of the
county, lie was horn in Russell, Geauga County.
Ohio, February 19, 1841. lie comes of one of the
pioneer families of that State, where Ins father,
Daniel Sweet, was also bom. his birthplace being
in Ashtabula County. He. in turn, was a son of
Louis Sweet, who was horn and reared, and mar-
ried in the good old New England State of Conn-
ecticut. In the prime and vigor of manhood he
had emigrated from that section of the country to
to Ohio and was one of the early settlers of that
state, lie resided for a time in Ashtabula County
and then cast in his lot with the pioneers of Gea-
uga County, locating in Russell Township, where
he cleared a farm from the finest, upon which he
lived until death terminated his earthly career, lie
served with credit in the War of 1812, and was a
pensioner the last years of his life. The maiden
name of his wife, grandmother of our subject, was
Betsey Woodbury.

The father of Our subject was but an infant when
his parents took up their abode in the wilds of
Geauga County, where he was reared to a sturdy
manhood under pioneer influences. In his youth

the country surrounding his early home was still
mostly in its primitive condition and bears, wild
turkeys and other kinds of game roamed through
the forests which have since given way to rich
farms and busy towns and cities. For many years
there were no railways and the pioneers had to
market their produce and obtain their supplies at
Cleveland. Mr. Sweet early learned the trade of a
carpenter and was prosperously engaged at that
for several years. He still resides at Russell and is
well known in that part of the country where the
most of his life has been spent. The name of his
wife was Philena Millard, and she was born in the
town of Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio. Her father.
Brazil Millard, is thought to have been born in
Vermont, and was a pioneer farmer of Ohio, lie
spent his last years with his son in Michigan. The
mother of our subject died in August, 181)0, leav-
ing behind her a record of a life well-spent. But
two of her eleven children are now living, our sub-
ject and his brother Edwin, the latter residing on
the old homestead at Russell, Ohio.

Orson Sweet, of whom this biography is written,
was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native
county and made the best of his opportunities to
obtain an education at the public schools. When
thirteen years old, the manly, resolute young lad
began to earn his own living by working on a farm
by the month, receiving at first but $X a month.
This was a hard training for a boy. but he obtained
a good insight into the best methods of carrying
mi fanning while he winked out. which he con-
tinued doing until his marriage, lie then bought
forty-two acres of land in Chester Township, in
his native county. There was a small frame house
and barn on the place, and about thirty acres of
the land were under cultivation.

In 1869 our subject sold his Ohio farm as he had
decided that the Prairie State afforded a wide-
awake young fanner superior opportunities for
carrying on agriculture, and coming to this county
he bought the farm where he now resides on sec-
tion 33. Penn Township, and a view of which is
shown elsewhere in this volume. He had devoted
his whole energies to the betterment of his farm
and to the business of stock-raising-, and already
occupies an important place among the principal

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

:i.-.7

stock men of this vicinity, lie makes a specially
of raising thoroughbred Short-horn cattle. Per-
cheron and Ilambietonian horses and Chester-white

llOgS.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Ervilla
Pelton took place in I860. Mrs. Sweet is also a
native of Russell, Ohio and is a daughter of <■. S.
and Lydia (Bailey) Pelton. To her and our sub-
ject has been horn one daughter, lona. She mar-
ried Jacob L. Fryar, of Maysville, Mo., and is the
mother of these six children — Herbert Orson. Art-
hur Lee. Mark Herman. Ada Blanche, Nellie Grace
and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet are members in
high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and regarded as among our best people socially,
lie is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, but in
politics he is unswerving in his allegiance the Re-
publican party.

THOMAS II. CROWDER. Perhaps there is
no family in Marrowbone Township whose
'various members are more prominent in
social, political, agricultural and religious circles
than that represented by the gentleman whose
name appears at the head of this writing. Such a
circle is broadly and thoroughly influential in
upbuilding the material interests as well as the
social and moral characteristics of a neighborhood.
A more complete history of the parents of our
subject will be found in the sketch of David M.
Crowder, which appeals upon another page of this
Record.

In a family of ten children our subject is the
fourth in order of age. and was born in Jennings
County. Ind.. March 31. 1835. He was about
three years old when his parents came to what is
now Moultrie County. 111., and his life to manhood
was spent upon his father's farm in what is now
known as Marrowbone Township. He resided at
home until his marriage, which event took place
in Sullivan, October 11, 1855.

The lady who became Mrs. Thomas 11. Crowder.
bore the maiden name of Marv McCord and is a

daughter of John and Elizabeth McCord. who
died in Marrowbone Township, she was born in
Jennings County, Ind.. December I*. 1834. Her
two children are John 1>. (who married first Miss

Dora Hampton and subsequent to her death was
united with Miss Katie Mott) and a daughter.
Mary E.. who is the wife of F. D. Ilenneigh.
Mrs. Mary Crowder had but a short experience
of married life, as she died at her home in Marrow-
bone Township, March 15, I860, leaving a wide
circle of friends to mourn her loss.

The second marriage of Mr. Crowder took place
in Marrowbone Township, June 2<). I860, his bride
being Miss Louvina Bosley, who was born in
Shelby County, this State. February 1. 1837.
Seven children have crowned this union — Sarah
I!., who died when young; William E.. who
married Miss Nellie Jordan; Mattie M., the wife of
\V. II. Logan; Andrew who died in childhood;
Armilda R.. Viola G. and Thomas II.. Jr.

Farming and stock-raising in Marrowbone
Township have fully employed the energies and
enterprise of our subject anil he has employed the
wise plans and shown the absorbing attention in
business which have brought success. Upon his
farm he has erected an excellent set of buildings
suitable for carrying on the work and sheltering
his Stock, and he is the owner of between four
hundred and live hundred acres of excellent land"
His well known reputation as a judicious and
intelligent gentleman has led his fellow-citizens to
twice elect him to the office of Supervisor of
Marrowbone Township, lie is considered a leader
in the Republican ranks and takes an active part
in local politics. For more than twenty years he
has been an Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church in which his wife is also a member and
where they are esteemed as conscientious and
devoted helpers in every good work.

The introduction of Short-horn cattle in this
section of the country may justly be credited to
this enterprising gentleman, and he is in the
possession of the only full set of American Herd
Looks in Shelby and Moultrie Counties, lie also
makes a specialty of South Down stock as well as
carriage, coach ami draft horses. He takes a great
interest in every phase of the subject pertaining

358

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to fine stuck and is thoroughly informed in
regard to this matter, t >»-in l; considered the
fountain head of information on thesubject. The
beautiful buildings upon his farm and his delight-
ful residence, a view of winch appears on another
page, speak forth their own praise of the system-
atic, conscientious and cultured gentleman whose
estate they crown.

\f|OHN If. SHELTON, a tanner residing on
section 2. Lowe Township, was horn in
Chatham Township, Sangamon ( ounty. 111..
April 28. 1833. Hi- father, the late William
Shelton. was a native of Virginia, while his mother,
whose maiden name was Prudence Xeal. was bora
in Kentucky. They came to Illinois early in life,
and after their marriage in Sangamon County, set-
tled in Chatham Township, where after a long and
honorable life, the father died about L878, at the
age of seventy-two years. The mother survives at
an advanced aye and makes her home inSangamon
County.

The seven children born to this worthy couple
were named as follows: William. John R., Aniar-
ine. Daniel M., Zarilda, .lames and George. The
second son. John R., the subjeel of this biographi-
cal notice, was reared to manhood in Sangamon
County, his youth being passed in much the usual
mannerof fanners' hoys of that period. He gleaned
the rudiments of his education from the primitive
text hooks still in use in the district schools, and
this knowledge has been enlarged and broadened
through subsequent study, until he is now thor-
oughly informed on all events of local ami general
importance, and an agreeable conversationalist
with whom many a pleasant hour may he passed.

When ready to establish a home of his own. our
subject left the parental roof, and with his bride,
began life on a farm in Loami Township, lie has
ever received the cheerful co-operation of his wife,
with whom he was joined in the holy bonds of
wedlock in Loami Township. Sangamon County,
November 30, 1854. Mrs.8helton bore the maiden
name of Eliza J. Kinney, and was the daughtei of

the late Henry and Martraret (l)orronce) Kin-
ney, natives respectively of Madison and Oneida
Counties, New York. Mr.and Mrs. Kinney passed
the first years of their happy wedded life in
Loami Township, whence after a sojourn of many
years, they removed to Chatham village and there
the mother died in September, 1883. The father
afterward made his home in Springfield and also
with our subject until his death in Springfield,
April 2. 1889. His family comprised five children.
namely: Daniel, Clarissa, Caroline. Eliza J., and
Rebecca M.

The birthplace of Mrs. Shelton was Loami Town-
ship, Sangamon County, and her natal day October
9, 1834. Under the careful training of her parents
she grew to a noble womanhood, well fitted to take
charge of a home of her own. Her first home after
marriage was in Loami Township, hut later she and
her husband settled in Chatham Township. This
was not their permanent home, however. In Sep-
tember. 1874. they came to .Moultrie County, where
they purchased a farm on section 2. Lowe Town-
ship, and here they still remain. The farm com-
prises one hundred and nine acres, and he has a
neat set of buildings, including a commodious,
conveniently-arranged residence, where comfort
reigns supreme and hospitality abounds.

Seven children have been horn of the happy
wedded lite of Mr. and Mrs. Shelton; William and
Lewis are deceased, the former dying at the age of
one year and the latter when seven years old:
William (2d) died in Lowe Township in 1876 when
seventeen year- old: Richard is a farmer in Color-
ado: Luella is the wife of Frank Kagey; Charles
and Caroline M. are still at home. Mrs. Shelton is
a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, to
which she ha- belonged since 1865. Her maternal
great-grandfather was a surgeon in the Revolu-
tionary War and lost his life at Ft. QuQuesne. On
her father's side .Mrs. Shelton is of English ex-
traction, and on the maternal side of Irish descent.
When the preservation of the Union was threat-
ened Mr. Shelton was deeply devoted to her wel-
fare and enlisted in her behalf in August, l*fi2. in
Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois
Infantry, serving three years until the close of the
war. Dnring this time he was on constant duty

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

359

and tin- hardships and exposures so undermined
his strength that In- has -nice never regained his
former health. He participated in tin- following
important engagements: Magnolia Hill. Champion
Hills. Jackson, Miss., Vicksburg, Ft. Blakesly and
Spanish Fort, besides numerous skirmishes of minor
importance though not less dangerous, lie was
with the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois from
the time of his enlistment until May 6, 1863, when
he was detached ami joined the Mercantile Battery
of Chicago. After remaining with this battery
one year he rejoined the regiment with which he
had originally enlisted. This was consolidated
with the Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, of
which it was an integral part until peace was
declared.

As might lie expected Mr. Shelton is a promi-
nent member of Harker Post, No. 189, (-. A. li.
In politics he is a firm Republican, but has never
Keen an office-seeker, preferring domestic pleasures
to the turmoil of public life. lie is a tine type of
our self-made men. as he entered upon his career
as a fanner with but little means and only by the
exercise of ambition and industry coupled with
practical economy and excellent business judg-
ment, has he worked his way up to a position of
importance among the most substantial citizen- of
I -owe Township.

ACOB H. DUMOND. Although an Amer-
ican by birth, education and association, of
which fact he is proud, our subject is of
French parentage and ancestry, and all his
business dealings have been carried on with a dash
and vivacity for which hi- ancestors have always
been noted. Now. at the zenith of his career, lit-
is a farmer and stock-dealer residing in Loving-
ton, Moultrie County, but his interests have been
so large and varied for the past twenty-five year-.
and his exploits in commercial fields have brought
such sudden and rich returns that one hesitates to
set bim down as a fanner. His name i- one that
i- most frequently met with in the environs of
Paris.

Our subject's father wa- William Dumond. who

was of French parentage. His mother wa- Martha
Housel, who was born in Steuben County, X. Y.
There they were married and settled on a farm.
whence they came to Edgar ( ounty, this State, in
1840, where they lived until their decease. The
father passed awaj September 24, 1850. The
mother's decease occurred in June, 1884. He was
a fanner by occupation and brought up his sons
to a thorough knowledge of agricultural work.

They hail six children, three -on- and three daugh-
ters, and Of these our subject was the eldest, lie
was born in Steuben County, X. Y., March 18,
1835, and came to this State with his parents in

June, 1840. Here he grew to maul 1. being

reared on his father's farm, and although educa-
tional advantages were not of the best, he man-
aged to acquire a good and practical education.
He lived at home with hi- mother until he lie-
came of age. early shouldering the responsibilities
and care- of the family as his father had died
when the son was but fifteen year- of age.

After leaving home, our subject was engaged
in a saw and grist mill in Oakland, Coles County.
for a period of four years, "hence he went to
Vermilion County, this state. His attention was
attracted thither by the fact that a severe wind-
Storm or cyclone passing through a heavy belt of
timber in Vermilion County laid lowmany thou-
sands of the monarch- of the forest that had only
to lie drawn ton convenient place to be -awed into

timber. Borrowing the monej with which to
cany out hi- plans, he erected a sawmill in a een
tral location and began the work of transform-
ing the logs into merchantable shape. Although
he got the very small amount of sixty-five cents
per hundred for his work, he paid the amount
loaned him and had remaining quite a handsome
interest lie continued there about two years,
when he traded his interest in the machinery for
one hundred and twenty acres of land near Oak-
land. Cole County, and upon this he settled, en-
gaging in farming. There he remained for thret
years, at the end of which time he traded his
farm for one hundred and sixty acre- in Moultrie
(ounty without seeing it. Besides this he received
*:;h<i in cash, and this Mr. Dumond considered
One "f the best trade- he ha- cw-i made. The land

360

PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was located in Lowe Township, to which place our
subject removed and continued t<> live until the
spring of 1**6. when he retired from active farm-
ing and came to Lovington, where he has since
resided. He is now the owner of eight hundred
and five acres, seven hundred and sixty of which
are in one body.

When quite a young man Mr. Dumond took
upon himself the responsibilities of married life.
taking as his wife Elizabeth Kerns. Their nuptials
were celebrated in Oakland, Coles County, this
State. November 19, 1859. Mrs. Dumond was a
native probably of Pennsylvania, although < >hio
may have been her birthplace, as her parents lived
there when she was very young. This marriage
was blessed by the advent of three children, whose
names are: Hat-tie A., the wife of Thomas Ran-
dolph, of White County, this State: Henry P. is
a farmer in Lowe Township; and Kulista died in
infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth Dumond's death occurred
in Lowe Township .June Hi. 1869. She was an
admirable woman, her chief interest being centered
in her home and family.

( ) in- subject's second marriage was to .Mrs. Eliza-
beth Hunsinger, the widow of Simon Hunsinger,
who was born in White County, 111. By her first
marriage she was the mother of two children —
Mary and Willie, deceased. By her union with Mr.
Dumond she became the mother of one child —
Arabella. Mrs. Dumond was a member of the Baptist
Church and a most estimable woman, she died
duly 1."). 1885.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were
William V. and Eliza Dumond, both natives of
France. The maternal grandparents were Jacob
and Sarah Housel, natives of New York State.
Jacob Housel was one of the settlers in Edgar
County and locaters of the old state road which
runs from Springfield to the State line, and join-
ing with the road going on to Indianapolis, lie
located many of the early settlers of Edgar
County, this state. To Mr. Housel i> due the
credit of being one of the promoters of the old
Terre Haute and Alton Railroad, now known as
the "Big Four.'" running at the present time from
Indianapolis to St. Loins, and in his efforts and
zeal for the success of this road he so involved

himself financially that he lost all his property,
but during the years that have since elapsed he
recovered to a great extent his financial standing.
The original of our sketch i> a man whose nat-
ural abilities and pleasing presence have pushed
him to the front in local public life. He has tilled
the office of Supervisor of Lowe Township upwards
i if -even years, and for several years was Chairman
of the Town Board. Mr. Dumond has taken an
active part in political affairs, being a devoted
and enthusiastic adherent of the Democratic party.
Socially lie i> a member of the Masonic fraternity
and has held many of the chairs in that society.

APT. JOHN ANDREW FREELAND. To
be descended from an honorable ancestry
and to trace one's lineage from men and
women of past generations who lived noble lives
and served their country and their God is a just
subject for pride and self-congratulation. And such
a record i> his whose name appears at the head of
this. paragraph.

Capt. Freeland, who resides upon section 17.
Marrowbone Township, Moultrie County, is the
son of the late John .1. Freeland. who was born in
Orange County. X. ( '.. upon Xew Year's day, 170*.
John Freeland. the father of John J., was born in
the same county in 1762, and his father. .lames (the
great-grandfather of our subject) first saw the light
within twenty miles of Londonderry. Ireland, in
1730. The father of this ancestor, whose name is
unknown, is said to be one of the Huguenot refu-
gees who fled from Pickardy. France, and settled
near Londonderry, Ireland. The persecutions of
those day- >ent out from their native homes hun-
dreds of valuable citizens whose worth was not ap-
preciated by the Government under which they
lived, but those lives in Eoreign lands proved the
seed-corn from which sprang religions and politi
cal liberty.

James Freeland, the great-grandfather of our sub-
ject, came about the year 1725 from Ireland and
settled on the Schuylkill River, in German town,

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

361

which was afterward the site of a notable conflict
and is now probably the mosl elegant suburb of
Philadelphia. After the Revolutionary War he
removed to Ninth Carolina where his son, James,
made a matrimonial allianee with Sally, daughter
of Gov. Dinwiddie, who was Governor of Virginia
under the British Crown. The great-grandfather
of our subject took a very active part in all impor-
tant movements and was one of the prominent
men of that day. His last days were spent in Ala-
mance County. N. C, where he died at the age of
eighty-five.

John Freeland, the grandfather of our subject,
was born, as before stated, in 1762, and was Deputy
Sheriff at an early age under his father, and like
him was an active and prominent man. He passed
the last years of his honorable career upon his
plantation in Orange County. X. ('.. where he. like
his father, reached the advanced age of eighty-five
years. He was an independent soldier in the Revo-
lutionary War and carried on "bushwhacking"
against the British.

John .1. Freeland. the father of our subject,
resided in North Carolina and was the proprietor
of a plantation and numerous slaves and was also
engaged in the mercantile business. The Gover-
nor of the State appointed him Judge of the
County Court, besides which he held other impor-
tant positions. He was prominently identified
with the Masonic order and for many years was
Master of the lodge and attained the Thirty-second
degree of Masonry. In his religious life he car-
ried out the principles of his Huguenot ancestry.

The new West attracted the attention of John
.1. Freeland and he emigrated hither and settled
at Freehand's Point which was named for his
brother .lames. It was in 1856 that he came to (his
State with his wife and the younger members of
the family and here he engaged in farming and
pa— ed the remainder of his days, dying in July,
l^TT. at Freeland Point. Marrowbone Township.

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name
was Mary Craige, was born in Orange County. N.
C. June <1. 1801, her parents being Col. David ami
Retty (Burroughs) Craige. who were natives of the
same county where they spent all their days.
Eleven children were born to .lohn J. and Mary

Freeland. These live sons and six daughters are
Charles -I. who is a physician at Rogers, Ark.;
Betty, is the wife of Dr. s. I). Schoolfield of
Macomb. Miss.; Catherine, a resident of Moultrie
County: Caroline, who was the wife of . I. B. Knight,
and died in Marrowbone Township about the year
1875; Francis M.. died in infancy: (apt.
William .1. of whom we wili speak more at length;
Mary, is the wife of Rev. Clark Loudoun of
Pierre, S. Dak.; Thomas J., of Dalton City, whose
biographical sketch will be found elsewhere in this
volume; Sarah .1.. who resides in Moultrie County:
(apt. .lohn Andrew ami Emma T.. who i> the wife
of .lames A. Ronev. a grain-dealer of Decatur. 111.

(apt. William .1. Freeland. the brother of our
subject, was an officer in the Confederate army
where he played an important part, as he com-
manded the provost guards of Whitney's division
of the army, and at the request of Gen. Whiting,
the right wing of the i'nion Army at the first
battle of Bull Run was attacked by him and cap-
tured the battery known as Old Betsey. He was
mortally wounded and captured at Fair Oaks and
dying at Fortress Monroe, was buried there with
Masonic honors. Before the breaking out of the
war he was filling the position of General Superin-
tendent of the North Carolina Central Railroad.

.lohn Andrew, who was next to the youngest in
this large family, was born in Orange County. N.
C, October 31. 1839, anil his early life was spent
there until he came to Moultrie County. 111., with
his father in 1856. He was living at home when
the war broke out and at once enlisted under the
I'nion flag. May 1. 1861, being one of the first
volunteers in Moultrie County. He became a
member of Company E, Twenty-first Illinois Regi-
ment which was afterward known as Grant's Regi-
ment and to whom was given the honor in 1891
of unveiling the magnificent equestrian statue of
that hero which has been erected in Lincoln Park.
Chicago. The young man was mustered into the
United states service at Springfield, 111., .luue 28.
1861, receiving the commission of Second Lieuten-
ant. He served in that capacity until November
20th of the same year when he was promoted to
the rank of F'irst Lieutenant and received further
promotion February 17. 1863, when he was given

362

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the commission of Captain. This position he held
until July 5, 1864, when he was honorably dis-
charged mid mustered out of service at Chatta-
nooga, To nn.

Our young hero was in the battle of Fredericks-
town, Mo., which was the first Union victory dur-
ing the Civil War and remembers being an eye
witness to the death of the rebel Gen. Lowe, who
was instantly killed in thai engagement. For sev-
eral weeks he was engaged with others in driving
the rebel General, Jeff Thompson, known as the
••Swamp Fox." across the White River into Arkan-
sas. He took pari in the siege <>f Corinth and saw
the smoke of battle at Perryville, Knob Gap, Stone
River, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. Forseven-
teen days and nights he was under fire on John-
ston's ro treat from Kingston to Marietta, Ga.

After being mustered out of the service Capt.
Freeland returned to the peaceful engagement of
agriculture, devoting himself assiduously to farm-
ing and dealing in stock. Previous to the breaking
out of the war he had been married in Moultrie
County, his wedding day being February 5, 1861,
and his bride Miss Elvira Honey, a native of this
county, who bore to him two children — Alice, who
died when about live years old and William, who
was snatched from the arms of bis parents when a
babe of live months. The mother of these children
passeil to the other world April .'ill. [866.

Our subject was again married in Moultrie
County. .Inly I. I«l>7. to Miss l.yda J. Langton,
who was born in Lewiston, Pa., August 13, 1845.
They have had eight children: William C, John
11.. Joseph L., Ella B., May. Maude. Harry I., and
Homer. .May died when she was fourteen months
old. The family resided in Marrowbone Township
until 1874, when they removed to Sullivan and
here the Captain undertook the study of law, being
with Eden A- Clark for two years and being admit-
ted to the bar in Kansas in 1*77. In the spring
of that year he removed to Kinsley, Edwards
County, Kan., and practiced law there for two years,
during which time he was elected County .Indue for
one term and in 1879 returned to Illinois and again
made his homo in Marrowbone Township, since
which time he has paid his almost undivided atten-
tion to farming and raising tine horses and cattle.

Upon his lino farm of two hundred and sixty
acres (apt. Freeland has made valuable improv-
nients and within his hospitable home he and his
lovely and intelligent companion are ever ready to
extend gracious welcome to every friend who
seeks their door. One who visits this household
can but fool that he is the guest of a true gentle-
man and a genuine gentlewoman and those who
know' the public-spirited course which the Captain
always pursues in regard to affairs of public import,
are assured that ho is a disinterested citizen of his
county, lie is prominently identified with the
Washington Alexander Post. No. 17fi. O. A. R.
and has repeatedly been Commander of the post
and has been President of the Regimental Associ-
ation of Grant's old regiment. Ho is a Royal Arch
Mason and in politics is a Republican and formerly
took an active part in political affairs.

_^l

^-RM

_®

W /

> 1LKIXSON BROS. The union of the fam-

ily interests in business enterprises has
long boon made prominent both in the old
country and in America. Many prominent linns
have for generations borne the family name and it
lias been the pride of those thusconnected to main-
tain these business relations and to build up an
honorable record as a commercial family. So strong
has boon this feeling in some notable instances as
to compel any who joined the firm as members to
legally adopt the family name. This union of the
family affection and business interests is well illus-
trated in the record of the well-known firm whoso
name appears at the head of this paragraph.

The Wilkinson Pros., dealers in lumber, tile and
coal at Bethany, Moultrie County, established busi-
ness under the present firm and style in 1.S.H2. The
members of the firm are four brothers, namely:
Jasper N., John J., Warren A., William W., all of
them natives of Vinton County, Ohio, and sons of
Jacob and Mary (Morrison) Wilkinson. The par-
ents were also natives of Vinton County, were
there married and reared their family, remov-
ing to Illinois in the fall of 1864, and passing the
winter at Millniine. The following year they lo-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

363

cated al :i small town (now defunct) which bore
the name of Dawtown, and the father of the fam-
ily worked in :i sawmill there as his business in
Ohio had been in the line of operating sawmills
and gristmills.

The family removed in 1868 to a farm near Ar-
genta, Macon County. 111., and there thej rented
land and afterward purchased a farm of three hun-
dred acres, tilling and improving it and placing
upon it fine -tuck. There the parents Mill reside
and the father who has made a success of stock-
raising, is uow engaged in breeding red-polled
cattle. These faithful parents who have succeeded
in bringing up to maturity so fine a family are
people of true Christian character and prominent
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Twelve children blessed this frugal pioneer home
and nine of the number are Mill living, namely:
Jasper N\. Warren A.. John J., William \\ '.. Mary
F... George V... Charles F... Arthur L. and I.uella J.
.Mary is now the wife of Walter L. William-: Jas-
per N. was born in 1851 and early distinguished
himself in local circles by his studious disposition,
fitting himself for teaching at the early age of fif-
teen. In 1874 he was graduated from the Mate
Normal University at Normal. 111., and he is now
a Professor in the Mate Normal School at Emporia,
Kan. He has formed a congenial marriage with
Mi-s Nellie Reynolds, of Buda, 111.

Warren A. was born December 14. 1857, and
was reared upon a farm until 1881, when he came
to Bethany and engaged in the manufacture of
tile, being associated with his brothers; he built a
tile factory, which they still own and operate, and
thus was inaugurated the successful business which
beat's their name. His marriage with Grace, daugh-
ter of Dr. E. A. Piatt, brought him three beautiful
children, all of whom are now deceased: his wife
:i 1~> ■ passed to the other world in 1891. Warren A.
resides at Bethany and gives his whole attention to
the business of the firm. John A. was born Sep-
tember 2.S. 1859, and, like his eldest brother, is a
graduate of the State Normal University al Normal.
111., being, a member of the (lass of '85; he also
gives his attention to teaching, being t lie Principal
of the grammar school at Springfield, III., and hav-
ing held the principalship of the Lovington schools

from 1885 to 1889. William W. was born Septem-
ber 1. 1861, and when he had completed his ele-
mentary education he devoted himself to the study
of .book-keeping and commercial law at Lincoln,
11L, and later attended Bryant & Stratton's Busi-
ness College at Chicago. After completing his
studies he became a useful member of the firm of
Wilkinson Bros, in 1882. He and his brother War-
ren are the active members of the firm and the effi-
cient and capable managers, making their home at
Bethany.

This honorable and intelligent family have
shown themselves capable both in the intellectual
and business world and the parents of these sons
have abundant reason to rejoice, not only in their
success in life in their respective fields and in the
respect whicb is meted out to them 1>\ all who
know them, but also in their admirable Christian
characters and in their efficiency in church work as
they are all workers in the Cumberland Presbyter-
ian Church, with which most of them are person-
ally identified.

=^§*

Sp^>HOMA»S F. MAYES. The wonderful suc-
/V-n cess which ha- crowned tin- efforts of thou—
V_y and- of farmers who came to Illinois in
poverty, is worthy the annals of the historian.
The wealth in the soil of the Prairie Mate like the
gold hidden in the dins-, responded magically to
the alchemy of the earnest effort, enterprise and
industry of the pioneer farmer, and astonished the
world by its splendid results. The farming com-
munity of Dore Town-hip. Moultrie t ounty,gives
many instances of this success in agriculture and
one of its farmer- who reside- within the limits of
Dalton City, is the gentleman whose name appears
at the head of this sketch.

Our subject owns titty five acres of land within
this corporation, besides two hundred and forty
outside. He settled ill Moultrie County in the
spring of 1865, and has since been a resident of
Dore Township. He was born in Mifflin County.
Pa.. April 7. 1*:>7. being a son of Matthew T. and
Martha (Ewing) Mayes, the father of our subject

w; i

PORTRAIT AND RK (GRAPHICAL RECORD.

being a tanner by trade. The paternal grandpa-
rentscame from Maryland, and the parents <>f our
subject lived and <li<-<l in Pennsylvania, and dur-
ing their later years resided on a farm, where the
father died August 31. 1845, being then only forty-
two years old. while the mother survived until
the spring of 1869, and passed away at the age of
sixty-seven.

The four children of Matthew and Martha
Mayes are as follows: James, who is a resident of
Lewiston, Pa.; Eliza, who married Mr. G.W. Soult,
and resides on the old home in Mifflin County,
l'a.: William E., who resides in Strawn, Kan., and
our subject, who is the third in order of age. His
early life was passed upon the farm, and after tak-
ing a public school education he received instruc-
tion in the academy, ami ill 1857. took a business
course at Pittsburg, l'a.. after which he clerked in
different business houses.

Tin' marriage of our subject took place Decem-
ber 2<>. 1861, and lie was then united with Isabel
Laugton, who was horn : in Pennsylvania, and is a
daughter of Joseph I. and Catherine Laugton.
They continued to reside in Pennsylvania until
1865, when they came to Illinois and purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of slightly improved
land, anil proceeded to carry on the business of
stock-raising. In 1K7I. .Mr. .Mayes removed to
Dalton City, as he had been some time prior to
this movement appointed station agent, and he
was also carrying on the lumber business. He con-
tinued as station and express agent for two years,
after which he was for three years not employed in
the former capacity, hut in 1K7K. he took the posi-
tion again and still continues in it. At the same
lime he has carried on his farm successfully, hut in
May. 1875, he disposed of his lumber business.

Mr. and Mrs. Mayes have hail seven children, on c
daughter, Harriet ().. having died in her thirteenth
year. The others are as follows: Martha C. wife
of Lowell A. Smith, of Macon County; Anna M.,
who now lias charge of the railroad station at
Dalton City; Eliza E., wife of .lames Freeland,
of Macon County: Joseph I.. Matthew T.. and
.lames \\\. who are at home. In 1875. Mr. Maves
erected upon one of the prominent sites of the
town a tine store building, and established a drug

business which he conducted for some three years.
He has held a number of local offices and is a de-
voted adherent to the principles and policy of the
Democratic party. He is identified with both the
Knights of Honor and the Masonic fraternity.
Mrs. Mayes is a woman of devoted Christian char-
acter and a leading member in the Presbyterian
Church. Her pleasant home is the center of a true
social life and her gracious hospitality affords a
hearty welcome to every guest.

V *=»=♦ J

ICIIAEL ERIIARDT. Among the Ger-
l man-American citizens who have con-
^ tributed so largely to the development of
.Moultrie County and have been so prom-
inently connected with its progress, conspicuous
mention belongs to Mr. Erhardt who owns and
operates a tine farm on section 1(1. Lowe Township.
A worthy representative of the class of farmers
upon whom the prosperity of the world depends,
he is pursuing his chosen avocation with energy
and skill. In every movement that is likely to
advance the material or moral welfare of the citi-
zens, he is ever ready to bear what part he can. and
he and his estimable wife are ever to lie relied on
when there is need of neighborly service or friendly
advice.

Mr. Erhardt is the son of the late George Er-
hardt. a native of Germany, who was married in
bis native land to Barbara Erhardt, who was of the
same name hut no relative. In 1K54 the parents
emigrated to America and directly after landing
came to St. Louis, Mo., whence, after a residence
of one year, they removed to Sangamon County.
111. Several years afterward they came to Doug-
las County, where the father died in 1^72. The
mother survived him many years and passed from
earth in Moultrie County in 1886. Our subject,
who was the youngest among live children, was
horn in Germany, November 28. 1850. lie was
only about four years old when he was brought by
his parents to this country, of which he has ever
since been a resident.

PORTRAIT AND UK )( iKAl'HK AI. RECORD.

367

After passing the early years of lii- life in San-
gamon County, 111., and gaining the rudiments of
an education in its district schools. Mr. Krhardt
accompanied his parents to Douglas County.
There he was married June 11. 1874, to Miss
Catherine K. Hoover, daughter of Benjamin and
Nancy Hoover. Mr. Hoover resides in Arthur. 111.
He and his wife were the parents of nine children,
Mrs. Krhardt being the third, and she was born in
Pennsylvania December "2(i. Ijs.'pI. After their
marriage our subject and his wife located in Doug-
las County where they lived until 1881.

Upon coming to Moultrie Comity in 1881 Mr.
Krhardt located on section 10, Lowe Township,
where he now owns one hundred and twenty acres
of good land. Having followed farming pursuits
from his youth he has acquired a thorough prac-
tical knowledge of all its departments and has be-
come known as one of the most enterprising and
successful farmers of the vicinity. He is a firm
believer in the principles of the Democratic party
and supports its ca ididates with his ballot and in-
llucnee. He has held the offices of Highway Com-
missioner and School Director and has done efficient
service for the public in both capacities. He and
his wife are both active members of the Christian
Church, in which he has held the office of Elder.
They are the parents of four children. Benjamin,
George, Freddie and Alfred. George and Alfred
are deceased. The surviving children are receiv-
ing excellent educations and bid fair to hold re-
sponsible positions in life.

i@H

► • it

JM^-

S APT. JOHN J. SIMMONS, who resides on
section 18, of Tower Hill Township. Shelby
' County, was born in Troy. N. Y.. May 7.
181 1. When he was very young his father removed
to Covington, Kv.. and lived there about two years.
From there he removed to Switzerland ( ountv. End.,
where he remained forseven years, then he removed
again to Cincinnati, and with his family occupied
the first house in Cincinnati. Ohio, which was built
of logs. From the time our subject was a lad of
fourteen years of age until his parents" death, he

made himself their protector and provider, supply-
ing them with all the comforts of life that it was
possible for him to give them. After he was four-
teen years of age he was employed in steam boat-
ing on various rivers and was thus engaged for
fifty years.

In August, 1K74. the gentleman whose philan-
thropic life it is our pleasure here to chronicle,
and whose portrait is also presented to his many
friends, came to Shelby County and settled in
Tower Hill, where he has since been a resident. He
is the owner and proprietor of two hundred and
seventy acres of land, upon which he has erected a
very good series of buildings. His residence, to
which he has given the very suggestive name
"Happy Home'" is located at only a short distance
from the meeting of two roads and as the traveler
approaches he sees the name of the place in large
letters on the house; of course it attracts much at-
tention. It is. in fact and deed, a happy home.

Capt. and Mrs. Simmons, at the present writing,
(May. 1891) have been married about fifty-seven
years, and during all this time not an unpleasant
word has passed between them. Everything within
and without denotes happiness and comfort. Capt.
Simmons, who is at an advanced a^e.is at the pres-
ent lime in feeble health, and is the object of the
solicitude and kindest attention of each and every
member of his family. His marriage took place in
Cincinnati, Ohio, October 8, 1835, and the cere-
mony was solemnized by the father of Benjamin
Harrison, present President of the United States.
Mrs. Simmons was Miss Elizabeth Gunning,and was
born near Cincinnati, January 11. 1K17. Ten
children were born to this worthy couple and in-
stead of being cares and sources of trial to their
parents, as is unhappily too frequently the case,
they have been welcome, and grown up both lov-
ing and beloved among themselves and bearing a
tender regard for the authors of their being. In
name they are as follows: Alonzo, Caroline. Al-
bert. John •!.. Temperance .1.. Moses E. and Charles.
The deceased children - died in infancy. Alonzo
was married to Mary Xewbold. Caroline was the
wife of Monroe Taylor. Albert was united to Lu-
cindia Frailkill. John .1. married Anna Custer.
Temperance J. is the wife of Marshall Hipes. Moses

368

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

K. married Elizabeth Elliott. Charles was united
to Ella Fluckey.

dipt. Simmons has ever been a supporter of the
Gospel and lit- and liis wife are members of the
( hristian Church. Socially he has been united with
the Masonic fraternity, for many years, and is also
an Odd Fellow. His Masonic connection extend-
over fifty years, and his alliance with the ( >dd Fel-
lows for the same length <>t' time. It is a commen-
tary upon the effect of the use of stimulants that
Capt. Simmons, who has attained an age a good
many years transcending that which is usually al-
lotted to man. has never used tobacco in any form,
and although, having been a rivercaptain for many
years and associated with men who have the repu-
tation for indulging in stimulants to an alarming
extent, he scarcely knows the taste of intoxicants.

('apt. Simmons is the proud possessor of a line
on-hard covering thirty acres. For this he was
offered $100 an acre, by D. James, who is a prom-
inent nurseryman in Christian County. The fruits
that are the outcome of this orchard are as luscious
as any that come from the Golden Mate. The
father of our subject was John W. Simmons, who
was a native of New York City. He died in 1859
while on a visit to AVisconsin. Our subject 'smother
was Dolly (Ginison) Simmons, who was horn in
Boston, Mass.. and died in Kokomo. Ind. The
parents of Mrs. Simmons were Robert and Temper-
ance (Cox) Gunning. They were horn in Knoxville,
Tenn.. and died in Indiana.

The position of chief engineer as well as that of
( aptain was held by Mr. Simmons who is the pos-
sessor of fifty sets of Government licenses. He
served through the war. taking pari in the marine
conflicts on different gunboats, sometimes changing
from as many as live different boats in a single day.
although he had not enlisted in regular marine ser-
vice. His daughter, Mrs. Caroline Taylor, at whose
instance this sketch is written is the mother of two
children. John S. and Frank S.

The venerable old gentleman, whose picture
would serve as a happy representation of the he-
loved follower of the Master, is revered by all. All
his fads and fancies are quaint and benevolent and
show a generous spirit. He has provided a .
comfortable room in an outbuilding, which he pre-

pared especially for tramps or homeless people,
knowing all to be God's people, and believing it to
be incumbent on all who are prospered, to care for
the helpless, the homeless, and the unfortunate. He
i- a dear old gentleman, and makes one better and
gentler to come in contact with him.

»»-> fc- >*^ H

-®#®-

OBERT McCLUNG. Among the old resi-
dents of Moultrie ( ounty and numbered
among her brave hoys who were sent forth
to defend the flag of our Union we are
pleased to name the progressive and intelligent
farmer, whose prosperity we here record. Mr. Mc-
Clung resides on section 30, J. owe Township, and
his residence in the county dates from 1859, dur-
ing which year there were hut seven voters in the
township and of that seven our subject is the only
one now remaining within its bounds.

This gentleman was horn in Union County.
Ohio, -Inly 12. 1836, his respected parents being
Thomas arid Elizabeth (Danderson) Met lung, who
had their birth in the ( >ld Dominion and the Buck-
eye State respectively and who met and married
in Perry County, Ohio. The tirst wedded home
of this couple was established in Logan County,
that State, where they were early settlers before
moving to Union (ounty.

"Westward the star of Empire takes its course."
and following this beacon the family undertook a
removal with team and wagon from Ohio to Iowa.
Arriving there in 1844 they prospected for a while.
but being dissatisfied with the Hawkeye State they
turned hack as far as Vigo County. Ind.. where
they remained for some time and where the mother
died in 1846. she had been the mother of eleven
children of whom seven grew to years of maturity.
The father eventually returned to Ohio where he
remained for several years, hut his final end came
in Vigo County, Ind.. while he was making a visit.

The early orphanage of our subject by the death
of his mother when he was ten years old led to his
making his home with an uncle and both at his
father's and at his relative's lie was thoroughly
trained in farm duties and prepared for a practical

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

369

life, lint in various ways his schooling was inter-
fered with and his book education was limited.
His first coming West was in 1S.")2 and his first
settlement was at Monticello, Hi., where he made
the acquaintance of the Piatt family with whom
he made Ins home and served as a farm hand. In
1859 he left this family (for whom the flourishing
county of Piatt was named) and came to Moultrie
County where he rented a farm, lint his patriotic
impulse did not permit him to remain here follow-
ing the pursuits of peace, lie enlisted in 1862
and was mustered into service in Company A, One
Hundred Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry under
command of Cant. Van Fleet. This company
served through three years of fatiguing marches.
severe engagements, numerous skirmishes and
gained for themselves an enviable renown.

After the war our subject returned to Moultrie
County and purchasing eighty acres of rich lint
unbroken prairie soil started in to make his for-
tune. In his effort he has been unusually success-
ful and now owns four hundred and eighty acres
of as tine land as can be found in Moultrie County
and upon it lie has placed an excellent farm resi-
dence, good barns and all the appurtenances which
belong to a first-class farm. Stock farming has
lieeu the department of agriculture which he has
pursued and which has proved profitable to him.
The happy wedding day of our subject was July
7, 1872, and his bride, Cordelia Gaul, who was
born December 15, 1837, is a daughter of Jacob
Gaul who came to Moultrie County in 1865 and
settled upon section 4. Jonathan Creek Township.

The father of Mrs. McClung is a native of the
city of Philadelphia where he was horn June 9,
1811, being the son of John T. and Dorothea
Gaul, natives of Germany, who came to America
in an early life and were married in Pennsylvania.
They made their home in Philadelphia the re-
mainder of their lives. The mother completed her
three-score and ten years and the father lived to
the advanced age of eighty-six. John T. Caul
was twice married, his first union bringing him
eight children and his second giving him four
children — Simon. Adam. Jacob and Sarah. The
son Jacob learned the trade of a basket-maker
which he followed in his native city before remov-

ing West. He removed to Cincinnati. Ohio, in
1S.")2. and Subsequently resided in Chicago for
some eighteen months, after which he followed
farming for a short, time in Clermont County.
Ohio. In L865 he came to Moultrie County where
he had previously purchased land anil where he
now owns a handsome farm.

The mother of Mrs. McClung bore the maiden
name of Rebecca Clarke and was a native of New
Jersey. Her marriage to Mr. Gaul took place in
Philadelphia in lH:5. r > and her death occurred in
Moultrie County. 111. She was the mother of five
children, namely. Susannah, who married Samuel
Smith and died in Cincinnati. Ohio; Cordelia, the
wife of Robert McClung; Edmund; Rebecca, who
who married William Merritl and Jacob who died
in Moultrie County. The mother of these child-
ren was an earnest and active member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. McClung has three children with her in
this life and one who has passed before to the
spirit land. The living are Isaac. Rebecca and
Myrtle A. The political views of Mr. McClung
have led him to affiliate with the party whose
most notable exponent was the author of the Dec-
laration of Independence.

> OTTLEIB F. SILVER. Although born in
a land far distant from this. Mr. Silver is a
stanch defender of the interests of his
adopted home and there is within the bounds of
Moultrie County no more patriotic citizen than he.
From early childhood he lias had his own way to
make in the world and he has done well, for he
has risen from poverty to a position of importance
among his fellow-men. Nor has he been successful
in accumulating a competency only, but in the
best sense of the word he has been successful in
gaining the respect of his associates, in justly win-
ning a name for uprightness and honor, and in
being numbered with the representative citizens
of the county.

Wurtemberg. Germany, was the native place of

370

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

our subject and February 10, 1828, the date of his
birth. I lis immediate progenitors were John G.
and Christina Silver, natives of the Fatherland,
who came to America in 1832, seeking a home in
this new country. Theysettled in Morgan County,
Ohio, where the mother died in 1836. The father
survived many years and passed from the busy
scenes of earth in 1874, in Hocking County. Ohio.
They had four sons and four daughters, who at-
tained to maturity, and our subjecl was among the
younger members of the family.

Mr. Silver remembers few of the incident- of the
voyage across the broad Atlantic, for he was only
four years old when his parents emigrated to
America. He passed his youth in Morgan and
Hocking Counties, Ohio, assisting Ids father upon
the home farm in the summer while during a few
months of the year he attended the common
schools of the district, lie was united in marriage
October 20, 1851, in Hocking County, with Eliza-
beth Moutz, daughter of Gottleib and Catherine
(Fritz) Moutz. both of Germany. Coming to
America in 1832 they settled in Pennsylvania and
after about two years spent there, they removed to
Muskingum County, Ohio, where she died in the
city of Zanesville. He pa>sed from earth in Cin-
cinnati. Ohio. Of their large family of children.
Mrs. Silver is one of the younger members and she
was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 16.
1829.

Hocking County was the first home of Mr. Sil-
ver after his marriage, and thence after several
years spent there, he removed to Morgan County.
Two years afterward he returned to HockingCounty
and sojourned there until 1 HT.'i. engaged in farm-
ing operations and becoming known throughout
the community as a thrifty agriculturalist and an
honorable citizen. He came to Moultrie County
in 1873 and settling on section 8, Lowe Township,
proceeded at once to improve and cultivate the
tract of land which he purchased there. lie own-
three hundred and twenty acre- of tine land, which
yields him yearly a tribute of golden grain. Farm-
ing has been almost his life pursuit, although for
about ten years in Ohio he was a carpenter.

Five children came to bless the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Silver and their record i- a- follow-: Mary,

the wife of David Van Curen; John F.. who died
when young: Elizabeth, who became the wife of
S.E.Grant; John (i.. and William, who married
Mis- Nettie Buxton. In his political affiliation-
Mr. Silver i^ a Republican, and has served the peo-
ple efficiently a- Highway Commissioner three
years, lie and hi- estimable wife are member? in

g 1 standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

and he has been Superintendent of the Sunday
school. They are genial, hospitable people, whose
influence upon the community is apparent for
good, and whose interest in the welfare of human-
it v is great.

i.mm3&£2=

.:■

ICHAEL H. WARREN. Public-spirited
citizen- who are broad enough to take an
interest in the affairs of the community in
which they live and sufficiently shrewd
and far-sighted to force opportunities for its im-
provement, are the richest heritage of any commu-
nity, and Moultrie County i> not poor in such.
Among her sons who have thus shown the nobility
of their natures and their ability to forward the
welfare of the county, we are pleased to mention
Michael H. Warren, a retired farmer and Notary
Public residing at Arthur.

Our subject has been a resident of the county
since May 19, 1859, and is by birth a Virginian,
being born in Harrison County, that State. August
9.182b. His parents, Abijah and Sarah (Shields)
Warren, being natives of the Old Dominion, re-
mained there until about 1840, when they re-
moved to Athens County. Ohio, and made their
homo at Nelsonville. About a year after their
migration. Abijah Warren passed from earth and
in 1844 the family returned to Virginia. In 1853
the mother came to Illinois and settled in Jonathan
Creek Township, Moultrie County, upon a raw
prairie farm. There she made her home and cared
for her children until 1865, when her death oc-
curred. There were nine in the family, all of
whom grew to mature years and all became resi-
dents of Illinois.

Michael Warren was reared to farm work, but

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

371

after he attained his majority he learned the trade
of saddlery and harness-making and pursued this
calling until he came to I ! lin< >i> in 1859, when he
purchased land in Jonathan C reek Township and
carried on a farm for some years. In the mean-
while he had purchased more land — some eighty
acres — upon which the west half of Arthur i- now
located. He early foresaw the necessity for a good
system of transportation t<> bring Moultrie County
within reach of the great markets of the world and
was liberal in his gifts to secure the location through
Arthur of a railroad, giving some twenty acres to
the railroad to secure this end. He purchased one
hundred and sixty acres on Section 25, Lowe
Township, but has made his residence in the vil-
lage of Arthur since 1873. He opened the first
mail hag which was thrown off at this station, ashe
was then acting as Deputy Postmaster. The re-
ceipts of the office were then ¥12 per annum.
During the Cleveland Administration he had the
position of Postmaster.

Mr. Warren was married in 1848, in Barbour
County. W. Ya.. to Eleanor A., daughter of Daniel
Bartlett. This lady is a native of Virginia and is
the mother of thirteen children, all of whom
reached the years of maturity. They are a- fol-
low-: sarah .1.. wife of A. II. Dolin; Winfield s..
who resides in Nebraska; Sarah Elizabeth, who
married C. W. Fleming; Millard I-'., a druggist at
Arthur: Americus F., a carpenter; Mary Margaret,
the wife of s. II. Dehart; Caroline Virginia, the
wife of Daniel Evans, of Nebraska; John D., a har-
ness-maker at Arthur; Martha: Rosa A., who was
the wife of D. M. Huckelberry, ami ha- died, leav-
ing one child: Lilly, the wife of William Preble, a
barber at Arthur: Eva Lee and Mamie.

Our subject has, since coming to Illinois, affil-
iated with the Democratic party, though while in
Virginia he counted himself a Whig; though not a
voter because unmarried, for in Virginia an un-
married man could not vote. He has here held
some positions of trust and responsibility, having
l>een County surveyor for seven years and Justice
of the Peace for twelve years.

Millard E. Warren, one of the -on- of Michael
H. Warren, who is now a prominent citizen of
Arthur, wa- born in Harrison ( ounty. Va.,August

853. and came with the family to Illinois in
1859, and thus grew to manhood in Moultrie
County, lie wa- educated in the common scoools
and assisted his father in tilling the soil. In 1873

he tame to Arthur and for rive years conducted a
photograph gallery, after which he established a
restaurant business, and in July. 1889, engaged in
the drug trade.

This gentleman was twice married, the first time
in 1*7:>. to Alice, daughter of John and Permelia
Gerkin. This lady, who was a native of Moultrie
County, was both amiable and accomplished and
well fitted to make a happy home, hut her married
life was not of long duration, as she died in 1**2.
leaving one daughter, Nellie. In 1884 Mr. Warren
was married a second time, then uniting his life
with that of Ella Luce, daughter of William Luce.
she wa- born in Areola. 111., and has two children.
William M. and Katie May. Like his father, this
young man is a Democrat in his political prefer-
ences ami ha- tilled the offices of Assessor aud
Township Clerk. He i- a man of warm social qual-
ities and is identified with the Arthur Lodge, No.
742. Lttl '. F.

-^i

— *jp J*

s-^ EORGE W. suiKEY. who resides on sec-
I — tion 2,">. in Lovington Township. Moultrie
\_A I ounty, i- a son of the late Samuel and
Barbara Ann (shede) shirev. of whom a fuller his-
tory may be found under the sketch of our sub-
ject's brother, William s. Shirev. in another part
of thi- volume, and of a family of ten children the
original of this -ketch was the fifth in order of
birth, thus, in his childhood days, he had plenty
of playmates and childish sympathizers with the
youthful peccadillos in which he found himself.
He was born in Clear spring. Ind., August 7. 1839,
and now has attained that period of manhood
when speculation and experience go hand in hand
and thus wedded, bring the best results to their
possess) a.

His removal to Illinois was made when his fath-
er came hither and with him he lived until 1862,
when he himself set up a household, placing over

372

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his home as mistress, Miss Mary J. Rear. They
were married in Bloomington, this State, in June,
1862. The lady is a daughter of Samuel Bear?
who died in Macon County, this state. The moth-
er is also deceased. Mrs. Mary J. Shirey was bom
in Cumberland County, Pa., April 17. 1*44. She
bore her husband eiijht children, whose names are
Georgia A., Almeda, Samuel R.. Leonora M.,
Charles, Homer, Gertrude, and Frankie. The eldest
daughter is the wife of Orange Behan. Almeda
married Oliver 0. Dawson. Leonora M. is the wife
of .1. II. White. Frankie died when one and a half
years old.

.Mrs. .Mary .1. shirey departed this life March 2s.
1891. She was a true Christian and a conscienti-
ous, God-fearing woman, a member of the Luther-
an Church and an interested, ardent worker. After
marriage our subject settled first in Macon County,
this State where he lived until 1*74. when he re-
moved to Moultrie County and settled in Loving-
ton Township, finding this climate and country,
pleasant and adapted to his methods of agricultur-
al employment, He has always been engaged in
farming and upon the place where he at present
resides there are many and valuable Improvements
there made by his own bands. He has a delightful
home that, while neat and attractive exteriorly.
interiorly presents the comforts and refinements
that are so necessary to the enjoyment of life
Rook- abound, and the current literature of lhe day
is found upon his shelves and tallies. The domes-
tic management is apparently without a flaw- and
the inner man is provided with the most tooth-
some delicacies. He heir own- one hundred and
forty-four and one-half acres.

A Democrat is bis political preference, our sub-
ject is first of all an adherent of the principles of
honor and right. Party is little to him. uTespee-
tive of the purposes and plans that it matures and
executes for the benefit of the masses of the people.
lie has held several important offices in the gift of
the township, having been Highway Commissioner
for a number of year.-. He is also School Trustee,
and in this direction his desire is to lit' thoroughly
abreast with the times in educational matters and
to procure for tin- young people of this district
siieh advantages that they will never have occas-

sion to look back with regret upon the day- -pent
in school. Socially lie of whom we write is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, becoming thus
connected about twelve years, (in tin- breaking
out of the war. he enlisted in the Union Army,
in August, 1862, and was mustered into Company
R. of the One Hundred and sixteenth Illinois Regi-
ment, with which he served for a period of six
months, at the expiration of which time, he was
discharged on account of disability. Mr. Shirey is
a man who is not satisfied with mediocrity in any
way. He is not ambitious to possess greal tracts
of land, but does care that that of which he is u« n-
er, should be cultivated to the fullest possible ex-
tent.

' ■ ' &^j |

*5/-"*IloMAs .1. FREELAND, a dealer in grain,
located in Dalton City. Moultrie County,
came here in 1871, and was the first man to
engage in business in the place. He shipped the
first irrain and the first eattle from that station, and
has since continued in this line of business here,
thus constituting himself the pioneer and the old-
est business man in Dalton. Hi- wa- born in Or-
ange County, N". ( .. June 2'.». 1838, his honored
parents being John .Land Mary B. (Craig) Free-
land, both of whom were natives of North Caro-
lina, .lames Freeland, an ancle of our subject,
came to Illinois in 1835 and settled in what has
since been known as Freeland's Point. To that
place he was followed in 1856 by the parents of
our subject, and there they undertook the business
of farming, and made it their permanent home
until death called them to another and better
world, which call came to the father in July,
1*77.

All but one of the eleven children of John .1.
and Mary B. Freeland grew to reach their major-
ity, and are named as follow-: Charles .1.. who i-
a member of the medical profession, and resides
at Rogers, Ark.: Elizabeth C. married Dr. S. 1).
School field and makes her home at Macomb. Mi—.:
Catherine .1. reside- in Moultrie County: Caro-
lina married .1. R. Knight, and died in Moul-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

37:i

trie County: William J. was Major in the
Sixth North Carolina [n fan try, and was mortally

wounded at Fair Oaks, dying al Fortress Monroe;
Mary A., who married the Rev. Clark Louden, a
Presbyterian clergyman of Pierre. S. Dak.; Thomas
J., our subject; Sarah J., who resides in Moultrie
County; John A., who was Captain in the Twenty-
first Illinois Infantry, and now resides in Moultrie
County: Emma T.. wife of J. A. Roney, of De-
catur.

The father of our subject was a Whig in his
political views, and while living in North Carolina
was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Or-
ange County, and Mayor of the town of Hillsboro,
where he engaged in the mercantile business, and
wa- a slaveholder. He was an Elder in the Pres-
byterian Church, which in those days and in that
latitude was not considered inconsistent with hold-
ing in bondage his fellow-creatures. After com-
ing to Illinois he became a Republican, and
ever stood by the political doctrines of that
party.

Our subject had very good school advantages in
his native State, and came with the family to Illi-
nois in 1856. In 1862 he raised a c ipany of

volunteers to fight for the old flag, bu1 being taken
sick, was unable to accompanythis company to the
seat of war. Later he enlisted as a recruit, and
was assigned to Company C, Fifty-ninth Illinois
Infantry, under the command of Gen. Henderson.
He served until November, 1865, and was present
and took part in the battles of Franklin and Nash-
ville, hut most of the time was detailed in the field
hospital department.

After the war this young man engaged in fann-
ing and trading in Moultrie County until he estab-
lished his present business, and was associated with
Mr. .1. A. Roney as partner for some ten years,
after which he undertook business alone. lie has
been successful in his efforts, and is accumulating
a handsome property, as he now owns ninety acres
of land, besides some excellent property in Dalton
and Decatur. He was married in 1 s 7 .", in Cora S.
Dickey, daughter of .1. W. and Nancy Dickey
This lady was born in Marshall, III., where she re-
ceived her early education and training, and she
lias become the mother of one child. .John F. Like

the father, our subject has become devotedly at-
tached to the Republican party, and although he
usually gives all his time to private business, he
took time during the early days of Dalton to
serve the village as the tirst President of the Vill-
age Hoard. He is identified with the Knights Tem-
plar, and i> a prominent and useful member of the
Presbyterian Church.

LFRED R. SCOTT. Moultrie County
Owes much to her thorough, plucky, push-
ing, persevering business men who are an
QJ important element in the alchemy which

through various processes, turns the wealth of
the soil into the gold of commerce. The philos-
opher's stone of the ancient traditions is nothing
to compare with them. Without their interven-
tion which brings into contact the producerand the
consumer, the farmer would be overloaded with
tin' products of the soil and the consumers might
starve for lack of sustenance. Such a man is he
whose name appears at the head of this present
writing.

Mr. Scott is not only the proprietor of the Fx-
change Bank, but also is a miller anil a dealer in
grain, and he has been a resident of Bethany since
1853. In addition to his other lines of business
he was engaged for quite a period (beginning in
1868) in general merchandising. Ten years later
he sold out this interest in older to devote himself
more thoroughly to the grain trade, but in 1.H.S4.
he again purchased the store and carried it on
until 1886. It was in 1887 when he established
the Exchange Hank and he had built the roller
mills in 1881. This latter industry he has carried
on successfully and has now entirely remodeled the
establishment, lie owned and operated the mill
along until 1887 when he associated with himself,
a- a partner in the business. .Mr. .1. O. Holderman.

He of whom we write was born in Macon
County, III.. June 27. 1845. His worthy anil hon-
ored parents. Joseph and Ethealind (Ashmore)
Scott, were natives of Tennessee, who were mar-
ried after coming to Illinois, as each had come to

374

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Moultrie County in early life. The paternal
grandfather of our subject, James Scott, brought

his family to the Prairie State, about the year
1830, settling at Mt. Zion in Macon County, where
he undertook farming, which he pursued until he
was called to the better land.

In 1853 the newly married parents of our sub-
ject located on a farm at Bethany, where the mo-
ther is still living, having become a widow in 1856.
Her four children all grew to years of maturity.
namely: .lames, who was a soldier in the Fifth
Cavalry and subsequently re-enlisted and died in
lsr>.">: Elizabeth .1.. who married James McQuire
and died in 1883 and Alfred R.. our subject who
i> now the only surviving child of his mother"s
little (lock.

The farm, the district school and the Mt. Zion
Academy formed the scenes of the early training
and discipline of our subject, lie left school in
1867 and the following year engaged in business
at Bethany, having previously carried on for one
year the buying and selling of live slock. His
happy married life began in 1868. he being then
united with Mary J. Smith, daughter of Samuel
King Smith. This lady was horn in Kentucky in
1850 and is the happy mother of eight children
who hear the names of Ida. Hugh. Etha, Troy.
Samuel Joseph, Augusta It., Smith Wilson, and
Marie.

This successful business man and hanker had
but a small capital upon which to base the begin-
nings of his present expanded business. His abil-
ities, especially in the line of finance, have brought
him to the front and he has accumulated a hand-
some property and is now building a fine residence
which will be the pride of Bethany. Besides his
enterprises at Bethany, he has also carried on from
1886 to the present year a general store at Cerm
Gordo, which is not only a credit to that town,
but also a source of income to the proprietor.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church and in its com-
munion they are active workers. The Knights
Templar also claim this gentleman as one of their
prominent members. His political views are in
accordance with the platform of the Republican
party and it is his earnest desire that none Other

than a Republican shall ever till the Presidential
chair. As Supervisor of Marrowbone Township
he was during his incumbency of that office the
prominent promoter of every movement for the
welfare of its citizens and the prosperity of the
community.

JlpSFUGUST OTTA. A fine representative of
the foreign element that has been so po-
tent in developing the varied resource- of
this county. Mr. Otta has won an import-
ant place among its most intelligent farmers and
stock-raisers. He has extensive agricultural inter-
ests in Moweaqua ami l'enn Townships, his home be-
ing in the former place. He was born in Brunswick.
German}', February 13, 1844, to Henry and Eliza-
beth Otta. who were likewise natives of Brunswick.
The father of Our subject spenl his entire life in
lii> native land, dying there in 1 <s t s. leaving a
widow and >ix children. Henry, the eldest son.
>till resides in Brunswick; William 'was a soldier
in the Fourth Kansas Cavalry during the war be-
tween the Xortli and South, anil gave up his life
for his adopted country; Fred died in Illinois;
Minnie and Lena arc the names of the two daugh-
ters of the family.

( )ur subject was the youngesl child of his parents.
He was lint four years oid when his father died,
and hi> mother cared for him until he became self-
supporting. She lived for several years after
COmillgtO the United State-, with her children, and
died at the home of a daughter in Madison County,
in 1876. August attended school steadily until
he was fourteen and obtained an excellent educa-
tion in the schools of his native land. He was
afterward employed on a farm by the year until
1861, when he came to this country with his mother
and other members of the family, setting sail from
Bremer Haven on the vessel "Xortli America"' in
September, and landing in New York after a voy-
age of seven weeks and two days.

After his arrival in this country .Mr. Otta came
directly toIUinoisand staid I'm a time in Madison

^-^WtfJ-wwr*.- — —~~-^.- —

T •

RESIDENCE OF AUGUST OTTA , 5EC.24.,MOWEAQUA TR,SHELBY CO., ILL.

Mfflml*m

RESIDENCE OF E.B. S ANNER,SEC. 20. ( PENN TP..SHELBY CO., ILL

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

.177

County, where be was employed on a farm at $50
a year. In 1863 he went to Macoupin County.

and was engaged there as a farm laborer by the
month until 1867, when he came to ShelbyCounty
and entered upon his career as an independent
farmer. He first bought eighty acres of land on
section 24. of Moweaqua Township, on which stood
a small log house. Hesoon erected a more commo-
dious log house which the family occupied some
years, and then erected the substantia] and conven-
iently arranged frame house in which they now
live. A view of this residence may be found on
another page. In his farming operations he has
met with more than ordinary success and has added
to his original purchase from time to time until
he has live hundred and eighty-five acres of well-
improved land, lyingin Moweaqua and Penn Town-
ship-.

In the acquirement of his property Mr. Otta has
received valuable assistance from his wife, to whom
he was wedded in the fall of 186C. Mrs. Otta.
who was formerly Miss Augusta Durfrer, was horn
in Poland, and came to America with her parents
when she was a child of four yeai-s. To her and
our subject have been horn ten children — Henry.
William, Annie. Lizzie. Caroline. Emma, Minnie.
Clara, Bessie and Ilattie.

Mr. ( )tta ha- a clear intellect, cool judgment and
sound sense, and these traits, no less than a good
capacity for work and ready business tact, have
gained him the honorable place that he occupies
to-day among his fellow-farmers and makes him a
good example of our self-made men. lie i- well-
informed, ha- a good general knowledge of politics,
and in that regard holds himself independent of all
parties, preferring to use his own judgment in
voting for men and measures. Religiously he was
reared in the Lutheran Church, and still hold- to
that faith.

1 (5) A.CHEL D. MULLEN. It being the purpose

\ / of the biographical writer to record for the

V benefit of posterity the names and deeds of

those worthy of remembrance, he would fail in his

purpose were he to omit from this volume some

account, however brief, of Mr. Mullen, who now
represents I. owe Township on the Moultrie County
Board of Supervisors. He has been the recipient
of this honor, as well as others, from his fellow-
citizens, who have recognized his sagacity and
ability, and have often called upon him to assisl
in the management of public affairs.

The family of which Mr. Mullen is an honored
member included -ix children, a- follows — Harriet.
Vachel I).. Isabella, Harry. Mary and Edwin. The
parents were Francis C. and Xanc\ (Dean) Mullen.
natives respectively of Delaware and Indiana.
They were married in Vigo County, Ind., where
they first settled and whence they removed to Illi-
nois in 1850. They settled in what is now Doug-
la- County, of which they have since been resi-
dents. The father follows the avocation of a
farmer, and is honorable and conscientious in his
dealings with those about him. considerate and
kindly in social and domestic life, and with his
good wife enjoys the esteem of the community
where they reside.

Our subject, the eldest son in the family, was
born September 28, 1845, upon an island in the
Wabash River, in Vigo County. Ind. In the home
of his birth he spent the first five year.- of his life.
and was then brought by his parents to Illinois.
lb grew to a stalwart manhood in Douglas
County, where he attended the common Schools of
the district ami learned by experience many lessons
even more valuable than those conned on the rude
benches of the temple of learning. He began his
career a poor boy. hut put his shoulder to the
wheel with SO much energy that hi- present prop-
erty is the result.

For twenty years Mr. Mullen has received the
active and devoted assistance of a faithful wife,
who has shared his joy- and sorrows, his hopes anil
disappointments, and who with him can now reap
the harvest of the efforts of former years. This es-
timable lady bore the maiden name of Catherine
Crist, and was born in Muhlenberg County, Ky.,
February 22, 1848. The ceremony which united
her in marriage with Mr. Mullen was performed in
Douglas County. III.. Match 2. 1871, and after
that important event the young couple settled in
1. owe Town-hip on -eetion I. of which the\ have

378

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

since been residents. Their family comprises live
children— Myra B., Alfred H., Effie N., May and
Winona.

In his chosen life work, farming, Mr. Mullen has
been greatly prospered, and one hundred and
twenty acres now pay tribute to his care and culti-
vation. In political affaire he lakes a lively inter-
est and is a prominent member of the Democrat
party. He has held the office of School Director,
a position for which he was well qualified by edu-
cation, deep interest in the cause and enemy of
character. lie was elected Supervisor of Lowe
Township in the spring of 1889, and in that re-
sponsible position is doing much to advance the
interests of his community. In his religi6us views
he is liberal. lie is one of the most enterprising
and public spirited of men. and without neglecting
his personal affairs finds time to do much to ad-
vance the common welfare.

—5-

^i>*<i=^=--^

V EV. JAMES H. CROWDER. The peculiar

characteristics of social and industrial life
1 \ in Marrowbone Township. Moultrie County.
\£) have been largely shaped by the note-
worthy family one of whose honored representa-
tives is the gentleman whose name appeal's at the
opening of this sketch. Their influence, which is
broad and aggressive, is felt in every department
of life and is ever exerted to promote ail move-
ments looking to the upbuilding of the township.
The honored parents of our subject arc spoken of
more at length in a sketch of Mr. D. M. Crowder,
which appeal's elsewhere in this volume.

The reverend gentleman of whom we write IS
tin- seventh in order of age in a family of ten and
was born in Marrowbone Township. Moultrie
County, but then Shelby -County, March 4, 1M42.
Here he received his early training both upon the
farm and in the district school, and afterward at-
tended Mt. Zion Academy, being for two years
under the valuable tutorship of Dr. A. .1. Mc-
Glumphy. His father's farm remained his home
until the occurrence of a most important event in
lli>- life of the young man — his marriage, which

took place in Taylorvilie, this State. August 13,
1862. He had taught in the meantime two win-
ters and one summer in Marrowbone Township
ami then enlisted in the service of his country
•Inly 31. 1862. joining Company A, One Hundred
and Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, m which he
Served until August 1. 186;").

The wedded pair, so soon called to part by the
tin- exigencies of war. bade each other farewell and
the young private marched away under his coun-
try's Hag. He was soon promoted to a Sergeantcy
and was detailed as private secretary and confi-
dential messenger to (Jen. Nathan Kimball in
command of Second Division. Sixteenth Army
Corps. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg
and at the battle of Satarcia June 6. 1*1)2. he suf-
fered from sunstroke. He also took part in the
Arkansas expedition, the capture of Little Rock
and the battles of Clarendon and Saline. In all
of this experience he proved himself a valiant sol-
dier, a loyal and devoted friend of the Union and
an officer upon whom reliance might safely be
placed.

■■When the cruel war was over" the soldier re-
turned to his wife and home in Marrowbone
Township and resumed farming and stock-raising,
in which he was engaged exclusively until 1873,
when he took upon himself the vows of a Chris-
tian minister. He first settled in Casner. Macon
County, and later at Elwin, in the same county.
After one year there he spent a year at Locust
Grove, Shelby County, and a year at Pleasant
Grove, Logan County, after which he returned to
Casner for a year and was at Shiloh. DeWitt
County, for three years. He was then located in
Springfield, 111., for two years, and for two yeai>
at Oakland. Macon County, of which chmch he is
the present pastor. During ten years of this pe-
riod of his ministry he continued to reside upon
his farm, which is a line tract of five hundred
acres, upon which he has erected a beautiful home
and excellent farm buildings.

The maiden name of Mrs. Crowder was Maggie
A. Wear, and she is a daughter of .1. M. and Je-
mima Wear, now deceased. She was born in Fay-
ette County. 111.. October 11. 1845, and was given
by her parents the best available opportunity for

PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

379

an education. As a wife and mother she is faith-
ful and judicious, as a neighbor is warmly appre-
ciated and as a minister's wife is a true helper in

the work (if the Lord. She lias seven children,
namely: Ora J., the wife Of Thomas Stables; Kllie
B., now Mrs. T. X. Hunt; Robert M.. who married
Miss I. ilia K. Wellman; Delia and Earl. One child
died in infancy and a little daughter, Katie .1..
was taken from her loving parents when she had
reached the age of seven years.

The Rev. Mr. Crowder has been a successful min-
ister of the United Brethren Church, and under
his preaching, which has been of an evangelistic
nature, he has reason to believe that as many as
fifteen hundred soids have found the way of life,
lie is a member of Post No. 17ii. G. A. R.. and
has been Chaplain of his post and a delegate to
the State Encampment. In this connection he
conceived the idea of organizing all the posts in
the county, and as the result of his movement
Moultrie County is thus organized, lie is not
only a devout Christian hut a broad-seeing and
earnest man