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L  I  E>  RARY 

OF  THE 

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Shelby  and  Moultrie  Counties,  Illinois. 


CONTAINING 


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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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FIRST  PRESIDENT. 


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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*>inCdull. 


JdnJdmk) 


SEOONB  PRESIDENT. 


-««*- 


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■■■■ .'■ WW."'"-."'.  "7YYVYYYYYYY"    ' / ' 


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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- 


24 


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. 


fe#^^>7e. 


THIRD  FMESIDEXT. 


27 


THOMAS  JEPPEESD^     if 


a 


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 


28 


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 


J 


/■  (Z/OC*-*-^       ,tsV(, 


/Zt-XC-^-f  £' 


FOURTH  PRESIDENT. 


3' 


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 


3* 


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 
crcw  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';"'- 


' 


7 


^e^L. 


FIFTH  PRESIDENT. 


35 


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, 


36 


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  LTnited  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 


30 


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 


10 


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*^ 


1 


O  7  yuct  <yz^yJu*^<^ 


EIGHTH  PRESIDENT. 


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5p 

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    24i    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 


4S 


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. 


5^ 


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. 


\y 


'-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 


56 


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. 


59 


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


1 


"a 


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. 


63 


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- 


04 


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, 
rrom  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 
vVhig  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^ 


I 


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 


7i 


^j_.e^ 


•.•'.-.■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 


72 


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. 


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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- 


76 


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. 


-•-' 


9^ 


e^&^cT^ 


S1XTEEXTJI  PRSS/DENT. 


79 


<  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  forever  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 


Jc 


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. 


"/^UK^^c^y^ 


^K^^LC^t^ 


SE I  ENTEENTH  PRESIDE  A  T. 


*:> 


m 


ViY  O  K  W,  V(    ,ir)-ai>f?5Q 


^"fes^r  ^r' 


«k^^ 


1: 


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-.. 


84 


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  free  States  of  the  North  should  return  to  the 
South  persons  who  attempted  to  escape  from  slavery. 

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


8? 


*v  xvv-  >^  • 


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 


88 


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. 


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NINETEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


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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 


92 


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  th3 
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  : 


go 


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. 


go 


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. 


tx 


■tf* 


TWENTY  -THIRD  PRESIDENT. 


Jtj. 


•c*o-g>Xi3)-<>*0— 


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&^ 


O) 


'^^^^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  360  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. 


Il5 


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. 


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~>     AT  \  -fe 


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lYiiiian  Edwards 


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■>>— 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,  af 
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  well1 
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. 


r^ 


<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 
re  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  "ras  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<»Ctitt-  -  5>*^TvgSNi>^zra^  fflar^ ' 


— •«£?— • — n — •~,3c»— 


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?M 


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- 


•  36 


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. 


Ok 


{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 


!40 


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. 


.'  ■' ; .' :  if  .v  : .' :  /  :  .r^i'  :)■:»■ :  ■'  ?*} :v :  i. :.  :i.:v.li:v.1.  w-\  ic\ 


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, 


152 


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 
face  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. 


Ml 


D 


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 
vie  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- 


EP 


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. 


f) 


(7VVERXORS  OF  1LLIXOIS. 


171 


•. '.  .  •.  •. '. : '. : ',  : '.  •  ■, ;  •.  •.  '■  •. v..',  •.  ■,  •. '.  •.  >y.> :  >•  :  11 : .'  : .' :  v  .* .' .'  ■' .'  i'_.jr  ■'  itssit^>'^?i'^ 


3K 


\, 


: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|^  '<Jge-  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^ 


r76 


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:oas: 


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 

!l 

<;:! 
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  the1  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: 


e_ 


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. 


4# 


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. 


/ 


® 


f 


- 


%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-ipegs_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. 


^N 


/-*  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  uf  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"ti,ii  %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  an1  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.  howrever, 
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  children,  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 


r 


N 


\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. 


_s 


£+£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  bef'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  (Tolly7)  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. 


X 


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  heri1.  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  tin1   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. 


V_ 


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. 


*H 


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  - 


- 
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. 


it 


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  hi1  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. 


^i 


m 


m, 


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. 


£+£{ 


~S 


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  hevhas  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  tin1 
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. 


r- 


_   ! 


m. 


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'i11  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. 


V. 


/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 

VS^#      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. 


• 


c- 


~>&- 


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=->WO  .1.1      )  > 


I  '  I  '     III' 


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. 


V 


♦=♦=♦ 


_^ 


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-^  ^ 


.- 


A 


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. 


y^ 


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)  Pavs   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. 


V 


-S-ss-I-=* 


r 


•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 


:  '--  ■  ■    -    •    -  -.      •:^-=> .•  -V.J-"  \&& 


'.'  ■ ' ":^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. 


r 


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. 


_=] 


^W 


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 


' 


1 


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  tin1  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  184l.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  3rears,  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 


€ 


1 


. 


fe5/    <-\^k 


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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  Count3r. 


•:•      -:•      * 


/  •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  <_renerally 
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 
xVt/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. 


4# 


=^§* 


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  of  public  spirit,  who  is  ever  ready  to 
sacrifice  his  personal  ambition  for  the  welfare  of 
the  community. 


V 


JACOB  JONES.  Although  the  competition 
in  the  agricultural  business  is  vastly  more 
year  by  year,  new  and  improved  methods 
and  the  aid  which  science  has  extended  to 
the  farmer,  with  the  carrying  facilities  offered  by 
railroads  which  are  stretching  out  in  every  direc- 
tion in  an  intricate  net  work  that  covers  every 
needy  agricultural  region,  make  the  production  so 
much  greater,  and  the  choice  of  markets  so  much 
easier  that  the  virgin  freshness  of  the  prairie  .-oil 
an  early  advantage  is  more  than  counter  balanced. 
There  is  not  so  much  drudgery  in  the  life  of  a 
farmer  now  as  formerly.  He  can  live  and  enjoy  it 
having  time  to  perceive  about  him  the  beauties  of 
nature,  and  to  enter  into  sympathy  with  every 
branch  of  his  calling.  Our  subject  is  one  who 
appreciates  the  new  method  of  agricultural  propri- 


etorship, and  the  farm  of  which  he  is  owner, 
located  on  section  2;").  of  I.ovington  Township 
shows  evidence  that  he  has  put  into  practice  his 
theories  upon  this  subject. 

'The  original  of  our  sketch  is  the  son  of  David 
Jones  who  was  a  native  of  Cumberland  County, 
Ky.  His  mother  was  Elizabeth  Fiscus,  also  a 
native  of  that  county.  'They  removed  at  an 
early  day  to  Morgan  County.  Ind..  and  there  lived 
for  forty  years.  Their  decease  took  place  at  their 
homestead.  Our  subject  was  the  second  ill  order 
of  birth  in  the  parental  family,  which  comprised 
eight  children.  He  was  born  October  2.  1837.  in 
Morgan  County.  Ind.  and  was  reared  in  his  native 
place,  remaining  under  the  home  roof  until  he 
came  to  Illinois  in   1862. 

Upon  his  advent  into  this  State,  he  of  whom  we 
write  at  once  came  to  Moultrie  County  and  settled 
in  Covington  'Township,  where  he  has  since  been 
a  resident.  'The  next  most  important  event  in  his 
career,  was  his  marriage,  which  took  place  iu  the 
village  of  Lovingtpn,  July  2(i.  18t;:5.  His  bride 
was  Miss  Mary  E.  (lore,  a  daughter  of  Allen 
(lore,  for  whose  history  see  biographical  sketch  in 
another  part  of  this  volume.  Mrs.  Jones  was  born 
in  Lovington  Township.  May  1,  1844.  and  until 
her  marriage  lived  at  home,  [earning  the  accom- 
plishments that  were  then  fashionable  for  young 
ladies.  But  two  children  nave  come  to  gladden 
the  home  and  be  the  prop  and  comfort  of  their 
parents'  declining  years.  'They  are  by  name 
Stanton  A.  and  Lucy  E. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  has  always  devoted 
himself  to  the  calling  of  a  farmer  and  before  he 
came  to  this  State,  while  as  a  young  man  he  had 
been  well  trained  in  the  processes  and  methods  by 
which  agricultural  life  could  be  made  financially 
successful,  and  since  then  by  the  introduction  of 
improved  machinery,  he  has  learned  how  it  can 
also  be  made  pleasant  and  not  so  arduous  as 
formerly.  He  is  the  owner  here  of  eighty  acres  of 
land  which  is  under  good  improvement.  It  is 
well  located  and  fenced,  and  has  a  good  class  'if 
buildings.  'The  home  is  built  for  comfort  rather 
than  for  show,  and  serves  its  purpose  well.  He 
has  good  barns  and  a  line  grade  of  stock.  Politi- 
cally he  is   an  adherent   of  the    Republican  party 


380 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


and  the  lines  of  argument  in  governmental  affairs 
are  such  as  appeal  to  him  as  being  the  most  reason- 
able and  those  that  will  conduce  to  the  general 
growth  of  every  department  of  life  in  the  United 
States.  He  has  held  several  local  positions  in  the 
Township,  having  been  School  Director,  which 
position  has  been  most  satisfactorily  filled.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jones  are  both  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  are  a  warm  hearted,  generous  people, 
ready  to  assist  in  any  measure  that  promises  to 
benefit  either  needy  individuals  or  the  general 
mass  of  humanity. 

Mr.  .lours  enlisted  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion, 
March  1.  I860,  in  Company  II.  of  the  Eighteenth 
Illinois  Regiment,  lie  tiist  entered  the  army  as  a 
private  and  was  soon  promoted  to  the  position  of 
Corporal.  He  was  engaged  in  service  for  one  year 
and  was  mustered  out  at  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.,  after 
which  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  .Moultrie 
County,  where  he  ha-  ever  since  been  a  resident, 
lie  is  a  membei  of  1'i>m  No.  ■">.">  1  of  <..  A.  R.  in 
Lovington.  -V  quiet  and  unpretentious  man.  our 
subject  is  one  whose  example  and  precepts  cannot 
hut  have  their  weight  in  any  community,  and  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  they  have  been  felt  for  good 
here  in  Lovington  Township,  lie  and  his  family  are 
among  the  most  highly  respected  residents  in  the 
Township. 

KNKV  C.  SHEPARD.  A  native  of  the 
r  J  Green  Mountain  state,  our  subject  earrj 
imbibed  the  spirit  of  Yankee  shrewdness 
X*j  which  distinguishes  the  "down  Easters," 
modified  and  blended  by  the  influence  that  his  fa- 
ther as  a  professional  man  brought  into  the  family. 
His  mother  was  a  typical  New  England  woman, 
with  a  large  degree  of  ability,  and  deeply  versed  in 
all  branches  of  the  culinary  art.  one  who  governed 
her  household  with  a  firm  hand,  and  at  the  same 
time  was  gentle  and  mild.  His  father  w*  Dr.  Ros- 
well  Shepard.  a  native  of  Barry,  Vt.,  and  his  mother 
was  Lydia  (Sprague)  Shepard,  who  was  born  in 
Brimfield,  that  state.  The  father  practiced  his  pro- 
fession in  Vermont,    Massachusetts  and  New  York. 


and  from  the  last  named  State  removed  to  Pick- 
away County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  his  de- 
cease, which  occurred  in  Palestine,  that  county. 

The  widow  of  Dr.  Roswell  Shepard.  came  to 
Moultrie  County  and  spent  her  last  days  with  our 
subject,  who  hail  previous  to  this,  settled  here.  He 
was  the  third  child  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of 
five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Neman 
died  when  two  years  old.  and  Hamblin  died  after 
reaching  maturity:  he  was  killed  in  Shrevesport.'La. 
Henry  C.  was  born  in  Montpelier.  Yt..  May  11.  1826, 
he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  his  father  went  to 
Pickaway  County,  Ohio.  There  he  grew  to  man- 
hood, continuing  to  live  under  his  father's  roof 
until  1841,  when  he  determined  to  strike  out  in  a 
new  direction  for  himself,  and  to  see  what  the 
world  contained  for  a  young  man  with  strength. 
energy  and  ambition,  lie  engaged  in  various  kinds 
of  business,  and  for  a  time  was  employed  by  A.  Mc- 
Crea  in  the  dry-goods  business,  during  which  time 
he  fa  lined  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land. 
This  was  in  ls.">4.  the  divest  year  known  up  to  the 
present  time. 

After  his  advent  into  this  county,  our  subject 
was  engaged  for  a  period  of  three  years  in  farming 
and  dealing  in  stock,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
time  he  returned  to  Pickway  County,  and  there  re- 
mained until  1879.  He  was  engaged  in  trading, 
and  during  the  war.  was  occupied  as  sutler  in  the 
army  for  two  or  three  years.  After  that  he  went 
to  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  and  was  there  married, 
December  11.  1*62.  to  Miss  Jennie  Armstrong,  who 
was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  William  Armstrong.  This  gentleman  died  at 
the  age  of  ninety-three  years.  By  this  marriage  he 
of  whom  we  write  became  the  father  of  two  chil- 
dren: Harry  1)..  a  resident  of  Columbus.  Ohio:  and 
William  A.,  who  lives  on  his  father's  farm  in  Lov- 
ington  Township.  Mrs.  Jennie  shepard  died  Au- 
gust   22.    1K67.  deeply  mourned   by   husband   and 

soils. 

In  1879  Mr.  Shepard  returned  to  Moultrie  County 
and  settled  on  section  2.  Lovington  Township, 
where  he  has  since  been  a  resident.  Since  his  re- 
turn he  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming,  and 
has  made  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  of  finehorses, 
Inning    some  thoroughbreds   upon    his    place   that 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIO  SRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


381 


have  been  registered.  He  also  i>  the  owner  of  some 
fine  Short-horn  cattle,  and  breeds  the  same.  He  is 
the  proprietor  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  oi 
land  which  boasts  the  best  of  improvements.  His 
buildings  are  first  class,  and  the  appointments  of 
his  place  show  him  to  lie  a  thorough  fanner  and 
general  manager. 

Politically  Mr.  Shepard  has  always  fraternized 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  although  personal 
worth  is  more  to  him  than  party  favor,  he  recog- 
nizes the  fact  that  divided  allegiance  doe-  not  tend 
to  the  strengthening  of  government.  He  has  tilled 
the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  nio-t  accept- 
ably. 

After  his  marriage,  the  original  of  our  sketch 
purchased  a  large  farm  in  Pickaway  County.  Ohio, 
which  he  carried  on  in  connection  with  stork  breed- 
ing and  dealing.  Although  a  portion  of  his  time 
spent  in  Ohio  was  passed  in  Columbus,  which  was 
the  city  of  his  residence,  he  carried  on  general 
farming  for  the  greater  portion  of  his  time.  In 
1875  he  undertook  the  management  of  a  larger 
tract  of  land,  comprising  about  one  thousand  acres, 
at  the  same  lime  operating  his  own  farm.  He  also 
had  charge  of  ten  miles  of  turnpike,  and  -ettled 
three  e.-tates  which  entailed  no  small  amount  of 
work  and  time.  In  lis.")."),  when  our  subject  first 
came  to  Moultrie  County,  he  rode  on  horseback 
from  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  to  Lovington,  and 
although  the  journey  must  have  been  tedious  ami 
tiresome,  no  such  idea  of  the  resources  and  nature 
of  the  land  can  be  gained  now-a-days  in  our  whirls 
l'\  night  and  day  over  hundreds  of  miles,  as  in  the 
equestrian  journey,  enjoyed  at  that  time,  by  our 
subject.  A  man  of  many  resources,  Mr.  Shepard 
has  been  able  to  meet  and  disarm  every  unfavor- 
able barrier  to  his  progress  in  life,  lie  i»  a  success- 
ful farmer  and  an  intelligent  man.  possessing 
personally,  great  advantages.  A  tine  conversa- 
tionalist, his  experience  with  men  and  hi-  dealings 
in  various  fields,  have  given  him  a  knowledge  of 
human  nature  that  enables  him  to  enjoy  it  in  all  its 
phases.  No  rascal  so  smooth  or  finished  but  who. 
to  him.  has  some  redeeming  trait.  No  man  so  good, 
but  that  he  has  his  frailties  that  are  to  be  condoned 
Although  he  has  been  so  largely  engaged  in  busi- 
ness, with  50  much  to  occupy  his   time    and    atten- 


tion in  the  various  periods  of  hi-  career  his  pass- 
word to  success  has  ever  been  thoroughness  and  an 

adherence  to  the  principle-  of  rectitude  and  honor. 
I Ii^  sons  an-  men  grown,  who  have  taken  upon 
themselves  the  responsibilities  of  life,  and  have  es- 
tablished home-  of  their  own.  Harry  1).  married 
Mi>s  Nora  Shirey,  and  i-  the  head  of  a  pleasant 
home;  William  A.,  who  married  Miss  Marietta 
Mark-.  i>  a  farmer  in  Lovington  Township,  and 
young  a-  he  i-.  has  already  acquired  a  reasonable 
degree  of  success. 


AMES  H.  VADAKIX.  M.  1)..  Ph.  (i..  i>  a 
practicing  physician  at  Bethany,  well-known 
in  this  part  of  the  state  as  for  ten  year.-  he 
has  been  here  an  extensive  merchant.  He 
was  born  in  Sullivan,  111..  March  30,  1861  and  is  a 
son  of  Henry  F.  and  Aseneth  (Clemmons)  Vada- 
kin.  The  former  was  a  native  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tain State  where  the  Yadakin  family  ha-  lived  for 
several  generations,  the  paternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject  being  there  a  miller  at  an  early  day. 
Philip  Yadakin,  grandfather  of  him  of  whom  we 
write,  came  to  this  state  in  an  early  day  and  set- 
tled in  East  Neslon  Township,  Moultrie  County. 
«here  he  was  about  the  first  settler.  He  it  was, 
who  platted  and  laid  out  the  town,  which  was  in- 
tended originally  to  become  the  County  Seat  of 
Moultrie  County,  lie  having  settled  previous  to  the 
formation  of  the  county.  There  he  passed  his  re- 
maining years  ami  his  remains  lie  interred  in  East 
Nelson  Town-hip. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  but  a  boy  when 
the  family  came  to  what  was  then  the  far  West, 
but  young  as  he  was,  he  performed  the  duties  of 
driver,  from  Vermont  to  Illinois,  his  beasts  of  bur- 
den being  a  yoke  of  oxen.  He  was  studious  and 
fond  of  books,  and  was  hi-  own  teacher  to  a  great 
degree.  He  entered  the  public  school-  a-  a  teacher 
and  saving  the  money  that  he  earned  in  thi-  way. 
he  was  enabled  before  a  great  while  to  engage  in 
business  at  Sullivan,  about  the  time  that  place  be- 
came the  county  seat     His  first  effort  in  a  business 


382 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIO  IRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


way  was  made  in  general  merchandise,  and  later  lie 
engaged  in  the  drug  track1,  although  the  la>t  busi- 
ness with  which  he  occupied  himself  was  that  of  a 
grocer.  Some  years  before  his  death  lie  retired 
from  active  business  life,  being  enabled  to  live 
comfortably  on  the  interest  of  what  he  had  accu- 
mulated, having  been  successful  in  business.  His 
death  occurred  in   1888. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Shelby 
County,  she  being  a  second  cousin  of  Samuel  Clem- 
mons.  better  known  under  his  nom  de  plume  of 
.Mark  Twain,  she  died  in  1873.  Roth  parents 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  were  deeply  interested  in  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel  work.  Politically  the  father  was  a  Demo- 
crat and  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  held  the 
post  of  Coroner  of  this  county.  They  were  the 
parents  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  Three  of 
the  sons,  however,  died  in  infancy,  and  only  four 
children  are  now  living  (  lx'.H  ).  namely:  Dora,  Mrs. 
Kilner,  of  Sullivan;  Aggie  is  the  wife  of  W.  1!. 
Townsend  and  resides  in  Shelbyville;  .lames  II. 
our  subject,  and  Edward  Lincoln  who  is  the  editor 
of  the  Forest  Cit\    Times  at  Forest  City.  Ark. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  of  Sullivan  and  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Rockford  High  School  and  also  of 
Becker's  Business  College  at  Rockford.  111.,  after 
which  he  entered  the  School  of  Pharmacy  at  Car- 
bondale,  this  State,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  1882.  Thus  fitted  for  active  life,  in  the  same 
year  he  established  a  drug  business  at  Bethany, 
having  previously  clerked  in  a  drug  store  at 
Sullivan.  To  this  business  he  added  a  general 
stock  of  goods  and  carried  on  a  large  and  success- 
ful trade.  During  these  years  he  also  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  patent  medicines,  among 
them  being  "Casterole,"  --Yadakin's  Instant  Re- 
lief," ■■Sticky  Fly  Paper."  and  some  fifty  other 
things,  and  being  a  thorough  business  man  and  a 
liberal  advertiser  at  that  time,  his  remedies  soon 
became  known. 

Throughout  his  business  career,  he  had  been 
constantly  engaged  in  reading  medicine  and  in 
1890  entered  the  Kentucky  School  of  Medicine. 
That  same  year  he  graduated  in  microscopy,  sur- 
gery  and  chemistry.     In  1891  he  graduated  in  the 


full  medical  course,  receiving  the  degree  of  M.  D. 
with  highest  honors.  A  diploma  for  bacteriology 
was  also  conferred  upon  him.  During  his  college 
course  he  acted  as  assistant  demonstrator  in  sur- 
gery, microscopy  and  pathology,  assisting  Dr. 
Matthews  in  treating  diseases  of  the  rectum.  On 
leaving  the  college  he  was  the  recipient  of  fine 
testimonials  from  his  preceptors. 

In  1891,  our  subject  sold  his  general  business  at 
Bethany  and  gave  his  entire  attention  to  his  pro- 
fession. In  ls.s.'S  Dr.  Yadakin  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Nora  51.  daughter  of  W.  L.  T.  Meaeham,  a 
merchant  at  Waverly,  111.,  and  successor  to  the 
Doctor  in  his  business  at  Bethany.  Mrs.  Vadakin 
was  horn  in  Waverly  this  state.  May  1.  1864.  She 
has  presented  her  husband  with  three  children: 
Diamond  is  the  only  one  living,  and  is  a  sunny 
tempered  child  of  seven  years;  the  two  youngest 
whose  names  were  Ruby  and  Pearl,  died  in  child- 
hood. The  latter  was  hut  five  years  of  age  when 
her  death  occurred  at  Louisville.  Ivy..  June  13, 
1891.  The  little  thing  was  bright  and  had  a  re- 
markable voice  for  one  so  young. 

Politically  the  original  of  our  sketch  is  a  Demo- 
crat although  lie  gives  hut  small  attention  to  poli- 
tics, except  to  perform  his  duties  as  a  citizen.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  <  trder  of  (  >dd  Fellow,-  and  also  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  being  Camp 
Physician  of  said  fraternity.  He  is  also  local  sur- 
geon for  the  Peoria.  Decatur  i\-  Fvansville  Kail- 
road. 


AMI/EL  s.  ANDERS*  >N.  A  beautiful  farm 
^&^L  on  section  1'.'.  LovingtOn  Township,  is  the 
home  of  Mr.  Anderson  and  his  interesting 
family.  Hi-  estate  consists  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  all  under  cultivation,  sup- 
plied witli  a  complete  set  of  farm  buildings  and 
fittingly  adorned  with  trees  and  shrubs.  The  per- 
fect tillage  of  the  broad  tields.  the  good  arrange- 
ment of  the  buildings  and  the  appearance  of  home 
comfort   which   is  manifest,  make  the  farm  one  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


- 


the  most  attractive  seen  by  :i  passing  traveler.  Mr. 
Anderson  gives  his  attention  t<>  general  fanning 
in  which  he  is  more  than  ordinarily  successful. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
March  10,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (McKibben)  Anderson,  natives  of  Wash- 
ington County.  Pa.  The  parents  firsl  settled  in 
Washington  County  removing  thence  to  Licking 
County.  Ohio,  where  the  father  died  in  1840.  The 
mother  survived  many  years,  coming  West  to  Moul- 
trie County  and  dying  in  the  village  of  Lovington 
August  3.  1885.  They  had  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren, of  whom  our  subject  was  the  seventh  in  or- 
der of  birth.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his 
native  place,  receiving  the  advantages  of  a  good 
common-school  education  and  assisting  1 1 1  —  widowed 
mother  in  the  maintenance  of  the  family. 

In  September,  1856, Mr.  Anderson  removed  from 
the  Buckeye  Mate  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Moultrie 
County  and  entering  upon  farming  operations. 
lie  had  been  reared  upon  a  farm  and  having  a 
natural  aptitude  for  agriculture,  naturally  chose  it 
for  his  life  work.  He  ha-  been  successful  in  his 
chosen  avocation  and  has  received  in  every  enter- 
prise the  cheerful  co-operation  of  his  wife,  with 
whom  lie  was  united  iu  marriage  in  Lovington 
Township,  June  9,  1859.  Mrs.  Anderson  1 'ore  the 
maiden  name  of  Phebe  Bushfield  and  i-  a  daughter 
of  the  late  •  leorge  and  Mary  <  McKeever)  Bushfield. 
She  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Ohio,  in  January, 
1841,  and  accompanied  her  parent-  to  this  county. 
Her  refinement  and  culture  win  for  her  warm 
friends  wherever  she  is  known,  while  her  hospital- 
ity and  kindliness  of  heart  are  well  known. 

Whitley  Township  was  the  first  home  of  Mr.  ami 
Mrs.  Anderson  after  their  marriage  and  there  they 
remained  two  years,  improving  their  farm  and  be- 
coming known  as  good  neighbors  ami  estimable 
citizens.  Their  next  home  was  in  Lovington 
Township  where  they  have  since  resided, and  where, 
a-  above  stated,  he  has  become  the  owner  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  tine  land.  IIi>  estate 
with  its  commodious  residence  and  substantial  out- 
buildings shows  what  may  be  accomplished  by 
unceasing  perseverance  and  good  business  manage- 
ment. He  may.  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word.be 
called  a  self-made    man.  for  when    he  started    out 


for  himself  he  had  no  capital  save  good  health  and 
untiring  energy.  Now  his  finely  improved  farm 
stand-  a-  a  lasting  monument  of  his  efforts. 

Politically  Mr.  Anderson  isa  Democrat  although 
in  voting  for  local  elections  he  i>  independent  ami 
always  casts  his  ballot  for  the  candidate  whom  he 
thinks  will  best  represent  the  people.  Mr-.  An- 
derson is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Method is1 
Episcopal  Church,  and  he  i>  a  believer  in  and 
supporter  of  the  doctrines  of  Christianity.  He  pos- 
sesses in  a  full  degree  those  sterling  traits  of  char- 
acter which  mark  a  good  man  and  a  worthy  citizen, 
who  i-  always  true  to  himself  and  to  others,  ami 
conscientiously  discharges  every  duty  that  devolves 
upon  him. 


*eh 


-f&> 


f  OIIN  T.  LOVING.  We  are  pleased  to  men- 
tion among  the  prominent  families  of  Dora 
Township.  Moultrie  County,  the  Loving 
(^J  family,  which  has  been,  in  its  various  mem- 
bers, identified  with  the  interests  of  this  county 
for  many  years.  A  brother  of  our  subject  appear- 
in  another  biographical  -ketch  in  the  pages  of  this 
Re<  ord  and  the  one  of  whom  we  now  write,  who 
i-  the  Supervisor  of  the  town-hip.  residing  on  sec- 
tion -2->.  date-  his  residence  in  the  county  from  the 
year  1*07.  He  i-  a  son  of  Jasper  D.  and  Maria  J. 
(  Me— en  Loving  and  was  born  in  McLean  County. 
April  19,  1863,  being  upon  the  -nine  day  when  his 
grandfather,  Taylor  Loving,  expired.  Fuller  de- 
tails of  the  history  of  the  family  reaching  back  to 
previous  generations  "ill  be  found  in  the  bio- 
graphy of  Frank  M.  Loving. 

Our  subject  was  but  four  years  old  when  the 
family  came  to  Moultrie  County,  and  here  he 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
grew  tip  to  undertake  the  arduous  but  pleasant 
pursuit  <>f  a  fanner.  Laura  F.  Harper  was  the 
maiden  name  of  the  lady  who  united  her  fortunes 
with  his  in  marriage,  December  29,  1881.  she  i> 
a  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  Ann  (McMullen) 
Harper  and  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 
December  18,  1864.  She  made  the  acquaintance 
of  our  subject  while  on  a  vi-it  to  Moultrie  County. 


38  I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


and  they  were  married  after  her  return  to  Madi- 
son County, Ohio.  They  have  had  one  son.  Clyde, 
who  was  taken  from  their  arms  by  death  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  months. 

Mr.  Loving  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  the  same 
being  a  portion  of  the  old  homestead.  In  the 
spring  of  18K4  he  removed  to  Montgomery  County. 
Kan.,  where  lie  remained  until  1889,  when  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  although  lie  still  retains  his 
ownership  in  the  eights'  acres  of  land  which  he 
acquired  while  there.  lie  has  made  all  the 
improvements  which  have  been  placed  upon  his 
home  farm,  and  his  residence  is  a  pleasant  one  and 
delightfully  situated.  In  political  matters  he  is 
independent  of  party  ties  and  is  now  serving  his 
second  term  as  Supervisor.  Roth  he  and  his  good 
wife  are  prominent  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  in  which  they  are  counted  as  faithful 
helpers. 


ENRY  C.  WOOD.  It  has  been  said  that 
)li  merit  is  the  only  distinction,  and  none  will 
deny  that  those  who  have  been  industrious, 
frugal  and  honest,  are  deserving  of  recog- 
nition by  their  fellow-men.  These  qualities  have 
characterized  Mr.  Wood  in  his  dealings  with  man- 
kind, his  labor  for  personal  advancement  and  his 
connection  with  social  affairs.  He  has  for  many 
years  been  numbered  among  the  influential  farmers 
of  Moultrie  County,  having  a  goodly  tract  of  land 
on  section  10,  Lowe  Township.  He  raises  on  his 
two  hundred  acres  crops  of  various  grains,  equal 
in  quality  and  quantity  to  any  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  has  also  erected  good  barns  and  com- 
modious out-buildings  for  the  storage  of  grain  and 
shelter  of  stock. 

Mr.  Wood  is  the  son  of  Eli  and  Nancy  (Moon) 
Wood,  uatives  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  re- 
spectively. Very  early  in  life  they  came  to  Indi- 
ana, whence  they  removed  to  Illinois  in  1847, 
locating  in  what  is  now  Douglas  County.  They 
there  remained  until  called  hence  by  death.  The 
father  was  an  energetic  ami   upright  man,  univer- 


sally esteemed  and  respected.  The  parental  family 
included  live  daughters  and  two  sons,  our  subject 
being  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth.  Knox  County. 
hid.,  was  his  birthplace  and  his  natal  day  Novem- 
ber :).  1845.  When  he  was  one  and  a  half  years 
old  he  was  brought  to  Illinois  by  his  parents  and 
grew  to  a  vigorous  manhood  amid  the  pioneer 
scenes  of  Douglas  County. 

When  our  subject  was  about  fifteen  years  old  he 
was  bereaved  by  the  death  of  his  father,  after 
which  he  made  his  home  with  an  uncle,  Martin 
Wood,  for  two  years.  He  then  worked  out  as  a 
farm  laborer  for  three  years  and  gained  a  practical 
knowledge  of  the  best  way  of  carrying  on  a  farm. 
He  was  less  than  twenty  when  he  enlisted,  April. 
1865,  in  Company  F,  Eighteenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  When 
peace  was  declared  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  once 
more  resumed  the  pursuits  of  civil  life,  lie  first 
located  in  Piatt  County  and  for  one  year  worked 
out  by  the  month,  after  which  he  engaged  in  agri- 
culture on  his  own  account  in  Moultrie  County, 
of  which  he  has  since  been  a  resident. 

On  October  20,  186(3.  in  Piatt  County.  111.. 
Henry  C.  AVood  and  Miss  Ann  Shultz  were  united 
in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock.  This  lady,  who 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  died  in  Lowe  Township, 
August  26,  1H85.  Their  four  children  were  named 
as  follows:  Ida  M..  now  the  wife  of  George  II. 
Erhardt,  Eva,  Lucy  15.  and  Robert  W.  Mr.  Wood 
was  again  married,  choosing  as  his  wife  Miss  Mar- 
tha A.  Thurman,  who  was  born  in  Pulaski  County, 
Ky.,  August  1;"),  1845.  The  marriage  was  solem- 
nized in  Somerset.  Ky..  November  10.  18K<),  and 
has  proved  a  congenial  union.  Mrs.  Wood  is  a 
lady  whose  intelligence  is  universally  recognized 
and  whose  hospitality  and  geniality  are  well 
known. 

A  man  of  unblemished  reputation  and  sound 
understanding.  Mr.  Wood  occupies  a  place  in  the 
community  among  the  very  best  citizens.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  New  Light  Church,  to  which  his 
first  wife  also  belonged.  His  present  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  his  political 
affiliations  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  as 
School  Director  two  terms.  He  has  always  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits  and  in  his  chosen  avo- 


PORTRAIT  AND  l'.K  )( UJAl'IIK  AL    RECORD. 


387 


cation  has  accumulated  the  means  which  enable 
him  at  the  present  time  to  surround  himself  and 
family  with  the  comforts  justly  the  reward  of 
those  who  work  industriously  Mini  studiously. 


^H^ 


-=) 


JOSEPH  CHESSHIRE.  The  noiseless  and 
inaudible  foot  of  time  has  so  stealthily 
passed  over  the  sixty-six  years  that  our  sub- 
ject numbers  since  his  natal  day,  that  he  is 
only  aware  of  its  passage  by  seeing  grown  up 
about  him  sons  and  daughters  who  have  reached 
manhood  and  womanhood,  and  who  have  families 
of  their  own.  At  sixty-six  a  man  is  in  the  prime 
of  his  vigor,  and  to  hear  the  little  grandchildren 
pertly  telling  of  things  that  have  come  within  their 
young  knowledge  that  are  new  to  the  man  seems 
an  encroachment  upon  his  rights  and  perquisites. 
It  is  not  the  years  thai  makes  us  old.  It  is  the  little 
one-  that  crowd  us. 

Our  subject  reside-  on  section  20,  in  Rural 
Township,  Shelby  County,  his  residence  in  the 
county  dating  from  the  spring  of  1866.  He  was 
horn  in  Hampshire  County.  W.  Ya..  September  tl. 
1825,  and  is  a  son  of  ( tbadiah  and  Sarah  (Switcher) 
(  hesshire.  who  were  natives  of  Hampshire  County, 
W.  Ya..  the  mother  being  of  German  descent.  The 
parents  lived  and  died  in  their  native  state,  having 
pursued  the  calling  of  agriculture  from  their  earli- 
est efforts  at  making  a  living  for  themselves.  The 
mother  died  about  1857,  the  father  following  her 
about  1*67. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  fifteen  children,  of  whom 
twelve  lived  to  reach  year-  of  maturity.  Two  of 
these,  our  subject  and  one  sister.  Margaret,  came  to 
Illinois  and  made  themselves  homes.  Joseph  t  he- 
shire  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  De- 
cember 4.  1850.  His  bride  was  Miss  Ruth  Lupton 
who  was  born  in  Hampshire  County,  W.  Va.,  April 
1(1.  1831.  In  the  fall  of  1855  Mr.  (he-hire  with 
his  family  came  to  Illinois,  first  stopping  in  Sanga- 
mon County. 

The  winter  of  1855-56  was  very  severe  and  Mr. 
Ches-hire  resolved  that  he  would  not  stay  long  in 


this  State,  but  when  sluing  came  and  under  the 
fervid  sun  the  spring  Bowel's  starred  the  prairie 
with  m  thousand  colors,  the  aspect  of  the  country 
was  entirely  changed  and  he  concluded  that  in  -o 
fertile  a  land  he  could  endure  an  occasional  draw- 
back in  the  way  of  a  severe  winter.  They  settled 
in  Sangamon  County  and  there  remained  about 
four  years,  then  went  to  Christian  County  where 
they  staid  six  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  they 
came  to  Shelby  County  where  they  purchased  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  from  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  Company.  The  land  was  then 
raw  prairie,  but  as  the  years  haw  passed  and  the 
efforts  of  his  labois  appeared  in  fertile  fields  and 
orchards  of  tine  fruit  trees,  it  ha-  become  a  first- 
class  farm,  upon  which  there  is  a  comfortable  dwell- 
ing that  is  provided  with  all  the  appliances  for 
making  life  a-  pleasant  as  possible. 

Our  subject  and  his  amiable  wife  are  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  six  lived  to  be  grown. 
They  are  Fiances.  Jane.  Rachael.  Lucinda.  Sarah 
A.  and  Michael  W.  Frances  is  the  wife  of  Samson 
Shivers;  .lane  was  twice  married  and  now  resides 
in  Nebraska;  Rachael  is  the  wife  of  William 
Heimes;  Lucinda  was  married  to  John  McDonald 
and  re-ides  in  Rural  Township.  Politically,  our 
subject  favors  the  independent  party,  although  he 
was  originally  a  Democrat.  He  has  filled  several 
local  offices,  having  been  Road  Commissioner  and 
also  School  Director.  He  is  associated  with  the 
best  men  in  the  township  in  working  for  the  ele- 
vation and  improvement  of  everything  that  can 
give  tone  to  tin-  locality. 

In  connection  with  his  biographical  sketch  the 
attention  of  the  reader  is  invited  to  a  lithographic 
portrait  of  Mr.  Chesshire,  presented  elsewhere  in 
this  volume. 


*-  r*»F*> >». 


■*■*■«*- 


l'RON  CHEEVER.     One  of   the  best  char- 
acteristics of  a  true  gentleman  is  gentleness 
Mhd  kindness  to  the  beings  that  are    depen- 
v— -^    dent    upon  him   for   care  and   protection. 
Especially  is  this  true   when   dumb   brutes  are    the 
objects  of    the    care.      He    of    whom    we    write    is  a 


388 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


lover  of  horses  with  all  which  that  beautiful  word 
implies  as  to  tenderness  and  protective  care  of  the 
objects  of  his  affections.  While  he  breeds  upon  his 
fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  located  on  section 
27,  of  Lovington  Township,  Moultrie  County, 
some  very  fine  horses,  he  is  not  satisfied  with  this 
alone,  but  so  cultivates  the  best  traits  in  the  horses 
under  his  care  that  they  are  almost  human  in  their 
understanding  of  the  sympathy  of  the  higher  ani- 
mal. 

Our  subject  is  a  son  of  Nathan  Cheever,  a  pb\ 
sician  who  was  born  in  Delaware  County.  Ohio, 
April  13,  1818.  Our  subject's  mother  was  Mary 
Ann  Hubbard  in  her  maiden  days  and  she  was  a 
native  of  Pickaway  County.  Ohio,  where  she  was 
born  April  16,  1H2*.  They  were  married  in  the 
last  named  county  and  State,  September  22,  1842, 
and  settled  in  Franklin  County  of  the  same  State, 
where  they  resided  over  three  years,  from  there 
removing  to  Waterloo,  Fayette  County,  Ohio. 
where  they  made  their  home  for  eleven  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  the  father  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  From  that  place  they 
removed  to  Jefferson  County,  Iowa,  where  Nathan 
Cheever  entered  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  and 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  improved  land,  upon 
which  they  settled.  During  the  time  that  they  le 
mained  in  Jefferson  County,  he  was  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  which  he  continued 
until  1H;">7,  when  the  family  removed  to  this 
county,  and  settled  in  Lovington,  where  the  old 
gentleman  continued  to  practice  until  1875,  then 
he  retired  from  active  professional  life.  He  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  Lovington  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  November  23,  1884. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  him  of  whom  we 
write  were  Jacob  and  Hester  Ann  Asher,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Ohio,  the  former  passing 
away  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  and  the  laftei 
dying  in  this  county  and  State.  The  parents  of 
Byron  Cheever  saw  grow  up  about  them  six  chil- 
dren and  of  this  family  our  subject  was  the  only 
son.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  County.  Ohio, 
September  .22,  1848,  and  was  almost  nine  years  old 
when  his  parents  came  to  Lovington  where  he  grew 
to  manhood.  The  young  man  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  district   in  which    he  lived. 


Like  most  boys,  he  was  brimming    with    mischief, 
but  managed  to  acquire  the  branches  that  were  most 

valuable  to  him  in   a   business   life   and    his   mind 

- 
continued  to  develop  until  he  became  a  well  edu- 
cated and  cultured  gentleman. 

The  original^of  our  sketch  continued  to  make 
his  home  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  At  this  time  he  was  married,  his 
wedding  being  celebrated  October  2b.  IK70.  and 
his  bride  being  Miss  Eliza  Y.  Nichols,  a  daughter 
of  James  H.  and  Hester  (Wingate)  Nichols,  the 
former  probably  being  a  native  of  Maryland,  and 
the  latter  of  Delaware.  Mrs.  Cheever's  parents 
were  married  in  Delaware  and  made  their  first 
home  in  Maryland,  the  father  being  engaged  in  the 
occupation  of  carpentry.  They  came  to  this  county 
and  State  in  1862,  and  settled  in  Lovington,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  and  resided  until  the  time  of 
his  deceased.  The  mother  passed  away  from  this 
life  January  27.  1863.  The  father  died  May  14. 
1869.  They  had  Ave  children  and  of  these  Mrs. 
Cheever  was  the  youngest.  She  was  born  in  Caro- 
line County.  Md..  March  1(1.  1 «.")(». 

After  marriage  our  subject  and  wife  settled  in 
Lovington  and  for  the  first  year  thereafter  he  was 
engaged  in  farming,  and  then  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  for  a  period  of  seven  years,  after 
which  time  he  devoted  himself  to  the  grain  busi- 
ness, in  which  he  dealt  extensively,  buying  and 
shipping  to  the  Metropolitan  markets,  lie  also 
was  the  proprietor  of  the  hotel  known  as  the  Cen- 
tral House,  continuing  in  the  charge  of  this  for  two 
years.  He  then  removed  to  his  farm  just  north  of 
Lovington.  to  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of 
which  he  has  since  devoted  himself.  His  farm  is 
devoted  mostly  to  breeding  purposes  and  some  of 
the  finest  horses  that  are  raised  in  the  county,  may 
be  seen  here. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cheever  are  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren whose  names  are  as  follows:  Will  L..  Her- 
bert E..  Frank  B.,  Lillie  E.,  Henry  ().  and  Adah  F., 
all  of  whom  are  bright  and  interesting  young  peo- 
ple, promising  to  be  the  comfort  and  solace  of 
their  parents'  declining  years.  Mr.  Cheever  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs 
the  Republican  party  being  the  object  of  his  faith 
and  devotion  and  receiving  from  him  his  influence 


PORTRAIT  AND   BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


389 


and  vote.  He  1ms  occupied  a  number  of  the  local 
offices,  having  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  since  the  spring  of  1890,  and  having  also 
satisfactorily  discharged  the  duties  of  ninny  other 
township  offices.  Socially  oursubjecl  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  <>f  America.  He  is.  besides,  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  of  whom 
we  write  is  at  the  present  time  just  approaching 
the  best  and  must  mature  portion  of  his  life  and 
the  fine  business  qualifications  that  he  possesses  in- 
sure for  him  the  privilege  of  enjoying  all  the  com- 
forts that  good  financial  position  insure. 


AMES  ELLARS.  Illinois  gave  freely  of  her 
wealth  and  of  her  men  to  the  defense  of  the 
Union  when  the  call  came  from  President 
Lincoln  for  troops  to  suppress  the  War  of 
the  Rebellion.  All  over  her  liroad  prairies  you 
may  now  find  men  living  in  quiet  retirement  up- 
on whose  breasts  may  be  seen  the  modest  decora- 
tion of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  or  who. 
perhaps  unbadged,  still  keep  in  their  hearts  the 
memory  of  their  days  and  nights  upon  the  battle- 
field and  upon  the  march.  Such  will  ever  find 
cordial  recognition  and  a  hearty  approval  from 
every  patriotic  man  or  woman,  and  among  them 
we  are  pleased  to  mention  the  prosperous  farmer 
and  stock  -  dealer  residing  at  Arthur,  Moultrie 
County,  whose  name  we  have  placed  at  the  head  of 
tli  is  paragraph. 

Mr.  Hilars  settled  in  Lowe  Township  in  the 
Spring  of  lNli.s.  and  at  that  time  purchased  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  Of  land  on  section  24 
where  there  were  hut  few  improvements.  Madi- 
son County  Ohio,  had  been  his  birthplace,  October 
18,  L 842,  and  the  excellent  couple  who  gave  him 
his  birth  and  training  were  Benjamin  and  Priscilla 
(  Harrison)  Hilars: 

The  family  came  to  Illinois  in  1852,  settling 
upon  a  tract  of  unbroken  prairie  in  what  was  then 
known  as  Coles  County,  but  which  is  now  included 
in  Douglas    County.      At    that    date    settlers   were 


few  in  that  section,  hut  deer  were  abundant  and 
could  he  seen  grazing  141011  the  prairie  as  plenti- 
fully as  the  cattle  of  to-day.  There  the  father  of 
Our  subject  improved  three  hundred  and  twenty 
,1111-  of  rich  prairie  soil  and  remained  for  two 
years.  In  1854  he  decided  to  prospect  about  a 
little  more  before  settling  for  a  permanent  home, 
and  started  for  Iowa,  traveling  overland  with  his 
team.  The  first  night  of  his  journey  he  stopped 
at  Monticello,  111.,  and  as  he  was  taking  a  loaded 
gun  from  a  wagon  it  was  accidentally  discharged 
and  the  shot  penetrated  his  lungs'.  This  accident 
crippled  him  so  that  he  gave  up  his  journey  and 
finding  that  he  was  unable  to  do  farm  work  he 
sold  his  land  and  undertook  the  management  of  a 
small  country  store.  He  then  purchased  a  store  in 
Bourbon,  which  he  carried  on  for  a  number  of 
years  until  his  health  was  sufficiently  recovered 
for  him  again  to  undertake  agricultural  pursuits. 
lie  resided  in  Missouri  from  1870  to  1881,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  died  in  Douglas 
County  in  1882,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years. 
His  faithful  wife,  who  was  the  mother  of  ten  chil- 
dren, had  been  taken  from  his  side  by  death  some 
years  previous  to  his  demise. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  eight  years  old  when 
the  family  settled  in  Illinois  and  the  Prairie  State 
lias  been  his  home  from  that  day  to  this.  In  1H01 
he  entered  the  service  of  his  country,  enlisting  in 
Company  H.  Second  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  did 
brave  service  for  two  years  and  six  months.  When 
his  term  of  service  expired  in  the  Second  Cavalry 
he  re-enlisted,  and  was  then  commissioned  as  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  in  the  Fourth  United  States  Cav- 
alry, with  which  he  fought  until  December.  1864, 
when  he  resigned  and  went  home.  He  returned  to 
Douglas  County,  and  since  the  war  has  devoted 
himself  to  farming  and  dealing  in  live  stock,  carry- 
ing on  this  double  avocation  with  such  Success 
that  he  now  owns  eight  hundred  and  eighty  acres 
of  excellent  land,  and  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  our 
prosperous  farmers.  Since  January.  1875,  he  has 
made  his    residence    in    the    village   of   Arthur. 

A  happy  wedded  life  began  for  our  subject  in 
January,  1867,  whenhe  was  married  to  Harriet  1'. 
L'cedcr.  a  daughter  of  John  A.  anil  Mary  Reeder. 
This  lady  was   bom   in   Ohio.    1843,   and  there  re- 


390 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ceived  an  excellent  education  as  well  as  practical 
training  in  home  duties,  both  of  which  have  fitted 
her  to  be  what  she  now  is,  not  only  a  leader  in 
social  circles,  but  a  capable  and  notable  housewife, 
a  faithful  wife  and  a  judicious  mother.  One  son 
only  has  blest  this  marriage,  namely:  Orla  L.,  who 
has  established  a  home  for  himself,  having  taken 
as  his  bride  Miss  May  Crumbar.  The  declarations 
of  the  Republican  party  embody  very  fully  the  po- 
litical belief  of  Mr.  Kllars,  and  he  consistent  ly  casts 
his  vote  for  the  candidates  of  that  party.  He  is 
not  in  any  sense  a  politician  or  a  wire-puller,  but 
believes  it  to  be  the  duty  of  every  citizen  to  speak 
his  mind  through  the  ballot  in  regard  to  all  mat- 
ters of  public   interest. 


§HN*-& 


&JHS-2\i^5<>_ 


NDREW  WILSON  SCOTT,  the  leading 
merchant  of  Bethany,  Moultrie  County, 
has  been  in  the  business  in  this  place  since 
(Qyl  1876.     lie  was    born   in    Mt.  Zion.  .Macon 

County.  111..  September  25,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of 
Jehu  and  Mary  (Wilson)  Scott,  natives  of  Tennes- 
see, and  the  paternal  grandfather  bore  the  name  of 
.lames  Scott.  More  will  be  learned  of  this  excel- 
lent and  prominent  family  by  consulting  the  bio- 
graphy of  A.  H.  Scott. 

Among  the  very  early  settlers  of  Mt.  Zion  were 
the  parents  of  our  subject,  who  came  from  Tennes- 
see to  Illinois,  and  located  one  mile  south  of  Mt. 
Zion.  where  they  proceeded  to  cultivate  the  land. 
and  passed  their  remaining  years.  They  became 
the  owners  of  some  eight  hundred  acres  of  land, 
and  placed  upon  them  substantial  and  handsome 
improvements.  They  were  both  earnest  members 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  are 
now  both  deceased.  Two  children  only  of  their 
number  grew  to  man's  estate,  of  whom  our  sub- 
ject is  the  older,  and  his  brother,  Alexander  B.,  is 
a  farmer  at  Mt.  Zion  and  a  partner  of  Andrew 
in  business,  the  firm  name  being  A.  W.  Scott  & 
Bro. 

Thorough  and  systematic  training  upon  the 
farm,  and  drill  in  the  common  school  of  Mt.  Zion, 
was  supplemented  in  the  case  of  our  subject  by  a 


course  of  study  which  he  took  in  the  university  at 
Lincoln.  111.  After  leaving  school  he  came  to 
Bethany  and  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  A. 
R.  Scott,  and  in  a  few  years  became  a  partner  in  the 
business  under  the  firm  style  of  A.  R  &  A.  W. 
Scott.  Some  three  years  later  he  became  sole  pro- 
prietor of  the  business,  and  afterward  associated 
with  him  as  a  partner  Mr.  .1.  L.  McCoy,  the  firm 
then  being  Scott  &  McCoy,  but  in  March,  1891, 
this  was  succeeded  by  the  firm  of  A.  W.  Scott  & 
Bro.  Ever  since  its  inception  this  store  has  been 
the  largest  and  the  leading  business  place  of  Beth- 
any, and  it  has  had  its  own  effect  upon  the  mer- 
cantile life  of  the  place. 

Mr.  Scott  was  in  1874  united  in  marriage  with 
Sarah  J.  Mott,  daughter  of  Joseph  Mott,  of  Prince- 
ton, Ky.,  which  was  the  place  of  her  nativity.  One 
son,  Walter,  blessed  this  union.  He  was  a  very 
promising  boy,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  had 
charge  of  the  books  of  the  firm,  and  was  at  the 
same  time  carrying  on  his  studies.  He  would  have 
graduated  from  the  schools  at  Bethany  with  the 
Class  of  '1>2.  but  he  was  snatched  from  this  happy 
home  by  death.  April  15,  1891,  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen years. 


-*$■= 


•js* 


JMLLIAM  M.  RICHARDS,  who  owns  the 
fine  farm  located  on  section  32,  of  Rich- 
land Township,  is  a  son  of  P.  F.  Richards, 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  His  mother  was  Eliza- 
beth (Mechling)  Richards  and  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio.  After  marriage  the  parents  settled 
in  Ohio  but  removed  to  Missouri,  and  in  18(11, 
just  previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War, 
they  came  to  Shelly  County,  this  State,  where  the 
mother  died  in  Prairie  Township  and  the  father 
passed  away  in  Richland  Township.  They  were 
the  parents  of  thirteen  children  and  of  these  our 
subject  is  the  second  in  order  of  birth. 

William  M.  Richards  was  born  in  Perry  County. 
Ohio.  October  27,  1840.  When  he  was  but  two 
years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Allen  County, 
Ohio,  and  there  they  settled  upon  a  farm.  Here 
he   passed   the  greater  part  of  his  boyhood  life, 


^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


39] 


remaining  with  his  father  until  he  was  about 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  During  this  time  lie 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  labors  on   the  home 

farm  and  in  the  intervals  of  that  work  was  occu- 
pied by  the  application  to  school  studies,  and  being 
apt  at  his  books,  he  acquired  a  good  practical 
knowledge  of  the  branches  that  are  must  essential 
to  a   business  man. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  married  in  Prairie 
Township.  July  4.  1865.  His  wife's  maiden  name 
was  Miss  Mary  .1.  Renner.  She  had.  however,  been 
previously  married  and  at  the  time  of  her  marriage 
with  our  subject,  was  Mrs.  McMillen.  She  was 
horn  in  Prairie  Township.  November  (>.  1843. 
After  marriage  they  made  their  home  in  Prairie 
Township  for  two  years  and  then  purchased  the 
farm  whereon  they  now  reside  in  Richland  Town- 
ship. His  farm  at  the  present  time  comprises  four 
hundred  and  sixty  aires  and  upon  it  he  has  made 
good  improvements.  lie  is  a  prosperous  farmer 
who  is  justly  successful  in  his  chosen  career  and 
calling.  The  latest  improvements  in  machinery 
and  farm  implements  are  employed  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  place.  His  stock  is  of  the  best  class 
and  his  buildings  are  good  and  substantial.  His 
dwelling  is  located  on  a  slight  eminence  that  com- 
mands a  charming  view  of  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. It  is  surrounded  by  fine  shade  and  fruit 
trees.  The  interior  arrangement  is  made  with  a 
sole  view  to  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  the 
occupants. 

Mr.  Richards  and  his  wife  became  the  parents-  of 
eight  children,  whose  names  are  as  follows:  Nancy 
M.,  Samuel  C,  Elizabeth  F..  John  1'.,  Simon  A.. 
Mary  C,  Franklin  W.  and  Ann  B.  The  eldest 
daughter  is  now  the  wife  of  Rev.  John  B.  Webb 
and  is  a  great  assistance  to  her  husband  in  his 
work.  Samuel  C.  married  .Miss  Elizabeth  Duncan 
and  has  a  pleasant  home  of  his  own.  Elizabeth 
F.  died  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  life 
spread  before  her  so  promising  a  prospect. 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Richards  died  in  Richland  Town- 
ship December  27.  1890.  Since  girlhood  she  had 
been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  an 
ardent  worker  in  the  spread  of  the  Gospel.  Ml'. 
Richards  is  also  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Our  subject  ha>  always  been  engaged  in  farming 


and    agricultural    pursuits,  and    although    he    has 

reached  the  meridian  of  life  is  not  so  set  in  his 
opinions  thai  he  cannot  progress  with  the  times. 
Since  the  formation  of  the  Prohibition  party  he 
has  allied  himself  with  it,  believing  in  the  purity 
of  its  principle  and  purpose.  For  many  years  he 
has  held  the  office  of  Deacon  in  the  Baptist 
Church. 


/"r=NI 


^^ills®s 


IIN^ 


WILLIAM  CALVIN  HOLTON.  a  retired 
farmer  residing  at  Arthur,  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Moultrie  County,  in  1871,  at  which 
date  he  settled  on  section  2.  Lowe  Township.  He 
was  born  in  Claiborne  County.  Tenn.,  February 
20,  1835,  his  honored  parents  being  James  W.  and 
Mailha  (Goines)  Holton,  both  of  whom  had  their 
birth  in  Tennessee.  In  1847  the  family  removed 
from  that,  State  to  Pulaski  County,  Ky.,  where  the 
mother  was  called  from  them  by  death  some  thirty 
years  ago.  The  bereaved  father  remained  there 
with  his  family  for  many  years,  but  in  1KXK  came 
to  Illinois  and  died  in  Moultrie  County,  not  long 
after  his  removal  to  this  State.  He  had  a  truly 
patriarchal  family  of  nine  daughters  and  three  sons. 
William  being  the  eldest  of  the  sons. 

Our  subject  was  twelve  years  old  when  the  fam- 
ily settled  in  Kentucky  and  he  there  grew  to  a  vig- 
orous young  manhood,  receiving  a  practical  drill 
upon  the  farm  which  has  ever  been  of  benefit 
to  him  both  physicallj  and  in  a  business  way. 
Amanda  J.Thuman.a  lovely  young  Kentucky  lady. 
became  his  bride  January  14,  1855,  she  was  born 
in  December  2.">,  183.3,  and  is  the  daughtei  of  Mar- 
shall Thurman.  who  was  well  known  in  that  region. 

Young  Mr.  Holton  came  to  the  Prairie  State  ten 
years  after  his  marriage  and  renting  land  in  Doug- 
las County  continued  there  until  1871;  when  he 
removed  to  Moultrie  County  and  settled  upon  a 
beautiful  tract  of  unimproved  land,  to  which  he 
gave  his  undivided  attention  and  which  he  brought 
from  its  wild  condition  to  its  present  productive 
and  highly  cultured  state.  He  is  now  the  owner 
of  two  elegant  farms,  comprising  s «•  two  hund- 
red ami  thirtv  acres  in  all  and   upon  each  of  them 


:*■> 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


lie  has  placed  excellent  improvements.  In  the 
spring  of  1889  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Arthur 
although  he  still  continued  to  carry  on  the  farm 
until  1^91  when  he  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  a  ten- 
ant, lie  is  now  enjoying  the  pleasant  borne  which 
lie  built  for  himself  in  Arthur  and  without  the 
care  of  a  farm  is  receiving  the  benefits  of  bis  for- 
mer labors  and  enterprise.  The  five  children  who 
have  lilesi  this  borne  are  John  R..  Lucy  (wife  of 
George  Ketzel),  William,  llattie  (Mrs.  A.  Kinney), 
and  Cordelia.  The  principles  of  the  Republican 
party  very  clearly  define  the  political  views  of  Mr 
llolton  and  his  earnest  efforts  and  advocacy  are 
given  to  securing  the  success  of  this  party. 


&+£ 


B_ 


(< 


OllX  GOETZ.  Many  a  man  who  is  now  a 
prosperous  and  successful  farmer  in  Illinois 
began  life  as  did  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 
without  means  in  a  material  sense  and  with 
no  endowments  except  those  of  his  own  personal- 
ity. John  Goetz  was  possessed  in  boyhood  of 
sturdy  health,  a  determination  to  succeed  and  in- 
domitable energy,  pluck  and  perseverance.  With 
these  he  lias  achieved  a  success  which  is  an  honor 
to  himself  and  worthy  the  consideration  of  the 
biographer: 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Germany  on  Christmas 
day.  1830,  and  be  had  his  training  and  education  in 
his  native  land  and  there  spent  his  youth  and  early 
manhood  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old.  lie 
had  heard  much  of  America  as  a  land  of  freedom 
and  a  country  where  a  broader  opportunity  awaited 
a  young  man  of  enterprise  and  lie  resolved  to  come 
to  this  land,  and  left  home  and  friends  inthespring 
of  1854,  landing  in  New  York  City  and  coming 
directly  West.  He  had  learned  shoemaking  in  his 
native  land  and  in  Chicage  he  spent  between  three 
and  four  years  working  at  this  trade. 

He  finally  decided  that  he  preferred  country  to 
city  life  and  finding  an  opening  for  the  employment 
of  his  abilities  at  his  trade  in  Sullivan.  Moultrie 
County,  he  removed  here  in  the  spring  of  1K.">K  and 
was  thus  employed  for  about  fourteen  years.  Ami- 
cultural  pursuits  now  presented  theraserves   to  him 


a  s  a  broader  and  more  promising  field  of  operations, 

and  he  purchased  a  farm  on  section  34,  Marrow- 
hone  Township,  and  removing  his  family  here  began 
>ts  cultivation.  Here  he  has  found  content  and 
prosperity  and  now  owns  five  hundred  and  sixty- 
seven  acres,  all  in  Moultrie  County. 

It  was  not  until  after  Mr.  Goetz  came  to  Sulli- 
van that  he  entered  into  a  matrimonial  alliance. 
lie  was  here  united  with  Elizabeth  Cratz,  who  was 
born  in  Moultrie  County.  111.,  and  who  brought  to 
her  husband  three  children.  Two  died  in  infancy 
and  the  one  who  is  living  is  Mary,  now-  the  wife 
of  Amnion  Davis.  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Goetz  her  husband  was  united  in  marriage  m 
Marrowbone  Township  to  Mrs.  Isabella  Daisy,  who 
bore  her  husband  one  child.  Andon.  who  died  in 
Marrowbone  Township.  Mr.  Goetz's  third  wife 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  Angie  Westfali  and  her 
one  child  was  named  Perry  E.;  she  also  passed  from 
earth  in  early  womanhood  and  Mr.  Goetz  then  mar- 
ried Eliza  Bushart. 

Excellent  buildings  and  all  the  appurtenances 
necessary  for  the  successful  prosecution  of  farm 
work  have  been  placed  upon  Mr.  Goetz's  farm. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in 
his  political  views  is  in  sympathy  with  no  party 
but  i>  governed  in  his  vote  by  his  own  judg- 
ment and  ca^ts  his  ballot  for  the  best  man  for  the 
place,  lie  is  public  spirited  and  ever  active  in  the 
promotion  of  any  movement  which  looks  to  the 
upbuilding  of  the  community  either  socially  or 
industrially. 


ORENZO    II.   TURNER.     The    majority   of 

men  who  have  attained  high  position  either 
1 — ^  in  public  affairs,  commercial  life,  or  litera- 
ature,  have  spent  the  early  part  of  life  in  the  en- 
joyment of  bucolic  peace  and  quiet.  The  mind  is 
like  a  field,  which  having  been  allowed  to  lie  fal- 
low for  a  time  produces  the  richest  harvests.  Our 
subject,  Lorenzo  Turner,  who  was  brought  up  on  a 
farm  has  become  one  of  the  most  influential  men 
in  the  State  of   Illinois,  and    in    mental    calibre    he 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


398 


ranks  well  with  the  representatives  of  any  Mate. 
The  years  passed  upon  his  father's  farm  were  full 
of  development  to  the  lad  whose  eager  mind  ab- 
sorbed each  fact,  and  in  the  crucible  of  his  reason- 
ing powers  he  has  distilled  the  pure  waters  of  truth. 
Early  acquiring  the  habit  of  studying  human  na- 
ture, he  has  found  it  to  lie  of  great  use  to  him 
throughout  his  career.  Men  to  him  are  as  open 
books,  to  lie  read  at  pleasure. 

Born  of  southern  parents,  our  subjecl  inherits 
the  suavity  and  gallantry  for  which  the  Virginians 
are  noted,  and  also  their  eloquence  in  speech. 
Ilis  father,  .lames  Turner,  was  born  in  Bucking- 
ham (  ounty.  Vs.,  in  1799.  His  mother  was  Elsie 
(Pendleton)  Turner,  also  a  native  of  Buckingham 
(ounty.  and  born  about  1795.  There  they  were 
reared  and  there  they  married,  settling  in  their 
native  county,  hut  about  four  year-  after  their 
marriage  they  emigrated  to  Wilson  County,  Tenn. 
This  was  about  1823,  and  in  1830  they  came  to 
EiBngham  County,  where  they  died  on  the  place 
which  they  had  entered  from  the  Government. 

Our  subject  was  horn  while  his  parents  were 
resident-  of  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  his  natal  day 
heiniiT  May  14.  l*2i>.  He  was  only  four  and  a  half 
years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  what  is  now 
Effingham  County:  there  on  his  father's  farm  he 
matured,  his  young  mentality  growing  broader 
and  stronger  as  he  looked  out  upon  the  vast  prai- 
ries. There  was  plenty  of  work,  however,  for  the 
young  man  to  do.  for  the  days  of  his  boyhood 
were  the  pioneer  day- in  this  Mate.  He.  with  others 
who  have  since  become  famous  in  the  history  of 
the  State,  were  ripening  for  the  events  that  lay 
before  them.  He  continued  to  live  with  his  father 
until  1845.  After  having  entered  a  farm  from  the 
Government,  which  they  improved  quite  extens- 
ively, they  both  died,  the  mother  in  the  fall  of 
1858  while  earth  was  golden  with  the  yellow  of 
autumn,  ami  the  granaries  were  filled  to  repletion 

with  golden  grain.  The  father  followed  her  a  n 1 

many  year-    later,  his  decease  taking   place   Feb- 
ruary 3,  1888. 

Our  subject  has  always  followed  the  pursuit  of 
agriculture,  paying  special  attention  to  the  raising 
of  fine  stock.  In  1845  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Cynthia  Field,  their  marriage  being  solemnized  Sep- 


tember '23  of  that  year.     The  lady  was  a   daughter 
of  Abraham  and  Grace  (Rainey)  Field.    'The  former 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky  where  he  was  horn   De- 
cember   27.  1793.     'The    latter   was   horn    m   South 
Carolina.  July.'ll.  17'.»7.  Their  marriage  took  place 
in  Gibson  County.  Ind..  March  <*<.  1815.     They  set- 
tled   in    the   same    place  where    they   were   married 
until  the  mother's  death  which  occurred  March  30, 
1863.     The   father   followed    her   April     12.    1870. 
Mr-.   Turner's  parents  were  farmer-   by  occupation. 
They  had  ten  children,  and  our  subject's  wife  was 
one  of  the  elde-t  members   of   her    father'-    family. 
she  «a-  born   in  Gibson  (ounty.  Ind..  December 
25,  1 825,  and  there  she  lived    until    her  marriage. 
After  marriage  our  subject  and  his  bride  settled 
in  Effingham  County.  111.,  and  in  April.  1864,  came 
to  Shelh\   County,  locating  in  Richland  'Township. 
where   he   has  since   resided.      He  has  now  retired, 
however,  front  active  farming,  having  disposed  of 
all  his  property  with  the  exception  of  two  hundred 
ami  fifty  acres  upon  which  he  lives.      Mr.  Turner 
has  made  many  improvements   upon   his  farm   and 
in  all  his  business  undertakings  and  enterprises  has 
been  exceedingly  successful.     He  and  his  wife  are 
spending  the  afternoon  of  their  lives  in   quiet  en- 
joyment of  the  home  comfort-  that  his  early  efforts 
have   provided.      They  are   the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren, all    of   whom    have    reached    manhood    and 
womanhood  and  arc  the  heads  of  families.     It  is  a 
commentary  upon   their  parents'  government  that 
they  are  all  honored   and   respected    members  of 
society,     .lames   B.   married   Emetine  Renner  and 
resides  in  ShelbyvUle;  Nancy  .Lis  the  wife  of  John 
M.  Storm;    Lewis  W.  married    Florence    Carmain: 
Charles  A.  B.  was  united  to  Sarah  Jackson:   Sarah 
F.  i-  the  wife   of  Seymour   Grove;    Arthur   is   the 
husband  of  Annie  L.  Field. 

Mr.  Turner  was  formerly  allied  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party  and  did  active  service  for  his  party  in 
his  part  of  the  State.  More  recently,  however,  he 
has  allied  himself  with  the  Prohibitionists,  believ- 
ing that  to  he  one  of  the  most  important  issues 
of  the  near  future.  lie  has  held  the  office  of  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  for  seventeen  years  and  has  also 
lieen  Township  Trustee  for  several  year-.  In  their 
religious  relations  our  subject  and  his  wife  have 
heen  members  of  the   Missionary  Baptist   Church 


394 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


since  1854,  and  he  of  whom  we  write  has  been  Dea- 
con of  this  church  for  upwards  of  thirty-five  years. 
Their  children  also  are  all  professors  of  religion. 
Mr.  Turner  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity since  1863.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Farmer's  Mutual  Benefit  Association  and  by  his 
wide  experience  and  broad  intelligence,  is  able  to 
make  many  suggestions  to  that  body  that  are  of 
great  value.  The  original  of  our  sketch  liasa  very 
good  and  comfortable  residence,  well  located  and 
surrounded  by  tine  trees.  It  is  perfectly  adapted 
to  the  declining'  years  of  a  man  with  a  philosophic 
turn  of  mind. 


i-5*-5--5*-i- > 


*S*  •$••{••$•£: 


"•fr-fr^-HlljsP****! 


OHN  It.  WARREN.  A  prominent  position 
among  the  agriculturists  of  Shelby  County 
is  held  by  this  gentleman,  who  resides  on 
section  28.  Tower  Hill  Township,  lie  is 
now  passing  his  declining  years  quietly  in  the  en- 
joyment of  the  comforts  accumulated  through 
long  years  of  toil.  A  native  of  Ohio,  he  was  horn 
in  Pickaway  County.  February  17.  1820.  His 
parents.  Silas  and  Sarah  (Riley)  Warren,  were  nat- 
ives of  Delaware,  the  former  horn  April  9,  17*7. 
and  the  latter  January  .'31.  1791.  Both  came  to 
Ohio  in  youth,  and  after  their  marriage,  which  was 
solemnized  in  Pickaway  County,  they  located  in 
that  place  and  made  it  their  home  until  1857. 

In  the  above-mentioned  year  the  parents  of  our 
subject  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Shelby  Countj 
and  purchasing  a  farm  on  section  2!),  Tower  Hill 
Township.  The  famih  was  soon  called  upon  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  the  devoted  husband  and  father, 
who  died  November  17.  1857.  The  widowed  mo- 
ther survived  until  January  29,  18t>7.  This 
worthy  couple  held  an  enviable  place  in  the  regard 
of  their  neighbors,  and  although  they  left  to  their 
children  little  of  this  world's  goods  they  bequeath- 
ed to  them  what  is  far  better — the  priceless  herit- 
age of  a  good  name.  They  had  a  family-  of  six 
children,  of  whom  five  now  survive. 

l'pon  the  home  farm  in  Pickaway  County.  Ohio, 
our  subject  passed  his  youth  and  at  an  early  age  be- 
came familiar  with  agricultural  pursuits.     His  edu- 


cational advantages  were  limited  to  the  district 
schools,  hut  by  subsequent  reading  he  has  become 
well  informed  upon  all  topics  of  general  interest, 
l'pon  arriving  at  years  of  maturity  he  engaged  in 
farming  on  his  own  account  and  has  made  this  his 
life  work.  A  very  important  event  in  his  life  was 
his  marriage  in  Pickaway  County, Ohio, September 
21.  1843,  when  Miss  Minerva  A.  Anderson  became 
his  wife.  Her  parents,  Thomas  and  Delilah  (Scot- 
horn)  Anderson,  were  natives  respectively  of  Ind- 
iana and  Virginia.  The  father  died  in  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio.  November  21,  183(5, and  the  mother 
afterward  came  west  to  Shelby  County,  111.,  where 
she  died  at  the  residence  of  our  subject  October  22, 
1811(1. 

Mrs.  Warren,  who  was  the  second  among  six 
children,  was  horn  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  Feb- 
ruary !>,  1822,  and  was  reared  to  maturity  under 
the  parental  roof.  After  their  marriage  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  located  in  Pickaway  County. 
Ohio,  where  they  continued  to  live  until  the  fall 
of  18  PI.  At  that  time  they  came  to  this  Slate  and 
made  their  home  in  Tower  Hill  Township,  Shelby 
County.  There  the  wife  died  April  7.  1880.  She 
was  a  religious  woman,  and  had  been  connected 
with  the  church  for  many  years,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church  at  the  time  of  her 
death. 

On  February  23,  1882,  our  subject  was  again 
married,  choosing  as  his  wife  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J. 
Dum,  the  widow  of  Samuel  Diim,  who  died  in 
Fairfield  County.  Ohio.  Mi's.  Warren,  who  is  a 
sister  of  the  first  wife  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Fairfield  County.  Ohio.  Xovembr  21.  1825.  and  by 
her  first  marriage  became  the  mother  of  six  chil- 
dren, viz:  Israel, Thomas,  Eflie  A.,  Samuel,  William 
and  Homer.  The  ceremony  which  transformed 
her  into  Mrs.  Warren  was  solemnized  in  Christian 
County.  111.,  and  the  union  has  proved  of  mutual 
happiness.  The  various  members  of  the  family  are 
honored  in  society  and  are  noted  for  hospitality 
and  kindness  of  heart. 

The  farm  upon  which  Mr.  Warren  located  after 
coining  to  Shelby  County  was  entered  from  the 
Government  and  comprises  eighty  acres  of  line 
land.  Mr.  Warren  has  always  been  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  has  converted  his  orig- 


Q    . 


WW. ,  *//} 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


897 


inal  purchase  into  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
county.  He  has  retired  from  the  more  active 
duties  associated  with  farm  life,  and  in  the  midst 
of  his  liappy  family  circle,  finds  rest  from  the 
cares  of  earlier  years.  A  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  he  lias  always  taken  an  active  pari  in 
political  affairs  and  has  served  the  people  in  sev- 
eral loeal  offices.  For  fifteen  years  he  was  Justiceof 
the  l'eaee  and  he  has  filled  the  otliee  of  Supervisor 
of  Tower  Hill  Township  for  several  terms.  Ilr 
takes  great  interest  in  educational  affairs  and  has 
served  the  community  acceptably  in  school  offices. 
Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the  United  Brethren 
Church  of  which  he  has  been  a  consistent  member 
since  1844. 


V 


/ 


;*se* 


\ 


^py  LARK  II.  C'ARR,  M.  I).,  a  physician  and 
[j  surgeon  of  Cowden,  was  born   m  Kenawha 

\JJ  County.  AV.  A'a..  August  2f>.  1834.  His  par- 
ents, John  K.  and  Margaret  (AY rant )  Carr.  were 
natives  of  the  East,  the  father  being  born  in  Green- 
brier Counts-.  A'a..  in  1 S 42.  and  the  mother  in 
Lawrenceburg,  I  ml.,  in  1*18.  The  father  has  been 
living  since  18f>2  in  DeWilt  County,  this  State. 
The  mother  died  September  1.  1891.  Nine  of  their 
large  family  of  six  sons  and  seven  daughters  are 
still  living,  of   whom   our  subject  was  the  eldest. 

The  brothel's  and  sisters  of  our  subject  are  Vio- 
Letta,  wife  of  James  Darby,  a  farmer  in  Minnesota; 
John,  who  first  married  Mary  Lloyd  and  afterward 
was  united  with  Ellen  Swan,  with  whose  assistance 
he  is  now  carrying  on  farming  in  Sumner  County, 
Kan.;  Julia  Ann.  who  was  the  wife  of  Stephen 
Webster,  and  died  in  De Witt  County,  III.,  in  1872; 
Isaac  I...  a  farmer  near  Humboldt.  Iowa,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Day;  Alary,  who  married  William  Stew- 
art and  died  in  Ahnnesota  in  1871;  Jane,  the  wife 
of  Philip Shellenberger,  a  farmer  who  lives  in  Piatt 
County,  this  State;  Sarah  E.,  who  first  married 
William  Stewart,  a  cousin  of  her  sister  Mary's 
husband  and  afterward  became  the  wife  of  George 
llitchen,  of  Gibson  City.  111.;  Michael  AL.  who 
married  Sophronia  Barr  and  lives  in  Piatt  County; 
Leonard  S.,  who  married   Elizabeth  AlcAIann.  and 


resides  in  DeAVitt  County,   and    two   children  who 
died  in  early  infancy. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  accompanied  his  par- 
ents from  West  Virginia  to  Indiana,  thence  to  Mis- 
souri and  in  1K.">2  Located  with  them  in  DeAVitt 
County.  111.,  where  the  father  now  resides.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
state  and  was  about  twenty-five  years  old  when  he 
began  to  read  medicine.  In  1866  he  commenced 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Christian  County, 
but  in  4873  came  to  Cowden,  where  he  remained 
for  two  years  and  then  went  back  to  his  old  place 
in  Christian  County.  In  the  spring  of  1880  he 
returned  to  Cowden    where  he  has  since   remained. 

Dr.  Carr  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife 
was  Alary  C.  Green,  who  was  born  in  Preble  County. 
Ohio,  in  1836.  and  married  the  Doctor  in  Indiana 
in  18.56.  One  child  was  born  of  this  marriage, 
Millard  Fillmore,  whose  natal  day  was  August  18, 
1857.  On  October  31,  of  the  same  year,  Mrs.  Can- 
passed  from  earth,  and  her  son  was  tenderly  reared 
by  his  paternal  grandparents. 

The  second  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place 
October  13,  1859,  when  he  was  united  with  Cath- 
erine Johnson.  She  was  born  December  17.  1833 
in  Ross  County.  Ohio.  The  six  children  born  of 
this  marriage  are  all  living  Alary  C.  born  Sep- 
tember 1.  I860,  is  now  Mrs.  James  E. Orendoff , and 
lives  in  Hall  County.  Neb.;  Laura  E.,  born  Janu- 
ary -22.  1863,  married  Alfred  E.  Gross,  and  lives  in 
Davis  County.  Neb.;  Samuel  C,  born  December  4. 
1864,  is  engaged  in  the  study  of  medicine;  Mar- 
garet P..  bom  July  2.  1867,  married  William  G. 
Panning  and  resides  on  a  farm  in  Dry  Point  Town- 
ship. Shelby  County;  Ida  F.,  born  February  22, 
1868.  and  Catherine  J.,  born  April  10,  1871.  are  at 
home  with  their  parents. 

Dr.  Carr  has  established  a  tine  reputation  as  a 
practitioner  and  enjoys  a  large  and  lucrative  prac- 
tice in  Cowden  and  vicinity,  lie  is  regarded  in 
the  community  as  the  leading  physician,  lie  at- 
tended lectures  at  the  Alissouri  Medical  College  at 
St.  Louis.  Mo.,  at  which  popular  institution  he 
made  a  creditable  record.  He  has  always  been  a 
close  student  and  has  labored  hard  to  gain  the 
Standing  which  he  now  holds  in  his  profession. 
Realizing  that  old  age  is  creeping  on.  the  Doctor 


398 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


has  inspired  his  son  Samuel  with  the  desire  to  ic- 
eeive  the  mantle  of  his  sire  when  he  shall  drop  it. 
and  thus  tn  perpetuate  the  family  name  in  the  pro- 
fession. The  Doctor  is  a  worthy  member  of  Joppa 
Lodge,  No.  706.  F.  *  A.  M..  at  Cowden,  and  a 
stanch  Republican  in  politics  having  always  voted 
that  ticket,  and  being  regarded  as  the  local  leader 
in  his  party. 

In  connection  with  this  biographical   notice  the 
reader  will  find  a  lithographic  portrait  of  Dr.  Carr. 


— * 


8>-3HHSi 


W>w         . 


.Qv— 


-{— 


\ 


»1LLIAM  L.  DONNEL,  one    of    the    most 


-  I  prominent  and  intelligent  gentlemen  re- 
y%  siding  in  Shelby  County,  who  is  thor- 
oughly public-spirited  and  capable  of  hems;  :i 
leader  of  thought  and  action  in  his  township,  re- 
sides on  section  21,  Ridge  Township.  His  father 
was  John  M.  Donnel,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  as  was 
also  his  mother.  Elizabeth  Jerregan.  After  mar- 
riage this  couple  settled  in  Rutherford  County. 
ty.Tenn..  and  thence  emigrated  to  Montgomery 
County.  111.,  about  the  year  1827.  They  after- 
ward made  their  home  in  Vandalia,  this  State, 
where  the  life  of  Mrs.  Donnel  terminated  near 
that  place.  Her  husband  who  survived  her.  died 
in  "Williamson  County,  this  State. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  the  eldest  in  a  family 
of  twelve  children,  and  was  born  in  Rutherford 
County.  Tenn..  January  22.  1820;  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois with  his  father  who  was  in  limited  circum- 
stances and  in  order  to  assist  his  parents  he  worked 
out  when  he  was  a  hoy  doing  farm  labor.  During 
the  winter  of  1839-40  he  moved  the  goods  and 
press  of  the  editor  of  the  Mate  Register  with 
whom  he  had  pleasant  relations,  as  the  older  man 
appreciated  the  bright  qualities  of  the  boy.  In 
March,  1840,  he  came  to  Shelby  County,  111.,  ami 
engaged  in  farming  upon  his  own  account  in 
Ridge  Township.  In  June,  1846,  lie  settled  on 
section  21  of  the  latter  township  where  he  has  since 
been  a  resident. 

Mr.  William  Donnel  was  married  January  <!. 
1842,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Roys,  a  daughter  of  Dan- 
iel and  Hannah  (Roys)  Roys,  both  natives  of  Ken- 


tucky. Daniel  Roys  passed  away  from  life  in 
Ridge  Township,  but  his  widow  still  survives  him 
and  is  now  at  the  advanced  agi  of  eighty-seven 
year-  and  makes  hei  home  with  our  subject.  Mrs. 
Donnel  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind..  April  13, 
1825.  Mr.  and  Mr-.  Donnel  have  had  eleven 
bright  and  interesting  children,  three  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  The  surviving  children  are: 
Elizabeth  J.,  the  wife  of  John  II.  .McDonald;  Mary 
Ann.  who  married  J.  J.  Dimes;  Sarah  II.,  the  wife 
of  Charles  Small;  William  L.  Jr.,  who  took  to  wife 
Miss  Nettie  Busby;  George  W..  a  clergyman  of 
the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  in  Oregon,  whose 
wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Elizabeth  Neal; 
James  W..  who  married  Sarah  Killani:  Charles 
II.  and  Dora  E.  are  at    home. 

Our  subject  has  held  the  office  of  School  Trustee 
for  seventeen  years  and  during  that  time  has  been 
very  efficient  in  forwarding  the  educational  inter- 
ests of  the  township,  lie  has  also  taken  an  active 
part  in  political  affairs,  casting  his  first  Presiden- 
tial vote  for  James  K.  Polk  and  being  a  worker  in 
the  Democratic  ranks.  In  his  religious  connection 
he  was  formerly  identified  with  the  United  Baptist 
Church  but  is  now  a  member  of  -the  Christian 
Church,  lie  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming 
ami  stock  raising  and  has  erected  upon  his  farm  a 
first-class  set  of  buildings  and  has  two  hundred 
acres  in  tine  shape.  He  is  a  man  keenly  alive  to 
the  necessity  for  progress  in  the  affairs  of  the 
neighborhood  both  social  and  industrial,  and  is 
truly  appreciative  of  all  good  thing-  whether  in- 
tellectual or  material. 


i  '     >   i   i    '   j 


m    «q    t  \,t  m  I  n  I 


1 — -J  RANK   TRAINER,  the  editor  ami  publisher 
\—(g)   <'f  the  Edit*  at   Bethany,  became  a  resident 

I  of  Moultrie  County  in   18*7.  and  on   April 

II  of  that  year  issued  the  first  copy  of  the  Echo, 
which  is  now  a  seven-column  folio,  and  is  published 
as  an  independent  local  newspaper,  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  Bethany  and  its  vicinity.  This  gentle- 
man was  born  in  Meigs  County,  Ohio,  September 
28.  18(12.  his  parents  being  Samuel  and  Amanda 
(West)  Trainer, natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


399 


respectively.  They  were  married  in  <  Hii<>  and  set- 
tled in  Meigs  County,  on  :i  farm,  where  the  mother 
died  January  27.  1876,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three 
years,  and  where  the  father  still  resides,  enjoying 
.!  green  "Id  age,  a>  he  is  now  seventy-seven  years 
old,  having  been  born  in  June,  181  l. 

Tin-  ten  children  of  this  worth}  couple  were 
equally  divided  between  sons  and  daughters,  and 
our  subject  was  next  to  the  youngest  in  age.  He 
was  reared  upon  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  In  1**1  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
taught  school  in  Macon  County,  ami  in  1885 
lie  entered  a  printing  office  in  Macon  City  and 
there  learned  "the  art  preservative  of  all  art.-."' 
after  which  he  again  engaged  in  teaching.  It  was 
in  1**7  when  he  located  at  Bethany  and  estab- 
lished the  paper  which  he  has  since  owned  and 
edited. 

Mr.  Trainer  had  married  in  1885,  before  coming 
tn  Bethany,  Miss  llala  Bricker,  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Louisa  Bricker.  She  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  111.,  and  is  now  the  mother  of  two  beauti- 
ful children.  Arthur  and  Alva  Dean.  The  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  is  the  religious  body 
with  which  the  young  couple  are  identified,  and 
their  influence  is  ever  cast  in  the  direction  of 
morality  and  Christianity.  Although  Mr.  Trainer 
ha-  not  been  a  resident  of  the  town  long,  he  i-  a 
young  man  who  is  universally  liked  and  well 
spoken  of  by  the  older  members  of  the  commu- 
nity, and  he  bids  fair  to  make  his  mark  in  the  fu- 
ture history  of  Moultrie  County. 


OSEPH  ROLLER  is  a  typical  fanner  whose 
practical  knowledge  of  agriculture  and  bus- 
iness-like methods  in  managing  his  affairs 
have  placed  him  among  the  foremost  men 
of  his  class  in  Penn  Township,  where  he  owns  a 
large  and  well  conducted  farm  that  i-  considered 
one  of  the  finest  in  the  county. 

Mr.  Roller    was    born    near    Little    York.   York 
County,  Pa., September  3.  1830,     His  father, whose 


given  name  was  John,  i-  also  supposed  to  have 
been  a  native  of  the  same  county  where  lie  passed 
hi-  early  life,  and  where  he  was  married.  He  was 
a  distiller  by  trade  in  hi-  young  days,  hut  remov- 
ing to  Centre  County,  Pa.,  in  1840,  he  bought  a 
farm  on  Buffalo  Run  and  devoted  his  remaining 
year-  to  agricultural  pursuits,  dying  there  in  1*71 
at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-one  years.  His  wife,  till' 
mother  of  our  subject,  preceded  him  in  death  many 
years,  her  demise  occurring  on  the  old  farm  in  1852. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer,  receiving  a  careful  training  in  all  that  per- 
tain- to  agriculture,  SO  that  h\  the  time  he  attained 
manhood  he  was  "ell  versed  in  the  calling  that 
was  to  he  his  life  work.  He  continued  to  live  with 
his  father  until  he  was  thirty-one  year-  of  age, 
affording  him  valuable  aid  in  the  management  of 
hi-  farm,  lie  then  rented  land  in  Centre  County 
a  few  years.  Wisely  thinking  that  on  the  fertile 
-oil  of  the  Prairie  Mate  he  could  make  more  head- 
way in  his  calling,  he  left  his  native  commonwealth 
in  1865  to  avail  himself  of  the  superior  advantages 
offered  to  skillful  and  wide-awake  farmers  in  Shelby 
County.  He  made  a  judicious  selection  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  wild  prairie  land  in 
Penn  Township  which  is  now  included  in  his 
pleasant  farm.  The  price  of  it  wa-  $9  an  acre 
and  he  went  into  debt  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
purchase  money. 

At  the  time  of  his  settlement  here  tin-  part  of 
the  county  was  hut  little  developed  and  Mr.  Roller 
had  to  do  a  great  deal  of  pioneer  work  in  bring- 
ing his  farm  to  its  present  tine  and  highly  unproved 
condition.  Hi-  labors  have  Keen  well  rewarded, 
however,  a-  hi-  home-lead  i-  a  valuable  piece  of 
property,  supplied  with  ample  and  well  arranged 
buildings,  and   it-  carefully  tilled   fields  and  rich 

pastures  yield  a  g 1  income,     lie  ha- also  bought 

other  land  at  different  tunes  and  now  his  farm 
comprises  four  hundred  and  forty  acre-.  Mr. 
Roller  is  well  liked  in  this  community  as  he  i-  a 
just  and  fair  man.  kindly  of  heart  and  honest  of 
purpose,  and  has  shown  himself  in  every  respect 
to  he  a  worthy  addition  to  the  citizenship  of  thi- 
place  since  he  took  up  his  residence  here  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  Hi-  wife  also  shares 
with    him  the  regard    in  which    he  is  held  and  both 


Hill 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


are  among  the  most  worthy  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  In  politics  he  sides  with  the 
Democrats. 

Mr.  Roller  has  been  three  times  married.  His 
first  wife,  to  whom  he  was  united  in  1 8 ;j 8 ,  was 
Matilda  Ross,  who  was  a  native  of  Centre  County. 
Pa.,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Ross.  She 
died  in  1873  leaving  these  six  children;  John  AY.. 
Laura  J.,  Sally  J.,  Joseph  R..  Ida  and  Robert  II. 
Laura  married  Charles  Lutz;  Sally  is  the  wife  of 
M.  W.  Marshall;  and  Ida  is  the  wife  (if  Tom  Gedes. 
Our  subject's  second  marriage,  which  took  place  in 
1K76.  was  with  Isabella  Hunter,  a  native  of  Centre 
County.  Pa.,  and  a  daughter  of  Robert  Hunter. 
She  departed  this  life  May  18.  1885.  In  1**7  Mr. 
Roller  was  wedded  to  Miss  Annie  Dale,  his  present 
wife,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Centre 
County,  and  a  daughter  of   Felix   and   Lucy  Dale. 


io    ' 


.J 


\J\  ARTTX  V.  PIERCE.  The  gentleman  who 
is  our  subject  is  the  owner  and  resides  on 
a  tine  farm  located  on  section  1.  Rural 
Township,  where  he  devotes  himself  to  the 

calling  of  agriculture,  being  very  successful  in  this 
direction,  as  he  has  bent  his  energies  and  intelli- 
gence to  the  subject  formally  years.  His  residence 
in  Shelby  County  dates  from  the  spring  of  1869.  He 
is  a  native  of  Sullivan  County,  hid.,  where  he  was 
born  March  16,  1838.  His  parents  were  Jesse  and 
Keziah  (Harris)  Pierce. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  but  a  small  boy 
when  his  mother  died  and  when  only  thirteen 
years  of  age  the  father  died.  The  mother  left 
thirteen  children  and  the  father  was  married  a  sec- 
ond  time,  by  that  marriage  becoming  the  parent  of 
two  children.  After  the  death  of  his  father  Mar- 
tin resided  with  his  uncle  until  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  assisted  in  tilling  the  soil.  Doubly  or- 
phaned, the  youth's  early  years  lacked  all  that 
makes  the  remembrance  of  childhood  pleasant  to 
one.  We  cannot  but  sympathize  with  the  lad 
whose  sorrow  was  only  stunned  by  the  hard  toil 
which  he  was  compelled  to  accomplish. 

In  1860  our  subject  was  united   in   marriage   to 


Kmi!\  Ernest,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Susan  Er- 
nest. She  was  born  in  Sullivan  County,  Ind..  and 
is  one  of  a  family  of  four,  having  three  brothers. 
After  marriage  our  subject  became  the  owner  and 
operator  of  a  small  farm  in  Sullivan  County, 
where  he  remained  until  1869  and  then  came  to 
this  State,  renting  land  for  one  season  and  then 
purchasing  the  place  whereon  he  at  present  resides. 
At  that  time  it  was  but  very  little  improved,  the 
only  attempt  at  redeeming  it  from  native  wildness 
was  a  log  hut.  In  1876  Mr.  Pierce  removed  to 
Shelbyville  on  account  of  poor  health  and  two 
years  later,  much  improved  in  this  respect,  he  re- 
turned to  his  farm  and  resumed  his  bucolic  employ- 
ment. He  is  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land, 
which  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  the  parents 
of  five  children,  three  girls  and  one  boy  dying  in 
infancy;  only  one  son.  Charles,  is  living.  A 
nephew,  however,  whose  name  is  Homer  Ernest.  i> 
a  member  of  his  family  and  enjoys  the  affection 
and  privileges  of  a  son.  Formerly  our  subject 
affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  of  late  he 
has  transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  Prohibition 
party,  convinced  that  the  evil  of  intemperance  is 
one  that  most  seriously  threatens  the  well-being  of 
our  country.  He  of  whom  we  write  has  filled  the 
the  position  of  Township  Commissioner  to  the  en- 
tire satisfaction  of  those  who  elected  him.  In  his 
church  relations  Mr.  Pierce  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  denomination.  He  has  been  Deacon  and 
Treasurer  in  the  church  of  which  he  is  a  member 
for  a  number  of  years.  Simple  and  unaffected  at 
all  times,  our  subject  enjoys  the  confidence  and 
trust  of  the  men  in  his  township  in  all  stations  of 
life. 


AVID   M.  CROWDER,     To  be  the  son  of 

worthy  parents  is  a  matter  both  for  hon- 
orable pride  and  devout  thankfulness,  and 
he  who  can  make  this  boast  does  well  to 
carry  still  further  the  honorable  standing  of  the 
family  by  making  good  his  claim  to  be   worthy  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Iiil 


such  parents.  The  father  of  our  subject,  the  late 
Robert  Crowder,  was  bom  in   Buncombe  County, 

N.  C.  July  17.  1**17.  and  his  mother,  who  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Barbara  Prater,  was  born  in 
Greene  County,  Tenn.,  April  15,  1807.  The  first 
two  years  of  their  married  life  was  spent  in  Easl 
Tennessee,  upon  a  farm,  alter  which  they  moved 
to  Indiana  and  settling  in  Jennings  County  re- 
mained there  about  two  years  and  then  emigrated 
to  Missouri,  where  they  settled  near  Boonville, 
and  lived  there  for  one  year. 

Robert  Crowder  brought  his  family  to  Illinois  in 
January.  1838,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Marrow- 
bone Township.  Moultrie  County,  where  they  con- 
tinued to  live  until  called  hence  by  death.  Our 
subject  is  the  eldest  of  their  ten  children  and  his 
birth  occurred  in  Eastern  Tennessee.  November  18. 
1828.  so  that  he  was  thus  about  nine  years  old 
when  he  came  with  his  father  to  what  is  now 
Moultrie  County,  where  lie  grew  to  manhood  ami 
has  made  his  home  from  that  day  to  this. 

Under  the  parental  roof  this  young  man  made 
his  home  until  that  important  event  took  place 
which  was  celebrated  in  Marrowbone  Township. 
August  30,  1848.  when  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Susan  E.Mitchell,  daughter  of  George  and 
Jane  W.  Mitchell,  who  were  of  Southern  birth  but 
became  early  settlers  in  Moultrie  County,  111.  Mrs. 
Susan  E.  Crowder  was  born  in  Tennessee.  July  '.'. 
1831.  The  family  home  of  this  wedded  couple  has 
been  ever  since  their  wedding  day  upon  seel  ion  15, 
Marrowbone  Township,  with  the  exception  of  one 
year  which  they  spent  in  Bethany.  Farming  has 
been  Mr.  Crowder's  pursuit  through  life  and  in  it 
he  has  been  successful,  which  success  may  be  attrib- 
uted to  two  reasons.  In  the  first  place  lie  has  been 
thoroughly  intelligent,  energetic  and  enterprising, 
and  in  the  second  place  he  has  had  a  richly  product- 
ivefarm  such  as  is  to  be  found  only  in  the  Prairie 
Mate.  His  tract  of  two  hundred  and  fifteen  acres 
has  been  excellently  improved  and  upon  it  will  be 
found  all  the  conveniences  and  appurtenances 
which  belong  to  a  first-class   farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crowder  rejoice  in  the  possession 
of  seven  children,  namely:  Sarah  J.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  William  H.  Hoskins;  Margaret  A.,  who 
married  F.  T.   Scheer;    Mary  A.,  now    Mrs.  Joel  A. 


Veakel;  Barbara  E..  who  was  the  wife  of  W.  F.  Lo- 
gan, and  died  April 3,  1890;  Dora  S.,  married  .I.E. 
Scheer;  and  two  sons  who  died  in  infancy.  The 
principles  of  the  Republican  party  command  the 
respect  and  allegiance  of  our  subject  and  although 
he  is  not  an  office-seeker  he  is  earnestly  devoted  to 
the  prosperity  of  his  party  and  works  for  its 
supremacy.  Roth  he  and  his  excellent  wife  are 
earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

A  biography  of  David  M.  Crowder  would  be  in- 
complete did  it  not  include  a  fuller  resume  than  we 
have  already  given  of  the  life  of  the  parents  whose 
honorable  record  is  his  dearest  possession.  It  was 
in  the  fall  of  1*2*  that  Robert  Crowder  removed 
to  Indiana, and  after  first  settling  in  Ripley  County. 
Ind..  removed  as  we  have  said,  to  Jennings  County. 
where  he  settled  in  New  Marion.  In  the  fall  of 
1836  he  removed,  as  has  been  stated,  to  Missouri, 
and  there  remained  until  January,  1838,  when  he 
came  to  Moultrie  County.  111.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Barbara  Prater,  brought  him  ten 
children,  namely:  David  M..  William  A..  Sarah  J.. 
Thomas  H.,  Mary  S..  Robert  S..  James  H„  Andrew 
W..  John  A.  and  Marshall  M.  Robert  enlisted  in 
Company  E.  Twenty-first  Regiment  of  Illinois  In- 
fantry, taking  rank  as  First  Sergeant,  and  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  in  September, 
1863:  Andrew  W.  was  a  member  of  Company  B. 
Forty-first  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  killed  during 
the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  in  June.  1863,  when  about 
sixteen  years  old.  The  brave  and  noble  record  of 
these  loyal  sons  of  a  loyal  father  awaken  a  sympa- 
thetic response  in  every  patriotic  heart.""  and  the 
memory  of  these  brave  boys  is  cherished  by  their 
brothers  and  sisters  and  handed  down  to  their 
posterity  for  they  believe  that 

"Brave  hearts  are  more  than  coronets. 
And  simple  faith  than  Norman  blood". 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  was  the 
body  with  which  Robert  and  Barbara  Crowder 
were  connected,  and  in  its  service  and  communion 
they  found  both  comfort  and  opportunity  for 
Christian  work.  Their  genuine  Christian  charity 
and  uprightness  mark  them  as  worthy  both  of  trust 
and  emulation,  and  their    influence  will  not   die 


402 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


out  for  many  generations  to  come.  Robert  Crow- 
der  passed  from  earth  September  22,  1877,  and  his 
bereaved  widow  survived  him  until  January  25, 
1890,  when  she  too  made  her  transit  to  a  better 
world.  The  handsome  property  which  Robert 
Crowder  left  to  his  children  is  but  a  small  portion 
of  the  precious  heritage  which  they  have  received 
from  him  and  their  venerated  mother. 


OHN     B.     HUGHES,    a    well-known    and 
highly  respected  druggist  of  Oconee,  Shelby 

County,  a  man  of  broad  experience  and  ex- 
cellent attainments,  who  has  added  to  the 
materia]  prosperity  of  his  village  by  his  energy 
and  enterprise.  He  is  a  public-spirited  citizen, 
who  is  ever  wide  awake  to  help  forward  every 
movement  which  tends  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
place.  His  parents  were  Thomas  W.  and  Catherine 
(Burke)  Hughes,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  the  father 
being  born  in  County  Carlo  in  1801,  and  the 
mother  in  Loughrea,  County  Galway,  in  1843. 
The  father  emigrated  to  America  in  1838,  and  the 
mother  in  1851,  and  here  they  met  and  united 
their  fortunes  in  marriage. 

The  father  of  our  subject  located  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  made  his  home  there  for  some  three 
years,  but  the  Western  feverhad  not  been  assuaged 
by  his  removal  across  the  ocean,  and  he  decided  to 
conic  to  the  Mississippi  Valley.  St.  Louis  was  his 
destination,  and  he  remained  there  until  18;>2.  but 
in  that  year  removed  to  Pana.  111.,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death  in  1887.  The  mother  still  resides 
in  the  latter  place. 

Mr.  Hnghes  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Pana,  where  he  received  excellent  drill  and  ad- 
vantages, ami  he  took  his  professional  training  at 
the  Chicago  College  of  Pharmacy,  from  which  in- 
stitution he  graduated  in  1883.  For  eleven  years 
he  worked  in  a  drug  store  in  Pana.  during  which 
time  he  attended  the  college  and  received  his  di- 
ploma. After  graduation  he  went  AVest  and  made 
a  tour  of  California.  Arizona.  ( )ld  and  New  .Mexico. 
Indian  Territory.  Colorado,  Utah  and  Wyoming. 
Ilis  trip  covered  a  period  of    three  years.      During 


a  portion  of.  this  time  he  was  occupied  in  mining 
and  upon  a  ranch,  and  worked  in  a  drug  store  for 
awhile  in  Denver,  Col.  Returning  home  he  soon 
after  went  into  business  on  his  own  account  at 
Oconee,  where  we  now  rind  him.  He  carries  a  full 
line  of  staple  drills,  wall  paper,  glass,  paints  and 
oils,  toilet  articles,  jewelry,  clocks,  watches,  cigars, 
school  supplies,  etc..  and  has  an  excellent  trade  in 
these  various  lines. 

On  May  28.  1889  was  the  happy  wedding  day  of 
our  subject  with  Miss  Ida  M.  Morris,a  daughter  of 
William  Morris  of  this  place.  This  lady.  Mis. 
Hughes,  was  the  only  child  of  her  parents  being 
born  in  Oconee,  April  15,  18(17.  One  child.  Mari- 
etta, died  in  early  infancy.  Mr.  Hughes  is  a  Re- 
publican in  his  political  views,  and  has  always 
advocated  principles  of  the  party  which  placed 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  the  Presidential  chair  and  sup- 
ported his  hand  during  the  trying  years  of  the 
Civil  War.  lie  has  served  for  two  years  as  Town- 
ship Clerk  of  Pana.  and  is  a  member  of  Oconee 
Camp,  Xo.  1312  M.  W.  of  A.,  of  which  he  was  a 
charter  member,  and  where  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Worthy  Advisor.  lie  is  a  member,  as  were  his 
parents  before  him,  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
and  his  good  wife  is  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  live  sons  and 
three  daughters,  fiveof  whom  now  survive,  namely: 
William  I...  who  is  the  eldest  and  resides  in  Pana, 
111.,  carrying  on  the  drug  business;  Mary  F.,  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Scott,  a  barber  in  Pana;  Martin  F., 
who  is  married  and  is  carrying  on  the  coal  busi- 
ness in  Pana;  Thomas  P..  who  is  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business  in  Decatur;  and  the  deceased  mem- 
bers of  the  family  are  Ella.  Edward  and  Anna,  all 
of  whom  died  while  the  family  were  living  in 
Pana. 


-4- 


* 


-5- 


OSIAII  BERRY,  is  the  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Berry  &  Clark,  the  best  known  deal- 
ers in  lumber,  house  trimmings  and  general 
builders'  supplies,  in  Moweaipia.  Shelby 
County.  The  firm  was  established  under  its  pres- 
ent   title    in    September.    1889,    having   succeeded 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


in:; 


Gregory  Bros.,  who  established  the  business  some 
years  before.  A  sketch  will  be  found  in  another 
part  of  this  Record,  of  the  history  of  our  sub- 
ject's partner,  Mr.  Clark.  The  linn  have  already 
attained  a  foothold  in  the  community  and  vicinity, 
thai  speaks  well  for  their  business  principles  in 
dealing. 

Mr.  Berry  \v:is  formerly  engaged  as  a  farmer  in 
Mowequa  Township,  having  been  for  many  years 
very  successful  in  his  calling.  He  came  here  in 
1873  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  land,  which  he  still  owns.  He  expended  a 
large  amount  of  capital  in  putting  this  farm  under 
perfect  cultivation,  and  it  is  so  pleasant  and  at- 
tractive a  place  that  we  almost  wonder  at  Mr.  Ber- 
ry's relinquishing  it.  lie  came  to  Shelby  County 
in  1868,  spending  his  first  live  years  here  on  a  farm 
in  l'enn  Township. 

Mr.  Berry  was  horn  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
November  1.  1839.  lie  was  there  reared  and  re- 
ceived the  ordinary  common-school  education, and 
then'  remained  until  he  had  reached  his  majority. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion, 
like  all  true  men,  his  patriotism  was  tired,  and  he 
ready  to  do  or  die  for  his  country,  lie  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  of  the  Seventeenth  Ohio  Regiment, 
in  the  month  of  August,  1861,  Col.  .1.  M.  Connell 
and  Capt.  .1.  W.  Stinchcoinli.  the  latter  being  fol- 
lowed by  Capt.  Weakly,  now-  of  Shelby vill-e.  1 11  . 
commanding-  officers.  After  the  organization  of 
the  regiment,  they  advanced  to  the  field  of  dis- 
turbance and  were  assigned  to  the  Fourteenth 
Army  Corps  of  the  Cumberland  Army  under  Gen. 
Thomas.  The  regiment  was  brought  into  contact 
with  the  enemy  at  Wildcat,  Ky.,  and  again 
met  them  at  Mills  Spring.  Corinth.  Perryville, 
Stone  River, Chickamauga, Mission  Ridge,  and  were 
with  Sherman  in  his  celebrated  inarch  from  At- 
lanta to  the  sea.  Our  subject  was  veteranized  by 
re-enlistment  in  December,  1863, and  hi'  continued 
in  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky..  and  mus- 
tered out  at  Camp  Chase.  Columbus,  Ohio,  having 
served  nearly  four  years.  He  was  always  on  duty 
and  saw  a  great  deal  of  active  service  anil  hard 
fighting.  He  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape 
wounds  and  capture,  never  having  seen  the  inside 


of  a  hospital.  Mr.  Berry  served  as  Sergeant  of  his 
company  for  some  time. 

On  his  return  home  to  Ohio  he  of  whom  we 
write  was  engaged  as  a  farmer  until  he  came  to  II- 
nois  in  18(!8,  since  which  time  he  has  been  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  township  where  he  has  re- 
sided, being  much  looked  up  to  because  of  his  en- 
ergy and  progressive  ideas.  Our  subject  was 
married  in  his  native  county  to  Miss  Lucretia  A. 
Ruffner,  whose  birthplace  and  early  home  was  in 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  She  was  tenderly  reared, 
and  had  many  advantages  in  an  educational  way. 
denied  many  of  her  sex.  She  is  the  mother  of  two 
children,  Ruffner  A.  Berry,  who  is  a  clerk  with 
Mottit  A'  Co..  ice  dealers  in  Decatur;  and  Nellie. 
who  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berry  are  the  leaders  of  the  best 
class  of  social  life  in  Moweaqua.  Their  pleasant 
home  is  the  meeting  place  for  the  culture,  intelli- 
gence and  refinement  of  the  town.  Mrs.  Berry  is 
a  lovely  woman,  who  presides  over  her  home  with 
the  dignity  and  grace  that  come  only  from  a  natur- 
ally delicate  and  finely  balanced  nature.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Berry  is  a  Republican,  taking  much 
interest  in  local  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
.1.  Y.  Clemings  Post.  O.  A.  R.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  No.  1013  Chapter,  K.  of  II.,  of  Moweaqua, 
being  Dictator  in  the  latter  lodge.  He  has  filled 
all  the  offices  of  the  Grand  Army  Post  to  which 
he  belongs  but  that  of  Commander. 


^€>*<§^ 


ARSHALL  M.  CROWDER.  Many  families 
are  notable  only  for  someone  distinguished 
member,  whose  reputation  is  far  superior 
to  that  of  his  brothers  and  kinsmen,  who 
must  ever  be  content  to  shine  in  reflected  glory, 
but  in  the  familv  which  is  represented  by  the  gen- 
tleman whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch,  it  is  hard  to  select  one  member  who  is  pre- 
eminent above  the  others,  as  the  reputation  of 
every  one  as  energetic,  enterprising  men  and  pub- 
lic-spirited citizens  is  acknowledged  by  all  in 
this  section  of  the  country. 

Our  subject    is  the  yougest   in   a   family  of  ten 


mi 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


children  all  of  whom  are  worthy  representatives 
of  an  excellent  family.  The  parents,  who  had  the 
honor  to  bring  into  the  world  and  rear  such  val- 
uable citizens,  are  spoken  of  more  at  length  in  the 
biographical  sketch  of  David  M.  Crowder.  He  of 
whom  we  write  was  born  in  Marrowbone  Township, 
.March  12.  1851,  and  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm,  receiving  his  education  first  in  the 
district  schools  and  afterward  attending  Mounl 
Zion  Academy  for  two  terms.  After  this  he  taught 
school  tor  six  months  in  Moultrie  County  but  with 
that  exception  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  his  marriage. 

That  interesting  event  took  place  in  Sullivan 
Township.  May  22.  1870,  the  bride  being  Miss 
Lydia  S.  Shockey,  who  was  horn  in  Zanesville,  Ind. 
She  received  careful  training  and  an  excellent  ed- 
ucation and  was  thus  admirably  fitted  for  her  fu- 
ture work  as  wife  and  mother.  Three  children 
called  her  mother,  viz.:  Olive  B.  (the  wife  of  Ches- 
ley  W.  Kennedy),  Walter  R.  and  Florence  L.  Mrs. 
Lydia  Crowder  died  in  Marrowbone  Township, 
November  (!.  1886,  and  her  memory  is  revered  by 
all  who  knew  her  as  a  true-hearted  woman  and  :i 
faithful  and  devoted   Christian. 

The  second  marriage  of  Marshall  Crowder  took 
place  in  Dalton  City.  111..  August  17.  1KK7.  he 
being  then  united  with  Miss  Mollie  E.  Black.a  native 
of  Mount  Zion  Township.  Macon  County.  111. 
She  was  there  born  May  2(i.  1H67.  and  reared  to 
womanhood  receiving  the  best  educational  advan- 
tages which  her  parents  could  command.  She.  as 
well  as  her  husband,  are  members  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  where  they  are  highly 
esteemed  for  their  true  Christian  character  and 
their  intelligent  promotion  of  all  movements  for 
the  betterment  of  the  community. 

Our  subject  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits,  although  for  one  year  he  was  employed 
as  >lerk  in  a  store  in  Bethany.  For  many  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  G lee  Club  of  that  village  and 
musical  matters  always  command  his  sympathetic 
approval  and  encouragement.  The  platform  of  the 
Republican  party  expresses  his  views  in  regard  to 
political  policy  and  principles  and  he  is  an  ardent 
worker  for  the  prosperity  of  that  party.  Two  hun- 
dred acres  are  comprised  within  the   limits  of   Mr. 


Crowder's  farm  and  upon  this  tract  he  has  erected 
excellent  and  commodious  farm  buildings  and  a 
home  which  is  an  ornament  to  the  township. 


RS.  CATHERINE  EBERIIARDT.  Nothing 
is  more  grateful  to  the  feelings  of  the  bi- 
/  I  ographer  than  to  find  a  demand  made 
upon  his  pen  for  a  sketch  of  an  ideal 
woman — one  whose  sound  judgment  and  true  heart 
have  carried  her  unswervingly  through  the  devious 
paths  of  life  and  whose  beautiful  Christian  char- 
acter has  shown  out  through  the  darkness  of  life's 
trials  and  temptations  and  has  ever  proved  a  bea- 
con to  warn  the  unwary  and  to  comfort  those  in 
sorrow.  Such  a  life  we  find  our  duty  to  record  in 
speaking  of  the  lady  whose  name  appears  at  the 
head  of  this  paragraph. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany, 
January  31,  ls:S2.  Her  father,  George  Geiger,  was 
bora  there  in  17'J7  her  mother.  Katlierina  (Hild) 
Geiger,  having  her  nativity  in  1805.  They  mar- 
ried and  settled  in  Germany  and  there  they  spent 
their  entire  lives.  They  became  the  parents  of  four 
children  of  whom  Mrs.  Eberhardt  was  the  eldest 
and  she  remained  at  home  until  she  reached  her 
twentieth  year  and  received  as  thorough  an  educa- 
tion as  her  parents  were  able  to  command  for  her. 
They  brought  her  up  in  the  faith  and  practice  of 
the  Christian  religion  and  sought  for  her  those 
blest  posessions  of  a  cultured  heart  and  mind. 
This  young  woman  when  only  twenty  years  old 
left  her  home  and  friends  in  the  Old  Country  and 
emigrated  to  America.  This  departure  was  trying 
indeed  to  one  of  so  warm  a  nature,  and  the  home- 
sickness with  which  she  was  afflicted  lasted  for 
many  sad  and  weary  months.  She  never  saw  her 
parents  again,  as  it  was  not  practicable  for  her  to 
return  to  them  and  they  did  not  feel  brave  enough 
to  leave  their  native  land  and  cross  the  ocean. 

"While  living  in  Philadelphia.  Catherine  Geiger 
was  employed  as  a  domestic  for  somewhat  less  than 
two  years,  after  which  she  came  West  and  while  in 
St.  Louis.  Mo.,  met   and    married  Jacob  Eberhardt, 


m 


H.  C.  GALLAGHER. 


FRANCES        GALLAGHER. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


409 


her  wedding  day  being  March  4,  1854.  This3roung 
man  was  a  native  of  Switzerland,  where  he  was 
born  in  1825  and  after  his  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject  lie  removed  to  Sangamon  County,  111.  and 
there  made  his  home.  After  four  year-'  residence 
there  they  removed  to  Marion  Connty,  111.,  and 
resided  there  for  nine  years  and  in  the  spring  of 
lsi)7  came  to  Moultrie  County  and  settled  in  Lowe 
Township  where  Mr.  Eberhardt  died  dune  15,  1870. 
Eight  children  have  blest  this  anion,  namely: 
John,  Bertha,  Jacob,  Anna,  George,  (who  died  at 
the  aye  of  nineteen)  Emma,  Charlie,  who  died  when 
sixteen  years  old,  and  Lncinda,  the  lasl  one  dying 
in  early  childhood,  Mrs.  Eberhardt  ha-  continued 
to  live  in  Lowe  Township,  and  she  owns  twohun- 
dred  acre-  of  tine  land  upon  which  she  ha-  placed 
good  improvements,  she  is  a  member  of  tin  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  an  earnest  and  active 
Christian  and  a  lady  of  such  genial  nature  a-  to 
win  every  heart. 


KN1IY  (  .  GALLAGHER,  The  coming  into 
a  county  in  its  early  days  of  any  family  of 
enterprise,  energy  and  industry,  proves  in 
\£>  time  a  great  help  in  the  progress  of  the 
community.  Such  a  family  is  that  of  the  Galla- 
ghers, <>f  Shelby  County,  and  tin-  gentleman  whose 
name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  is  one  of 
that  large  family,  and  with  his  brothers  may  well 
occupy  a  conspicuous  place  in  this  Record.  The 
family  history  is  given  more  at  length  in  the 
biography  of  his  brother  Abram,  to  which  our 
reader-  are  referred  for  further  minutia. 

The  tine  e-tate  of  this  farmer  and  stock-raiser  i- 
to  Keen  seen  upon  section  "27.  Holland  Town-hip. 
ami  its  owner  was  horn  in  this  town-hip  within 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  of  his  present  residence, 
August  1.  1843.  lie  is  the  third  in  order  of  age 
of  the  large  family  of  ten  children  horn  to  Jacob 
ai.d  Sarah  (Middlesworth)  Gallagher,  who  came  to 
Illinois  in  1838 and  settled  mar  Shelbyville, where 
they  remained  for  two  years  and  then  came  to 
Holland  Township. 


Our  subject  has  Keen  a  resident  of  the  latter  town- 
ship all  his  life.  His  infancy  was  -pent  on  the  farm 
and  he  received  training  there  and  in  the  district 
schools  which  prepared  him  for  taking  up  life's 
duties  with  energy  and  discretion.  The  curriculum 
of  study  in  those  pioneer  schools  was  not  broad 
but  it  was  thorough,  and  the  drill  was  an  excellent 
preparation  for  the  stern  realities  of  life.  As  soon 
a-  lie  wa-  old  enough  to  undertake  duties  for  him- 
self lie  began  farming  independently  and  has  al- 
ways followed  that  business. 

The  farm  of  six  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
good  land  bears  upon  it  excellent  improvements, 
and  has  what  is  rare  in  some  parts  of  Illinois,  a 
beautiful  grove.  Mr.  Gallagher  has  devoted  him- 
self largely  to  the  rearing  of  stock,  making  hogs  a 
specialty,  although  he  raises  a  good  many  horses. 
The  marriage  of  our  subject  in  1871  brought  to  his 
home  a  bride  in  the  person  of  Miss  Frances, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Westenhaver. 
This  lady  was  born  in  Pickaway  County.  Ohio. 
February  6.  1843.  Her  parents  came  to  Illinois  in 
1858  and  located  in  Holland  Township,  this  county, 
where  they  died.  Three  of  their  four  children  are 
now  living. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  so  happy  as 
to  have  in  their  household  four  children,  and  still 
happier  in  retaining  them  all  in  health.  They  arc 
by  name:  Jacob  F...  Addie  F..  William  T.  and  Alva 
I...  all  unmarried  and  at  home  with  their  parents. 
The  estimate  in  which  Mr.  Gallagher  is  held  by 
his  fellow-citizens  and  then*  respect  for  his  efficiency 
is  abundantly  shown  by  their  placing  him  re- 
peatedly in  offices  of  trust,  lie  has  been  Assessor, 
Collector.  Township  Clerk  and  School  Director. 
and  just  now  i-  School  Trustee.  He  also  served 
live  year-  as  Clerk. 

The  Democratic  party  in  its  declaration  firings 
forward  the  political  doctrines  which  Mr.  Gallagher 
has  ever  esteemed  as  best  adapted  to  the  prosperity 
of  the  country.  He  is  an  active  promoter  of  the 
movements  of  this  party  and  takes  part  in  all  pub- 
lic affairs.  All  of  his  family  with  the  exception 
of  his  youngest  child  are  already  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  which  they  take  a 
deep  interest  and  for  whose  prosperity  they  cheer- 
fully  labor.      He   was  a  member  of   the  Shelbvvi.le 


410 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Lodge  No.  117,  I.  O.  O.  F..  bill  living  at  such  a 
distance  from  that  village  prevented  regular  attend- 
danceand  he  eventually  withdrew.  A  lithographic 
portrait  of  Mr.  Gallagher  appears  on  another  page. 


w,  t.  ,  b  i  >  p  i  m  U  f  b. 


?     I     '     I     '        I    '       |    ' 


i^iRl'MAN  E.  AMES,  County  Judge  of  Shelby 
t({(@^\  t°llnt.v-  already  ranks  among  the  most 
Vi^'  eminent  men  on  the  bench  in  this  State, 
although  comparatively  young,  as  since  assuming 
the  judicial  power  his  decisions  have  been  marked 
with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  law  as  applic- 
able to  all  cases  under  his  jurisdiction,  have  been 
delivered  with  candor  and  unquestioned  fairness, 
and  have  been  pronounced  without  fear  or  favor. 
Our  subject  was  born  January  2,  1850,  in  the 
township  of  DeKalb,  St.  Lawrence  County.  N.  Y., 
and  is  a  descendant  of  the  sturdy,  energetic  pio- 
neer stock  that  settled  that  part  of  the  county 
and  redeemed  it  from  the  primeval  forests.  His 
father,  Truman  W.  Ames,  was  also  born  on  the  old 
family  homestead  in  De  Kail)  Township.  He  was 
a  son  of  Barnabas  Ames  who  was  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont. The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject.  Will- 
lam  Ames,  was  likewise  born  in  Vermont,  the 
Ames's  being  among  the  Colonial  settlers  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Some  of  the  family  removed  from  there 
to  Vermont.  William  and  his  son  Barnabas,  after 
residing  there  a  few  years,  pushed  on  to  the  fron- 
tier wilds  of  Northern  New  York,  going  there  on 
an  exploring  expedition  before  he  removed  his 
family,  and  taking  with  him  bis  son,  the  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  then  a  youth  of  twenty 
years.  They  made  the  entire  journey  from  Ver- 
mont on  foot,  taking  with  them  their  axes  to  use 
when  necessary  in  traveling  through  the  rough, 
wild  country  through  which  they  had  to  pass. 
They  found  St.  Lawrence  County  a  howling  wil- 
derness, with  but  few  evidences  of  civilization,  as 
there  were  but  very  few  whites  in  that  region. 
After  their  arrival  they  took  the  job  to  help 
clear  the  land  where  the  Court  House  now 
stands  at  Canton.  They  soon  selected  a  suitable 
location  for  themselves  on  what  is  now  the  pike 
leading    from    Canton    to    Potsdam,    and    after 


erecting  a  log  house  on  the  land  purchased 
returned  to  Vermont  for  the  remainder  of  the 
family.  The  great-grandfather  rounded  out  a  long 
and  useful  life  in  his  new-found  home,  and  his 
mortal  remains  now  repose  in  the  Ames  Cemetery 
not  far  from   the  scene  of  his  pioneer  labors. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  just  entering 
upon  a  vigorous  manhood  when  the  family  re- 
moved to  St.  Lawrence  County,  and  he  at  once 
set  actively  to  work  to  evolve  a  farm  from  the 
wilderness.  For  many  years  after  his  location 
there  were  no  railways,  and  Montreal.  Canada,  was 
the  most  convenient  market  and  depot  for  sup- 
plies. Deer,  bears  and  wolves  were  plentiful  in 
the  woods  near  the  settlements,  and  sometimes 
committed  havoc  with  the  farmers'  stock  and 
gardens.  The  people  were  principally  home-livers, 
subsisting  on  the  products  of  their  farms,  their 
fare  being  varied  occasionally  by  game;  and  the 
wives,  mothers  and  daughters  of  the  pioneers 
carded,  spun  and  wove  flax  and  wool,  and  the 
cloth  thus  made  was  fashioned  by  their  hands  into 
garments  for  their  families.  Grandfather  Ames 
made  farming  his  life  work  and  cleared  a  good 
farm,  on  which  he  lengthened  out  a  long  and 
useful  life. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits  in  the  home  of  his  birth.  In 
due  time  he  married  Miss  Jane  Armin,  a  native 
of  England  and  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Jane 
(Jobbin)  Armin.  After  marriage  Mr.  Ames  pur- 
chased a  farm  near  the  old  home,  and  was  actively 
engaged  in  farming  thereon  until  1H(!4,  when  he 
enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixth  New 
York  Infantry,  and  going  at  once  to  the  front 
with  his  regiment,  joined  Sheridan's  command  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  He  fought  bravely  in  the 
first  battle  there,  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  was  se- 
verely wounded.  After  recovering  from  the  effects 
of  his  wounds  he  joined  his  regiment  again,  and 
was  present  with  the  command  at  Appomattox  at 
the  time  of  Lee's  surrender.  He  and  his  com- 
rades were  then  sent  in  pursuit  of  Johnson's 
army,  and  after  the  surrender  of  the  latter  Gen- 
eral they  proceeded  to  Washington,  took  part  in 
the  Grand  Review  and  were  honorably  discharged. 

Having  proved  his   loyalty   and  devotion  to  his 


PORTRAIT  AND  RICH  illAPHIC  AL    RECORD. 


HI 


country  by  sacrificing  hi-  interests  to  help  fight 
the  battles  that  saved  the  Union,  Mr.  Ames  re- 
turned to  his  old  home  and  resumed  his  occupa- 
tion as  a  farmer.  He  conducted  his  farming  in- 
terests until  1881, ^when  he  retired  from  active 
business  to  Potsdam,  where  he  -till  continues  to 
enjoy  the  handsome  competence  that  is  the  fruit 
<>f  his  well-directed  labors.  He  ami  his  good  wife 
have  four  sons  living  and  an  adopted  daughter, 
as  follow-:  Truman E.,  Milon  E„  Ceylon  W.,  Jud- 
son  T.  and  Gertrude.  Milon  E.,  Ceylon  W.  and 
Judson  T.  are  all  locomotive  engineers. 

Judge  Ames  laid  the  foundation  of  a  liberal 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
town,  afterward  studied  at  Hermon  Academy, 
and  then  pursued  a  course  of  study  at  the  State 
Normal  and  Training  School  at  Pot-dam.  He 
thus  had  a  good  ground  work  for  his  legal  studies, 
which  he  began  in  the  law  office  of  Moullon, 
Chaffee  A-  Headon  in  the  interim  of  teaching,  he 
having  come  to  Illinois  in  L871,  and  for  two 
years  taught  in  Moultrie  County,  and  subsequently 
in  this  county.  To  further  prepare  himself  for 
hi-  chosen  calling  he  entered  the  Law  Depart- 
ment of  the  Michigan  State  University  at  Ann 
Arbor,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  honor 
in  the  C  lass  of  '77.  He  opened  an  office  at  Wind- 
sor, and  was  established  there  one  year.  He  next 
went  to  Rockford,  but  after  remaining  in  that 
city  one  year,  he  returned  to  Windsor,  and  in 
1880  came  from  there  to  Shelby ville.  He  arose 
steadily  and  rapidly  in  his  profession  until  he 
was  honored  by  being  elected  to  his  present  im- 
portant office  of  County  Judge  in  1886.  This 
position  he  has  attained  solely  through  his  per- 
sonal merits  and  fitness  for  the  place.  This  is  the 
second  term  in  which  he  ha-  presided  over  the 
deliberations  of  the  County  Court,  dispensing  jus- 
tice with  an  even  hand,  and  his  findings,  which 
are  seldom,  if  ever,  over-ruled  by  the  higher 
courts,  evince  his  possession  of  a  clear,  compre- 
hensive mind  and  masterly  judicial  qualities. 

In  1x74  Judge  Ames  and  Miss  Dora  Hilsabeck 
w<re  united  in  marriage  at  Windsor.  Mis.  Ames 
wa-  born  at  Windsor  in  1856,  and  is  the  youngest 
daughter  of  James  A.  and  Sarah  (Boys)  Hilsabeck. 
natives  respectively  of  Georgia  and  Illinois.     The 


Judge  and  his  amiable  wife  are  among  our  lead- 
ing society  people,  and  their  charming  home  pos- 
sesses  many  attractions  to  their  hosts  of  friends. 
Their  household  is  completed  by  the  presence  of 
their  only  -on  and  child.  Edward  Peer,  who  was 
i>i .in  January  7.  1878. 

Judge  Ames  i-  giving  Shelbyville  the  benefit  of 
his  learning  and  executive  talent  by  serving  as 
President  of  the  Board  of  Education  and  using  his 

influence  to  make   the   schools  Of   the  city  as   g 1 

as  the  best  in  any  part  of  the  State.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  polities  and  in  hi-  social  relations  is 
a  member  of  Jack-on  Lodge,  No.  53,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.:  Godfrey  de  Bouillon  Commandery,  No. 
44.  at  Matt. »»ii.  111.;  also  of  Black  Hawk  Lodge. 
N...  s3.  K.  ..f  P.:  and  of  the  Uniformed  Rank  No.  40. 


AFT  RANKIN    P.  M<  PHEETERS.     It  is  a 

grateful  task  to  the  biographer  to  tell  the 
story  of  the  brave  lightings  and  marches  of 
the  boys  in  blue  who  went  forth  to  the  call  of  the 
President  to  raise  again  in  triumph  the  stars  and 
stripes  which  had  been  assailed  by  traitors.  No 
crisis  in  our  country's  history  since  the  Revolu- 
tionary period  had  SO  stirred  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple and  so  entered  into  the  home  life  of  every 
family  as  the  event-  which  are  classed  under  the 
head  of  the  Civil  War.  aad  for  at  least  two  genera- 
tions the  history  of  that  period  will  bear  a  peculiar 
and  personal  value  in  -the  eye-  of  all  who  love 
their  country. 

Capt.  McPheeters.  whose  record  we  shall  be 
happy  to  give  further  on  in  this  -ketch,  is  the  son 
of  the  late  Addison  McPheeters,  of  whose  history 
our  reader-  will  learn  more  in  a  biographical  sketch 
of  A.  W.  McPheeters,  of  Sullivan,  which  appears 
in  this  volume.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Julia  Poague.  bore  four  children. 
two  of  them  being  twins — our  subject  and  A.  W. 
McPheeters,  of  Sullivan.  These  sons  were  born  in 
what  is  now  Scott  County.  111..  July  1.  1832,  and 
there  passed  the  early  years  of  their  life  up  to  the 
aare  of  nine  when  the  father  removed  with  his  family 


112 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


to  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  and  there  our  subject  grew 
to  manhood  and  received  thorough  systematic 
training-  as  a  farmer's  boy.  When  he  left  Fayette 
County  in  the  fall  of  1852  he  came  to  Moultrie 
County  and  for  three  years  pursued  his  education 
in  Sullivan  and  Charleston,  111. 

The  education  which  this  young  man  had  now 
attained  he  decided  to  at  once  put  to  practical  ser- 
vice in  instructing  others,  and  securing  a  position 
at  the  teacher's  desk  he  taught  for  two  years  in 
Moultrie  County  before  entering  upon  what  has 
been  his  life  work — farming.  He  settled  upon  a 
farm  and  devoted  himself  to  that  work  continu- 
ously from  that  day  to  this,  excepting  the  time 
which  he  spent  in  the  army. 

Mr.  McPhceters  enlisted  in  July.  1H(!2,  in  Com- 
pany C.  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Illinois 
Infantry,  serving  for  three  years,  which  term  ended 
about  the  close  of  the  war.  It  was  as  a  private 
that  he  enlisted,  but  in  March,  1863,  he  received 
the  commission  of  a  First  Lieutenant  in  his  com- 
pany and  the  following  July  was  promoted  to  the 
Captaincy  of  Company  C,  which  official  position  lie 
held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  took  part  in 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  in  the  battles  of  Hum- 
boldt, Tenn.,  and  Clarendon,  Ark.  In  July,  18{>4, 
Capt.  McPheeters  with  his  company  was  detailed 
and  assigned  to  the  Eleventh  Ohio  Battery  for  two 
months,  and  shortly  after  he  was  given  command 
of  that  battery.  He  took  part  in  the  capture  of 
Pine  Bluff  and  Saline  River,  Ark. 

Having  passed  through  his  entire  term  of  service 
unharmed  and  with  an  honorable  record  the  young 
Captain  gladly  hailed  the  return  home.and  no  doubt 
thoroughly  enjoyed  the  "royal  welcome"  which 
every  loyal  Northern  heart  desired  to  grant  when 
••Johnny  came  marching  home."  Sullivan  now  be- 
came his  home  again  and  he  soon  after  engaged  in 
farming  in  East  Nelson  Township,  where  he  has 
since  resided  and  where  he  owns  three  hundred 
acres,  upon  which  he  has  placed  desirable  improve-, 
ments. 

Capt.  McPheeters  was  married  in  June,  1859,  in 
Attica,  Ind.,  to  Ann  M.  Campbell,  a  native  of  that 
place.  They  have  a  family  of  four  living  children 
and  buried  their  eldest,  Julia,  when  a  little  child. 
Those  who  are  living    are:    Jessie    C.  the  wife  of 


Melville  B.  Connell,  a  druggist  of  Attica,  Ind.; 
Susan  F.,  Mary  L.  and  Charles  E.  The  parents  of 
these  children  are  active  and  earnest  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  they  have  brought 
up  their  offspring  in  the  faith  and  practice  of  the 
Christian  religion.  The  office  of  Trustee  of  the 
church  has  long  been  Idled  by  this  gentleman. 

Our  subject  has  taken  quite  an  active  part  in 
political  matters  and  has  a  strong  faith  that  the 
Republican  party  embodies  the  true  principles  of 
political  economy,  lie  is  prominently  identified 
with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Sullivan, 
and  in  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  has  tilled  every 
office  of  trust  and  has  been  the  Deputy  and  repre- 
sentative of  his  lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge.  The 
pleasant  home  which  he  has  provided  for  his  fam- 
ily is  delightfully  situated  and  within  its  walls  this 
public-spirited  gentleman  and  his  excellent  and 
capable  com  pan  ion  have  created  an  atmosphere  of 
true  home  life  and  harmony  which  has  had  a  de- 
cided effect  not  only  in  the  formation  of  the  char- 
acter of  their  children  but  also  upon  the  social  life 
of  the  neighborhood. 


^1>*<I 


iQy~- 


^\OL  HIRAM  M.SCARBOROUGH.  Shelby 
(li  County  sent  many  of  its  noble  and  patriotic 

\~S'  citizens  to  the  front  during  the  late  Civil 
War  and  among  those  who  won  military  honors 
in  "those  times  that  tried  men's  souls"  isour 
subject,  who  as  a  commissioned  officer  of  the 
Fifty-fourth  Illinois  Regiment,  was  conspicuous 
while  in  the  service  for  his  readiness  of  resource, 
his  coolness,  for  his  promptness  in  carrying  out  the 
orders  of  his  superiors,  and  for  other  merits  that 
showed  him  to  lie  a  true  soldier.  His  services  have 
been  equally  as  valuable  within  the  last  quarter  of 
a  century  or  more  since  peace  was  declared,  in  that 
he  has  taken  a  high  place  among  the  foremost  of 
the  men  of  this  county  who  have  pushed  forward 
the  mercantile  interests  of  this  section  of  the  State 
and  have  materially  added  to  its  wealth.  He  has 
a  large  and  elegant  dry-goods  establishment  at 
Shelliyville,  where  he  entered  upon  his  prosperous 
career  as  a  merchant  twenty-live  years  ago. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI.  M'HK  AL    RECORD. 


413 


Col.  Scarborough  was  born  in  Hunterdon  (  ounty, 
N.  J.,  September  4.  1834.  He  i>  a  -on  of  Isaac 
Scarborough,  who  was  a  native  of  Bucks  County, 
l'a..  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
a  skillful  mechanic  and  for  many  year-  carried  on 
business  as  a  blacksmith  in  Bucks  County,  hi-  en- 
tire life  being  pawed  in  Pennsylvania,  so  far  as 
aught  is  known  to  the  contrary.  He  was  a  stal- 
wart Democrat,  prominent  in  his  party,  and  held 
the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Bucks  County.  He  reared 
seven  sons  and  six  of  them  learned  of  him  the 
trade  of  a  blacksmith. 

The  father  of  our  subject  followed  in  his  father's 
footsteps  as  regards  a  trade  and  when  a  young 
man  established  himself  as  a  blacksmith  in  Hunter- 
don County,  N.  J.  He  died  there  in  1845,  ere  yet 
he  had  passed  life's  meridian.  His  wife,  who  bore 
tlu-  maiden  name  of  Eliza  Case,  sold  her  home 
after  his  death  and  moved  across  the  Mate  line 
into  Bucks  County  and  spent  her  la>t  years  in 
Pennsylvania  with  her  daughters.  These  are  tin- 
names  of  tin-  -ix  children  that  sin-  reared:  Mathias 
H.,  Hiram  M..  Mar\  E.,  Hannah  A..  Sadie  E.  and 
Jennie.     Mathias  and  Jennie  are  dead. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  notice  was  eleven 
years  old  when  he  was  deprived  of  a  father's  care 
and  at  tin-  age  of  twelve  the  sturdy,  self-reliant 
little  lad  became  self-supporting,  lie  was  employed 
on  a  farm  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old  and 
he  then  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter, 
which  he  followed  iii  his  native  county  some  years- 
In  1856,  in  the  prime  and  vigor  of  the  opening 
years  of  his  manhood,  he  came  westward  to  this 
county  and  cast  his  lot  with  those  who  were  active 
in  its  upbuilding.  He  located  at  Shelbyville  and 
as  he  was  a  good  carpenter  he  found  plenty  of 
work  at  his  calling,  which  he  pursued  until  I860, 
when  he  abandoned  that  to  accept  a  position  a-  a 
clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  was  employed  until  he 
dropped  his  work  to  shoulder  his  rifle,  that  he 
might  help  to  tight  his  country's  battles. 

He  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1861  in  Company  H. 
Fifty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry  and  received  the 
compliment  of  being  mustered  in  as  Second  Lieu- 
tenant of  his  company.  In  the  long  and  weary 
years  of  sacrifice,  hardship  and  privation  that  fol- 
lowed he  served  the  Government  with  fidelity  and 


did  not  abandon  hi-  pot  until  our  flag  floated  once 
more  over  an  undivided  country.  He  was  with 
his  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  campaigns,  with 
the  exception  Of  about  >ix  month-,  when  he  was  at 
home  working  hard  to  secure  recruits.  lie  veter- 
anized in  1863  and  was  honorably  discharged  in 
November,  1865.  From  lime  to  time  he  received 
deserved  promotion,  until  he  became  one  of  the 
leading  officers  of  his  regiment.  In  the  fall  of 
1862  he  was  made  First  Lieutenant  and  as  such 
commanded  hi-  company  in  various  engagements 
with  the  enemy.  His  next  promotion  to  the  rank 
of  Captain  soon  followed,  then  to  that  of  Major, 
ami  early  in  186a  he  was  commissioned  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  and  left  the  army  with  a  high  reputation 
•as  a  gallant  and  efficient  leader,  whether  in  the  heat 
of  battle,  on  the  march  or  in  camp. 

Col.  Scarborough  returned  to  Shelbyville  after 
receiving  his  discharge  papers  and  in  January. 
1866,  began  business  here  as  a  merchant,  and  ever 
since  has  conducted  one  of  the  leading  stores  of  the 
city  for  the  sale  of  dry  good-  and  furnishing  goods, 
carpets,  etc.  It  is  neat  and  handsome  in  its  ap- 
pointments, the  stock,  of  which  there  is  a  large  and 
well-selected  assortment,  is  neatly  and  tastefully 
arranged,  so  a-  to  add  to  the  attractiveness  of  the 
establishment,  and  the  whole  is  ably  managed. 

In  1871  our  subject  was  married  to  MissLahella 
A.  Middlesworth,  a  native  of  tin-  county  and  a 
daughter  of  Abram  Middle-worth,  who  is  repre- 
sented elsewhere  in  this  volume.  They  have  one 
son  living,  Charles  M.  The  Colonel  and  his  wife 
understand  well  the  art  of  making  their  dwelling  a 
true  home,  as  all  feel  who  cross  the  threshold  and 
enjoy  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  its  tasteful  fur- 
nishings, and  receive  every  attention  from  their 
kind  and  considerate  host  and  hostess. 

Col.  Scarborough  is  a  frank,  manly  and  straight- 
forward man.  whose  business  methods  are  such  as 
to  commend  him  to  the  confidence  of  the  public, 
and  Shelbyville  holds  him  as  one  of  her  best  citi- 
zens. His  life  has  been  guided  by  Christian  prin- 
ciples and  for  many  years  he  has  been  a  consistent 
church  member,  first  joining  the  Baptist  Church  in 
early  manhood,  while  a  resident  of  his  native 
State.  But  after  he  came  here  to  dwell  it  >eemed 
arood  to  him  to  unite  himself  with  the  Presbyterian 


414 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BlOORAPIIICAL    RECORD. 


Church,  in  1861,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  to-day 
among  its  most  effective  working  members.  So- 
cially he  is  a  member  of  Jackson  Lodge,  No.  53,  A. 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of  Cyrus  Hall  Post.  G.  A.  R.. 
his  connection  with  that  organization  commemor- 
ating the  days  and  nights  that  he  and  hiscomrades 
passed  together  on  the  battlefields  of  the  South, 
lie  was  horn  and  reared  by  Democratic  parents,  but 
since  18(j:<  he  has  been  a  stalwart  Republican. 


GEORGE  W.  SHR1DE  has  been  a  residentof 
,  Shelby  County  for  more  than  thirty  years, 
and  during  that  time  has  won  an  import- 
ant place  among  the  most  substantial  farmers  and 
Stock-raisers  of  Pickaway  Township,  where  he  has 
a  farm  that  compares  with  the  best  in  this  part  of 
the  Mate.  He  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  pioneer  fami- 
lies of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  that  state  February 
25.  1825,  his  birthplace  being  about  twelve  miles 
northwest  of  Lancaster.  Fairfield  County.  II is 
father's  name  was  Jacob  Shride,  and  he  was  a  na- 
tive of  Bucks  County.  Pa.  He  went  from  there  to 
Ohio  when  he  was  a  young  man,  and  married  in 
that  State,  Hannah  Bowman.  He  bought  a  tract  of 
partly  improved  land  in  Fairfield  County,  and  the 
remainder  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  farming  in 
that  locality  until  death  rounded  out  his  life  in 
1861.  His  wife  had  died  there  many  years  before, 
passing  away  in  1841). 

Our  subject  began  when  very  young  to  acquire 
a  practical  knowledge  of  farming,  and  afforded  his 
father  much  assistance  during  his  youth,  lie  at- 
tended school  as  he  could,  acquiring  a  fair  educa- 
tion, and  continued  to  live  with  his  lather  until 
lie  attained  his  majority,  lie  then  worked  on  a 
farm  by  the  month  until  his  marriage,  when  lie 
rented  land  in  his  native  county  a  few  years.  In 
1854  he  went  to  Logan  County,  in  the  same  State. 
and  was  a  resident  thereof  until  he  came  to  Shelby 
in  1857.  When  he  first  located  here  he  farmed  as 
a  renter,  but  in  1861  he  bought  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land,  which  is  included  in  his  pres- 
ent farm  on  the  west  half  of  section  22.  Pickaway 
Township.     He  has  placed  it  under  a  high  state  of 


tillage,  has  erected  commodious  buildings,  and  has 
made  his  farm  a  valuable  piece  of  property,  upon 
which  he  carries  on  a  good  business  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising. 

In  1849  Mr.  Shride  married  .Miss  Julia  A.  Stump. 
and  for  thirty-live  years  they  were  bound  together 
by  the  sacred  tie  of  a  true  wedded  life.  Then 
death  crossed  the  threshold  of  their  home  and  re- 
moved the  faithful  wife  and  devoted  mother  from 
her  family  in  September,  1884.  Of  the  thirteen 
children  born  of  that  marriage,  these  ten  have 
been  reared  to  maturity:  John  W..  William  11.. 
Lyman  M.,  Daniel  F.,  Sarah  M.,  Jacob  C,  Milo  D., 
Fletcher.  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Harvey  E. 

Mr.  Shride  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
as  was  also  his  wife,  lie  was  a  Democrat  previous 
to  the  war.  but  at  that  time  became  an  ardent 
Republican,  and  has  ever  since  remained  true  to 
the  party.  His  whole  career  marks  him  as  a  man 
of  sound  understanding,  of  far-seeing  sagacity  and 
of  industrious  habits,  so  combined  with  those  use- 
ful qualities  of  thrift,  prudence  and  steadiness  of 
purpose,  that  his  prosperity  is  easily  accounted  for. 
His  unswerving  honesty  ami  integrity,  fidelity  to 
whatever  he  conceives  to  be  his  duty,  ami  his  un- 
failing kindness  to  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  con- 
tract have  won  him  the  regard  of  his  neighbors 
and  friends. 


■^ .  P1IRAIM  ADAMSOX.  a  highly  respected 
■*  farmer  residing  in  Moweaqua  Township. 
__^   Shelby  County,  was  born  in  Centre  County, 


Pa.,  January  22,  1839.  James  Adamson  was  his 
father's  name,  and  he  was  a  native  of  the  same 
county,  born  in  1811.  He  was  a  son  of  one  Will- 
iam Adamson.  who  was  a  native  of  Spain.  In  early 
life  he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  spent  his  remaining  years  in 
Centre  County,  lie  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812.     He  married  a  Scotch  lady. 

James  Adamson  was  reared  to  man's  estate  in 
his  Pennsylvania  birthplace.  He  went  to  Mifflin 
County,  111.,  his  native  State,  when  he  was  a  young 
man.  and  was  there  married  to  Nancy  Ely.  a  native 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


415 


of  Franklin  County,  Pa.,  born  in  1814.  and  a 
daughter  of  John  Ely,  who  was  also  a  Pennsylva- 
nianbybirtb.    Thefatherof  oursubjed  purchased 

a  tract  of  land  in  Centre  County  after  his  marriage, 
and  Lived  thereupon  several  years.  In  1839  he  re- 
moved to  Huntingdon  County,  in  the  same  state, 
and  was  a  residenl  there  for  many  years.  His  next 
move  was  to  Ohio  in  1861,  and  he  located  in 
Guernsey  County,  where  lie  lived  until  after  the 
death  of  his  wife  in  1867.  He  then  made  his  home 
with  his  children,  and  died  in  Centre  County,  Pa., 
in  August,  1882.  The  following  are  the  names  of 
his  children:  David.  Elizabeth,  Ephraim,  Mary 
Jane.  Isaac.  Rebecca,  Emma,  John,  Priscilla,  Jem- 
ima and  Nannie. 

He  of  whom  1 1  i i  —  sketch  is  principally  written 
early  acquired  a  knowledge  of  agriculture  on  his 
father's  farm.  He  accompanied  his  parents  to  their 
iii-w  home  in  Ohio  in  1861,  and  lived  in  Guernsey 
County  until  1863.  In  that  year  he  gave  up  his 
persona]  aims  and  ambitions  to  do  his  duty  to  his 
country  as  a  patriotic  citizen  by  helping  to  sup- 
ine-- the  great  rebellion  that  was  then  waging  in 
the  South,  enlisting  December  1  1  in  an  indepen- 
dent company.  He  was  sent  with  hi>  comrades  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  to  do  garrison  work,  and  in 
1864  served  as  body  guard  to  President  Lincoln. 
lie  was  m  Washington  at  the  time  of  the  assassina- 
tion of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Nation,  and 
was  also  at  the  Capital  during  the  Grand  Review, 
in  which  he  took  part,  lie  was  discharged  from 
the  army  with  his  company  September  11.  1865, 
and  returned  to  Ohio,  Inning  gained  a  good  mili- 
tary record  for  faithfulness  and  efficiency  in  what- 
soever lie  was  called  upon  to  do  while  he  was  a 
soldier. 

After  he  left  the  army  Mr.  Adamson  drove  a 
huckster's  wagon  in  Cambridge  from  that  time 
until  1868,  when  he  left  the  Buckeye  state  to  take 
up  his  residence  in  Illinois.  He  settled  in  Mowea- 
qua  Township,  and  two  years  later  devoted  some 
of  his  money  to  the  purchase  of  forty  acre-  of 
land.  lie  subsequently  bought  more  realty  until 
he  had  one  hundred  and  twenty  acre-  of  land, and 
he  dwelt  thereon  twenty  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time  he  disposed  of  that  place  and  rented 
the   adjoining   farm,   where   he   now  resides.     He 


also  has  farming  interests  in  Nebraska,  owning  a 
good  farm  in  Nuckolls  (  ounty,  that  State. 

In  1867  Mr.  Adamson  took  unto  himself  a  wife. 
marrying  Miss  Josephine  Scoot,  a  native  of  Guern- 
sey County.  Ohio.  They  have  eight  children  liv- 
ing: Jame-.  David.  George,  Oscar,  Mary,  Nannie. 
Edwin  and  Ida. 

A-  a  veteran  of  the  late  war  our  subject  is  an 
honored  member  of  J.  V.  Clemins  Post,  No.  363, 
G.  A.  R.  lie  and  his  wife  are  among  the  most 
worthy  member-  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  among  their  neighbors  they  are  held  in  high 
e-ti uiation  for  their  many  excellent  qualities  of 
head  and  heart. 


J  4--M-S-- 

KNKV  MARTZ,  one  of  our  worthy  German- 
American  citizens  who  doe-  credit  alike  to 
the  hind  of  his  birth  and  the  land  of  his 
adoption,  resides  on  section  28,Ridge Town- 
ship. Shelby  County,  where  he  carries  on  a  first- 
class  farm.  He  was  born  in  the  old  country  April 
3.  1834,  and  up  to  the  time  when  he  was  thirteen 
years  old  he  worked  upon  the  farm.  He  then 
served  an  apprenticeship  for  three  years  to  the 
trade  of  a  miller  and  was  sixteen  years  old  when 
he  came  to  America. 

The  youth  landed  in  New  York  City  ami  made 
his  way  to  Lancaster,  Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged 
at  farm  labor  for  eight  years,  after  which  he  was 
married  March  14.  1858  to  Miss  Margaret  Singer,  a 
native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  where  she  was  born 
August  29,  1*38.  He  remained  in  Fairfield  County 
for  two  year-  after  his  marriage  and  in  186(1  re- 
moved to  Shelby  County,  111.,  renting  land  in  Pick- 
away Township  for  about  thirteen  years.  In  1873 
he  decided  to  purchase  a  farm  and  bought  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  2*.  where  he 
settled  and  where  he  has  since  been  a  resident. 

This  fine  farm  has  now  been  increased  to  two 
hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Upon  it  have  been 
erected  good  buildings  and  excellent  improvements 
of  other  kinds.  Nine  children  have  made  this 
happy  home  resound  with  the  gleeful  pursuits  of 
childhood,  their   names  being  Henry,  John.  Anna 


416 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


M.,  William  T.,  Caroline  C,  George  E.,  Rosanna 
M.,  Charles  (i..  and  Lewis  J.  Anna  M.,  is  the  wife 
of  Samuel  Campbell;  Henry  married  Louisa  Raab; 
John  died  when  fourteen  years  old.  The  father 
of  these  young  people  has  been  Highway  Commis- 
sioner for  some  three  years  and  his  political  views 
lead  him  to  affiliate  with  the  Democratic  party. 
Both  he  and  his  excellent  wife  are  members  in 
good  and  regular  standing  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Their  good  home,  pleasantly  located,  forms  an 
agreeable  center  of  social  life  and  the  farm  shows 
every  mark  of  the  hand  of  a  prudent  and  consci- 
entious farmer. 


GS_ 


*»+£ 


(<£ 


l/OHN  W.  FALK  fills  multifarious  offices  of 
usefulness  at  Herborn,  Shelby  County, being 
its  merchant,  Postmaster,  express  agent, 
freight  agent  and  carrying  on  a  fine  busi- 
ness in  the  manufacture  of  tile.  His  business  abi- 
lity and  thorough  going,  progressive  character,  are 
giving  a  push  to  this  young  town,  which  will  tell 
upon  its  future. 

Mr.  Falk  was  born  in  Germany,  September  7. 
1856.  his  parents  being  John  and  Anna  (Franke) 
Falk.  The  family  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1K.">*  when  our  subject  was  scarcely  two  years  old. 
Their  first  home  was  in  Chicago,  but  they  did  not 
tarry  there  many  years,  as  they  thought  best  to 
devote  themselves  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Ac- 
cordingly they  sought  out  some  of  the  rich  but 
unbroken  prairie  soil  where  they  might  make  their 
home  and  by  industry  gain  the  wealth  which  was 
hidden  under  its  surface.  The  father  was  not  a 
man  of  means  and  felt  that  in  order  to  secure  for 
his  children  the  best  advantages  of  this  new  world 
lie  must  place  them  where  they  might  rise  more 
readily  than  in  a  great  city. 

Shelby  County  was  chosen  as  the  home  of  the 
family  and  here  the  father  purchased  forty  acres 
of  land.  He  was  hampered  in  his  work  by  poor 
health,  but  still  by  earnest  endeavor  and  industry, 
coupled  with  economy  he  became  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  and  placed  upon 
it  excellent  improvements.     His  death   occurred  in 


1877  when  he  was  fifty  years  old.  He  was  an 
earnest  and  devout  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  which  his  wife  was  in  sympathy  with 
him.  The  worthy  widow  still  survives  and  is 
making  her  home  in  Shelly  County  on  the  old 
homestead. 

Five  of  the  children  of  John  and  Anna  Falk 
grew  to  man's  and  woman's  estate.  These  were 
Joseph;  Dora,  wife  of  William  Rozene;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  John  Scheef;  Caroline,  the  wife  of  Henry 
Zalman  and  our  subject  who  was  the  fourth  in 
order  of  birth  in  the  family.  He  was  lint  five  years 
old  when  the  family  removed  to  Shelby  County, 
and  therefore  feels  that  almost  his  entire  life  has 
been  identified  with  the  growth  and  progress  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  received 
the  usual  thorough  drill  and  instruction  given  to 
a  farmer's  boy  and  was  educated  in  the  district 
school.  Although  his  school  advantages  were  ex- 
tremely limited  he  availed  himself  thoroughly  of 
all  opportunities  which  were  placed  within  his 
reach  and  has  acquired  a  good  business  education 
by  independent  study  and  endeavor. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  John  Falk  en- 
gaged in  merchandise  at  Stewardson,  an  enterprise 
which  he  conducted  for  one  year,  after  which  time 
he  decided  to  go  upon  a  farm  and  establish  a  home 
of  his  own.  lie  was  married  in  1878  to  Anna 
Giesier,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Mary  Giesler  who 
was  born  in  Elkhart  County.  Ind..  November  16. 
1862.  After  following  agriculture,  for  some 
eleven  years,  he  established  a  mercantile  business 
at  Herborn  in  1889.  and  soon  afterward  became  a 
partner  in  the  tile  factory,  and  later  took  up  deal- 
ing in  grain.  The  tile  business  at  Herborn  was 
established  about  ten  years  ago  by  Hunt  and  Gall 
amore.  The  present  firm  does  business  under  the 
title  of  the  Herborn  Tile  Manufacturing  Company 
and  is  composed  of  the  following  gentlemen:  Jos- 
eph Falk.  John  W.  Falk.  and  A.  T.  Weber.  Mr. 
and  Mis.  Falk  own  together  some  one  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  excellent  land.  Our  sub- 
ject is  identified  with  the  Republican  party  and 
works  for  its  prosperity,  although  he  devotes  only 
a  limited  portion  of  his  time  and  interest  to  poli- 
tical matters.  He  lias  been  placed  in  the  office  of 
School  Trustee  in  which  he  is  efficient  and  active. 


RESIDENCE  OF  JOH  N     R  E  B  ER  ,  S  EC.  31. ,  PRAI  Rl  E     TR, SHELBY     CO. ,  I  LL 


"  FARM    PROPERTY,"  RESIDENCE  &  STORE  OFJ.W.  FALK,  HERBORN     ST  AT  I  ON, SHELBY  CO.  I  LI 


$j^5e3 


RESIDENCE  OF  SAMUEL    BOWMAN  ,  SEC. 21.,  RIDGE  TP.,  SH  ELBY    CO.,  ILL 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIoORAPlIK  A  I.    RECORD. 


H9 


and  is  activelj  forwarding  the  educational  inter- 
ests "f  tin'  township.     Ho  feels  these  to  be  among 

tin-  most  vital  and  necessary  matters  which  should 
engage  the  attention  ami  zeal  of  every  worthy 
and  broad-minded  citizen. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  i>  invited  to  a  view 
on  another  page  of  the  residence  and  store  of  Mr. 
Falk. 


AMUEL  BOWMAN,  the  son  of  an  eminent 
Meimonite  minister  and  a  man  of  great 
usefulness  and  ability,  resides  on  section 
21.  Ridge  Township.  Shelby  County,  where 

his  good  farm  and  excellent  buildings  testify  to 
his  >kill  and  thoroughness  as  a  farmer.  His  father, 
the  Rev.  Jacob  Bowman,  was  born  in  Franklin 
County,  Pa.,  and  his  mother.  Mollie  Lehman  was 
a  native  of  the  same  county.  There  they  were 
married  and  made  their  home  in  Franklin  County. 
Ohio,  where  they  lived  for  many  years  and  where 
this  venerable  and  highly  honored  clergyman  de- 
parted from  earth,  May  18,  1**4.  His  faithful 
companion  survives  him  and  has  reached  a  very 
advanced  age. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  the  young 
members  of  his  father's  family,  his  birth  taking 
place  in  Franklin  County.  Ohio.  May  4.  1846. 
His  bo-  hood  days  were  spent  there  ami  his  school- 
ing received  in  the  common  schools  of  the  Buckeye 
Mate.  Besides  preaching,  his  father  carried  on  a 
farm  and  the  boy  grew  up  to  a  sturdy  manhood 
with  the  excellent  drill  which  is  given  to  a  farmer's 
boy. 

In  his  native  county,  the  young  man  found  a 
wife  in  the  person  of  Miss  Susan  Motts,  a  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Harriet  ( Warner)  Motts,  both  born 
in  Berks  County,  l'a.  The  day  which  united 
these  two  useful  and  happy  lives  was  September  7. 
1871.  The  first  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Motts  wa- 
in Franklin  County,  l'a..  but  they  had  removed  to 
Franklin.  Ohio,  previous  to  their  daughter's  mar- 
riage. Mr.  Motts'  death  occurred  November  7. 
1876,  and  his  wife  followed  him  to  the  other 
world,  September  20,  1879.      Tin-  highly  honored 


couple  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  Mr-. 
Bowman  was  the  ninth  in  age.  Her  native  home 
was  Franklin  County.  Pa.,  where  she  was  bom 
July  22.  1849.  Her  domestic  qualities  have  fitted 
her  admirably  for  her  work  as  a  wife  and  mother, 
and  she  has  been  a   true    helpmate    to    her    husband 

since  the  day  of  their  marriage. 

The  early  wedded  life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowman 
was  spent  in  Franklin  County.  Ohio,  where  they 
remained  for  four  years,  but  in  January,  1876  they 
came  to  Shelby  County,  111.,  and  made  their  home 
on  section  21.  Ridge  Town-hip.  where  they  have 
built  up  a  prosperous  and  delightful  home.  Agri- 
culture has  been  Mr.  Bowman's  life  work  and  he 
is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  excellent  and 
productive  soil.  Upon  the  homestead  he  has  a 
substantial  set  of  buildings,  including  a  commo- 
dious residence,  a  view  of  which  i>  shown  on 
another  page. 

Four  children  have  blessed  the  home  of  .Mr. 
Bowman,  namely:  Benjamin  F..  Ida  M..  John  C, 
and  Howard  A.  To  these  children  have  been 
offered  good  educational  advantages  and  they  are 
making  progress  in  preparing  for  the  responsible 
duties  of  life.  The  political  viewsofMr.  Bowman 
are  in  accordance  with  the  declaration  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  in  the  progress  of  which  he  take-  a 
keen  interest  Both  he  and  his  excellent  wife 
have  taken  an  active  part  in  religious  work,  and 
are  members  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  where 
he  ha.-  rilled  the  office  of  steward  and  Trustee. 
He  is  thus  carrying  out  in  a  little  different  line, 
the  good  Christian  work  in  which  his  father  was 
active  for  thirty-four  years. 


r 


■5=*=+ 


olIN  REBER,  whose  handsome  brick  resi- 
dence built  after  modern  architectural  de- 
sign  attracts  the  eye  of  every  visitor  to 
Prairie  Town-hip.  Shelby  County,  was  born 
in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  January  2.  1838.  His 
parent-.  T.  Y.  and  Rachel  (Allen)  Reber  were 
natives  of  the  same  county,  the  father  being  born 
in    1807    and    now    li\ -in»r   in   Wyandot   County, 


420 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


that  State,  and  the  mother,  who  was  born  in  180«), 
having  died  in  the  county  just  named  in  October, 
L890. 

Of  the  family  of  T.  V.  and  Rachel  Rebel',  there 
were  eight  children,  and  our  subject  was  the  second 
m  age.  Like  thousands  of  young  men  from  Ohio 
he  came  to  Illinois,  arriving  here  October  5,  18(!7 
and  locating  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides, 
lie  has  since  that  time  efficiently  carried  on  the 
business  of  farming  and  stock-raising.  This  State 
was  visited  by  his  father  about  the  year  1850,  and 
he  then  entered  the  land  from  the  Government, 
which  afterward  came  to  this  son  by  inheritance. 
Mr.  Reber  has  a  splendid  farm  of  four  hundred  and 
eighty  acres,  and  upon  this  he  has  recently  erected 
a  new  home,  a  view  of  which  appears  on  another 
page. 

March  23,  1891,  was  the  happy  wedding  day  of 
John  Reber  and  Mrs.  Clara  Thompson.  Mrs.  Reber 
is  a  native  of  Shelby  County  and  a  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stamper,  of  Ilerrick,  this  county. 
She  was  first  married  to  William  Thompson,  of 
Shelby  County,  who  died  in  1890.  Mr.  Reber 
always  voted  the  Republican  party  until  1890, 
when  he  broke  away  from  party  lines  and  became 
independent  in  his  political  view  and  vote.  He 
makes  a  principle  of  casting  his  ballot  for  the  man 
and  the  measures  which  in  his  judgment  will  best 
subserve  the  good  of  the  community  and  the  pros- 
perity of  the  commonwealth.  He  is  not  a  pro- 
fessor of  religion  but  cheerfully  gives  of  his  means 
to  the  support  of  the  Gospel.  He  is  looked  upon 
by  his  neighbors  as  one  of  the  valuable  and  solid 
members  of  the  social  and  industrial  community 
of  Prairie  Township. 


OHN  POGl'E  has  been  identified  with  the 
agricultural  interests  of  this  county  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  and  these 
busy  years  have  been  fraught  with  much 
prosperity  for  him  and  he  now  has  a  large  and 
well-equipped  farm,  pleasantly  located  in  Pickaway 
Township.     He  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  early  pio- 


neer families  of  Indiana  and  was  born  in  that 
State,  in  the  Township  of  Fairbanks.  Sullivan 
County.  March  17.1820.  His  father,  James  Pogue, 
was  born  in  1796  amid  the  pioneer  scenes  of  Mer- 
cer County.  Ky.  He  was  a  son  of  William  Pogue, 
who  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  this 
country  in  Colonial  times  and  served  faithfully  in 
the  Continental  Army  throughout  the  Revolution- 
ary AVar.  He  subsequently  went  to  the  North- 
west Territory  and  later  became  a  pioneer  of  Ken- 
tucky, where  his  life  was  brought  to  a  close  at  a 
good  old  age.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was 
Jane  Marshall. 

James  Pogue  was  but  nine  years  old  when  the 
family  went  to  Ohio  and  when  he  was  eighteen 
years  old  he  made  his  way  across  the  border  to  the 
Territory  of  Indiana.  For  two  years  he  resided  in 
Knox  County  and  then  sought  the  forests  of  Sulli- 
van County  to  build  up  a  home.  He  was  the  first 
to  settle  in  what  is  now  Fairbanks  Township, 
where  he  bought  a  tract  of  heavily  timbered  land 
from  the  Government.  He  built  a  log  cabin 
which  he  afterward  replaced  by  a  more  commo- 
dious hewed  log  house,  which  was  then  the  birth- 
place of  his  son.  of  whom  we  write.  For  many 
years  there  were  no  railways  anil  Terre  Haute  was 
the  nearest  town  to  which  the  settlers  could  go  to 
market  their  produce  and  obtain  household  sup- 
plies. The  people  had  to  live  mostly  on  what 
they  could  raise  on  (heir  farms,  the  abundance  of 
wild  game,  such  as  deer,  turkeys,  etc..  adding 
greatly  to  their  fare.  The  wives  and  daughters 
of  the  pioneers  spun  and  wove  all  the  cloth  used 
by  their  families,  homespun  garments  being  the 
rule. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  by  dint  of  hard  and 
persistent  labor,  cleared  a  line  farm  from  the  wil- 
derness, and  there  his  days  were  passed  in  peace 
and  plenty  until  the  cud  came  and  he  was  removed 
from  the  scenes  of  his  toil  by  the  hand  of  death  in 
1854.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1862,  when 
she  too  passed  away.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Emmet  Thomas  and  she  was  born  in  Kentucky. 
William  and  Jane  Thomas  being  her  parents. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  eight  children  and  he 
grew  to  a  vigorous  and  self-reliant  manhood  in 
his  native  county.     The  school   that   he  attended 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


421 


wlit'ii  he  was  a  boy  was  taughl  in  a  log  house. 
Small  logs  were  splil  t"  make  seats  for  the  scholars, 
one  side  of  the  logs  being  hewn  smooth,  and 
wooden  pins  being  inserted  for  legs,  the  seats 
being  without  backs  or  desk.-.  The  school  was 
conducted  on  the  subscription  plan  and  the  teacher 
sometimes  hoarded  around  among  the  families  in 
the  distriet.  As  soon  as  lie  was  large  enough  our 
subject  was  required  to  assist  in  the  farm  work 
and  lie  was  thus  engaged  until  lie  was  twentv-two 
years  old.  His  father  then  gave  him  eighty  acres 
of  timber  land  anil  he  at  once  entered  upon  the 
hard  pioneer  task  of  redeeming  it  from  a  state  of 
nature.  At  that  time  standing  trees  were  of  little 
value  and  he  used  to  roll  large  logs  together  and 
burn  the  pile.  He  cleared  five  or  six  acres,  built 
on  the  place  and  at  the  time  of  marriage  settled 
there. 

In  1865  our  subject  sold  his  property  in  Indiana 
ami  coming  to  Shelby  County,  bought  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres  of  wild  prairie  in  Pickaway 
Township.  For  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  he 
paid  at  the  rate  of  *12  an  acre  and  for  eighty 
acres  he  paid  $8  an  acre.  He  then  purchased  an 
additional  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  at  $12^ 
an  acre  and  another  eighty  acre  tract  at  *-'3(i  an 
acre.  He  HOW  owns  live  hundred  and  forty  acres, 
sixty  of  which  is  timber  land.  He  lias  erected  a 
good  set  of  frame  buildings  and  has  added  to  the 
beauty  of  the  place  by  planting  fruit,  shade  and 
ornamental  trees  in  abundance. 

December  31,  1841,  Mr.  Pogue  and  Miss  Nancy 
Perry  united  their  fortunes  for  better  or  worse 
and  their  hearty  co-operation  in  the  upbuilding  of 
their  home  lias  secured  them  the  handsome  com- 
petency that  they  enjoy.  Mrs.  Pogue  was  horn  in 
Vigo  County.  Ind..  and  is  a  daughter  of  William 
N.  and  Catherine  (McClure)  Perry,  who  were  early 
pioneers  of  her  native  State.  Among  the  blessings 
that  a  wedded  life  of  half  a  century  has  vouch- 
safed our  Subject  and  his  estimable  wife  are  the 
ten  children  Imin  to  them,  named  as  follows: 
.lames  M..  Angelinc,  Emeline,  Cornelia.  Charles  M.. 
Louisa.  William  Marvin,  Leona,  Julia  A.  and 
Hiram  31. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pogue  are  valued  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  who  carry   their  religion   into 


their  every-day  lives, and  are  kind  and  considerate 
toward  ali.  these  pleasant  traits  of  character  win- 
ning them  respect  and  regard  on  every  hand.  Mr. 
Pogue  has  clear  and  sensible  views  concerning  pol- 
itics and  is  independent  of  any  party,  voting  for 
whom  he  thinks  best  suited  to  assist  in  the  man- 
agement of  public  affairs. 


-»>...  ,^>>».t„  L 


OBERT  E.  CANNON.  The  village  of 
Towei-  Hill  is  the  seat  of  some  thriving 
business  establishments,  prominent  among 
*  which  is  the  store  of  Mr.  Cannon,  dealer 
in  lumber,  furniture  hardware  and  agricultural  im- 
plement.-. Ili>  life  affords  a  striking  example  of 
what  may  he  accomplished  by  a  determined  and 
tireless  spirit,  even  with  nothing  as  capital  save 
vigor  of  body  and  activity  of  mind.  A  self-made 
man  in  a  wide  sense.  Mr.  Cannon  has  gained 
wealth,  but  while  doing  so  he  has  remembered  that 
there  arc  others  in  the  world  as  well  as  himself, 
and  has  treated  those  with  whom  he  has  had  deal- 
ings in  the  most  straighforward  and  honest  man- 
ner, carrying  out  the  Golden  Rule  in  all  his 
dealings. 

A  native  of  Alabama,  Mr.  Cannon  was  horn 
September  3,  1844,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  years 
accompanied  his  parents  to  Arkansas,  where  he 
remained  twelve  years.  There  he  received  a  com- 
mon-school  education,  which  he  has  since  broad- 
ened by  careful  reading  on  all  important  subjects. 
In  1864  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  locating  in  Mont- 
gomery County, passed  the  ensuing  six  years  there. 
During  four  years  of  this  time  he  was  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  for  his  father  in  the  town  of 
Butler,  and  he  was  also  in  partnership  with  his 
father  and  brother  in  the  dry-goods  business  at  Ir- 
ving  for  one  and  a  half  years.  Thus  early  in  life 
he  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  business  af- 
fair-, and  gained  that  judgment  and  decision  which 
characterize  his  transactions  now. 

In  1*72  Mr.  Cannon  came  to  Tower  Hill  and 
embarked  in  his  present  business,  which  he  is  still 
successfully  prosecuting.  lie  has  an  extensive  and 
lucrative  business  and    occupies  a  prominent   place 


122 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


among  the  business  men  of  Shelby  County.  Ho 
controls  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land. 
but  makes  his  home  in  a  cozy  residence  in  the  vill- 
age. Peace,  comfort  and  happiness  have  come  to 
him  from  his  marriage,  which  was  celebrated  in 
Butler,  111.,  October  12.  1868.  The  bride  on  that 
important  occasion  was  Miss  Julia  A.  Stewart,  a 
native  of  Montgomery  County,  111.  The  union 
has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  nine  living  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Ella,  Lillie,  Alice,  Arthur,  Wal- 
ter. Lizzie, Elmer  E.,  Flora  and  Myrtle.  One  child 
died  in  infancy. 

In  politics  Mr.  Cannon  is  a  stanch  Democrat, 
and  has  represented  the  people  in  the  Town  Coun- 
cil for  twelve  years.  He  has  also  served  the  town- 
ship as  Clerk  and  School  Director.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  which  he  has  filled  some  of  the  offices. 
"Sir.  Cannon,  during  an  honorable  career  as  a  saga- 
cious, enterprising  business  man,  has  displayed 
those  solid  traits  of  character  that  are  needful  to 
the  attainment  of  good  fortune  in  any  calling. 
and  in  his  dealings  with  all  either  in  a  business  or 
social  way  he  has  ever  shown  himself  to  be  a 
man  of  honor  and  truthfulness,  and  with  his 
good  wife  he  enjoys  the  full  trust  of  the  entire 
community. 


I[_  A.  DAVIS.  The  gentleman  whose  name  is 
jjf)  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  is  a  general 
farmer  and  a  breeder  of  horses.     The  tract 

Q)  of  land  of  which  he  is  proprietor  comprises 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  is  located  on  sec- 
tion 33,  Pickaway  Township,  Shelby  County.  Mr. 
Davis  secured  this  land  directly  from  the  Govern- 
ment in  August.  1852.  and  since  then  has  devoted 
himself  to  improving  it.  Our  subject  came  to  this 
county  when  yet  a  small  boy.  He  is  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  being  there  born  June  'J,  1826,  and  is 
the  son  of  Joshua  and  Leah  (Stitt)  Davis,  natives 
of  Maryland  and  Kentucky,  respectively,  but  of 
Scotch-Irish  ancestry. 

After  marriage  our  subject's  parents   began  life 


in  Nicholas  County,  Kv.,and  there  five  of  the  chil- 
dren were  born.  About  1833,  the  family  removed 
to  this  state,  coming  by  way  of  the  Ohio.  Missis- 
sippi and  Illinois  Rivers,  up  to  Naples,  and  thence 
over  into  Morgan  County.  There  .Mr.  Davis  Sr.. 
rented  land  lor  some  time  and  was  engaged  in 
farming.  Later  they  came  to  this  county  settling 
here  in  a  very  early  day.  and  purchasing  some  new 
and  unbroken  land  of  the  Government.  The  par- 
ents ended  their  lives  in  Ridge  Township,  the 
father,  January  4,  1868,  and  the  mother  February 
18,  1857.  They  were  then  aged  respectively  eighty 
and  fifty  years,  and  had  been  members,  for  a  great 
many  years,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Our  subject  is  the  third  in  order  of  eight  chil- 
dren, of  whom  there  were  three  sons  and  live 
daughters.  Four  of  these  children  are  yet  living. 
The  youngesl  son  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  His  name, 
John  II.  Davis,  and  the  memory  of  his  bravery  and 
loyalty  will  ever  lie  cherished  by  family,  comrades 
and  friends.  He  of  whom  we  write  was  reared  un- 
der the  home  roof  in  this  county,  where  he  became 
of  age.  He  has  been  a  close  and  appreciative  ob- 
server of  all  the  changes  that  have  taken  place  in 
the  history  of  the  state  from  the  '30s  to  the  present 
time.  The  original  of  our  sketch  has  been  fairly 
successful  in  a  business  and  financial  way  since 
starting  out  in  life  for  himself. 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  in  this  township  and 
county,  early  in  life  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Robinson. 
Their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  March,  1858.  The 
lady  was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  and  came 
to  Shelby  County,  this  Slate,  in  February,  1857.  She 
died  at  her  home  here  in  June,  1867.  She  was  the 
mother  of  live  sons,  namely — lames,  Henry  Alex., 
John  II..  George  B.  Ma,  and  William  G.  Feeling 
the  need  of  companionship  after  the  death  of  his 
wife,  our  subject  was  again  married,  the  lady  con- 
senting to  preside  over  his  home  and  be  a  mother 
to  his  children,  was  Miss  .Mary  Rice.  They  were 
married  in  1869.  She  is  a  native  of  this  State 
although  her  parents  were  Kentuckians,  where  they 
lived  for  some  time.  They  passed  away  from  life 
at  their  daughter's  home  in  this  township,  June, 
1871.  She  was  in  middle  life  at  the  time  of  her 
decease  and  left  one  child.  Rosa  B..  having  lost  a 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BR  >< ,  ll.M'lIIC  AI,    RECORD. 


123 


son,  Frank,  previous  to  the  birth  of  the  child  men- 
tioned. Our  subjecl  was  again  married,  this  time 
to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Yunkins.  She  was  born  and  reared 
in  tlic  State  of  Alabama,  and  was  married  to  a 
Southerner  who  died  in  the  Southern  army.  By 
her  present  marriage  she  i-  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren, namely:  Cora  B.  and  SamuelT.  She  had  one 
son  by  her  first  marriage,  Thomas  Jefferson. 


=^I>*<! 


G)y~* 


<  »  1I.I.IAM  HILL,  is  a  general  farmer  residing 
\  I  on  ,'i  lineh  impn  w  ed  I  rad  i  if  land  l<  - 
V V  cated  on  sections  19  and  20.  of  Pickaway 
Township,  Shelby  County.  His  farm  comprises 
eighty  acres  of  highly  cultivated  land  which  has 
been  hi-  home  since  1850.  At  the  time  of  his 
purchase,  the  place  was  perfectly  new  and  un- 
broken. He  first  secured  forty  acres  from  the 
Government  and  it  was  then  virgin  soil.  Besides 
this  tract,  our  subject  own-  forty  acre-  of  good 
land  in  Flat  Branch  Township.  He  has  lived  in 
the  county  all  his  life,  having  first  opened  his  eyes 
upon  the  mysteries  of  the  world  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship, April  9,  1*27.  lie  is  therefore  one  of  the 
oldest  settlers  living  in  the  county. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  comes  from  Southern 
parentage.  His  father,  William  Hill,  Sr.,  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  and  a  son  of  Henry  Hill,  who 
wa-  a  native  of  Maryland  or  South  Carolina.  He 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  (Bruntz)  Hill,  probably  a 
native  of  the  -aim-  Mate  with  himself.  After  mar- 
riage they  settled  in  Kentucky,  near  Louisville  and 
some  time  later  they  came  with  their  family  to 
Montgomery  County.  111.,  arriving  there  at  a  very 
early  day.  There  Henry  Hill  died,being  eighty  years 
old  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  his  wife  having 
died  previous  in  Shelby  County,  at  the  home  of  a 
daughter.  She.  also,  was  eighty  years  of  age  when 
-lie  died.  Henry  Hill  and  wife  were  members  of 
the  regular  Baptist  Church.  They  had  a  large 
family.  William  Hill.  Sr..  wa-  one  of  the  elder 
children  and  arrived  at  manhood  and  married 
in  Montgomery  County  Mi—  Cynthia  Scribner, 
a  native  of  Tennessee.  She  was  quite  young  when 
her  father.  William   Scribner.  removed   to    Mont- 


gomery County,  during  pioneer  days.  Her  father 
and  mother  in  their  last  years,  moved  west  of  the 
Missouri  River,  where  they  passed  away  at  a  very 
advanced  age.  They  were  pioneer  fanners  wherever 

they   located. 

After  the  marriage  of  William  Hill.  Sr.,  they 
made  their  first  permanent  settlement  in  what  is 
now  Ridge  Township.  Shelby  County,  there  pro- 
Curing  Government  land,  which  they  improved 
until  it  was  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Later 
they  purchased  land  in  Flat  Branch  Township, 
this  county,  and  there  Mrs.  Hill  died  while  in 
middle  life.  Later.  Mr.  Hill  came  to  make  his 
home  with  hi-  son,  our  subject,  and  died  here  at 
at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  He  had  for  many 
years  been  a  member  in  good  standing,  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  Politically  he  affiliated  with  the 
Democratic  party,  his  sympathies  having  been 
with  that  party  all  his  life. 

( )ur  subject  is  one  of  a  large  family,  live  only  of 
whom  are  yet  living,  all  of  these  being  married, 
lie  of  whom  we  write  remained  under  his  father's 
roof  until  he  had  attained  years  of  manhood, 
reaching  his  majority  while  in  Flat  Branch  Town- 
ship. He  there  married  Susanna  Tolly,  who  was  a 
native  of  the  place  where  her  marriage  was  cele- 
brated, her  natal  day  being  October  27.  1832.  She 
was  reared  and  educated  in  her  native  township 
and  was  one  with  her  husband  after  their  mar- 
riage, until  her  death,  which  occurred  April  17, 
1889,  in  making  a  comfortable  and  pleasant  home. 
She  was  an  amiable  woman  and  a  conscientious. 
true  Christian,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  for  many  years.  Her  father.  Robert 
Tolly,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  later,  a  very 
early  settler  in  Flat  Branch  Township,  where  he 
pre-empted  a  homestead  in  which  he  lived  and 
died.  He  was.  at  the  time  of  his  death,  but  a  little 
past  middle  age.  His  wife.  Jemima  Dents,  came 
here  with  her  parents  at  an  early  day.  She  passed 
the  last  years  of  her  life  in  Flat  Branch  Township, 
passing  away  at  an  advanced  age.  Both  she  and 
Mr.  Tolly  were  members  of  the  old  school  Baptist 
Church. 

Mrs.  Hill,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  was  one  of 
ten  children,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  She 
was  also  the  mother  of   ten  children,  all   excepting 


424 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


three,  now  living.  Those  deceased  aie  Robert, 
Mary  E.  and  Charles  II.  The  living  children  are 
John  .M.;  Levi  P.;  Jemima;  Lovisa;  Cynthia  M.: 
Lydia  and  Isaac.  Of  these  .John  took  to  wife  Sarah 
J.Drake  and  is  proprietor  of  a  farm  in  this  town- 
ship. Levi  P.  was  married  to  Julia  Thomas,  and 
is  a  fanner  in  Flat  Branch  Township.  Jemima  is 
the  wife  of  Alvin  T.  Jams:  they  also  reside  in 
Flat    Branch    Township.     Lovisa    is  the    wife    of 

Freedom  Brinker,  a   farmer   living    in    Greenw 1 

County.  Kan.  Lydia  remains  at  home  and  is 
her  father's  housekeeper,  being  a  woman  of  most 
pleasing  address  and  kindly  genial  manners.  Isaac 
also  is  at  home  and  assists  his  father.  Mr.  Hill  is 
a  member  of  the  old  school  Baptist  Church  and 
the  Democratic  party  lias  in  him  one  of  its  most 
true  and  loyal   followers. 


/ 


ILLIAM  J.  HENRY.    This  gentleman,  who 
like  many  of  the  residents  of  Ridge  Town- 


vA/ 

»  '       ship,  Shelby  County,   is  a  native  of  the 

Buckeye  State,  is  a  son  of  Isaac  Henry,  and  Eliza- 
beth Foster,  the  former,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  the 
latter,  of  Maryland.  The  respected  father  died  in 
Noble  County.  Ohio,  after  which  sad  event  the 
mother  came  to  Shelby  County,  and  died  at  the  re- 
sidence of  her  son.  the  subject  of  this  life  record. 
They  had  seven  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is 
tin-  fourth  in  age. 

William  Henry  first  saw  the  light  in  Jefferson 
County,  Ohio,  February  23,  1823.  When  lie  was 
but  a  little  child  his  parents  removed  from  their 
old  home  to  Guernsey  County,  and  here  the  boy 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  on  the 
farm  and  grew  to  a  vigorous  and  active  young 
manhood.  In  Noble  County.  Ohio,  he  found  the 
lady  whom  lie  chose  as  the  one  above  all  others  to 
be  his  helpmate  through  life  and  they  were  united 
in  marriage,  October  11.  1849.  Her  maiden  name 
was  Margaret  Wilson,  and  she  was  a  daughter  of 
Reuben  and  Sarah  (Yoho)  Wilson.  Her  mother 
died  in  Noble  County,  and  her  father  somewhat 
later  in  Washington  County. 

The  life  of  Mrs.  Margaret  Henry  began  in  Guer- 


nsey County,  Ohio.  April  1.  1*2*.  and  here  she 
received  her  early  education  before  going  to  Noble 
County.  The  earliest  wedded  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Henry  was  in  Noble  County  and  there  they 
continued  to  reside  for  some  seventeen  years,  re- 
moving in  l ?-<*;*;  to  Shelby  County,  where  they 
established  themselves  on  section  9,  Ridge  Town- 
ship, which  has  since  then  been  their  permanent 
home.  Upon  this  land  Mr.  Henry  has  erected  an 
excellent  set  of  farm  buildings,  and  he  now  pos- 
sesses some  three  hundred  and  eighty-two  acres. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  have  been  granted  ten 
children  to  cheer  and  enliven  their  home.  They 
are;  Lewis  C.  who  married  Mary  Hart;  Reuben  W.. 
who  died  when  twenty-five  years  old  in  Ridge 
Township;  John  1!..  who  has  taken  to  wife  Nellie 
liextle;  Rebecca  A.,  the  wife  of  Thomas  T.  Henry; 
Sarah  F.  became  the  wife  of  John  N.  Thomas; 
Emma  J.  married  William  Carder:  Abraham,  whose 
wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Minnie  Burk; 
William  S.;  Jacob  S.  whose  wife  was  Mary  Burk: 
.Margaret  C.  The  work  of  farming  has  very  thor- 
oughly engaged  the  attention  of  Mr.  Henry,  al- 
though he  has  given  some  time  to  public  affairs, 
having  served  for  some  time  as  School  Director. 
He  formerly  took  an  active  interest  in  political 
matters,  being  a  believer  in  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party,  but  he  is  now  a  Prohibitionist 
and  active  in  the  temperance  cause,  and  a  member 
of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Association.  In 
religious  matters  he  is  interested  in  the  society 
known  as  the  Church  of  God.  where  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  anil  in  which  he  has  served  as  an 
Elder.  His  excellent  buildings  and  neat  farm, 
speak  well  for  the  thorough  hand  and  the  keen  eye 
of  the  farmer  who  supervises  the  work. 


AMES  11.  DOWNS,  a  prosperous  farmer  re- 
siding on  section  18,  Ridge  Township.  Shel- 
by County,  is  a  son  of  Flections  Downs, 
who  was  born  in  Virginia,  October  13.  1803, 
and  afterward  removed  to  Maryland  thence  to 
Ohio  from  there,  to  Illinois,  where  the  grandfather, 
Daniel,  died  at   the  home  of   Elections   in    Ridge 


C<s 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


125 


Township.  The  mother  of  <  >ui  subject  was  in  her 
maidenhood  known  as  Mary  Ann  surlier,  and  was 
born  in  Washington  County,  Md.,  October  26, 
1800,  and  after  becoming  the  wife  of  Elections 
Downs  resided  for  a  short  time  in  Hagerstown, 
that  state,  and  then  removed  t«i  Delaware  County, 
Ohio.  This  couple  remained  in  the  Buckeye  Mate 
until  1845,  when  they  emigrated  to  Shelby  dainty. 
I'll.,  and  settled  in  Ridge  Township,  which  they 
made  their  home  until  called  away  by  death  he  on 
August  is.  1873  and  she  died  duly  29,  1881. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  seventh  in  a 
family  of  eight  children,  and  was  born  in  Delaware 
County,  Ohio.  May  4.  1837,  being  thus  about  eight 
years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Shelby 
County,  since  which  time  Ridge  Township  has  Keen 
his  home.  He  had  thorough  training  in  the  duties 
of  a  farmer-boy  and  has  always  followed  agricult- 
ural pursuits  and  stock-raising.  The  schools  of 
this  county,  which  he  attended  were  as  good  a-  any 
country  schools  of  that  day,  and  were  carried  on 
mostly  by  subscription.     The  boy  was  industrious 

and   attentive  to  school   duty  and   made   a    g 1 

start  in  this  direction  which  has  ever  served  him 
in  good  Stead  through  life. 

•lames  Downs  was  married  in  Ridge  Township, 
March  22.  1860,  to  Miss  -lane  Oiler,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Eliza  .1.  (Johnson)  tiller.  Her  father 
was  horn  in  Virginia.  May  .J.  1818,  and  her  mother, 
in  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  and  is  living  in  Shelbyville, 
111.;  her  birth  occurred  September  12.  1821  and 
they  came  to  Shelby  County,  about  1840,  >ettling 
in  Ridge  Township,  which  they  made  their  per- 
manent home,  and  where  Mr.  Oiler  died.  July  31. 
1874. 

Mrs.  Jane  Downs  was  horn  in  Ridge  Township, 
February  15,  1845  and  here  her  married  life  has 
been  spent.  Mr.  Downs  now  owns  nearly  one 
thousand  acres  and  has  erected  a  valuable  brick 
house  which  has  delightful  surroundings  and  he 
has  placed  other  excellent  buildings  upon  his  farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Down-  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: Jennie,  the  wife  of  Dr.  A.  P.  Rockey,  of  As- 
sumption. 111.,  who  i-  the  mother  of  one  child 
Stella,  born  May  Is.  1886;  William  E..  who  died  in 
infancy:  Dora  A.,  now  the  wife  of  John  J.  smith. 
of  Ridge  Township  and  Ora    P..     Mr.   Down-   has 


tilled  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  for  about 
six  year-  and  in  politics  inclines  to  the  doctrines 
set  forth  by  the  Democratic  party,  yet  i>  independ- 
ent iii  regard  to  his  vote,  aiming  to  casl  it  always 
for  the  best  good  of  the  community  and  to  help  in 
placing  in  office  tin-  best  man  for  the  place.  Be- 
sides the  valuable  property  owned  by  Mr.  Downs 
in  Shelby  County,  he  is  interested  in  a  coal  mine 
at  Assumption  and  has  twenty  tine  building  lot-  at 
Decatur.  111.  He  has  a  good  residence  and  excel- 
lent surroundings  in  every  way  and  his  wealth  is 
the  result  of  his  energy,  enterprise  and  integrity. 


'  4*     I     Sv  I 


ARTIE  IIAMM.     It  is  not  to  be  wondered 
at    that   so  many   Ohio  men  have  come  to 
-I    Illinois  and  have  here  engaged  in  business, 
'  for  the  conditions  of  life  in  the  two  States 

are  somewhat  similar,  with  the  advantages  in  point 
of  business  opportunities  in  favor  of  the  Prairie 
state.  Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  having 
been  born  near  Good  Hope  September  11.  1859. 
As  his  name  would  indicate,  he  belongs  to  that 
race  of  people  of  whom  we  have  a  great  many 
worthy  representatives  in  this  country.  He  is  of 
German  parentage  and  ancestry,  his  father.  Jacob 
llamm.  having  been  a  native  of  Germany,  as  was 
also  his  mother.  Agnes  (Miller)  llamm.  They  emi- 
grated to  this  country  in  1848. 

When  about  eight  years  of  age  our  subject  re- 
moved to  Shelby  County,  this  State  with  his  par- 
ent-, who  settled  in  Richland  Township,  where 
they  died.  There  he  of  whom  we  write  grew  to 
manhood,  being  reared  on  a  farm.  He  received  a 
common-school  education  that  fitted  him  for  the 
practical  business  of  life,  but  remained  on  the 
farm  till  1873.  when  he  became  a  clerk  for  Wilson 
Brothers,  in  their  business  house  at  Strasburg. 
There  he  remained  for  about  four  years  and  then 
launched  into  business  for  hhxaelf,  becoming  pro- 
prietor of  a  mercantile  house,     lie  carried  a  g 1 

stock  of  merchandise  and  prospered  in  his  new- 
venture  and  at  the  end  of  eighteen  months  he  took 
a  partner,  the  other  member  of  the  firm  being  J.N. 
storm.     They  continued  together  for  a  period   of 


126 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


about  four  years,  when  they  dissolved  partnership, 
and  Mr.  Hamm  built  the  store  which  lit-  at  present 
supies.  He  carries  an  extensive  and  well-se- 
lected stuck  of  clothing,  hats,  caps, boots  and  shoes, 

with  gentlemen's  furnishing  g Is. 

In  1890,  in  company  with  Henry  Stewardson, 
the  original  of  our  sketch  built  the  hardware  store 
in  Strasburg  and  in  connection  with  it  they  keep 
a  good  line  of  farm  implements,  furniture,  stoves 
and  tinware.  They  here  cany  on  an  extensive 
business.  In  1886  Mr.  Hamm  built  a  very  large 
hay  barn,  which  he  operated  for  three  years.  This 
he  finally  traded  for  a  farm.  <>f  which  he  owns  one 
hundred  and  thirty-four  acres.  Mr.  Hamm's  mar- 
ried life  began  in  Shelby  County,  111.,  where  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Mattie  Shelton,  a  daughter  of 
Joel  Shelton.  of  Strasburgh.  She  was  born  in 
Shelby  County,  this  state,  and  is  a  woman  of 
marked  personal  charms  and  the  center  of  the  best 
social  life  in  the  community.  Our  subject  and  his 
wife  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  whose  names 
are  Wordy  K.  and  Agnes.  Our  subject  lias  served 
in  various  public  offices,  having  been  Treasurer  of 
the  Village  Board  for  several  years.  He  is  now 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Loan  Association.  As  do 
all  loyal  American  citizens,  he  of  whom  we  write 
take-  an  active  interest  in  political  affair-  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Democratic  party,  throwing  his 
influence  in  favor  of  that  party  at  every  oppor- 
tunity. 


2©. 


JOHN  F.  MARTIN,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Strasburg  Township,  is  a  native  of  Fountain 
County.  Ind..  having  been  born  in  Davis 
Township.  September  '.I.  1*42.  where  he  re- 
mained until  he  had  reached  the  years  of  manhood, 
and  indeed  it  was  not  until  he  was  in  his  twenty- 
second  year  that  he  left  the  home  roof  to  go  out 
and  battle  for  himself.  At  that  time  he  removed 
to  Shelby  County  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Rich- 
land Town-hip.  There  he  remained  but  a  short 
time  and  then  returned  to  Indiana  in  time  to  enlist 
with  his  youthful  comrades  in  the  War  of  the  Re- 
bellion.    He  joined  Company  D.  of  the  One  Hun- 


dred and  Fiftieth  Indiana  Regiment,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  when  he  returned  to 
Shelby  County,  this  State,  and  has  ever  since  made 
his  home  in  Richland  Township  on  a  farm,  until 
1882,  when  he  came  to  Strasburg. 

Since  coming  to  Strasburg  Mr.  Martin  has  been 
engaged  in  the  grain  and  flour  trade  and  has  built 
up  a  flourishing  business.  Our  subject  is  a  man 
who  is  interested  in  any  measure  that  benefits  hu- 
manity. Naturally  he  takes  a  great  interest  in 
local  a-  well  as  national  politics.  A  Democrat  in 
his  political  policy  and  theories,  he  has  been  ap- 
pointed by  his  party  to  fill  a  number  of  local  offices. 
Hi-  has  been  Collector  for  two  years,  and  has  filled 
the  office  of  Assessor  for  the  same  length  of  time. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  married  in  Rich- 
land Township.  Shelby  County,  this  stale,  soon 
after  his  return  from  the  war.  in  December,  1866. 
His  wife  was  Mrs.  Philenia  Whitlatch,  who  was 
bom  in  Shelby  Township.  The  lady  has  made  a 
pleasant  home  for  her  husband  and  the  children 
who  have  taken  their  place  at  the  family  board. 
Their  names  are  Lizzie.  Rosetta.  John  Franklin. 
Emma,  Ella.  Delia.  Eva  and  Charlie. 

Mr.  Martin  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
For  four  years  he  has  held  the  office  of  Village 
Trustee  of  Strasburg.  Personal  comfort,  conven- 
ience or  gain  are  secondary  considerations  to  our 
subject  in  the  face  of  the  demands  that  are  made 
upon  his  time  by  the  needs  of  the  community.  An 
upright  and  trustworthy  man  personally,  as  a  citi- 
zen he  combine-  the  rare  qualities  of  ability,  judg- 
ment, generosity  and  self- forgetf illness.  He  has 
done  much  to  assist  the  growth  of  the  village,  and 
he  with  his  amiable  wife  and  family  of  children 
make  one  of  the  pleasantest  homes  in  the  place. 

The  father  >  if  the  -til  iject  ( if  this  sketch  was  George 
B.Martin,  who  was  a  farmer,  and  a  native  of  Ohio. 
His  mother  was  a  Mis-  Elizabeth  Pierson,  who  was 
born  in  New  York.  After  the  marriage  of  George 
Martin  they  settled  in  Davis  Town-hip.  Fountain 
County.  Ind..  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  They  had  thirteen  children,  nine  sons 
and  four  daughters,  and  of  these  our  subject  was 
the  eldest.  At  the  present  time  (May.  1891,)  only 
three  of  this  large  family  are  living.  Mrs.  Martin, 
our  subject's  wife,  was  the  daughter  of   Peter  and 


. 


i;  J 


te° 


'&Z44J  Q%ts&C&& 


K£>2^W. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


429 


Eda  Smith.  They  were  old  settlers  at  an  early  day 
in  Shelby  County,  and  died  in  Holland  Township. 
Her  first  husband  was  Samuel  Whitlatch,  who  died 
in  Richland  Township.  By  her  first  marriage  she 
was  the  mother  of  one  child,  Samantha,  who  is  now 
the  wife  of  Marion  Johnson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin 
an-  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  body 
they  are  both  active  workers.  Oursubjecl  isknown 
throughout  the  county  as  being  a  large  grain- 
buyer,  and  his  reputation  as  a  busim —  man  i-  with- 
out a  flaw. 


Shelby  County,  was  born  on  Staten  Island,  X.  V.. 
January  21,  1831.  His  parents  were  Leonard  and 
Maria  (Fountain)  Parkinson,  both  being  natives 
of  staten  Island,  and  descended  from  English  and 
German  ancestry  respectively.  Two  sons  and  two 
daughters  were  the  children  of  this  marriage,  as 
follow-:  Mary  E.,  the  widow  of  William  Burns,  is 
at  present  in  Europe  where  she  has  been  spending 
seven  years  educating  her  daughter;  the  next,  is 
our  subject;  William  A.,  who  i-  unmarried  i-  en- 
gaged in  the  insurance  business  in  the  East,  and 
makes  his  home  upon  Staten  Island;  Hannah  s.  i- 
tin-  wife  of  John  Benjamin,  a  broker  of  New  York 
City.  The  mother  died  fiveyearsago  in  her  eighty- 
third  year,  having  been  a  widow  since  1852. 

The  subject  of  this  sketeh  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  N\-w  York  City,  and  grew  to  manhood 
as  a  resident  of  Staten  Island.  In  1848-49  during 
the  prevalence  of  the"gold  fever."  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia and  remained  there  for  five  years,  being  en- 
gaged in  trading  with  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and 
in  the  brokerage  business,  in  both  of  which  he  was 
successful  in  a  financial  way.  In  is;,:;  he  returned 
to  staten  Island,  and  in  1861  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  on  the  farm  in  Oconee  Township,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  owns  two  hundred  and  sixty-two 
acres  of  excellent  farming  land, adjoining  the  town 
of  Oconee.    A  line  residence  tastily  furnished,  pro- 


K<  iXARI)  PARKINS!  >X.  a  prominent  farm- 
pD    er,    stock-raiser  and  dealer  in    real   estate, 
=^    residing  on  section  30,  Oconee  Township. 


ductive  orchard  and  other  advantages  lender  this 
farm  a  very  desirable  one.  When  Mr.  Parkinson 
first  came  to  Illinois  he  came  to  transact  business 
in  real  estate  for  other  parties,  and  seeing  the  coun- 
try under  very  favorable  circumstances  he  became 
impressed  with  it>  beauty  and  fertility,  and  in- 
rested  for  himself,  which  action  lie  ha-  never  seen 
cause  to  regret. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  in  1863  united  him 
with  Mi—  Ann  L.  Elmo,  who  was  born  at  Zanes- 
ville.  Ohio.  January  4.  1841.  She  came  to  Taylor- 
ville,  111.,  with  her  parent.-,  and  was  married  at 
Oconee.  Of  this  union  three  children  were  born: 
William  A.,  who  was  born  January  s.  1804.  is  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  at  Sullivan,  this  Slate,  and 
is  married  to  Miss  Jessie  Shinkle  of  Ohio:  Cora. 
who  wa-  born  August  14.  1866,  is  now  the  wife  of 
II.  Skinner,  of  Oconee:  Ida.  who  began  life  May  30. 
1869,  died  when  a  lovely  child  of  two  years  and 
seven  months.  Mr.  Parkinson  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  takes  an  interest  in  every- 
thing calculated  to  enhanee  the  prosperity  of  the 
State  and  nation.  His  family  are  not  members  of 
any  religious  denomination,  although  their  prefer- 
ences are  toward  the  Episcopal  Church.  An  hon- 
est, industrious  and  frugal  gentleman,  it  is  not 
strange  that  he  has  accumulated  a  goodly  portion 
of  this  world'-  goods,  and  i>  able  to  give  to  his 
family  the  advantages  of  comfort  and  affluence. 

(In  another  page  of  this  volume  will  be  found  a 
lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Parkinson. 


L.  *+l  *i  1«i 


OHM  PHILTP  HEINZ.  This  gentleman 
who  is  well  known  throughout  Rose  Town- 
ship, Shelby  County,  as  the  efficient  and 
active   Supervisor,   resides   on    section    15. 

where  his  excellent  farm  bespeaks  the  admiration 
of  every  passer-by.  His  father,  the  late  John  P. 
Heinz,  was  bom  in  Hesse-  Darmstadt.  Germany,  May 
27.  1815.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject.  Jacob 
Heinz,  was  a  native  of  Wurtemberg, Germany, and 
was  the  son  of  Michael,  who  spent  his  whole  life 
in  the  Old  Country.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject emigrated  to  thi-  country    about    1850,   and 


130 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


made  his  home  in  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  days. 

Jacob  Heinz  had  been  preceded  to  the  New- 
World  by  his  son  John  P..  the  father  of  our  subject. 
He  came  here  in  1842  when  still  a  single  man.  and 
found  his  wife  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.  He  was  married 
in  1846  and  made  his  home  in  that  city,  pursuing 
his  trade  which  was  that  of  a  shoemaker,  lie  came 
to  Shelby  County,  111.,  in  1853  and  settled  in  Rose 
Township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  which 
pursuit  he  followed  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
July  6,  1883.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
Dorothy  Douth,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Hesse- 
Darmstadt,  Germany,  being  born  there  May  22. 
1827.  Her  death  occurred  in  Rose  Township, Sep- 
tember 22.  1881. 

The  eleven  children  of  John  P.  and  Dorothy 
Heinz  are  as  follows:  John,  who  died  in  infancy; 
John  P..  the  subject  of  this  writing;  Jacob,  a 
farmer  in  Rose  Township;  Catherina,  the  wife  of 
Philip  Boening  of  Chicago;  William,  who  died  in 
childhood:  J.  Lewis,  a  farmer  in  Holland  Town- 
ship, this  county;  Maria,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Jacob 
Stilgebauer;  Louisa,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Dagen,  of 
Rose  Township:  AnnaM..  now  Mrs.  Gabriel  Fadrer, 
of  Rose  Township;  Frederick  W..  and  Caroline  M., 
the  wife  of  Frederick  Roessler. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  bom  in  St.  Louis. 
Mo.,  April  9,  1848,  and  was  thus  five  years  old 
when  his  parents  removed  to  Shelby  County,  and 
most  of  his  life  has  been  spent  here  at  the  home  in 
Rose  Township.  His  early  training  was  taken  upon 
his  father's  farm  and  in  the  common  schools  and 
when  twenty-two  years  old  he  engaged  in  farming 
on  his  own  account,  renting  laud  for  the  first  year. 
He  then  purchased  forty  acres  on  section  5, and  has 
added  to  this  by  purchase  until  he  now  owns  one 
hundred  and  three  acres.  Fanning  has  been  his 
chief  business,  although  in  1884  he  spent  six 
months  in  Kansas  City,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
Other  employment.  Upon  this  farm  he  has  placed 
substantial  improvements  and  comfortable  build- 
ings. Most  of  his  farm  was  in  timber  land  and  he 
had  this  to  clear. 

The  marriage  of  John  P.  Heinz  took  place  in 
Rose  Township,  February  3,  1870.  his  bride  being 
Miss  Carolina  Friesner.  the  daughter  of  Andrew  J. 


and  Sarah  E.  (Bowman)  Friesner,  who  are  now 
residents  of  Kansas  City.  This  lady  was  born  in 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  January  19,  ls.'is.  and  is 
now  the  mother  of  three  children:  Louis  P..  .1.  Otto 
and  Caroline  V.  The  election  of  Mr.  Heinz  to  the 
office  of  Township  Supervisor,  took  place  in  the 
spring  of  1890,  and  he  was  re-elected  to  the  same 
office  in  the  spring  of  1891.  He  has  been  their 
Highway  Commissioner  for  seven  years  and  has 
performed  the  duties  of  that  office  with  ability  and 
satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  For  one  year  he 
held  the  office  of  Assessor  and  he  has  been  School 
Director  for  six  years. 

The  religious  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heinz  is  with 
the  Lutheran  C  hurch,  of  which  they  are  active 
members.  Political  affairs  deeply  interest  thisgen- 
tlenian  and  as  ;i  member  of  the  Democratic  party 
he  takes  an  active  part  in  its  movements  and 
plans.  He  earnestly  believes  that  the  declarations 
of  that  body  embody  the  principles  of  true  govern- 
ment and  will  work  out  the  best  success  for  this 
country.  He  is  a  man  of  keen  intelligence  and  has 
a  good  degree  of  information  on  matters  of  public 
interest,  and  his  reputation  as  a  thorough-going 
farmer  as  well  as  an  upright  business  man  gives 
him  a  good  Standing  in  the  community. 


AMUEL  DUNCAN.  The  gentleman  of 
whom  we  are  about  to  give  a  short  bio- 
'll*  J,  graphical  sketch  in  outline,  resides  on  sec- 
tion 22,  of  Richland  Township,  Shelby 
County.  He  i>  a  native  of  this  State,  and  of  Amer- 
ican parentage,  although  his  ancestors  were  prob- 
ably Scotch.  His  father  was  James  Duncan,  who 
was  born  in  Delaware  County.  Pa.  His  mother, 
who  was  before  her  marriage  a  Miss  Mary  Mc- 
Keever,  lived  to  see  her  son  take  an  honorable  po- 
sition in  life.  They  died  in  Richland  Township. 
Six  children  were  permitted  to  grow  up  around 
them.  Of  these  there  were  four  sons  and  two 
daughters,  our  subject  being  the  fifth  child  in 
older  of  birth. 

Samuel    Duncan  was    born    Richland  Township, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


i:D 


May  8,  1842.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm  and  in  his  native  township,  always 
having  lived  here  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
during  which  time  be  was  in  the  army.  He  en- 
listed September  L8,  18<H.  in  Company  B,  of  the 
Twelfth  Illinois  [nfantry,  and  .served  until  July, 
1865.  Although  the  severest  fighting  was  over  at 
the  time  of  his  enlistment,  he  took  part  in  several 
small  engagements,  he  received  his  discharge  at 
Washington,  I).  C. 

Mr.  Duncan  has  always  been  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  making  a  specialty,  however,  of 
stock-raising.  For  fifteen  years  he  was  engaged 
in  buying  and  shipping  stock  to  the  city  markets. 
His  farm  hears  the  impress  of  having'  fine  manage- 
ment, as  every  part  is  well  cultivated.  He  owns 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  is  equally  di- 
vided in  the  raising  of  general  produce  and  the 
glazing  of  cattle. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  entered  the  matri- 
monial relation  in  Richland  Township,  October  '.», 
1864,  his  bride  being  Miss  Harriet  C.  Raich,  who 
was  born  in  Coles  County,  III.  Well  mated  and 
having  tastes  and  sympathies  in  common,  they  have 
made  a  happy  home.  During  the  years  that  they 
have  lived  together  three  children  have  come  to 
them:  Mary  K..  Ida  A.,  and  Retta  ( >.  Mary  E. 
is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Richards.  The  parents  of 
Mrs.  Duncan  were  Jonathan  .1.  P.  and  Elizabeth 
(Nicholson)  Balch,  the  former  was  probably  born 
in  Indiana,  and  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Tennes- 
see. They  came  to  Shelby  County  and  settled  on 
Sand  Creek,  but  remained  here  only  a  short  time. 
returning  to  Coles  County,  where  the  mother  died. 
At  the  date  of  this  writing  (May.  18!)1)  the  father 
still  survives.  Mrs.  Duncan  is  one  of  twelve  chil- 
dren born  to  her  parents,  she  being  the  third  in 
order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in  Coles  County. 
111..  November  11.  1844. 

Our  subject  has  taken  an  active  partin  local  pol- 
itics, being  an  ardent  Republican.  He  has  held 
several  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  township  in  which 
he  lives,  having  been  Deputy  Sheriff  and  Consta- 
ble, and  he  is  now  School  Director.  His  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  our  sub- 
ject himself  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Gospel. 
Mr.  Duncan  was  the  first  man  who  introduced  and 


I 


commenced  the  breeding  of  registered  Hereford 
cattle,  and  is  to-day  the  only  breeder  in  the 
county.  He  has  sold  and  shipped  out  of  his  herd 
in  fifteen  different  States.  His  herd  at  the  present 
writing  numbers  one  hundred  and  fortv  head. 


^€>*<I= 


-5— 


I  LAS  M.  ADAMS  is  the  proprietor  of  a 
well-appointed  hardware  store  at  Mowea- 
qua,  Shelby  County,  and  occupies  an  hon- 
orable position  among  the  enterprising 
business  men  of  the  county.  He  is  a  native  of 
Cape  Girardeau  County.  Mo..  .Inly  !».  18.S7  the  date 
of  his  birth.  His  father.  Elam  L.  Adams,  was  born 
in  North  Carolina,  and  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Adams, 
who  is  thought  to  have  been  a  native  of  Germany, 
who  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  North 
Carolina  some  time  during  the  last  century.  He 
was  a  farmer  and  carried  on  his  occupation  in 
Rowan  County,  that  State,  spending  his  last  years 
there. 

The  father  of  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  State  and  was  there  married  to  Jane  C. 
McNeely,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  Scotch  ancestry.  In  his  youth  Mr. 
Adams  learned  the  trade  of  wagon-maker,  and  was 
engaged  at  it  in  the  State  of  his  nativity  until  his 
removal  to  Missouri  in  1820.  when  lie  became  a 
pioneer  of  Cape  Girardeau  County.  He  bought  a 
tract  of  timber  land  and  carried  on  farming  in 
connection  with  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  and 
helped  build  up  those  industries  in  that  county,  of 
which  he  continued  a  useful  citizen  until  death 
closed  his  career  in  1862.  His  wife  survived  him 
until  1865,  when  she  too  passed  away.  They  reared 
a  family  of  live  children,  of  whom  these  are  the 
names:  Mary  A.,  Sarah  L.,  George  W.,  John  C.  and 
Silas  M. 

The  latter  who  forms  the  subject  of  this  brief 
biography  lived  amid  (he  scenes  of  his  birth  during 
his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  was  educated  in  the 
local  public  schools.  lie  worked  with  his  father 
four  or  live  years,  and  continued  an  inmate  of  the 
parental  household  until  he  attained  his  majority, 
when   he  engaged   in    the    mercantile   business    in 


432 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Bollinger  County  for  a  year.  I II.-s  next  venture 
was  asafarmerin  Montgomery  County  for  a  period 
of  one  year.  He  then  resumed  the  mercantile 
business,  but  a  year  later  went  back  to  farming,  at 
which  lie  was  engaged  five  years  in  Bond  County. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Macon  County, 
in  this  State  and  bought  an  improved  farm,  which 
lie  operated  successfully  eleven  years.  lie  then 
established  himself  in  the  hardware  business  at 
Maroa,  111.,  and  conducted  it  until  18S4.  when  he 
sold  his  store  there  and  bought  his  present  estab- 
lishment, lie  carries  a  full  line  of  hardware,  stoves, 
cutlery,  glass,  china,  paints  and  furniture,  and 
commands  a  large  trade,  as  he  understands  well 
what  his  customers  demand,  uses  tact  in  his  deal- 
ings, and  all  are  sure  of  fair  treatment  at  his  hands. 
Mr.  Adams  is  further  closely  identified  with  the 
business  interests  of  his  adopted  city  as  President 
of  the  Moweaqua  Building  and  Loan  Association, 
which  is  an  important  factor  in  the  growth  of  this 
municipality,  and  its  affairs  are  in  a  flourishing 
condition  with  him  at  the  head.  He  is  known  in 
political  circles  as  a  sound  Republican,  and  a  firm 
advocate  of  the  principles  of  his  party. 

Mr.  Adams  was  happily  married  in  18(51  to  Miss 
Susan  A.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Sims) 
McLain.  and  a  native  of  Bond  County.  111.  Four 
children  complete  their  home  circle — Ella.  Emma. 
Albert  and  Alma.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  are  of  high  social  posi- 
tion. 


*M| 


CQ) 


■El 


fe 


AMES  Q.  REIGIILEY  is  a  representative 
fanner  and  stock-raiser  of  Moweaqua  Town- 
ship. Shelby  County,  who  is  prominent  in 
the  public,  political  and  social  life  of  this 
part  of  the  county.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Winchester.  Adams  County.  Ohio.  December  15, 
1850.  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  William  and  Rachel 
(Bailey)  Reighley,  of  whom  see  sketch  on  another 
page  of  this  volume.  He  was  three  years  old  when 
his  parents  came  to  establish  a  new  home  in  Illin- 
ois. He  was  given  superior  advantages  for  an  ed- 
ucation, of  which  he  laid  the  foundation   in  the 


graded  schools  of  Paxton  in  Ford  County,  lie 
subsequently  attended  the  Illinois  Industrial  Col- 
lege at  Champaign,  and  also  pursued  a  liberal 
course  of  study  at  West  Meld  University. 

Thus  well  equipped  by  a  sound  mental  training 
for  life's  duties,  our  subject  after  leaving  the  latter 
institution  taught  one  term  of  school,  and  then 
entered  tin'  employ  of  the  Chicago.  Danville  and 
Yincennes  Railway  Company  as  civil  engineer. and 
later  engaged  with  the  Chicago  and  Paducah  Rail- 
way Company  in  the  same  capacity.  He  also  had 
experience  as  a  civil  engineer  in  the  West,  going  to 
Colorado  in  1875  in  the  service  of  the  Kansas 
Pacific.  In  January.  l*7i>.  in  common  witli  many 
others  he  was  attracted  to  the  Black  Hills  by 
the  discovery  of  gold  in  that  region,  and  made  the 
journey  hither  from  Denver,  a  distance  of  four 
hundred  miles,  with   teams.     At   that    time   Dead- 

w 1  was  a  hamlet  of  a  few  log  houses,  and  hostile 

Indians  infested  the  locality.  Our  subject  and 
some  others  started  out  with  the  intention  of  locat- 
ing a  mining  cam]),  but  their  wagons  were  burned 
and  their  ponies  and  provisions  were  stolen  by  the 
Indians. 

Thus  frustrated  in  his  attempts  to  search  for 
gold  Mr.  Reighley  concluded  to  return  to  civiliza- 
tion, and  made  his  way  on  foot  to  Cheyenne.  ■  lie 
then  resumed  work  with  the  Kansas  Pacific 
for  a  few  months,  then  entered  the  employ  of  a 
ranchman  as  foreman,  and  in  the  fall  of  1876.  took 
a  train  load  of  cattle  to  Chicago.  From  there  he 
visited  the  Centennial  Exposition  at  Philadelphia, 
thence  went  to  New  York,  where  he  embarked  on 
a  steamer  for  Galveston.  His  intention  is  going 
to  Texas  was  to  start  a  ranch  in  that  State,  hut 
after  his  arrival  there  he  was  thrown  from  his  horse 
and  so  severely  injured  that  he  was  forced  to 
abandon  his  design.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  he  re- 
turned to  Chicago  and  for  a  fewT  months  was  fore, 
man  in  the  packing  house  of  Hutchinson  and  Kent. 
In  1878,  our  subject,  who  had  already  had  experi- 
ence in  handling  cattle,  came  to  Moweaqua  and 
was  actively  engaged  in  stock-raising  the  ensuing 
year.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  invested 
in  eighty  acres  of  land  finely  located  one  mile  east 
of  the  village  mentioned.  There  being  no  build- 
ings on  the  place,  he  rented  a  dwelling  until  1886, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


433 


when  he  erected  his  present  neat  and  conveniently 
arranged  residence.     He  has  added  to  the  original 

size  of  his  farm  by  further  purchase;  and  it  now 
contains  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  well- 
improved  prairie  land. 

In  December,  1878,  Mr.  Reighley  was  happily 
married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Ann  Knowles,  a  native 
of  Erie  County,  Ohio.  Their  pleasant  home  circle 
is  completed  by  the  one  child  born  to  them.  John 
Henry. 

Our  subject  is  influential  in  the  councils  of  the 
Republican  party  in  this  section  as  one  of  it-  most 
thoughtful  and  intelligent  supporters  in  his  com- 
munity, and  he  has  served  as  delegate  to  various 
political-conventions.  Hehasalways  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his 
township,  especially  in  the  education  of  its  youth, 
and  lie  i>  a  member  of  the  District  School  Board. 
lie  has  served  two  terms  as  Highway  Commissioner, 
and  has  twice  assessed  the  township.  In  his  social 
relations,  he  is  identified  with  Shelby  Lodge,  No. 
•271.  I.  0.  <  >.  F.;  and  Moweaqua  Lodge,  No.  1013, 
K.  of  ll. 


AN1EL  X.  HARWOOD.  of  Shelbyville,  is 
j    one   of   the  most  extensive  and  enterpris- 
ing dealer-  ill  hay  in  thiscounty.      He  was 
born  in  the   town  of  Winfield,  Herkimer 

County,   X.   V.     His  father.  Nathan  Harw I,  was 

born  in  Massachusetts,  and  was  the  son  of  an  Eng- 
lishman  who  came  to  this  country  and  lir>t  settled 
in  that  Slate.  He  afterward  became  a  resident  of 
New  York  and  was  a  pioneer  of  Herkimer  County, 
buying  a  tract  of  timber  in  Winfield.  He  cleared 
his  land  and  developed  it  into  a  good  farm,  which 
remained  his  home  until  his  demise. 

Nathan  Harwood  was  but  a  boy  when  he  went 
to  New  York  with  his  parents  and  he  was  reared 
to  the  life  of  a  farmer  in  their  pioneer  home.  He 
was  married  in  early  manhood  to  Abigail  J.  Burt, 
by  whom  he  had  one  child.  Amhers  .1.  His  first 
wife  died  and  he  then  married  again  and  contin- 
ued to  reside  in  Winfield  until  death  closed  his 
career,  in   l*4ti.  while  he  was  yet    in    the    prime   of 


life.  IIi>  second  wife  survived  him  many  years 
and  finally  died  at  a  ripe  age  in  the  home  of  our 
subject  in  Rosamund,  Christian  County.  She 
reared  these  children:  Mary.  Daniel  N..  Anna. 
Charles  A',  and  Lucy  M. 

Our  subject  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  when  he 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  father,  and  from 
that  time  he  was  obliged  to  care  for  himself.  Be- 
ing thus  early  thrown  on  his  own  resources,  he  be- 
came manly  and  self-reliant  and  worked  well  at 
whatever  his  hand  found  to  do.  In  the  summer 
season  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  the  rest  of  the 
year  devoted  himself  to  obtaining  an  education,  so 
that  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  well  qualified  to 
teach.  He  engaged  in  that  profession  a  portion  of 
each  year  and  attended  West  Winfield  Academy 
the  remainder  of  the  time  for  three  years.  Reliev- 
ing that  the  Wot.  as  this  part  of  the  country  was 
then  called,  possessed  superior  advantages  for  young- 
men  of  brain  and  energy,  in  1856  he  came  to  Ill- 
inois and  located  in  Knox  County.  His  services 
were  in  demand  as  a  teacher  and  when  not  thus 
engaged  he  employed  his  time  on  a  farm.  A  year 
later  he  removed  to  Christian  County  and  bought 
a  farm  in  Rosamund  Township,  on  which  he  was  a 
resident  until  1864.  During  that  time,  in  addition 
to  farming,  he  bought  and  -hipped  hay  quite  ex- 
tensively. 

In  the  year  mentioned  our  subject  came  to  Shel- 
byville to  engage  in  the  grain  business,  also 
continuing  to  buy  and  ship  hay.  He  carried  on 
both  branches  of  business  some  years,  but  of  late 
ha-  dealt  exclusively  in  hay.  lie  has  all  the  facil- 
ities for  carrying  on  his  business  to  the  best  advan- 
tage, including  large  storage  accommodations. 
He  has  a  warehouse  in  this  city  with  a  capacity  of 
three  hundred  tons  and  barracks  that  hold  .-even 
hundred  tons.  He  also  buys  at  Windsor, Mattoon, 
and  Cowden,  and  at  the  latter  place  has  a  ware- 
house covered  with  iron,  in  which  can  lie  stored 
two  hundred  and  titty  ton-  of  hay.  and  he  has  lie- 
side  barracks  there  that  hold  four  hundred  and 
fifty  tons.  At  Mattoon  he  ha-  the  largest  and  fin- 
est barn  in  the  State,  with  a  capacity-  of  eight  hun- 
dred tons. 

Mr.  Harwood  was  happily   married   in    1*.">7    to 
Miss    Ursula    E.   Moore,   who  was  born  in  Anson. 


434 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Me.,  in  1836,  and  theirs  is  one  of  the  pleasantest 
homes  in  all  Shelbyville.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren: Eber  M.,    who    married    Mary    C.    Waldon; 

Florence  L.  and  Clara. 

Mr.  Harwood  possesses  a  clear,  well-balanced, 
well-trained  mind,  large  foresight  and  superior  bus- 
iness qualities,  which  characteristics  have  placed 
liim  among'  our  leading  citizens.  In  his  politics  he 
has  always  been  a  true  Republican  since  he  cast  his 
first  Presidential  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  Heis 
a  popular  member  of  various  social  organizations, 
as  follows:  Jackson  Lodge,  No.  53,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.; 
Jackson  Chapter,  No.  .">">,  R.  A.  M.;  Okaw  Lodge, 
No.  1  17.  1.  ().  ().  F.;  Big  Four  Lodge.  No.  436, Or- 
der of  Tonti;  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Temple  of  Templars,  K.  of  11.  and  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen. 


"S3 


DAM  D.  BOWMAN,  one  of  the  well-known    | 
residents   of    section    1,    Rose   Township, 
I  i    Shelby  County,  is  a    man    who   has   a    tine 
QJ  record  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil   War.  and 

an  excellent  reputation  as  a  farmer.  His  father 
was  Daniel  Bowman,  who  was  born  in  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  and  his  mother.  Sarah  Ruch,  had  her  nativity 
in  Westmoreland  County  the  same  State.  There 
they  were  married  and  from  her  home  emigrated 
to  Perry  County.  Ohio,  where  they  entered  land 
and  made  their  home  until  early  in  the  '(Ids  when 
they  came  to  Shelby  County,  lib.  and  settled  in 
Rose  Township.  Here  they  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  days,  the  father  dying  in  the  fall  of  1*6*  and 
the  mother  surviving  him  two  years  only. 

Of  a  large  family  of  live  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, our  subject  was  the  youngest  son  and  eighth 
child,  lie  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Ohio,  De- 
cember 26.  1834,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  resided  until  he  beeameof  age.  He  resided  in 
Perry  County,  until  February.  1861,  when  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  made  his  home  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Coles  and  Douglas. 

Mr.  Bowman  enlisted  August  l'.i.  1862  in  Com- 
pany K,  Seventy-ninth  Illinois  Regiment.  He  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at    Areola 


and  served  throughout  the  period  of  war  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville.  Tenn.  He  took  part  in 
the  battles  of  Stone  River.  Chickamauga,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Atlanta,  and  in  other  prominent  engage- 
ments. At  Stone  River  he  was  so  unfortunate  as 
to  be  taken  prisoner  of  war  but  was  held  only 
twenty-eight  days,  after  which  he  was  paroled  and 
was  soon  exchanged  and  permitted  to  rejoin  his 
regiment.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned 
to  Illinois  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  Shelby 
County. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in  Rose 
Township.  .Inly  17.  1872,  his  bride  being  Miss  Mary 
C.  Palmer,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  (Morri- 
son) Palmer.  The  lady  was  born  in  Bucyrus,  Ash- 
land County.  Ohio.  May  12.  1851,  and  she  has 
become  the  mother  of  two  children — Oscar  0.  and 
Frank  P.;  the  latter  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Bow- 
man has  always  followed  agricultural  pursuits 
except  during  the  time  which  he  spent  in  the  brave 
defense  of  Ins  country.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of 
excellent  land,  upon  which  he  has  made  good  im- 
provements. His  political  views  have  led  him  to 
affiliate  with  the  Republican  partyand  his  religious 
convictions  have  made  him  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  in  which  he  is  an  active  worker. 
Mrs.  Bowman  died  in  1876. 


L.  OSBORN.  One  of  the  best  improved 
farms  in  Flat  Branch  Township,  section 
IS.  Shelby  County,  is  that  upon  which 
the  gentleman  whose  name  is  at  the  head 
of  this  sketch  resides,  having  retired  from  the 
active  management  of  agricultural  business.  Mr. 
Osborn  has  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  the 
farm  on  which  he  resides,  all  of  which  is  well 
improved  land:  he  also  owns  forty  acres  near  the 
homestead.  He  purchased  this  land  and  settled 
on  it  in  March.  1865,  it  then  being  all  unbroken 
prairie.  Since  then  he  has  made  it  a  comfortable 
home  place  and  has  been  successful  in  his  under- 
takings as  a  general  farmer.  He  came  to  his 
present  location  from  Macoupin  County,  where  he 
had  lived  near  Gillespie  for  some  years.     He  form- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RKC  ORD. 


435 


erly  lived  in  Jersey  and  Greene  Counties,  having 
improved  some  property  in  both  plai    • 

Our  subject  came  to  this  Mate  when  a  buy.  with 
lil—  parents.  They  early  settled  in  Sangamon 
County,  and  the  young  man  went  with  them  to 
Greene  County,  where  lie  grew  to  manhood  and 
was  married.  He  was  horn  in  Athens  County, 
Ohio,  August  15,  1822,  ami  is  the  son  of  Moses 
and  the  grandson  of  Josiah  Osborn,  the  latter 
being  a  native  of  Long  Island,  ami  of  Welsh 
parents  ami  ancestors.  He  was  one  of  eleven  sons, 
all  born  on  Long  Island.  He  served  as  a  soldier 
through  the  Revolutionary  War  and  followed  the 
calling  of  a  fanner.  He  lived  to  be  an  old  man. 
his  death  probably  occurring  in  Connecticut  His 
son  Moses  Osborn  and  our  subject's  father,  was 
one  of  a  large  family  ami  was  born  in  Connecticut, 
where  he  grew  up  and  learned  the  trade  of  a 
smith.  He  later  became  an  itinerant  preacher,  and 
was  thus  engaged  during  part  of  the  War  of  1812, 
ami  although  he  was  not  an  active  participant  in 
that  struggle*  he  saw  many  of  it.-  results.  He  was 
married  in  New  York  to  Miss  Judith  Francis,  a 
native  of  the  Island  of  Guernsey,  who  eame  of 
French  parentage.  She  was  fifteen  years  of  age 
when  her  father  and  mother  moved  to  America 
and  settled  in  New  York,  where  they  lived  for 
some  year-,  and  later  came  to  Ohio,  there  passing 

away  after  attaining  a  g 1   old  age.     Their  de- 

cease  occurred  in  Athens  County. 

After  marriage  Moses  Osborn  ami  wife  settled 
in  Athens  County,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day  and  there 
began  pioneer  life.  They  lived  there  for  some 
years,  making  many  improvements  upon  the  farm 
that  they  had  secured.  After  the  birth  of  five 
children,  all  of  whom  were  -on-,  in  1826  they  left 
Ohio  to  come  to  this  Mate.  They  came  by  way 
of  the  overland  route  with  teams,  living  a  camp 
life  while  on  the  road.  After  a  number  of  days  of 
tedious  journeying,  they  reached  and  located  near 
Springfield.  They,  however,  stayed  here  but  a 
comparatively  short  time  when  they  proceeded  to 
Greene  County,  where  they  secured  a  farm  to 
which  they  bent  their  energies  to  improve.  There 
both  Moses  Osborn  and  wife  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives,  and  there  died,  being  at  the  time  of 
their  decease,  about  eighty-three  years  old.     They 


were  among  the  first  and  most  influential  old 
settlers  in  thai  county,  ami  wen-  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  a  time 
when  church  membership  meant  more  than  it  does 
now.  Much  of  Mr.  ( (shorn--  life  had  been  spent  in 
active  church  work. 

The  original  of  our  -ketch  i-  one  of  the  young- 
est of  Sve  sons  and  one  daughter.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  became  of  age.  He  was 
married  in  Greene  County.  February  2.">.  1850,  to 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Pruitt.  win.  was  born  in  Greene 
County,  this  State.  March  11.  1835.  she  is  a 
daughter  of  James  R.  and  Mahala  (Ambrose) 
Pruitt.  natives  of  Illinois  and  Virginia,  respec- 
tively. Mr.  Pruitt  was  one  of  the  very  first  while 
children  horn  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 
James  R.  Pruitt  was  the  son  of  William  Pruitt. 
who  was  in  this  State  in  the  very  early  part  of  the 
present  century,  or  before  that  time,  ami  was  en- 
gaged  in  the  struggle  with  the  Indian.-,  prior  to 
the  War  of  1812.  He  carried  a  bullet  to  his  grave 
received  in  a  hattle  with  the  Indians.  Mrs.  Mahala 
Pruitt 's  father  was  also  an  early  settler  in  Illinois 
and  was  engaged  in  the  War  of  1812,  having  been 
crippled  in  hattle.  His  name  was  William  Ambrose. 

.lames  R.  Pruitt  and  wife  were  married  in  Illi- 
nois  and  lived  in  Madison  County  for  some  time, 
later  removing  to  Greene  County,  where  they 
secured  and  improved  a  new  farm.  They  were 
very  early  pioneer  settlers  and  were  obliged  to 
begin  life  in  a  most  primitive  way.  The  bridal 
costumes  for  both  bride  and  groom  were  of  home- 
spun, and  they  had  only  wooden  dishes  to  begin 
housekeeping  with  and  a  wooden  bed.  built  of 
boards  in  a  corner  of  the  room  in  which  they 
lived.  They  drove  ox-teams  to  church,  but  made 
as  much  sunshine  as  possible  out  of  the  circum- 
stances with  which  they  were  compelled  to  con- 
form. They  spent  their  last  day-  in  Greene  County 
and  there  died.  Mr.  Pruitt  at  sixty-two  years  of 
and  his  wife  at  eighty-three.  Mrs.  Pruitt  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Mr-.  Osborn  and  her  brother  William,  are  all  of 
the  family  at  present  living.  The  lady  was  reared 
to  womanhood  in  her  native  county,  she  is  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  two  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased, Amanda  and  Oscar  F.    The  living  children 


136 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


are  James  A..  Richard  F..  Mary  B.,  Janet  A..  Lewis 
W.  and  Luther  A.  The  eldest  living  son  is  the 
husband  of  Alice  Cotar  and  lives  in  this  township 
on  a  farm.  Richard  took  to  wife  Lou  .Minnie 
Cotar.  now  deceased.  lie  lives  in  Christian  County, 
and  has  married  a  second  time,  his  present  wife 
having  been  a  Miss  Mary  Winters.  Mary  1!.  is 
the  wife  of  I.  F.  Haverfield,  and  lives  in  Vermil- 
lion County.  111.  Janet  A.  is  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Manly,  a  farmer  in  this  township.  Lewis 
\V.  is  a  farmer  in  Christian  County.  He  married 
Maggie  English.  Luther  is  also  a  fanner  in  Chris- 
tian County  and  took  to  wife  Fanny  Zeitz.  Mr. 
ami  Mrs.  Osborn  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Association.  Our  subject  is  an  Independent  in 
politics,  not  wedded  to  party,  hut  voting  for  the 
man  whom  he  believes  to  he  best  qualified  to  till 
the  position. 

Mr.  and  Mi's.  Osbora  are  both  intelligent  and 
educated  people.  They  have  reared  a  family  of 
sons  and  daughters  who  have  proved  to  he  of 
exceptional  mental  caliber  and  with  high  ideas  of 
principle. 


AMDEL  RENNER.  How  blessed  and  sweet 
is  the  rest  that  follows  the  labor  of  a  long 
day  spent  in  adjusting  the  work  and  man- 
agement of  One's  duties,  no  matter  in  what 
calling.  Even  so  is  the  rest  in  the  evening  of  life 
that  a  man  feels  and  enjoys  after  a  career  of  which 
each  day  was  a  repetition  of  its  predecessor  in  hard 
manual  labor,  and  the  worry  of  daily  existence. 
This  rest  is  now  enjoyed  by  the  gentleman  who  i- 
the  subject  of  this  little  biographical  sketch  in  out- 
line. An  energetic,  stirring  man  whose  whole  am- 
bition and  energies  was  to  keep  in  the  van  of  his 
affairs,  and  abreast  with  the  time  in  advancement 
of  all  kinds,  he  has  well  earned  the  pleasant  re- 
tirement from  active  duties  that  he  now  enjoy-. 

Our  subject,  whi)  is  now  a  retired  farmer,  is  a 
son  of  Tobias  Rentier,  who  was  probably  a  native 
of  Maryland.  His  mother  was  Cynthia  Smith,  who 
was  bom  in  New  Jersey.     They  came  to  Shelby 


County,  this  State,  from  Belmont  County.  Ohio, in 

1837,  although  after  marriage  they  first  settled  in 
Pennsylvania,  removing  from  there  to  Guernsey 
County.  Ohio,  whence  they  went  to  Belmont 
County.  At  their  advent  into  this  State  and  coun- 
try, they  settled  in  Richland  Township,  where  tiny 
lived  for  some  years.  The  father  died  about  1840. 
The  mother  survived  her  husband  for  several  years, 
at  last  passing  away  in  Richland  Town-hip.  They 
were  the  parents  of  a  large  family  of  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth. 
He  wa-  probably  born  in  Green  County.  Pa.,  his 
natal'day  being  November  12.  1815. 

Samuel  Rentier  made  his  advent  into  Shelby 
County  with  his  parents  in  the  fall  of  18:37.  They 
at  once  settled  upon  a  farm. and  the  lad  was  brought 
up  to  that  calling, and  has  always  followed  it.  He 
was  married  in  Richland  Township,  November   8. 

1838,  to  Miss  Martha  Balch,  a  daughter  of  Amos 
and  Martha  (  Leach)  Balch.  The  former  wa-  a  na- 
tive of  Tennessee.  The  mother  died  when  Mrs. 
Renner  was  quite  young.  The  family  went  from 
Kentucky  to  Indiana,  where  the  mother's  death 
took  place.  After  that  sad  event  Mr.  Balch  eaine 
to  Shelbj  County,  this  state,  in  1836,  settling  in 
Richland  Township,  where  he  lived  for  about  four 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  removed 
to  Bond  County,  and  there  died.  Mrs.  Renner  is 
erne  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  there  having 
been  seven  son-  and  four  daughters,  and  of  these 
the  lady  who  became  the  wife  of  our  subject,  was 
the  youngest.  She  wa-  born  in  Indiana.  Septem- 
ber 30.  1821. 

After  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife,  they 
settled  in  Richland  Township,  on  a  farm  located 
on  section  27.  where  they  lived  upwards  of  Bftj 
years,  until  March.  1889,  when  they  removed  to 
Strasburg,  where  they  are  now  making  their  home. 
Their  town  residence  i-  a  cozy  plaee.  where  they 
can  enjoy  the  afternoon  of  life  with  its  soft  mellow 
-unset  in  serenity  and  peace.  Some  of  their  chil- 
dren live  near  at  hand,  and  in  them  and  the  lives 
of  their  families  they  live  again  their  own  youth- 
ful experience.  Mr.  and  Mi's.  Renner  are  the  par- 
ents of  twelve  children.  Those  living  are  Martha. 
John,  Joseph,  Emeline,  James  and  Elizabeth.  Mar- 
tha is  the  wifeof  Joseph  Bouse. and  is  distinguished 


PORTRAIT  AND  RIOORAl'HICAL    RECORD. 


139 


for  her  matronly  bearing,  being  a  gentle  and  lov- 
ing wife  and  helpmate;  Emeline  married  James 
Turner;  Elizabeth  is  the  wifeof  Berry  Barker.  The 
eldest  son,  Stephen  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  died  a  victim  of  typhoid  fever,  al 
Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  after  having  served  for 
three  months.  The  other  deceased  children  passed 
away  when  young. 

In  his  political  preference  Mr.  Rennet'  is  a  Re- 
publican having  been  in  his  youth,  a  follower  of 
the  old  line  Whig  party.  Religiously  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  body  they  have  done  good  ser- 
vice. Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  passed  a  long 
life  in  usefulness  and  devotion,  not  only  to  their 
own  personal  desires  and  aims,  hut  for  the  elevation 
and  helpof  their  fellow-men.  They  have  more  than 
passed  the  Scriplurally  allotted  portion  of  life  and 
approach  the  time  when  wearied  with  the  cares  of 
existence,  each  will  be  glad  to  say: 

"Good  night:  now  cometh  gentle  sleep. 
"And  dreams  that  fall  like  gentle  rain: 
"Good  night!    Oh  holy,  blessed  and  deep 
"The  rest  that  follows  pain. 
-How  should  we  reach  God's  upper  Light 
•Tf  life's  long  day  had  no  ffood-night." 


4€h 


" •'  ^bj%c *  •  ■»■  ^  I* 


DSBURY  .1.  SLOAN.  To  have  well  tilled 
the  position  of  a  good  citizen  in  any 
town,  is  a  record  of  which  a  man  in  either 
high  or  low  life  may  feel  proud.  It  is  a 
worthy  ambition  to  place  before  the  young  of  any 
community  that  they  should  make  their  aim  in 
this  direction  and  should  become  enterprising, 
earnest,  public-spirited  members  of  society,  always 
upholding  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  com- 
monwealth and  promoting  the  good  of  the  people 
among  whom  they  live  by  every  means  in  their 
power.  A  worthy  life  does  this  in  any  event,  but 
it  is  also  worth  an  effort  and  an  aim.  Such  a 
member  of  the  business  and  social  circles  of  Oconee 
do  we  find  in  the  gentleman  whose  name  appears 
at  the  head  of  this  paragraph,  and  whose  portrait 
is  shown  on  the  opposite  page. 


Mr.  Sloan  was  born  in  Knox  County.  Ohio, 
April  7.  1829.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and  Katie 
(Taylor)  Sloan,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  His 
grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  died  at  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  when  ninety- 
eight  years  old.  Of  the  parental  family  Disburj 
was  the  first  born.  Two  of  his  brothers  died  in 
infancy  and  William  was  killed  by  lightning  while 
herding  cattle  on  the  prairie  near  Nokomis,  111. 
Harriet  married  Jacob  Straub  and  resided  in  Mont- 
gomery County  where  she  died  April  .5.  1891; 
Martha  became  the  wife  of  John  Fritz  and  resided 
near  Odin.  111.,  until  her  death  about  twenty  years 
ago.  and  Mary  was  the  wife  of  Arthur  Brown  and 
died  some  fifteen  years  ago  at  Nokomis. 

It  was  in  the  spring  of  1856  that  our  subject 
located  in  Shelby  County,  ami  here  he  has  ever 
since  made  his  home.  lb  engaged  in  farming. 
merchandising  and  stock-raising  in  which  branches 
he  has  continued  without  interruption  for  forty- 
four  years.  He  recently  turned  over  his  mer- 
chandising interests  here  to  his  son.  though  he  still 
o\\  n-  and  operates  a  large  store  at  Arthur.  111.. 
where  he  has  $12,000  invested.  The  store  is  car- 
ried on  under  the  firm  name  of  Sloan  &  Jones, 
the  junior  partner  being  an  adopted  son  of  our 
subject.  In  1876  Mr.  Sloan  took  a  trip  to  Cali- 
fornia to  recuperate  his  health,  and  the  following 
year  he  went  to  Wyoming  where  he  embarked  in 
the  cattle  business.  In  this  he  continued  engaged 
in  Wyoming  and  Oregon  for  four  years,  then  re- 
turned to  Oconee  and  resumed  his  old  business,  in 
which  he  has  since  been  engaged. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Sloan  at  Vandalia.  111.,  in 
the  spring  of  1852  gave  him  a  wife  in  the  person 
of  Miss  Susan  Casebeer.  Bight  children  were  born 
to  this  union  and  the  two  eldest  (twins)  died  in 
infancy:  Bosha  is  married  and  is  carrying  on  the 
mercantile  business  in  Oconee;  Otis  is  in  the  same 
line  of  work  at  Herrick,  111.,  and  is  also  married: 
Alonzo  was  killed  in  a  railroad  disaster  and  was  at 
the  time  of  his  death  a  merchant:  Capitola  married 
B.  W.  Kerr  of  Oconee  and  died  in  this  place  sev- 
eral years  ago;  Docia  is  engaged  in  teaching  and 
make- her  home  with  her  father.  The  first  mar- 
riage was  uncongenial  and  Mr.  Sloan  procured  a 
divorce  from  hi-  wife. 


wo 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Tha  second  marriage  of  our  subject  was  with 
Mrs.  Ella  Morrison,  a  daughter  of  L.  L.  Gale  of 
Oconee,  who  was  born  in  Michigan  in  1855  and 
who  has  had  no  children.  Public  affairs  deeply 
interest  this  gentleman  and  he  has  strong  faith  in 
the  future  of  the  Democratic  party  with  which  he 
is  allied.  He  is  regarded  as  a  pre-eminently  good 
and  useful  citizen  of  this  town  and  county.  He  is 
a  worthy  member  of  the  Oconee  Lodge,  No.  .'i'.>2 
F.  A-  A.  M.  of  which  ho  was  a  charter  member,  al- 
though he  became  a  Mason  at  Pana.  111.  For 
many  years  he  has  been  the  Lodge  Treasurer  and 
still  holds  that  honorable  and  responsible  position. 
Although  he  gives  liberally  to  the  support  of  the 
Gospel,  to  the  Sunday-school  and  to  all  public  en- 
terprises he  is  not  identified  with  any  church. 


EXRY  BRIDGMAN.     Our  subject  comes  of 

)    a  German  family  whose  characteristics  have 

been  modified  in  some  directions  and  made 

jgw  more  intense  in  others,  by  a  residence  in 
the  Southern  states.  His  grandparents  were  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  although  of  German  ancestry. 
His  grandfather  Bridgman,  whose  given  name  our 
subject  does  not  know,  died  when  in  middle  life. 
After  his  death,  his  wife  removed  to  Tennessee 
with  her  family  of  children  and  later  to  Illinois, 
where  she  died  at  about  eighty  years  of  age  in 
Morgan  County.  She  had  a  family  of  seven  or 
eight  children,  of  which  Martin  Bridgman.  the  fa- 
ther of  our  subject,  was  one  of  the  younger,  his 
birth  State  being  Virginia. 

Our  subject's  father  was  quite  young  when  his 
father  died  and  at  an  early  day.  with  his  mother, 
went  from  Virginia  to  Granger  County,  Tenn..  and 
there  he  grew  to  manhood,  occupying  himself  as  a 
farmer.  He  was  there  married  to  a  Tennessee  lady 
whose  maiden  name  was  Anna  Dyer.  She  was  burn 
and  reared  in  the  place  where  her  marriage  occurred 
and  was  one  of  an  old  and  highly  respected  fam- 
ily. After  the  birth  of  all  the  children  but  one. 
Martin  Bridgman,  wife  and  family,  came  to  Morgan 
County,  this  state,  in  1851  and  afterwards  secured 


a  farm  devoting  themselves  to  improving  it.  Our 
subject's  parents  are  both  yet  living.  His  father 
was  eighty-one  years  old  February  18,  1891. 
His  mother  will  lie  seventy-eight  years  old  Novem- 
ber lb.  1891.  On  that  day  the  old  people  will 
have  lived  together  for  sixty-two  years;  a  remin- 
der that  in  some  eases,  at  least,  marriage  is  not  a 
failure. 
Our  subject  is  one  of  ten  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  Of  the  remaining  children  there 
are  five  sons  and  four  daughters  yet  living.  All 
of  these  have  married  and  have  families  of  their 
own.  Henry  Bridgman  was  born  in  Granger 
County,  Tenn..  September  Id.  1837.  He  was  four- 
teen years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Morgan  County,  this  State.  They  came  oxer  the 
prairie.-  with  teams  and  it  was  after  a  long  journey, 
varied  by  many  adventures,  that  they  founda  home 
near  Jacksonville.  Here  they  located  and  there 
our  subject  became  of  age. 

In  March  8,  1866  he  of  whom  we  write  united 
himself  in  marriage  to  Lavina  Angel.  She  was 
born  in  Morgan  County,  near  Arenzville,  October 
24.  184;"».  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Susan 
(Smith)  Angel,  natives  of  Indiana  and  Tennessee. 
When  young  people,  they  came  with  their  parents 
from  their  respective  suite-  to  Morgan  County. 
111.  This  wa-  in  the  early  part  of  the  '.'his.  There 
John  Angel  was  reared  having  been  only  four 
year-  of  age  when  his  father  and  mother.  George 
and  Elizabeth  (Turnam)  Angel  settled  here,  se- 
curing a  tract  of  land  upon  which  the\  lived  and 
died,  being  well  known  pioneer  settlers.  After 
marriage.  John  Angel  and  his  wife  began  life  on  an 
almost  new  farm,  which  they  improved  and  made 
their  home  for  many  years.  They  have  now  retired 
from  the  active  proprietor-hip  of  the  farm  and  live 
in  Jacksonville.  They  are  advanced  in  life,  being 
respectively  sixty-eight  and  sixty-four  year-  of 
age.  They  are  prominent  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Angel  is  a  man  of  firm 
financial  standing.  Ih'  is  the  owner  of  more  than 
six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  and  of 
large  property  in  Morgan  County  and  in  Jackson- 
ville. 

Mrs.  Bridgman  is  theeldest  of  fourteen  children, 
three  of  whom  died    while  quite   young.     Eleven 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHH  AL    RECORD. 


Ill 


still  living,  ami  of  these  eight  are  married. 
After  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  his  estimable 
wife,  the\  adopted  agriculture  as  their  calling. 
They  own  ami  improved  the  greater  part  of  three 
farms.  In  tin-  spring  of  1880,  they  sold  their 
places  ami  came  to  Shelby  County,  purchasing  the 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  13, 
Flat  Branch  Township,  which  they  at  present  oc- 
cupy. Here  they  have  ever  since  lived.  The  whole 
of  this  large  farm  bears  the  best  of  improvements 
ami  on  it  is  a  line  brick,  two-story  residence,  that 
is  a  picture  of  comfort  ami  tasteful  arrangement. 
The're  are  also  other  buildings  upon  the  place  in 
the  l>e>t  condition.  Air.  Bridgman  has.  besides, 
forty  acres  of  timber  land,  in  section  II.  of  this 
township. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  ami  his  capable  ami 
amiable  wife,  have  welcomed  eight  children  to  their 
homo  and  hearts.  One  of  these  Henry  C,  i-  de- 
ceased. The  living  children  are  John  M..  R. 
Guthrie,  Ada  I!..  Charles  W.,  William  K..  L.  Edgar, 
and  Nellie  L.  John  took  to  wife  Addie  Panties 
and  resides  on  a  farm  in  Pickaway  Township.  The 
next  son  resides  at  home.  The  other  children  are 
all  still  inmate-  of  the  home  ne-t.  They  are  bright 
and  intelligent  young  men  and  women,  and  are  a 
credit  to  their  parents. 

He  of  whom  we  write,  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church  at  Locust  Grove,  in 
this  county.  Mr.  Bridgman  is  a  rabid  Republican, 
having  fought  for  the  principles  that  that  party 
strive  to  maintain.  In  August,  1862,  he  laid  aside 
his  private  interests  and  affairs  and  enlisted  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  joining  Company  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fifteen  of  the  Indiana  Cavalry,  Col.  John 
H.  Moore  and  Capt.  Newman  being  in  command. 
The  regiment  was  with  the  army  of  the  Cumber- 
land and  fought  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  C'hieka- 
mauira  and  Franklin.  In  the  second  named  battle, 
Mr.  Bridgman  was  -hot  by  an  enemy  in  the  right 
wrist  and  was  then  placed  in  the  Held  hospital  at 
Nashville,  after  which  he  came  home  for  a  furlough, 
hut  later  returned  to  the  Held  of  battle  and  served 
with  his  regiment  about  one  year  longer.  During 
his  war  experience  he  did  good  service  and  was 
finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  after  serving 
two  years  and  ten  months.     He  first  enlisted  as  a 


private,  and  was  then  a  Corporal.  He  had  the 
good  fortune  to  escape  being  captured.  IIi>  war 
experience  is  an  interesting  topic  a-  told  l.\  Mr. 
Bridgman,  and  a  comparison  of  notes  with  an  old 
comrade  i-  only  less  than  an  engagement  itself. 


1  I  i  j  ■   |  '  p   \  *    im    f   1 


>      I      '      I      I  I    I        I     ' 


•  II.UAM  II.  JACKSON  is  a  well-to-do  and 
widely  known  farmer  and  stOck-bree,der, 
living  on  section  35,  of  Pickaway  Town- 
ship, where  he  owns  a  tine  farm  of  four  hundred 
acre-,  almost  all  of  which  is  in  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation and  having  extensive  and  costly  improve- 
ments. The  buildings  are  of  a  high  order,  being 
well  built  and  commodious.  The  residence  iscom- 
ile  and  commodious,  and  all  of  the  improve- 
ments have  been  made  by  our  subject  himself,  the 
farm  being  for  the  most  part  virgin  prairie  which 
had  never  been  cut  by  a  plow. 

Air.  Jackson  purchased  his  present  place  of  resi- 
dence in  1863  and  ha-  since  lived  here.  He  first 
came  to  the  county  in  1844  but  after  a  stay  of  two 
years  he  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  War.  joining  the 
Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Regiment,  Company  B,of 
which  Captain  Freeman  and  Col.  Foreman  were  in 
command.  They  were  at  once  sent  to  the  front 
and  were  engaged  in  tin-  battle  of  Carmago,  and 
in  other  skirmishes.  After  serving  for  one  year 
our  subject  returned  to  Illinois  and  in  1  s  1 7  located 
his  land  warrant  which  had  been  granted  by  the 
Government  for  services  rendered.  The  warrant 
covered  one  hundred  and  sixtyacresof  land  which 
he  located  in  Ridge  Township.  He  i-  still  the 
owner  of  this  tract  and  it  was  there  that  he  lived 
until  1863,  when  he  came  to  this  township. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  i>  noted  throughout 
the  township  for  his  thrift  and  industry  and  as  a 
successful  breeder  of  stock.  Hi-  home  is  a  model 
in  point  of  neatness  ami  improvement-  in  agricul- 
tural implements  and  conveniences.  It  resembles 
some  of  the  finest  breeding  farms  of  the  Blue  Grass 
region  of  Kentucky.  He  is  the  owner  of  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres  in  Ridge  Town-hip.  which 
is  all  improved. 

He  of  whom  we  write  came  to  this  Mate  in  1840. 


442 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


He  lived  in  Fayette  County  till  1844.  He  was 
born  in  Nteubenville,  Ohio,  February  16,  1833.  and 
is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  the  grandson  of  John 
Jackson,  who  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  came  of  Irish  ancestry.  His  grandfather  was 
a  fanner  in  Pennsylvania  where  he  lived  and  died, 
being  at  the  time  of  his  decease  very  old.  He  had 
married  a  Pennsylvania  lady  who  also  died  there. 
Our  subject's  father,  Thomas  Jackson,  spent  his 
early  life  under  his  father's  roof,  there  learning 
the  duties  and  secrets  of  farm  life.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  W.  Elizabeth  Manley.  She  was  also  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania.  After  the  birth  of  part 
of  their  children  Thomas  Jackson  and  his  wife  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  and  some  years  later  came  by  way 
of  the  overland  route  to  this  state,  making  his  first 
settlement  in  Fayette  County.  There  he  and  his 
wife  located  upon  and  improved  a  new  farm  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  They 
were  both  quitq,  advanced  in  years  at  the  time  of 
their  respective  deaths,  the  father  being  fifty-three 
years  of  age  and  the  mother  seventy.  Mrs.  Jack- 
son was  a  Methodist  in  her  religious  preference. 
Her  husband  was  politically  an  old  Jacksonian 
Democrat,  with  all  that  that  term  implies,  of  chiv- 
alry and  independence. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  ten  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Of  these  only  four  of  the  sons  and  one  daughter 
arc  now  living,  all  of  these  being  married  and 
haying  families  of  their  own.  Our  subject  was 
only  a  boy  when  his  parents  came  to  this  State,  and 
here  he  attained  his  majority.  His  first  wife  was 
a  Miss  Margaret  Waters.  She  was  born  in  Cham- 
paign County,  this  State,  and  there  reared.  She 
died  after  about  three  years  of  marital  life,  being 
then  in  the  meridian  of  her  womanhood.  She  left 
two  children.  One.  John  T..  is  now  deceased,  and 
one,  William,  is  in  the  West,  being  there  married 
to  a  Western  lady. 

Mr.  Jackson  was  a  second  time  married  in  this 
county  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Burk.  She  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  young  when,  with  her  par- 
ents, Robert  and  Esther  Burk,  she  came  to  Shelby 
County.  The  family  settled  at  a  very  early  day 
on  Robinson  Creek  and  there  the  father  and  mother 
lived  for  some  time.  They  later  moved  to  Rural 
Township,  this  county,  where  they  purchased  land 


and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  being 
old  people  at  the  time  of  their  decease.  They  were 
well  and  honorably  known  among  the  old  settlers 
of  the  county.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Jackson  was  one  of  a  large 
family,  only  a  few  of  whom  arc  yet  living.  Mrs. 
Jackson  is  one  of  the  prominent  matrons  of  the 
township,  being  a  leader  in  social  life.  She  is  a 
true  wife  and  mother.  Nine  children  have  come 
to  brighten  and  gladden  our  subject's  home  and 
fireside.  All  of  these  are  living  and  are  as  follows: 
Robert.  Samuel,  M.  Jane,  Louisa,  Esther,  Mary  A.. 
Elizabeth,  Andrew  and  Charles.  Robert  is  a  farmer 
in  Bethany  Township,  this  county,  and  is  tin-  de- 
voted husband  of  the  lady  whose  maiden  name  was 
Sally  Marshall.  Samuel  took  to  wife  Miss  K. 
DeVaughn.  They  live  on  a  farm  in  Ridge  Township. 
Jane  is  the  wife  of  George  Hall,  a  farmer  in  this 
township.  Louisa  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  DeVaughn, 
and  lives  in  Rural  Township.  Esther  married 
Morris  Robinson,  and  lives  in  Windsor  Township. 
Mary  A.  is  the  wife  of  James  Madden  and  lives  in 
Todd's  Point  Township.  Elizabeth  was  united  to 
Wilber  Workman,  a  farmer  in  Okaw  Township. 
Anderson  and  Charles  are  at  home. 

Mrs.  Jackson  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  while  our  subject  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  of  whom  we  write  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  has  held  several  local 
offices  in  the  gift  of  ins  party. 


ARIOX  BERRY,  a  resident  of  section  11, 
Rose  Township,  Shelby  County,  is  a  son  of 
Elijah  Berry  who  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio.  His  mother,  Elmira  Culp, 
was  born  and  died  in  that  county.  The  father 
still  survives  and  is  carrying  on  his  farm  there. 
They  had  four  children  who  lived  to  years  of  ma- 
turity, and  of  these  our  subject  is  the  only  son. 

He  of  whom  .we  write  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County  Ohio,  May,  7,  184'J.  lie  was  reared  upon 
his  father's  farm,  and    after  coming  of  age  he    re- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


11;; 


mained  with  Ins  father  until  the  ensuing  fall, when 
he  was  married  October  2d.  ISTn  to  Miss  Missouri 
Zollinger  who  was  born  in  Fairfield  County  Ohio. 
Mav  •_'••;.  1853.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Margaret  (Shaffer)  Zollinger,  both  of  whom  died 
in  Perry  County, Ohio.  When  Mr.  Berry  married 
he  settled  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio  and  for  two 
year.-  engaged  in  farming.  After  this  he  came  to 
Illinois  and  lived  in  Macoupin  County  for  five 
years,  and  then  returned  to  Ohio  and  resided  in 
Perry  County  till  the  spring  of  L884,  when  he 
came  to  Shelby  County  111.,  and  settled  in  Rose 
Township,  where  he  owns  two  hundred  acres  on 
sections  in  and  11.  lie  has  always  been  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  and  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  carrying  them  on. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berry  are  the  parents  of  eightchil- 
dren,  namely  Vinnie  F...  Lousianna,  Ernest  A.. 
"William  F...  Daisy  B.,  Susie.  Walter  and  Mildred. 
The  residents  of  Rose  Township  have  united  in 
making  Mr.  Berry  School  Director,  but  otherwise 
he  has  chosen  to  remain  free  from  official  duties. 
His  political  sympathies  are  with  the  Republican 
party  and  he  is  liberal  in  his  religious  view-,  I  lis 
pleasant  home  i-  the  scene  of  frequenl  social  gath- 
erings  at  which  the  hospitality  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Berry  i>  exercised  fur  the  happiness  of  their  guests. 


—5— 


^§>-^H£I 


m~_ 


h>— 


yylLLIAM     NOTBROOK,    deceased,    was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Moweaqua    Town- 

'■Jf^  ship.  Shelby  County,  and  his  name  is  hon- 
ored as  one  of  its  upbuilders,  who  faithfully  per- 
formed his  share  in  the  cultivation  of  its  fertile 
soil,  and  helped  to  make  this  a  beautiful  and  well- 
improved  farming  country.  lie  was  of  foreign 
birth,  burn  in  the  village  of  Beilfield,  Province 
of  Westphalia,  Prussia.  May  in.  1824.  He  was 
Left  an  orphan  at  a  very  early  age.  He  attended 
school  quite  Steadily  in  his  youth,  and  then  be- 
gan  life  as  a  shephard. 

When  he  gained  his  majority.  Mr.  Notbrook 
entered  the  Prussian  army,  in  accordance  with  the 
laws  of  the  land,  and  after  serving  three  years, 
was    honorably    discharged.      He    then    came    to 


America,  as  he  thought  that  the  prospects  were  bet- 
ter for  advancement  in  this  country  than  in  the 
Fatherland,  lie  set  sail  from  Bremerhaven  in 
April,  and  after  a  six  weeks'  voyage  Landed  at  New 
York.  He  secured  a  good  situation  as  a  clerk  in  a 
wholesale  commission  produce  house,  and  was 
thus  employed  in  the  great  metropolis  until 
1855. 

In  that  year  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  wife, 
and  with  his  limited  means,  he  having  only  Mich 
money  as  he  had  frugally  saved  from  his  earnings, 
he  bought  forty  acres  of  land  in  Moweaqua 
Township.  There  was  a  log  cabin  on  the  place. 
and  in  that  humble  dwelling  he  and  his  wife  he- 
gan  life  in  their  Dew  home.  Ten  years  later  he 
sold  that  land  at  an  advanced  price,  it  having  in- 
creased in  value  under  his  skillful  labors,  and  he 
then  bought  the  eighty  acres  in  the  same  township, 
which  is  now  occupied  by  his  family.  He  removed 
the  Log  cabin  to  his  new  purchase,  and  it  remained 
the  abode  of  the  family  ten  years  longer,  when  he 
replaced  it  by  the  residence  in  which  his  family 
are  living.  It  is  a  commodious  frame  structure,  of 
modern  style,  is  nicely  furnished,  and  is  a  most 
pleasant  home.  Here  he  dwelt  in  peace  and  con- 
tentment, working  busily  through  seed  time  and 
harvest  year  after  year,  bringing  his  farm  to  a  tine 
condition,  both  as  to  tillage  ami  the  substantial 
improvements  that  he  placed  upon  it.  until  death 
stayed  his  hand  April.  K.  1881.  and  he  rested  from 
his  Labors  in  that  dreamless  sleep  that  knows  no 
waking.  He  was  an  earnest  and  consistent  Chris- 
tian, ami  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  which  he  joined  soon 
after  coming  to  America,  as  did  his  wife  also. 

"While  a  resident  of  New  York  City,  Mr.  Not- 
brook entered  into  marriage  with  Miss  Wilhelmina 
Wagemann,  a  daughter  of  one  of  his  father's  old 
neighbors  in  the  old  country,  the  ceremony  that 
made  them  one  being  performed  in  L853.  Mrs. 
Notbrook  was  born  in  the  same  place  as  her  hus- 
band, and  grew  up  with  him.  She  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  the  same  vessel  that  he  did.  Her  parents 
were  Wilhelm  and  Charlotte  Wagamanu,  who  were 
also  natives  of  the  Prussian  village  that  was  her 
birthplace.  Two  of  her  brothers  came  to  this 
country.     William  is  now  a    resident   of    Moultrie 


in 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


(  ounty.  Henry,  who  i-  deceased,  spenl  his  lasl 
years  at  Moweaqua,  wliere  he  located  after  his  ar- 
rival in  America.  Mrs.  Notbrook  is  a  very  esti- 
mable woman,  possessing  those  qualities  of  head 
and  heart  that  command  respect  and  regard,  and 
she  is  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  She  has  two  children  living, 
Maggie  the  elder,  i-  the  wife  of  Michael  E.  Snyder: 
Wilhelmina  lives  with  her  mother,  and  i-  her  Stay 
and  comfort. 


r\  AVID  DRAKE  is  a  worthy  member  of  the 
fanning  community  of  Pickaway  Town- 
ship, Shelby  County.  lie  was  born  in 
Fairbanks  Township,  Sullivan  County. 
End.,  March  22.  1836.  He  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
Drake,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  of  which  his 
father,  .lames  Drake, was  lor  some  years  a  resident. 
settling  there  in  pioneer  times,  prior  to  his  removal 
to  Indiana  in  1817.  lie  was  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers in  Fairbanks  Township,  where  he  bought  a 
tract  of  Government  land,  on  which  he  at  first 
built  a  log  house  for  tin-  shelter  of  his  family.  At 
that  time,  and  for  some  years  after,  the  county  was 
sparsely  settled,  and  deer,  wild  turkeys  anil  other 
game  were  very  plentiful.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject  continued  to  reside  in  that  region  on 
the  farm  that  he  had  developed  from  the  wilder- 
ness until  his  death. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  but  eight  year- 
old  when  the  family  sought  to  build  a  new  home 
in  the  primeval  forests  of  Indiana,  where  he  was 
reared  to  pursuits  of  industry.  He  early  learned 
the  trade  of  a  tanner,  and  then  bought  a  yard, 
which  he  operated  for  a  time.  He  finally  sold  it 
and  engaged  in  farming  for  awhile.  He  then 
bought  another  tanvarjl.  and  carried  on  a  tannery 
in  connection  with  farming  some  years,  lie  lived 
to  :i  ripe  age,  dying  on  the  home  farm  in  Sullivan 
(ounty.  End.,  in  1880.  lb-  had  married  in  early 
manhood,  Sally  Gross,  who  was  born  either  in 
North  or  South  Carolina,  ami  died  at  the  home  of 


lier  -on  in  Sullivan  (  ounty  in  1885.  she  wa-  the 
mother  of   ten  children,  all  sons. 

Our  subject  received  his  education  in  his  native 

county,  where  he  grew  to  a  stalwart  manh 1.  The 

first  school  that  he  attended  wa-  taught  in  the 
primitive  log  schoolhouse  of  pioneer  days.  It 
had  a  clay  and  stick  chimney,  being  heated  by  a 
huge  open  fireplace,  anil  in  the  aperture  made  by 
a  log  being  taken  out  of  the  side  of  the  house  a 
row  of  window  glass  admitted  the  light.  The 
benches  were  made  of  slabs,  without  backs,  and 
the  furniture  of  the  school  room  was  entirely  of 
home  manufacture. 

Mr.  Drake  resided  with  his  parents  until  he  was 
twenty-two  year-  old.  when  his  father  gave  him  a 
tract  of  timber  land  in  Fairbanks  Township,  lie 
built  a  log  house,  and  in  that  humble  abode  he 
and  his  bride  commenced  their  housekeeping,  and 
lived  in  happiness  for  some  time.  lie  improved 
the  land  and  made  it  his  dwelling  place  until  1869, 
when  he  sold  it  at  a  good  price  in  order  to  identify 
himself  with  the  farmers  of  Shelby  County,  as  he 
had  a  high  opinion  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil  of 
this  region  and  the  many  other  advantages  it  pos- 
-■  ssi  S,  and  rightly  judged  that  he  could  do  well  at 
his  calling  in  a  section  so  favored.  He  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  his  present  farm,  which  is  pleas- 
antly located  on  section  14.  Pickaway  Township, 
and  he  has  since  added  to  hi>  realty,  and  now  has 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  choice  farming 
laud,  finely  cultivated  and  amply  supplied  with 
good  improvments.  including  a  substantial  set  of 
farm  buildings. 

April  15,  1888,  our  subject  took  an  important 
-tip  in  his  life  whereby  he  secured  the  companion- 
ship and  assistance  of  a  devoted  wife  in  the  per- 
SOD  of  Miss  Keziah  Anderson.  Their  union  has 
been  ble-sed  with  children  of  whom  these  -even 
are  living:  Alexander.  Mary  Frances.  Cameron. 
Charles.  Sarah  .1..  Commodore  and  .lame-  V. 
Alexander  married  Viola  Folly,  and  has  one  child 
named  John;  Mary  Frances  married  George  Will- 
iamson, and  has  three  children — Ellsworth,  Ro- 
sanne  and  Etta;  Sarah  married  John  M.  Hill,  and 
has  two  children — Martha  and  Fvdia. 

Mr.  Drake  i-  sound  in  his  political  view-  which 
Mud  expression  in   the  tenets   of  the   Democratic 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


II.-, 


party.  Both  he  and  his  good  wife  are  members  in 
high  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  their 
community  finds  in  them  true  friends  and  kind 
neighbors,  who  are  ever  ready  to  extend  a 
helping  hand  to  those  «hu  are  in  trouble  and 
want. 


fri-M-ti 


OHN  E.  JENNINGS,  State's  Attorney  and 
City  Attorney  of  Sullivan,  Moultrie  County, 
and  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Jennings 
{^J  A-  Huff,  i-  a  native  of  Moultrie  County, 
where  he  was  born  March  9,  L864.  He  belongs  to 
one  of  the  prominent  families  of  the  county.  His 
father,  Benjamin  S.  Jennings,  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  hi>  grandfather  and  great-grandfather  also 
bore  tlit-  name  of  Benjamin  Jennings.  The  latter 
came  of  English  parentage  and  it  i-  nut  unlikely 
that  he  was  born  in  England.  Hi*  boyhood  days. 
however,  were  spent  in  Massachusetts,  and  he  died 
in  Pennsylvania.  During  the  Revolutionary  War 
he  served  in  the  Colonial  Army.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  a  native  of  the  Keystone  Mate 
emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  in  is;,:!,  came  with  the 
father  of  our  subject  to  Illinois,  making  a  settle- 
ment in  Marrowbone  Township,  Moultrie  County. 
He  died  in  1867,  at  the  home  of  hisson  in  Loving- 
ton  Township.  ( >n  first  coming  to  Illinois,  Benja- 
min Jennings,  father  of  John  E.,  was  employed  as 
an  engineer  in  a  grist  and  sawmill.  He  had 
Learned  the  business  in  Ohio  and  was  a  practical 
machinist.  After  some  years  he  removed  to  Lov- 
Lngton,  where  he  operated  a  mill  for  a  time  and 
then  Located  on  a  farm  in  the  township  of  that 
name.  some  ten  miles  northwest  of  Sullivan.  Af- 
terward removing  to  the  city,  lie  became  one  of 
the  partners  in  the  Sullivan  Woolen  .Mills,  with 
which  he  was  connected  until  L887,  when  tin-  fac- 
tory was  abandoned  and  the  machinery  shipped  to 
Canada,  while  tin  building  is  now  being  used  as 
an  elevator,  since  that  time  Benjamin  Jennings 
has  lived  a  retired  life.  He  continues  his  residence 
in  Sullivan  where  he  i-  a  very  prominent  citizen, 
lie  ha-  been  connected  with  the  public  interests  in 
many  way- and  has  acceptably  filled  a  number  of 
positions  of  trust.     He   was  a  member  of  the  first 


city  council  in  L873,  was  re-elected  in  1875,  again 
in  1877  and  in  L879.  <  >n  the  expiration  of  that 
last  term  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  city  and 
had  previously  filled  an  unexpired  term  for  one 
year.  The  Democratic  party  finds  in  him  a  stanch 
advocate,  and  his  Labors  in  its  behalf  have  aided 
greatly  in  it-  success.  With  the  best  interests  of 
the  county  he  lias  been  identified  and  hi-  works 
are  well  deserving  of  mention  in  the  county's 
history. 

Benjamin  Jennings  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Eleanor  Caddington,  a  lady  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent,  she  died  at  her  home  in  Sullivan  in 
1*77.  in  the  faith  of  the  Baptist  Church  of  which 
she  had  long  been  a  member.  In  the  family 
were  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  yet  liv- 
ing— Addie  K..  at  home:  Aza.  who  wedded  Emily 
McCraig  and  is  Living  in  Sullivan;  W.  Henry,  who 
married  Dolly  Harris,  of  Sullivan,  and  is  an  elec- 
trician employed  by  the  Ke-ler  Electrical  Com- 
pany of  Terre  Haute.  Ind.;  Lucy  M..  at  home: 
Samuel,  who  is  married  and  is  connected  with  the 
ali-tract  office  in  Fresno.  Cal.;  .John  E.,  of  this 
sketch:  and  llillory.  who  is  foreman  of  the  Canton 
Register,  of  Canton.  111.  He  married  Minnie  Tich- 
enor.  The  sons  are  all  Democrats  and  the  family 
i-  one  well  worthy  of  mention  in  this  RECORD. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  acquired  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from 
the  Sullivan  High  School.  Wishing  to  engage  in 
the  practice  of  law  he  entered  the  office  of  Meeker 
A:  Smyzer,  under  whose  direction  he  pursued  his 
studies  for  two  years,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  at  the  Appellate  Court  at  Springfield,  January 
•21.  L887,  Judges  Wall,  Conger  and  Pleasant  officiat- 
ing. He  was  Licensed  by  the  Supreme  C  ourt,  Judge 
Scotl  presiding,  and  was  one  of  a  class  of  sixteen, 
self-made  young  men.  who.  though  none  had  ever 
attended  law  school,  titled  themselves  for  legal 
practice  by  their  own  efforts  and  won  a  place 
among  legal  practitioners.  Mr.  Jennings  had  at- 
tained his  majority  only  a  short  time  previous  to 
his  admission  to  the  liar.  Soon  after  he  was  rec- 
ommended by  the  court  and  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  Assistant  State  Attorney  of  his  county,  a 
position  which  he  tilled  until  his  election  as  State's 
Attorney.     He  was  admitted    to  the  United  States 


446 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


District  Court  in  January,  1890,  and  the  following 
March,  the  firm  of  Jennings  &  Huff  was  formed. 
They  do  a  general  law  business,  making  a  specialty 
of  criminal  law  and  although  little  more  than  a 
year  has  passed  since  the  organization  of  the  (inn 
these  young'  lawyers,  men  of  ability  and  enterprise 
have  won  for  themselves  a  prominent  place  at  the 
bar.  Mr.  Jennings  is  also  Notary  Public.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  a  stanch  advocate  of 
the  party  principles.  In  his  youth  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  manufacturer  of  woolen  goods,  acquaint- 
ing himself  with  every  branch  of  the  business  and 
could  now.  if  necessary,  fill  any  position  in  a 
woolen  factory,  but  unless  something  unforeseen 
happens,  he  will  continue  his  efforts  at  the  bar, 
where  lie  is  meeting  with  such  excellent  success. 

.Mr.  Jennings  joined  Company  C,  of  the  Eighth 
Regiment  Illinois  National  Guards  as  a  private, 
but  was  soon  promoted  to  Sergeant,  was  afterward 
elected  Second  and  then  First  Lieutenant,  and  in 
188G.  was  elected  Captain  of  the  Company,  a  po- 
sition which  he  filled  for  two  years.  He  was  thus 
serving  when  called  to  duty  during  the  lime  of 
the  great  St.  Louis  strike  in  1886.  He  has  met 
with  his  regiment  at  every  annual  encampment  at 
Lamp  Lincoln  in  Springfield,  Col.  Relley  M. 
Smith,  of  Greenup,  111.,  being  Commander  of  the 
regiment.  The  following  have  served  as  Captain 
of  the  company:  Alvin  P.  Green,  George  Chap- 
man, Samuel  Jennings.  John  E.  Jennings,  and 
Adolph  T.  Jenkins. 

Mr.  Jennings  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  enter- 
prising young  business  men  of  Sullivan,  who,  un- 
aided by  capital  or  influential  friends,  is  working 
his  way  upward  to  an  honorable  and  enviable  posi- 
tion. He  has  not  yet  married  but  makes  his  home 
with  his  father  and  two  sisters. 


~S 


3+$ 


[=_ 


OHN  A.  FEARMAN.  The  Southern  States 
added  their  full  quota  to  the  early  settle- 
ment of  Illinois,  thousands  of  families  emi- 
grating from  Virginia.  Kentucky.  Tennessee 
and  the  Carolinas  to  the  southern  and  south  cent- 
ral  portions  of  the   Prairie  State.     They  brought 


with  them  an  element  of  sociability  and  friendli- 
ness which  is  universally  accorded  as  a  leading  char- 
acteristic of  the  Southern  people.  Among  such 
families  is  the  one  of  which  our  subject  is  a  repres- 
entative and  his  residence  on  section  21,  Okaw 
Township.  Shelby  County,  dates  from  the  time  of 
his  birth,  March  2.">,  1837,  as  his  parents,  Henry 
and  Nancy  ( Roberts)  Fearman,  had  previously  emi- 
grated to  this  State  from  Kentucky  . 

The  Fearmans  were  originally  settlers  in  Virginia, 
where  John  Fearman,  the  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject was  born.  The  first  wife  of  the  father  of  our 
subject  was  Ellen  Sandusky,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  1831  just  previous  to  his  coming  to  Illinois, 
where  he  purchased  land  in  Okaw  Township.  This 
wife  lived  only  a  few  years,  after  the  family  re- 
moval to  the  Prairie  State,  and  he  was  called  upon 
to  mark  his  new  home  by  her  grave. 

Nancy  Roberts,  the  mother  of  our  subject  and 
the  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  Roberts,  who 
were  early  pioneers  of  this  State,  became  the  wife 
of  Henry  Fearman  in  1836.  She  was  a  true  help- 
mate to  him  in  his  arduous  labors  as  a  farmer  and 
they  became  the  happy  possessors  of  an  excellent, 
farm,  upon  which  they  passed  their  later  days  in 
comfort  and  prosperity.  Her  birth  occurred  in  1812 
and  she  passed  from  life  in  18~>,s.  her  husband  sur- 
viving her  some  twelve  years,  dying  January  27. 
187(1.  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  They  reared 
three  children,  John  A.,  our  subject;  James  II.  and 
Elizabeth  E.,  who  married  George  S.  Terry,  and  died 
in  Okaw  Township.  Their  mother  was  a  devout  and 
useful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  received  such 
education  as  could  be  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  day  and  had  a  thorough  and  syste- 
matic training  in  farm  duties.  He  thus  grew  up 
lilted  to  meet  the  duties  of  life  and  to  make  his 
mark  among  the  men  of  Shelby  County.  It  was 
in  1861  that  he  founded  a  home  for  himself  and 
one  other  by  a  union  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth 
Terry,  daughter  of  Reuben  Terry.  Like  himself 
she  is  a  native  of  this  county,  being  born  in  Okaw 
Township,  August  1.  1844,  No  children  have 
blessed  this  home. 

After  marriage  Mr.   Fearman   rented   land   and 
tilledit  for  some  time,  but  somewhat  later  removed 


I 


% 


I 

-  .,• 


•"?G 


l'ORTKAIT  AM)   I'.K  )( :  KA1MIK  AL    RECORD. 


149 


id  Shelbyville,  where  lie  carried  on  a  mercantile 
business  and  in  1867  purchased  a  pari  of  the  farm 
which  is  now  his.  His  lirst  acquisition  was  >ixi\ 
acres  of  land  which  was  mostly  covered  with  tim- 
berand  brush,  and  to  this  he  added,  as  prosperity 
allowed,  more  and  more  land,  and  now  has  two 
hundred  and  ten  acres,  upon  which  he  has  placed 
comfortable  and  substantial  improvements. 

The  Democratic  party  is  the  political  organiza- 
tion with  which  our  subject  finds  himself  in  har- 
mony, and  he  is  a  hearty  and  earnest  worker  for 
its  prosperity,  and  has  held  various  local  offices. 
He  is  considerably  opposed  to  secret  societies  and 
is  an  intelligent  reader  in  public  affairs.  The 
Christian  Church  is  the  religious  body  with  which 
his  good  wife  is  associated  and  in  it  she  is  a  valua- 
ble and  valued  worker. 

The  paternal  grandmother  of  John  A.  Fearman 
was  a  Virginian  by  birth  and  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  McClelland.  Her  son.  Henry  Fearman,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  three  times  married. 
The  lady  with  whom  he  was  united  after  the  death 
of  .Mrs.  Nancy  (Roberts)  Fearman  being  Mrs.  .lane 
Doddy  nee  Ward,  and  by  this  union  there  were 
horn  two  children — Margie  A.  and  Dora,  who  re- 
side at  Lee's  Summit.  Mo. 


LFRED  JAMISON.    The  citizens  of  shelly 

County,  who  came  here  during  the  early 
*  history  of  this  section  and  established 
themselves  in  what  were  then  little  vill- 
ages and  hamlets,  have  been  active  factors  in  the 
development  and  progress  of  the  county.  Mr. 
Jamison  having  been  a  resident  of  Oconee  for 
more  than  twenty-five  years,  has  made  his  mark 
upon  the  social  and  business  interests  of  tin  place, 
and  as  an  influential  citizen  we  are  pleased  to  pie- 
scut  his  portrait  and  biography  to  our  readers. 

Mr.  Jamison,  who  is  a  dealer  in  hay.  coal,  lum- 
ber and  live  stock  at  Oconee,  was  horn  in  Mon- 
mouth County.  N.  .1..  February  17.  1814.  His 
father,  Joseph,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Rebecca  Jami- 
son, was  horn  October  2.  17^*1  in  the  same  county. 
His  mother  was   also  a  native  there,  and  was   horn 


February  1  I.  17K7.  both  she  and  her  husband  horn 
near  the  historic  battlefield  of  Monmouth.  The 
children  who  gathered  about  this  worthy  couple 
were  five  sons  and  six  daughters,  as  follows:  Ja- 
cob J.,  born  May  28,  1803;  Abram  B.,  November 
18,  1804;  Rebecca,  November  80,  1806;  Hannah. 
September  27.  1808;  Joseph,  December  7.  1810; 
Isaac.  April  25,  is  12;  I.vdia  Ann.  April  1.  1814; 
Mary.  November  15,  1815;  Sarah,  March  23,  181K; 
Elizabeth,  February  23,  1821;  and  the  subject  of 
our  sketch,  who  was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 
Of  this  large  household,  only  Isaac.  Mary.  Sarah. 
Klizahelh  and  Allied   remain    in    this   earthly   life. 

Mr.  Jamison  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  New  Jersey,  and  when  about  sixteen 
years  of  age,  he  left  the  parental  roof  and  went 
into  the  world  for  himself , first  going  to  New  York 
City,  where  he  obtained  a  situation  in  a  dry-goods 
store  as  a  clerk.  He  continued  in  that  position 
about  five  years,  anil  then  having  accumulated  a 
little  money,  returned  to  his  native  State  and 
went  into  business,  in  which  he  had  a  one-fourth 
interest,  establishing  a  general  store  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Here  he  continued  for  about  two  years,  and  then 
in  1849,  having  a  serious  attack  of  the  "gold 
fever,"  he  went  to  California  by  the  way  of  the 
Strait  of  Magellan,  and  remained  in  the  ••Sunset 
State"  for  some  time,  occupying  four  years  in  the 
whole  trip. 

Having  been  reasonably  successful  in  his  western 
venture,  the  young  man  returned  to  New  York 
City,  and  engaged  in  the  pork-packing  business, 
which  he  carried  on  for  fifteen  years,  lint  in  the 
Spring  of  1865  he  closed  out  hi-  concern  there  and 
came  to  Shelby  County,  locating  at  Oconee,  where 
he  has  ever  since  resided.  His  marriage  to  Miss 
Gertrude  Ellen  Hegeman  took  place  in  New  York 
City.  April  5,  1853.  This  lady  was  born  April  1.'!. 
1837,  upon  Long  Island.  N.  Y. 

On  arriving  in  Illinois,  Mr.  Jamison  invested 
hi-  means  in  real  estate  and  milling,  and  had  the 
misfortune  to  lose  t  wo  mill-  h\  lire,  but  has  con- 
tinued in  the  real-e-tate  business  ever  since  coming 
West,  in  which  he  has  been  vcr\  successful.  On 
locating  here  he  purchased  fifteen  hundred  acres 
of  timber  land,  which  he  cleared  up  and  worked 
the    timber     into     lumber.      He    ha-    been  active  in 


450 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


business  al!  hi*  lifetime,  and  still  continues  with 
unabated  power  to  actively  control  his  own  affairs, 
although  he  is  nearing  the  limits  of  three-score 
years  and  ten. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jamison  have  been  born  the 
following  children:  Alonzo,  born  June  10,  1854; 
Alfred  M.,  July  1,1855;  Emma  Laur,  May  28, 
1K5H;  Sarah  Elizabeth,  February  5,  I860;  Bracket! 
Badger,  January  18,  1862;  Harry  Alonzo,  January 
9,  1864;  Hattie  II..  .March  22,  1865;  Francis  Rich- 
mond, October  12,  1867:  Robert  Hegeman,  March 
3,  1869;  Grace  Gertrude,  June  2,  1871;  Joseph 
Stokes.  September  5,  1873;  and  Archibald  Shelton, 
February  21.  1*7:).  The  six  oldest  arc  natives  of 
New  York  City,  and  the  younger  members  of  the 
family  were  born  in  Oconee. 

The  gentleman,  whose  life  history  we  are  here 
briefly  sketching  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat. 
and  has  always  a  lively  interest  in  national.  State 
and  local  politics.  He  is  well  read  and  broad  in 
his  views  and  keeps  himself  thoroughly  informed 
in  regard  to  public  affairs,  lie  is  a  member  of 
Oconee  Lodge,  F.  A-  A.  M..  and  carries  insurance 
in  the  Masonic  Benevolent  Society  of  Chicago. 
He  was  first  made  a  Mason  by  Naval  Lodge.  No. 
69,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  1855,  and  was 
demitted  from  that  to  Oconee  Lodge  in  lM7:i. 
Religiously  the  family  may  be  considered  as  ex- 
tremely liberal  and  strongly  opposed  to  contention 
over  the  orthodox  creed.  The  value  of  their  lives 
and  their  work  in  this  community  can  hardly  lie 
estimated,  as  they  have  ever  been  active  in  pro- 
moting the  best  interests  of  the  neighborhood,  and 
have  been  liberal  in  their  means  in  forwarding  ail 
movements  looking  to  the  material  and  social  pro- 
gress of  Oconee. 


_y 


jjfclLLIAM  II.  SPARLING,  M.  D.,Moweaqua, 

-  ./'  is  a  tine  representative  of  the  best  physi- 
,yY/  cians  of  this  section,  whose  learning  abil- 
ity and  eminent  success  in  their  practice  have 
contributed  to  raise  the  standard  of  their  noble 
profession  in  Central  Ilinois.  Our  subject  was  born 


in  County  Clare.  Ireland.  January  15,  1S4!».  His 
father,  Joseph  Sparling,  was  also  a  native  of  that 
Irish  county,  and  was  of  German  descent,  his  an- 
cestors having  left  ( iermany  on  account  of  religious 
persecution  and  taken  up  their  abode  on  the  Em- 
erald Isle  during  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  and  married 
in  his  native  county,  where  his  whole  life  was 
passed,  his  death  occurring  in  1850.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  up  to  that  time, 
and  by  his  removal  while  yet  in  life's  prime  the 
interests  of  his  community  suffered  a  serious  loss. 
His  wife,  Hannah  Reynard  in  her  maiden  days,  was 
horn  in  the  same  county  as  himself  and  was  also  of 
German  lineage.  She  survived  her  husband  many 
years  and  in  1851  came  with  her  seven  children  to 
America.  She  first  settled  at  London,  Canada, 
whence  she  subsequently  removed  to  Hamilton. 
In  1859  she  crossed  the  border,  and  from  that  time 
to  her  death  in  1.H77  was  a  resident  of  the  United 
States,  making  her  home  in  Detroit.  Mich.  The 
following  is  recorded  of  her  children:  Walter,  Jos- 
eph and  Charles  arc  in  the  dry-goods  business  in 
Detroit;  John  is  a  minister  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  a  member  of  the  Detroit  Conference; 
Anna  married  James  Keiller.  of  Detroit;  Bella  mar- 
ried William  F.  Deike,  of  Chicago;  William  II.  is 
the  subject  of  this  biography. 

Dr.  Sparling  was  but  two  years  old  when  he 
came  to  America  with  his  mother,  brothers  and  sis- 
ters, and  therefore  has  no  recollection  of  his  native 
island.  He  was  given  line  educational  advantages 
in  the  public  schools  of  Canada  and  in  the  higher 
institutions  of  learning  m  this  country.  His  first 
experience  of  school  life  was  in  the  city  schools  of 
London  and  Hamilton.  After  the  family  removed 
to  Detroit  he  became  a  student  at  the  High  School 
of  that  city,  and  was  graduated  from  there  in  the 
Class  of  "(>7.  He  then  spent  a  year  of  hard  study 
in  the  Northwestern  University  at  Evanston,  111. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  began  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  medical  profession,  for  which  he 
had  a  decided  taste,  under  the  instruction  of  Prof. 
N.  W.  Webster,  of  the  Detroit  Medical  College. 
lie  was  graduated  from  the  institution  in  the  Class 
of  '72.  Having  completed  his  medical  education, 
the  Doctor  decided  to  enter  upon  his  chosen  call- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


151 


ing  at  Cerro  Gordo,  Piatl   (  ounty,  tliis  State,  and 

he  was  located  there  from  1872  to  1  ^ 7 ( : .  when  lie 
came  to  Moweaqua  and  the  people  of  this  city  and 
ilir  surrounding  country  have  since  had  the  bene- 
fit of  hi-  knowledge  and  skill.  During  his  fifteen 
years'  residence  here  he  has  devoted  himself  very 
closely  to  his  profession,  and  to-day  has  a  reputa- 
tion second  to  that  of  none  other  of  his  vocation 
in  this  part  of  the  State. 

To  the  lady  who  presides  mi  graciously  over  his 
home  and  looks  carefully  after  his  comfort  and 
happiness,  our  subject  was  wedded  in  1875.  They 
have  two  children  living,  James  I.,  and  Mabel. 
Mr-.  Sparling  was  formerly  Miss  Minnie  Eva 
Lyons,  and  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Annie  Lyon.-. 
Her  native  place  is  Simcoe,  Canada. 

The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  state  Med- 
ical Society,  and  of  the  Central  Illinois  Medical 
society,  also  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  is  connected  with  the  temperance  order  of 
Royal  Templar-.  His  parents  were  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  reared  him 
in  that  faith,  and  he  and  his  wife  now  belong  to 
the  church  of  that  denomination  in  this  city.  In 
the  course  of  his  practice  he  lias  formed  many 
strong  and  lasting  friendships  among  the  people  to 
whose  ailments  he  has  administered  and  he  is  the 
well-beloved  physician  in  many  a  household  where 
his  presence  has  brought  healing,  or  has  soothed 
the  last  hour-  of  the  dying. 


-M= 


AMES  W.  SCOTT,  a  veteran  of  the  late  war. 
in  which  he  fought  bravely  in  defense  of 
the  stars  and  stripes,  has  since  done  as  good 
service  as  a  thrifty,  intelligent  fanner  in 
aiding  the  development  of  the  agricultural  re- 
sources of  this  country,  and  is  now  living  in  honor- 
able retirement  at  Shelby  ville,  Shelby  County,  lie 
was  born  March  11.  1826,  in  one  of  the  early 
pioneer  homes  of  Licking  County.  <  >hio,  his  birth- 
place being  eleven  miles  northeast  of  the  town  of 
Newark.  His  father.  Peter  1'.  Scott,  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  was  one  of  the  early  settler-  of  I  Hi— 
inois.  locating  not   far   from   Peoria,   and    he   was 


widely  known  throughout  that  region  a- a  pioneer 
blacksmith  and  farmer  of  that  section  of  the  State. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  subject,  whose  given 
name  was  Joseph,  was  horn,  according  to  the  best 
information  at  hand,  in  County  Tyrone.  Ireland, 
and    wa-   of    Scotch     antecedent-.      (In     coming     to 

America,  he  settled  in  New  Jersey,  and  (here 
reared  a  family,  two  of  the  sons  serving  in  the 
War  of  1812.  lie  was  an  iron  worker,  and  hi.-  last 
days  were  Spent  near  Newark.  N.  -I.  His  wife,  a 
native  of  Germany,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary 
llimyon.  al-o  -pent  her  last  years  near  Newark. 

Peter  P.  Scott  wa-  reared  in  the  State  of  his 
nativity,  and  in  his  youth  became  a  practical 
blacksmith,  learning  his  trade  at  Newark,  and  fol- 
lowing it  there  until  about  1820.  In  that  year  lie 
went  to  Ohio,  going  thither  with  teams,  and  located 
in  Licking  County  He  carried  mi  his  calling  there 
until  1828,  when  lie  made  another  move.  Starting 
for  the  wilds  of  Illinois  with  his  wife  and  four 
children,  making  the  journey  with  two  pairs  of 
oxen  to  a  wagon,  in  which  were  conveyed  all  their 
earthly  belongings,  including  Mr.  Scott's  anvil. 
that  he  had  taken  with  him  from  New  Jersey,  and 
which  i-  now  in  the  possession  of  the  -on  of  the 
subject,  who  hears  the  name  of  his  grandsire,  and 
is  a  resident  of  Mar-hall.  Oklahoma.  Mr.  Scott 
located  one  mile  west  of  Washington  ami  ten  miles 
from  Peoria,  which  was  then  known  as  Ft.  Clark. 
Indians  had  full  sway  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State  at  that  time,  there  were  hut  very  few  settle- 
ment of  whites,  ami  Chicago  wa-  hut  a  hamlet. 

The  father  of  the  subject  traded  one  pair  of 
oxen  and  the  wagon  for  a  squatter's  claim,  and 
entered  the  land  at  the  general  land  office  at 
Springfield.  Six  acre-  of  the  land  cleared  and 
fenced,  and  a  log  house,  stable  and  smoke  house, 
constituted  the  improvements  on  the  place.  Mr. 
Scott  carried  on  his  trade  a-  a  blacksmith  for  some 
year-,  and  people  Came  for  many  mile-  to  yet  work 
done.  lie  was  a  very  skillful  mechanic,  and  lie- 
-ide-  making  all  hi-  horse-shoes  and  nails  by  hand. 
wa-  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind,  and  the  first 
steel  SCOUring  plow    ever    Used    was    from    a    patent 

made  by  him.  In  his  last  years  lie  devoted  him- 
self to  the  management  of  his  farm  until  he  passed 
away  in   April.    1870   at   a    ripe  age,   in     the    home 


4  o2 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


that  he  bad  built  thereon.  His  wife,  a  native  of 
New  York  City,  whose  maiden  name  was  Catherine 
Murphy,  went  to  Galesburg  after  his  death,  and 
there  resided  until  her  death,  when  full  of  years 
in  May.  1884.  She  was  the  mot  her  of  eleven 
children. 

The  subject  of  this  biography,  although  but  five 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
Illinois,  clearly  remembers  the  incidents  of  that 
momentous  journey  of  the  pioneer  life  that  ensued 
in  the  wild,  sparsely  settled  region  now  known  as 
Tazewell  County.  Indians  still  lived  there  and " 
deer,  wild  turkeys  and  other  game  were  abundant. 
Our  subject's  education  was  obtained  in  the  primi- 
tive pioneer  schools  of  the  early  days  uf  the  settle- 
ment of  Illinois.  The  lirst  one  that  he  attended 
was  taught  in  his  father's  house.  The  seats,  which 
had  no  backs  and  no  desks  in  front,  were  made  of 
slabs  or  puncheons,  and  were  supported  by  wooden 
pins.  A  log  was  taken  out  of  the  length  of  the 
building  and  a  row  of  glass  inserted  in  its  place  to 
admit  the  light.  In  1832,  the  year  of  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  the  inhabitants  were  constantly  on  the 
alert  for  fear  of  being  surprised  and  massacred  by 
the  Indians,  and  it  took  but  very  little  to  create  a 
scare.  Our  subject  relates  a  rather  amusing  episode 
of  this  time.  A  man  living  near  the  school  house 
was  out  hunting  squirrels.  He  shot  one  near  the 
building  and  the  ball,  glancing,  went  through  the 
glass  and  hit  a  girl  on  the  side  of  the  head,  making 
an  ugly  scalp  wound.  The  scholars,  supposing  the 
Indians  to  be  upon  them,  were  very  much  fright- 
ened. The  teacher,  a  young  man  from  the  East, 
started  with  the  wounded  girl  to  assist  her  home, 
but  he  soon  fainted  and  his  pupil  had  to  make  her 
way  home  alone.  The  frightened  scholars  circu- 
lated the  report  that  Indians  tired  into  the  school- 
house,  and  the  neighbors,  all  armed,  gathered 
together  there,  and  excitement  ran  high  until  it 
was  found  out  who  did  the  shooting. 

Mr.  Scott  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  grew 
to  manhood,  in  the  meantime  assisting  in  the  farm 
work,  and  he  then  commenced  to  learn  the  trade 
of  a  cooper,  which  he  followed  in  Tazewell  County 
until  1850.  In  the  spring  of  that  year  he  started 
with  others  for  the  gold  fields  of  California,  leav- 
ing Pekin  on  the   14th  of  April,  and  making  an 


overland  journey  across  the  plains  and  mountains. 
At  that  time,  there  were  but  very  few  white  set- 
tlers between  the  Missouri  River  and  California, 
except  the  Mormons  at  Salt  Lake.  Indians  reigned 
supreme  on  the  plains,  and  innumerable  buffaloes 
were  encountered  on  the  way.  The  little  party 
arrived  at  Weaverville.  July  '21.  and  our  subject 
devoted  his  time  to  mining  until  the  spring  of 
1851.  He  then  gathered  together  his  gains  and 
returned  home,  traveling  by  way  of  the  Isthmus 
of  Panama  to  Xew  York,  from  that  city  by  rail  to 
Dunkirk,  thence  by  the  Lakes  to  Chicago,  and  from 
there  by  the  canal  and  the  Illinois  River  to  Peoria. 

The  following  year  Mr.  Scott  bought  a  team 
with  the  intention  of  returning  to  California,  but 
realizing  that  gold  was  to  be  obtained  by  tilling 
the  rich  soil  of  this  state  as  well  as  by  getting  it 
more  directly  from  the  mines  of  the  Pacific  Slope, 
he  changed  his  mind  and  came  instead  to  Shelby 
County  to  try  farming  here.  He  bought  a  tract  of 
land  in  what  is  now  ( )kaw  Township,  a  few  acres 
of  which  were  improved  and  a  log  cabin  stood  on 
the  place.  He  lived  there  until  1861,  when  he 
settled  on  a  tract  of  land  in  Todd's  Point  Town- 
ship, which  he  had  bought  from  the  Government. 

In  August  1862,  our  subject  threw  aside  his 
work  to  take  part  in  the  great  war  that  was  then 
being  waged  between  the  North  and  South,  in- 
scribing his  name  on  the  roll  of  Company  O,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Illinois  Infantry.  In  1863 
he  received  .njuries  which  incapacitated  him  for 
active  duties,  and  he  was  ordered  to  the  hospital 
by  the  surgeon,  but  this  did  not  please  him,  and 
he  induced  the  colonel  to  countermand  the  order 
and  he  remained  with  his  regiment  until  June. 
1KB 3 .  After  that  he  was  a  short  time  in  Franklin. 
Tenn..  whence  he  was  ordered  to  Nashville,  where 
was  transferred  to  the  invalid  corps.  When  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  was  organized,  he  was 
transferred  to  Company  G,  Fifth  Regiment,  and 
was  transferred  at  Camp  Merton,  Minneapolis. 
On  the  night  before  the  election  at  Chicago,  he 
was  one  of  the  five  hundred  soldiers  sent  to  that 
city  to  guard  the  rebel  prisoners  confined  there 
who  had  made' their  plans  to  escape.  He  was  kept 
on  duty  forty-eight  hours  without  relief,  and  re- 
turning to  Indianapolis  ten   days  later,  was  soon 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


453 


after  taken  sick.  He  had  to  •:"  to  the  hospital  for 
treatment,  and  was  discharged  from  that  institu- 
tion in  February,  1865,  and  from  the  army,  thus 
closing  an  honorable  career  a>  a  soldier,  wherein 
he  had  borne  the  hardships  and  privations  incident 
in  such  a  life  with  fortitude  and  true  courage  that 
he  might  serve  his  country  in  the  time  of  her 
greatest  peril.  In  commemoration  of  those  trying 
years,  he  is  now  connected  with  the  Cyrus  Hall 
Post,  So.  138,  G.  A.  R. 

Returning  home  after  he  left  the  aim  v.  Mr. 
Scott  superintended  the  improvement  of  Ins  farm, 
and  made  hi>  home  thereon  until  his  retirement 
from  active  business  to  Shelbyville  in  L882.  Death 
had  deprived  him  of  his  good  wife  in  April,  1879, 
after  a  wedded  life  of  more  than  thirty  years,  they 
having  been  married  June  17.  1 S4  7.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Louisa  Tucker,  and  she  was  a  native  of 
Mead  County,  Ky..  a  daughter  of  Truman  Tucker. 
Her  marriage  with  our  subject  was  productive  to 
them  of  these  seven  children.  .lames  \V..  Esther  (  .. 
Elizabeth  A..  Ida  1...  Emma  I)..  Peter  1'.  and 
Mary  A. 


I  I.  I.I  AM    J.  TACKETT.      The  name  of 

/  Tackett  has  been  borne  by  some  of  the 
lyv*'  most  useful  citizens  of  this  county  from 
the  early  days  of  its  settlement,  and  as  an  honored 
representative  of  that  family  that  has  helped  to 
bring  this  section  of  Illinois  to  its  present  tine  con- 
dition we  are  pleased  to  place  on  these  pages  a 
l>rief  life-record  of  William  .1.  Tackett.  a  highly  re- 
spected resident  of  Shelbyville.  He  i-  a  skillful 
farmer,  and  has  valuable  farming  interests,  which 
are  still  under  his  management,  although  he  has  re- 
tired to  the  city. 

But  few  of  the  present  citizens  of  this  county 
have  lived  in  this  part  of  the  State  as  long  as  our 
subject,  who  has  spent  much  of  his  life  here  a-  boj 
and  man  for  sixty  years  or  more.  He  is  a  -on  of 
one  of  the  earliest  pioneer  families  of  Shelbyville, 
John  ami  Enfield  (Mason)  Tackett.  and  his  father 
for  several  years  kept  a  hotel  in  the   village  in    the 


early  year-  of  its  history.  For  further  parental  his- 
tory, see  the  sketch  of  John  A.  Tackett  on  another 
page  of  this  volume. 

William  Tackett  was  born  in  Bourbon  County. 
Ky.,  June  11.  1826,  the  second  -on  of  hi-  parents, 
lie  wa-  but  three  years  old  when  they  brought  him 
to  Illinois  in  1  -s  -J '. » .  Shelbyville,  where  the  family 
-i  !  up  their  new  home,  was  but  a  hamlet,  with  a 
few  log  habitations,  and  gave  but  little  intimation 
that  it  would  become  the  beautiful  city  of  to-day. 
Our  subject  grew  up  here  under  pioneer  influences, 
ami  watched  with  interest  the  growth  of  the  city 
from  day  to  day.  and  has  witnessed  almost  the  en- 
tire development  of  the  surrounding  country  from 
a  wilderness  to  a  well  settled  and  wealthy  county, 
and  he  can  take  pleasure  in  the  thought  that  he  has 
had  a  hand  in  bringing  about  this  wonderful  trans- 
formation. His  education  was  conducted  in  the 
pioneer  schools  of  the  city,  which  were  taught  in  a 
log  house,  that  had  rude  furniture  of  the  most 
primitive  sort,  the  -eat-  being  made  of  slabs,  with- 
out backs,  and  with  wooden  pins  for  support.  That 
was  in  the  day-  before  the  introduction  of  the  free 
school  system,  and  each  family  had  to  pay  for  the 
support  of  the  schools  according  to  the  number  of 
scholars  sent.  Mr.  Tackett  advanced  his  education 
by  attendance  at  Hillsboro  Academy,  and  at  the  age 
of  twenty-one  he  began  to  study  medicine. 

Our  subject  was  smitten  by  the  gold  fever  after 
the  discovery  of  the  precious  metal  in  California, 
and  he  wa-  one  of  the  famous  "49ers"  to  go  to 
that  State  in  search  of  it.  He  started  with  others 
in  the  month  of  March,  ami  made  the  journey 
across  the  plains  and  mountains  with  mule  teams. 
'The  little  company  of  gold  seekers  saw  no  white 
settlers  between  the  Missouri  River  and  the  Golden 
State,  except  the  Mormons  at  Salt  Lake.  'They  en- 
countered deer,  antelopes,  buffaloes  and  other  wild 
animals  in  great  numbers  in  crossing  what  was  then 
known  as  the  "Great  American  Desert."  and  In- 
dians held  undisputed  sway  throughout  that  deso- 
late region.  The  train  arrived  at  Sacramento  one 
hundred  and  ten  days  after  starting  from  Illinois. 
and  out  subject  found  that  city  in  the  pioneer 
Stages  of  it-  existence,  and  among  its  rude  habita- 
tions there  were  lint  two  frame  houses. 

Mr.  Tackett  devoted  himself  to  mining  awhile. 


154 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


.•mil  then  handled  stock  at  :i  large  profit  the  re- 
mainder of  his  stay  in  California.  In  February, 
1852,  he  set  out  on  hi*  return  home,  well  satisfied 
with  his  expei'ience  of  Life  on  the  frontier.  He 
traveled  by  the  way  of  the  Isthmus  to  New  Orleans, 
thence  by  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Louis,  from  there 
liv  stage  through  Vandalia  to  Shelbyville,  and  on 
the  20th  of  March  he  found  himself  once  again 
among  the  familiar  scenes  of  his  boyhood.  After 
his  return  lie  practiced  medicine  for  a  time,  and 
then  turned  his  attention  to  the  grocery  business, 
which  he  conducted  a  few  years,  but  he  finally  took 
up  the  congenial  pursuit  of  farming,  and  resided 
on  his  farm  from  1859  to  L866,  when  he  again 
came  to  the  city  to  live,  and  has  ever  since  made 
his  home  here.  lie  continues  to  superintend  his 
farm,  however,  and  has  it  undcra  fine  condition  as 
to  tillage  and  improvement,  it  being'  one  of  the 
best  in  those  regards  in  the  locality.  Mr.  Tackett 
is  a  man  of  much  experience,  possesses  good  men- 
tal endowments,  is  public  spirited,  and  is  in  no 
ways  backward  in  lending  his  assistance  to  all  pro- 
jects that  will  in  any  way  enhance  the  prosperity 
of  the  city  and  count  \ .  with  whose  interests  he  has 
been  identified  for  so  many  years. 

The  pleasant  wedded  life  of  Mr.  Tackett  with 
Miss  Mary  .1.  Durkee  was  entered  upon  in  1853.  It 
has  been  blessed  to  them  by  the  birth  of  children, 
of  whom  they  have  Ave,  as  follows:  Kd  ward,  a  gen- 
eral merchant  at  Raymond;  Mattie.  wife  of  Will- 
iam R.  Glen, of  Philadelphia;  Archie  .1..  a  resident 
of  Raymond;  Fannie,  the  widow  of  Andrew  Welch, 
of  Shelbyville;  and  .May.  the  wife  of  CM.  Aid- 
rich,  <>f  Peoria. 

Mrs.  Tackett  was  born  in  Tippecanoe  County. 
Ind..  and  is  a  daughter  of  David  F.  and  Freelove 
(  Fink)  Durkee.  Her  father  was  born  in  Vermont,  and 
was  a  son  of  Dr.  John  Durkee.  who  was  a  practicing 
physician  and  a  pioneer  of  Tippecanoe  County,  set- 
tling near  La  Fayette,  and  engaging  in  his  profession 
until  his  death.  Mrs.  Tackett 's  father  was  but  a 
boy  when  his  parents  settled  in  Indiana,  and  lie 
grew  to  a  stalwart  manhood  amid  its  pioneer 
scenes,  and  in  due  time  was  there  married,  lie 
lived  in  that  State  until  1848,  when  he  came  to 
this  county  and  cast  in  his  destiny  with  the  pio- 
neers who  had  preceded   him.     He   bought  a    tract 


of  wild  land  in  what  is  now  Pickaway  Township. 
developed  a  g 1  farm,  and  resided  on  it  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  then  came  to  the  city  to  spend  his 
remaining  years.  I  lis  wife  died  at  the  home  of  a 
daughter  at  Wilmington,  Will  County,  111.  They 
reared  these  six  children — George,  Celia,  JoHn, Ed- 
ward, .lames  and  Mary  .1. 


t   i  '  i  '     i  »    i  ' 


ACOB  BRUNNER,  a  thorough-going  and 
honorable  German- American  citizen  and 
practical  and  successful  farmer,  resides  on 
section  22,  Ridge  Township,  Shelby  County. 
His  father,  George  Brunner,  was  a  native  of  Baden, 
Germany,  and  his  mother.  Christine  Klein,  was  also 
born  in  the  German's  Fatherland.  They  emigrated 
to  America  during  the  summer  of  DS.'id,  and  made 
their  first  home  in  West  Virginia,  settling  in  Mar- 
shall County.  They  remained  here  industriously 
pursuing  the  vocation  of  farming  for  some  nine 
years,  but  removed  to  Belmont  County,  Ohio, 
about  the  year  1845.  They  were  not,  however, 
thoroughly  satisfied  here  and  returning  across  the 
river  to  West  Virginia,  made  their  home  in  Ohio 
County,  but  finally  returned  to  Hocking  County, 
Ohio,  where  the  father  died  about  the  year  1855. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren born  to  his  worthy  parents,  being  born  in 
Baden,  Germany,  October  20,  1832  and  was  some 
six  years  old  when  he  came  to  make  his  home  in 
the  New  World.  He  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  his  marriage,  although  he  worked  out  to 
quite  an  extent  at  farm  labor.  The  lady  whom  he 
took  for  his  bride  is  a  sister  of  Mrs.  John  W.  Beery, 
and  our  reader  will  find  further  particulars  in  re- 
gard to  her  ancestry  in  the  biographical  sketch  of 
Mr.  Beery,  elsewhere  to  be  found  in  this  volume. 
This  lady's  name  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Swartz,  and 
she  became  Mrs.  Brunner,  in  March,  lKf>K  at  her 
native  home  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  where  she 
was  born.  July  22,  1833.  Here  they  first  made 
their  home  and  returned  to  it  again  after  living 
for  awhile  in  Allen  County,  that  State. 

In  August,  1886,  Mr.  Brunner  brought  his  family 
to  Shelby  County,  and  settled  on  section  22, Ridge 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


i:,.-> 


Township,  where  he  now  owns  eighty-eight  and  one- 
half  acres  of  excellent  and  arable  land,  and  whore 
he  has  made-  a  genuine  success  of  fanning,  being  a 
man  who  is  thoroughly  devoted  to  his  family  and 
'his  work  and  who  deserves  and  receives  the  esteem 
of  all  who  know  him.  His  integrity  is  unques- 
tioned and  his  character  bears  inspection  by  the 
most  critical  and  faultfinding.  Ten  interesting  chil- 
dren have  come  to  brighten  this  home,  namely; 
John  M..  Rebecca  C,  Barbara  K..  Ida  P..  Lottie, 
Christine  A..  Mary  E.,  Lucy  W.,  William  S.,  and 
.Minnie  C,  all  of  whom  are  living  except  Rebecca, 
who  died  when  about  four  years  old. 


■JOHN  R.  CRAIG,  Justice  of  the  Peace  of 
Shelbyville,  is  well  and  favorably  known 
throughout  Shelby  County,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  residenl  these  many  years.  A 
native  of  Campbell  County.  Ky..  he  was  born  in 
one  of  its  pioneer  homes  December  11,  1817.  Ili- 
father,  .lames  Craig,  was  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth 
and  a  son  of  Robert  Craig,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
who  came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  h>- 
cated  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  carried  on  tanning-, 
lie  was  married  in  that  Mate,  and  subsequently  re- 
moved to  the  wilds  of  Kentucky,  going  thither  on 
the  Ohio  River.  For  a  lime  he  lived  in  Campbell 
County,  and  then  became  an  early  settler  of  Boone 
County,  where  he  bought  a  tract  of  timber,  which 
he  cleared  and  developed  into  a  farm,  his  home- 
stead being  located  near  the  village  of  Burlington, 
a'nd  there  he  -pent  his  declining  year-. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  in  his  early 
Kentucky  home,  and  in  that  Mate  sought  and 
found  a  wife  in  the  person  of  Mary  Barrickman, 
who  was  also  a  native  of  that  part  of  the  country, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Barrickman,  a  pio- 
neer of  that  region.  Mr.  Craig  resided  in  Camp- 
bell County  until  1818  or  1819,  and  then  he  loo 
became  a  pioneer  of  a  new  State,  removing  to  In- 
diana, and  settling  in  the  primeval  wilds  of  Fay- 
ette County  on  a  tract  of  heavily  timbered  land 
six  miles  south  of  the  county  scat.     Hi-  first  work 


was  to  build  a  loir  house  to  shelter  hi-  family,  and 
he  then  entered  upon  the  hard  task  before  him  of 
clearing  his  land  and  preparing  it  for  cultivation. 
\t  that  time  timber  was  of  but  little  value,  the 
principal  object  of  the  pioneers  being  to  get  it  out 
of  the  way.  and  large  logs  were  rolled  together 
and  burned,  which  to-day  would  command  a  good 
price  in  the  lumber  markets.  The  country  round 
about  was  but  thinly  inhabited,  there  were  no  rail- 
way-, and  C  incinnati  was  the  nearest  market  where 
the  settlers  could  sell  their  produce  and  obtain 
needed  supplies,  though  it  was  then  but  a  small 
city. 

Our  subject's  father  lived  in  Indiana  until  1839, 
when  he  came  to  Illinois,  bringing  with  him  his 
wife  and  seven  children,  the  removal  being  made 
with  team-,  six  horses  being  attached  to  a  wagon, 
in  which  the  household  goods  were  conveyed,  and 
the  family  camped  at  noon  and  nightfall  to  lest 
and  cook  their  meals.  Mr.  Craig  secured  a  suitable 
location  in  what  is  now  Ridge  Township,  where  he 
entered  Government  land,  also  buying  some  that 
had  been  previously  entered  by  another  man.  and 
he  and  his  family  proceeded  to  occupy  the  set  of 
log  buildings  that  stood  on  the  place.  In  that 
home  he  dwelt  until  death  cut  short  his  busy  car- 
eer in  1*42.  thus  depriving  the  county  of  a  useful 
ami  respected  pioneer,  who  was  doing  hi-  -hare  in 
developing  it-  agriculture.  His  wife,  who  sur- 
vived him  a  number  of  years,  also  died  on  the 
home  farm. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  very  young 
when  his  parents  went  to  Indiana  to  live,  and  there 
under  the  invigorating   influences  of  pioneer  life 

In   grewtoa  strong,  self-reliant  manh 1.    In  1841 

he  came  to  shell.y  County  and  cast  in  his  lot  with 
the  settler-  of  this  region  that  had  preceded  him. 
Thc\  were  few  in  numbers,  and  the  country  was 
still  such  a-  the  Indian-  had  left  it.  the  land  being 
mostly  owned  by  the  Government,  and  since  sold 
at  $1.25  an  acre,  or  less.  Our  subject  made 
his  home  on  hi-  parent-'  farm  remaining  with 
his  mother  until  his  marriage,  after  which 
event  he  continued  t,i  occupy  a  part  of  the 
old  homestead  until  1*47.  In  that  year  hi'  went 
to  Iowa,  going  thither  with  a  team,  and  became  an 
early  settler  of  Davis  C  ounty,  locating  in  Bloom- 


156 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Held,  where  he  bought  a  residence,  and  was  engaged 
as  a  clerk  for  several  years.  In  1848  he  returned 
in  Shelby  County  and  devoted  himself  to  farming 
until  be  was  elected  to  the  position  of  Deputy 
Sheriff  in  L870,  when  be  removed  to  Shelbyville  to 
assume  the  duties  of  his  office,  of  which  he  was  an 
incumbent  six  years.  He  was  then  elected  to  his 
present  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace.  During  the 
several  years  that  he  has  held  this  important  posi- 
tion he  lias  shown  himself  to  be  well  qualified  for 
it.  and  has  given  satisfaction  to  all  concerned,  as 
he  is  wise,  shrewd  and  fair-minded.  In  his  social 
relations  he  is  a  member  in  high  standing  of  Okaw 
Lodge,  No.  117.  [.0.0.  F. 

Mr.  Craig  was  first  married  in  L  842  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Boulton,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Their  wedded 
life  was  brought  to  a  close  in  is  1 1  by  the  death  of 
the  young  wife.  She  left  two  children.  .lames  and 
Mary  .1.  The  second  marriage  of  our  subject, 
which  took  place  in  Iowa  in  1850,  was  with  Miss 
Sarah  Hill,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of 
Jesse  Hill.  This  lady  passed  from  earth  August 
13,  1891.  Six  children  blessed  their  union, name- 
ly: Mary.  Allie.  John,  Kate  and  Addie  twins,  and 
Lillie. 


_*ai 


M£H«= 


-2— 


jt^  WIELDS  II.  SANNER.     Among    the    most 

V^?  active  and  progressive  of  the  skillful  farm- 
ers and  stock-raisers  who  are  conducting 
the  great  agricultural  interests  of  this 
county  is  Shields  II.  Sanner,  a  resident  of  l'enn 
Township,  and  it  gives  us  pleasure  to  represent 
him  in  this  volume,  dedicated  to  the  citizens  of 
this  section  of  Illinois.  A  son  of  one  of  the  eaily 
settlers  of  Madison  County,  our  subject  >•  as  born 
in  that  region  October  1(1.  1847.  His  father,  whose 
given  name  was  Samuel,  was  born  in  Northumber- 
land County,  Pa.  He  learned  the  trade  of  saddle 
and  harness  maker  in  early  life  and  pursued  it  in 
his  native  State  some  six  years  before  he  took  that, 
important  step  in  his  life  whereby  he  became  a 
pioneer  of  Illinois  in  1833.  He  was  for  many 
years  after  that  closely  identified  with  the  interests 
of  Madison  County  and  was  of   much  assistance  in 


its  upbuilding,  at  the  same  time  acquiring  a  hand- 
some competence.  He  came  with  his  family 
to  this  county  in  1866  and  his  remaining  years 
were  spent  in  l'enn  Township,  his  death  occurring 
there  at  a  venerable  age  in  1880.  His  wife,  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  was  Barbara  Paul  in  her 
maiden  days  and  she  was  a  native  of  Preston 
County.  W.  Ya..  which  at  the  time  of  her  birth 
formed  a  part  of  Virginia. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  was  the  tenth  in  order  of 
birth  of  the  twelve  children  that  blessed  the  union 
of  his  parents.  He  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
education  in  the  school  in  Madison  County  nearest 
his  early  home,  which  he  only  attended  in  winter 
after  he  was  large  enough  to  assist  his  father  in 
the  farm  work.  After  gaining  a  good  knowledge 
of  the  common  branches  he  entered  Blackburn 
University  at  Carlinville  and  remained  there  a 
short  time.  He  was  nineteen  years  old  when  his 
parents  came  to  this  county  from  his  native  county 
and  began  making  a  new  home  in  l'enn  Town- 
ship, which  then  formed  a  part  of  Pickaway  Town- 
ship and  was  mostly  in  a  wild  condition,  with  but 
few  habitations  within  its  borders.  Our  subject 
and  his  brothers  have  been  prominent  factors  in 
bringing  about,  the  great  change  that  makes  this  a 
well-improved  township,  with  many  valuable  farms 
and  pleasant  homes,  where  they  found  a  wilderness. 

Mr.  Sanner  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  mar- 
ried and  he  then  located  on  section  24,  Penn 
Township,  and  carried  on  fanning  for  himself  on 
that  place  the  ensuing  three  years.  His  next 
move  was  to  Bethany,  Moultrie  County,  where  he 
and  his  brother-in-law  established  a  store  tor  the 
sale  of  hardware  and  agricultural  implements.  He 
remained  in  business  at  that  point  with  Mr.  Frazier 
until  .Ian  nary.  IS7H.a  period  of  three  years,  and  then 
resumed  farming,  locating  at  that  time  on  his  pres- 
ent farm  on  section  22.  l'enn  Township.  He  has 
placed  upon  it  many  substantial  improvements  and 
thus  greatly  added  to  its  value  since  it  came  into  his 
possission.  making  it  one  of  the  choice,  well-ordered 
farms  of  this  locality,  and  from  its  rich,  well-tilled 
harvest  fields  he  gleans  a  good  yearly  income. 

Our  subject,  was  first  married  January  1,  1872,  to 
Miss  I.ucretia  I!..  daughter  of  A.B.Frazier,  then  a  resi- 
dentof  Penn  Township.     A  happy  wedded  life  of 


s 


B.T.  WEBB 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


159 


six  years  was  vouchsafed  to  them  and  then  deatli 
removed  the  wife,  May  •_".'.  L878.  Four  children 
were  bom  of  that  anion,  namely:  l'.-ml  Simpson. 
Prances  Estelle,  Margaret  Grace  and  Louis  Ross, 
the  latter  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  February  1  I. 
1879,  Mr.  Sanner  was  united  in  marriage  to  his 
present  estimable  wife.  Mrs.  Sanner.  whose  maiden 
name  was  Cornelia  J.  Green,  is  a  Dative  of  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Green. 
Her  father  was  born  in  New  Jersey  ami  went  from 
there  to  Pennsylvania.  When  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  settled  in  Ohio  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Electy  Clutter.  Mrs.  Sanner's  mother,  who 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Green  died 
in  Ohio  and  Mr.  Green  in  Pickaway  Township, 
this  county,  .whither  he  had  removed  in  1867,  his 
death  occurring  in  December,  1x7(5.  By  this  mar- 
riage Mr.  Sanner  had  one  daughter.  Lina  II. 

Inheriting  from  a  sterling  ancestry  principles  of 
justice,  truth  and  right-living,  our  subject's  life- 
record  is  that  of  a  true  gentleman,  who  i-  faithful 
in  all  the  relations  that  he  sustains  toward  other-. 
Religiously  he  is  of  the  Methodist  faitli  ami  is  a 
member  of  the  church  of  that  denomination.  He 
i-  an  earnest  thinker  on  all  the  questions  that  eon- 
front  the  citizens  of  this  great  Republic,  and  in 
his  political  views  is  one  of  the  most  ardent 
champions  of  the  Republican  party  in  all  Penn 
Township,  which  is  one  of  the  few  strongholds  of 
the  party  in  Shelby  County. 

ERRY  T.  WEBB.  We  are  pleased  to  pre- 
sent to  the  consideration  of  our  readers, the 
portrait  and  biographical  sketch  of  the  effi- 
cient School  Director  and  Road  Commis- 
sioner of  Richland  Township,  Shelby  C  ounty.  An 
old  settler  in  the  county  and  a  substantial  farmer, 
he  has  gained  the  well  merited  approval  of  his 
neighbors  as  a  worthy  Christian  gentleman  and  a 

citizen  whose  good  judgment   ami   practical   l: 1 

sense  made  him  useful  in  the  community.  He 
resides  On  section  1:5.  Richland  Township,  and  has 
lieen  in  Shelby  County  since  1840. 

John  and  Elizabeth  (Young)  Webb,  the  honored 


and  beloved  parents  of  our  subject,  were  born  in 
Tennessee,  the  former  near  Nashville  in  17:>2.  at  a 
time  previous  to  the  organization  of  Nashville  a- a 

town.  lie  was  born  in  a  block  house  in  which  the 
family  were  shielding  themselves  from  the  Indian-, 
lie  and  his  worthy  wife  were  united  in  marriage  in 
Tennessee,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1840,  settling 
upon  what  is  now  known  a-  section  13,  Richland 
Township,  in  the  days  before  such  organization 
was  effected.  Here  they  passed •  their  remaining 
years,  being  thoroughly  interested  in  reducing  the 
wilderness  to  a  farm  of  thrift,  comfort  and  pro- 
ductiveness. The  father  died  in  the  seventy-eighth 
year  of  his  age,  and  the  mother  when  she  was  about 
sixty  years  old. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  reared  nine  children. 
of  whom  one  daughter  died  at  the  age  of  twelve 
year-,  ami  eight  reached  man's  and  woman's  es- 
tate. Louisa  married  Madison  Crockett  and  died 
in  Shelby  (ounty:  George  died  in  Mississippi; 
Mary  married  Thomas  Blythe,  and  after  his  death 
became  the  wife  of  Jesse  Barker,  and  now  resides 
in  Shelby  County;  Nancy  is  the  wife  of  Alfred 
Blythe;  Lncretia  became  Mrs.  II.  Morgan  and  died 
in  Missouri.  Our  subject  i-  the  next  in  age:  Will- 
iam died  in  Dickinson  County,  Iowa;  and  Susan 
Ann  became  the  wife  of  William  Brady,  and  died 
in  this  county. 

The  birthplace  of  Berry  T.  Wcbbwasin  Tennes- 
see, his  natal  day  being  April  8,  1825.  It  was  in 
February,  1840,  that  he  came  to  Illinois,  where  he 
had  two  sisters  already  living,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  family  emigrated  to  this  Mate  .luring  the 
fall  of  the  same  year.  The  Mexican  War  called 
our  subject  from  the  pursuits  of  peace  totheactiv- 
ities  of  the  march  and  battlefield,  and  in  June. 
1846,  he  entered  the  L'nited  Mate-  service  as  a 
soldier  serving  through  the  Mexican  War,  and  re- 
turning home  in  March.  1847.  A-  part  of  his 
reward  for  service  he  received  a  land  warrant  and 
with  this  he  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  where  he  now  resides. 

In  October,  1848,  tin-  returned  soldier  began 
his  domestic  life  by  his  marriage  to  Maria  Ann 
Curry,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee,  March  15, 
1826.  since  marriage,  the  family  home  ha-  been 
upon  the  -aim'  farm,  to  which  Mr.  Webb  hasadded 


460 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


by  purchase  from  time  to  time,  until  he  now  owns 
four  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  as  tine  land  as 
is  to  be  found  within  the  limits  of  Shelby  County. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webb  three  children  have  been 
granted,  all  of  whom  are  residents  of  this  county, 
namely:  John  W.,  Louisa  E.,  and  Martha  E.,  who 
is  now  the  wife  of  Lafayette  Stirwalt.  Democratic 
simplicity,  in  the  belief  and  practice  of  which  Mr. 
Webb  was  brought  up.  and  which  he  earnestly  be- 
lieves to  lie  the  true  doctrine  upon  which  to  base 
the  life  of  the  country,  still  commands  his  adher- 
ence and  his  vote.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Separate  Baptist  Church  since  the  spring  of  L848, 
at  which  time  an  organization  was  effected  near  his 
limine,  and  his  life  both  in  his  church  connection 
and  in  business  circles  has  from  that  day  to  this 
adorned  the  doctrine  in  which  he  believes.  The 
influence  of  his  family  in  the  community  is  one 
which  is  conducive  of  good  to  all  who  come 
within  the  circle  of  its  radiance. 


IVORY  J.  MARTIN.  The  power  of  the  press 
is  a  trite  but  a  forcible  subject,  for  it  is  one  of 
those  themes  which  is  constantly  re-inforcing 
itself  by  provinganew  every  day  its  reality.  Throw 
out  of  account  the  influence  which  is  exerted  by 
the  newspapers  of  Illinois  the  destinies  of  the 
Prairie  State  would  be  largely  affected  by  such  elim- 
ination. The  sketches  which  we  have  been  called 
upon  to  give  of  the  newspapers  and  editors  of 
Moultrie  County  presenl  matters  which  are  of  in- 
terest to  everyone. 

The  Sullivan  Progress  has  Keen  from  the  Grsi 
a  success  and  it  uow  occupies  first  rank  with  the 
best  papers  in  this  part  of  the  State  and  has  a  well- 
equipped  office  for  job  work  and  all  kinds  of  print- 
ing. It  was  originally  issued  in  18.57  under  the 
caption  of  the  Express,  lint  was  soon  changed  in 
title  to  the  name  which  it  now  hears.  Mr.  Martin 
has  been  its  editor  and  manager  since  1885  and 
added  to  those  duties  its  proprietorship  in  1887. 
[t  is  now  a  seven-column  six-page  paper  with  a 
good  circulation  and  is  issued  weekly.  Mr.  Martin, 
who  came  to  Sullivan,  Moultrie  County,  in    1883, 


mi  account  of  having  been  appointed  Deputy 
County  Clerk  by  Mr.  Charles  Shunian.  took  charge 
of  this  paper  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
office,  and  has  now  taken  Mr.  Shuinan  as  his  part- 
ner in  the  management  of  the  business.  This  was 
his  first  newspaper  work  but  he  proved  himself  no 
amateur  in  the  business. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  in  Whitley  Township, 
.Moultrie  County.  November  7.  1859,  and  was 
there  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  and  received 
his  education  at  Lee's  Academy  at  Loxa.  Coles 
County.  For  seven  years  he  taught  in  Coles  and 
Moultrie  Counties,  having  taken  his  position  at 
the  teacher's  desk  before  reaching  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen, obtaining  his  academic  course  during  the 
same  years  that  he  devoted  to  teaching,  lie  came 
of  a  family  that  has  resided  in  the  county  for  many 
years,  a-  they  settled  here  ill  the  '30s.  The  father. 
John  X.  .Martin,  was  born  in  Coles  County,  this 
State,  and  was  only  five  years  old  when  the  family 
removed  to  what  is  now  Moultrie  County.  He  is 
still  carrying  on  the  farm  in  Whitley  Township 
and  is  the  son  of  John  Martin,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, a  grandson  of  .lames  Martin,  a  Virginian, 
and  a  great-grandson  of  John  Martin  who  mi- 
grated to  Kentucky  about  the  year  1777.  during 
the  Revolutionary  War.  The  family  was  there 
in  the  days  of  Daniel  Boone  and  had  to  make  their 
home  in  a  fori  for  self  protection. 

The  first  John's  son  .lames  was  very  young  when 
the  family  came  to  Kentucky  and  he  grew  up  near 
the  Kentucky  River  and  there  married,  and  reared 
his  family.  At  a  very  early  day  he  came  with  his 
household  tu  Coles  County.  111.,  and  later  made 
his  home  near  Bruce,  Moultrie  County,  where  he 
died  in  1865,  at  the  very  venerable  age  of  nine- 
ty-one years,  having  buried  his  wife  some  twenty 
years  before.  For  generations  the  family  religion 
was  of  the  old-school  Baptist  denomination  and 
their  politics  of  the  Democratic  order. 

John  Martin,  the  second  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  a  young  man  when  his  parents  came  to 
Illinois  and  he  here  reached  his  majority  and  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Nealy.  Her  father  was  known  far  and 
wide  as  an  Indian  lighter  on  the  frontier  and  was 
an  original  character  in  the  early  pioneer  days.  In 
his  later  years  John    Martin    removed  to  Whitley 


PORTRAIT  AND   151*  HiRAl'lIK  AL    RKC  ORD. 


16  J 


Township,  Moultrie  County  and  built  a  mill  there 

John  X.  Martin,  the  father  of  <>ur  subject,  i-  one 
<>f  a  family  <>f  four  sons  and  three  daughters  who 
are  all  living.  lie  grew  to  manhood  in  Whitley 
Township  and  was  married  in  Coles  County  to 
Miss  Rachel  Martin,  who  as  well  as  her  husband, is 
now  living,  having  reached  nearly  three-score  years 
of  age.  Of  their  children  who  are  now  living  our 
subject  i-  the  eldest,  the  others  being  Joel  K..  who 
i~  studying  law  under  the  Hon.  John  R.  Eden,  of 
Sullivan,  and  Nancy  E.,  who  is  yet  at  home  with 
her  parents.  Our  subject  was  married  in  Sullivan 
in  1886  to  Miss  Rose  Eden, daughter  of  the  Hon. 
John  R.  Eden,  of  whom  more  can  he  learned  in 
the  sketch  of  that  gentleman  which  appear--  in  this 
volume. 

The  subject  of  our  ?ketch  has  ever  taken  an  ac- 
tive part  in  local  politics  since  before  the  became 
of  age,  but  lie  i:-  no  office'seeker.  His  paper  i> 
Democratic  as  are  also  his  own  political  views.  lit- 
is a  man  who  is  capable  of  a  vast  amount  of  hard 
work  and  he  i-  exceedingly  skillful  in  the  man- 
agement of  his  business.  His  wife  was  reared  in 
Sullivan  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Georgetown 
Convent  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  she  i>  an 
earnest  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  is  the 
mother  of  three  children — Olive.  Eden  ami  Nealv. 


^-^ 


"S3 


AMES  S.  TRAVIS  came  to  this  county  in  Die 

vigor  of  early  manhood  more  than  thirty 
years  ago.  and  shortly  afterward  bought  an 
unattractive  piece  of  wild  prairie  land  in 
Penn  Township.  He  bent  his  whole  energies  to 
the  pioneer  task  of  improving  it.  and  to-day  has 
a  well-developed  farm,  finely  cultivated,  amply 
supplied  with  substantial  buildings,  and  compar- 
ing in  every  point  with  the  best  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

Franklin  Township, Huntingdon  County.  Pa.,  i- 
the  birthplace  of  our  subject,  and  August  28,  1834, 
the  date  of  his  birth.  He  comes  of  one  of  tin  old 
Colonial  families  of  the  Keystone  state,  and  i-  a 
son  of  James  Travis,  Esq.,  who  was  a  native  of 
the  same  county  as  himself.     His  father  was  also  ■■> 


native  of  Pennsylvania,  while  the  great-grand- 
father of  our  subjecl  was  born  in  Wales.  He  came 
to  this  country  before  the  Revolution,  and  settled 
among  the  pioneer-  of  Pennsylvania.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject  was  an  early  settler  of  Hun- 
tingdon County,  where  he  I. ought  a  tract  of  land 
in  the  primeval  forests  and  cleared  a  farm  from 
the  surrounding  wilderness,  which  he  made  his 
home  until  his  mortal  career  was  closed  in  death. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Grey,  who  was  likewise  a 
Pennsylvanian  by  birth,  anil  she  also  died  on  the 
old  farm  in  her  native  State.  Both  were  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  old  grand- 
father was  a  Whig  in  politics. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  an  only  child,  and 
on  the  old  homestead  that  he  inherited  his  whole 
life  was  passed,  and  there  death  found  him  Febru- 
ary 7.  1851.  He  married  Nancy  Thompson,  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  George 
and  Isabella  (Gardner)  Thompson,  she  survived 
him  many  years,  dying  at  last  at  a  venerable  age 
on  the  old  faun  in  1872.  Both  were  faithful  mem- 
liers  of  tin-  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  father 
was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Whig  party. 
He  was  a  prominent  man  in  his  community, 
and  foi  several  years  served  a-  Justice  of  the 
Peace. 

James  Travis,  of  this  biographical  review,  was 
one  of  seven  children,  and  he  was  reared  under 
wholesome  home  influences  in  his  native  place, 
and  was  educated  in  the  local  schools.  In  his 
nineteenth  year  he  became  an  apprentice  to  .1.  W. 
Jones,  a  carpenter,  of  Tyrone  City.  Blair  County, 
Pa.,  and  he  was  with  him  three  year-.  During 
that  time  he  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
carpentering,  and  at  the  end  of  that  timedid  jour- 
ney work  three  years.  Then,  in  1859,  he  came  to 
Shelby  County  from  his  native  state,  and  in  I860 
invested  in  a  tract  of  unimproved  prairie  in  Penn 
Town-hip.  He  has  transformed  it  from  a  wilder- 
ness to  a  highly  cultivated  farm,  which  i>  an 
attractive  home,  with  its  neat  buildings  and  with 
the  fruit,  shade  and  ornamental  trees  planted  by  his 
own  hand  that  adorn  the  place. 

Mr.  Travis  has  been  aided  in  tin  making  of  his 
home  by  a  wife  who  i>  a  true  helpmate  in  every 
sense  of  the  word.     Their  married  life  began  in 


162 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


1858,  and  in  the  years  that  followed  children  were 
born  to  them,  of  whom  they  have  six  living,  as 
follows  Adda,  wife  of  Isaac  Oshorne;  Nancy  E., 
wife  of  Hiram  Hammel;  Emma  L.;  Clyde  E.,  Lyda 
and  Carrie  E.  Their  son  William  II.  is  dead. 
The  family  is  highly  thought  of  in  the  community, 
and  Mr.  Travis  and  four  of  the  children  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Travis  is  a 
native  of  the  same  Pennsylvania  township  as  her 
husband.  Her  maiden  name  was  Catherine  E. 
(rain,  and  she  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Eliza 
Grain.  » 


.J 


NDERSON  HUNTER.  Men  of  wealth 
and  public-spirit  have  abundant  oppor- 
.'-■  tunities  for  advancing  the  social  and  in- 
dustrial as  well  as  material  prosperity  of 
the  section  of  country  where  they  make  their  home. 
To  do  this  requires  a  broad  vision  and  a  willing- 
ness to  think  of  the  general  good  as  well  asof  their 
own  individual  progress,  yet  it  does  not  require 
self-sacrifice  in  the  long  run.  as  the  prosperity  of 
the  community  in  general  enhances  the  welfare  of 
each  man  in  particular,  and  the  man  of  means  who 
takes  a  wise  interest  in  his  neighborhood  will 
thereby  advance  his  own  prosperity.  Such  a  man 
we  find  in  Anderson  Hunter,  who  resides  On  section 
8,  Ridge  Township.  Shelby  County. 

John  Hunter  the  father  of  our  subject  was  born 
in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  and  his  wife  Elizabeth 
Turner  was  a  native  of  the  same  State.  They  came 
from  that  county  to  this  State  and  made  their  home 
in  Shelby  County,  about  the  year  1858.  Their 
Mist  settlement  was  in  the  country  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship, but  they  lived  there  only  a  short  time  and 
then  removed  to  Shelbyville,  where  they  com- 
pleted their  earthly  pilgrimage.  They  were  the 
honored  and  venerated  parents  of  a  goodly  family 
of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters. 

The  fifth  child  in  this  family  was  Anderson  who 
was  born  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio.  March  6.  1834. 
In  that  section  he  was  given  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  a  thorough  training  in  farm 
duties   and   there  he  grew  to  manhood  ami  resided 


until  he  was  about  twenty- three  years  old.  when  he 
came  to  Shelby  County,  lie  returned,  however  to 
his  native  home  to  bring  back  as  his  wife  the  girl 
he  "had  left  behind  him."  Mis-  Sarah  A.  Allen. 
daughter  of  George  and  Nancy  (Carlisle)  Allen. 
became  the  wife  of  Anderson  Hunter,  January  27. 
1857.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  the  Buckeye 
State  where  the  father  died  and  the  mother  after- 
ward removed  to  this  State  settling  in  Ridge 
Township.  Shelby  County,  where  she  now   resides. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Hunter  was  born  in  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio,  August  13,  1X37,  and  there  she  made  her 
home  throughout  her  childhood  and  maidenhood. 
After  her  marriage  with  our  subject,  she  became 
the  mother  of  a  numerous  progeny,  twelve  in  num- 
ber, four  of  whom  died  in  childhood  and  infancy. 
Those  who  remained  to  cheer  the  heart  of  their 
mother  by  their  affection  and  to  become  worthy 
members  of  society  are:  George  who  married  Ida 
Weakly;  Robert  who  took  to  wife  Sophronia 
Longenbough;  Harold  wasunited  in  marriage  with 
Ellen  Yantis:  Ida.  is  now  Mrs.  William  Yantis; 
Preston  married  Mattie  Eversole;  Delmer,  Lorin 
and  Eva.  The  beloved  and  revered  mother  of  this 
household,  passed  away  from  life  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship April  24.  1887.  She  was  a  woman  of  beauti- 
ful Christian  character  and  a  devout  and  consistent 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Hunter  took  place 
in  II illsboid.  111.,  unit iny' him  with  Miss  Lucia  Jones, 
a  capable  and  efficient  home-maker  and  a  woman 
of  great  loveliness  of  character.  Mr.  Hunter  while 
living  in  Ohio,  carried  on  for  nine  years  the  busi- 
ness of  carriage-making,  but  on  account  of  iil 
health  he  was  obliged  to  relinquish  his  trade  and 
has  found  in  farming  an  avocation  more  suited  to 
the  maintenance  of  health.  He  has  a  magnificent 
farm  of  twelve  hundred  and  eleven  broad  acres, 
located  in  the  townships  of  Ridge  and  Pickaway 
and  upon  them  he  has  erected  an  attractive  home, 
wood  barns  and  a  good  set  of  outhouses. 

The  community  in  which  Mr.  Hunter  appreciates 
highly  his  excellent  qualities,  good  judgment  and 
earnest  desire  for  its  prosperity  and  has  instrusted 
to  him  the  duties  of  School  Director  and  Highway 
Commissioner.  He  is  a  Prohibitionist  in  his  polit- 
ical   views    and  an  active  and  earnest   worker  in 


PORTRAIT   AM)   lilm.RAPIIK  AL    RECORD. 


every  way  for  the  causes  of  religion  and  morality. 
He  ha?  l>een  for  fifteen  years  an  Elder  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  in  which  he  is  a  great  worker 
and  where  his  wife  joins  him  in  efforts  for  the  up- 
building of  Christianity.  In  their  beautiful  home 
they  extend  a  hospitality  to  their  friends  which  i> 
both  generous  and  gracious,  thus  making  it  one  of 
the  must  delightful  social  centers  of  Ridge  Town 
ship. 


f  felLLIAM  REIGHLEY.  This  venerable  and 
\  /  highly-esteemed  citizen  of  Moweaqua  owns 
y  *  and  occupies  a  large  and  valuable  farm. 
finely  located,  a  part  of  it  in  the  village  and  the 
remainder  near  by.  Our  subject  was  born  ten 
miles  east  of  Lewistown,  Mifflin  County,  Pa..  No- 
vember -22.  1810.  His  father.  Matthew  Reighley, 
was  born  on  the  Irish  coast,  at  a  point  where  it 
approaches  nearest  Scotland,  and  lie  was  of  Scotch 
blood.  During  some  period  of  hi>  life  he  emi- 
grated to  Tlii—  country  and  was  engaged  at  his 
occupation  as  a  farmer  in  Mifflin  County,  when 
hi-  death  occurred  in  October,  1814.  He  married 
after  coming  to  the  United  >tate~.  Susan  Close,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  daughter  of  Adam 
Close,  becoming  his  wife.  She  survived  her  hiis- 
band  many  years  and  finally  died  in  Adams 
County.  Ohio,  in  1852.  She  was  the  mother  of 
eight  children. 

lie  of  whom  this  -ketch  i-  written  was  in  his 
fourth  year  when  his  father  died  and  he  was  reared 
by  his  mother  on  the  old  farm  that  was  his  birth- 
place, and  he  remained  with  her  until  he  was 
twenty-one.  He  then  rented  land  in  his  native 
county  and  fanned  it  until  October,  1839,  when 
he  removed  to  Ohio,  going  there  by  canal  and 
rail  to  Johnstown,  thence  by  canal  to  the  Ohio 
River,  on  which  he  proceeded  to  Wheeling,  where 
he  took  a  stage  for  Adams  County.  Ohio.  He 
bought  a  tract  of  improved  land  and  gave  hi-  at- 
tention to  its  cultivation  as  long  as  he  remained  a 
resident  of  the  Buckeye  State,  which  was  until  1852. 
In  that  year  he  came  to  Illinois,  making  the    re- 


moval with  a  pair  of  horse-  and  a  carriage.  He 
located  at  (  In  na  Grove,  McLean  County,  where  he 

l ght  a  section  of  land,  having  entered    ii    from 

the  Government  on  a  previous  vi-it.  -aid  land  in- 
cluding the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Belle 
Flower. 

Mr.  Reighley  lived  in  McLean  County  live years 
and  then,  renting  his  land,  took  up  his  residence  in 
Ford  County,  buying  property  near  Paxton. 
Three  years  later  he  removed  to  Drummond's 
Grove,  near  Gibson  City,  and  remained  there  until 

1874,  when  he  came  to  shelly  County  and  invested 
in  four  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  of  land,  lo- 
cated a-  previously  mentioned,  in  and  adjoining 
the  village  of  Moweaqua,  where  he  has  ever  since 
made  his  home.  He  has  here  a  fine  piece  of  prop- 
erty, substantially  improved,  and  its  possession 
places  him  among  our  most  solid  citizens. 

Fifty-one  years  ago.  March  24,  1840,  our  subject 
celebrated  his  wedding  with  Miss  Rachel  Bailey, 
who  has  been  to  him  a  loving  and  faithful  wife 
during  all  these  long  years  that  they  have  shared 
life's  joys  and  sorrows.  Children  have  come  to 
them,  of  whom  these  three  have  been  spared  to 
comfort  their  declining  years:  James Quincy,  Will- 
iam Selkirk  and  John  Wilson.  Their  only  daugh- 
ter, Susan  Mary,  was  born  July  12.  1844,  grew  to 
womanhood,  married  Wallace  P.  Zook.  and  died  in 

1875.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reighley  are  sincere  ( Ihristians, 
holding  membership  in  the  I'nited  Brethren  Church. 
and  have  all  endeavored  to  he  true  to  their  relig- 
ious obligations,  including  their  dutie-  as  parents. 
neighbors  and   friend-. 

Mrs.  Reighley  was  horn  amid  the  pioneer  scenes 
of  Adams  County,  Ohio,  July  is.  1820.  Her  fa- 
ther. El>en  Bailey,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and 
was  a  son  of  one  Joel  Bailey,  who  was  horn  and 
reared  in  England.  He  came  to  this  country  when 
a  young  man  and  was  married  on  his  arrival  here 
to  Miss  Rachel  Perkins,  who  was  born  in  Ireland 
and  was  of  English  ancestry.  They  removed  from 
Maryland  to  Virginia  and  thence  to  Kentucky,  in 
the  early  years  of  it-  settlement  Mr.  Bailey  was 
opposed  to  slavery,  so  he  crossed  the  Ohio  River 
into  the  Northwestern  Territory  and  settled  on  the 
present  site  of  Cincinnati,  where  he  bought  a  tract 
of  timber  land   that    is    now     included    within    the 


h;i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


city  Limits.  Later  he  disposed  of  that  and  removed 
to  Adams  County,  of  which  tie  became  a  promi- 
nent pioneer.  1I(  bought  a  large  tract  of  forest- 
covered  land,  platted  the  village  of  Winchester  and 
luiilt  the  lirst  house  there.  It  was  made  of  hewn 
logs  and  in  it  he  opened  the  first  store  in  the  town- 
ship. Al  that  time  his  dwelling  was  one  mile  from 
there.  He  was  a  resident  of  that  place  until  his 
death  and  his  enterprise  helped  to  advance  its 
growth.     His  wife  also  died  there. 

Mrs.  Reighley's  father  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Ohio  and  always  gave  his  attention  to  farm 
ing.  In  1850  he  became  a  resident  of  Fountain 
County,  Ind.. where  he  bought  a  farm,  upon  which  he 
dwelt  until  his  demise  in  1859, at  a  ripe  age.  He  was 
married  in  L818  to  Rhoda  Prather  Odell,  a  native 
of  Kentucky  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Grace 
(Austin)  Odell.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey  reared  a  fam- 
ily of  nine  children.  Mrs.  Reighley's  mother  was 
an  expert  in  the  art  of  weaving  and  Spinning  and 
she  taught  her  daughter  those  useful  accomplish- 
ments and  in  her  early  married  life  Mrs.  Reighley 
manufactured  all  the  cloth  used  by  her  family  with 
her  own  deft    hands. 


■^ak 


ylLLIAM  W II  IT  WORTH,  who.  as  a  saga- 
cious, skillful  farmer,  has  helped  to  make 
Shelby  County  a  rich,  well-developed  agri- 
cultural center,  has  at  the  same  time  acquired  a 
valuable  property,  and  not  only  owns  a  line  farm 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  city  of  Mowea- 
qua,  but  has  here  a  handsome,  well-appointed  resi- 
dence, in  which  he  is  living  in  retirement  from 
active  business.  He  is  a  native  of  Perry  County. 
Ind..  horn  .May  25,  1838,  a  -on  of  Abraham  Whit- 
worth,  who  was  horn  in  Virginia  in  1807.  The 
father  of  the  latter,  also  named  Abraham,  was  like- 
wise a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  the  son  of  an 
Englishman,  who  came  to  this  country  and  settled 
in  the  Old  Dominion  in  Colonial  times,  spending 
the  remainder  of   his  life  there. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  went  from  his 
native  State  to  Tennessee  with  his  family  in  1811, 
and  after  a  two  years'  sojourn  in  the  wilderness  in 


that  State,  he  proceeded  Northward  into  Brecken- 
ridge  County.  Kv..  where  he  in  time  cleared  a  farm 
from  the  timber,  and  there  closed  his  earthly  pil- 
grimage, lie  married  Nancy  Board, who  was  horn 
in  Virginia  and  died  in  Kentucky. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  scarcely  more  than 
a  babe  when  his  parents  took  up  their  abode  in 
Kentucky,  and  he  grew  to  a  vigorous  manhood 
under  the  influences  of  the  rough  pioneer  life  of 
those  days.  When  he  became  a  young  man  he  too 
became  a  pioneer,  selecting  the  more  newly  settled 
State  of  Indiana  as  the  scene  of  his  operations, 
and  he  there  look  unto  himself  a  wife,  Miss  Martha 
pregory  uniting  her  life  with  his.  She  was  also  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Mary  (Dobson)  Gregory,  natives  of  Virginia, 
the  latter  a  daughter  of  William  ( ).  Dobson,  also  a 
Virginian.  After  marriage,  Mi-.  Wlutworth,  who 
had  formerly  been  a  pilot  on  a  flat  boat  that  plied 
on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers,  commencing 
life  at  boating  when  quite  young,  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  farming.  In  1861  he  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  on  a  tract  of  land  that  he  bought  in  Mo- 
weaqua  Township,  located  four  miles  east  of  the 
village,  where  In'  resided  until  his  life  was  rounded 
out  in  death  in  .Inly.  1864.  His  wife  survived  him 
until  the  following  year,  and  then  she  loo  passed 
away,  dying  in  the  month  of  December.  She  was 
the  mother  of  eight  children  that  were  reared  to 
maturity. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  passed  amid  the 
scenes  of  his  birth.  He  came  to  Shelby  County  in 
1858,  and  he  began  his  career  here  by  working  out 
hy  the  day  or  month.  Prudently  saving  his  earn- 
ings, in  1804  he  invested  in  eighty  acres  of  good 
farming  land  four  and  one-half  miles  northwest  of 
the  village  of  Moweaqua,  and  later  added  to  it 
forty  acres  more.  He  resided  on  that  place  several 
years,  devoting  his  energies  to  its  improvement,  and 
when  he  left  it  in  1886  to  take  up  his  abode  in  the 
city  he  had  placed  it  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  had  made  of  il  a  well-ordered  farm.  He 
came  to  Moweaqua  in  the  year  mentioned,  bought 
property,  and  in  1890  erected  his  present  commo- 
dious residence,  which  is  built  after  plans  drawn 
by  himself  and  wife,  is  very  conveniently  arranged 
and  is  an  ornament  to  thecitv.      lie  also  ha--  a  tine 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RK(  ORD. 


i<;.- 


farm  advantageously  Located  within  tbe  limits  of 
this  municipality,  which  contains  sixty-four  acres 
of  well-tilled  land,  and  i-  amply  supplied  with 
buildings  and  everything  needful  for  its  successful 

cultivation. 

Mr. Whitworth  has  been  twice  married.  In  1861 
he  was  wedded  to  Miss  Sarah  Lamb,  a  native  of 
Richland  County,  111.  Their  brief  hut  happy  union 
was  closed  by  her  death  in  1H('>4.  She  left  two 
children.  Clara  and  Alice.  Clara  married  William 
Landram,  and  has  two  children.  Alice  married 
James  Chance,  and  has  four  children.  The  present 
estimable  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was  uni- 
ted in  marriage  in  1866,  was  formerly  Miss  Isabella 
Doyle.  she  i?  a  native  of  Macoupin  County,  this 
State,  ami  a  daughter  of  E.  M.  Doyle,  who  i?  rep- 
resented in  this  work. 

Mr.  Whitworth.  as  we  have  seen,  has  become  one 
of  the  prosperous  citizen?  of  this  county  through 
the  exercise  of  good  mental  and  physical  endow- 
ment?. He  is  a  gentleman  of  sound  principles  and 
blameless  life,  who  is  justly  held  in  high  consider- 
ation by  his  neighbors  and  associates,  and  in  him 
the  Baptist  Church  has  a  conscientious,  right-living 
member,  hi?  wife  also  belonging  to  that  church. 
and  identifying  herself  with  it.-  best  effort-  to  ele- 
vate the  moral  status  of  the  community'.  A-  a 
loyal  and  true-hearted  citizen  sh<  mid.  <  mr  subject  in- 
terests himself  in  politics,  and  i?  a  stanch  adherent 
of  the  Republican  party. 


telLLIAM  .1.  HUFF,  M.  D.,of  Prairie  Home. 
is  a  graduate  of  the   Medical   Department 

VV  <if  the  Michigan  Mate  University,  at  Ann 
Arbor,  one  of  the  leading  institutions  of  learning 
in  the  country,  and  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
he  ha?  acquired  a  fine  reputation  a-  a  skillful  and 
successful  physician.  He  was  born  in  Perry  County, 
I  ml..  July  LO,  1846,  and  comes  of  the  old  pioneer 
Stock  of  that  Slate. 

William  Huff,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  spencer  County.  Ind..  and  was  a  -on  of  Aquilla 
Huff,    who   wa?   horn   near  Harrodsburg,   Kv..  bis 


parent?,  who  were  Virginians,  being  among  the 
early  settler?  of  that    region. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  wa?  reared  in  tin' 

wild-  of  Kentucky,  and  subsequently  became  an 
early  pioneer  of  Indiana  when  it  wa- a  territory. 
locating  in  Spencer  County,  where  he  took  up  a 
tract  of  Government  land,  which  he  converted  into 
a  good  farm,  on  which  he  spent  his  remaining  days. 
Hi-  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Rawlings, 
and  who  wa-  likewise  a  native  of  Kentucky,  also 
passed  her  la-t  year-  on  that  Spencer  County  farm. 
where  she  had  helped  her  husband  to  build  up  a 
home. 

Dr.  Huff?  father  was  horn  in  Spencer  County. 
Ind..  where  he  now  live?,  lie  wa?  bred  to  the  life 
of  a  farmer,  and  always  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  hi?  retirement  from  active  business.  He 
i?  ?till  living  on  hi?  farm  one  mile  from  Troy. 
Perry  C  ounty,  Ind..  where  he  enjoys  the  good  will 
and  respect  of  the  community  where  so  many  yea r- 
of  hi?  life  have  been  passed.  In  early  manhood  he 
found  a  true  helpmate  and  wife  in  the  person  of 
Margaret  Davis,  who  wa?  born  in  Kentucky,  hut 
wa-  reared  in  Indiana  in  one  of  it-  pioneer  homes. 
They  reared  three  children — losepl)  •;..  William  .T. 
and  Henderson  M.  Joseph  <  >.  wa-  a  member  of  the 
Tenth  Indiana  Cavalry  during  the  war.  and  give 
up  hi?  life  for  hi?  country  while  in  the  service. 

Our  subject  early  displayed  an  ambition  to 
obtain  a  g 1  education,  ami  after  passing  his  boy- 
hood in  study  in  the  public  school?  of  Perry  and 
Spencer  Counties,  and  gaining  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  common  branches,  at  the  age  of  -even- 
teen  he  began  teaching,  and  thereby  earned  the 
wherewithal  to  pursue  hi?  studies  in  the  state  Uni- 
versity at  Bloomington.  In  1868  the  young  stu- 
dent wa?  complimented  by  election  to  the  office  of 
County  Surveyor  of  spencer  (ounty. and  he  served 
satisfactorily  four  years,  lie  began  the  study  of 
medicine  with  Dr.  G.  F.  Adge,  of  Newton ville,  and 
later  placed  himself  under  the  instruction  of  E.  M. 
Anderson,  of  New  Boston.  In  L878  he  entered 
the  Medical  Department  of  the  state  University  at 
Ann  Arbor,  and  wa-  graduated  from  there  in  the 
Class  of  '80.  Thus  well-equipped  for  his  chosen 
calling  he  entered  upon  it?  practical  duties  at  St. 
Meinrad,    Spencer    County,  where  he  remained   a 


166 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


year.  He  then  came  to  Illinois,  and  for  a  yearand 
a  half  practiced  .-it  Macon.  His  next  location  was 
at  Dalton,  from  which  place  he  came  to  Prairie 
Home  a  year  later,  andeversince  has  been  in  prac- 
tice here,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  our  hest 
physicians. 

The  Doctor's  marriage  with  Miss  Emma  E. 
Avery,  a  native  of  Perry  County.  Ind..  was  cele- 
brated Augusl  15,  1882.  They  have  two  children 
living,  James  Kail  and  Catherine  Maud.  The 
Doctor  and  his  amiable  wife  are  among  the  most 
valued  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  they  are  among  our  most  agreeable  society 
people. 


7  NDREW  .1.  FOLTZ.  Each  life  has  its 
romance,  its  comedy  and  tragedy,  hut 
most  of  us  hide  these  more  vivid  colore  of 
our  lives  under  a  veil  of  reserve,  and 
peering  through  it  the  casual  observer  can  find 
only  hints  and  vague  outlines  of  what  is  beneath. 
Could  every  man  he  his  own  historian  and  deal 
with  himself  honestly  and  frankly,  biographies 
would  he  more  interesting.  That,  however,  is  not 
always  possible  nor  would  it  he  in  all  cases  advis- 
able, therefore  we  must  lay  down  the  facts  as  we 
know  them  and  read  between  the  lines  as  our 
sympathies  and  knowledge  of  human  nature  shall 
dictate. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  resident  upon  the 
farm  that  is  located  on  section  12.  in  Rural  Town- 
ship. Since  1849,  he  has  been  a  resident  in  Shelby 
County,  and  during  that  time  has  been  engaged  in 
the  work  of  planting  and  leaping,  a  noble  work,  in 
that,  without  the  products  which  the  farmer  gives 
us.  we  could  not  support  life.  Mr.  Foltz  was  born 
in  Union  County.  Pa.  March  2.  1845.  lie  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  and  Mary  Foil/,  also  natives  oi  Penn- 
sylvania. The  family  emigrated  to  Shelby  County 
this  State,  in  1849  and  lirst  settled  in  the  southern 
part  of  this  county,  entering  some  Government 
land,  but  they  soon  removed  to  Rose  Township, 
settling  on  Robinson  Creek.  In  1H.">7  they  again 
made   a   change,  going   to   Knox  County.  Mo.  and 


here  they  resided  until  1862.  when  they  returned 
to  Shelby  County  and  passed  their  remaining  years 
in  Rose  Township.  The  father  died  December  1. 
1879,  being  at  the  time  about  sixty-eight  years  of 
age.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  resides  with  a 
daughter  in  Knox  County.  Mo. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  nine  children  born  to  his 
parents.  Of  these,  eight  lived  to  be  grown.  Their 
names  are  Arden  W.  Lilah.  Joseph  H..  Sarah.  John. 
our  subject.  Andrew  J.  Thomas  J.  and  Jerome. 
The  eldest  son  lives  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
.Missouri,  as  does  also  his  sister  Lilah,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Lorenzo  Jarvis.  Joseph  II.  resides  in 
.Minneapolis,  Minn.  Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Jarvis,  and  lives  in  Northwestern  Kansas.  John 
makes  his  home  in  Southwestern  Kansas  and 
Thomas  J.  is  a  farmer  in  Western  Kansas.  Jerome 
died  in  Knox  County.  Mo.  Our  subject  was 
reared  a  farmer  and  in  his  perigrinations  with  his 
family  through  the  different  States,  he  learned 
much  of  the  methods  employed  in  different  por- 
tions of  the  country  in  agriculture,  and  also  of 
the  nature  and  requirements  of  the  soil. 

When  Andrew  Foltz  reached  his  teens,  he  was 
employed  by  the  month  in  work  as  a  farm  hand. 
In  1867  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  a  lady  who 
bore  the  historic  name  of  Reed,  belonging  to  a 
family  of  old  and  high  standing  in  Kentucky,  and 
previously  in  Virginia.  Emily  Reed  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  William  Reed  and  was  born  in  Kentucky. 
Oct.  3,  1846.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foltz  are  the  par- 
ent- of  the  following  children,  most  of  whom  have 
reached  years  of  maturity.  The  eldest  is  a  daugh- 
ter whose  name  is  Minerva.  She  is  the  wife  of 
Frank  Beckett.  The  other  children  in  name  and 
in  order  of  birth  are  as  follow.-;  Andrew  Camp- 
bell. William  1!.,  Laura;  Genetta  died  in  infancy; 
Albert  II.  and  Erne. 

(In  his  marriage  our  subject  felt  the  importance 
of  making  a  home  of  hi-  own  and  he  secured  a 
farm  in  Tower  Hill  Township  which  he  has  culti- 
vated assiduously.  Some  ten  years  ago,  the  gentle- 
man purchased  his  present  farm  which  comprises 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  It  is  fine  land  well 
located  anil  watered,  and  hears  good  improvements. 
Politically  our  subject  affiliates  with  the  Democratic 
party  although    he    i-   rather   inclined  to  be   hide- 


<■ 


■ 


' 


M   '*'« 


^  -V- 

^Swis.*^  >*  ■-»■■•    y 


J 


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it 


H  .  C.    CARPENTER. 


SARAH    CARPENTER. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


171 


pendent  in  his  vote,  giving  his  influence  not  al- 
ways to  the  man  of  party  if  be  thinks  some  other 
man  is  tetter  fitted  to  till  the  office  in  question. 
Km-  some  tunc,  he  has  filled  the  position  of  School 
Director.  He  is  a  member  in  good  standing,  of 
the  Church  <>f  God,  and  the  Golden  Rule,  to  do 
unto  others  as  you  would  that  they  should  do 
unto  y<m.  is  the  precept  that  guides  him  in  his 
relations,  both  business  and  social,  with  his  fellow- 
men.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Foltz  dierl  .Tune  15, 
1891,  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-one  vears. 


ENRY  C.  CARPENTER,  who  is  highly  es- 
teemed ami  respected  throughout  the  com- 
munity where  lie  lives,  is  an  intelligent  and 
progressive  citizen  who  gives  much  thought 
to  the  questions  of  the  day.  lie  makes  his  home 
on  section  18,  Ridge  Township,  Shelby  Comity. 
His  father  was  Israel  Carpenter,  wao  was  born  in 
Lancaster.  Pa.,  and  his  mother.  Susan  Hess,  was 
probably  horn  in  Pennsylvania  of  German  parent  - 
UB,  as  was  also  the  father.  The  father  died  when 
about  fifty-two  years  old.  the  mother  at  the  age  of 
ninety-one  years. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  came  to  Shelby 
County.  111.,  from  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  aboul 
1M37.  and  settled  in  Shelby ville.  where  they  resided 
for  a  few  months.  Later  they  removed  to  a  point 
north  of  Shelbyville  near  the  fair  grounds  and 
then  made  their  home  in  Okaw  Township,  where 
the  father  passed  from  earth.  His  widow  died  at 
the  residence  <>f  our  subject  in  Ridge  Township 
some  years  later.  They  had  eleven  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  age. 

Henry  C.  Carpenter  was  born  in  Delaware 
County.  Ohio.  October  1.  li->2.">.  and  hence  was 
about  twelve  years  old  when  he  came  to  Shelby 
(  ounty.  111.,  with  In-  parents.  Here  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  spent  most  of  his  early  life  with  the 
exception  of  four  years  which  he  passed  in  Sanga- 
mon County.  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm  and 
has  made  agricultural  pursuits  his  chief  business  in 
life. 

The  marriage  of  .Mr.  Carpenter  in  Ridge  Town- 


ship, September  30,  1  s ."> 2 .  brought  him  as  a  wife 
.Mi"  sarah  Downs,  daughter  of  Electiousand  Mary 
Ann  (Stiffler)  Downs.  For  particulars  in  regard 
to  the  history  of  this  prominent  family  the  reader 
is  referred  to  the  life  sketch  of  .1.  II.  Downs  which 
appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Mrs.  Car- 
penter was  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  eight  children, 
and  first  saw  the  light  December  28,  1831,  in 
Washington  County.  Md.  She  came  to  Shelby 
County,  111.,  with  her  parents  in  1845,  and  here 
grew  to  a  beautiful  and  vigorous  young  woman- 
hood in  Ridge   Township. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  arc  the  parents  of  nine 
children  namely:  George  W..  who  married  Mary 
F.  McDonald  and  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two; 
Elections  who  look  to  wife  Clara  Worthman; 
Willie  who  passed  away  in  infancy:  .lames  \Y..  who 
married  Sarah  M.  Jones;  Sarah  Ann  the  wife  of  ( ). 
.1.  Engle;  John  Alonzo  who  took  to  wife  Ida 
Brunei1;  Ira  W.;  Mary  Ellen,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  Nora  .1.  Our  subject  Idled  efficiently  and  sat- 
isfactorily the  office  of  Supervisor  of  Ridge  Town- 
ship for  two  terms,  and  has  also  been  Road  Over- 
seer and  School  Director,  lie  formerly  took  an 
active  part  in  political  affairs  hut  is  independent  in 
hi-  party  affiliations.  He  is  liberal  in  his  religious 
views  and  interested  in  all  progressive  ideas.  His 
splendid  tract  of  five  hundred  and  seventeen  acres, 
most  of  which  is  located  in  Ridge  Town-hip  hears 
every  sign  of  the  hand  of  a  thorough,  systematic 
and  industrious  farm  manager. 

The  attention  of  the  reader  is  invited  to  the 
lithographic  portrait-  of  Mr.  and  Mi's.  Carpenter, 
which  are  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 


NDREW  .1.  sTFIDLKY.a  well-known  resi- 
lient of  Moweaqua,  Shelby  County,  is  of 
Southern  birth  and  ancestry,  and  is  also  a 
representative  of -one  of  the  pioneer  fami- 
lies of  Illinois.  He  was  horn  in  Frederick  County. 
\'a..  December  •-'•">.  1829,  and  is  a  -on  of  Solomon 
Steidley,  who  was  horn  in  Frederick  (ounty.  Md.. 
August   21.  1789.     His    father    was   about    fifteen 


17-2 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


years  old  when  his  parents,  removed  to  Frederick 
County,  Va.,  where  he  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  there  he  was  married  October  25, 
1811,  to  Rachel  Barr,  who  was  bora  in  New  Jer- 
sey, November  28,  1793.  Her  father,  James  Barr, 
was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  was  with  Wash- 
ington at  Valley  Forge. 

The  parents  of  "in-  subject  left  their  Virginia 
Inline  in  October,  1834,  to  seek  a  new  one  in  the 
wilds  of  Macoupin  County,  this  State,  the  journey 
being  made  with  teams,  a  part  of  the  household 
goods  being  taken  to  furnish  their  pioneer  abode. 
At  length,  after  traveling  five  weeks,  they  came  to 
what  is  now  Barr  Township,  which  at  that  time 
was  literally  in  the  wilderness,  where  deer,  ln-ai-. 
and  other  wild  animals  roamed  at  will. and  the  sur- 
rounding country  had  hut  few  white  inhabitants. 
The  nearest  post-otliee  fur  some  time  was  fifteen 
miles  distant  from  their  dwelling.  Postage  stamps 
were  not  then  in  use.  and  it  C0S1  twenty-live  cents 
for  each  letter.  The  father  of  our  subjecl  bought 
forty  acres  of  land  a  mile  south  of  the  present  site 
of  Barr's  Store.  There  was  a  log  cabin  on  the 
plaee.  and  the  land  was  fenced  and  partly  im- 
proved. Alton  was  the  nearest  market,  where  the 
people  purchased  their  sugar,sal1  and  coffee, which 
were  the  principal  supplies  bought  at  the  stores,  as 
the  settlers  were  mostly  home-livers,  subsisting  on 
what  they  could  produce  mi  their  farms,  and  on 
game.  The  women  carded,  spun  and  wove  (lax 
and  wool  for  all  the  cloth  used  for  garments  in- 
other  purposes.  Mr.  Steidley  was  prospered  in  his 
new  home,  as  he  was  a  man  of  untiring  diligence, 
and  he  bought  other  land  until  he  owned  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  at  the  time  of  his  de- 
mise, all  lying-  in  Barr  Township.  His  life  was  tut 
off  by  his  death  November  is.  1848,  while  yet  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  and  his  county  was  de- 
prived of  the  services  of  one  of  its  most  indus- 
trious and  worthy  pioneers.  His  wife  survived 
him  until  August  11.  1860,  when  she  breathed  her 
last  in  the  old  home.  She  reared  these  seven  chil- 
dren: .lames  B.,  Betsy  A.,  Frederick,  John  S.,  Mar- 
garet H.,  Mary  C.  and  Andrew  .1. 

Our  subject  was  in  his  fifth  year  when  his  par- 
ents broughl  him  to  Illinois,  lie  attended  the 
pioneer   schools   of   Barr   Township,    which    were 


taught  on  the  subscription  plan,  in  primitive  log 
houses,  that  were  rudely  furnished  with  seats  made 
by  splitting  small  logs,  hewing  one  side  smooth, 
and  using  wooden  pins  for  legs,  the  seats  being 
without  desks  or  hacks.  Mr.  Steidley  commenced 
to  a>>ist  in  the  farm  work  as  soon  as  large  enough, 
and  lived  with  his  mother  until  his  marriage,  af- 
fording her  great  assistance  in  managing  the  farm. 
He  taught  one  term  of  school  before  his  marriage, 
later  taught  two  terms  in  Barr  Township. and  then 
gave  his  attention  to  the  mercantile  business  at 
Greenfield  two  years.  lie  next  went  to  fanning 
near  Fayette.  Greene  County,  and  was  thus  em- 
ployed there  a  year  and  a  half.  After  that  Macon 
County  was  his  destination,  and  he  sojourned 
there  the  summer  of  1857.  Returning  to  Fayette, 
he  remained  there  two  years,  and  then  went  hack 
tu  hi-  old  Inline,  Barr  Township. and  the  succeeding 
two  years  farmed  there,  except  in  the  winter  sea- 
son, when  he  resumed  his  old  vocation  of  teacher. 
In  the  fall  of  1862, we  find  him  once  more  in  Fay- 
ette, where  he  had  charge  of  a  school  two  terms. 
In  the  spring  of  1X64  he  came  to  Moweaqua  to 
accept  a  position  as  clerk  for  II.  F.  Day.  and  was 
with  him  for  four  years.  Smith  A-  Keiser.  deal- 
ers in  lumber  and  agricultural  implements,  were 
his  next  employers  in  that  capacity,  and  he  staid 
with  them  two  years.  Since  then  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  various  branches  of  business. 

In  1(SM")  Mr.  Steidley  took  a  new  departure,  and 
entered  upon  the  printers'  trade  in  the  office  of  his 
>on  in  Maroa.  He  then  commenced  at  the  foun- 
dation of  the  editor's  profession  by  learning  to 
set  type.  He  remained  in  the  office  at  Maroa  until 
LSKss,  when  he  came  back  to  Moweaqua,  and  for 
fourteen  months  was  a  clerk  in  a  drug  store.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  time  he  commenced  setting 
type  iu  the  office  of  the  Call-Mai/  with  his  son. 
and  has  continued  thus  engaged  ever  since,  lie  is 
a  man  of  versatile  genius,  of  much  culture,  possess- 
ing an  interesting  fund  of  general  knowledge,  and 
wherever  known  is  respected.  Politically  he  is  a 
sound  Democrat.  His  social  relations  are  with  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 

< )ur  subject  was  married  in  1852  to  Miss  Nancy 
E.  Jayne,  who  was  a  native  of  Greene  County.  111., 
born   July  31.  1836.     She    was   a    most    estimable 


PORTRAIT  AM)  1W<  lOEAl'llK  AL    RPXJORD. 


17.1 


Lady,  and  her  death,  February  -<>•  1881,  was  a  sad 
bereavement  to  her  family  and  many  friends,  she 
loft  four  children — Edgar  C,  Thomas  J.,  Emily  R. 
and  Wilmer  A.  Mrs.  Steidley  was  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Emily  (Renshaw)  Jayne,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and 
early  settlers  of  Greene  County.  III.  Her  father 
was  a  prominent  attorney,  and  at  one  time  was  in 
partnership  with  Senator  John  M.  Palmer,  at  Car- 
linville.  111. 


BRAM  GALLAGHER.     The   township  of 
Holland,  being    practically    unbroken    by 

large  towns  and  villages,  gives  tine  oppor- 
tunities for  the  cultivation  of  extensive 
farms  and  among  them  we  are  pleased  to  make 
mention  of  the  properly  belonging  to  the  gentle- 
man whose  name  we  have  just  mentioned,  lie  is 
notable  as  being  the  Supervisor  of  the  township 
and  at  the  same  time  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
and  extensive  fanners  of  Shelby  County. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio, 
April  7.  1839,  being  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah 
(Middleswortlj)  Gallagher.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject  on  his  father's  side  was  born  in  the 
green  Isle  of  Erin, and  when  he  emigrated  to  this 
country  made  his  home  in  Pennsylvania  and  later 
removed  to  Ohio.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
born  in  Ohio  and  came  to  Shelby  County  m  1839, 
making  his  home  first  in  Shelbyville  Township  and 
afterward  in  Holland  Township,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  days. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  ten  children,  all 
of  whom  attained  their  majority  and  are  named 
a.-  follows:  Abram;  William,  who  died  in  Shelby 
County:  Henry,  who  resides  in  Holland  Township; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  first  Adam  Deel  and  after- 
ward Murray  Locke  and  died  in  Holland  Town- 
ship; Eliza,  who  became  Mrs.  John  Burke  and 
resides  in  Holland  Town.-hip;  Charlotte,  who  mar- 
ried W.  15.  Lantz  and  lives  in  the  same  township; 
Mary  C.  who  became  Mrs.  William  Pagan,  of 
Shelbyville;  Martha,  who  married  Silas  Pagan  and 
died    in     Holland    Township;     Douglas,    who    also 


resides    in    that     township;     Newton,  who    lives    in 

the  same  vicinity. 

ihram  Gallagher  received  his  earl j  training  in 
the  district  schools  and  upon  I  he  farm  and  grew 
to  a  vigorous  and  useful  young  manhood.  <  hi 
May  'K  1865, he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Sarah 
Ewing,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Ewing  and  a  native 
of  Fairfield  Count  v.  Ohio,  where  she  was  bereaved 
of  her  parents  and  was  thus  an  orphan  when  she 
made  her  way  to  the  state  of  Illinois.  After  mar- 
riage this  young  couple  made  their  home  where 
they  now  reside,  possessing  at  that  time  some  two 
hundred  acres  of  land  which  they  have  now  in- 
creased by  purchase  to  four  hundred  acres.  Here 
Mr.  Gallagher  is  engaged  quite  largely  in  stock- 
raising,  in  which  line  he  i-  successful. 

Two  children  came  to  bless  the  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gallagher.  They  arc  still  living  and  bear 
the  names  of  Minnie  and  Clement.  The  early 
political  training  of  Mr.  Gallagher  led  him  to 
affiliate  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  heis  now 
independent  ill  his  views  and  casts  his  vote  where 
he  believes  that  it  will  do  the  most  good  for  the 
community.  His  freedom  from  party  ties  does 
not.  however,  deprive  him  of  the  political  support 
of  his  neighbors  and  he  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  as  Supervisor  of  Holland  Township,  and  for- 
merly held  the  Offices  of  Township  Clerk.  Road 
Commissioner, School  Director  and  School  Trustee. 
Ill  religious  matters  he  is  a  believer  in  the  doctrines 
which  are  set   forth  in   the  I  nitarian  Church. 


^*T 


EI*N^' 


s-^s ■IIAPI.ES  E.  WOODWARD,  proprietor  of 
I  -  .  the  C.  E.  Woodward  Poller  Flour  Mill,  is  a 
V_/  well-known  and  honored  citizen  of  Shelby- 
ville, Shelby  County,  with  whose  manufacturing 
interests  he  has  been  connected  several  years,  and 
he  has  also  been  prominent  in  its  public  and  social 
life.  He  was  born  June  12.  1815,  Oil  a  farm  eight 
mill's  from  liordentown.  Monmouth  County,  N.  J. 
His  father,  whose  name  was  Nimrod  Woodward,  was 
a  native  of  the  same  State,  and  was  :i  son  of  Ben- 
jamin Woodward,  who  is  also  supposed  to  have 
been  born  in  New  Jersey,  and    to  have    been    a    dc- 


171 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


scendant  of  one  of  the  early  English  families  of 
that  Commonwealth.  He  was  a  merchant  and  a 
miller  at  Imlaystown,  Monmouth  County,  and 
his  last  years  were  spent  there. 

The  father  of  our  subject  w:is  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  he  had  a  choice  farm  located  on  Cream 
Ridge,  Monmouth  County,  ami  there  he  tranquilly 
passed  a  long  and  useful  life,  dying  in  1870,  at  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years.  The  maiden 
name  of  his  wife  was  Catherine  Emley,  and  she  was 
a  native  of  Burlington  County.  N.  .1.  She  died  in 
the  home  of  her  son.  Clarkson,  at  Hightstown,  X. 
.1.  She  was  the  mother  of  nine  children, — 
Ferdinand.  Charles  E.,  Clarkson,  Elizabeth,  Mary 
A.,  Reading  and  Emily  (twins).  Benjamin  and 
Ximrod.  The  parents  were  pious  and  respected 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  reared  their 
children  in  the  same  faith. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  laid  the  foundation  of  a 
solid  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  subsequently  attended  the  Quaker 
Academy  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  pursued  an 
excellent  course  of  study,  whereby  he  was  fitted 
for  the  profession  of  teaching,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty  he  entered  upon  its  duties  in  his  native 
State.  New  Jersey.  In  1H;!7  he  accepted  a  position  as 
teacher  at  College  Hill,  near  Cincinnati.  Ohio. 
which  he  resigned  a  year  later  to  become  assistant 
teacher  at  Cary's  Academy,  and  two  of  President 
Harrison's  cousins  were  among  his  pupils.  He 
taught  in  that  school  a  year,  and  at  Vincennes, 
Ind.,  a  like  length  of  time,  and  in  the  winter  of 
184(1-41  he  came  to  Shelby  County,  making  the 
journey  with  an  ox-team,  bringing  with  him  his 
wife  and  household  goods,  lie  located  eight  miles 
from  the  village  of  Shelbyvillc  on  a  trad  of  land 
which  he  had  purchased,  a  few  acres  of  which  were 
broken,  taking  up  his  abode  in  the  log  cabin  that 
stood  on  the  place.  In  the  spring  he  entered  upon 
the  pioneer  task  of  developing  his  farm,  but  he 
did  not  wholly  abandon  his  profession,  as  the  two 
succeeding  winters  he  taught  in  Shelbyville  in  a 
log  building  that  had  been  used  as  a  residene. 
there  being  at  that  time  no  schoolhouse  in  the  vil- 
lage. 

After  his  two  terms'  experience  as  a  pioneer 
teacher  in  this  county,  Mr.  Woodward  devoted  his 


time  exclusively  to  the  improvement  of  his  farm 
until  1K4K.  when  he  came  to  Shelby ville,  and  suc- 
ceeded John  Tachett  as  proprietor  of  the  only 
hotel  of  which  the  village  then  boasted.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  bought  a  building,  converted  it 
into  a  hotel,  which  he  managed  one  year,  lie  then 
disposed  of  his  farm  and  established  himself  in  the 
dry-goods  business  at  which  he  was  engaged  until 
he  sold  out  at  a  good  prolil  in    1859. 

In  1861  Air.  Woodward  wasappointed  Postmaster 
by  President  Lincoln  and  had  charge  of  the  post- 
oflice  at  Shelbyville  until  August  18(>2,  when 
Gov.  Yates  appointed  him  Quartermaster  of  the 
Seventy-ninth  Illinois  Regiment.  He  served  in 
that  capacity  very  efficiently  until  the  close  of  the 
war  ami  was  mustered  out  with  his  regiment  June 
12.  1865.  Returning  home  he  resumed  his  duties 
as  Postmaster  which  office  he  retained  until  relieved 
by  Presidenl  Johnson.  After  that  he  was  employed 
as  bookkeeper  in  a  dry-goods  house  until  1868 
when  he  accepted  a  similar  position  in  the  Hour 
mill  of  C.  C.  Scovil.  That  gentleman  dying  a  year 
later,  our  subject  was  appointed  executor  of  his 
estate,  and  with  J.  P.  Davis  and  J.  W.Ward  bought 
the  mill  now  known  as  the  C.  E.  Woodward  Roller 
Mill  of  which  he  has  been  sole  proprietor  since 
1K(>2.  He  carries  on  an  extensive  business,  manu- 
facturing an  unexcelled  brand  of  Hour.  The  mill 
occupies  two  commodious  brick  buildings,  each 
three  stories  in  height,  with  a  basement,  and  furn- 
ished entirely  with  first-class  modern  machinery, 
(he  capacity  of  the  mill  being  one  hundred  and 
twenty-live  barrels  of  Hour  a  day  and  two  hundred 
bands  of  corn-meal. 

That  our  subject  has  been  successful  in  life  is  no 
doubt  partly  due  to  the  fact  that  he  possesses  one 
of  man's  choicest  blessings,  a  good  wife,  whom  lie 
secured  in  the  person  of  Elizabeth  Armstrong,  a 
native  of  Knox  County,  Ind.,  to  whom  he  was  uni- 
ted in  marriage  in  1838.  Thus  for  more  than  half 
a  century  they  have  shared  the  joys  and  sorrows 
common  to  mortals,  and  children  have  been  born 
to  them  of  whom  they  have  six  living,  as  follows, — 
Charles  S..  Belle,  Nimrod.  Emily.  Lelton  and 
Clarence  L. 

During  these  many  years  that  our  subject  has  been 
a  resident  of  Shelbyville    his  citizenship    has  been 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


475 


invaluable  t<>  the  community,  as  through  his  posi- 
tion a*  one  of  it-  enterprising  business  men  he  has 
aided  in  promoting  it-  growth  and  prosperity,  his 
public  spirit  and  liberality  have  helped  to  forward 
all  schemes  to  the  ad vancement  of  itsbest  interests, 
and  he  lias  rendered  good  service  in  the  importanl 
civic  positions  that  he  ha*  held.  He  has  been  Pres- 
ident of  the  City  Council,  and  for  twelve  years  he 
was  President  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  to 
his  zeal  and  interest-in  educational  matters  while 
occupying   that    office    Shelbyvillc  i-    greatly    in- 

debted  to-day  for  the  efficiency  of  it-  scl Is.    Mr. 

Woodward  is  prominent  in  the  social  life  of  the 
city  as  a  member  of  the  following  organizations: 
Jackson  Lodge,  No.  53,  A.  F.  <fe  A.  M.:  Jackson 
Chapter.  No.  55,  R.  A.  M.:  and  of  Cyrus  Hall  Post, 
No.  138,  (•.  A.  R.,of  which  he  i-  I'a-i  (  ommander. 
Asa  true  citizen  should,  he  has  always  taken  an 
interest  in  politics,  and  in  early  life  was  a  Whig, 
but  since  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party, 
he  has  been  one  of  it-  stanchest  supporters  both 
in  times  of  war  and  in  times  of  peace. 


1LLIAM  WIREY.  The  name  noted  is  that 
/  of  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  one  the 
tine  farm-  located  on  section  2.~>.  of  Tower 
Hill  Township.  During  the  seventy-nine  years 
that  he  has  lived  great  changes  have  taken  place 
in  the  calling  to  which  he  has  always  devoted  him- 
self. Greece  could  boast  of  her  temples  and  stat- 
ues, Rome  of  her  laws  and  law-maker-,  lull  it  re- 
mains for  America  to  beat  the  world  at  Yankee 
invention-  that  arc  a  labor  saving  of  incalculable 
degree  to  the  agriculturist.  Whereas  in  h'\>  hoy- 
hood  day-  our  subject  planted  and  hoed  the  corn 
liv  hand,  and  cradled  and  gathered  the  grain  in 
the  same  manner,  now  the  owner  of  a  thousand 
acre-  can  >it  on  the  carriage  -cat  of  hi-  binder, 
arrayed  in  a  white  polished  shirt  and  patent  leather 
boots  and  a  fine  suit  of  clothes  made  to  order,  and 
can  accomplish  as  much  in  a  day  as  was  formerly 
accomplished  in  a  month. 

All  his  life  Mr.  Wirey   ha-  been  engaged   in  the 
energetic  and  industrious  pursuit  of  liiscalling,  bul 


he  has  now  retired  from  active  labor  and  is  enjoy- 
ing the  fruits  of  hi-  early  efforts,  lie  i-  of  Penn- 
sylvania parentage  and  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he 
i-  thoroughly  American.  Our  subject's  father  was 
John  Wirey,  who  was  probably  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, as  was  hi.-  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Elizabeth  Spidle.  After  marriage  they  first  settled 
in  Franklin  County,  Pa.,  and  afterward  removed 
to  Westmoreland  County,  in  the  same  Mate,  there 
the  father  died.  Left  with  the  care  of  a  family . 
the  mother  determined  to  seek  easier  conditions 
under  which  to  make  a  living,  and  removed  from 
the  hilly  country  where  -he  had  lived  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  the  more  fertile  region  in  Richland 
County,  Ohio.  Later,  however,  -he  with  her  chil- 
dren came  to  Shelby  County,  this  state,  and  in 
1839  located  on  Robinson  Creek,  in  Rose  Town- 
ship. There  the  family  lived  and  labored  together 
for  -ix  years  at  the  end  of  which  time  they  removed 
to  Tower  Hill  Township,  and  there  the  mother 
died,  after  a  life  -pent  in  self-sacrifice  and  loving 
devotion  to  her  family.  Herdecease  took  place  on 
section  34,  and  -he  wa-  interred  with  all  re-pect 
and  honor  in  God's  acre  of  the  township.  Our 
subject's  parent-  were  not  exactly  in  the  fashion 
for  pioneer  days,  for  instead  of  having  a  family 
the  number  of  whose  children  wa-  counted  in  the 
teens,  only  four  little  ones  came  to  lie  the  mother's 
comfort  and  stay  in  her  time  of  tribulation  and 
bereavement.  Their  name-  are  Catherine.  Polly, 
William  and  John.  Of  these  our  subject  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth,  being  the  eldest  son.  He 
was  born  in  Franklin  County.  Pa..  September  12. 
1812.  during  that  troubled  period  when  it  was  de- 
cisively -ettled  who -hould  have  supremacy  in  this 
country.  He  was  reared  in  the  village  until  he  was 
fifteen  year-  of  age  after  which  time  he  went  to 
live  with  a  man  l>\  the  name  of  John  Kinneard,  of 
hi-  native  place,  and  he  remained  with  him  until 
of  age  when  he  went  to  Ohio,  and  from  1838  to 
1839  inclusive,  he  made  hi-  home  in  Richland 
County,  of  that  state.  At  the  latter  named  date 
he  came  to  Shelby  County,  in  this  State,  and  with 
his  mother  and  family  resided  on  Robinson  Creek. 
Rose  Township,  until aboirt  1845,  when  he  came  to 
Tower  Hill  Town-hip.  of  which  place  he  has  ever 
since  been  a  resident. 


17(1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Mr.  Wirey,  as  has  before  been  said,  has  always 
Iiitii  engaged  in  the  calling  of  agriculture.  For- 
merly he  was  the  owuer  of  two  hundredacres  of  as 
fine  land  :i-  there  is  in  Tower  Hill  Township,  and 
the  greater  portion  of  his  life  was  spent  in  improv- 
ing this  tract  and  making  of  it  a  farm  that  is  a 
model  in  its  way.  This  lie  sold  when  well  advanced 
in  vears  and  n-  w  Lives  retired  from  the  active 
duties  of  life.  Our  subject  lias  filled  several  local 
offices  in  the  gift  of  the  township,  and  has  been 
Assessor  of  Tower  Hill  Township  for  one  year.  In 
his  political  preferences  he  is  a  Democrat. 

— *--  -38-     ■*— 

YRUS  WEAKLY.  A  young  and  prog- 
ressive man  who  lias  already  attained  a  flat- 
L  J  tering  degree  of  success  and  whose  friends 
predict  for  him  a  brilliant  future,  is  he  whose  name 
is  written  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  lie  is  a  far- 
mer and  stock-raiser,  operating  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  located  on  section  17.  Pickaway  Town- 
ship. At  this  place  he  settled  in  December,  1887. 
Not  yet  having  readied  his  third  decade,  lie  has  al- 
ready accumulated  a  handsome  property  that  many 
an  older  man  has  striven  and  labored  in  vain  for 
years  to  acquire.  lie  is  one  of  the  most  thrifty 
men  of  the  township  where  he  has  lived  since  his 
fourth  year,  lie  was  bora  in  Ridge  Township,  this 
county.  April  19,  1866. 

Since  his  fourth  year  our  subject  has  lived  in 
Pickaway  Township,  where  he  acquired  a  good 
common-school  education  that  fitted  him  for  the 
practical  business  of  life,  and  since  becoming  of  age 
he  ha~  been  engaged  in  farming  on  his  father-in- 
law's  land,  lie  is  the  son  of  Aha  P.  and  Mary 
A.  (Miller)  Weakly,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Ill- 
inois respectively.  Our  subject's  father  came  with 
his  parents,  Samuel  and  Maria  (Fetters)  Weakly, 
to  tins  State  and  county  at  an  early  day.  They 
became  pioneers  in  Ridge  Township,  this  county, 
and  there  Samuel  Weakly  became  the  owner  of  a 
hum'  tract  of  new  land,  which  he  improved.  He 
lived  to  own  six  hundred  acres  of  land,  nearly  all 
of  which  was  well  improved,  and  when  he  died  in 
1890,  at    the  age  of  seventy-five,  he  was  in  more 


than  comfortable  financial  circumstances.  He 
was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  died  in  the 
prime  of  life.  January  10,  1*(>2.  He  was  an 
active  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church 
and  Mr.  Weakly  helped  to  organize  the  church  in 
this  county  and  at  various  times  held  most  of  the 
church  offices.  He  was  School  Superintendent  for 
years,  a  public-spirited  man  and  a  liberal  giver. 
Formerly  he  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
views,  but  in  his  last  years  became  an  adherent  of 
the  Greenback  party,  and  finally  of  the  Prohibi- 
tionists. His  last  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Raehael  A.  Schafer,  and  who  had  formerly  been  mar- 
ried to  a  Mr.  Petty,  yet  survives  him.  She  is  now 
fifty  years  of  age.  She  bore  Mr.  Weakly  one 
child,  who  is  now  deceased.  The  father  of  our 
subject,  Aha  1'.  Weakly  was  the  second  of  four 
son-  and  six  daughters.  All  are  now  married  and 
have  families  with  the  exception  of  one. 

Alva  1'.  Weakly  became  of  age  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship, and  there  married  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Mary  A.  Miller,  a  native  of  that  town- 
ship and  a  daughter  of  C.  P.  Miller,  an  old  settler 
there.  For  a  further  history  of  C.  P.  Miller's  life 
refer  to  sketch  of  W.  C.  Miller,  found  in  another 
part  of  this  volume.  After  marriage  the  young 
couple  began  life  as  fanners  in  Ridge  Township 
and  there  two  children  were  born  to  them.  They 
then  moved  into  Pickaway  Township  and  now 
have  a  tine  and  well-improved  farm  of  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty-live  acres,  which  has  been  their 
home  since  L870.  This  fine  place  is  the  tangible 
result  of  years  of  industry,  prudence  and  thrift. 
In  their  church  relations  they  are  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which  Mr. 
Weakly  is  a  Trustee.  For  years  he  was  Superin 
tendent  of  the  Sunday-school  and  Class-Leader. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  various 
local  offices  under  his  party.  He  is  now  Justice  of 
the  Peace. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  born  to 
his  parents,  seven  children  in  all.  of  whom  there 
are  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  lie  of  whom  we 
write  was  married  in  this  township  May  1.  1H#7. 
to  Miss  Clara  A.  Moll.  She  was  born  here  on  the 
old  Moll  homestead.  January  X.  liS67,  and  was  here 
reared  and  educated   at    Westfield    Seminary.     She 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


is  the   daughter  of  Daniel  Moll,  of  whom  :i  sketch 
may  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  volume. 

Mrs.  Weakly  is  an  accomplished  and  attractive 
lady.  She  and  her  husband  are  very  popular 
among  the  young  married  people  and  their  home 
is  a  delightful  meeting-place  for  the  gaiety  and  so- 
cial life  of  the  community.  Their  marriage  lias 
been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  adaughter,on  the  16th 
uf  April.  1888.  She  is  a  bright  girl  and  is  the  de- 
light of  her  parents.  The  young  husband  and  wife 
are  members  uf  the  Locust  Grove  United  Brethren 
Church  and  there  do  efficient  work.  .Mr.  Weakly 
is  a  Republican  in  his  political  preference. 


EE^lHEEf* 


\        WILLIAM   11.  FAGEN,  the  gentleman  whose 

\  /  name  is  at,  the  head  of  this  sketch,  is  the 
'"  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Stewardson 
Clipper,  and  is  a  man  of  recognized  intellectual 
and  literary  ability,  besides  having  a  keen  busi- 
ness instinct  and  tact,  that  have  done  much  to 
build  up  a  reputation  for  his  organ  in  the  town. 
Mr.  Fagen  is  versatile  in  his  turn  of  mind,  having 
been  engaged  successfully  in  several  different  kinds 
of  business.  He  is  of  Irish  ancestry  and  is  noted 
among  his  confreres  for  the  wit  and  geniality  com- 
mon lo  the  Irish  race. 

The  original  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Shelby 
County,  near  the  county  seat.  April  21.  1861.  He 
is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Sherlock)  Fa- 
gen, both  natives  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  the 
United  States  in  early  life,  meeting  and  marrying 
in  Shelby  County.  He  of  whom  we  write  was 
born  on  a  farm  but  was  reared  in  Shelbyville, 
where  he  received  his  education.  When  about 
seventeen  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Shelbyville 
Democrat,  filling  the  humble  position  of  office  buy. 
or  what  is  commonly  known  in  the  printing  fra- 
ternity, as  ■•printers'  devil."  He  remained  in  this 
office  for  six  years  during  which  time  he  was  ad- 
vanced to  the  position  of  foreman  of  the  office. 
He  then  engaged  in  a  restaurant  and  grocery  busi- 
ness at  Shelbyville.  Later  he  went  to  Cowden 
where  he  clerked  in  a  store.  In  18M7.  he  came  to 
Stewardson  and    founded  the    Clipper,  a  live  col- 


umn quarto  sheet,  published    weekly,  and  devoted 
to  the    interests,   both    social    and   commercial,  of 

Stewardson  and  vicinity.     The  paper  is  neutral  in 
politics. 

Our  subject's  mother  died  at  Shelbyville,  Oc- 
tober 2.  1888.  The  father  still  resides  at  Shelby- 
ville. The  family  was  composed  of  five  children, 
who  are  Mary,  John,  Andrew,  and  Michael, besides 
our  subject.  Mary  is  now  the  wife  of  David 
Burkhart.  They  are  all  residents  of  Shelby  County. 
Mr.  Fagen  has  eschewed  the  estate  of  a  benedict, 
never  having  married.,  therefore  his  biographical 
sketch  is  not  so  lengthy  as  is  that  of  many  of  our 
subjects  whose  careers  are  chronicled  in  this  Recokd, 
because  their  history  is  largely  that  of  the  domestic 
life.  Doubtless  he  of  whom  we  write  has  had  his 
romance,  few,  if  any  there  arc.  who  have  lived  past 
years  of  maturity,  who  have  not.  The  original  of 
our  sketch  is  a  Roman  Catholic  in  his  religious  be- 
lief and  training,  being  a  devout  member  and  gen- 
erous supporter  of  the  same.  For  one  year  he  held 
the  position  as  Marshal  of  the  village  of  Steward- 
son,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  the  position  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 


OHN  R.  .MARTIN,  proprietor  of  the  Fast 
Nelson  Tile  Works,  which  are  located  on 
section  21,  was  born  in  Sussex  County, 
England,  August  26,  1854.  When  only 
eleven  years  old  he  left  his  native  home  and  came 
to  America,  reaching  New  York  in  1866,  and  at 
once  coming  on  lo  the  Prairie  State,  locating  tem- 
porarily in  Griggsville,  Pike  County,  and  then  en- 
tering a  brickyard  at  Pana.  thisState.  lie  had  had 
some  experience  in  thislineof  work  before  leav- 
ing England,  and  has  continued  in  it  since  coming 
to  this  country. 

In  the  spring  of  1*72.  Mr.  Martin  came  to  Moul- 
trie County  and  with  his  father  establishing  his 
brick  works,  began  the  manufacture  of  tile  late  in 
the  spring  of  1876,  and  since  that  season  has  given 
his  attention  chiclh  to  thai  department  of  the  bus- 
iness.     He   has  also   engaged    in    agricultural  pur- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


suits,  a-  he  operates  about  three  hundred  acres  of 
land  besides  giving  the  necessary  attention  to  his 
tile  works.  He  manufactures  large  quantities  of 
tile  and  finds  his  market  near  home  in  Moultrie 
and  Coles  Counties.  He  has  n  thorough  under- 
standing of  the  necessities  of  his  work  and  keeps 
everything  in  the  first-class  condition,  being  a 
thorough  business  man  and  one  who  allows  noth- 
ing to  go  by  default. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject,  which  took  place  in 
East  Nelson  Township,  December  11.  1878,  united 
him  with  Miss  Maggie  J.  Stewart,  who  was  bora 
near  Philadelphia,  November  .">.  I860.  To  her 
have  been  granted  five  children  who  are  as  fol- 
lows: George  P.,  SSarah  •■..  Hattie  C,  Fanny  E. 
and  Matilda  M.  All  have  been  spared  to  their  pa- 
rent- with  the  exception  of  Fanny,  who  died  at 
the  tender  age  of  three  years  and  eight  months. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  the  late  John  S.  Mar- 
tin, was  bora  in  .Mayliehl.  Sussex,  England,  and 
his  mi  it  her.  Fanny  J.  Y  idler,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
-hire.  They  came  to  America  in  1866,  and  it  was 
the  father  who  established  the  brick  and  tile  works 
which  are  now  operated  by  the  subject  of  our 
sketch.  His  death,  which  occurred  in  October, 
188(1,  was  very  distressing  in  it-  circumstances,  as 
it  was  caused  by  his  being  caughl  in  the  cogwheels 

of  a  tile  machine.    He  had  hut  two  children lohn 

R.  and  Samuel  and  the  latter  i-  now  deceased. 


^[]^>0 


[CHAEL  SNYDER,  Jk„  a  resident  of 
Moweaqua,  though  not  now  actively  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits,  i-  identi- 
fied with  the  great  farming  interests  of 
this  county  as  the  proprietor  of  a  well  improved 
farm,  located  in  Flat  Branch  Township,  from  the 
rental  of  which  he  derives  a  comfortable  income. 
lie  is  a  native-born  citizen  of  this  state,  the  oldest 
son  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Kautz)  Schneider, 
who  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Sangamon 
County,  and  there  in  their  primitive  pioneer  home 
lie  first  saw  the  light  of  day  October  23,  1834. 
When  he  was  two  years  old.  hi-  parents  removed 
to  Christian  County,  and  settled  near  the  line  be- 


tween the  county  and  this  close  to  the  present  site 
of  the  village  of  Moweaqua,  which,  like  the  sur- 
rounding country  at  that  time,  was  >till  wild  land 
owned  by  the  Government,  lie  attended  the  first 
schools  ever  taught  in  this  section,  which  was  con- 
ducted in  a  log  house,  and  provided  with  furniture 
of  the  most  primitive  sort,  fashioned  by  hand,  the 
seats  being  made  by  splitting  logs,  hewing  one 
side  smooth,  and  inserting  wooden  pins  for  legs, 
there  being  no  desk-  or  hacks  to  the  seats.  A  log 
wa-  taken  out  the  entire  length  of  the  building, 
and  glass  wa-  inserted  in  the  aperture  thus  made 
to  admit  the  light.  Holes  were  bored  in  the  log 
underneath  the  window,  pins  were  inserted,  and 
a  hoard  laid  on  them  served  as  a  desk  for  the 
larger  scholars  to  write  upon.  In  those  early  days 
of  the  settlement  of  the  county,  deer,  wolves  and 
wild  turkeys  were  plentiful,  and  game  often  fur- 
nished an  agreeable  addition  to  the  scanty  fare  of 
the  pioneers. 

Mr.  Snyder  was  reared  to  habits  of  industry,  and 
commenced  very  early  to  help  on  the  farm,  thus 
acquiring  a  thorough  knowledge  of  agriculture 
that  was  of  great  use  to  him  when  he  entered  upon 
his  independent  career  as  a  farmer,  lie  lived  with 
hi-  parents  until  he  married  and  established  a  home 
of  his  own  on  a  farm  that  belonged  to  his  father 
that  was  situated  six  mile-  east  of  Taylorville. 
Seven  years  later  he  removed  from  there  to  As- 
sumption, where  he  was  assistant  in  a  lumberyard 
for  two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came 
in  Moweaqua,  lived  a  while  in  the  city,  and  then 
settledon  his  farm  in  Flat  Branch  Township.  In 
tin-  \ear-  that  ensued,  he  busied  himself  in  it-  im- 
provement, and  hail  brought  it  to  a  good  condi- 
tion when  he  rented  it  in  1881,  and  retired  to 
Moweaqua.  The  farm  is  still  in  his  possession,  and 
contains  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  fertile 
land,  the  greater  portion  of  which  is  well  improved 
and  is  well  supplied  with  necessary  buildings  and 
machinery. 

Mr.  Snyder  was  first  married  in  1857  to  Miss 
Fiances  Malone,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  Malone.  she  departed  this  life  in 
lsHiT.  after  a  happy  wedded  life  of  ten  years,  leav- 
ing one  child.  Albert.  Mr.  Snyder  was  again 
married    in    1871.    taking   a-    his    wife    Miss    Ellen 


W.    F.    LOGAN 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BloMJAPHKAL    RECORD. 


181 


Annette  Deffenbacher,  a  native  of  Decatur,  111.. 
Mini  a  daughter  of  Scibold  Mini  Mary  .1.  Deffen- 
bacher. Her  pleasant  union  with  our  subject  has 
brought  them  these  four  daughters: — Margaret.  Mm 
.1..  Lucy  E.  and  Evelina. 

Politically,  Mr.  Snyder  is  a  Republican.  Hi-  has 
always  taken  an  interest  in  educational  matters! 
and  has  been  Motive  in  securing  to  the  youth  of  his 
township  good  advantages  as  to  schooling  while 
serving  as  School  Director  ami  Trustee,  and  lie  has 
always  shown  himself  willing  to  advance  the  wel- 
fare lit"  the  community  in  whatsoever  direction  he 
ecu  Id. 


^ 


EP^~ 


ILLIAM  F.  LOGAN,  one  of  the  promin- 
ent business  men  of  Marrowbone  Town- 
Vv  ship.  Moultrie  Comity,  has  extensive  con- 
nections in  Sullivan.  Dalton  City,  Etna,  Greenup, 
Mount  Zion, Coles  and  Hervey  City,  in  all  of  which 
lie  deals  in  farm  machinery  and  also,  at  some  points, 
buys  and  >ells  grain.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
county  since  1876  and  is  a  native  of  the  adjoining 
county  of  Shelby  where  he  first  saw  the  light  June 
2-1.  1859. 

William  R.  and  Susan  (.Martini  Logan,  the  par- 
ents of  our  subject  were  born  in  Kentucky,  and 
Benjamin  F.  Logan,  the  grandfather,  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  in  shelly  County,  where  lie  was  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  from  the  time  the  county  was 
organized  until  he  became  too  old  to  officiate.  He 
was  a  descendant  of  the  same  stock  from  which 
Gen.  John  A.  Logan  sprang,  and  the  family  is 
justly  proud  of  the  patriotic  record  of  that  distin- 
guished kinsman. 

William  EL  Logan  was  married  in  Shelby  County 
Mild  lived  there  through  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
working  at  his  trade  as  a  carpenter.  His  excellent 
wife  alBO  remained  there  until  her  death.  Two 
only  of  their  family  of  five  grew  to  manhood, 
namely,  our  subject  and  John  A.,  who  i-  now  a 
clerk  in  a  wholesale  house  in  Sedalia,  Mo.  The 
death  of  the  parents  occurred  while  they  were  still 
in  the  prime  of  life,  and  William  was  only  about 
three  years  old  when  he  was  left   an    orphan.      An 


uncle,  i..  W.  Logan,  cared  for  the  child  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twelve  years  when  he  determined 
to  "paddle  hi-  own  canoe"  and  work  hi-  way  up 
stream  no  matter  what  obstacles  were  in  his  way. 
lioing  with  hi-  uncle  1'.  A.  Logan  to  Sedalia,  Mo., 
In  worked  on  a  farm  U<v  three  years,  aftei  which 
he  returned  to  Windsor,  and  served  as  a  farm  hand 
through  the  summer,  attending  school  in  the 
winter.  Mini  completing  hi.-  education  in  a  select 
school  Mt  Bethany.  After  this  he  taught  school 
for  two  years  and  then  began  work  on  a  farm 
which  he  had  rented. 

It  was  in  August,  1887,  that  Mr.  Logan  first  en- 
gaged in  the  implement  business  Mt  Bethany  and 
finding  the  outlook  favorable  he  gradually  in- 
creased his  -lock  until  it  has  reached  its  present 
magnitude.  Like  many  another  successful  man  he 
began  business  with  very  little  money,  being 
obliged  to  use  borrowed  capital,  but  he  is.  in  the 
common  parlance  of  the  day  a  "hustler",  always 
busy  Mini  attending  strictly  to  business  to  the 
management  of  which  he  seems  to  be  peculiarly 
well  adapted,  lie  is  never  neglectful  of  the  in- 
terests of  m  customer  nor  willing  to  be  idle  if  there 
i>  mii  opportunity  for  effort. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  twice  united 
in  the  I  Kinds  of  marriage.  In  1881  he  took  to  wife 
I!.  Eva  C  lowder,  a  daughter  of  David  M.  Crowder. 
She  was  horn  in  Moultrie  County  in  l*o'l  and 
after  a  brief  married  life  -he  passed  from  earth  in 
April,  1890,  leaving  her  husband  and  three  beauti- 
ful children —  lie— ie.  Daisy,  and  David — to  mourn 
her  loss.  Tin-  second  marriage  of  our  subject  took 
place  January  1.  1891  and  he  was  then  united 
with  Lennie  Meyer,  a  uative  of  Moultrie  County 
and  a  daughter  of  Henry  Meyer. 

Mr.  Logan  i>  a  Republican  in  his  political  views, 
but  not  in  any  >ense  a  politiciau,  yet  In  is  always 
sufficiently  interested  in  political  movements  and 
thoroughly  conscientious  in  regard  to  casting  his 
ballot  according  to  what  he  believes  to  be  the  right. 
In  religious  matters  he  has  been  for  a  long  while 
connected  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  where  he  Mini  his  wife  are  active  in  the 
various  works  of  the  church,  lb-  gives  employ- 
ment to  m  force  ot  from  fifteen  to  twenty  men  at 
Bethanv.  as  he  has  a   multifarious  business  com- 


482 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


prising  not  only  his  implement  warehouse,  hut  also 
a  harness  shop  and  carriage  salesroom.  Resides 
this  he  is  engaged  in  drilling  wells  and  erecting 
wind  mills.  He  lias  several  men  also  at  his  other 
points  of  business. 

A  portrait  of  Mr.  Logan  accompanies  this  sketch. 


yEV.  JASPER  LEWIS  DOUTHLT.  Here  we 
have  another  of  those  ■'high-minded  men" 
V  who  constitute  the  real  strength  of  a  State. 
A  native  prophet,  sure  to  have  had  his  share 
of  the  usual  buffetings,  a  zealous  missionary  in  the 
home  field,  one  early  inured  to  poverty  and  toil, 
who  has  never  faltered  in  the  onward,  upward 
course,  never  flinched  from  his  task  of  battling  for 
the  right,  without  his  name  no  list  of  the  worthies 
of  Southern  Illinois  would  lie  complete.  As  a 
'•Unitarian  Oberlin,"  his  story  has  been  briefly 
told  in  a  small  pamphlet  published  in  Boston,  from 
whose  pages  mainly  have  been  gathered  the  fol- 
lowing fact  s.- 
Jasper  L.,  son  of  Andrew  E.  and  Mary  Ann 
(Jordan)  Douthit,  was  horn  in  Shelby  County. 
about  four  miles  east  of  Shelby  ville,  October  10, 
1834.  His  great-grandfather,  Evan  Douthit,  a 
''Hard-shell"  Baptist  minister,  of  Welsh -Scotch  an- 
cestry, emigrated  with  his  family  from  North  Caro- 
lina to  Tennessee,  and  thence,  about  1830,  to  this 
county,  where  he  was  a  pioneer  settler  and  preacher. 
Two  or  three  years  later,  accompanied  by  a  num- 
ber of  his  descendants,  like  the  patriarch  of  old, 
he  again  journeyed  in  search  of  a  new  home,  find- 
ing at  length  a  permanent  abiding  place  in  that 
part  of  Mexico  which  is  now  Texas.  There  con- 
tinuing his  pulpit  labors  even  when  so  old  and 
feeble  that  he  must  needs  lie  supported  by  a  man 
standing  on  each  side  of  hiin  as  he  spoke,  he  lived 
to  be  more  than  eighty  years  old.  His  wife  long 
surviving  him  attained  the  remarkable  age  of  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  years. 

Andrew  E.,  grandson  of  the  above  named,  and 
son  of  John  1).  and  Elizabeth  (Ellis)  Douthit.  both 
members  of  the  "Hard-shell"  Baptist  Church,  was 
born  in  Tennessee.     He  came  with    his  father  and 


grandfather  to  Shelby  County,  111.  The  Douthits 
entered  Government  land  and  also  bought  a  tract 
of  Francis  Jordan,  an  early  pioneer  of  Shelby 
County.  Members  of  the  Douthit  and  Jordan 
families  in  Texas  took  part  in  the  war  which  se- 
cured the  independence  of  that  State. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a  daughter  of 
Francis  Jordan.  She  was  born  at  a  fort  in  Frank- 
lin County  built  for  protection  against  the  Indians. 
Early  left  motherless,  busied  with  housework,  and 
living  in  the  backwoods  where  educational  advan- 
tages were  of  the  slightest,  she  nevertheless  taught 
herself  to  read  and  write.  A  woman  frail  of  body, 
but  of  strong  conviction,  being  accustomed  to 
think  for  herself,  she  did  not  hesitate  to  denounce 
the  evils  of  slavery  and  intemperance  at  a  time 
when  tin-  popular  opinion  of  the  neighborhood 
was  decidedly  on  tin-  Other  side  of  these  great 
questions.  Her  religious  views,  as  they  were  grad- 
ually developed,  growing  with  her  growth,  and  as 
silently,  were  of  the  liberal  Christian  type,  and 
were  such  as  enabled  her  with  cheerful  courage 
and  a  beautiful  devotion  to  duty,  to  perform  the 
labors  and  endure  the  trials  of  a  life  of  constanl 
toil  and  care. 

With  the  exception  of  a  short  stay  in  Texas,  his 
father  and  grandfather  having  been  induced  to 
join  their  kindred  in  that  State  in  1*4:1,  remaining 
however  through  one  cotton  harvest,  the  youth  of 
our  subject  was  passed  in  active  labors  on  the 
home  farm  in  this  county,  with  but  scant  oppor- 
tunity for  schooling  or  even  for  home  study.  The 
family  Bible  was  his  first  reading  book.  Other 
well  conned  volumes  were  Robinson  Crusoe.  Life 
of  David  Crockett.  Weem's  Life  of  Marion,  and 
Grimshaw's  History  of  the  United  States.  He  early 
set  his  heart  on  becoming  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 
Such  was  his  thirst  for  learning,  and  the  inability 
or  unwillingness  of  his  father  to  indulge  him  in 
this  direction,  that  he  left  home  and  let  himself  to 
work  as  a  day  laborer  with  the  shovel  on  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railway  to  earn  money  to  defray  his 
expenses  at  a  boarding-school.  4' wo  joyful  years 
weic  now  spent  by  1 1 i in  at  Shelby  Seminary,  where 
he  paid  his  way  partly  by  teaching,  partly  by 
building  fires,  sweeping  and  other  work.  Uniting 
with  the   .Methodist    Church,    though    without    en- 


PORTRAIT  AND  15K  HiRAPHIC  AL    RECORD. 


4S3 


dorsing  all  the  articles  of  faith,  he  was  offered  a 
license  to  preach.  This  he  declined.  Next  en- 
rolled as  a  student  at  Wabash  College,  Crawfords- 
ville.  Ind..  he  continued  living  on  frugal  fare  and 
doing  janitor's  work  until  he  fell  sick  and  un- 
forced to  go  home. 

A  brief  business  experience  in  a  hook  and  drug 
store,  culminating  in  a  failure  with  the  financial 
flurry  of  1857,  marriage  in  the  meantime  with 
Miss  Emily  Lovell,  of  East  Abington,  Mass.,  and  a 
period  of  school  teaching  for  both,  were  what  the 
next  few  years  brought  to  his  life. 

In  1858  came  a  new  departure.  Mr.  Douthit 
felt  that  he  must  go  forth  to  seek  a  wider  field  of 
action:  he  was  led  to  seek  a  position  in  the  Boston 
office  of  Fowler  it  Wells,  famous  phrenologists  and 
publishers.  He  was  soon  employed  as  a  lecturer 
on  phrenology  and  hygiene.  Traveling  in  this 
capacity  in  Massachusetts,  he  met  many  Abolition- 
ists hut  failed  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  any 
Unitarians.  The  anti-slavery  sermons  and  ad- 
dresses of  James  Freeman  Clark  and  Theodore 
Parker  were  read  by  him  with   exceeding    interest. 

The  following  year  found  our  subject  again  in 
Illinois  living  with  hi?  family  on  a  farm  in  Shelby 
County.  I Ii>  first  vote  for  President  had  been 
cast  in  1856  for  .lame-  Buchanan.  In  the  winter 
of  1*61  he  became  associate  editor  of  the  Shelby 
Freeman,  the  first  paper  in  thi>  part  of  the  Mate 
to  stand  for  "  Free  soil,  free  labor  and  freespeech." 
Accepting  the  appointment  of  Government  en- 
rolling officer,  at  a  time  when  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Circle  and  others  were  bent  on  forcible  re- 
sistance to  the  draft,  his  life  was  often  in  no  little 
danger.  Several  shots  were  one  night  fired 
through  the  open  doors  of  his  home.  None  the 
less  did  he  discharge  his  patriotic  duties  without 
tl  inching. 

The  voice  within  still  prompted  our  subject  to 
preach  the  Gospel  on  the  lines  of  the  larger  hope. 
To  his  wife  came  the  happy  thought  that  his  words 
might  he  acceptable  in  Unitarian  pulpits.  At  the 
Miirirestion  of  Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson, 
Robert  Collyer  was  appealed  to  for  advice.  His 
response  was  a  cordial  invitation  to  come  to  the 
Unitarian  Conference  soon  to  he  held  at  Detroit. 
Thither  he  went    and    was   there    ordained    to   the 


Christian  ministry  June  22,  1862,  Revs.  Robert 
Collyer.  Dr.  George  W.  Hosmer,  Charles  G.  Ames 
and  others  taking  part  in  the  services.  In  school- 
houses,  dwelling-houses  and  groves  of  Shelby  and 
adjoining  counties,  people  came  together  to  "hear 
Jasper  preach."  Feeling  the  need  of  better  equip- 
ment for  his  work,  he  was  enabled  through  the 
kindness  of  friend-  living  at  a  distance,  who  had 
heard  of  his  zealous  and  effective  itineracy,  to  take 
a  three  year's  course  at  the  Meadville  Theological 
."school  ( Unitarian  ).  where  he  was  graduated  in 
June.  1867.  Since  that  date,  with  the  exception 
of  a  brief  term  of  preaching  at  Pi  inceton.  111.,  his 
ministry  has  been  confined  to  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages of  his  native  prairies,  mostly  within  the 
familiar  haunt-  of  his  boyhood.  At  the  "Log 
Church"  east  of  Shelbyville,  he  preached  to  a  con- 
gregation of  woodchoppers  and  their  families, re- 
ceiving for  his  lir-t  year's  work  a  big  jug  of  mo- 
lasses, given  by  a  pour  foreigner.  The  next  year 
the  contributions  amounted  to  about  $10.  Mrs. 
Douthit  taught  a  subscription  school  to  eke  out  a 
support  for  the  family.  The  Sunda\ -school  ses- 
sions were  sometimes  disturbed  by  people  angered 
at  the  speaker  on  account  of  his  advocacy  of  tem- 
perance. The  first  Christmas  tree  in  Shelby  County 
was  -et  up  in  the  "  Log  Church."  And  there  it  is 
said,  was  sung,  probably  for  the  first  time  in  thi- 
county.  the  hymn.  "  Nearer  in\  God  to  Thee." 

Mr.  Douthit  was  instrumental  in  organizing  a 
church  at  Salem,  now  Oak  Grove,  where  a  house  of 
worship  was  built  for  the  joint  use  of  the  Camp- 
bellites  and  the  liberal  Christians.  Elder  John 
Ellis,  of  the  former  sect,  being  an  efficient  helper: 
Unity  Church  at  Matoon,  and  a  Christian  Union 
Church  near  Mode.  Our  missionary  began  regular 
preaching  at  Shelbyville,  in  the  old  court-house, 
February    15,    1874.     A  Sunday-school   was    soon 

started,  1 ks  for  a   library   being   received    from 

Dr.  .lames  Freeman  Clarke's  church  in  Boston. 
In  May  thirteen  people  signed  a  statement  pro- 
fessing "faith  in  Jesus  (  lni>t  as  the  son  of  God 
and  the  Savior  of  men."  and  acknowledged  the 
Ilihle  as  the  divinely  authorized  rule  of  faith  and 
practice.  In  November  a  church  of  twenty-one 
members  was  fully  organized,  lion.  George  Par- 
tridge, of  St.  Louis, offered  thegifl  <>f  *; toward 


Is  I 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI    '.iRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


building  :i  house  of  worship.  This  encouraged 
tlic  people  to  contribute  liberally  of  their  humble 
means  to  the  same  end.  Orthodox  ministers  united 
with  the  literal  in  the  services  at  the  laying  of  the 
cornerstone,  November  21,  1875.  As  the  result 
of  ;i  protracted  series  of  evening  meetings  held  in 
February  and  March,  1876,  by  Mr.  Douthit,  with 
the  help  of  the  good  Elder  Ellis,  the  church  roll 
\\:is  increased  to  nearly  one  hundred  members. 
The  nth  of  May  saw  the  new  house  completed  and 
dedicated,  Dr.  Clarke,  of  Boston,  preached  the  ded- 
ication sermon  tin  the  morning  and  Dr.  Eliot,  of 
St.  Louis,  preached  in  the  evening,  when  Mr. 
Douthit  was  installed  as  pastor.  The  building  was 
made  to  accommodate  about  four  hundred  persons, 
and  the  church  and  Sunday-school  has  since  wit- 
nessed to  a  healthy  growth  and  unabated  interest 
in  its  Christian  faith  and  life. 

In  October,  1*70.  Robert  Collyer  wrote  to  the 
Christian  Register,  "  I  can  hardly  tell  how  much 
good  Mr.  Douthit  has  done  in  that  region.  It  is 
simply  wonderful.  He  has  wrought  with  such  a 
manful  and  Christian  valor  as  to  win  his  way, 
where  any  other  man.  one  thinks,  must  have  failed. 
It  is  worth  my  while."  he  adds.  ••  to  say  that  his 
best  helper  and  Lnspirer,  after  God,  is  his  wife." 
Elder  John  Ellis,  writing  in  1876,  reports  "  Brother 
Douthit  as  having  exceeded  beyond  his  expecta- 
tions," andadds:  "He  is  a  Channing  Unitarian  and 
>ails  under  that  banner,  and  yet  is  what  1  would 
call  a  real,  out-and-out  old-fashioned.  Orthodox. 
Evangelical,  Congregational,  progressive,  liberal 
Christian." 

A  sketch  of  Mr.  Douthit  in  the  memorial  volume 
of  Shelby  Seminary,  by  lion.  George  R.  Wendling, 
contains  these  words  of  high  appreciation:  ■•  I 
will  testify  everywhere  that  his  whole  life-work 
and  example  in  this  county  has  been  an  evangel  of 
peace,  temperance  and  purity." 

In  1880 Mr.  Douthit  began  the  publication  of  a 
paper.  Our  Best  Words,  a  brave  exponent  of  Chris- 
tian truth  and  practical  righteousness,  which  grew 
to  he  a  welcome  visitor  in  many  homes.  The  pros- 
pectus for  the  new  series  began  in  March.  1888,  is 
an  admirable  declaration  of  lofty  principles,  worthy 
to  be  quoted  in  full,  did  space  permit.  In  its  com- 
mendable endeavor  •'  to  translate   the  dialect  of    a 


scholaristic,  thought-burdened  Unitarianism  into 
the  every-day  language  of  the  common  people," 
Our  Best  Words  stood  without  a  rival  in  the  West 
or  in  the  East.  Having  dropped  its  denomina- 
tional character  the  paper  is  now  continued  as  a 
weekly,  "independent  in  all  things  and  neutral  in 
nothing  that  concerns  human  welfare."  It  earn- 
estly advocates  the  principles  of  prohibition  to  the 
liquor  traffic  and  favors  the  work  of  the  Woman's 
Chrsitian  Temperance  Union  and  the  Farmers' 
Mutual  Benefit  Association. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Douthit  are  Helen 
Maud,  married  to  Joseph  Garis;  George  L.,  Robert 
Collyer  and  Winifred.  Robert  C.  following  the 
footstep.-  of  his  father,  is  now  (  1891  ),  a  student  at 
Meadville  Theological  School. 


* 


OHN  B.  ILLICK,  a  prominent  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  making  his  home  on  section  33, 
Oconee  Township.  Shelby  County,  was  born 
in  Seneca  County.  X.  Y..  in  1IS34.  He  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Young)  Illick.  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  Pennsylvania.  In  their 
family  were  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  the  two 
youngest  passed  away  at  an  early  aye. 

William  Henry  Illick.  the  eldest  son  of  John  and 
Maria,  is  married  andliving  in  Oswego, Ind.,  where 
he  is  carrying  on  a  farm:  Franklin  M.  is  married 
and  living  at  Rosemond.  111.,  upon  a  farm;  Samuel 
A.  died  at  Taylorville.  this  State,  in  1K)S2;  Edward 
V.  enlisted  in  a  Cavalry  Regiment  in  Indiana,  and 
being  in  the  campaign  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  was 
taken  sick  and  died  dining  a  visit  home  at  the  age 
of  twenty-six  years:  Susan  M..  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Fritchman,  a  farmer,  resides  near  Wellington,  in 
Sumner  County.  Kan.;  Lydia  A.  was  twice  married. 
her  present  husband  being  Robert  Batty,  residing 
at  Stonington.  111. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  in 
New  York  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Indi- 
ana in  1K.")7.  After  burying  his  parents  in  that 
state,  he  came  to  Christian  County.  111.,  and  was 
married  at  Taylorville,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Melton. 
daughter  of  John  and    Caroline  Melton,  who  were 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


18 


native-  <>t*  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Illinois 
prior  to  their  marriage.  Mrs.  Illiek  was  born  in 
Madison  County,  this  Mate,  in  1844,  and  had  five 
brothers  and  four  sisters,  namely:  James  C, 
Henry  T..  (twins)  Andre"  .1..  Martin  V.,  Amaziah. 
Martha  A..  Mary  I...  Sarah  A.and  Hannah  M.(  twins. ) 
All  but  Mi>.  Iliiek  and  Hannah  M.  have  passed  to 
the  other  world.  Andrew  .1.  enlisted  in  Company 
11.  Thirty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry  and  died  in 
the  hospital  at  Springfield,  Mo.;  Hannah  M.  mar- 
ried Franklin  Illiek.  the  brother  of  our  subject, 
and  resides  on  a  farm  near  Rosemond. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  came  tn  his  present  farm 
-ix  year-  ago.  He  and  his  good  wife  have  had  no 
children  of  their  own.  but  they  have  reared  a  -mi 
of  Mrs.  Illiek's  si-ter.  a  boy  whom  they  took  at  the 
age  of  three  months,  and  he  is  now  a  fine  and  in- 
telligent lad  of  sixteen  years,  who  stands  in  the 
same  relation  to  his  fosterparents  that  a  real  sun 
would  occupy.  Mr.  Illiek  is  a  Democrat  in  hi-  po- 
litical views.  He  has  a  pleasant  home  and  is  com- 
fortably situated.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Illiek  died 
in  Madison  County.  111.,  in  1852,  and  her  mother 
who  is  now  eighty-two  years  of  age  resides  with 
lu-r  daughter.  Her  parent-  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 


County 
raising. 


AVID  LOW,  a  man  who  has  the  esteem  and 

confidence  of  his  friends  and  neighbors, 
and  who  is  a  public-spirited  citizen  re-ides 
mi  section  2.?.  Oconee  Township,  Shelby 
.  where  he  carries  on  farming  and  stock- 
He  wa-  born  in  Guilford  County,  Tenn., 
April  26,  1831,  his  parents  being  George  and  Sarah 
Low,  natives  of  that  state.  Their  marriage  and 
the  birth  of  all  their  children  took  plan-  in  Ninth 
Carolina,  but  they  removed  to  Illinois  in  1849  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days. 

David  Low  had  nine  brothers  of  whom  Amsley, 
Gideon  and  Simeon  were  soldiers  in  the  l'nion 
Army,  during  the  Civil  War.  Joel  11..  John  \l.. 
and  Daniel  I!..  are  all  living,  the  former  in  Iowa 
and  the  others  in  this  state.  David  was  a  resident 
of* North   Carolina   during   the  war  and    was  con- 


scripted into  the  Confederate  army.  He  passed  his 
examination,  and  was  accepted  bul  while  waiting 
for  assignment  to  his  regiment,  he  and  about  five 
hundred  others  tied  from  the  camp  at  night,  and 
breaking  through  the  lines  escaped  to  their  home. 
He  worked  upon  his  farm  for  aboul  a  month  and 
when  he  saw  that  the  authorities  were  mi  tin-  alert 
and  apprehending  the  conscript  he  -took  to  the 
bushes"  as  he  says  and  remained  in  concealment 
from  October  to  Christmas.  During  that  time  In- 
lay mi  the  ground  and  endured  greater  hardships 
and  dangers  than  he  would  have  encountered  in 
the  Confederate  service,  but  he  was  thoroughly 
l'nion  in  his  sentiment-,  and  preferred  to  endure 
all  this  for  the  cause  of  the  l'nion  rather  than  to 
lift  his  hand  against  the  old  Hag. 

About  Christmas  time  Mr.  Lowengaged  to  work 
in  the  saltpetre  works  near  Greensboro,  N.  C.  This 
enterprise  failed  and  lie  went  home  and  spent  our 
night,  but  the  second  night  "hunters"  were  in  pur- 
suit of  him  and  he  took  to  the  woods  again.  While 
concealed  in  the  house  of  a  neighbor  he  was  sur- 
rounded and  raptured  by  a  detachment  of  the 
Raleigh  guard.  He  was  sent  to  Raleigh  and  seven 
day-  later  to  Kingston,  N.  (  ..  when-  he  remained 
from  April  2  to  May  4.  By  this  time  he  thought 
he  knew  enough  of  military  affairs  and  persuaded 
thirteen  of  his  comrades  to  join  with  him  in  taking 
••  French  leave." 

These  refugees  took  to  the  woods  once  more, 
and  were  so  closely  pursued  by  soldiers  mi  horse- 
back a-  to  In-  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  swamp. 
They  sat  in  mud  and  water  nearly  to  their  necks 
from  2  p.  m..  until  dark  and  the  pursuers  passed 
within  ten  feet  of  them.  Two  of  the  party  were 
recaptured  and  the  others  escaped  to  their  respect- 
ive hmnes.  Mr.  Low  had  to  remain  in  hiding  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  -pent  mn-  winter  in  a 
cave,  going  occasionally  to  the  home  of  -mile 
Union  family  to  get  food,  and  then  returning  to 
hi-  dreary  abode.  He  spent  his  time  in  the  cave 
in  making  combs,  baskets  and  trinkets,  selling  them 
to  l'nion  people  for  food  and  clothing,  lie  would 
sell  a  fine  comb  of  his  manufacture  for  ten  cents 
in  silver  or  $10  in  Confederate  script,  lie  was  re- 
captured but  made  his  escape  at  great  peril.  His 
sufferings  and  privations  were  incomparably  greater 


486 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


than  those  of  many  enlisted  nun.  being  in  constant 
peril  from  armed  and  open  enemies  as  well  as 
from  secret  foes.  It  is  not  strange  that  he  would 
feel  that  his  escape  from  bodily  injury  was  miracu- 
lous, lie  was  unable  to  gel  through  the  line  with 
his  family  and  would  not  go  and  leave  them.  He 
losl  all  his  property,  amounting  to  a  number  of 
thousand  dollars  in  stock  and  money. 

The  lady  whose  union  with  our  subject  brought 
to  her  such  great  trials,  during  this  period  of  hard- 
ship and  suffering,  became  Ms  wife,  September  13, 
1857,  in  Guilford  (  ounty,  N.  ( '..  which  was  her 
native  county  as  she  was  born  there  February  26, 
1836.  Her  name  before  marriage  was  Rosannah 
Pike,  and  her  parents  were  natives  of  the  same 
State  with  herself. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Low  eight  children  were  born, 
namely:  Sara  R.,  horn  September  2:i.  1852,  who 
married  Daul  Neice  in  Oconee  Township,  and  after 
giving  Dirth  to  one  child  died  October  28.  1888; 
George  William,  born  September  2n.  I860,married 
Sallie  Maritield  and  re-ides  on  a  farm  near  Rose- 
mond.  111.:  Turley  II..  horn  May  26,  1863,  is  un- 
married and  lives  at  home:  Joel  1)..  horn  January 
10,  1866,  is  married  and  resides  in  Pan  a,  111.; 
Melinda  S..  horn  October  29,  1867,  is  married  and 
resides  in  Oconee  Township:  Melissa  born  May  25, 
1871,  after  the  removal  of  the  family  to  the  North. 
and  Mary  E.,  born  August  17,  1874,  are  at  home 
with  their  parents,  as  is  also  John  II.  A.,  horn  Sep- 
tember  6,  1*77. 

It  was  about  eighteen  years  ago  when  Mr.  Low 
removed  to  Christian  County,  111.,  and  nine  years 
since  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives. 
He  has  a  timbered  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  acres,  about  one-half  of  which  is  under  im- 
provement. Upon  this  there  is  about  fourteen 
•i'  Ms  i„  orchard  and  considerable  attention  is  paid 
to  the  raising  of  small  fruit.  He  has  a  good  house 
and  a  comfortable  home. 

Mr.  Low  has  been  instrumental  in  securing  the 
organization  of  a  school  district  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  children  in  this  comparatively  new 
country,  and  a  pleasant  school-house  is  situated  on 
a  corner  of  his  farm.  He  lias  always  voted  the 
Republican  ticket.  He  is  not  a  member  of  any 
church    though    heartily  in  accord   with  all    Chris- 


tian endeavors.  His  wife  and  children  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  raises  sorghum 
and  manufactures  molasses  each  year,  and  makes 
ma] de  sugar  and  syrup  in  its  season,  devoting 
considerable  time  and  money  to  the  improvement 
and  operation  of  this  business.  He  has  a  centrifu- 
gal machine  for  separating  and  drying  sorghum 
sugar    which    he  hopes  to  make  a  success,      [b-  is  a 

■j. 1  citizen  who  endeavors  to  do  right  as   he  sees 

the  right,  and  will  not  be  coerced  into  doing 
wrong  by  any  human  power.  This  characteristic 
was  evinced  by  his  attitude  toward  the  confederate 
power. 


SAAC  N.  PORTER.  No  man  so  truly  loves 
his  country  as  he  who  has  suffered  and  fought 
i  for  it.  and  those  citizens  of  Illinois  who  gave 
to  our  Nation  in  her  time  of  trial  their  hearty  sup- 
port and  their  best  efforts  upon  the  battle  field, 
have  gained  not  only  a  heartier  sympathy  with  the 
institutions  represented  by  our  national  banner. 
but  also  a  record  for  themselves  of  which  any  pa- 
triot may  well  feel  proud. 

Among  those  men  of  Shelby  County,  who  have 
thus  an  honorable  war  record,  we  are  pleased  to 
named  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  follows  the 
double  avocation  of  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  in 
Oconee  Township.  He  was  born  in  Harrison 
County,  Ohio,  March  27.  lsto.  his  parents  being 
William  and  Susan  (Cribbs)  Porter,  natives  of 
(  )hio.  In  their  household  there  were  six  sons  and 
five  daughters,  and  Isaac  is  the  firstborn  son. 
Teresa,  now  Mrs.  How.  of  Oconee  Township,  being 
the  eldest.  Following  them  came  Isabella,  now 
the  wife  of  John  Martin,  of  Indian  Territory:  Dan- 
iel, who  resides  in  Missouri:  Albert,  who  lives  at 
sioux  City.  la.:  William,  living  in  Montgomery 
(ounty.  111.:  George,  a  resident  of  Iowa:  Priscilla. 
the  wife  of  Mr.  Drain,  of  Oconee  Township:  and 
Abbie  and  Maggie,  who  reside  at  home. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  enlisted  in  Company 
A.  Ninety-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  as- 
signed to  duty  in  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi. 
After  six  months'  service  he  was  transferred  to  the 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


187 


United  States  gunboat  "Chilachthe,"  and  did  duty 
on  the  lower  Mississippi  and  the  Yazoo  Hi  vers.  At 
Ft.  Tamberton,  while  on  the  Yazoo  Pass  expedi- 
tion, this  young  hero  was  wounded.  March  10, 
1st;.;,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Helena.  Ark.. 
being  afterward  transferred  to  tin-  general  hospital 
at  St.  Louis.  Being  somewhat  crippled  by  this 
hard  service  and  wound,  he  was  placed  in  Com- 
pany K.  Eleventh  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  and 
served  out  his  unexpired  term,  being  discharged  at 
Boston,  Mass.,  duly  7.  1865,  whence  he  returned  to 
hi-  parental  home  in  Oconee   Town-hip. 

It  was  not  until  1877.  that  Mr.  Porter  decided 
to  establish  a  home  of  his  own.  and  he  chose  as  a 
partner  of  that  home  Mir-s  Annie  Pressgrove,  who 
was  horn  in  Oconee  Township  in  1859,  her  parents 
heing  William  and  Eliza  Pressgrove.  The  parents 
had  ten  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  now  liv- 
ing. The  wedding  day  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Porter 
was  February  22.  To  them  was  born  three  chil- 
dren, Hugh  II..  born  in  1)">7'.I:  Anna  Laura,  a  babe 
now  three  months  old.  and  one  child  who  died 
when  five  months  old.  Mrs.  Porter  i>  a  worthy 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  a 
faithful  and  devoted  wife  and  mother,  callable  in 
all  housewifely  arts  and  active  in  promoting  the 
best  interests  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Porter  is  a  member  of  the  Coplin  Post  No. 
268,  G.  A.  R.  at  Oconee,  and  his  political  views 
have  led  him  to  affiliate  with  the  Republican  party. 
Hi-  handsome  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
i>  situated  on  section  7.  Oconee  Town-hip.  and  is 
in  a  highly  cultivated  state  and  richly  productive. 


i        ifclLLIAM  F.  ARMSTRONG    is  actively  car- 
\      /     rying  on  agriculture  on  the  farm  where  he 

y  V  resides  with  hi>  father,  a  respected  resi- 
dent of  l'enn  Township,  Shelby  County, this  home- 
stead being  the  birthplace  of  our  subject  lie  is  a 
representative  of  >ome  of  the  earliest  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  this  state,  his  paternal  grandfather,  John 
Armstrong,  having  been  one  of  the  original  pioneers 
of  this  county,  and  is  distinguished  in  its  history  as 
the    first   settler   of    Penn   Township;     while    the 


maternal  grandparents  of  our  subject,  .lame-  and 
Nancy  Gerdien,  were  early  pioneersof  Rose  Town- 
ship. 

Aaron  Armstrong,  the  great-grandfather  of  Wil- 
liam F..  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  was 
a  son  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier  who  lost  his  life 
in  battle.  Aaron  removed  from  the  Stale  of  his 
nativity  to  Warren  County.  Ky.,  where  he  resided 
but  a  short  time,  however,  prior  to  his  removal  in 
1809  ti.i  the  Territory  of  Illinois.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Madison  County  locating  there 
in  the  year  that  the  act  was  passed  establishing 
Illinois  as  a  territory.  There  were  but  few- 
white  men  living  in  the  whole  length  and 
breadth  of  this  now-  populous  and  great  common- 
wealth, and  as  the  Indians  held  full  sway  and  were 
oftentimes  hostile,  the  whites  had  to  band  together 
and  live  in  forts.  The  great-grandfather  of  our 
subject  secured  a  tract  of  land  live  miles  south  of 
Edwardsville,  built  upon  it,  improved  a  good  farm, 
which  remained  his  home  until  his  death  in  1833. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary  Landers. 
She  was  born  in  South  Carolina  and  died  in  Mad- 
ison County  in  1830. 

John  Armstrong  was  born  in  Warren  County. 
Ky..  in  1803.  He  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents 
came  to  Illinois,  and  lie  was  reared  amid  its  wild 
pioneer  scenes  and  in  due  time  he  married  a  daugh- 
ter of  one  of  the  early  settlers,  .lane  Roach,  who 
was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1802, and  died  in  Illinois 
in  1.S77.  In  the  fall  of  1825  the  grandfather  of 
our  subject  came  with  other-  to  Shelby  County  to 
seek  a  suitable  location  on  its  fertile  soil.  He 
-elected  a  claim  to  a  tract  of  Government  land  on 
section  6,  township  1-'!.  range  3,  now  included  in 
Penn  Township,  and  at  once  commenced  the  erec- 
tion of  a  log  cabin,  which  was  the  first  building 
ever  erected  in  the  northern  part  of  Shelby  County, 
and  he  was  the  first  man  to  locate  in  Penn  Town- 
ship, his  nearest  neighbor  fora  time  being  ten  miles 
away.  Before  completing  hi-  cabin  lie  returned  to 
Madison  County  for  his  wife  and  child,  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  year  brought  them  back  in  an  oxwagon 
to  the  scene  of  their  new  home  in  primeval  wilds. 
Where  wild  animals  such  as  deer,  wolves,  panthers 
and  wild  turkeys  roamed  at  will  where  there  were 
but  few  evidences  of  the  approaching  civilization. 


188 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


St.  Louis. many  miles  distant,  was  the  nearest  town 
to  which  the  pioneers  could  convey  their  produce 
to  exchange  for  needed  supplies.     Notwithstand- 
ing  the  many  difficulties  that   he  encountered   he 
developed   an  excellent   farm,  which    he  occupied 
until  death  deprived  him  of  the  companionship  of 
bis  wife  and   he   then   | i.-i~~«-.l  his  remaining  days 
with  his  children,  dying  in  1886  at  a  ripe  old  age. 
The  father  of    our  subject.  Beverly   Armstrong, 
was   bora    October  •_'■!.    1*27.    in   Clinton    County 
while   his   mother   was   there   on   a   visit.     He  was 
reared  in   this  county  where   his  parents  had  estab- 
lished their  home,  and  was  educated  in  it-  schools, 
attending  the  lir-t   ever  taught  in   this  section  of 
the  country.     It  was  held  in  a  log  building  located 
in    Flat   Branch   Township.     The    benches,    which 
were    without    hacks   or   desks,  were   made  of   slabs 
that  were  supported  by  wooden  pins. and  the  build- 
ing was  heated  by  means  of  a  large  open  fireplace. 
In  "his  youthful  days  the  people  lived  principally 
off    the    products   of    the    farm,  and    were    clad    in 
homespun  made  by  the  busy   hand-  of  the  women. 
Mr.  Armstrong   lived   with   his  parents   until  he 
was  twenty  years  of  age  and   then   entered  a  tract 
of   Government    land    in    what    is  now   Moweaqua 
Township.      lie    had    married    in    that    year    Miss 
Kineline    Virden,  a    native  of   this  county,  and  in 
the  log  cabin  that  he   built  on  his  claim  he  and  his 
bride  began   housekeeping.     In   1858  he  sold  that 
place  and   bought   the  one  that   he   now    own-  and 
occupies,  that  is  finely  located  on  section  31,  l'ciiu 
Township,  constituting  a  choice  and  well-cultivated 
farm  amply  supplied  with  all   necessary  buildings 
and  good   modern   machinery.      lie   has  been  pro-- 
perous    in   the   pursuit    of  his  calling,  and   in  the 
many  years  that  he  has  been  residing  in  this  county 
he  has  always  shown  himself  to  he  a  useful  citizen 
who  has  won  an   honorable  place  among  the  solid 
men  of   his  community,  and   has  done  his  share  in 
developing  the  agriculture  of  this  section  of  tin- 
state. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  review  i-  the 
only  son  of  his  parents  and  in  their  home,  which 
has  always  been  his,  he  was  reared  to  a  stalwart 
manhood.  He  received  a  sound  practical  training 
as  a  farmer  and  is  now  managing  his  father's  farm 
with  signal   success,  thus  relieving   him    in  a  meat 


measure  of  the  cares  and  labors  that  beset  him  in 
his  early  life.  He  is  a  shrewd,  careful  man  in  his 
dealings  and  at  the  same  time  displays  push  and 
enterprise  in  carrying  on  his  affairs,  so  that  his  in- 
terest- brings  him  a  goodly  income  in  repayment  of 
hi-  outlaj  of  labor  and  expense. 

The  greatest  sorrow-  that  Mr.  Armstrong  has  ex- 
perienced in  life  was  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1886. 
Her  maiden  name  was  Emma  ( >.  Gerry,and  she  was 
a  native  of  Indiana.  They  were  wedded  November 
1:5.  1878.  By  her  death  our  subject  lost  a  devoted 
wife  and  these  four  children  were  left  motherless: 
Tic— ie.  (  harles,  Birdie  and  Essa. 


^c 


:13s 


ARIl's  B.  ELLIOTT.  Our  subject  is  a 
representative  of  a  wood  Southern  family. 
on  the  paternal  side  owing  many  of  the 
traits  of  his  character  to  the  warm  blood 
and  generous  hearts  of  the  state  which  boasts  of 
having  given  more  President-  than  any  other,  to 
the  Executive  Department  of  our  Government. 
Mr.  Elliott  is  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  located  on 
section  7.  Tower  Hill  Township,  whereon  he  set- 
tled in  ls.*>.->.  Dm  subject  was  born  in  Anderson 
County,  Ky..  November  23,  1825.  He  is  a  son  of 
John  and  Melville  (Berry)  Elliott,  natives  respec- 
tively of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  in  which  latter 
State  they  were  married  and  where  they  began  the 
serious  consideration  of  life  together  on  a  farm. 
Our  subject's  father  died  in  1846.  His  mother  sub- 
sequently came  to  Illinois  and  passed  her  declining 
years  with  her  -on.  passing  away  from  this  life  at 
the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  one  of  eleven 
children  and  the  youngest  of  these  was  twelve 
year-  of  age  before  there  was  a  death  in  the  family. 
Our  subject  was  the  sixth  in  the  family  in  order  of 
birth,  having  five  older  and  five  younger  brothers 

and  -ister-.     Duringboyh 1  his  school  advantages 

were  limited,  hut  since  reaching  manhood  he  has 
applied  himself  diligently  to  study,  and  i-  a  vora- 
cious reader  of  good  literature. 

While  yet  a  youth,  he  learned  the  trade  of  car- 
pentry in  Indiana,  to  which  State  he  had  removed 


M 


llllffft 


'  <    K   .'-ft;' 


y 


MP 


JACOB    KIRCHER 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


191 


settling  in  Davis  County,  where  he  remained  for 
some  time.  He  later  went  to  Marion  County.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  J.  Brown,  on 
the  23d  of  July,  1HI«.  The  lady  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Lewis  L.  and  Mary  (Johnson)  Brown. 
she  was  born  in  .Marion  County,  Ind.,January  12. 
1*:52.  Soon  after  marriage,  our  subject  with  hi- 
wit'e.  came  to  Shelby  County  and  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides.  At  that  date  he  pur- 
chased two  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  Govern- 
ment land,  which  was  then  new  and  unbroken. 
Upon  it  he  has  made  valuable  improvements,  hav- 
ing erected  a  commodious  and  comfortable  dwell- 
ing, with  barns  and  outhouses  necessary  for  the 
protection  and  accommodation  of  his  stock. 

When  Mr.  Klliott  settled  upon  the  prairie,  there 
was  no  one  else  living  any  place  near,  and  he  has 
thus  seen  the  development  of  the  whole  State. 
Pana  was  unknown  al  that  date,  and  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  was  not  yet  completed.  Our  sub- 
ject has  given  his  undivided  attention  to  farming 
and  mixed  husbandry.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land  which,  with 
the  exception  of  twenty  acres  of  tine  prairie  land, 
is  under  thorough  cultivation,  and  well  improved 
in  every  way. 

Mr.  anil  Mrs.  Klliott  have  been  the  parents  of 
six  children,  whose  names  are:  Elizabeth  L..  John 
Irvin.  Emma.  Walter  and  Fannie.  One  child  died 
in  infancy.  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Moses  E. Sim- 
mons, of  Pana;  John  Irvin  is  a  resident  in  Nevada. 
Mo.:  Emma  and  Walter  remain  at  home,  and  are 
the  comforts  of  their  parents"  middle  life:  Fannie 
is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Finefrock,  and  resides  in 
Pana,  this  State. 


\ 


ACOB  KIRCH£R,a  wealthy  resident  of  Shel- 
byville.  was  for  many  years  actively  en- 
gaged  in  farming,  lint  he  now  lives  in  re- 
tirement, though  he  still  owns  one  of  the 
choice  farms  for  which  Shelby  County  is  justly 
noted.  He  is  a  native  of  Wurtemburg,  Germany, 
October  20,  1827,  being  the  dale  of  his  birth.     His 


father,  whose  name  was  Louis  Frederick  Kircher, 
was  also  born  in  that  place,  as  was  hi-  father  be- 
fore him.  The  latter  came  to  this  country  in 
1834,  and  spent  his   remaining  .years  in  Maryland. 

The  father  of  our  subject  learned  the  trade  of  a 
shoemaker  in  his  youth,  and  with  the  exception 
of  the  time  that  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  German 
army,  he  followed  his  calling  in  his  native  "Wur- 
temburg until  1829,  when,  ambitious  to  better  his 
condition,  he  emigrated  to  this  country  with  his 
wife  and  four  children,  lie  landed  al  Baltimore 
with  empty  pockets,  and  what  was  worse,  in  very 
poor  health,  lie  was  fortunate  enough  to  obtain 
the  assistance  of  friends,  by  whose  help  he  went  to 
Hagerstown,  when'  he  found  employment  in  a  liv- 
ery .-table.  He  worked  faithfully,  frugally  saved 
his  money,  and  his  wife  also  worked  hard,  and 
after  a  time  with  their  united  earnings  they  had 
enough  to  buy  a  horse  and  wagon,  with  which 
they  started  for  Ohio,  taking  with  them  all  their 
earthly  possessions.  They  walked  the  greater  part 
of  the  way.  camping  anil  cooking  by  the  roadside 
whenever  they  were  weary,  and  when  they  arrived 
at  Lancaster.  Ohio,  they  decided  to  proceed  no 
further. 

Mr.  Kircher  looked  about  for  a  suitable  location, 
and  finally  selected  forty  acres  of  land  belonging 
to  the  Government  situated  in  Hocking  County, 
ten  miles  from  Logan,  the  county  seat.  He  did 
not  have  money  enough  by  fifty  cents  to  pay  for 
his  claim,  but  he  obtained  it  by  mending  a  pair  of 
boots,  and  then  walked  to  the  land  office  to  enter 
his  land.  His  homestead  was  heavily  timbered 
and  he  had  to  cut  away  large  forest  trees  to 
make  room  for  a  cabin,  which  he  built  of  logs, 
covering  the  roof  with  boards  rived  by  hand  and 
held  in  place  by  weight  pole-,  the  iloor  being  made 
of  puncheons  and  the  chimney  of  earth  and  sticks. 

The  father  was  a  man  of  remarkable  industry 
and  not  only  labored  in  the  day  time,  working 
hard  to  clear  his  land,  in  which  he  was  assisted  by 
his  wife  and  children,  but  he  employed  his  time  in 
the  evening  making  shoes,  and  thus  earned  the 
money  to  support  his  family.  The  older  children 
soon  went  out  to  work,  receiving  their  board  and 
their  clothes  for  their  services,  while  our  subjecl 
was   left    at    home    to   assist    hi-   parents.      lie  and 


492 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


his  mother  cut  the  first  crop  of  wheat,  she  using  :i 
a  sickle  and  he  a  butcher  knife.  The  family  pros- 
pered and  the  father  was  enabled  to  buy  eighty- 
five  acres  of  land  adjoining,  and  in  time  improved 
a  valuable  farm,  upon  which  he  lived  until  his 
death  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  His 
wife  survived  him  some  few  years  and  then  died  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter  in  Richland  Township, 
this  county,  ;it  the  venerable  age  of  eighty  acres. 
This  worthy  couple  were  the  parents  of  six  sons 
:md  one  daughter,  named  as  follows:  Louis,  John, 
Godfrey,  Jacob,  Mathias,  Philip  and  Hannah.  John 
and  Mathias  reside  in  Richland.  Louis,  Philip, 
Godfrey  and  Hannah  are   deceased. 

Jacob  Kircher  was  only  two  years  old  when  the 
family  came  to  America,  SO  that  he  has  hut  little 
or  no  recollection  of  other  than  his  adopted  home. 
Just  as  soon  as  lie  was  large  enough,  and  that  was 
when  he  was  very  yoxuig,  he  began  to  assist  in 
clearing  the  land  and  tilling  the  soil  of  his  father's 
homestead.  He  remained  an  inmate  of  the  parental 
household  until  his  marriage  and  soon  after  that 
all-important  event,  in  company  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  he  bought  one  hundred  acres  of  land  near 
by,  on  which  was  a  set  of  log  buildings.  He  and 
his  brother-in-law  farmed  together  on  that  place 
until  185;").  when  he  sold  his  share  of  it.  haying 
decided  to  settle  in  the  fertile  farming  regions  of 
Illinois.  Accompanied  by  his  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren, he  journeyed  across  the  country  from  Ohio  to 
this  State  with  a  pair  of  horses  and  a  wagon,  and 
on  his  arrival  in  this  county  he  invested  all  the 
money  he  had  in  forty  acres  of  land  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship. This  purchase  included  a  primitive  log  Cabin, 
which  had  an  earth  and  stick  chimney,  a  puncheon 
door,  and  two  doors,  hut  had  no  windows.  Our 
subject  and  his  family,  and  his  brother  and  fam- 
ily spent  the  winter  of  1855-56  in  that  rude  .struc- 
ture, doing  all  their  cooking  by  the  fireplace,  corn- 
meal  being  their  chief  diet. 

Mr.  Kircher  had  been  reared  to  habits  of  indus- 
try and  economy,  was  possessed  of  good  judgment, 
and  moreover  had  been  fortunate  in  the  selection 
of  a  wife  who  afforded  him  material  assistance  in 
his  labors,  and  his  wealth  steadily  increased,  lie 
bought  other  land  at  different  times  and  the  old 
farm  upon  which  he  settled  so  many  years  ago,  and 


which  is  still  in  his  possession,  now  contains  three 
hundred  acres  of  well-improved  land,  amply  sup- 
pled with  good  buildings  and  everything  necessary 
to  carry  on  agriculture  successfully,  and  besides 
this  he  owns  valuable  city  property.  He  continued 
to  live  on  his  farm  until  181)1,  when  he  removed 
to  Shelbyville,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home 
in  retirement  from  active  business.  A  life  of  hon- 
esty and  uprightness  has  won  him  the  esteem  of 
all  who  know  him,  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of 
our  most  trustworthy  citizens.  He  and  his  wife 
and  all  of  their  children  are  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran Church,  and  have  done  much  to  help  their 
pastor  and  fellow-members  to  make  it  a  power  for 
the  advancement  of  religion  in  the  community. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kircher  were  united  in  marriage 
in  1852.  Mi's.  Kircher.  whose  maiden  name  was 
Uosanna  Phipher,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  April 
25,  1832,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Magdaline 
Pipher,  who  were  natives  of  Wurtemburg.  and 
pioneers  of  the  Buckeye  Stale.  Our  subject  and 
his  wife  have  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Lena,  wife  of  William  Roof; 
Hannah,  who  married  John  Kimmel  and  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-four  years;  Matilda,  wife  of 
John  Kniller;  Theodore;  William;  Mollie,  wife  of 
Theodore  Warner;  and  Philip. 

The  reader's  attention  is  invited  to  the  litho- 
graphic portrait  of  Mr.  Kircher  presented  on 
another  page. 


i^K-l 


SCAB  F.  ROGERS,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  residing  on  section  20,  Oconee  Town- 
^Jf'  ship,  Shelby  County,  was  born  in  Hamilton 
Square,  Mercer  County,  N.  J.,  March  6,  182(1.  The 
same  county  was  the  birthplace  of  his  father, 
Jacob  Rogers,  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Sarah  Wall,  was  born  in  that  State  and  grew 
from  early  childhood  in  Mercer  County.  There 
were  five  brothers  and  six  sisters,  of  whom  Oscar 
was  the  eldest.  Following  him  came  Ferdinand, 
who  resides  at  Hamilton  Square,  X.  J.,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  rubber  goods;  Eze- 
kiel  and  Humphrey  (twins),  both  living  in  Mon- 


PORTRAIT   AM)   BIOGRAPIIK    \l 


ECORD. 


l:i:; 


i  now  th.  N..1.;  Amanda,  now  Mrs.  Gordon,  residing  in 
Mercer  County;  Anna  E.,  the  widow  of  Charles 
Cole,  residing  in  Windsor;  Jacob,  living  in 
Mercer  County;  George,  was  a  member  of  tin.' 
First  Louisiana  Cavalry  in  the  Confederate 
army,  and  died  during  tin-  Civil  War:  Phoebe, 
was  twice  married,  her  present  husband  being 
Mr.  Johnson,  of  Pemberton,  X.  .1.  Edith,  wife  of 
John  Tyndall,  residing  at  Windsor,  X.  J.;  and 
Mary,  who  is  unmarried  and  resides  in  New  York 
City. 

Oscar  1'.  Rogers  and  Mary  .1.  Allen  were  united 
in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  December  27. 
1849.  She  was  born  in  Mercer  County.  Decem- 
ber 14.  1832,  and  of  her  family  there  were 
three — Harris.  Mr-.  Rogers  and  Margaret.  Her 
brother  and  sister  make  their  homes  at  Prince- 
ville  and  Asliury  Park.  N.  .1.  Mr.  Rogers  came  to 
Oconee  Township  in  tin'  spring  of  1857,  and  buy- 
ing one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  en- 
gaged in  fanning,  which  has  been  his  principal 
occupation  through  life,  although  he  hasaiso  found 
opportunities  for  considerable  dealings  in  real 
estate  in  connection  with  his  farming  for  the  last 
seventeen  year-. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers  seven  children  were 
born,  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  Their  eldest, 
Elvina,  who  was  horn  in  New  Jersey,  married 
Mr.  Wesley  T.  Elliott  and  resides  at  Oconee,  111., 
with  her  husband  and  nine  children;  Adelaide 
was  horn  in  New  Jersey  and  died  in  that  State 
when  about  two  year-  old.  a-  did  also  Harris. 
Allen  married  Addie  Hamlin  and  resides  on  a 
farm  in  Oconee  Township,  where  he  was  horn, 
with  his  wife  and  one  child.  Mary  passed  away 
when  she  was  a  lovely  girl  >>(  thirteen  summers, 
ami  Frank  died  in  childhood:  Bert  is  unmarried 
and  lives  at  home.  The  parents  of  this  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at 
( tconee. 

The  Civil  War  called  our  subject  to  the  defense 
of  his  country  and  enlisted  m  Company  H.  Fifty- 
third  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  assigned  to  duty 
in  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  serving  under 
Gen.  Sherman.  This  was  one  of  those  sad  cases 
of  brother  being  arrayed  against  brother,  as  our 
subject  was  in   the   Union   Army   and    his   brother 


George  in  the  Confederate  service,  lie  passed 
through  many  hardships  and  dangers,  hut  lived 
to  return  to  his  rejoicing  household.  He  has  con- 
nected himself  prominently  with  the  Grand  Ainu 
of  the  Republicand  belongs  to  Coplin  Post.  No.  l<>8. 
at  Oconee.  He  takes  an  active  part  in  political  af- 
fair- and  thoroughly  endorses  the  party  which 
made  so  coble  a  record  as  the  stanch  supporter  of 
the  administration  during  the  Civil  War.  His 
neighbors,  who  appreciate  his  many  excellent 
qualities  and  believe  heartily  in  his  integrity  and 
good  judgment,  have  placed  him  in  the  offices  of 
School  Trustee  and  Tax  Collector.  He  has  two 
hundred  acres  of  finely  Improved  land  within 
sight  of  the  village  of  Oconee,  and  upon  it  he  is 
content  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  days,  sur- 
rounded bj  hi-  affectionate  children. 

nEWToN  .1.  GALI,AGHER,a  prosperous  and 
wealthy  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  residing 
on  section  28,  Holland  Township.  Shelby 
County,  was  horn  in  this  township.  September  2\>. 
1855.  He  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Middles- 
worth)  Gallagher  who  were  horn  in  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio.  For  particulars  in  regard  to  the 
ancestry  of  this  gentleman  our  reader  is  referred 
to  the  biographical  sketch  of  Abram  Gallagher,  his 
brother,  which  will  he  found  elsewhere  in  this  vol- 
ume. 

The  subject  of  this  sketell  is  the  eighth  inn  fam- 
ily of  ten  children,  and  his  home  ha-  always  been 
in  Holland  Township,  where  he  lives  on  the  old 
original  homestead  which  was  entered  by  hi-  father 
from  the  Government  about  forty-five  years    ago. 

His  education  was  given  him  in  the  public  scl Is 

of  this  county,  and  he  received  thorough  and  sys- 
tematic training  upon  his  father's  farm,  gaining 
health  and  strength  for  life's  duties.  He  owns  four 
hundred  acres  of  excellent  farming  land  upon  which 
are  good  improvements  and  a  fine  large  brick  house 
which  is  an  ornament  to  the  township. 

( )ur  subject  was  united  in  marriage  April  :>.  1KX1 
with  Miss  M.  I.ettie  Allen,  who  was  horn  in  Hol- 
land Township,  Shelby  County,  August  20,    I860. 


49-1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


She  is  a  daughter  of  Jedediah  and  Mary  (Hege) 

Allen.  This  worthy  couple  were  horn  in  Ohio  and 
came  as  pioneers  to  this  county,  and  their  daughter. 
Lettie  is  the  third  in  a  good  family  of  eight.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gallagher  four  bright  and  healthy 
children  have  been  born,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
They  are  by  name  Floyd,  Kay.  ( >ssa  Fleta  and  Fred. 
The  religious  belief  of  the  family  is  that  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  with  which  both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  ( rallagher  were  long  connected,  and  where 
she  is  still  prominently  identified.  Her  husband  is 
not  now  n  member  of  the  church  although  a  be- 
liever in  Christianity  and  he  gives  liberally  of  his 
means  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel.  His  early 
political  convictions  were  in  accordance  with  the 
doctrines  of  the  Democratic  party  and  he  voted 
with  that  organization  for  many  years,  hut  he  has 
recently  been  more  interested  in  the  farmers'  move- 
ments and  now  votes  with  the  Farmers  Mutual 
Benefit  Association.  Mr.  II.  Gallagher  is  very 
pleasantly  and  comfortably  situated,   having  sulli- 

cient  of  this   world's  g Is  to  provide  abundantly 

for  himself  and  family  without  being  burdened 
by  cares.  His  value  in  the  community  is  appreci- 
ated by  his  neighbors  who  consider  him  one  of  the 
solid  and  efficient  members  of  the  social  and  indus- 
trial community  which  makes  its  home  in  the  town- 
ship of  Holland. 


( )HX  A.  TACKETT.  Among  the  citizens  of 
this  county  who  are  most  active  in  promo- 
ting its  interests  are  many  who  were  born 
within  its  borders,  grew  with  its  growth, 
and  since  attaining  manhood  have  been  potent  in 
increasing  its  wealth  and  importance  as  an  agricul- 
tural, commercial  ami  manufacturing  center,  so 
that  to-day  it  ranks  as  one  of  the  first  counties  in 
Central  Illinois  in  those  respects.  John  A.  Tackett, 
capitalist,  is  a  representative  of  the  class  alluded  to. 
lie  has  been  a  life-long  resident  of  Shelbyville. 
where  his  birth  occurred  September  28,  HS32.  and 
for  many  years  he  has  been  prominently  associated 
with  the  best  interests  of  city  and  county,  using  his 


wealth  freely  to  advance  various  enterprises  that 
have  contributed  to  their  development,  lie  is  largely 
interested  in  farming  and  also  does  a  general  brok- 
erage business,  and  all  that  he  undertakes  he  brings 
to  a  successful  issue. 

He  is  a  son  of  John  Tackett,  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  Shelbyville.  who  was  one  of  the  leading 
pioneers  of  this  part  of  the  country  until  death  de- 
prived his  co-workers  of  his  aid  in  the  upbuilding 
of  this  section  in  1850.  He  was  a  native  of  Prince 
William  County.  Va..  where  he  grew  to  man's  es- 
tate and  married  Enfield  Mason,  a  native  of  Fau- 
quier County.  Va.,  who  died  at  Shelby  ville  in  1X37. 
Three  of  their  five  children  were  reared:  Charles, 
who  died  at  Shelbyville;  William  J.,  a  well-known 
resident  of  Shelbyville;  and  John  A.  of  whom  this 
sketch  is  written.  After  marriage  the  father  of  our 
subject  sought  the  forest  wilds  of  Kentucky  but  did 
not  make  a  permanent  home  there,  as  he  was  at- 
tracted to  Illinois  in  1829,  foreseeing  that  men  of 
hi- calibre  could  expend  their  energies  to  a  good 
advantage  in  a  country  of  such  splendid  but  un- 
tried resources.  He  journeyed  hither  with  teams. 
bringing  his  household  goods  and  being  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  the  two  children  that  then 
composed  their  family.  He  was  among  the  first  to 
settle  on  the  present  site  of  Shelbyville,  where  he 
found  but  little  in  the  group  of  small  log  houses 
to  indicate  that  the  little  hamlet  was  the  nucleus 
of  a  flourishing  and  busy  town  such  as  is  known 
by  those  of  a  later  generation. 

Mr.  Tackett  built  a  hewed  log  house,  which  he 
opened  as  an  inn  for  the  benefit  of  travelers  pass- 
im; through  the  town  or  coming  in  search  of  suit- 
able locations,  or  for  other  business  and  it  became 
widely  known  by  the  traveling  public  as  -Tackett 's 
Hotel",  and  its  comforts  were  duly  appreciated. 
There  were  no  railroads  here  for  years  after  he 
opened  his  hotel  and  all  travel  was  by  stage.  He 
added  to  his  buildings,  greatly  improved  his  prop- 
erty and  continued  to  keep  hotel  until  his  death. 
He  had  an  extensive  acquaintance,  was  popular 
and  well  liked,  always  friendly  and  obliging  in  his 
relations  with  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact, 
and  he  was  greatly  missed  in  the  community. 

Our  subject  having  been  born  in  the  early  days 
of  the  settlement  of  this  county,  has  been  a  witness 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


195 


of  almost  its  entire  growth,  and  it  may  well  be  bis 
pride  that  he  lias  contributed  to  its  rise  and  prog- 
ress since  he  arrived  at  the  years  of  discretion.  He 
has  a  clear  and  comprehensive  knowledge  of  agri- 
culture  and   he  is  superintending   his   extensive 
farming  interests  with  marked  ability,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  is  conducting  a  lucrative  business  as  a 
broker,  and   from  both  sources  derives  a  large  in- 
come,     lie  is  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of  his  native 
county  and    his    fellow-citizens  always   find    him 
ready  to  co-operate  with    them   in   whatever   will 
benefit  the  public.     His  name  stands  high  in  finan- 
cial circles,  as  his  integrity    in   money  matters  is 
unimpeachable  and  he  manages  his  business  after 
sound  method-.     His  personal    character  is  such  as 
in  gain  him  warm  esteem  among  his  neighbors  and 
many    acquaintances.     Socially    his    relations    are 
with  Okaw    Lodge,    No.    117.    I.    ().    ().    F.     Mr. 
Taekctt    was    happily    married     in     ltf^O    to    Miss 
Flora    Cash,    who    presides    gracefully    over  their 
attractive    home     and    cordially    unites    with    him 
in    entertaining     with     pleasant    hospitality    any 
of    their  friends    that    may   happen    to    enter    its 
doors      They  have  one  daughter  whom   they  have 
named  lima  Enfield. 

Mrs.  Tackett  is  a  native  of  Westfield,  Clark 
County,  111.,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  II.  Cash, 
one  of  the  well-known  citizens  of  that  town.  Her 
father  was  born  in  Amherst  County.  Va..  and  was 
a  son  of  Reuben  Cash,  who  was  a  life-long  resident 
of  the  Old  Dominion.  Mrs.  Tackett  's  father  went 
from  his  native  Mate  to  Kentucky  when  be  was 
twenty-six  years  old.  and  from  there  came  to  Clark 
County,  this  State,  four  years  later.  He  settled  in 
Westfield,  and  in  time  became  one  of  its  leading 
merchants.  He  carried  on  business  a  number  of 
years,  but  now  lives  retired  in  that  town.  Ih' 
married  Rebecca  Evinger,  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  they  have  reared  five  children. — Watson  (i.. 
Flora  N.,  Rose  M..  George  A.  and  Henry  E. 

Mrs.  Tackett's  grandfather  Evinger  was  born, 
reared  and  married  in  Kentucky,  he  being  a  son  of 
one  of  the  early  pioneer  families  of  that  State.  He 
in  turn  became  a  pioneer,  coming  to  Illinois  and 
casting  in  his  lot  with  the  early  settlers  of  (  lark 
County.  He  became  one  of  it-  most  prominent 
citizens,  anil   to  him  belongs  the  honor  of  havine 


platted  and  named  the  town  of  Westfield.  He 
elected  a  set  of  mills,  including  yrisl  and  carding 
mills  there,  but  after  a  few  years  they  were  burned 
and  from  that  time  be  lived  retired  from  active 
business  until  his  death  at  the  venerable  age  of 
ninety-one  years.  The  maiden  name  of  bis  wife 
was  Margaret  Seabolt.  she  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  went  from  there  to  Kentucky  with  her 
parents,  she  came  to  this  Slate  with  her  husband, 
and  died  at  Westfield,  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty- 
four  years. 


ENRY  F".  DAY.  .Mayor  of  Moweaqua,  and 
its  leading  merchant,  has  long  been  pre- 
eminent in  the  commercial, public,  political 
and  social  life  of  Shelby  County,  and  has 
been  an  important  agent  in  raising  it  toitspresenl 
position  as  one  of  the  foremost  counties  of  Central 
Illinois.  He  is  of  English  birth  and  ancestry,  born 
March  7.  1835,  in  Birmingham,  his  father,  John 
Day,  being  a  prominent  business  man  of  that  city. 
His  grandfather  was  a  manufacturer  of  fine  guns, 
and  was  :i  life-long  resident  of  Birmingham.  The 
father  of  our  subject  died  in  bis  native  city  in 
1849,  and  his  mother  died  in  L851.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Rebecca  Crane,  and  -lie  spent  her  whole 
life  in  Birmingham.  The  following  are  the  five 
children  that  she  reared:  Rebecca,  Betsy,  John, 
Henry  and  Thomas.  John  died  in  Birmingham, 
and  the  others  followed  our  subject  to  this  coun- 
try. Rebecca  married  .lames  II.  Elsum.and  settled 
at  Moweaqua;  Betsy  married  Thomas  Hudson,  and 
also  located  at  Moweaqua;  Thomas,  who  first  set- 
tled in  Boston,  and  later  at  Moweaqua,  served  in 
the  late  war  in  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  now  resides  at  Memphis,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business. 

Our  subject  was  fourteen  year's  old  when  bis 
father  died.  He  was  at  that  time  an  independent, 
self-reliant  lad.  with  a  full  share  of  the  pertinacity 
and  pluck  common  to  the  English  stock,  and  he 
soon  set  forth  in  the  world  to  see  life  for  himself. 
He  set  his  face  toward  the  United  state-  of  Amer- 
ica, and  embarking  December  •'>.   1849,  on  the  ve— 


i:m; 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


sel  "Parliament,"  lie  was  soon  out  on  1 1 1 1*  ocean, 
sailing  toward  Boston,  where  he  landed  the  '21th 
day  of  the  following  January.  He  had  been  well 
educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  im- 
mediately after  his  arrival  in  Boston  he  secured  a 
position  as  clerk  in  a  bookstore,  and  subsequently 
became  one  of  the  book-keepers  of  Nash,  Callen- 
der  ifc  Co.  In  1854  lie  look  up  his  residence  in 
NTew  York,  where  he  engaged  fur  a  time  in  the  in- 
surance business.  In  the  latter  part  of  L855  lie 
went  back  to  his  old  home  in  England,  and  after 
spending  several  months  amid  the  scenes  of  his 
boyhood,  he  returned  to  the  United  States  in  the 
spring  <>f   1K.~)7. 

lie  was  undecided  where  to  loeate  and  what  to 
do.  when  good  fortune  led  him  to  ask  the  advice 
of  his  friend.  Tom  Ponting,  to  whom  he  went  in 
Chicago.  That  gentleman  told  him  that  he  thought 
that  the  then  newly  founded  village  of  Moweaqua 
presented  many  advantages  to  an  energetic,  wide- 
awake young  man,  who  desired  to  establish  himself 
in  business.  A  hint  is  sufficient  to  the  wise,  and 
our  subject  was  not  long  in  acting  on  his  friend's 
suggestion.  He  arrived  here  in  May,  1857, and 
the  following  February  found  him  fairly  started 
in  a  lucrative  mercantile  business,  which  he  has 
conducted  ever  since,  with  remarkable  financial 
success.  He  began  in  a  small  way,  gradually  in- 
creased his  stock,  and  has  built  up  a  large  tiade, 
that  is  by  no  means  confined  within  the  limits  of 
the  city,  but  extends  far  beyond,  much  patronage 
coming  to  him  from  the  surrounding  country.  He 
now  has  two  stores  at  Moweaqua,  one  for  the  sale 
of  clothing  and  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods, 
boys'  wear.  etc..  ami  the  other  for  the  sale  of  gro- 
ceries, dry  goods,  hardware,  agricultural  imple- 
chma,  glassware,  etc.  Both  establishments  are 
fitted  up  in  good  style,  are  well  managed,  and  are 
stocked  with  first-class  goods  and  a  large  assort- 
ment in  every  line,  at  reasonable  prices. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Louisa 
M  March,  of  Jacksonville,  111.,  was  celebrated  June 
.*},  1862.  Mrs.  Day  is  a  daughter  of  Edward  and 
Harriet  (Stevenson)  March.  She  understands  well 
how  to  preside  over  her  home,  and  has  helped  her 
husband  and  children  to  make  theirs  the  scene  of 
true  hospitality  and    a    pleasant   abiding-glace,   re- 


plete with  every  desirable  luxury  and  comfort. 
These  are  the  names  of  the  children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Day:  William  I...  Henry  M.,  Claire,  Harriet 
M..  Mary  Crane,  Kdna  L..  Aileen  and  Bessie  Elea- 
nor. William,  a  resident  of  Concordia.  Kan.,  mar- 
ried Grace  llinman.  and  they  have  two  children  — 
Eloise  and  Vance. 

Xot  only  has  Mr.  Day  borne  an  important  part 
in  extending  tin'  business  interests  of  Moweaqua. 
but  he  is  a  conspicuous  figure  in  its  public  life  as 
the  present  Mayor  of  the  city,  to  which  position 
he  was  called  in  1891  by  his  appreciative  fellow- 
citizens,  who  recognize  his  talent  for  affairs,  and 
know  that  witli  him  at  the  head  of  the  local  gov- 
ernment all  enterprises  inaugurated  for  the  benefit 
of  the  community  will  receive  every  needed  en- 
couragement, and  that  all  matters  of  civic  import 
coming  under  his  jurisdiction  will  be  given  care- 
ful attention.  Our  subject  is  a  leader  among  the 
Democrats  of  this  section,  and  has  represented 
them  at  numerous  county,  district  and  State  con- 
ventions. Mr.  Day  is  prominently  known  in  social 
circles  for  his  connection  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  odd  Fellows  as  one  of  its  foremost  mem- 
bers in  Shelby  County.  lb'  belongs  to  Shelby 
Lodge,  No.  271.  and  to  Moweaqua  Lodge,  No. 
1013,  K.  of  II.  lie  has  represented  the  Shelby 
Lodge  at  the  Grand  Lodge  several  years,  was  for 
for  ten  years  Assistant  Secretary,  and  has  been 
Grand  Reporter  of  the  State  Lodge  of  K.  of  II. 
since  IK.xii. 


s 


ONATIIAN  1).  BRUCE.  The  family  to 
which  our  subject  belongs  lioasts  a  name 
that  is  famous  in  Scottish  history.  A  lineal 
descendant  of  the  Scottish  Kings,  the  branch 
of  the  family  to  which  our  subject  belongs  emi- 
grated to  America  early  in  the  eighteenth  century 
and  became  possessors  of  large  tracts  of  land  in 
Virginia.  Their  relations  there  were  with  the 
people  whose  names  are  so  intimately  and  prom- 
inently connected  with  the  Colonial  period  of 
American  history;  the  Reeds.  Birds,  Pendletons, 
Lees     and     Bruces    were    co-workers    in     Colonial 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


49i 


times.  Like  the  majority  of  Virginia  families 
the  scions  of  their  family  spread  out  like  tin-  rent- 
lets  of  a  tree  through  the  Southern  and  Central 
States,  that  to  which  our  family  belongs  settling  in 
Tenness  i  . 

Benjamin  W.  Bruce,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  December  25, 
1800.  Our  subject's  mother  was  in  her  maiden 
days  Miss  Elizabeth  Tull.  another  good  old  name 
which  figures  in  Colonial  history,  she  was  born 
in  Bedford  County.  Tenn..  November,  23,  1805. 
They  removed  to  Shelby  County,  soon,  if  not  im- 
mediately after  they  were  married.  ~ett linir  here  in 
1828,  in  Windsor  Township  on  Sand  Creek,  and 
were  among  the  earliest  pioneers  in  that  portion 
of  the  country.  'Sir.  Bruce,  Sr.,  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  The  social  bond  at  that  early  day  was 
kept  firm  by  their  church  relations.  Both  lie  and 
his  wife  were  communicants  of  the  Christian 
(  m  ih  and  were  ardent  workers  in  the  suae.  Their 
last  days  were  spent  in  Windsor  Township,  the  fa- 
ther passing  away  in  the  spring  of  1861.  His  wife 
survived  him  by  a  member  of  years,  her  dec 
occuring  January  20,  1875. 

One  almost  wonders  that  among  the  manifold 
duties  incident  to  pioneer  life  which  included  not 
only  baking  and  brewing  and  making  of  garments 
for  the  members  of  the  family,  but  also  the  card- 
ing and  spinning  and  making  into  cloth,  of  wool 
and  cotton,  that  our  subject's  mother  had  time  to 
rear  nine  children  and  give  to  each  of  them  the 
training  which,  as  a  conscientious  and  Christian 
woman,  she  felt  she  owed  them.  This,  however,  she 
did  ami  of  the  brood  of  little  ones  that  gathered  in 
the  old-fashioned  kitchen  about  the  fireplace,  our 
subject  was  the  fourth  child  in  order  of  birth.  Ik- 
was  born  in  Windsor  Township,  this  county.  April 
11.  1833. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  in  Windsor  Township  and  remained  with  bis 
father,  assisting  with  the  care  and  cultivation  of 
the  farm  until  he  was  married,  which  auspicious 
event  took  place  August  lit.  1852.  He  was  united 
to  Miss  Elenor  B.  Herod,  who  was  a  native  of  this 
county.  She  has  borne  him  eight  children.  Their 
name.*  are.  Clinton  D..  Samantha  A..  George  F., 
Addie   M..  Estella    B..  Maude  H..  Charles    o.  and 


Clarence  C  .  Samantha  A.  i>  now  the  wife  of  Oeorge 
I  .arvin:  Addie  is  the  wife  of  James  Moberly;  Estella 
B.  died  when  little  more  than  an  infant:  Maude 
II.  i-  the  wife  of  John  W.  Moberly. 

Mrs.  Elenor  Bruce  died  in  Windsor  Town-hip. 
January  8,  1875.  The  first  home  of  our  subject 
after  his  marriage  was  located  on  Sand  (reek:  there 
they  remained  for  one  year  and  then  removed  to 
Windsor,  of  which  he  was  the  Bret  inhabitant,  there 
building  the  first  house.  His  settlement  in  Wind- 
sor was  made  in  1856.  He  was  also  proprietor  of 
the  first  hotel  in  the  village.  It  was  known  as 
the  Windsor  Hotel,  and  this  he  conducted  for 
about  three  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  with  John  II.  Whitstone. 
They  continued  in  partnership  for  about  three 
years  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  Mr.  Bruce 
sold  out  his  interest  and  with  the  proceeds  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Moultrie  County, which, however 
la-  soon  disposed  of.  Dining  his  residence  in 
Windsor,  our  subject  was  engaged  in  farming, 
uniting  with  this  the  stock  and  grain  business,  in 
which  he  was  a  large  dealer  for  several  years.  He 
afterward  operated  a  large  grain  store  in  company 
with  Charles  Voris.  Eater  including  H.  F.  Smyser 
and  Levi  Wilkinson  in  the  partnership  they  con- 
tinued to  carry  on  the  grain  and  mercantile  busi- 
ness  until  about  1872.     They  also  opened  a  bank. 

in  which  they  did  a   g 1   business    in    connection 

with  their  store. 

Since  leaving  the  partnership  above  referred  to 
he  of  whom  we  write  has  engaged  exclusively  in 
farming  and  dealing  in  >t<>ek.  lie  is  the  owner  of 
about  four  hundred  acres  of  good  land  located  on 
section  .'UI.  just  outride  the  city  of  Windsor.  Upon 
this  farm  he  has  a  charming  residence  which  he 
bas  erected  on  the  point  nearest  the  village.  His 
farm  boasts  of  the  best  of  improvements  and  is  a 
conspicuous  feature  in  the  agricultural  district  of 
the  vicinity.  Mr.  Bruce  has  been  an  important 
factor  in  the  building  up  of  the  town  of  Windsor, 
and  the  inhabitants  owe  him  much  for  many  con- 
veniences that  make  them  so  closely  allied  to 
larger  cities. 

Our  subject  was  a  second  time  married  in  Wind- 
sor to  Mi"  Mar\  A.  McAmant.  Their  nuptials 
were  celebrated  Mas  9,  1*7(5.     The  lady  was  born 


198 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI<  ><  UJAPIIICAL    RECORD. 


in  Ohio.  She  has  presented  her  husband  with  two 
children — Robert  B.  and  Elenore  E.  The  latter 
died  when  ten  and  a  half  years  old.  In  his  polit- 
eal  preferences  Mr.  Bruce  is  a  Democrat,  in  that 
following  the  traditions  of  his  family.  He  has  taken 
an  active  part  in  religious  affairs,  having  been  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  since  1857  and 
has  filled  the  office  of  Deacon  for  about  twenty- 
five  years.  The  body  with  which  lie  is  united  owes 
much  to  his  generosity  and  excutive  ability. 


AMIEI.    S.   PETERS.     A     native    of    the 

■s^J     Prairie  Mate  and  prominent  in  agricultural, 


political    and    church    circles    in    Sullivan 
Township,  Moultrie  County,  is  the  stanch 

and  worthy  citizen  whose  name  appears  at  the 
head  of  this  article.  lie  was  born  in  (lark 
Comity,  this  state.  November  1 1.  1*34  and  is  a  son 
of  Andrew  and  Susan  (Mitchell)  Peters.  The 
father  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood  in  the  Green 
Mountain  Mate  and  afterward  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Ohio,  where  they  located  on  a  farm, 
which  is  now  a  portion  of  the  city  of  Cincinnati, 
and  there  they  died. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  married  in  Ohio. 
his  wife  heing  a  native  of  Wardford  County.  Ky. 
They  emigrated  from  the  Buckeye  Mate  to  Illinois 
at  a  very  early  day  in  the  history  of  this  Mate. 
This  wife  was  called  hence  by  deatb  and  Mr.  Peters 
married  again,  the  second  wife  being  the  mother 
of  our  subject.  Two  children  were  horn  to  her. 
the  second  son.  Oliver,  heing  four  years  younger 
than  Samuel.  He  married  Love  Clarke,  ano  now 
reside-  in  [roquois  County,  this  Stale.  ( )n  the 
paternal  side  the  family  is  of  English  ancestry  and 
was  established  in  Vermont  at  an  early  date  in  the 
colonization  of  New  England. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  spent  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Clark  County,  and  he  was  only 
twenty  years  of  age  when  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  Saveree  whose  father.  John. 
was  a  Frenchman  and  her  mother,  Eliza,  a  native 
of  Ohio.  Mrs.  Peters  is  the  second  child  in  her 
father'--    family,    of    whom    five    are    now    living 


namely:  Jeremiah,  now  a  widower,  who  resides  in 
hi-  native  county:  Cynthia  A.,  who  married  James 
Madley  and  died  on  the  homestead  in  Clark 
County;  Elizabeth,  who  became  the  wife  of  John 
I..  Collier  and  resides  in  Clark  County:  John  M.. 
who  married  Mary  Pell  and  lives  in  Vincennes, 
Ind..  having  served  through  the  war  as  a  soldier: 
Cynthia  J..  John  W.  and  William,  died  in  early 
life,  the  latter  in  tin-  army  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
year-.     He  was  a  member  of  an  Illinois  regiment. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Peters  died  when  she  was  ten 
years  old  and  her  mother  married  Fred  Hilhert. 
who  served  as  a  soldier  during  the  war  in  an  Illi- 
nois regiment.  Three  children  were  horn  of  this 
marriage,  namely:  Angeline.  now  Mis.  Nitzman 
and  Henderson  ami  Henry.  The  last  named  is  now 
deceased.  The  mother  passed  away  in  Clark 
County,  in   1883. 

The  five  children  who  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Peters  are  as  follows:  Su-ie.  who  is  now  the 
widow  of  Nelson  Fred~and  resides  with  her  par- 
ent-: Elizabeth,  who  died  in  infancy:  John  An- 
drew, who  married  Ellen  Wheeler  and  is  farming 
in  Missouri;  William,  who  i-  unmarried  and  lives 
at  home  with  his  parents  and  Mihlra.  who  married 
.Mr.  O.  M.  Stivers,  a  druggist  at  Bement,  111. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  made  agriculture 
his  life  work,  coming  to  Moultrie  County  in  1859 
and  renting  land  for  several  years  until  he  was 
able  to  purchase,  in  1*72.  the  farm  on  which  he 
now  resides,  lie  has  ever  taken  an  active  interest 
in  political  affairs  and  espouses  the  principles  of 
Democracy,  lie  has  served  with  great  efficiency  in 
the  offices  of  Highway  Commissioner  and  Justice 
of  the  Peace  tor  nine  years  besides  various  school 
offices,  lie  still  hold-  the  position  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace  and  his  administration  of  justice  is  in- 
deed conducive  to  the  peace  of  the  community,  as 
by  his  wise  and  judicious  counsel,  he  saves  many 
of  his  neighbors  from  expensive  and  aggravating 
lawsuits. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  the  religious 
body  with  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peters  first  became 
united,  as  they  joined  that  in  1861  but  as  there 
has  been  no  organization  of  that  kind  in  the 
neighborhood  where  they  reside,  they  withdrew 
from  it  six  year-  ago  and  joined  the  Presbyterian 


' 


^"to*. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


50] 


Church,  where  they  now  worship  and  where  they 
have  proved  themselves  a  power  for  good  in  all 
church  work.  This  gentleman  owns  a  splendid 
tract  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres  and  liis 
son.  William,  has  eighty  acres  adjoining.  He  is 
making  preparations  to  build  a  residence  the  coin- 
ing- year,  after  which  lie  will  no  donlit  find  great 
comfort  in  this  new  home  in  his  declining  years. 
He  is  identified  with  the  order  of  .Masons,  being  a 
member  of  Sullivan  Lodge  No.  7(11  and  of  Sullivan 
Chapter  No.  128,  as  well  as  being  identified  with 
the  Fanners'  Mutual  Benefit  Association. 


®) 


^f)ESSE  A.  KOWMAX.D.  I),  s..  of  Shelbyville, 
though  a  young  man  has  already  won  a  high 
reputation  for  his  complete  knowledge  of 
dental  surgery  and  stands  at  the  head  of  his 
profession  in  Shelby  County,  lie  is  a  native  of 
Illinois,  born  near  Rockport,  in  Pike  County.  De- 
cember 27.  1863.  His  father.  Joseph  McKwen.  was  a 
well-known  farmer  of  that  county  and  for  some 
years  previous  to  his  death,  in  1868,  resided  near 
Rockport.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Nancy 
Moxley, survived  him  until  1870,  her  death  occur- 
ring at  Shelbyville.  Six  of  their  children  were 
reared  to  maturity — William  P.,  John,  Mary.  Jacob, 
.lesse  and  Thomas. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother  our  subject  was 
adopted  by  Dr.  Joseph  and  Susan  Bowman,  of 
Shelbyville,  and  was  carefully  reared  by  them  as  if 
he  were  their  own.  He  was  given  line  educational 
advantages,  and  was  graduated  from  the  High 
School  in  the  Class  of  'Kl  with  a  good  record  for 
scholarship.  He  then  adopted  for  awhile  the  voca- 
tion of  teacher  in  order  to  secure  money  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  dental  profession.  He  taught  his 
first  term  in  Ridge  Township,  and  when  he  had 
sufficient  money  to  defray  his  expenses  at  college 
in  1HK3  he  entered  the  Indiana  Dental  College  at 
Indianapolis,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
(lass  of  '84,  with  a  thorough  equipment  for  his 
chosen  calling.  After  leaving  college  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  father  and  was  with  him  until 


Dr.  Bowman's  death  in  1888,  since  which  time  he 
has  been  alone.  He  has  pleasant  rooms  for  the  ex- 
ercise of  his  profession  and  is  well  supplied  with 
all  the  modern  appliances  that  have  placed  the 
practice  of  dentistry  to-da\  among  the  arts  or 
sciences.  His  skill,  combined  with  his  courtesey 
and  geniality  renders  him  popular  with  everybody 
and  has  gained  him  a  large  patronage. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Bowman  with  Miss  Anna 
Rice  was  solemnized  in  ltfKt;.  They  have  a  charm- 
ing home  and  their  household  is  completed  by  the 
presence  of  the  three  children  born  unto  them — 
Fred  Homer.  Carl  Randolph  and  George  A.  The 
Doctor  is  well-known  in  social  circles  for  his 
musical  talent  as  he  has  a  tine  voice  that  has  been 
carefully  cultivated  and  he  is  one  of  the  leading 
spirits  of  the  famous  Shelbyville  Palmer  Glee 
Club.  This  is  composed  of  five  members  and  is 
admitted  to  be  the  finest  glee  club  in  the  State.  It 
was  a  prominent  feature  in  Gen.  Palmer's  cam- 
paigns in  Ikk.s  and  1891,  being  greeted  with  en- 
thusiasm by  the  music-loving  populace  wherever 
it  sang  and  it  was  called  to  Chicago  during  the 
mayoralty  campaign  there  in  the  spring  of  1891, 
and  received  many  plaudits  from  the  people  and 
encomiums  from  the  press.  Our  subject-  and  his 
wife  are  among  the  Leading  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran Church.  He  has  been  Superinteneent  of  the 
Sunday-school,  Secretary  of  the  congregation  and 
for  eight  years  has  acted  as  chorister. 

Accompanying  this  biographical  notice  is  a  lith- 
ographic portrait  of  Dr.  Bowman. 


-^,.j.-r.^.  ^^  :;A^  .^...^,*j.r 


AIT.     GEORGE    WRIOHT.       Conspicuous 


linong  those  of  foreign    birtl 


periled 


y     among  those  ot   foreign    hirlli    who    periled 
'    their    lives    and    fortunes   to   help   save   the 
Union  during  the  Civil  War  (apt.  George   Wright 

is  not  the  least  worthy  of  mention.  Since  the 
close  of  the  Rebellion  he  has  shown  the  value  of 
his  citizenship  in  a  a  far  different  field  as  a  farmer 
of  this  county  who  for  several  years  has  interested 
himself  in  the  introduction  of  line  horses  into  this 
part  of  the  State,  having  a  well-equipped  stock 
farm  in   Pickaway  Township,  when'  he  and  his  son 


502 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


are  quite  extensively  engaged  in  breeding  horses, 
and  have  several  valuable  thoroughbreds  of  the 
besl  strains,  besides  some  imported  stock  of  the 
purest  blood. 

Capt.  Wrighl  was  burn  in  Hutton,  Yorkshire, 
England,  October  13,  1825.  His  father,  Robert 
Wright,  was  a  native  of  the  same  shire,  as  was  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject  who  spent  his  whole  life 
among  the  Yorkshire  wolds.  The  father  <  if  our  sub- 
ject was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  al- 
ways carried  on  his  occupation  in  his  native  shire. 
He  married  Eleanor  Bradley,  who  also  passed  her 
entire  life  in  Yorkshire.  She  was  the  mother  of 
six  children,  only  two  of  whom  came  to  this  coun- 
try, our  subject  and  his  sister  Frances.  The  latter 
married  Robert  Dobson,  and    lives    in   Shelbyville. 

At  the  early  age  of  seven  years  the  Captain  com- 
menced to  earn  his  own  living,  as  his  parents  were 
in  poor  circumstances,  and  he  worked  out  by  the 
year  in  different  English  shires  until  1847,  when 
he  obtained  employment  in  the  chemical  works  at 
South  Shields,  where  he  remained  two  years.  Am- 
bitious  to  see  something  of  the  world"  and  to  make 
more  of  life  than  was  possible    in    the    land   of   his 

birth,  in   the  pride   and  vigor  of  early  manh 1. 

he  set  sail  from  Liverpool  in  the  month  of  May 
in  the  vessel -De  Witt  Clinton,"  hound  for  these 
shores,  and  landed  at  New  York  after  a  three 
weeks'  voyage.  He  went  directly  to  Massillon, 
Ohio,  where  he  obtained  work  as  a  farm  hand,  and 
he  resided  there  until  1858.  In  that  year  he  made 
a  new  departure,  and  coming  to  this  county,  be- 
gan  his  independent  career  as  a  farmer  by  purchas- 
ing two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  wild  prairie, 
paying  $9  an  acre  for  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  it,  and  $12.50  for  the  remaining  eighty  acre.-. 
He  was  asingleman  at  that  time. but  he  had  the  help 
and  encouragement  of  his  sister,  with  whom  he 
resided  until  1861. 

In  that  year  the  war  broke  out,  and  our  subject 
responded  quickly  to  the  call  for  troops  first  given, 
with  all  the  loyalty  to  the  Government  under 
which  he  had  come  to  build  up  a  new  home,  and 
with  all  the  patriotism  of  a  native-born  citizen. 
So  rapidly  did  volunteers  come  forward  in  this 
county  that  the  quota  was  filled  lie  fore  our  subject 
was  mustered  in.  and  he  had  to  wait  until  the 25th 


of  May  before  his  name  was  enrolled  as  a  member 
of  Company  B,  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry,  under 
Col.  John  M.  Palmer.  July  25,  1861,  his  regi- 
ment crossed  from  Quincy  to  Missouri,  and  was 
stationed  in  that  State  until  the  ensuing  winter, 
being  at  different  times  quartered  at  Rolla,  Macon 
City,  Sturgeon,  Jefferson  City.  Lipton,  Springfield, 
Sedalia  and  Otterville,  oi  wherever  their  services 
were  most  needed,  being  at  the  latter  place  the 
greater  part  of  the  season  of  1861  and  till  the 
1st  of  February,  1X02.  When  Gen.  Lyon  fought  his 
famous  battle  at  Wilson's  Creek,  and  when  Mulli- 
gan was  engaged  at  Lexington,  our  subject  and 
his  comrades  were  sent  to  re-enforce  them  but  ar- 
rived too  late  both  times  to  be  of  much  use.  While 
at  Jefferson  City  our  subject  received  his  promo- 
tion to  be  Second  Lieutenant  of  his  company  Sep- 
tember 28,  1861. 

When  his  regiment  left  its  winter  quarters  it 
was  despatched  across  the  Mississippi  River  to 
Ft.  Donelson,  and  much  to  the  disappointment  of 
the  brave  men  it  arrived  too  late  for  the  battle. 
They  were,  however,  in  good  season  for  the  en- 
gagement at  Shiloh,  or  Pittsburg  Landing,  April 
(i,  1862,  and  did  some  desperate  fighting  in  that 
dreadful  battle,  as  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  two 
hundred  out  of  their  five  hundred  were  left  on 
the  held  at  the  end  of  the  encounter.  On  that  oc- 
casion, while  faithfully  performing  his  duty,  and 
cheering  his  men  on  to  the  conflict,  Capt.  Wright, 
received  a  bullet  wound  in  the  left  arm. 

October  25,  1872,  marked  another  important 
event  in  the  brave  officer's  military  career,  and  it 
was  on  that  date  that  he  received  his  commission 
as  First  Lieutenant,  to  date  September  13.  lK(!2,and 
reading  '-Promoted  for  meritorious  service  at  Pitts- 
burg Landing."  When  the  attack  was  made  on 
Corinth.the  Fourteenth  Illinois  distinguished  itself 
for  conspicuous  gallantry  in  the  fore-front  of  the 
battle.  Its  next  move  wasto  Grand  Junction  and 
La  Grange,  and  June  17,  1862,  found  it  at  Holly 
Springs,  Aliss.  The  following  October  it  was  in 
the  heat  of  battle  at  Metamora.  sometimes  called 
the  battle  of  Hatch ie.  Our  subject  and  his  com- 
rades spent  the  winter  of  1862-63  at  Lafayette. 
Tenn..  and  the  following  spring  and  summer  were 
in  active  service  in  the  famous  sie^e  of  Vicksburg. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


>03 


Here  again  our  subject  was  honored  by  promotion 
to  the  position  of  Captain,  receiving  his  commis- 
sion, which  was  dated  May  8,  1863,  June  30, 
1863.  After  Vicksburg  had  fallen  he  led  his  men 
in  the  battle  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  afterward 
camped  at  Natchez.  He  was  subsequently  detailed 
with  his  company  b>  escort  A.dj.-Gen.  Thomas 
to  New  Orleans,  lit'  rejoined  his  regimenl  near 
Vicksburg,  and  in  the  opening  month  of  1864  he 
and  m  number  of  his  fellow- veterans  returned  to 
[llinois,  where  he  obtained  furloughs  for  his  men 
at  Springfield.  For  a  month  after  that  he  was  on 
detached  duty  recruiting  troops  in  thiscounty.  In 
the  spring  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  which  was 
then  stationed  at  Memphis,  but  he  shortly  returned 
to  Illinois  with  Col.  Hall,  the  commander  of  his 
regimenl  to  assist  him  in  obtaining  recruits. 
Having  replenished  the  regimenl  to  the  required 
Dumber,  they  returned  to  the  scat  of  war.  arriving 
at  Cairo  May   13,  1864,  and  were  soon  at  the  front. 

The  term  of  enlistment  of  the  Fourteenth  Illi- 
nois expired  while  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  and  soon 
returned  to  Springiield.  111.,  where  ('apt.  Wright 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  having  served 
long  and  faithfully  and  he  returned  to  thiscounty 
with  his  honors  thick   upon   him. 

The  Captain  took  up  the  work  that  he  had  laid 
down  tO  do  battle    for    his    adopted    country,    and 

was  engaged  in  farming  in  Todd's  Point  Town- 
ship for  a  time,  his  own  land  being  leased.  In 
1870  he  took  up  hi-  residence  once  more  on  his 
farm  in  Pickaway  Township,  and  ha>  since  occu- 
pied a  leading  place  among  the  most  intelligent 
and  progressive  farmers  of  this  section.  He  has 
always  dearly  loved  a  tine  horse,  which  he  rightly 
considers  one  of  the  noblest  of  animals,  and  a  few 
years  ago  he  turned  his  attention  to  raising  horses 
in  company  with  his  son.  and  they  have  met  with 
signal  success  in  their  enterprise.  They  now  have 
five  costly,  valuable  stallions,  four  of  them  im- 
ported, as  follow-:  ■•Thornton  Echo"  was  foaled 
in  I.a  Fylde,  Lancastershire, England;  "Royal Oak" 
was  bred  in  Cambridgeshire,  "Rampton"  was 
bred  in  Lincolnshire.  "Arthur"  is  a  tine  road- 
ster, half  Hambletonian  and  half  Cleveland  Pay; 
and  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  prom- 
ising of  the  stallions  i-  "Castleraugh,"  an    English 


hackney,  hied  in  Effingham,  Yorkshire.  England, 
imported  to  this  country  in  1890.  Messrs.  Wrighl 
also  have  three  imported  English  shire  man'-:  "Lady 
Cannock."  No.  2350, bred  in  Leicestershire; "Queen 
Sarah."  No.  2:i.V2.  hied  in  Lincolnshire;  "Queen 
Henrietta.  No.  2351,  bred  in  Lincolnshire.  These 
horses  constitute  one  of  the  besl  selected  and  most 
valuable  studs  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  in 
their  purchase  the  Captain  laid  the  foundation  of 
a  business  that  is  increasing  each  year,  and  he  has 
already  become  known  as  a  horseman  of  superior 
judgment,  of  marked  capability  and  far-reaching 
enterprise,  who  seems  to  know  the  good  points  of 
a  horse  intuitively,  and  is  never  deceived  in  the 
worth  of  an  animal.  In  his  son.  a  young  man  of 
much  force  of  character,  he  has  an    able   coadjutor. 

December  29,  1864,  Capt.  Wright  contracted 
a  marriage  with  Mis-  Jennie  Turner  thai  has  added 
greatly  to  his  well-being.  Its  happiness  has  been 
enchanced  by  the  five  children  horn  unto  them, 
namely.  John  Sherman,  Florence  Agnes,  Frances 
Helena.  Annie  .lane  and  Alice  Maud.  Mrs.  Wright 
is  also  of  English  birth  and  antecedents,  horn  in 
Lancastershire,  and  a  daughter  of  John  Turner.  She 
came  to  America  in   ISIi2. 

Before  the  war  our  subject  was  a  Democrat,  ana 
was  a  devoted  follower  of  the  famous  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  The  war  seems  to  have  changed  his  po- 
litical views  decidedly,  a-  since  he  left  the  army 
he  ha-  been  a  strong  Republican,  and  the  party 
ha-  no  more  ardent  advocate  in  this  section  than 
he. 

mt^  I  hi  i  b  p  >  )ii 

RVIN  HOMRIGHOUS,  a  jeweler  of  Shelby- 
ville,  Shelby  County,  bears  a  high  reputa- 
tion through  the  county  a-  a  business  man. 

and  is  widely  known  in  social  circle-  for  his  mus- 
ical talent  and  for  hi-  connection  with  the  famous 
Shelby  ville  Palmer  Glee  Club  as  it-  leader.  He  i- 
a  native  of  Amanda  Township,  Fairfield  County. 
Ohio,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  March  28,1836. 
His  father.  John  Homrighous,  a  prominent  citizen 
ami  business  man  of  that  place,  was  born  in  that 
county,  in  the  township  of  Bloom.  October  11. 
1811,  being  a  son  of  One  of   the  early   pioneers  of 


504 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


that  part  of  Ohio,  John  Homrighous.  The  latter 
was  bom  in  Deadenshaus,  Germany,  November  21, 
1781.  His  boyhood  was  passed  in  the  Fatherland. 
but  before  he  attained  his  majority  he  resolved  to 
try  life  in  America.  Accordingly  he  embarked  on 
the  good  ship  "  Speculation,"  and  some  weeks  later 
landed  at  Baltimore.  He  returned  to  Germany  a 
year  or  two  later  to  revisit  the  scenes  of  his  youth. 
but  he  came  back  to  this  country  in  1  .si)."),  and  was 
a  resident  of  Baltimore  until  lKKi.  when  he  vent- 
ured forth  into  the  wilds  of  Ohio,  and  became  a 
pioneer  of  Lancaster.  He  was  finely  educated, 
and  his  fellow-pioneers  were  glad  to  have  him  ; 
teach  their  children,  so  he  taught  for  some  lime  in 
and  about  Lancaster,  and  was  one  of  the  very  first 
teachers  of  Fairfield  County,  lie  was  a  preacher  : 
in  the  German  Reformed  Church,  and  ad- 
ministered spiritual  food  to  the  people  very  accept- 
ably. He  was  withal  a  man  of  thrift  and  industry 
and  the  quarter  of  a  section  of  land  that  he  pur- 
chased in  Bloom  Township  under  his  skilful  hand 
became  a  tine  farm,  though  it  was  heavily  wooded 
when  it  came  into  his  possession.  He  made  it 
his  home  until  he  was  called  up  higher  to  the 
realms  of  the  blest.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife 
was  Alspaugh.  She  was  of  German  antecedents, 
but  was  born    in  America. 

In  the  county  of  his  nativity,  the  father  of  sub- 
ject grew  up  under  pioneer  influences.  He  learned 
the  trade  of  a  cabinetmaker,  and  in  lis2!»  estab- 
lished himself  at  that  in  connection  with  undertak- 
ing at  Rovalton,  and  has  been  in  business  there 
ever  since,  he  being  one  of  the  substantia]  moneyed 
men  of  the  town.  He  also  owns  a  farm  in 
Amanda  Township,  just  outside  the  corporate 
limits  of  Rovalton.  lie  married  in  early  manhood 
Miss  Magdalina  Wagner,  and  they  have  traveled 
life's  road  together  many  years.  She  was  born  in 
Amanda  Township,  December  1  1.  1811,  coming  of 
one  of  the  early  pioneer  families  of  Ohio.  She  is 
the  mother  of  these  five  children, — John  W., 
Frvin,  Mary  A..  Lewis  and  Henry. 

Frvin  Homrighous  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  Rovalton.  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  he 
began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  jeweler,  and  when 
fifteen  years  old  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of 
a  cabinetmaker  of  his    father,     lie  worked    with 


him  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  ami 
then  came  to  Illinois,  and  for  seven  years  was  act- 
ively engaged  in  farming  in  Holland  Township. 
In  1865  he  came  to  Shelbyville.  but  he  did  not  at 
once  establish  himself  in  any  particular  business. 
He  continued  to  give  his  attention  to  agriculture 
and  superintended  the  management  of  his  tine 
farm  of  five  hundred  acres  in  Holland  Township, 
continually  making  improvements  that  enhanced 
its  value.  In  1881  lie  embarked  in  the  jewelry 
business,  taking  advantage  of  a  fine  opening  at 
Shelbyville  for  a  first-class  jewelry  store,  and  has 
continued  in  it  ever  since.  He  has  one  of  the 
finest  establishments  of  the  kind  in  Central  Illinois, 
handsomely  appointed,  and  slocked  with  an  ele- 
gant assortment  of  jewelry  and  precious  stones  of 
every  description  to  suit  all  tastes  and  require- 
ments of  even  the  most  fastidious,  as  our  subject 
is  a  connoisseur  in  his  line,  and  makes  his  select- 
ions with  nice  discrimination  and  an   artistic   eye. 

Mr.  Homrighous  was  first  married  in  1858  to 
Miss  Mary  Allen,  who  was,  like  himself,  a  native 
of  Amanda  Township,  Ohio,  ami  was  a  daughter 
of  Howard  and  Sarah  (Leist)  Allen.  Mrs.  Hom- 
righous died  in  1M7D  and   her  household   was  thus 

deprived  of    the  tender    ministrations  of  a   g 1 

wife  and  devoted  mother.  Four  children  were  the 
fruit  of  that  marriage,  namely. — John.  Milo,  Met- 
ta  and  Frank.  In  April.  1871,  our  subject  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Esther  Penwell.  a 
native  of  Indiana,  and  a  daughter  of  David  and 
Samantha  (Carver)  Penwell.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hom- 
righous have  a  charming  home,  and  their  many 
friends  are  always  sure  of  a  cordial  welcome  and 
pleasant  entertainment  at  the  hands  of  a  host  ami 
hostess  of  such  well-known  social  qualities  as  they 
possess.  Two  children  have  blessed  their  mar- 
riage. Charles  and  Bob. 

Mr.  Homrighous  is  not  only  a  practical,  wide- 
awake business  man.  but  he  has  another  side  to  his 
nature  in  that  he  has  inherited  from  a  music-loving 
race  a  decided  talent  for  that  noble  art.  and  is  one 
of  the  foremost  singers  of  this  county.  He  re- 
ceived a  cartful  and  thorough  training  in  voice 
cult  in  e  in  his  youth,  and  ever  since  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  has  given  vocal  lessons,  and  for 
some  years  he  has  been  chorister  at  the   Methodist 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


50a 


Episcopal  Church.  But  he  has  gained  1 1  i—  chief 
distinction  as  leader  of  the  celebrated  Shelbyville 
Palmer  Glee  Club,  which  i-  widely  known  for  the 
marked  musical  ability  of  its  members,  and  stands 
without  a  peer  in  the  United  States  as  a  campaign 
glee  club.  The  four  gentlemen  who  have  united 
with  our  subject  to  make  the  club  famous  are  K. 
T.  Ilitr.  Dr.  -I.  A.  Bowman,  Edward  Silvers  andG. 
R,  Graybill.  During  the  political  campaign  <>f 
i~^s  the  club  accompanied  Gen.  Palmer  when 
he  stumped  the  State  for  the  Governorship,  and 
was  received  with  acclamation  cm  every  hand  by 
the  people  who  assembled  to  hear  the  General's 
political  oratory,  and  who  listened  with  rapt  atten- 
tion to  the  songs  rendered  by  the  club,  and  testified 
t<>  their  appreciation  by  generous  applause.  When 
the  exciting  mayoralty  contest  was  being  carried 
on  in  Chicago  in  the  spring:  of  1891,  the  Glee 
Club  was  honored  by  being  called  to  that  city  to 
sing  at  the  political  gatherings  of  the  Democrats, 
and  if  the  candidate  endorsed  by  Senator  Palmer 
could  have  been  sung  into  office,  he  would  un- 
doubtedly have  been  reelected.  As  it  was,  the 
music-loving  populace  of  the  World'?  Fair  I  itv 
attended  the  meetings  in  crowds  to  hear  the  >iiiir- 
iiiLT  of  the  club,  and  it  was  highly  commended  by 
the  press. 

In  polities.  Mr.  Homrighous  is  a  Democrat. 
Socially,  he  i>  a  member  of  Jackson  Lodge,  No. 
53,  A.  F.  &.  A.  M.  Religiously,  both  he  and  his 
wife  are  among  the  leading  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church. 


gj  ALVIN  FRANTZ.  The  original  of  this 
sketch  is  now  enjoying  the  well  earned  rest 
from  the  hard  labor  and  responsibility  to 
which  he  has  for  years  been  subjected.  He  is  now 
living  in  retirement  from  farm  work  in  Lovington 
and  here  gives  himself  up  to  the  enjoyment  of 
things  in  life,  which,  although  he  has  appreciated 
hitherto,  he  has  Keen  obliged  to  deprive  himself  of 
because  of  lack  of  time  and  mental  freshness  to 
thoroughly  enjoy.     The  life  of  a  farmer, especially 


one  who  has  the  charge  of  a  good  deal  of  stock,  is 
one  in  which  every  hour  of  the  day  has  its  duties: 
from  the  earliest  dawn  when  tin-  kine  and  calves, 
the  horses  and  pigs  and  other  domestic  animals  are 
each  calling  in  their  own  peculiar  language  for 
breakfast  and  care,  until  the  night,  when  it  i>  im- 
portant that  each  dumb  brute  should  lie  safely 
housed  and  protected,  there  i>  something  to  look 
after,  something  to  plan  and  much  to  execute.  A 
farm  is  a  small  dominion  and  the  fanner  i-  the 
petty  monarch  of  all  he  surveys,  and  it  will  yield 
him  well  and  prolific-ally  in  proportion  as  he  studies 
its  needs  anil  requirements. 

Our  subject  is  of  Irish-American  parentage.  Hi? 
father,  John  Frantz,  was  born  in  Somerset  County, 
Pa.,  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Rachael  McMahon,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  After 
marriage  they  settled  in  Somerset  County.  Pa., 
where  they  remained  a  short  time  and  thence  re- 
moved to  Perry  County,  Ohio,  where  they  resided 
a  good  many  year.-,  and  early  in  the  '60s  came 
to  Moultrie  County,  here  living  until  death  claimed 
them  for  its  own.  Both  passed  away  at  the  resi- 
lience of  our  subject  in  Lovington.  They  had 
nine  children  and  of  these  our  subject  was  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth.  He  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  January  23,  1830,  and  there  he  grew 
to  manhood,  remaining  under  the  parental  roof 
until  1851.  when  he  came  to  Moultrie  County  and 
soon  after  engaged  in  farming  in  Dora  Township. 
where  he  continued  to  live  until  March.  1885. 

At  the  date  above  named  Mr.  Frantz  rented  hi- 
farm  ami  came  to  the  village  of  Lovington  where 
lie  has  since  been  a  resident.  His  chief  occupation 
has  been  farming  and  he  ha-  devoted  himself  to 
this  calling  with  a  gratifying  degree  of  success. 
He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acre-  of  land 
in  Dora  Township  which  is  well  improved  and 
bears  evidence  of  thorough  and  intelligent  culti- 
vation on  the  part  of  its  owner.  He  of  whom  we 
write  was  married  in  Lovington  Township.  March 
Hi.  1854.  His  bride  was  Catherine  E.  Peniwell,  a 
daughter  of  John  D.  and  Isabella  (Podman)  Peni- 
well.  The  former  was  born  in  Delaware  and  the 
latter  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  After  marriage 
they  settled  in  Pickaway  County.  Ohio,  where  the 
wife  and  mother  died.     Mr.  l'eniwell  then  came  to 


5(16 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


.Moultrie  County,  this  State,  in  1K.">  1 ,  and  settled 
in  Lovington  Township  and  later  removed  to  Dora 
Township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death. 

Nine  children  grew  up  about  their  parents  and 
Of  these  .Mrs.  Frantz  was  the  fourth  in  order  of 
borth.  She  was  horn  in  Ohio.  June  7.  L825,  Mrs. 
Frantz  is  an  intelligent  and  amiable  woman  who 
has  ever  been  the  loving  helpmate  and  sympathetic 
companion  in  all  that  interests  her  husband.  She 
is  the  mother  of  four  children  whose  names  are 
respectively:  Isabella.  Raehael  F..and  .Mary  Wand 
one  other  child,  the  eldest,  who  died  in  infancy. 
of  these.  Isabella  is  the  wife  of  Reuben  Landers. 
She  died  in  Lovington  Township.  October,  1KHS. 
Raehael  E.  died  when  only  two  years  of  age.  Mary 
V.  is  the  wife  of  T.  I).  Wilt, 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  has  taken  an 
active  interest  iii  political  affairs  for  many  years 
past,  being  a  follower  and  adherent  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  has  held  several  offices  in  the  gift 
of  the  township  in  which  he  lives,  having  been 
Collector,  School  Director,  and  Highway  Commis- 
sioner, all  of  which  posts  he  has  held  to  the  satis- 
faction of  his  constituents.  Mr.  Frantz  is  a 
gentleman  whose  high  business  capabilities  render 
him  fit  for  any  position  that  might  be  required  of 
him  for  the  good  of  the  township  and  the  advan- 
tage of  the  people.  He  is  a  thoughtful,  intelligent 
man.  an  honorable  gentleman  and  a  scholar. 


-S 


£+£ 


B_ 


GEORGE  BAKER  is  successfully  pursuing 
agriculture  on  the  fertile  soil  of  Penn 
Township,  where  he  has  a  farm  that  in 
point  of  productiveness,  cultivation  and  improve- 
ment ranks  with  the  best  in  its  vicinity.  June  10, 
1851  is  the  date  of  the  birth  of  our  subject  in  Har- 
rison County,  Ind.  Conrad  Baker,  his  father,  a 
well-known  resident  of  that  county,  is  a  native  of 
Germany.  His  parents  spent  their  entire  lives  in 
that  country  anil  he  and  his  brother  Theobald 
were  the  only  members  of  the  family  that  ever 
came  to  America.  The  latter  settled  in  Floyd 
County,  lnd. 

Conrad  Baker  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker 


in  his  youth  and  when  a  young  man  left  his 
native  land  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  United  States 
of  America.  After  his  arrival  he  made  his  way  to 
Indiana  and  settled  in  Harrison  County.  For  a 
time  he  made  shoes  in  Bradford  and  then  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  continued  to 
carry  on  with  good  profit  for  some  years.  lie  now 
lives  retired  in  the  same  village  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  competence  ample  for  all  his  wants.  He  was 
married  after  coming  to  this  country  to  Sarah 
Ingrain,  a  native  of  Harrison  County.  He  was 
bereaved  of  her  companionship  by  her  death  in 
1879.  Her  father,  who  was  a  pioneer  of  Harrison 
County,  served  in  the  War  of  1*12  and  fought 
bravely  in  the  famous  Battle  of  Tippecanoe.  Two 
children  were  born  to  the  parents  of  our  subject. 
Lewis,  the  other  son,  being  now  a  resident  of 
Bradford,  his  native  town.  After  the  death  of 
their  mother  their  father  married  again  and  has 
nine  children  by  his  second  union. 

Our  subject  passed  his  boyhood  in  the  home  of 
his  birth  and  was  educated  in  the  local  public 
schools.  He  was  active,  capable  and  self-reliant  as 
a  lad  and  began  to  make  himself  useful  when  quite 
young.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  left  the  paren- 
tal abode  to  start  in  life  for  himself  and  for  one 
year  worked  on  a  farm  by  the  month  in  his  native 
county.  He  then  left  Indiana  and  for  a  year  and 
a  half  lived  in  LaBelle  County.  Kan.,  where  he 
was  employed  as  a  farm  hand.  Shrewdly  foresee- 
ing that  on  the  alluvial  soil  of  this  county  he 
would  have  better  Opportunities  to  become  inde- 
pendent in  the  exercise  of  his  chosen  calling,  for 
he  had  decided  to  try  farming  for  himself,  he 
came  to  this  section  of  the  State  and  in  1S7M 
rented  land.  He  was  thrifty,  industrious  and 
economical  and  in  1888  he  had  money  enough  and 
to  spare  to  invest  in  a  good  farm  and  he  bought 
the  one  that  he  now  occupies.  He  is  the  fortunate 
proprietor  of  a  quarter  section  of  prairie  in  Penn 
Township,  which  is  undei  admirable  tillage  and  is 
supplied  with  all  the  nccessarx  buildings,  besides 
being  well  equipped  wit] idem  machinery. 

During  these  years  of  toil  Mr.  Baker  has  by  no 
means  been  without  the  assistance  of  a  capable 
wife,  to  whose  cheerful  co-operation  he  is  much 
indebted  for  the  comforts   of  a  cozv  home.     This 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


507 


helpmate  he  secured  in  the  person  of  Laura  A. 
.Martin,  tn  whom  lit'  was  united  in  marriage  in 
1K73.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  tin-in. 
whom  they  have  named  Cora  E.  and  Clarence. 
Mr.  Baker  i-  an  intelligent  member  of  the  Fanner's 
Mutual  Benefit  Association  and  in  politics  he  holds 
himself  independent,  supporting  at  the  polls  which- 
ever partj  he  deem-  best. 


— ' 5- 


-^•S'. 


=5© 


M£~<! 


*VT  XDRKW  FOSTER.  Our  subject  is  of  Irish 
C -/- 1     parentage  and  from  both  sides  of  the  fam- 

/  V  ily  inherits  the  wit  and  humor  as  well 
qJ  as    the    quick   and    nervous    vital     force 

of  the  Irish  people.  His  father  was  John  Foster 
and  his  mother  was  Eleanor  (Morrow)  Foster,  both 
from  Ireland,  and  having  emigrated  to  this  coun- 
try at  an  early  day.  removing  to  Moultrie  County, 
this  Mate,  where  they  settled  in  Lovington  Town- 
ship. The  father  of  the  family  expired  on  his 
farm  in  the  township.  The  mother  passed  away 
later,  while  in  the  town.  They  had  eleven  chil- 
dren, of  whom  our  subject  was  the  tenth  in  order 
of  birth. 

Ross  County,  Ohio,  was  the  place  where  Andrew 
Foster  was  horn  September  24.  1816.  He  was 
about  four  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Pickaway   County.    Ohio,  and     there    he    grew    to 

manh 1    and    there   continued  to  live  until  1844, 

when  he  came  to  Moultrie  County  with  his  wife 
ami  one  child  and  settled  in  Lovington  Township. 
His  marriage  took  place  in  Ross  County.  Ohio, 
March  2.  1842,  and  he  was  united  to  Lucinda  Coch- 
ran, who  was  a  native  of  the  county  in  which  she 
was  married.  She  hole  him  four  children,  whose 
names  areas  follows:  John  A.,  who  married  Adelia 
Bicknell  and  died  in  Lovington,  this  State:  the 
other  children  are  Elizabeth  K.:  Sarah  .1.:  Milton 
C;  Elizabeth  E.  is  the  wife  of  Henry  II.  Dawson: 
Sarah  .1.  was  married  to  .lames  Gregory;  while  Mil- 
ton ('.  was  united  to  Miss  K.  Ricknell.  Mrs.  Lu- 
cinda Foster  died  in  Lovington  October  l.  1854. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  again  married  in 
Sullivan,  this  State,  October  28,  1858,  to  Sarah  .1. 
Lewis,   nee   Hubbard.     She    was  born  in  Pickaway 


County,  Ohio,  September  21,  1831.  six  children 
were  the  result  of  this  marriage.  Their  names  are 
as  follows:  George  F..  Alva  I-:..  Charles  O..  liah  S. 
and  Frank  11;  George  E. married  Amanda  Binkley; 
Alva  E.  was  united  to  Miss  Lizzie  Gailey;  Charles 
O.  was  united  to  Miss  Allie  Souther;  Frank  II. 
married  Miss  olive  Boggs;  the  other  son,  Eddie, 
died  when  only  eight  months  old. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  lived  on  his  farm  in  this 
county  until  about  1852  or  1853,  when  he  came  to 
LOvingtOn,  where  he  has  since  been  a  resident.     He 

is  the  owner  of  live  hundred  and  two  acres  of  good, 

arable  land,  upon  which  he  has  laid  out  many  im- 
provements. In  politics  he  is  an  adherent  of  the 
Democratic  party,  its  breadth  of  platform,  free  trade 
theories,  suiting  his  ideas  of  a  Republican  form 
of  government  His  wife,  who  is  personally  a 
most  affable  lady,  with  an  unusual  conversational 
ability,  has  ever  been  her  husband's  encourager 
and  helper  in  his  work.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  all  good  words 
and  works  find  a  sure  lodging  in  her  sympathetic 
and  motherly  nature. 

Our  subject's  father.  John  Foster,  died  in  Au- 
gust, 1852,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  Flis 
wife.  Mrs.  Eleanor  Foster,  died  in  August.  1852, at 
the  same  age  her  husband  had  attained  when  his 
decease  took  place.  They  were  kindly  and  gentle 
old  people,  who  had  fulfilled  their  mission  in  life 
conscientiously  and  well.  They  bequeathed  to 
their  children  principles  of  honor  and  rectitude 
that  have  followed  them  through  life  and  have 
been  of  great  advantage  to  them  in  a  business  way. 


ENRY  BERNHARD.  At  the  name  miller, 
one's  mind  instantly  and  involuntarily  sees 
picture  after  picture  of  the  changes  that 
have  been  wrOUghl  in  the  methods  of  pro- 
ducing the  farinaceous  product  of  which  the  staff 
of  life  is  made.  One  first  see- two  veiled  women 
sitting  on  either  side  of  stone  disks  and  grinding 
the  handful  of  corn  or  wheat  into  powder;  later, 
it  was  accomplished    on    a    larger  scale,  and  beasts 


508 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


of  burden  turned  the  stones,  and   in    the   boy] I 

days  of  the  early  pioneers  in  this  State,  they  saw 
quaint  Little  mills  whose  wheels  were  turned  by  a 
thin  stream  of  water  that,  east  from  the  wheel, 
made  merry  bubbles  and  diamonds  of  light.  This 
has  all  given  way  to  the  new  process  and  nowa- 
days when  we  no  to  mill,  one  sees  only  a  bewilder- 
ing maze  of  belts  and  hands  and  machinery, 
that  turns  out  the  snowy  white  billows  of 
flour  at  an  amazingly  rapid  rate.  This  is  known 
as  the  Roller  Process  of  making  flour  and  it  is  one 
of  these  last  mentioned  places  of  which  oursubjecl 
is  proprietor. 

Previous  to  coming  to  Strasburgh,  the  original 
of  our  sketch  was  engaged  iii  business  in  Effing- 
ham County,  this  State,  where  he  remained  until 
his  mill  was  destroyed  by  lire  November  1.  L886. 
He  did  not.  however,  make  the  change  until  April, 
1887,  when  on  coming  here,  he  erected  the  tine 
mill  of  which  he  is  the  sole  owner  and  proprietor. 
These  mills  have  a  capacity  of  turning  out  eighty 
barrels  of  Hour  daily,  and  being  so  accessible  to 
the  farmers  in  the  vicinity,  .Mr.  Bernhard  does  a 
large  and  thriving  business.  Our  subject  has  a 
charming  residence  in  Strasburg  located  on  the 
principal  residence  street.  It  is  gracefully  presided 
over  by  his  wife,  who  is  a  cultivated  and  talented 
woman,  she  was  previous  to  marriage  with  him 
Of  whom  we  write  Mis.  Louisa  Kid.  nee  Ilartinan. 
She  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Our  subject  had 
previously  been  married,  his  first  wife  having  died 
in  Shumway.  this  State.  July  2.  1883. 

Henry  Bernhard  was  born  in  [ttlingen,  Baden. 
Germany,  April  '.),  1835,/and  is  a  son  of  Henry 
and  Margaret  (Ziegler)  Bernhard.  both  natives  of 
Baden,  Germany,  the  former  having  been  there 
born  September  I.  1802.  The  mother  passed  away 
in  her  native  country  in  1837.  Sonic  years  after 
our  subject  came  to  America  his  father  also  emi- 
grated to  this  country  in  1879,  and  thereafter 
made  his  home  with  his  son  until  his  death  which 
took  place  in  Shumway,  this  State.  January  3. 
1889.  lie  of  whom  we  write  received  his  early 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  village  and 
early  received  training  of  a  practical  nature,  which 
is  indispensable  to  German  teaching.  He  early 
learned  the  trade  of  milling,  in    his   native    home. 


In  1H.">3.  when  there  was  such  an  exodus  from 
the  European  countries  to  the  United  Stales,  our 
subject  came  hither  with  the  intention  of  making 
his  fortune,  confident  that  so  strong  a  pair  of 
hands,  guided  by  so  willing  and  intelligent  an 
understanding,  would  not  be  out  of  place  in  this 
great  land  where  there  are  so  many  opportunities 
for  one  who  is  quick  and  intelligent.  For  nine 
months  after  first  coming  to  this  country  he  was 
engaged  in  milling  in  New  Jersey.  At  the  expir- 
ation of  that  time,  lie  came  to  St.  Clair  County, 
111.,  where  he  remained  until  1864,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Banner  Township,  Effingham  County. 

On  settling  in  St.  Clair  County  our  subject  felt 
the  need  of  a  home  and  companion,  and  solicited 
the  hand  of  Catherine  Sinn  in  marriage.  His  suit 
was  successful  and  their  nuptials  were  celebrated 
(  totober  27,  1858.  The  lady  was  born  in  Germany 
at  her  husband's  birthplace,  her  natal  day  being 
December  2.  1838.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Michael  and  Rosetta  Sinn.  Pour  children  were  the 
result  of  that  union.  Two  of  these,  Lizzie  and 
Louisa  are  still  living.  As  before  stated  his  wife 
died  in  1883,  and  after  the  many  years  that  they 
had  lived  together,  life  seemed  to  him  for  awhile 
intolerably   desolate. 

Always  a  public-spirited  man,  Mr.  Bernhard  has 
ever  been  quick  to  see  advantages  that  would 
redound  to  the  benefit  of  the  public,  and  to  exert 
himself  in  making  these  realities.  In  1872  he  took 
an  active  part  in  securing  the  establishment  of  a 
post-office.  The  station  was  then  called  Tolerance, 
and  our  subject  was  appointed  Postmaster  in 
which  capacity  he  served  until  1879,  when  the 
name  was  changed  to  Shumway.  In  1S7K  he 
erected  the  Tolerance  Flouring  Mills  in  the  town 
of     Shumway.    Effingham    County,    at    a   cost   of 

#11.000. 

Prior  to  entering  the  milling  business  he  of 
whom  we  write  was  engaged  in  merchandise  for  a 
period  of  eight  years  in  which  business  he  was 
very  successful.  The  fact  that  he  is  truly  the 
architect  of  his  own  fortunes  must  be  very  encour- 
aging to  many  young  men  who.  like  himself, 
have  but  small  capital  with  which  to  operate,  and 
whose  wits  and  ability  are  their  best  stock  in  trade. 
Mr,  Bernhard  has  become  a  wealthy  and  influential 


*?;.  ' 


i 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


,i  i 


man  and  this  he  has  accomplished  by  liis  own  un- 
aided efforts.  He  has  held  m  niunbev  i>t'  local 
offices  in  his  township,  having  been  Supervisor, 
Clerk  and  School  Director.  Politically,  lie  is  a 
Democrat.     Religiously,  he  is  a  Freethinker. 


? OHN  E.  BRADLEY.  Amongthemany  who 
are  gaining  a  maintenance  :is  fanners  in 
Lovingtbn  Township,  is  the  gentleman 
win isc  name  introduces  these  paragraphs  and 
whoso  portrait  is  presented  on  the  opposite  page. 
lie-  is  the  owner  and  operator  of  a  line  farm  of 
eight)  acres  on  section  12.  By  honest  industry. 
good  judgment  and  unwavering  perseverance,  he 
has  won  prosperity,  and  what  is  far  better,  a  repu- 
tation as  a  man  of  honor  and  uprightness.  The 
Spirit  he  has  shown  in  worldly  affairs,  affords  a  les- 
son toothers  who  begin  life  without  eapital,  while 
the  influence  of  his  consistent  life  is  felt  far  and 
near. 

Mr.  Bradley  is  an  honored  representative  of  a 
patriotic  and  industrious  family.  His  grandfather, 
John  Bradley,  served  seven  years  as  a  brave  sol- 
dier in  the  Revolutionary  War,  while  his  father. 
John  Bradley,  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  old 
free  Soil  party.  The  latter,  a  native  of  Chester 
County.  Pa.,  married  Elizabeth  Evans,  a  native  of 
the  same  place  a-  himself,  and  there  they  dwelt  for 
some  years  after  their  marriage.  Later  they  re- 
moved to  Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  where  the  faith- 
ful wife  and  mother  died  December  1.  1838.  Af- 
ter    her    decease     the    father   came   as    far    West    as 

Illinois,  where,  in    Lovington   Township,  Moultrie 

County,    he  closed  his  eyes  to   the    scenes    of    earth 
February  21.   1*72. 

Of  the  six  children  in  the  family  circle  our  sub- 
ject was  the  fifth,  and  he  was  born  in  Chester 
County,  Pa.,  December  is.  1829.  He  was  a  child 
of  four  years  when  his  parents  came  to  Trumbull 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  in  the 
meantime  acquiring  as  thorough  an  education  as 
was  afforded  by  the  schools  of  the  vicinity.  He  re- 
mained on  a  farm  in  Trumbull  County  until  the 
Spring  of  1850,  when  he  came  to  Moultrie  County. 


III.,  and  settled  in  Lovington  Township,  of   which 
he  has  since  been  a  resident. 

Mr.  Bradley  was  first  married,  December  lis.  L856, 
to  Mary  S.,  daughter  of  Oren  Dunscomb,  who  died 
in  Trumbull  County.  Ohio.  Mrs.  Bradley  was  born 
in  Trumbull  County,  and  bore  her  husband  one 
child,  a  son.  Charlie  II..  who  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Weatherly  and  now  lives  in  Sullivan.  The  wife 
and  mother  passed  from  earth  August  in.  1866.  Mr. 
Bradley  was  again  married,  in  Pickaway  County. 
Ohio.  January  19,  1871,  choosing  as  his  wife  Miss 
Maitha  A.  Hayes.  This  estimable  lady,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Jesse  and  Betsey  (Hurst)  Haves,  was  bom  in 
Pickaway  County.  September  27.  1836,  and  under 
the  careful  instruction  of  her  parents  and  teachers. 
grew  to  a  refined  womanhood,  llry  happy  mar- 
riage with  Mr.  Bradley  has  been  blest  by  the  birth 
of  three  children — lohn  F..  Mary  E.  and  Alfred  C. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party. 
Mr.  Bradley  has  been  prominent  in  its  ranks,  and 
has  served  the  people  in  various  official  capacities. 
He  is  greatly  interested  in  educational  matters, and 
for  twenty-five  years  has  served  efficiently  as  School 
Director.  He  has  also  been  Highway  Commissioner 
and  held  the  minor  offices  of  the  township.  But 
we  would  be  doing  great  injustice  to  Mr.  Bradley's 
career,  were  we  to  omit  especial  mention  of  his 
army  record.  On  August  1.  1HII2.  he  enlisted  in 
Company  A.  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Illi- 
nois Infantry,  as  a  musician,  lie  served  in  the 
ranks  until  he  was  promoted  to  be  Corporal  and 
later  Sergeant.  The  entire  term  of  his  service  was 
three  years,  and  during  that  time  he  participated  in 
many  engagements,  among  the  most  important  be- 
ing the  siege  of  Yickshurg  and  the  battles  of  Little 
Rock,  and  Clarendon.  Ark.  After  an  honorable 
service  he  was  mustered  out  at  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.. 
anil  returned  home  to  resume  the  pursuits  of  peace. 
While  serving  his  country.  Mr.  Bradley  received 
a  severe  sunstroke  which  has  been  a  source  of  great 
affliction  to  him  up  to  the  present  time.  As  might 
naturally  be  expected  he  belongs  to  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  being  a  prominent  member 
of  Lovington  Post.  No.  354.  Socially  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  .Masonic  fraternity.  In  religious  work 
he  takes  an  active  part^having  been  a  member  of 
the  Methodist    Episcopal   Church    since    1858,   and 


512 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


his  wife  also  holds  membership  in  the  same  church. 

As  one  of  the  valiant  .soldiers  to  whom  we  owe  the 
preservation  of  the  Union,  ami  as  a  capable  farmer 
we  are  pleased  to  represent  him  in  this  volume. 


4^» 


%AYU)  MAUTZ.  Most  of  the  new  lines  of 
thought  instituted  in  this  country  are  not 
original  with  Americans,  but  are  the  out- 
come of  the  conditions  under  which  our  alien  ele- 
ments have  lived.  It  is  true  that  not  all  of  these 
new  ideas  are  desirable,  as  for  instance,  the  anar. 
chistic  class,  which  wa-  introduced  from  Germany 
but  has  been  re-enforced  by  representatives  from 
every  oppressed  nation.  However,  even  the  anar- 
chists may  effect  a  change  in  the  relation  of  the 
different  classes  of  commercial  and  social  life 
Evolution  in  science  and  art  is  most  prominently 
demonstrated  by  the  Germans  of  whom  our  sub- 
ject is  one.  He  resides  on  section  32,  of  Rural 
Township,  having  thereon  a  tine  and  well  cultivated 
farm  that  shows  the  intelligent  care  that  lie  has 
brought  to  hear  upon  the  place. 

Our  subject  was  horn  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany, 
January  8.  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Rosi- 
na  Maria  Mautz,  for  whose  further  history  see 
sketch  of  John  F.  Mautz  in  another  part  of  this 
Recoed.  In  1852,  when  every  nation  seemed  to  be 
in  a  volcanic  state,  and  there  was  a  restlessness  that 
pervaded  every  class  of  society,  the  family  of 
which  our  subject  was  one.  decided  to  emigrate  to 
the  United  States.  After  landing  they  proceeded 
at  once  to  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  where  they  re- 
mained for  two  years,  and  then  came  to  this  State. 
settling  in  Shelby  County. 

The  early  life  of  the  original  of  our  sketch  was 
spent  upon  a  farm,  where  he  drew  in  the  spirit  of 
freedom  with  every  breath  of  air  that  he  inspired 
lie  early  familiarized  himself  with  the  work  of  a 
farmer  and  his  training  in  this  direction  was  car- 
ried on  by  his  father  in  the  thrifty  and  speculative 
German  fashion,  making  intelligent  observation 
second  the  efforts  of  hard  and  constant  manual 
labor.  The  intervals  of  farm  duties  were  filled  by 
attendance  at  the  district  schools,  after   which  he 


attended  the  Okaw  Academy,  at  Shelbyville.  He 
then  linished  his  training  at  the  University  of 
Chicago,  and  was  thus  fitted  to  begin  the  practical 
lessons  of  life,  lie  began  his  career  by  teaching 
school  for  two  years  in  his  home  district.  He 
then  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  served  as  clerk  in 
the  Chicago  Savings  Bank,  for  a  period  of  five 
years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Shelby  County. 
and  has  since  then  resided  in  Rural  Township. 

November  15.  lKTti.  our  subject  took  upon  him- 
self the  duties  and  the  responsibilities  of  the  mari- 
tal relation,  his  bride  being  Louisa  F.  Weber,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  Weber.  The  lady  was  born  in 
Wurtemburg,  Germany.  March  31,  1852.  They  at 
once  set  up  their  lares  and  penates  and  the  future 
seemed  bright  before  them.  For  several  years  his 
wife  was  spared  that  he  might  know  how  sweet  a 
thing  a  home  is.  December  12,  1885,  she  passed  to 
the  mysterious  unknown,  leaving  one  son,  Ed- 
mund .1.  to  be  the  comfort  of  the  bereaved  father. 

Mr.  Mautz  makes  his  home  on  the  place  origin- 
ally owned  by  his  father.  It  comprises  one  hundred 
and  seventy-six  and  two-thirds  acres  of  land,  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  which  are  fine  prairie, 
and  well  improved.  He  of  whom  we  write,  frater- 
nizes with  adherents  of  the  Democratic  party.  Al- 
though a  man  who  is  fitted  to  fill  any  position  in 
the  gift  of  the  county,  he  has  no  desire  for  public 
office  or  emoluments.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Swedenborg  Church.  William  Mautz,  who  is  a 
member  of  our  subject's  family,  was  born  October 
23,  1841.  He  received  his  training  in  the  common 
schools  of  Germany  and  the  United  States.  He 
is  interested  in  the  land  of  which  our  subject  is 
accredited  owner. 


V__- 


g*>  . 


OSEl'H  LEIIX.  Organization  is  the  watch- 
word of  all  modern  movements,  and  it  is 
constantly  on  the  increase.  For  many  years 
trades  have  altiliated  and  worked  for  the 
interest  of  each  other  and  for  the  support  of  their 
rights.  But  the  two  extremes  of  labor,  the  agricul- 
tural class  and  the  professional  class  have  not 
joined  hands  in  organizations   looking  to  the  up- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


513 


building  of  their  mutual  interests.  That  daj  i- 
passing  by  and  we  find  in  both  these  classes  a  de- 
sire ti>  follow  the  popular  trend.  Farmers  are  now 
associating  themselves  under  different  organiza- 
tions, and  perhaps  there  is  none  of  these  which  is 
stronger  than  the  Farmers  Mutual  Benefit  Associa- 
tion, with  which  Mr.  Lehn  is  identified.  This 
gentleman  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  section 
IX.  Oconee  Township,  Shelby  County,  and  was 
born  in  Roseheim,  Fiance.  September  22,  1834. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Joseph  and 
Teresa  (Echert)  Lehn.  The  father  died  in  his  na- 
tive country  "hen  this  son  was  a  little  child  of 
only  three  years  <>f  age.  The  mother  married 
again,  taking  as  her  second  husband  Martin  Eck, 
with  whom  she  was  united  in  marriage  in  1840. 
Joseph  came  to  America  with  his  mother,  step-fa- 
ther, brothers  and  sisters  in  1852.  Of  his  father's 
children  there  were  two  -"ii-  and  one  daughter, 
namely:  Louis,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  Bond 
County,  where  he  owns  a  magnificent  farm  of 
nearly  two  thousand  acre-  and  N  very  extensively 
engaged  in  raising  horses  and  cattle;  Mary,  who 
is  the  widow  of  Anthony  Fisher,  (who  died  about 
ten  years  ago  in  this  township)  and  who  owns  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres  on  section  18,  Oconee 
Township,  and  our  subject. 

Joseph  Lehn  bought  his  tine  farm  of  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres  as  long  ago  as  1886.  One 
hundred  acres  of  tins  i-  in  Montgomery  County. 
this  Mate,  and  the  remainder  in  Oconee  Township. 
In  his  early  youth  he  was  trained  to  farm  work, 
and  he  chose  it  a-  his  life  work  and  has  been  re- 
markably successful  in  its  prosecution.  He  has 
recently  erected  a  handsome  and  commodious  home 
on  section  18,  and  has  finished  and  furnished  it 
with  great  taste  as  well  as  comfort. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  in  1868  brought  to 
his  home  a  bride  in  the  person  of  Miss  Katherine 
Kakers,  who  was  born  in  Holland  in  1845  and 
came  to  America  with  her  parents  while  still  quite 
young.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lehn  -ix  beautiful  chil- 
dren have  Keen  horn,  and  they  have  the  joy  of 
seeing  them  all  still  in  life  and  health  and  under 
the  parental  roof.  They  are  named  as  follows — 
Frank.  Maggie,  Teresa,  Louis,  Katherine  and  Mary. 
All  except  the  eldest   are    in    attendance  upon    the 


public  schools  and  are  benefiting  by  the  instruction 
received.     They  promise  well  to  repay  abundantly 

all  the  care  and  affection  which  has   been    lavished 
upon  them. 

Mr.  Lehn  wa-  for  a  number  of  years  after  com- 
ing to  America  engaged  in  various  avocations. 
For  three  years  he  worked  in  brickyards,  and, 
afterward  started  in  on  his  own  account  in  brick 
making,  and  also  took  an  interest  in  buying  ami 
selling  stock.  With  his  general  farming  he  deals 
a  good  deal  in  cattle  and  hogs,  raising  them  and 
occasionally  buying  and  feeding  for  sale. 

Mr.  Lehn  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in 
political  affair-  and  voted  the  Republican  ticket 
-teadily  from  1856  until  Grant's  second  election, 
at  which  time  he  voted  the  Democratic  ticket.  He 
is  quite  liberal  in  his  political  views  and  says  he 
"votes  for  the  man."  All  the  members  of  his 
family  belong  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and 
attend  services  at  Pana.  He  is  an  honest  and  in- 
dustrious citizen  having  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  all  who  know  him. 


-fr=-i-ss» 


J 


~A 


T  (  >IIN  M.  MATTOX.  The  work  of  such  men 
ashewhose  name  heads  this  sketch  is  a  stim- 
ulus and  tonic  to  any  one  who  desires  per- 
fection or  to  emulate  perfection  in  any 
branch  whatever.  His  farm,  located  on  section  13, 
of  Sullivan  Township.  Moultrie  County,  is  a 
model  of  neatness,  productiveness  and  scientific 
cultivation.  Its  owner  here  settled  in  1865,  and 
since  that  time  lie  has  devoted  his  attention  and 
his  personal  efforts  to  bringing  it  up  to  its  pres- 
ent  high  standing  agriculturally. 

Although    he    is   the   owner   of    hut    eighty-four 

and  a   half  acres,  this   he  has  tilled  to  such  a  g 1 

purpose  that  it  yields  as  much  as  does  twice  that 
much  to  many  a  fanner  who  fails  to  bring  the  in- 
telligent oversight  to  bear  upon  his  possessions. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  born  in  Clermont 
County.  Ohio.  October  19,  1839.  His  parents, 
.lasou  and  Maria  (Meeker)  Mattox,  were  natives 
of  Kentucky   and   New  Jersey  respectively.     The 


ol4 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


mother  was  bora  in  1807,  and  was  about  four 
years  old  when  her  family  removed   to   Ohio  and 

settled  on  the  Miami  River  near  the  present  site 
of  the  city  of  Cincinnati.  They  were  very  early 
settlers  there,  and  the  growth  of  the  city  was 
made  under  their  observation.  Our  subject's 
father  was  probably  born  in  Kentucky  although 
it  may  have  been  that  his  birthplace  was  in  Cler- 
mont County,  Ohio;  ai  least  In-  was  very  young 
when  his  family  settled  in  the  Buckeye  State. 
Our  subject's  parents  were  married  ami  lived  on  a 
farm,  where  the  father-  decease  took  place,  in 
Clermont  County,  Ohio,  lie  left  eight  children 
—William  P..  Miles  A..  A.  .1..  Levi  I...  Mary  .1., 
Elizabeth,  John  X.  and  Thomas  G.  Miles  A.  died 
in  Vigo  County,  hid:  he  had  never  been  married. 
A.  J.  resides  in  Coffey  County,  Kan.:  Levi  L.  lives 
in  his  native  county  in  <  Ihio;  Mary  .1.  is  the  wife 
of  Abram  Dunnham  and  lives  in  Missouri:  Eliza- 
beth married  Thomas  Powell  and  lives  in  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.:  Thomas G.  died  in  this  county,  leav- 
ing a  widow  and  two  children. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  the 
home  farm,  and  like  the  majority  of  Ohio  boys, 
he  received  very  good  common  school  advantages, 
and  being  bright  and  assimilative,  with  a  large 
amount  of  vital  fou-e.  both  mentally  and  physic- 
ally, he  was  early  equipped  for  the  practical  duties 
of  life.  December  1.  1859,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Rebecca  Beck,  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
and  Elizabeth  Beck.  She  was  a  native  of  the 
same  State  and  county  as  her   husband. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
Mr.  Mattox  enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  service 
in  Company  A,  Fifth  Ohio  Cavaby,  serving  in  that 
capacity  for  over  three  years.  He  was  with  the 
regiment  all  the  time,  and  usually  drove  the  ambu- 
lance wagon.  His  war  experience  i-  chiefly  noted 
for  his  faithfulness  and  constant  readiness  for 
duty.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Ohio,  and  the 
following  spring  came  to  thi>  state  and  county, 
where  for  several  yeats  he  was  en  traced  in  culti- 
vating land  which  he  rented.  He  ha-  a  comfortable 
and  well-built  house  upon  his  place  and  an  orch- 
ard that  he  may  well  be  proud  of.  He  devotes 
much  of  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of  small  fruits. 
and  in  the  fruit  season  his  place  is  a  -mall  Eden  that 


would  tempt  any  Eve  to  eat.  whether   the  fruit 
was  forbidden  or  not. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mattox  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children.  One  daughter  died  in  infancy.  Those 
living  are:  Miles  A..  Benjamin  II..  Elizabeth  M.. 
Kh.ra  1'...  John  R.,  Estella  M.  and  Edith  I).  Eliza- 
beth Is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Mizenheimer:  Flora  E. 
died  in  infancy.  Like  so  many  of  his  fellow- 
husbandmen,  our  subject  is  a  Democrat,  that  party 
receiving  the  weight  of  his  vote  and  influence. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  School  Board  of  his  dis- 
trict. Religiously  he  and  his  family,  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church  and  are  kind-hearted. 
Christian  people. 


J-5-M--5-- 

*  •$»  »?»  «J» »%  — 


t^j  REDERICK  P.  SNELL.     During  the  many 

f-^\S)    years  that  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Shelby 
1  (  oiinly  Mr.  Snell  has  been  a  useful  factor 

in  promoting  its  agricultural  development.  He  is 
no«  living  in  retirement  in  a  pleasant  home  at 
Moweaqua  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  ample  compe- 
tence that  is  tin'  result  of  his  early  labors.  He 
was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  August  19, 
1825.  a  son  of  one  of  the  early  pioneer  families  of 
that  part  of  the  country.  His  father.  Daniel  Snell. 
was  born  in  Maryland  in  1788.  and  was  a  sou  of 
William  Henry  Snell.  who  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  came  to  America 

in  Colonial  times,  and.  a-  was  the  custom  with  i r 

emigrants  of  that  day.  he  was  sold  after  he  landed 
on  these  shores  to  pay  his  passage,  lie  was  a  cooper 
and  followed  that  trade  in  Maryland  until  17'.t.">. 
when  he  went  to  Kentucky  with  his  family,  making 
tin-  trip  down  the  Ohio  River  in  flatboats  which 
had  to  be  guarded  to  keep  the  Indians  away.  He 
lived  in  Kentucky  a  few  years  and  then  removed 
to  Warren  County.  Ohio,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  early  settlers.  He  bought  a  tract  of  timber 
land  in  Hamilton  Township  and  in  the  years  that 
followed  devoted  a  portion  of  his  time  to  clearing 
his  land  and  the  remainder  to  his  trade,  residing 
there  until  death  rounded  out  his  life.  The  maiden 
name  of  his  wife  was  Christina  Miller  and  she  was 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


:>  1  ."i 


also  a  native  of  Germany.  She  came  to  this 
country  with  her  parents,  Philip  Jacob  and  Chris- 
tina Miller,  and  she  died  on  her  husband's  farm  in 
Ohi... 

The  father  of  our  subject  learned  the  trade  of  a 
cooper  and  after  marriage  purchased  a  home  in 
Hamilton  County  and  lived  there  amid  primitive 
pioneer  scenes  until  1828.  In  that  year  he  sold  his 
property  in  that  county,  and  returning  to  the  old 
homestead  in  Warren  County,  he  bought  the  in- 
terests of  the  other  heirs  and  dwelt  there  the  re- 
mainder of  hi?  life.  1 1  i>  wife  al~i  >  died  on  that 
farm.  Her  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Peshenpaugh. 
she  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  was  a  daughter 
of  Frederick  and  Pamelia  (Varner)  Peshenpaugh, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  German 
ancestry. 

Our  subject  was  but   three  years  old   when   his 
parents  returned  to  the  old  home  in  Warren  C  oiinty. 
and  there  as  soon  as  old  enough  he  was  sent  to  the 
pioneer  schools.     That  was  in  the  day  of  subscrip- 
tion   schools    before    the   free   school   system   was 
established  and  each  family  paid  according  to  the 
number  of  scholars  sent.    Frederick  assisted  on  the 
farm    and    remained    an    inmate    of  the    parental 
household  until  he  married  and  established  a  home 
of  his  own.     He  resided  m  Warren  County  until 
1855,  and  then  came  to  thi?  State  and  county,  at- 
tracted thither bj  the  many  tine  advantages  "ffered 
t.i  young  and  energetic  farmers  to  pursue  their  vo- 
cation successfully  on  thi?  soil   of  surpassing  fer- 
tility.    He  purchased  eighty  acres  of  unimproved 
land  in  what  is  now  Flat  Branch  Township,  bought 
a  log  cabin  which  he  moved  to  the  place,  and  that 
humble  abode   was  his  first  home  in  Illinois.     The 
ensuing  years  of  persistent  and  well-directed  toil 
brought  him  prosperity  and   from  time  to  time  he 
was  enabled  to  buy  other  land  and  once  had  three 
hundred  and  eighty-five  acre-,  of  which  three  hun- 
dred ami  flirty  acres  are  still  in  his  possession,  and 
constitute  a  valuable  and  well-improved  property. 
In  1**2  Mr.  Snell   rented   his   farm  and    moved  to 
Decatur  where  he  purchased  property.     lie  lived 
there  three  years  and  then  traded  for  realty  in  the 
city  of  Moweaqua  where  he  has  since  resided. 

In  1853  Mr.  Snell  took    unto   himself  a  wife   in 
the  person  of  Miss  Eliza  Clark  and  to  her  devotion 


to  his  interests  he  is  much  indebted  for  the  pros- 
perity that  he  enjoys,  she  was  born  in  Warren 
County.  Ohio,  and  i?  a  daughter  of  William  K.  and 
Nancy  Clark.  Her  marriage  with  our  subject  has 
been  blessed  with  children,  of  whom  they  have  ?ix 
living:  Mark.  Frank.  Charles,  William.  James  E. 
and  Cora.  Mr.  and  Mr?.  Snell  joined  tin-  Presby- 
terian Church  while  residents  of  Flat  Branch 
Township  and  have  since  remained  true  to  that 
faith,  the  sincerity  of  their  religion  being  evidenced 
by  their  daily  conduct  in  all  the  relations  of  life 
that  they  hold  toward?  others,  and  a-  neighbors 
and  friends  they  are  highly  thought  of  in  their 
community.  In  hi?  political  views  Mr.  Snell  is  a 
firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Democratic 
party  ami  advocates  them  through  good  and  evil 
report. 


ARCUS  II.  MILLER,  a  member  of  the 
County  Hoard  of  Supervisors, representing 
9  Moweaqua  Township,  Shelby  County,  i? 
conducting  a  profitable  business  as  a  har- 
ne—  manufacturer  in  thecityof  Moweaqua.  He  is 
a  native  of  Northampton  County.  Pa.,  and  was 
born  amid  it-  pleasant  scenery  August  29,  1856. 
His  father.  William  Miller,  was  also  a  Pennsylvania^ 
hi- birth-place  in  Puck?  County.  He  was  reared  and 
married  in  hi?  native  state.  Marietta  Boyer,  also 
of  Pennsylvania,  becoming  his  wife,  lie  was  a 
harm — maker,  and  carried  on  hi?  trade  at  Weavers- 
ville  for  some  years.  In  1862  he  came  to  Illinois. 
and  buying  a  farm  near  Blue  Mound,  Macon 
County,  gave  his  attention  to  farming.  He  re- 
sided  then  seven  years,  and  then  removed  to 
Christian  County,  where  he  bought  land,  and  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1887.  In  that 
year  he  came  to  Moweaqua,  and  has  ever  since 
made  hi-  home  here.  He  and  hi?  wife  have  reared 
-ix  children. 

Our  subject  was  a  lad  of  twelve  year?  when  he 
came  to  thi?  Slate  with  hi?  father  and  mother.  He 
had  previously  attended  school  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  after  coming  to  Illinois  he  became  a  student 
in   the  public  schools  of  Macon  County.     He  was 


5 1 6 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI.JGEAPHICAL   RECORD. 


reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  followed  farm- 
ing until  1881,  when  be  established  himself  in  the 
harness  business  at  Tayiorville.  He  carried  ii  on 
there  until  1885,  when  he  came  t<>  Mbweaqua,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  and 
sale  of  harness  in  this  city.  He  has  gained  a  solid 
reputation  for  making  a  superior  and  durable  har- 
ness of  the  besl  modern  styles,  and  he  has  worked 
u]>  a  large  trade. 

Not  only  has  Mr.  Miller  secured  an  assured 
place  in  the  business  circles  of  Mowcaqua  during 
the  few  years  in  which  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
the  city  as  the  head  of  an  important  industry,  but 
he  has  gained  entrance  into  public  life  in  prominent 
civic  positions,  lie  was  a  member  of  the  (  it\ 
Council  in  1889,  and  in  1890  was  elected  Super- 
visor to  represenl  Moweaqua  on  the  County  Hoard 
of  Supervisors,  and  still  retains  that  office,  showing 
in  his  careful  performance  of  the  duties  connected 
with  it  that  he  is  a  lit  man  to  be  entrusted  with 
important  civic  affairs.  Politically,  the  Democratic 
party  has  no  truer  or  more  faithful  supporter  than 
he. 

(iui-  subject  was  married  to  .Mis-  Anna  Marshall 
in  March,  1881,  and  they  have  established  a  home 
wherein  comfort  and  coziness  abound  and  hospit- 
ality reigns.  Two  children,  Jessie  and  Willie  com- 
plete their  pleasant  household.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  interests 
herself  earnestly  in  all  good  works  for  the  benefit 
of  the  community. 


ANTEL  P.  SWALLOW,  a  wealthy,  retired 
I  farmer,  residing  at  Sheibyville,  Shelby 
County,  has  materially  assisted  in  advanc- 
ing the  prosperity  and  high  standing  of 
tin--  county  as  a  great  agricultural  centre,  and  he 
still  possesses  valuable  and  extensive  farming  in- 
terests in  this  part  of  the  state.  A  native  of 
Hamilton  County.  Ohio.  Mr.  Swallow  was  horn 
March  1.  1838,  in  the  pioneer  home  of  Jacob  and 
Kcturab  (Crane)  Swallow.  His  father  was  born  in 
New  Jersey,  and  when    he    was  young  his  parents 


removed  from  there  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio, 
and  were  among  it-  early  settlers,  the  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  who  was  a  fanner,  dying  there  at  a 
ripe  age. 

The  father  of  our  subject  learned  the  trade  of 
wagonmaker  and  followed  it  for  some  years  in 
Hamilton  County  before  he  turned  his  attention 
to  farming.  In  1851,  with  his  wife  and  three 
children,  he  came  to  Illinois  to  seek  a  new  home, 
journeying  hither  with  team-,  lie  settled  in  what 
i-  now  Hose  Township,  which  he  had  previously 
visited,  and  had  purchased  at  the  time  eight  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  at  15  an  acre,  only  a  small  part 
of  the  land  being  improved,  two  log  houses  and  an 
unfinished  frame  house  constituting  the  only  build- 
ings on  the  place.  He  resided  on  his  land  until 
hi-  death,  which  occurred  in  1860  and  was  caused 
by  injuries  received  by  the  falling  of  the  grand 
stand  at  the  fair  ground,  hedyinga  few  day-  after. 
His  wife,  who  wa-  a  native  of  Virginia,  also  died 
on  the  home  farm,  and  both  lie  sleeping  their  last 
sleep  side  l>\  side  in  the  little  private  ceineterj 
near  by. 

He  of  whom  this  sketch  is  principally  written 
wi-  a  lad  of  thirteen  year.-  when  he  came  with  bis 
parents  to  Illinois,  and  he  still  ha-  a  vivid  recollec- 
tion of  the  primitive  scenes  of  those  day-,  for  the 
country  wa-  still  in  the  hand-  of  the  pioneers  and 
much  of  it-  original  wildness  remained.  Deer, 
wild  turkey-  and  other  game  were  plentiful  and 
often  furnished  food  for  the  settler-.  There  were 
no  railway-  here  and  the  people  had  to  go  to  St. 
Louis,  as  the  nearest  market  and  depot  for  supplies. 
Din  subject  was  of  great  assistance  to  his  father  in 
the  management  of  his  farm  and  after  the  hitter's 
death  he  still  continued  to  reside  on  the  old  home- 
stead until  1XJS1.  when  he  came  to  Sheibyville  and 
bought  his  present  residence.  He  still  own-  the 
farm  in  Rom-  Township,  which  is  advantageously 
located  four  mile-  from  Sheibyville,  and  since  it 
came  into  his  possession  he  has  been  constantly 
adding  to  its  value  by  the  many  fine  improvements 
that  he  ha-  placed  upon  it. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Swallow  with  Miss  Jeannia 
Lumph,  a  native  of  ( >kaw  Township,  was  solemn- 
ized April  11.  1861.  Mrs.  Swallow's  father,  Jacob 
Lumph,  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Germany. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


517 


When  about  eighteen  years  of  age  he  came  to 
America  and  for  a  time  lived  in  Ohio.  From  there 
lie  came  to  Illinois  in  the  early  settlement  of  Shelby 
County,  and  located  among  the  pioneers  of  Okaw 
Township.  He  resided  there  a  few  years  and  then 
bought  timber  land  one  mile  north  of  the  court 
house  at  $5  an  acre.  He  cleared  his  land,  devel- 
oped it  into  a  good  farm,  and  made  it  his  home 
until  death  railed  him  hence  in  I860.  His  wife 
survived  him  many  years,  finally  dying  in  Shelby- 
ville.  in  March,  1881,  and  her  mortal  remains  were 
deposited  by  his  in  the  Austin  Cemetery,  one  and 
one-fourth  miles  north  of  Shelbyville.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Charlotte  Frybarger.  She  came  to  this 
country  with  her  parents  at  the  age  of  ten  years, 
from  her  native  Germany,  and  was  married  here  at 
the  age  of  sixteen. 

Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Swallow  have  three  children :  Mol- 
lie.  who  married  William  Whitecraft.  and  lives  at 
Springfield;  William  and  Roy.  Our  subject  and 
his  amiable  wife  are  among  our  best  people  so- 
cially and  religiously,  and  in  them  the  first  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Shelbyville,  has  two  of 
its  most  exemplary  members,  who  ate  influential  in 
promoting  its  growth  materially  and  spiritually. 
Mr.  Swallow  has  sound  views  in  regard  to  politics, 
and  i>  a  true  Republican. 


b<*"T~>l 


1^=1 


cS~ 


GEORGE  S.  DAVIS.  It  gives  us  pleasure  to 
,  represent  in  this  volume  the  native-bora 
>on>  of  this  county  who  are  now  helping  in 
various  ways  to  carry  forward  its  interests.  Among 
these  figures  the  subject  of  this  brief  life  record, 
who  is  a  successful  farmer  residing  in  Pickaway 
Township,  Shelby  County.  He  was  born  in  Ridge 
Township  March  8,  1853,  and  i.-  the  son  of  James 
Davis,  who  was  erne  of  a  family  of  pioneer  settlers 
of  Illinois.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Nicholas 
County.  Ky..  of  which  his  father.  Joshua  Davis  a 
native  of  Maryland,  was  an  early  pioneer.  He  re- 
sided in  the  wilds  of  Nicholas  County  until  1833, 
and  then  with  his  wife  and  five  children  emigrated 
to  the  still  more  recently  settled  state  of  Illinois. 
The  journey  to  their  new  home  was   made   by   the 


way  of  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers  to 
Naples,  and  thence  to  Morgan  County,  where  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject  rented  land  for  a  time. 
He  subsequently  removed  to  this  county,  which  at 
that  time  was  sparsely  settled,  and  deer,  wolves 
and  wild  turkeys  were  found  in  abundance.  There 
were  no  railways,  and  the  farmers  used  to  take 
their  grain  to  St.  Louis  as  the  principal  market, 
going  thither  with  ox-tcauis.  and  also  driving  their 
hogs  and  cattle  thereto  sell.  Grandfather  Davis 
cleared  a  good  farm  from  the  tract  of  unimproved 
land  which  he  bought  after  he  came  to  the  county. 
and  in  the  comfortable  home  that  he  built  up 
thereon  his  eyes  closed  in  death  January  4.  1868, 
at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty  years.  The  maiden  name 
of  his  wife  was  Leah  Still.  She  died  in  1857  at 
the  age  of  fifty  years,  l'.otli  were  faithful  Chris- 
tian members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  carefully  reared  their  childred  in  the  same 
faith. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  young  when  his 
parents  brought  him  to  Illinois,  and  here  he  grew 
to  manhood  and  married,  taking  as  his  wife  Mar- 
garet Leach.  She  was  horn  in  Ohio,  a  daughter  of 
Amos  and  Susan  (Mover)  Leach.  She  reared  eight 
children.  >ix  of  whom  are  living.  After  marriage 
the  parents  of  our  subject  resided  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship a  few  years,  and  then  his  father  bought  a 
tract  of  wild  land  in  Pickaway  Township,  to  which 
he  removed  his  family.  He  labored  hard  to  im- 
prove a  farm,  which  under  his  management  became 
one  of  the  most  dcsirahlc  in  the  vicinity, and  there 
in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness  he  was  taken  from  his 
family  and  friends  by  the  hand  of  death.  He  left 
behind  him  a  good  record  of  a  life  well  spent. 

In  the  district  school  our  subject  rrceiveda  prac- 
tical education,  and  on  his  father's  farm  was  well 
drilled  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  remained  an 
inmate  of  the  parental  home  until  he  was  twentv- 
four  years  old.  giving  his  father  needed  assistance 
in  tilling  the  soil,  and  he  then  married  and  began 
farming  for  himself  on  rented  land  in  OkawTown- 
ship.  Four  years  later  he  bought  the  farm  on 
which  lie  now  resides  in  Pickaway  Township.  He 
has  its  eighty  acres  of  rich  prairie  land  under  ad- 
mirable cultivation,  and  has  provided  it  with  neat 
and  substantial  buildings,  all  of  the  improvements 


5  1 8 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


indicating  that  he  is  a  thrifty,  careful  manager, 
and  has  a  clear  understanding  of  the  best  methods 
of  conducting  his  work. 

In  the  making  of  a  home  Mr.  Davis  has  had  the 
cheerful  assistance  of  a  helpful  wife,  to  whom  he 
«as  married  May  13,  1H77.  Mrs.  Davis  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Emma  Day.  she  is  a  native  of 
this  county,  and  a  daughter  of  England  and  Mary 
(Foot)  Day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  have  four  chil- 
dren, whom  they  have  named  Dora.  Fred.  Millie 
and  Earl.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  sociable, 
hospitable  people,  who  have  many  friends  in  the 
community,  and  in  them  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  has  two  active  working  members.  Mr. 
Davis  is  a  decided  Republican  in  his  political  views. 


m>^r<n 


S2-_ 


-8— 


^-*>  EORGEW.  FLUCKEY  is  a  resident  on  a 
farm  located  on  section  17.  of  Tower  Hill 
Township,  Shelby  County.  His  father  was 
Adam  Fluckey.  who  was  probablya native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. His  mother  was  Mary  Sellers.  After 
marriage  they  settled  in  Ferry  County.  Ohio,  and 
from  there  moved  to  what  is  now  Morrow  County. 
Ohio;  there  they  died.  They  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  second 
in  order  of  birth.  He  lirst  saw  the  light  of  day  in 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  August  12,  1830.  His  early 
life  was  spent  on  a  farm  in  Morrow  County,  Ohio, 
and  there  he  learned  the  duties  incident  to  farm 
life. 

Mr.  Fluckey  was  married  October  2.  1856,  to 
Miss  Arvilla  Brown,  their  nuptials  being  celebrated 
in  Morrow  County,  Ohio.  By  her  he  became  the 
father  of  three  children,  whose  names  are:  Sarah  E., 
Ira  A.,  and  Winfield  S.  The  first  named  is  the 
wife  of  Charles  Summers.  Ira  married  Melinda 
Eagg.  Mrs.  Arvilla  Fluckey.  died  in  their  home 
in  Morrow  County,  in  April  lK(i2.  Two  years  later, 
he  again  took  upon  himself  the  duties  and  obliga- 
tions of  marital  life  and  was  united  to  Edith  A. 
Bennett.  She  also  was  a  native  of  Morrow 
County.  Ohio.  Six  children  cluster  about  the  home 
hoard.  Their  names  are  Isaac  N.,  Lewis  1!..  George 
B..  William  E... lames  A.  and  Bertha  A. 


The  removal  from  Ohio  to  Shelby  County,  this 
State,  was  made  in  April  1868,  and  at  that  time  they 
settled  in  Tower  Hill  Township,  of  which  place  our 
subject  has  ever  since  been  a  resident,  lie  has  ai 
ways  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  is 
the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  seventeen  acres  of 
fine  land.  Mr.  Fluckey  has  erected  a  very  attrac- 
tive residence  on  his  place.  It  is  tastefully  built 
and  conveniently  arranged.  This  place  is  graci- 
ously presided  over  by  his  wife,  who  has  been  his 
aid  and  helpmate  in  gaining  the  position  which  he 
at  present  enjoys.  He  of  whom  we  write  is  held 
high  in  the  esteem  of  the  people  in  thecommunity 
where  he  resides.  A  thoughtful  and  earnest  man 
he  is  genial  and  whole-souled.  Several  local  offices 
in  the  gift  of  the  township  have  been  thrust  upon 
him  and  his  service  as  a  School  Director  has  been 
appreciated  by  the  fact  that  he  desires  to  keep 
abreast  with  the  times  in  educational  matters, 
seeking  to  make  the  standard  of  the  schools  in  his 
district,  irreproachable.  In  politics  he  is  an  adher- 
ent of  the  Republican  party,  the  views  as  taken  by 
that  party  of  commercial  affairs  and  general  gov- 
ernment being  such  as  harmonize  best  with  our  sub- 
ject's theories.  Religiously  both  he  and  liiswifeare 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in 
which  they  are  anient  workers  and  generous  sup- 
porters. 


^) 


*y»IIOMAS  SMITH,  of  Moweaqua,  Shelby 
//T\  County,  worthily  represents  the  farmers  of 
V^y  this  county  who  have  aided  in  its  agricul- 
tural development  in  years  past,  and  are  now  liv- 
ing in  honorable  retirement  in  the  enjoyment  of 
well-earned  competencies.  Our  subject  is  a  native 
of  Salem  Township.  Warren  County,  Ohio,  horn 
January  '■>.  1833.  Peter  Smith,  his  father,  is  thought 
lo  have  been  a  native  of  that  state.  He  was  a  son 
of  Caleb  Smith,  who  was  a  Yirginian  by  birth  and 
was  an  early  pioneer  of  Ohio. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  cooper  by  trade. 
and  carried  on  that  calling;  in  addition  to  farming. 


PORTRAIT  AM)  Bit  (ORAPH't IAL    RECORD. 


519 


He  died  in  Warren  County  while  yet  in  life's 
prime.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Varner,a  daughter 
of  Jacob  Vamer. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  but  ten  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  and.  though  he  was  so  young, 
as  he  was  the  eldest  sun.  he  had  to  help  his  mother 
support  the  family,  she  married  again  seven  years 
later,  and  he  then  went  to  work  on  a  farm  by  the 
month,  remaining  thus  employed  in  his  native 
Mate  until  1853.  Then,  in  the  prime  and  vigorof 
a  stalwart  young  manhood,  he  came  to  Illinois  to 
seek  fortune's  favors  on  this  productive  soil,  and 
by  dint  of  hard  pioneer  labor  has  accumulated  a 
comfortable  property.  In  coming  hither  he  traveled 
by  what  was  then  the  most  expeditious  route,  pro- 
ceeding by  rail  to  Terre  Haute.  Ind..  thence  by 
stage  to  his  destination  in  this  county,  arriving  in 
Flat  Branch  Township  after  a  journey  of  three 
days  and  two  nights. 

The  first  four  years  that  he  lived  here  he-made 
his  home  with  William  Snell.  and  subsequently- 
rented  a  farm  one  year.  After  that  he  traded  land 
in  Flat  Branch  Township  for  a  tract  of  wild  land 
on  section  30,  Penn Township, and  for  a  time  lived 
iu  a  log  cabin  that  he  bought  and  removed  to  the 
place,  lie  then  erected  a  frame  house,  and  during 
the  time  that  he  resided  there  made  many  other 
improvements.  In  1870  he  exchanged  that  farm 
for  eighty  acres  of  wild  land  in  Flat  Branch  Town- 
ship, the  land  being  fenced,  a  half  of  it  broken, 
and  an  orchard  was  set  out.  hut  there  were  no 
buildings. 

Mr.  Smith  lived  on  that  farm  until  1890,  devel- 
oping it  into  an  attractive  and  valuable  piece  of 
property,  and  he  then  removed  to  Moweaqua, 
where  he  has  since  lived  retired.  He  is  now  build- 
ing a  neat  and  substantial  residence  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Park,  where  lie  and  his  family  propose 
to  fit  up  a  cozy  and  comfortable  home. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Ruth  E. 
Clark,  and  by  her  ready  helpfulness  and  sage  coun- 
sel he  has  been  greatly  aided  in  what  he  has  ac- 
complished. They  have  three  children — Frank  L., 
Edward  and  Nora.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  native  of  <  Ihio, 
a  daughter  of  one  of  its  pioneer  families.  Her 
father.  William  R.  Clark,  was  also  a  native  of  the 
Buckeye  state,  born  in  Warren   County,  February 


26,1803.  His  father,  who  was  also  named  Will- 
iam, was  born  in  Virginia,  and  died  a  short  time 
after  the  birth  of  his  son.  who  was  named  in  his 
honor.  His  wife.  Rachel  Ross,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  was  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Ross,  who 
was  a  native  of  Maryland,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  and  afterward  emigrated  l<> 
Kentucky,  of  which  he  was  a  pioneer  settler.  lb' 
assisted  in  building  the  blockhouse  on  the  Ohio 
River  at  Newport,  opposite  Cincinnati.  He  was  in 
the  latter  city  when  it  was  a  small  hamlet  of  but 
four  houses.  He  afterward  settled  in  the  wilds  of 
Warren  County,  thirty  miles  east  of  Cincinnati, 
where  he  died  in  1841,  at  the  remarkably  advanced 
age  of  one  hundred  and  four  years. 

William  R.  Clark  was  reared  in  Warren  County 
on  the  banks  of  the  Miami  River,  four  miles  from 
Lebanon,  the  county  seat.  In  the  days  of  his  boy- 
hood but  little  attention  was  paid  to  education, 
and  he  diil  not  often  attend  school.  As  soon  as  he 
was  old  enough  he  was  obliged  to  work,  and  his 
grandfather,  with  whom  he  lived,  being  crippled, 
he  was  given  full  charge  of  the  farm  at  an  early 
age.  December  2!t.  1824  he  secured  a  helpmate  in 
the  person  of  Miss  Nancy  Burger,  to  whom  he  was 
then  married,  she  was  horn  in  Virginia  Septem- 
ber 1").  1806.  He  was  employed  several  years  in 
teaming  between  the  Miami  River  and  Cincinnati. 
He  afterward  went  to  fanning  for  himself  on  rented 
land.  The  Miami  Valley  was  surpassingly  rich 
and  productive,  and  land  being  held  very  high 
there,  Mr.  Clark  decided  to  come  to  Illinois,  where 
he  could  secure  land  of  his  own  at  a  reasonable 
price.  He  journeyed  thither  with  teams,  bringing 
with  him  his  family,  and  camping  and  cooking  by 
the  wayside  whenever  necessary,  lie  came  to  Flat 
Branch  Township  in  1854,  first  settled  on  the 
prairie  north  of  the  timber,  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  located  on  the  homestead  of  eighty  acres 
where  his  son  now  lives,  which  he  bad  entered  at 
the  rate  of  x2.5U  an  acre.  He  built  the  first  house 
on  the  prairie  in  Flat  Branch  Township,  between 
the  timber  and  the  railway.  It  was  not  customaiy 
then  to  locate  on  the  open  prairies,  and  he  had  no 
idea  that  they  would  become  so  well  settled  as  al 
present.  He  and  his  good  wife  lived  to  a  ripe  age. 
and  reared  a  family   of   nine   children,  as    follows: 


520 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Rebecca,  Rachel,  Marj'  Ann.  Matilda  Eliza.  .Tames. 
William.  John,  Jasper  and  Emory.  Mr.  (lark  was 
always  a  sturdy  Democrat  in  politics,  and  from  the 
time  that  lie  ca.-t  his  (irst  vole  for  Andrew  Jackson 
in  1*24  lie  supported  every  Democratic  Presidential 
candidate  until  his  death. 


i^ls®. 


i  :-- 


~X  RESTON  HUNTER,  We  are  apt  to  looh 
I  upon  the  pioneer  settlers  in  the  Middle 
M  r^  States  whose  work  is  inevitably  mure 
apparent  than  can  be  the  work  of  a  young 
man.  as  having  more  dynamic  force  than  the  men 
of  today.  Such,  however,  is  not  necessarily  the 
case.  It  is  true  that  the  constitutions  of  the  men 
of  tin'  present  day  have  been  weakened  by  the 
severe  strains  upon  their  parents,  who  were  the 
pioneers  of  the  country,  but  this  has,  to  a  degree, 
has  been  offset  liy  the  present  rational  mental  and 
physical  training  to  which  our  young  men  are 
subjected.  There  is  as  much,  if  not  more,  vitality 
in  the  representatives  of  agriculturalists  now  than 
ever  lief  ore.  and  because  some  of  our  young  men 
have  inherited  their  homes  instead  of  pre-empting 
them  from  the  Government,  is  no  proof  that  they 
have  not  asmuch  go-ahead-ativeness  and  ability  as 
their  fathers. 

One  of  the  young  and  successful  farmers  and 
stock-raisers  who  lives  on  a  fine  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred acres,  is  he  whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch.  Our  subject  settled  here  in  the  spring  of 
1890.  The  land  was  owned  for  some  years  prior 
to  this  liy  his  father,  Anderson  Hunter,  an  old  set- 
tler and  large  'landowner,  having  twelve  hundred 
acres  of  highly  improved  land  in  the  county,  be- 
Sides  a  valuable  timber  lot. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Ridge 
Township,  Shelby  County,  August  24.  L869.  He 
is  one  of  a  large  family  and  was  carefully  reared, 
and  well  educated.  lie  lived  with  his  father  until 
his  niarriage.when  lie  made  a  home  upon  the  present 
location.  He  has  always  been  an  industrious,  ener- 
getic young  man.  never  sparing  himself  when  there 
was  hard  work  that  required  a  cool  head  and  quick 
perception.    His  marriage  took  place  in  Ridge  Town- 


ship, February  25,  1891.  The  young  lady  whom  he 
made  his  wife  was  a  Miss  Mattie  Eversole.  She  was 
bom  in  Ohio,  April  13,  1870,  being  only  a  small  child 
when  her  parents  removed  to  this  State, settling  in 
Ridge  Town -hi  p.  t  hi- county.  She  was  there  reared 
and  carefully  educated,  and  our  subject  may  well 
be  proud  of  his  handsome,  refined  and  intelligent 
wife.  Sin'  is  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine 
Eversole,  who  are  prominently  engaged  in  church 
work  in  Ridge  Township.  There  they  have  lived 
for  a  good  many  years. 

Mr.  and  Mr-.  Hunter  are  already  prosperous 
young  people  and  the  future  promises  much  for 
their  ambition  and  energy.  Mrs.  Hunter  is  a 
member  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  Politic- 
ally. Mr.  Hunter  -how-  the  tendency  of  the  new 
blood  by  voting  with  the  reform  parly.  Socially 
he  is  a  sustained  and  member  of  the  Farmers' 
Mutual  Benefit  Association. 


-POsl^SSK-y 


Al 


I  I.I.I  AM  l'(  >TTER.  The  name  at  the  head 
of  this  -ketch  is  that  of  a  successful  farmer 
whose  residence  in  this  State  extends  over 
more  than  forty  years,  during  which  time  he  has 
-ecu  as  great  changes  in  commercial  life  and  the 
manner  of  living  in  all  classes  of  society,  as  when 
we  were  children,  we  read  in  Arabian  Nights,  were 
accomplished  by  Aladdin's  lamp.  In  his  boyhood 
day-,  electricity  was  a  divine  agent  to  be  handled 
gingerly  by  the  scientist.  Today  it  is  the  servant 
that  drags  our  cars,  lights  our  houses,  supplies  our 
heat,  washes  our  clothe-,  and  does  a  thousand  and 
one  other  things,  that,  had  they  been  so  accom- 
plished a  half  century  ago,  would  have  been  con- 
sidered the  work  of  the  Angel  of  Darkness. 

Our  subject  who  was  born  in  Preble  County. 
Ohio,  November  20,  1825.  He  i-  a  son  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  (  Leathers)  Potter,  natives  of  Virginia 
and  Ohio,  respectively.  Our  subject's  residence  in 
Shelby  County  dates  from  1850.  His  home  is 
"located  on  section  :•.  of  Rural  Township.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  bom  in  Virginia 
and  when  a  small  boy  he  removed  to  Ohio  with 
his  parents,  that   was   in   the   year   1808   and    they 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHIC AL   RECORD. 


521 


then  settled  in  Preble  County  At  thai  time  set- 
tlers were  very  few.  and  they  experienced  all  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life.     They  cleared  a  farm  in 

the  forests,  and  gradually  put  upon  it  many 
improvements.     The  grandparents    of  our  subjecl 

there  died,  and  his  father  was  there  married,  lie 
also,  clearing  a  farm  in  the  timber  region  upon 
which  he  resided  until  his-  death. 

William  Potter  is  one  of  eight  children  who 
were  born  to  his  parents.  Six  only,  however,  lived 
to  lie  grown,  William,  our  subject  being  the  eldest. 
He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended 
such  school  as  the  country  afforded.  He  resided 
there  until  1850,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
purchased  one  hundred  ami  forty-seven  acres  of 
laud  which  was  then  in  a  raw  state,  being  unturned 
prairie.  This  he  improved  and  sold  and  then  pur- 
chased his  present  farm,  which  was  at  that  time 
also  new  and  uncultivated.  He  owns  two  hundred 
and  ten  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  culti- 
vation. His  place  boasts  a  good  class  of  buildings, 
his  residence  being  such  as  to  add  to  the  comfort 
and  content  of  domestic  life. 

Mr.  Potter  has  been  twice  married.  In  1848  he 
was  united  to  Sarah  Kimmel,  who  was  horn  in 
Preble  County.  Ohio.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  Kimmel,  but  died  in  Shelby  County  soon 
after  coming  to  this  State,  leaving  to  her  husband 
one  son,  Emanuel,  who  lives  in  Rural  Township. 
In  1859,  our  subject  married  .Mrs.  Sarah  Lanham, 
nee  Barrett.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Marcus  L. 
Barrett  and  was  born  in  West  Virginia.  By  her 
marriage  with  Mr.  Lanham.  she  became  the  mother 
of  one  child,  Augustus  F.  who  presides  in  Rural 
Township. 

Six  little  ones  have  gathered  about  the  table 
and  tilled  the  house  with  their  merry  prattle. 
These  are  growing  up  and  promise  to  be  men  and 
women  of  whom  their  parents  will  be  proud. 
Their  names  are  Marcus  L..  Elsie.  May.  Adalia. 
Emma  and  Elmer.  Politically  our  subject  is  a 
Republican.  In  their  church  relations  they  are 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  of 
which  body  Mr.  Potter  is  a  Deacon  of  the  church 
that  he  attends.  It  is  not  out  of  place  here  t<> 
give  a  short  sketch  of  our  subject's  parents  and 
grandparents,     additional     to    the     mere    mention 


made  above.  Jasper  Potter,  his  grandfather,  was 
one  of  a  large  family  and  was  left  an  orphan  at 
an  early  age.  They  were  bound  over  to  different 
families  and  in  this  way  became  scattered.  Jasper 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  wit- 
nessed the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  and  the  troops 
at  Yorktown.  lie  attained  seventy-two  years  of 
age.  and  died  in  Preble  County.  Ohio.  His  native 
State  was  Maryland.  Twice  married,  by  his  first 
marriage  he  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children, 
all  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood 
and  reared  families  of  their  own.  By  his  second 
marriage,  three  children  were  born. 

Our  subject's  parents  had  nine  children,  of  whom 
seven  lived  to  be  grown:  William.  Minerva,  Bar- 
bara. Elizabeth.  Emanuel.  Jane  and  Zion.  Mi- 
nerva is  now  Mrs.  Simpson.  Barbara  was  the  wife 
of  Dr.  Robert  Toby,  and  is  now  deceased.  Eliza- 
beth, is  the  wife  of  Thaddeus  Sibbitt.  Jane,  who 
is  also  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Thomas  Bunch. 
Zion  married  Peter  Kimniell. 


+=+s=+ 


,  AVID  M.  YOST,  a  well-known  citizen  resid- 
ing on  section  21 ;  Ridge  Township.  Shelby 
County,  is  a  son  of  George  Yost,  who  was 
born  in  Cumberland  County.  Pa.,  and  Catherine 
Harbaugh,  a  native  of  York  County.  Pa.  The  lady 
survives  her  husband,  who  died  in  NauvOO,  111. 
They  have  a  family  of  six  children,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  fourth,  being  born  in  Cumberland 
County.  Pa..  December  8,  1840,  and  being  orphaned 
by  the  death  of  his  father  when  about  six  years  old. 
After  the  death  of  his  father  the  mother  removed 
to  Franklin  County.  Ohio,  where  the  boy  passed  his 
youth  and  early  manhood  with  the  exception  of 
three  years  spent  in  the  army,  remaining  there  un- 
til he  came  to  Shelby  County.  111. 

David  M.  Yost  enlisted  in  August.  1862, in  Com- 
pany B.  One  Hundred  anil  Thirteenth  Ohio  In- 
fant rv  and  served  for  about  three  years.  He  was 
married  in  Franklin  County.  Ohio,  September  9 
1866.  to  Miss  Mary  Motts.  who  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania   December    17.    1842.     Her    parents   were 


.J22 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father,  Daniel,  and 
the  mother,  Harriet  (Warner)  Motts,  are  both  de- 
ceased. About  four  years  after  marriage  he  came 
and  made  his  home  in  Ridge  Township,  Shelby 
County,  upon  rented  land.  Here  he  lived  for  live 
years  and  then  bought  eighty  acres,  which  he  after- 
ward disposed  of,  purchasing  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  on  section  21,  where  he  has  since  been 
a  resident. 

Eleven  interesting  children  clustered  about  the 
hearthstone  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yost.  Their  first-born- 
Ollie,  died  when  only  three  years  < >1<1  and  the  sur- 
vivors are  named:  Harriet  L.,  CharlottaM.,  Charles 
S.,  Rhoda  1.,  Mary  A..  E.  Amanda.  David  ().,  John 
W.,  Chauncy  M.  and  Eunice  M.  Agricultural 
pursuits  have  absorbed  the  attention  and  strength 
of  our  subject  to  a  great  degree,  still  he  lias  found 
some  time  for  serving  his  neighborhood  and  for 
three  years  he  has  been  Highway  Commissioner 
and  School  Director,  lie  has  taken  an  active  part 
in  local  political  movements  and  is  considered  a 
leader  in  the  Republican  ranks.  lie  is  deeply  in- 
terested in  every  movement  looking  toward  the  so- 
cial and  industrial  advance  of  the  agricultural 
community  and  is  identified  with  the  Farmers' Mu- 
tual Benefit  Association,  lie  is  Secretary  of  the 
Reformed  Church,  with  which  both  he  and  his 
worthy  wife  are  identified. 


J,]mSm{mSi  A 


— 1-5-5-5-H 


T^\  OI5ERT  M.  PEADRO,  attomey-at-law,  has 
L^Y  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
I  y  profession  in  Sullivan  since  1882,  and  lias 
\£>}  won  for  himself  a  prominent  place  at  the 
Moultrie  County  bar.  Although  a  native  of  Camp- 
bell County.  Kv..  he  has  been  :)  resident  of  Illinois 
since  his  boyhood,  his  parents  having  located  in 
Moultrie  County  at  an  early  day.  His  father,  B. 
<;.  Peadro,  made  a  settlement  in  Whitley  Township, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  April,  18K7,  at  the  age  of  about  sixty- 
five  years.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent  citizens 
of  the  community  and  his  ability  well  enabled  him 
to  be  a  leader  of  the  people.  He  was  well  edu- 
cated, was  one  of  the  best  authorities  on  history  in 


Illinois  and  owned  a  very  fine  library,  containing 
the  works  (if  the  best  authors,  with  whom  he  was 
very  familiar.  In  politics  he  was  :i  Democrat  and 
in  religious  belief  was  a  Baptist.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Catherine  Stillwell,  still  survives 
1 1 i iii  and  makes  her  home  on  the  old  farm.  She  has 
been  a  life-long  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and 
is  beloved  by  all  who  know  her.  In  the  family 
were  the  following  children:  O.  L.,  a  farmer  of 
Whitley  Township,  thiscounty;  E.  C,  a  breeder  of 
line  blooded  stock  in  Whitley  Township;  and  .lohn 
.1..  who  is  now  studying  law  with  our  subject. 
With  one  exception  all  of  these  gentlemen  have 
taught  in  the  public  schools  of  this  county. 

Robert  Peadro,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch, 
was  one  of  the  successful  educators  of  the  county 
for  several  year-  and  lias  ever  been  a  friend  to  the 
interests  of  the  school.  At  about  the  time  he  at- 
tained his  majority  he  began  the  study  of  law  with 
the  prominent  attorney,  Horace  S.  Clarke,  of  Mat- 
toon,  and  after  two  years  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  L875.  After  :i  short  time  spent  in  Mattoon,  he 
went  to  Texas  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Pound  Pock,  Williamson  County,  for 
five  years.  He  was  prospering  in  thai  locality,  hav- 
ing an  excellent  practice,  but  as  he  did  not  wish  to 
rear  his  family  in  that  State,  he  returned  to  Illinois 
and  established  an  office  in   Sullivan. 

In  .Moultrie  County  Mr.  Peadro  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Lucretia  B.  Harbaugh.  daugh- 
ter of  David  Harbaugh,  who  is  mentioned  in  the 
sketch  of  Frank  M.  Harbaugh.  on  another  page  of 
this  work.  She  was  reared  near  Sullivan  and  edu- 
cated in  the  city  schools,  after  which  she  became  :i 
teacher,  following  that  profession  for  some  years. 
A  lady  of  culture  and  refinement,  she  moves  in  the 
highest  social  circles  and  has  many  friends  among 
the  best  citizens  of  this  community.  In  the  house- 
hold are  two  children.  Fail  and  Bernice. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Peadro  is  a  stanch 
Democrat  and  is  now  occupying  the  position  of 
City  .Treasurer,  the  duties  of  which  office  he  dis- 
charges faithfully  and  well.  He  possesses  business 
ability  of  a  high  order  and  the  foremost  place 
which  he  has  won  at  the  liar  is  well  merited  by  his 
talents.  He  has  a  wide  reputation  as  a  councilor 
and  is  rapidly  acquiring  a  very  extensive   practice, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


523 


which  yields  him  a  good  income.  He  ha-  one  of 
the  finest  and  largest  law  libraries  in  the  citj  and 
few  men  are  better  read  in  any  profession  than  i- 
Mr.  Peadro  in  that  which  he  has  chosen  Eor  his  life 
work. 


*■*>!'        I    <• 


GEORGE  W.  MONROE.  Any  agricultural 
community  which  is  favored  by  the  resi- 
dence  within  it  of  men  of  culture  and  edu- 
tion,  having  broad  views  and  a  wide  outlook  on 
life,  is  to  be  heartily  congratulated.  Sullivan 
Township,  Moultrie  County,  i-  thus  favored  in  the 
fact  that  Mr.  Monroe,  who  was  for  so  long  a  time 
active  in  the  educational  field,  is  now  one  of  its 
enterprising  and  energetic  fanners,  making  his 
home  on  section  :>4. 

This  gentleman  was  born  in  the  township  where 
he  now  lives,  March  10,  1855.  His  parents  were 
Henry  J.  and  Sarah  (Timmons)  Monroe,  tin- 
father  being  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  the  mother 
of  [loss  County.  Ohio.  They  were  among  the 
pioneers  of  Shelby  County  in  the  early  days  lie- 
fore  the  separation  of  the  two  counties,  and  died 
in  Moultrie  County,  the  father  in  1 865,  and  the 
mother  in  1889.  This  revered  and  beloved  parent 
was  the  mother  of  eight  sons  and  two  daughters, 
and  our  subject  was  the  sixth  in  order  of  age. 
All  are  still  living,  and  now  reside  in  Sullivan 
Township,  with  the  exception  of  one  sister,  Mr-. 
Wright,  who  lives  in  Shelby ville. 

This  happy  family,  who  have  the  good  fortune 
to  lie  still  united  in  this  life,  are  named  a- follow-: 
Christopher,  William  H.,  Thomas,  Isaac,  Mary  K.. 
George  W.,  M.  T.,  John  A..  Julia  A.  and  E.  G. 
All  are  married  except  Julia  A.,  and  are  all  de- 
voted to  agriculture  with  the  exception  of  John 
A.,  who  is  a  clerk.  That  so  honorable  and  enter- 
prising a  family  should  thus,  almost  without  ex- 
ception, devote  their  lives  to  the  development  of 
the  agricultural  interests  of  Sullivan  Township,  is 
u  itself  a  guarantee  that  that  section  of  our 
beautiful  Prairie  State  will  ever  stand  on  a  par 
with  any  portion  of   Illinois. 

Young  George  attended   the   public  schools  ami 


the  graded  school  at  Sullivan,  completing  his 
education  at  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  School. 
He  was  thus  litted  for  the  profession  of  teaching 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  and  after  presiding  for 
six  year-  oxer  various  country  schools  in  Shelby 
and  Moultrie  Counties,  he  was  elected  Principal 
of  the  school  at  Neoga,  Cumberland  Comity, 
where  he  had  three  assistants.  He  remained  there 
three  successive  years  and  was  then  sought  by  the 
citizens  of  Mt.  Pulaski  to  take  charge  as  principal  of 
their    graded    school,    which    wa-    of     high    order 

and  a  much  larger  scl I.  having  nine  subordinate 

teacher-. 

During  the  three  years  while  lie  was  principal 
of  the  Mt.  Pulaski  school-,  he  contracted  a  matri- 
monial alliance,  choosing  a-  his  wife  Miss  Mary  R. 
White,  a  native  of  Neoga  Township.  Cumberland 
County.  111.,  where  -lie  was  born  October  IK.  1867. 
Their  happy  wedding  day  was  November  26.  1885. 
During  his  connection  with  educational  work  he 
wa-  frequently  called  upon  to  act  as  instructor  in 
institute  and  normal  work. 

In  1888  Mr.  Monroe  decided  to  retire  from  the 
educational  field,  and  engage  in  farming.  He 
owns  a  fine  property  of  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  acres,  all  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with 

g 1    buildings    ami    improvements,  and    he    has 

proved  that  a  thorough  and  systematic  teacher  can 
make  a  thorough  and  systematic  farmer.  He  is  lib- 
eral in  his  political  views,  although  he  inclines 
more  strongly  to  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party  than  to  those  of  any  other  organization.  In 
the  fail  of  1890  he  wa-  placed  in  the  field  as  a 
candidate  for  the  office  of  County  Superintendent 
of  School-  in  Moultrie  County,  but  his  party,  that 
of  the  farmer- and  laborers,  being  largely  in  tin 
minority,  he  of  course  suffered  defeat,  although  he 
made  an  honorable  and  gallant  light.  During  his 
professional  career  Mr.  Monroe  was  a  very  popular 
and  successful  teacher,  his  services  always  in  de- 
mand, commanding  the  highest  wages.  Although 
lie  was  employed  in  several  different  schools,  he 
never  made  a  change,  except  where  lie  was  called 
by  an  increase  of  responsibility  and  a  correspond- 
ing increa-e  of  salary. 

To  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Monroe  have  been  horn  three 
beautiful  little  daughters.     Their  first-born.  Zelma. 


524 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


came  to  them  November  27,  1886;  Lorah,  Decem- 
ber 8,  1888;  and  Vergie,  May  17.  1891.  The 
mother  of  these  children  is  a  woman  of  lovely 
Christian  character,  and  a  devoted  and  earnest 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


f/OHN     HINTON.      The    public-spirited    and 

enterprising  men  who  take  an  active  part  in 
everything  calculated  to  enhance  the  inter- 
ests of  their  neighborhood,  may  easily  be 
counted  in  any  community  of  moderate  size,  and 
amoug  those  who  have  thus  advanced  the  interests 
of  Oconee  for  many  years,  we  are  pleased  to  mention 
the  gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of 
this  brief  life  sketch.  His  business  efforts  in  this 
community  have  been  various  and  his  experiences 
broad  and  fluctuating  but  his  record  has  been  an 
honorable  one  and  the  fact  that  he  paid  one  hun- 
dred cents  on  the  dollar  when  so  deeply  embar- 
rassed as  to  lie  160,000  in  debt,  shows  the  style  of 
man  which  we  here  present. 

Our  subject  who  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Ilinton  ,v-  Roberts,  dealing  in  general  merchandise, 
was  born  in  Fayette  County,  this  State.  February 
8.  1832.  His  parents  were  Lewis  and  Tabitha 
(  Prater)  Ilinton.  the  father  being  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky and  the  mother  of  North  Carolina,  while  tlie 
father's  father  was  born  in  South  Carolina. 

Lewis  Hinton  was  twice  married,  his  first  marital 
union  bringing  him  four  sons  and  three  daughters 
of  whom  our  subject  was  the  second.  The  brothers 
and  sisters  of  John  Hinton  were  as  follows:  Henry, 
who  resided  in  this  township  till  his  death;  Holly, 
who  lives  in  McDonald  County.  Mo.,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  farming;  Paschal,  who  works  in  his 
brother's  store  in  Oconee;  Elizabeth,  who  was  the 
wife  of  A.  T.  Smart  of  Shelby  County,  and  is  now 
deceased;  Priscilla,  who  married  Milton  Lowe,  and 
makes  her  home  in  Oconee  and  Polly,  wife  of  (  .A. 
Doyle  who  resides  in  Oconee   Township. 

This  prosperous  merchant  of  whom  we  write, 
came  to  Shelby  County  when  he  was  four  years  old 
and  ha-  made  (  Iconee  Township  his  home  for  fifty- 


five  years,  lie  engaged  in  farming  until  he  was 
twenty-four  years  old  and  commenced  mercantile 
life  in  this  village  in  1854,  in  partnership  with 
Thomas  Freeman  and  S.  S.  Roberts,  which  connec- 
tion continued  for  a  year,  when  Mr.  Freeman 
withdrew.  Mr.  Ilinton  remained  with  Mr.  Roberts 
until  his  death  when  Mr.  Freeman  again  bought  an 
interest  in  the  connection  which  he  afterwards  sold 
out  to  D.  -I.  Sloan,  the  firm  thus  becoming  Ilinton 
iv  Sloan.  This  partnership  existed  for  some  thir- 
teen years  and  was  prosperous,  but  after  that  time 
Mr.  Ilinton  withdrew  from  mercantile  life  and  the 
property  was  divided. 

After  eight  years  which  he  devoted  to  the  hand- 
ling of  real  estate,  grain,  etc..  this  enterprising 
business  man  again  embarked  m  mercantile  life, 
and  has  continued  in  that  business  to  the  present 
time  in  company  with  Mr.  B.  F.  Roberts,  a  son  of 
Mr.  Hin ton's  first  partner. 

Miss  Mary  F.  Whitington  was  the  maiden  name 
Of  the  lady  who  became  the  first  wife  of  John  Ilin- 
ton. She  was  born  in  1840,  in  Oconee  Township, 
and  to  this  union  four  son-  and  three  daughter- 
were  born,  of  whom  Addie.  wife  of  Dr.  R.  VT. 
Johnston,  of  Assumption  111.,  is  the  eldest.  The 
oldest  son,  s.  A.  D.  is  married  anil  is  engaged  in  an 
abstract  office  at  Clay  Center.  Neb.,  where  he  is  do- 
ing well.  Hattie  is  the  wife  of  K.  G.  Hall  and 
resides  at  Orson,  Col.  George  W.  is  married  and 
was  for  some  time  a  merchant  but  is  now  retired 
from  active  business  and  living  at  Assumption,  111. 
William  L.  resides  in  Freeport,  this  state,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  a  carriage-  factory.  Sadie  and  Johnnie 
are  still  under  the  parental  roof  and  enjoying  the 
advantages  of  education  which  Mr.  Ilinton  has 
afforded  to  all  his  children. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  large  landed 
proprietor  owning  about  eight  hundred  acre-  in 
Oconee  Township,  mostly  adjoining  the  village  of 
Oconee,  lie  has  been  thoroughly  identified  with 
the  interests  of  his  Lown  and  county  and  has  satis- 
factorily and  efficiently  tilled  a  number  of  respon- 
sible offices,  lie  has  served  educational  Interests  as 
School  Trustee  of  this  township,  has  been  Super- 
visor for  eighteen  years.  Magistrate  for  four  years 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  eight  years.  His 
thorough  understanding  of  business  principles  and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORD. 


.*>2."> 


the  mosl  fundamental  points  ol  the  law,  together 
with  his  disposition  to  maintain  the  peace  of  the 
community  has  resulted  in  his  so  advising  and  ad- 
justing rases  as  to  prevent  hundreds  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  from  rushing  into  irritating  and  expensive 
law  suits. 

Mr.  Ilinton  became  a  member  of  Jackson  Lodge 
No.  52  A.  F.  A-  A.  M..  at  Shelbyville,  in  1854, 
hut  i.-  now  non-afBliated.  lie  takes  an  active  inter- 
est in  political  affairs  and  has  always  been  regarded 
as  a  leader  in  the  ranks  of  Democracy  of  which  he 
has  been  a  life  long  member.  He  is  not  a  professor 
of  religion,  although  his  preferences  are  in  the 
direction  of  the  Regular  Baptist  Church. 

This  gentleman  has  been  a  speculator  all  his  life 
and  his  experience  has  been  up  and  down  with  a 
general  tendency  upward.  lie  has  worked  for 
twenty-five  cents  a  day  in  Oconee  Township,  and 
was  at  one  time  as  we  have  stated  deeply  in  debt, 
hut  came  out  of  that  trial  as  a  man  of  honor 
should  come.  His  first  wife  passed  from  earth 
August  21.  1881,  and  his  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
E.  Morgan  took  place  in  March,  1887.  To  this 
union,  one  child,  Agnes  Pauline,  was  horn,  who  is 
now  the  pet  and  darling  of  the  household,  and  the 
joy  of  her  father  in  his  advancing  years. 


&+^ 


-§> 


|  AMES  W.  VERMILLION"  is  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  a  family,  who.  in  different 
times  of  emergency,  have  come  forward  to 
{(@J  their  country's  assistance,  and  have  bravely 
and  loyally  cast  their  lives  in  the  balance  with  the 
chances  of  war.  He  is  a  native  of  old  Virginia, 
the  State  which  has  produced  so  many  men  who 
have  adorned  the  chairs  of  State  that  have  ever 
been  in  our  Congressional  halls.  Mr.  Vermil- 
lion, who  now  resides  on  section  27.  Rural  Town- 
ship. Shelby  County,  was  horn  in  Bedford  County, 
Ya.,  September  l.  1810. 

Our  subject  was  a  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy 
Vermillion.  His  maternal  grandfather  was  Mat- 
thew McClaflin,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  The  parents  of  our  subject  removed 
'iom  Virginia  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  on   a   farm 


in  what  is  now  Russell  County.  The  father  there 
died,  and  the  mother  subsequently  came  to  Illinois, 
where  she  passed  away  in  Shelby  County.  He  of 
whom  we  write  is  one  of  seven  children,  there 
being  four  sons  and  three  daughters  in  the  fam- 
ily, our  subject  being  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 
He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  early  learned  the 
meaning  of  pioneer  life. 

In  Russell  County,  Ky.,  Mr. Vermillion  was  mar- 
ried to  Jane  Fletcher,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  His 
residence  in  this  State  and  county  dates  from 
18-40,  his  advent  hither  being  made  with  an  ox- 
team  and  wagon.  His  family  at  that  time  com- 
prised himself,  wife  and  four  children.  Their 
worldly  posses-ions  were  very  few,  and  they  had 
no  embarrassment  of  filthy  lucre.  He  rented  a 
piece  of  land,  and  worked  hard  in  order  to  get  a 
little  money  to  start  with.  About  1844  he  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  timber  land  at  $5  per  acre, 
and  subsequently  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
Government  land  at  $1.25  per  acre.  This  proved 
to  he  a  fortunate  investment,  and  he  subsequently 
added  more  land  to  his  tract  at  814  per  acre,  lie 
is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  anil  twenty  acres 
of   line  land. 

Our  subject's  first  residence  in  this  State,  which 
he  could  call  his  own,  was  a  log  cabin  built  in  the 
midst  of  his  timber  tract,  but  it  served  the  pur- 
pose, and  he  and  his  brave  little  wife  were  as  loyal 
to  each  other  as  though  they  lived  in  a  palace.  As 
their  circumstances  permitted,  they  built  a  frame 
house,  and  on  outgrowing  this,  Mr.  Vermillion 
erected  a  brick  residence,  which  at  the  time  it  was 
built  was  one  of  the  finest  places  in  Shelby  County. 
In  1803  the  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  made  a 
trip  to  British  Columbia  by  the  overland  route, 
and  returned  therefrom  the  following  year.  Mr. 
Vermillion  was  in  early  life  afflicted  with  rheuma- 
tism, which  became  chronic,  and  he  is  now  obliged 
to  use  a  crutch. 

Mrs.  Vermillion  died  aboul  1850,  leaving  nine 
children,  whose  names  are  as  follows:  Eliza- 
beth, Birch,  Fanny,  Nancy,  Mary,  Sarah,  Ra- 
chael.  Martha  and  Isabella.  Elizabeth  married 
.lame.-  Harper,  and  died  in  Shelby  County;  Birch 
resides  in  St.  Louis;  Fanny  married  and  died  in 
this  State;    Nancy  married    Levi   1'.  Tolly,   of  Mo- 


526 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


weaqua;  Mary  married  James  Lawton,  and  lives  in 
Minnesota;  Sarah  was  the  wife  of  John  Albright, 
and  passed  away  from  this  life  in  Nebraska;  Ra- 
chael  became  the  wife  of  John  Foltz,  of  Minne- 
sota; Martha  married  Joseph  Cameron,  of 
Minneapolis;  and  Isabella  married  Henson  Wheeler, 
and  died  in  this  State. 

Mr.  Vermillion  married  a  second  lime,  his  bride 
being  Mrs.  Jane  C.  Miller,  nee  Mason,  who  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  where  she  married  Adam  Miller. 
He  died  in  Kentucky,  leaving  his  wife  four  children 
two  of  whom,  George  A.  and  Mary  L.,  are  dead. 
The  eldest  and  youngest  sons  are  David  ().  and 
Granville  L.  By  this  second  marriage  our  subject 
is  the  father  of  three  children,  who  are  James  W., 
Eliza  E.  and  Angie  Nomie.  Eliza  is  the  wife  of 
Edward  Garrison,  and  Angie  is  the  wife  of  W.  E. 
Hardwick,  Politically  our  subject  is  a  Democrat, 
and  takes  as  much  passive  interest  at  four-score 
years  as  he  did  when,  years  ago,  he  voted  for 
Jackson.  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

AMES  FOSTER,  a  member  of  the  County 
Board  of  Supervisors  representing  Todd's 
Point  Township,  is  one  of  the  leading  farm- 
ers of  this  locality,  and  the  well-appointed 
farm  that  he  owns  and  occupies  was  developed  by 
his  father,  John  Foster,  a  pioneer  settler  of  this 
part  of  Shelby  County,  from  a  tract  of  wild  land 
that  lie  purchased  from  the  Government  when  he 
first  came  to  this  State  many  years  ago. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Yorkshire.  England, 
bora  October  21,  1838.  His  father  was  born  in  the 
same  shire,  where  his  parents  spent  their  entire 
lives.  John  Foster  was  reared  and  married  in  the 
land  of  his  birth,  taking  as  his  wife  Ellen  Atkin- 
son, also  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  and  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Atkinson.  In  1X43  Mr.  Foster  emigrated 
to  this  country  with  his  wife  and  six  children  set- 
ting sail  from  Liverpool  on  the  good  ship  "Glas- 
gow," and  landing  at  New  York  after  a  voyage  of 
six  weeks  and  four  days.  He  proceeded  directly 
to  Ohio  by   the  way   of    the    Hudson    River  ami 


the  Erie  Canal  to  Buffalo,  thence  by  Lake  Erie  to 
Cleveland,  and  from  there  into  the  interior  of 
Ohio  by  canal  to  Massillon.  He  found  employ- 
ment on  a  farm  and  resided  there  until  1H4!). 
Then,  having  heard  favorable  accounts  of  the  fer- 
tility of  the  soil  and  other  advantages  possessed 
by  this  county,  he  made  his  way  hither,  bringing 
with  him  his  family,  and  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  pio- 
neers of  Todds'  Point  Township.  At  that  time  the 
prairies  of  Illinois  were  but  sparsely  settled,  as  the 
early  settlers  had  considered  the  timber  lands  much 
more  desirable  in  every  way,  not  realizing  the 
wonderful  richness  of  the  prairie  soil.  Accord- 
ingly much  of  the  open  land  was  still  in  the  hands 
of  the  Government  and  Mr.  Foster  entered  a  tract. 
He  erected  one  of  the  first  frame  houses  ever  built 
on  the  prairies  of  Todd's  Point  Township  and 
otherwise  improved  his  place  into  one  of  the  most 
desirable  farms  in  the  locality,  making  it  his  home 
until  his  eyes  were  closed  in  death.  His  wife  also 
died  on  the  home  farm.  They  reared  a  family  of 
six  children,  named  as  follows:  Joseph,  Mary.  John, 
Alice.  Thomas  and  James. 

James  Foster  was  a  boy  of  four  years  when  he 
crossed  the  Atlantic  Ocean  with  his  parents,  and 
lie  has  a  distinct  recollection  of  the  incidents  of 
that  ever  memorable  voyage  and  of  the  pioneer 
life  that  followed  in  Ohio  and  this  State.  He  has 
been  an  intelligent  witness  of  the  growth  of  this 
county,  and  has  been  no  unimportant  factor  in 
helping  to  make  it  a  great  agricultural  center.  In 
his  boyhood  he  attended  the  pioneer  schools,  as- 
sisted his  father  on  the  farm  and  continued  to  live 
with  his  parents  until  he  made  a  home  of  his  own 
at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  when  he  settled  on  a 
part  of  his  father's  land.  He  lias  since  purchased 
the  original  homestead,  and  lias  greatly  increased 
its  value  by  flic  many  line  improvements  that  he 
has  placed  upon  if.  including  a  commodious  and 
well-ordered  set  of  frame  buildings.  He  has  one 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  under  a  high 
state  of  tillage,  and  derives  a  solid  income  from 
the  cultivation  of  his  fertile  fields. 

In  mill!  Mr.  Foster  married  .Miss  Martha  J.  Len- 
over,  and  their  pleasant  wedded  life  has  been 
blessed  to  them  by  the  birth  of  three  children — 
Cora  Belle.  Henry   and   James.     Cora   married    S. 


PORTRAIT  AND  liltit.KAl'llH  AI.    RECORD. 


529 


Wheeler,  since  deceased,  and  she  lives  with  her 
parent-.  Mrs.  Foster  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
Shelby  Township  her  birthplace.  Her  father,  John 
Lenover,  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania,  went  from 
there  t<>  Ohio,  thence  to  Indiana,  and  finally  came 
tn  Illinois,  and  was  a  pioneer  of  this  count}-. 
where  he  spent  the  remaindei  of  his  life.  He  was 
a  skillful  blacksmith  and  followed  his  trade  here 
a  number  of  years.  1 1  i-  wife  died  in  1849.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Boys  and  she  was  a 
sister  of  Alexander  Boys.  (For  her  parental  his- 
tory see  sketch  of  William  Boys.)  Mrs.  Foster  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
as  such  is  true  to  her  religious  obligations,  as  well 
a-  in  all  things  pertaining  to  her  duties  as  wife, 
mother  and  friend. 

Mr.  Foster  i-  a  man  of  a  pleasant,  kindly  nature, 
and  he  has  withal  in  a  full  measure  those  practical 
traits  of  character  that  make  him  a  useful  citizen, 
eapahle  of  filling  places  of  trust  and  honor.  His 
fellow-citizens,  recognizing  this,  have  repeatedly 
called  him  to  the  responsible  position  of  Super- 
visor, and  he  has  now  Keen  a  member  of  the 
County  Hoard  foi-  some  years,  being  first  elected 
in  1887,  again  in  L889,  and  re-elected  in  1890  and 
1891.  lie  i:-  a  member  of  the  Farmers*  Mutual 
Benefit  Association,  and  in  his  politics  he  i-  an 
unswerving   Republican. 


()IIN  C.   BROWN.     A   traveler    throughout 
Shelby  County  would  he  forcibly  impressed 

by    some    features  of    the    estate  owned    and 

occupied  by  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
-ketch.  In  approaching  it  bis  eyes  would  be  at- 
tracted by  the  appearance  ot  order  and  thorough 
cultivation  seen  on  every  hand,  a-  well  a-  by  the 
extent  of  the  acreage  and  the  efforts  that  have 
Keen  made  to  add  to  it-  original  beauty.  Perhaps 
the  most  conspicuous  object  to  the  stranger  would 
he  the  residence,  a  view  of  which  is  presented  mi 
another  page  of  tin-  volume.  It  is  a  commodious 
dwelling  with  the  appearance  of  great  comfort 
and  homelikeness.     In  connection  with  this  notice 


we  are  plea-cd  to  present  to  oui-  readers  a  portrait 
of  Mr.  Brown,  who  is  well  known  as  an  enterpris- 
ing agriculturist  and  a  reliable  citizen.    . 

The  tine  tract  of  land  which  Mr.  Brown  operates 
i-  on  sections  21.  22,  27  and  28,  Ridge  Township, 
and  is  nut  only  in  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation 
Imt  is  adorned  with  a  splendid  set  of  buildings. 
lu  fore  relating  the  principal  events  in  the  life  of 
Mr.  Brown  it  may  he  well  to  mention  briefly  the 
main  fact-  in  the  history  of  those  from  whom  he 
is  descended.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Wurtem- 
burg,  Germany,  where  he  was  born  in  1805,  and 
given  the  name  of  Christian  F.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Schearer,  a  native  of  Bavaria,  who  was  born 
in  1K14.  After  marriage  they  made  their  home  in 
Tuscarawas  County, Ohio,  where  they  resided  until 

1864.  At  that  time  they  removed  to  (lay  County, 
Ind.,  where  the  father  of  our  subject  died  in  1876. 
The  mother  still  survives.  Their  family  comprised 
nine  children.  John  being  the  second  in  order  of 
age. 

The  natal  day  of  our  subject  was  April  Hi.  1837, 
and  hi-  birth  occurred  in  Tuscarawas  County. 
Ohio.  There  he  grew  to  manhood  and  learned  the 
trade  of  a  blacksmith,  takintr  his  appenticeship  at 
New  Philadelphia,  Ohio.  After  serving  for  fifteen 
months  he  engaged  a-  a  journeyman, following  his 
trade  near  hi-  native  county  until  the  fall  of 
L864,  when  he  removed  to  (  lay  County,  Ind..  and 
undertook    the    same    work    there.     In    February, 

1865,  In-  removed  to  Wilton  Junction.  Iowa,  and 
there  carried  on  hi-  trade  until  June,  1865,  when 
he  returned  today  County.  Ind.  In  the  spring 
of  1866  he  removed  to  Shelby  County  and  pur- 
sued hi-  trade  at  what  is  now  Ilentoii.  in  Ridge 
Township.  Here  he  worked  until  November,  1875, 
at  which  lime  he  undertook  agricultural  pursuits, 
in  which  he  i-  -till  engaged.  He  has  erected  a 
hand-ome  set  of  buildings  and  has  cleared  a  valu- 
able farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  lie  is 
known  as  one  of  the  best  wheat  raisers  in  Shelby 
(  ounty,  having  raised  as  much  as  sixty-four 
bushels  per  acre,  lie  also  ha-  been  instrumental 
in  introducing  into  the  community  the  best  varie- 
ties of  wheat  produced  m  the  I'nitcd  State-. 

John  (  .  Blown  and   Georgians    Vo-i  win-  mar- 
ried in  Shelby  County  March  20.  1869.     This  lady 


530 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


is  a  daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  (Harbaugh) 

Vol.  Her  father  died  in  Nauvoo,  111.  .Mr-.  Brown 
was  born,  in  Wboster,  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  May 
•in.  1845,  and  is  the  mother  of  Ave  children:  Ed- 
win ().;  Serepta,  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Coffman;  Eliza- 
beth,  .John  (  ..  Jr.,  and  Grover  C.  It  is  unnecessary 
to  name  tin-  politics  of  .Mr.  Brown  to  one  who 
knows  the  name  of  his  youngest  son.  IK-  i-  a  man 
who  is  active  in  all  public  matters,  especially  in 
political  movements,  and  has  tilled  a  number  of 
offices  of  responsibility.  IK-  was  elected  Supervisor 
of  Ridge  Township  in  the  spring  of  1890  for  a 
term  of  two  year-.  For  ten  years  he  has  tilled  the 
office  of  Township  Clerk  and  fur  twelve  years  has 
been  School  Director, serving  as  Clerk  of  the  board 
during  all  that  time.  He  is  prominently  identified 
with  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Association 
and  has  been  Secretary  for  three  terms  of  Pleas- 
ant Valley  Lodge,  No.  1735.  He  ha-  done  ef- 
ficient service  as  Road  Overseer  for  two  terms. 
In  all  of  these  positions  Mr.  Brown  ha-  reflected 
credit  upon  himself  and  been  active  in  promoting 
the  welfare  of  the  community. 


APT.  EDWARD  B.  CUTLER,  who  was  a 
valiant  officer  in  the  Union  Army  during 
'  the  late  war.  has  since  attained  a  leading 
place  among  the  most  progressive  ami  enlightened 
farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  this  county  and  the 
land  that  he  purchased  in  Penn  Township  when 
he  came  here  nearly  twenty  years  ago  has  been 
developed  by  him  into  one  of  the  choicest  farms 
in  this  part  of  the  State  in  point  of  cultivation 
and  improvement. 

Captain  Cutler  was  horn  in  the  town  of  .lay. 
Essex  County.  X.  Y..  duly  11.  1K2"2.  His  father. 
Thomas  Cutler,  was  also  a  native  of  that  county. 
of  which  his  father.  John  Cutler,  was  an  early 
settler.  The  latter  was  horn  in  New  England  and 
was  a  descendant  of  early  English  ancestry 
that  had  settled  in  that  part  of  the  county  in  Col- 
onial times.  After  his  removal  to  Essex  County, 
X.  .1..  he  bought  a  tract  of  timberland  in  Jay  and 
at  once  commenced  to  clear  it  and   prepare  it  for 


cultivation.  He  was  drowned  while  attempting  to 
cro—  the  An  Sable  River  in  1830.  He  was  a  soldier 

in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  father  of  our  subject  grew  to  man's  estate 
in    hi-    native     county  and    was    there   married    to 

Jane    Steele,  a    native  of    M <■'-  Hill.  X.  II.      In 

1*2*  the  parents  of  our  subject  removed  to  the 
wilds  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  and  settled 
in  the  town  of  Willney, two  miles  south  of  Hoovel- 
ton,  where  the  father  bought  timbered  land,  upon 
which  he  erected  a  log  house  for  a  dwelling.  At 
that  time  that  county  was  but  thinly  inhabited 
and  hear-  were  frequently  seen  by  the  settlers, 
while  deer  and  other  game  was  plentiful  and 
helped  to  vary  the  meager  fare  of  the  people,  who 
had  to  live  on  their  farm  products.  The  women 
clothed  their  children  in  homespun  that  wa-  the 
result  of  their  own  handiwork. 

Mr.  Cutler  cleared  quite  a  tract  of  his  land  and 
re-ided  on  it  until  the  fall  of  1839,  when  he  became 
the  pioneer  of  another  state.  Accompanied  by 
his  family  he  started  with  a  team  for  Watertown. 
whence  he  went  by  boat  to  Rochester,  from  there 
by  canal  to  Buffalo,  thence  on  Lake  Erie  to  Cleve- 
land, from  there  to  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  where  he 
embarked  on  a  steamer  on  the  Ohio  River  and  was 
conveyed  to  his  final  destination  at  Lawrenceburg. 
lie  farmed  there  two  years  and  then  proceeded  on 
a  flat-boat  down  the  Ohio  to  Louisville  and  from 
there  to  Troy.  Ind..  where  he  bought  a  tract  of 
hcavilvwooded  land  eight  miles  from  the  ( thio  River. 
The  surrounding  country  was  still  in  a  wild  con- 
dition, as  there  were  not  then  many  settlements 
there,  and  deer,  wild  turkeys  and  other  kinds  of 
game  roamed  at  will  where  are  now  smiling  farms 
and  evidences  of  thrift  and  plenty  on  every  hand. 
The  father  built  a  home,  but  his  life  was  not 
spared  long  after  he  took  possession  of  it.  as  his 
career  was  cut  short  by  his  untimely  death  in 
1842.  His  wife  al-o  died  on  that  farm  in  Perry 
County.  She  was  the  mother  of  these  five  chil- 
dren: James  M..  Catherine.  Abigail,  Thomas  and 
Edward.  Edward  and  Abigail  are  the  only  sur- 
vivors of  the  family. 

Edward  Cutler  was  seventeen  years  old  when 
his  parents  removed  to  Indiana.  He  assisted  his 
father  in  clearing   his  land  until  the  hitter's  death 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


53 1 


and  then  lie  and  his  brother  Thomas  continued 
the  improvements  begun  bj  their  father  and  they 
farmed  in  partnership  until  Edward's  marriage, 
and  then  hi:-  brother  went  into  the  mercantile  Im-- 
iness,  while  our  subject  engaged  in  agriculture 
and  boating  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers,be- 
ginning  in  the  latter  business  in  1*42.  Hi*  would 
build  a  flat-boat, load  it  with  farm  produce  '>r  coal, 
take  it  to  New  Orleans  and  then  sell  boat  and 
cargo  and  return  home  by  steamer,  lie  thus  made 
eighty-four  trips  to  the  Crescent  City. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  found  our 
subject  busy  in  the  management  of  hi?  interests 
and  as  soon  as  lie  could  arrange  his  affairs  he  vol- 
unteered in  help  Dght  hi>  country's  battles,  enlist- 
ing October  20,  1861,  in  (  ompany  E,  Forty-ninth 
Indiana  Infantry,  lie  was  mustered  in  a-  (  aptain 
of  his  company  at  Camp  -lor  Unit  November  21. 
ami   in  tin-  trying  year- that  followed  he  showed 

himself    in    he    possessed  of  l: 1  soldierly  metal 

and  his  military  record  is  one  of  which  he  ami  bis 
may  well  he  proud,  lie  took  part  in  the  battle  at 
Cumberland  Gap  ami  when  he  and  his  brave  men 
started  with  others  in  pursuit  of  (.en.  Bragg's 
forces  their  knapsacks  were  empty  as  they  had  run 
out  of  provisions,  and  they  had  to  forage  for  a 
living.  They  used  their  bayonets  to  punch  hole- 
in  their  canteens  that  they  might  use  them  as 
graters  to  reduce  the  dry  corn  to  meal  and  in  var- 
ious other  way-  did  they  show  their  fertility  of 
resource  in  any  emergency.  From  Kentucky  the 
(  aptain  accompanied  his  regiment  to  West  Vir- 
ginia, where  it  was  stationed  three  months  and 
then  wa-  dispatched  on  transport-  down  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  Rivers  to  .Memphis.  From  there 
the  Forty-ninth  Indiana  wa-  sent  to  Vicksburg  to 
help  carry  on  the  siege  of  that  city  and  it  also 
took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Gibson. 
Thompson's  Ilili.  Big  Black  River,  Chickasaw 
Bayou  and  Arkansas  Post. 

At  Vicksburg  our  subject  led  a  successful  charge 
on  the  work-  on  the  22d  of  May.  After  that  he 
«ent  t<>  Grand  Gulf  with  his  command  and  did 
some  bard  fighting  at  Th pson's  Hill,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  enemy  being  driven  back.  He  next 
a  — i-ted  in  the  reduction  of  .lack-on.  Mi—.,  anil 
went  from   there   to  Vicksburg,  afterward   facing 


the  rebels  in  two  hotly  contested  battles  at  Edward's 
Station  and  Champion  Hill.  We  next  hear  of  his 
services  at  the  battle  of  Big  Black  River  and 
after  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  he  accompanied 
his  regiment  to  New  Orleans,  going  theme  to 
Matagorda  Bay,  Tex.,  and  returning  to  New 
Orleans,  he  then  went  on  the  Red  River  Expedi- 
tion and  did  some  hard  fighting  at  Shrevesport. 
After  that  the  Captain  and  his  men  fought  the 
rebels  at  Kane  Creek,  whence  they  returned  to 
Shrevesport,  where  they  laid  a  dam  to  let  the 
gunboats  pass  the  falls.  From  there  Capt.  Cutler 
inarched  with  his  command  to  Morganza  Bend  ami 
thence  to  Lexington,  Kv.  lie  was  appointed  to 
provost  duty  in  that  city  and  wa-  thus  engaged 
until  his  resignation  from  the  army  July 4, 1863. 

After  his  honorable  career  a-  an  officer  in  the 
Union  service  (apt.  Cutler  returned  to  his  old 
home  from  the  seat  of  war.  bearing  with  him  a 
high  reputation  for  coolness  and  courage  in  the 
heat  of  battle  and  for  fidelity  in  the  performance 
of  his  duty.  He  quietly  resumed  fanning  on  tin- 
old  homestead  in  Indiana  and  dwelt  there  until  he 
took  up  his  residence  in  this  county  in  1*72.  He 
then  bought  the  farm  in  Penn  Township,  which 
he  still  occupies  and  which  at  the  time  of  purchase 
was  merely  a  tract  of  wild  prairie.  He  has  trans- 
formed it  into  one  of  the  most  valuable  farms  in 
the  township,  ranking  with  the  l>e*t  in  the  county, 
as  regards  its  many  fine  improvements,  its  bigh 
-tate  of  tillage  and  its  productiveness.  He  has 
erected  upon  it  a  tine  set  of  buildings, commodious 
and  roomy  and  neat  in  their  appointments.  In 
the  management  of  his  farm  the  Captain  has 
shown  himself  to  he  an  expert  farmer,  of  progres- 
sive views,  with  a  good  understanding  of  the  besl 
modern  methods  of  carrying  on  agriculture,  and 
on  every  hand  are  evidences  of  his  successful  pro- 
secution of  that  calling,  which  Horace  (lively 
denominated  "the  noblest  of  professions." 

(apt.  Cutler's  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  llyili- 
was  solemnized  in  1860.  She  was  a  native  of 
Ferry  County.  Ind..  and  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Nancy  Hyde.  As  daughter,  wife,  mother  and 
friend  she  filled  in  a  perfect  measure  those  sacred 
relationships,  and  in  her  the  Baptist  Church  had 
an  exemplary  Christian  member.   Her  death  in  Feb- 


532 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ruary,  1891,  was  a  sad  bereavement  not  only  ti> 
those  of  her  own  household,  but  to  others  to 
whom  she  had  endeared  herself.  Our  subject  has 
four  children  to  solace  his  declining  years.  They 
are  Grant,  Florence,  Ilelier  and  Verton. 

The  Captain  is  an  intelligent  thinker  and  ob- 
server, is  fond  of  reading,  having  an  excellent 
literary  taste,  and  keeps  himself  well  informed  on 
all  topics  of  general  and  public  interest.  IP-  has 
decided  opinions  of  his  own;  especially  is  this 
true  in  regard  to  politics,  and  we  find  him  firmly 
arrayed  on  the  side  of  the  Republican  party,  vot- 
ing as  he  fought  for  what  he  considers  to  lie  the 
best  interests  of  the  country.  Religiously  lie  is  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  faith;  socially  he  is  :i 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  John 
Clement  Post,  No.  363,  G.  A.  R.  The  worth  of 
his  loyal  citizenship  is  appreciated  by  his  fellow- 
townsmen,  who  have  entrusted  responsible  offices 
to  his  care,  and  at  one  time  he  represented  Penn 
Township  as  a  member  of  the  County  Hoard  of 
Supervisors. 


•I  Gf1- 


t^Z  •••C"S»I= 


■{&> 


ylLLIAM  STEWARDSON,  Si;.  The  owner 
of  one  of  the  best  farms  in  Richland 
Township,  located  on  section  19,  is  he 
whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He 
belongs  to  :i  good  old  English  family,  and  inherits 
from  them  a  stubborn  obstinacy'  that  will  not 
acknowledge  defeat  but  will  build  on  the  ruins  of 
disappointment  and  loss  the  foundation  of  new 
hopes  and  new  fortunes.  Our  subject's  father  was 
William  Stewardson  who  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land County,  England.  His  mother  was  Mary 
(Nicholson)  Stewardson.  who  was  a  native  of  the 
same  country  as  her  husband.  The  good  lady 
died  in  her  native  land  about  1838,  her  husband 
afterward  married  and  came  to  America  about 
1^42,  settling  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
lived  for  two  years  and  from  there  removed  to 
Indiana,  locating  in  Pulaski  County.  Afterastay 
of  one  year  there  he  removed  to  Shelby  County. 
this  State,  settling  in  Shelby  ville  Township.  There 
he  spent  his  last  days  with  his  son,  our  subject. 


passing  away  his  residence  in  Richland  Town- 
ship,when  over  seventy-one  years  of  age. 

The  name  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  is  that  of 
one  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  he  being  the 
fifth,  his  birthplace  was  in  Westmoreland  County. 
England,  and  his  natal  day  was  February  26,  1828. 
He  came  to  America  with  his  father  in  1K42.  and 
in  .June  1845,  he1  located  in  Shelby  County.  Ib- 
spent  most  of  his  young  manhood  with  his  father 
until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  Shelbyville 
Township,  November  "26,  1851.  His  bride  was  a 
.Miss  Nancy  M.  Douthit,  a  native  of  Tennessee, 
who  was  there  born  November  25.  1829.  She  was 
only  about  one  year  old  when  her  parents  came  to 
Shelby  County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewardson  are  the  parents  of 
seven  living  children  whose  names  are:  Mary. 
Sarah,  .lane,  Elizabeth  (deceased),  William  N.,  John 
I)..  Anna  M.  and  Ella.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  And- 
rew C.  Ensminger.  Sarah  Isabelle  is  the  wife  of 
Thomas  M.  Robinson.  Elizabeth  died  when  about 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  The  parents  of  Mrs. 
Stewardson  were  John  aud  Margaret  (Elliott) 
Douthit.     They  died  in  Shelbyville  Township. 

For  a  few  months  after  the  marriage  of  our  sub- 
ject, the  young  couple  lived  in  Shelbyville  Town- 
ship and  then  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  has 
ever  since  lived.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in 
the  agricultural  business,  and  has  fine  improve- 
ments upon  his  place.  He  was  formerly  the  owner 
of  a  large  tract  of  several  thousand  acres,  lie  laid 
out  the  town  of  Stewardson  about  lK76and  it  was 
named  in  his  honor.  During  his  days  of  larger 
prosperity  he  made  a  gift  of  twenty  acres  to  the 
town,  as  the  nucleus  of  the  site  upon  which  it  is 
now  located. 

Although  Mr.  Stewardson  has  been  fairly  active 
in  politics  and  is  an  ardent  supporter  of  his  party 
which  is  that  of  Democracy,  he  has  never  been  an 
office-seeker.  Home  has  ever  been  paramountry 
dear  to  him,  as  is  evident  in  the  fine  condition  in 
which  every  particular  in  which  this  place  is  kept. 
The  house,  which  is  comfortable  and  commodious. 
is  pleasantly  located  so  that  it  commands  a  charm- 
ing prospect  of  the  surrounding  country.  Nestled 
among  tine  trees,  it  is  shaded  in  summer,  and  pro- 
tected from  the  blasts  of  winter.     At  one  time  he 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


533 


of  whom  we  write  was  the  owner  of  thousands  of 
head  of  sheep  and  was  a  very  wealthy  man.  Re- 
verses, however,  have  come  to  him  as  to  many. 
but  he  does  not  lose  courage  nor  his  hope  in  the 
future.  The  house  of  William  Stewardson  is 
known  as  Belle  View  owing  to  its  beautiful  sur- 
roundings. 


UDGE  JOSEPH  BAKER.  .Many  of  the  rep- 
resentative men  of  Moultrie  County  make 
their  home  in  Sullivan  and  among  them 
Vg/'  there  is  probably  no  one  who  is  more  thor- 
oughly kiimvi:  or  lias  a  more  general  acquaintance 
through  the  county  than  the  gentleman  whose 
name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch,  lie  is  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  this  region  and  for  many  years 
was  a  general  farmer,  stock-breeder  and  a  buyer 
and  seller  of  live  stock.  During  the  war  he  served 
the  county  as  Associate  .Indue  and  has  always  been 
prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  owns  more  than 
seven  hundred  acres  lying  within  the  limits  of  the 
city  and  his  handsome  home  is  located  in  the 
Northeastern  (tart  of  the  corporation.  His  farm 
of  four  hundred  and  seven  acres  adjoins  the  city 
and  it  is  all  either  under  the  plow  or  in  use  as 
pasture  land,  being  well  stocked  with  the  best 
grades  of  animals  ami  being  considered  one  of  the 
best  farms  in  the  county.  His  other  line  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  ninety-one  and  one-half  acres,  in 
another  part  of  Sullivan  Township  is  entirely  in 
pasture,  and  is  well  watered  by  the  Okaw  River. 
Mr.  Baker  has  lived  near  the  city  of  Sullivan 
since  1848  and  began  work  here  as  a  laborer  for 
Dr.  William  Kellar  in  order  to  pay  a  bill  which  lie 
owed  the  doctor  for  professional  services.  He  was 
then  a  poor  man  and  has  gained  his  handsome 
property  by  his  own  efforts  and  enterprise.  He 
was  born  October  29,  1828,  at  the  old  Bland  Home- 
stead, on  Sand  Creek,  Shelby  County.  His  father. 
.John  A.  Baker,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  was  a  son 
of  Joseph  Baker  who  came  to  Kentucky  while  his  son 
John  A.  was  still  a  boy  and  settled  in  Allen  Coun- 
ty near  Paducah  and  after  some  years  (about  1826) 
the  family  removed  to  Shelby  County, 111.,  coming 


overland  with  teams  and  camping  out  along  the 
way,  being  accompanied  by  the  families  of  Mr. 
Wigger  and  Mr.  Ledbetter. 

The  first  location  of  this  party  was  on  Sand 
(reek,  and  the  Baker  family  finally  settled  upon 
the  Bland  Homestead  and  began  life  as  pioneers, 
and  there  where  they  first  settled  near  Windsor, 
the  wife  of  Joseph  Baker  died  after  she  had  spent 
a  long  and  useful  life.  Her  husband  survived  for 
a  few  years  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 
He  had  served  in  the  Black  Hawk' War  and  enjoyed 
recounting  his  experience  on  the  field  of  battle. 
They  wen-  members  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
friends  of  Dr.  Campbell  and  Mr.  Stone.  Joseph 
Baker  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views  and  at 
an  early  date  he  was  made  .lustier  of  the  Peace  in 
Shelby  County. 

John  A.  Baker,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  in  Kentucky  and  there  married  Elizabeth 
Dillon  who  was  born  in  the  South  and  came  of 
Irish  stock.  To  them  were  born  two  children — 
Francis  11.  and  Sarah  F.,  who  had  their  nativity  in 
the  Southern  part  of  Illinois,  before  John  and  his 
wife  came  to  Shelby  County,  and  after  coming 
here  other  children  were  added  to  their  number. 
John  Baker  began  as  a  poor  man  and  turned  the 
virgin  prairie  into  a  productive  farm.  He  and  his 
faithful  wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church 
and  universally  beloved  for  their  Christian  faith 
and  devotion.  They  died  in  old  age.  at  Four  Mile 
Grove.  Of  their  eleven  children  seven  are  still 
living. 

Our  subject  had  not  yet  reached  his  majority 
when  he  came  to  this  county,  and  here  he  was  Mist 
married  to  Mary  J.  Brown  who  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky but  reared  here.      She  died  while    they    were 

sojourning  in  Texas,  leaving  two  children,  John 
H.  whose  biography  appears  on  another  page  of 
the  Rkcord  and  William  A.  now  deceased.  Mr. 
Baker  married  for  his  second  wife  Mrs.  Nancy 
Kearney  nee  Duncan,  a  native  of  Indiana  and  the 
widow  of  Dr.  Kearney  by  whom  she  had  three  son-. 
— William  A..  Thomas  II.  and  Amos  T.  By  Mr. 
Baker  she  had  two  daughter, —  Sarah  E.  and  Eliza- 
beth A.,  the  former  being  now  Mrs.  A.  E.  D.  Scott 
of  Fresno.  Cal.,  and  the  latter.  Mrs.  David  E.  Dix, 
living  in  the  same  place.      Mrs.   Nancy    Baker,  the 


534 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


mother  of  the.se  children  died  in  Moultrie  County 
in  1864,  being  then  in  the  prime  of  life.  The  third 
marriage  of  Judge  linker  united  him  with  Miss 
Mary  ( '.  Miller  who  was  born  in  Ohio  and  came  to 
Illinois  with  her  parents,  Henry  and  Harriet  Miller, 
who  are  both  now  defeased.  They  had  given  to 
their  daughter  a  superior  education  and  her  nat- 
ural abilities  supplememented  by  the  excellent 
training  which  she  received  have  titled  her  to 
shine  in  the  social  circles  of  Sullivan  and  have 
given  her  a  broad  influence  with  all  who  know  her. 
She  is  the  mother  of  four  children,  namely:  Lucy 
May,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools;  Delia,  a  mil- 
liner; Rosa,  a  teacher  and  Zion  F..  all  of  whom  arc 
at  Inline  with  their  parents. 


V 


;»=♦ 


OBERT  N.  STEWARDSON.  However  com- 
posite our  nation  may  be,  the  fact  that  we 
are  an  English  speaking   people   will   ever 

)  remind  us  that  England  is  our  mother 
country  and  that  aside  from  the  consanguinity 
that  naturally  binds  us  to  England  and  English 
people,  we  as  a  nation,  owe  more  than  perhaps  we 
are  willing  to  confess,  to  English  laws  and  gov- 
ernment for  the  form  of  our  own  Government,  free 
and  independent  as  it  is.  The  sterling  qualities 
invariably  found  in  the  agricultural  classes  of  Eng- 
lish people,  meet  a  ready  recognition  in  this 
country.  Our  subject  is  by  parentage  English, 
although  he  is  a  native  of  this  country.  His  father 
was  the  late  Robert  Stewardson.  who  was  born  in 
Westmoreland  County,  England,  and  his  mother 
was  Miss  Elizabeth  L.  Douthit.  The  parents  of 
Elizabeth  Douthit  Stewardson.  were  John  and 
Margaret  (Elliott)  Douthit.  who  died  in  Shelby  - 
ville  Township.  They  were  the  parents  of  two 
sons  and  five  daughters,  and  of  these  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth L.  Stewardson  was  the  sixth  child  in  order  of 
birth,  and  was  born  in  Tennessee.  July  211,  1825. 
She  was  married  to  Robert  Stewardson  in  Shelby- 
ville  Township.  December  5,  1848. 


Robert  Stewardson,  Sr.,  died  in  Richland  Town- 
ship, this  county,  September  II.  1858.  lie  was  the 
father  of  three  children,  namely:  William,  Robert 
N.  and  Mary  E.  Two  children  died  in  infancy. 
The  old  gentleman  took  an  active  part  in  local 
affairs.  He  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Shelby 
County  for  two  years.  In  his  religious  connec- 
tions he  was  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England, 
Our  subject,  Robert  X.  is  the  second  son  born  to 
parents,  lie  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Richland 
Township,  Shelby  County,  July  26,  1855. 

Young  Robert  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Richland  Township,  and  there  he 
early  learned  the  work  incident  to  a  farmer's  life. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
district,  and  there  his  native  quickness  and  per- 
ception enabled  him  to  gain  a  good  and  practical 
knowledge  of  hooks  and  an  insight  into  the 
sciences,  that  has  been  of  great  service  to  hini  in 
hi>  career.  He  has  always  followed  the  calling  of 
fanning,  although  in  July,  1885,  lie  erected  build- 
ings for  tile  work.  These  he  has  built  upon  his 
farm  and  here  he  manufactures  quite  extensively 
in  connection  with  his  farm.  lie  also  owns  and 
operates  a  sawmill. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  has  in  his  farm,  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  acres  of  land  and  upon  this 
tract,  which  is  delightfully  located,  valuable  im- 
provements have  been  placed.  He  was  married  in 
Richland  Township,  April  8,  1*75,  his  bride  being 
Miss  Susan  .1.  Hawk,  and  by  her  he  has  had  two 
children  whose  names  are  respectively,  Walter  C. 
and  Myrtie.  Myrtie  died  when  two  years  old. 
Mrs.  Susan  .1.  Stewardson  bade  a  last  and  long 
farewell  to  her  husband  in  Richland  Township, 
April  is.  L882.  The  sense  of  pain  in  thus  being 
left  by  one  to  whom  he  was  united  by  the  nearest 
and  dearest  ties  was  infinite  and  keen. 

After  some  years  he  married  a  daughter  of  Fred 
and  Mary  Kircher.  She  was  born  in  Shelby  County. 
January  .'5.  l*5<s.  One  child,  a  daughter,  whose 
name  is  Ray,  is  the  fruit  of  this  marriage.  Politic- 
ally our  subject  has  joined  his  influence  with  the 
progressive  young  party  whose  most  intimate  mis- 
sion is  the  purifying  of  society.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Prohibition  party.  Mrs.  Stewardson  is  united 
with  the  Lutheran  Church,  in  which  she  is  a   good 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


535 


and  efficient  worker.  Onr  subject  i>  an  energetic 
and  progressive  business  man  to  whose  activity 
and  ambition  the  people  of  Richland  Township 
owe  much. 


HARLES  KUHN.  Shelby  County  is  one 
of  the  most  productive  sections  of  the  Prai- 
rie State,  a  State  world-renowned  for  its 
rich  soil  and  quick  response  to  the  efforts  of  the 
agriculturist.  The  old  saying  has  been  quoted 
often  in  regard  to  it  that  if  yon  will  -tickle  it  with 
a  lioe  ii  will  laugh  with  a  harvest."  Those  who 
came  to  this  region  from  the  stony  and  stumpy 
fields  of  the  mountainous  regions  of  the  Bast,  con- 
gratulated themselves  upon  finding  how  much 
greater  reward  they  secured  for  their  toil  than  they 
did  in  the  regions  where  so  much  preparatory  effort 
had  to  be  made  in  clearing  the  land  from  obstruc- 
tions. When  it  became  known  that  the  State  of 
Illinois  was  so  prolific  and  so  easily  cultivated, 
thousand-  flocked  here  who  have  since  had  abund- 
ant reason  to  rejoice  at  their  choice  of  a  new  home. 
It  soon  became  a  favorite  with  emigrants  from 
foreign  lands  and  many  thousands  came  here  from 
the  German's  Fatherland.  Anion"  such  the  trav- 
eler finds  in  Oconee  Township  the  gentleman  whose 
name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  paragraph. 

Our  subject  was  horn  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany, 
July  28,  1850.  His  mother.  Christina  Kuhn.  died 
in  Germany,  but  his  father,  Michael  Kuhn.  came  to 
1 1 1 i  —  country  and  after  his  emigration  took  to  him- 
self another  wife.  His  death  occurred  in  l'ana.Ill. 
Charles  came  to  America  in  1854,  with  his  elder 
brothers  and  sisters,  the  family  consisting  of  five 
suns  and  one  daughter.  Of  these  Matt  was  the  eld- 
est and  resides  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio, where  he  is  en- 
gaged a-  a  private  watchman  in  a  manufacturing 
establishment  and  lias  also  a  tine  war  record  as  a 
member  of  the  Twenty-ninth  ( >hio  Infantry  during 
the  war.  Jacob  enlisted  in  the  Fifteenth  Missouri 
Infantry,  and  being  captured  by  the  Confederate 
forces,  passed  through  the  unspeakable  horrors  of 
captivity  and  died  in  Andersonville  prison.  The 
only  sister.  Rasa,  married  Joseph  B.Hubl  ard  and  lives 


in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  The  next  three  in  age  are: 
John,  who  resides  at  Pana,  111.:  our  subject,  and 
Robert,  who  was  killed  by  a  sad  accident  at  the 
coal  shaft  at  Pana,  leaving  a  widow  with  three 
children.  There  was  one  half-sister.  Minnie,  who 
married  Mr.  Fred  Seipel  ami  died  in  Pana. 

The  congenial  life  companion  of  our  subject  was 
born  in  France  in  1848  and  came  with  her  parents 
to  America  in  childhood.  She  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Dora  struphart.  but  was  a  widow  when 
she  married  Mr.  Kuhn  in  1  s7'.».  The  six  children 
who  bless  this  happy  home  are:  Emma,  eleven 
year-  old:  Michael,  aged  ten;  Henry,  nine:  Dora, 
seven:  Joseph,  four:  and  Louie,  a  lovely  babe  of 
one  year. 

Mr.  Kuhn  located  on  the  farm  where  he  now  re- 
side- in  1879,  but  after  some  time  removed  to 
Montgomery  County,  where  he  remained  for  four 
years,  but  did  not  find  this  new  home  satisfactory 
and  returned  to  the  farm  on  which  he  had  first 
started,  purchasing  the  land  which  he  had  previ- 
ously rented.  lie  has  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acre-  of  prairie  laud  adjoining  tin-  timber  and  has 
a  nice  orchard,  plenty  of  water  and  a  farm  that  is 
in  every  way  desirable,  lie  is  a  member  of  the 
Oconee  Camp,  No.  1312,  M.  W.  of  A.,  and  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Farmers'  Protective  Association  and 
the  Fanner,-'  .Mutual  Benefit  Association.  The  Re- 
publican party  is  the  political  organization  with 
which  he  finds  himself  heartily  in  sympathy  and  he 
ha-  voted  with  it  ever  since  he  had  the  privilege  of 
the  ballot.  lb-  is  a  member  of  the  German  Luth- 
eran Church,  and  hi-  wife  i-  connected  with  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  lie  is  a  public-spirited 
and  enterprising  man.  always  helpful  in  forward- 
ing progressive  movements,  and  liberal  in  his  atti- 
tude toward  church  and  benevolent  enterprises. 


»!-■»»>'  r  >■■»  ^ 


' 


>    i   '  i    i      i  ' 


l)  AMES  A.   DUNCAN.     Whether  our  subject 

can  trace  a  lineal  descent  from  Duncan, 
King  of  Scotland,  whom  Holinshed  has 
chronicled  and  Shakespeare  ha-  made  fam- 
ous in  the  wonderful  tragedy,  Macbeth,  the  writer 
knows  nut.  but  it  is  a  good    name,  and   one   which 


536 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


lie  who  bears  it.  may  be  proud  of.     Doubtless  of 

Scotch  descent,  our  subject's  father  was  horn 
in  Delaware  County.  Pa.,  in  1788.  His  mother 
who  in  her  maidenhood  was  Mary  K.  McKeever, 
was  a  native  of  Virginia.  After  marriage,  they 
first  settled  in  Belmont  Comity.  Ohio,  and  then 
came  to  Shelby  County,  this  State,  locating  in 
Richland  Township  in  1838,  where  both  parents 
passed  away.  The  mother  died  April  .'id.  18(i2. 
The  father  Survived  her  two  years,  his  decease  tak- 
ing place  April  10,  1864.  Mrs.  Duncan,  our  subject's 
mother,  was  of  Irish  ancestry. 

.lames  Duncan.  Sr.  was  the  father  of  sixehildren 
which  included  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  Our 
subject  was  the  eldest  of  this  little  brood  and  was 
horn  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio.  August  27.  1834. 
The  original  of  tins  sketch  was  but  four  years  old 
when  his  parents  removed  to  Shelby  County,  and 
here  he  grew  to  manhood  in  Richland  Township, 
where  he  has  always  made  his  home,  so  that  he  has 
a  pretty  accurate  idea  of  what  pioneer  life  is.  al- 
though the  country  was  not  such  a  wilderness  in 
his  boyhood  as  it  was  on  the  coming  hither  of 
some  of  the  older  settlers.  When  he  became  old 
enough  to  enjoy  society,  the  district  in  which  he 
lived  was  well  settled,  anil  boasted  some  of  the 
best   people  in  the  State. 

In  1859  Mr.  Duncan  was  married  in  Ash  Grove 
Township  to  Miss  Nancy  .1.  Evans,  who  was  a  nat- 
ive of  Shelby  County.  She  was  the  mother  of 
three  children  whose  names  are  John,  Robert  and 
Caledonia.  John  married  Miss  Lillie  Wilhite  and 
made  a  home  of  his  own.  Caledonia  is  the  wife  of 
Charles  Rubel.  .Mrs.  Nancy  .1.  Duncan  died  in 
Richland  Township.  August  2.").  1867.  Two  years 
later.  January  27.  1869,  he  was  married  to  .Mrs. 
Hannah  Stevens.  She  was  the  widow  of  Lowrey 
Stevens  and  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  Jones, 
and  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  August  21. 
1836.  By  this  marriage,  our  subject  is  the  father 
of    one   child    whose    name    is  James  (  ). 

The  original  of  our  sketch  has  always  followed 
the  pursuit  of  agriculture.  He  settled  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives  in  the  spring  of  1857.  Dur- 
ing the  last  years  of  the  war.  he  responded  to  the 
call  for  volunteers  and  enlisted  in  September  1804. 
in  Company  II.  of  the  Twelfth    Illinois  Regiment, 


and  served  for  somewhat  over  three  months,  lie 
of  whom  we  write  takes  a  fairly  active  part  in 
political  matters.  He  is  a  follower  of  the  Reform 
party,  his  political  theories  being  all  that  the  name 
of  his  party  implies.  The  esteem  and  confidence 
reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow  citizens  is  evidenced 
by  the  fact  that  he  has  been  elected  to  many  im- 
portant local  offices,  lie  has  been  Highway  Com- 
missioner and  School  Director  for  a  number  of 
years  and  each  of  these  positions  has  been  tilled  to 
satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  He  shows  his  loy- 
ality  to  his  calling  by  allying  himself  to  the  Farm- 
ers' Mutual  Benefit  Association.  He  with  his  wife, 
has  ever  taken  an  active  part  in  religious  affairs. 
They  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  which  they  are  ardent  workers.  He  has 
been  Steward  of  his  church  for  several  years  and 
also  has  held  the  position  of  Trustee. 

.Mr.  Duncan  is  the  owner  of  an  excellent  farm 
comprising  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land, 
upon  which  have  been  placed  the  best  of  improve- 
ments. The  latest  and  most  improved  farm  imple- 
ments are  in  use  upon  his  farm,  to  further  his 
efforts  in  making  the  place  a  model  of  agricultural 
neatness  and  productiveness,  and  this  he  hasfairly 
accomplished,  the  place  being  worthy  of  attention 
to  all  who  lake  a  pleasure  in  advanced  ideas  regard- 
ing agriculture  which  is  conducted  in  a  scientific 
way.  There  are  good  buildings  upon  the  place, 
his  residence  being  a  home  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  architecturally  attractive  and  practically 
comfortable.  His  bams  and  outhouses  are  neat 
and  of  good  size. 


) 


OHN  K.  HENDRICKS.  The  well-known  and 
prominent  family,  of  which  our  subject  is 
the  representative,  is  sketched  at  length 
upon  various  pages  of  this  volume,  but  we 
have  more  to  say  in  regard  to  them  and  especially 
in  regard  to  this  branch.  Our  subject  resides  on 
section  24.  Ridge  Township,  Shelby  County,  and 
he  has  belonged  in  the  county  since  183 1.  He  was 
horn  near  Indianapolis.  Ind..   December    23.    1828, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


537 


and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Nancy  (  Brown)  Hen- 
dricks, being  the  third  child  in  a  family  of  five 

wIki  are  as  follows:  Amanda,  who  married  twice, 
first  to  Samuel  Mover,  and  second  to  Samuel 
Truitt,  and  now  resides  in  Texas;  Samuel,  deceased; 
John  R., our  subject;  Sadie,  now  the  widow  of 
Caleb  Crawford,  residing  near  Shelbyville;  and 
Zimri,  deceased. 

Our  subject  was  reared  upon  the  farm  and  at- 
tended such  schools  as  the  early  settlers  of  the 
county  were  able  to  provide  for  their  children. 
These  did  not  have  so  broad  a  curriculum  as  is  pro- 
vided by  the  schools  of  the  present  day.  lint  there 
was  a  degree  of  earnestness  which  pervaded  the 
work  of  those  early  schools  which  may  well  lie  em- 
ulated by  teachers  and  pupils  of  this  decade.  Such 
earnestness  gave  to  the  minds  of  the  young  an 
impression  of  the  value  of  an  education  and  the 
effort  necessary  to  attain  it  which  proved  a  desir- 
able stimulant. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Hendricks  with  Isabelle 
.lohnson  took  place  in  1851,  and  opened  up  a  life 
of  mutual  happiness  and  harmony,  yet  it  was  short 
in  duration.  This  lady,  who  was  horn  in  Kentucky, 
was  a  daughter  of  John  Johnson  and  came  with 
her  parents  to  this  county,  and  died  in  1HU2  leaving 
four  children. one  of  whom  died  in  early  childhood: 
the  next.  Olivia,  married  John  Killam.  and  died 
leaving  two  children;  George  died  in  Shelby 
County  and  William  resides  in  Okaw  Township. 
In  1868,  Mr.  Hendricks  was  a  second  time  united 
in  marriage,  this  time  with  Elizabeth  Royce,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (.Miller)  Royce,  who 
was  born  in  Kentucky.  Her  parents  were  among 
the  early  pioneers  of  Shelby  County  and  were  rep- 
resentative farmers,  whose  memory  is  cherished  by 
all  who  knew  them.  By  this  union  one  child  was 
born  who  has  passed  to  the  other  world. 

The  pursuit  of  agriculture  has  ever  been  the  fav- 
orite calling  of  our  subject.  lie  has  felt  that  in  the 
life  of  a  farmer  there  was  a  large  compensation  for 
whatever  deprivations  are  incident  to  the  seclusion 
of  country  existence.  To  be  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  bustle  and  activities  of  the  world  anil  many  of 
the  opportunities  for  culture  and  education  air  to 
him  abundantly  made  up  by  the  peaceful  repose 
and  freedom  from  temptation  which   he   i-  able  to 


afford  his  family.  He  now  owns  two  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  as  line  land  as  is  to  be  found  in 
Ridge  and  Okaw  Townships,  and  upon  which  he 
has  placed  substantial  improvements,  and  where  he 
has  paid  particular  attention  to  raising  cattle  and 
mules.  Roth  he  and  his  good  wife  are  earnest  and 
active  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

The  political  views  with  which  Mr.  Hendricks 
finds  himself  in  sympathy  are  those  which  are  ex- 
pressed  in  the  declarations  and  platform  of  the 
Democratic  party  and  he  longs  to  have  the  good 
old  days  of  Democratic  simplicity  return  again. 
He  believes  that  the  principles  which  were  an- 
nounced by  Jefferson  and  which  were  in  vogue 
under  the  Jackson ian  Administration  are  the  ones 
which  are  best  fitted  for  securing  the  prosperity  of 
our  country. 


MEDEE  DOM  AS.    A  native  of  France,  our 

subject  now  resides  on  section  4.  of  Rural 
Township. Shelby  County.  His  residence  in 
the  county  dates  from  lKtil.  He  was  born  in 
Burgundy,  France.  March  24.  1815.  He  has  one 
brother  and  one  sister,  each  of  whom  has  been  to  the 
United  States  to  pay  their  brother  a  visit.  Doubtless 
they  find  the  Americans  too  busy  to  attract  them 
here  permanently  for  surely  the  country  itself  is  not 
more  "triste"  than  theirown  laughing  France.  The 
story  of  our  subject  is  one  of  effort,  perseverance 
and  ambition.  Restricted  in  early  advantages  he 
was  determined  to  receive  an  education,  and 
attended  such  schools  as  the  portion  of  the  country 
in  which  he  lived  afforded,  frequently  walking  from 
four  to  six  miles  in  order  to  recite  the  lessons  that 
he  had  prepared  to  a  master.  But  success  attended 
his  effort.-,  and  he  finally  became  cashier  in  a  bank 
in  France. 

In  1837.  Mr.  Domas  set  sail  for  the  United  States 
and  after  fifty-seven  days  spent  on  the  ocean  and 
gulf,  he  landed  at  New  Orleans,  glad  to  find  there 
many  countrymen  who  could  speak  his  native 
tongue.  When  he  reached  the  United  States  he  had 
nothing  but  a  ten-cent  piece  and  was  compelled  to 
sleep  two  nights  among  bale-  of  cotton.  There  he  \\  a  - 


538 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


engaged  in  clerking  in  a  store  which  position  he 
continued  to  occupy  for  a  year;  but  as  the  city  air 
did  not  agree  with  him,  he  removed  to  the  country 
and  taught  school;  that  is.  he  gave  instruction 
in  French,  for  two  years.  He  was  then  engaged 
in  Carey's  Academy,  near  Cincinnati,  where  he 
taught  French.  Among  his  students  were  two  grand- 
sons of  William  Henry  Harrison.  While  thus  en- 
gaged, our  subject  was  pursuing  the  study  of  the 
English  language,  and  during  his  two  years  stay 
here,  he  acquired  a  fluent  use  of  his  adopted  tongue. 

Mr.  Domas  then  returned  to  Louisiana,  and  was 
engaged  in  teaching  both  the  French  and  English 
languages,  for  a  few  years.  He  then  dropped  the 
business  of  a  pedagogue,  and  engaged  in  commer- 
cial life,  dealing  in  general  merchandise.  He  was 
also  a  speculative  dealer  in  real  estate,  etc.  In  186] 
he  came  to  Illinois,  andpurchased  his  present  farm, 
or  rather,  bought  it  on  contract.  The  land  was  but 
little  improved  and  had  no  buildings,  lie  now  has 
fair  improvements  and  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred 
sixteen  acres  of  land.  He  followed  general  stock 
raising  for  some  years,  hut  now  gives  his  attention 
wholly  to  the  raising  of  sheep. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1848  in  Assumption 
Parish,  Louisiana,  to  Virginia  Ilaydel.  The  lady 
was  a  native  of  the  State  in  which  she  was  married, 
as  were  also  her  parents.  The  Ilaydel  family  being 
one  of  the  oldest  and  wealthiest  families  of  that 
State.  Before  the  late  war  Mrs.  Domas'  grand- 
mother was  reputed  to  lie  worth  more  than  a  million 
dollars,  hut  like  so  many  other  Southerners,  the 
fall  of  the  Confederacy  was  the  death  blow  to  her 
financial  position. 

Our  subject  and  his  amiable  wife  have  been  the 
parents  of  eleven  children,  only  five  of  whom  are 
still  surviving.  Four  of  their  children  were  victims 
of  that  dread  disease,  diphtheria,  anil  were  taken 
away  in  one  month. the  living  children  are,  Em- 
ily, Damas,  Alda,  Dumas  I),  and  Delmas.  Emily 
is  the  wife  of  Ernest  Caneini.  Damas  resides  in 
New  Mexico,  where  he  is  a  prominent  man.  Alda 
is  the  wife  of  Eugene  Durand.  Politically  our 
subject  is  a  Democrat.  While  in  Louisiana  he  was 
Postmaster  and  held  the  positions  of  Notary  and 
.lust ice  of  the  Peace  for  over  twenty  years.  Mr. 
Domas    was    reared  a  Catholic    and    still   adheres 


to  that  faith.  While  in  Louisiana  he  was  very 
successful  in  business,  but  when  the  Civil  War 
broke  out.  he  lost  a  sum  amounting  to  $50,000.  He 
has  now.  however,  loa  great  degree,  retrieved  these 
losses  and  to-day  is  in  a  good  financial  position. 


|pS>HOMAS  N.ROBISON  is  the  proprietor  of  a 

/Oi     drug  house  which  was  established  March   I  1. 

V J    1877,    and  since  that  time  he    has   carried 

on  a  very  successful  business.  He  was  born  in 
Shelby  County.  November  30,  1846,  and  is  a  son 
of  Edwin  A.  and  Elizabeth  (  Dixon)  Robison,  who 
settled    on  Sand    Creek    near   Windsor,  in    1832,  at 

which  date  there  were  only  four  families  in  the 
vicinity. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  North 
Carolina  and  in  early  life  removed  to  Tennessee, 
where  they  married  and  soon  after  started  for 
Illinois  to  seek  a  home  in  the  then  wild  West. 
David  Robison,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  ac- 
companied his  son  hither  and  entered  some  Gov- 
ernment land  in  Shelby  County,  on  which  he  re- 
sided Until  his  death  occurred.  The  father  of  our 
subject  settled  on  a  farm  and  there  passed  his  life, 
becoming  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  died  in  1881  at 
the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years.  Our  sub- 
ject's mother  passed  to  the  unknown  land  in  1870, 
at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  .Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be 
grown.  Their  names  are  David,  Ellen,  William  A., 
Samuel.  .lames.  Sarah.  Thomas  N.,  I  Iarriet.  and  Fred- 
onia.  David  died  in  Shelby  County,  unmarried. 
Fllen  married  .1.  C.  Stephenson  and  resides  in  Da- 
kota. William  A.  resides  in  Shelby  County.  Samuel 
was  a  member  of  ( 'oinpany  K,(  )ne  I  Iundred  Twenty- 
six  Illinois  Infantry;  he  died  at  Memphis,  Ten'n., 
while  in  service,  .lames  resides  in  Clark  County. 
Kan.  Sarah,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Carter,  lives  in  Bay 
City.  Mich.  Harriet  is  the  wife  of  Mr.  Hartsel  and 
lives  in  Shelby  County.  Fredonia  married  .left 
Bandy  and  resides  in  Edgar  County,  III. 


PORTRAIT  AND  Bl(  ><  .RAl'IIICAL    RECORD. 


53!) 


i  lur  subject  was  reared  on  tin-  homestead  and 
received  hi-  early  education  in  the  district  schools 
in  the  vicinity,  finishing  at  the  State  Normal  Uni- 
versity at  Normal.  After  graduation  be  taught 
school  for  five  years  in  Shelby  County,  and  in 
1877  established  his  present  business,  having  be- 
come well-known  during  that  time  a>  an  efficient 
compounder  of  medicines.  IIi>  marriage  took 
place  October  17.  1883.  IIi>  wife's  maiden  name 
was  Bella  Stewardson,  a  daughter  of  William 
Stewardson.  She  was  born  in  Shelby  County. 
March  7.  1855.  Mr.Robison  and  his  amiable  and 
lovely  wife  have  one  daughter  whose  name  is  Lora, 
who  is  at  once  the  pride  and  care  of  her  fond  par- 
ents. Mr.Robison  affiliates  with  the  Democratic 
element  of  the  township,  favoring  the  broad  plat- 
form of  that  part\  and  it-  free-trade  principles: 
lie  has  held  several  local  offices  under  his  party, 
having  been  both  Township  Collector  and  Town- 
ship Clerk.  lie  i-  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Stewardson  Homestead  Loan  Association,  which 
was  organized  in  1883.  Since  L885  he  has  been 
the  Secretary  of  this  Association  and  discharges 
his  duties  satisfactorily  to  all  interested  therein. 
He.  with  his  family,  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


AMES  (.  NooN.  a  resident  of  Wckawaj 
Town-hip.  ha-  won  an  honorable  place 
among  the  intelligent  agriculturists  of  this 
county  during  the  quarter  of  a  century 
or  more  that  he  has  been  identified  with  them. 
He  has  tilled  offices  of  trust,  and  in  various  ways 
has  shown  himself  to  he  a  desirable  citizen. 
lie  was  born  in  Derbyshire,  England,  June  8,  I840,a 
son  of  Jeremiah  Noon,  who  was  horn  in  the  same 
plaee  as  himself.  So  also  was  the  father  of  the  lat- 
ter, George  Noun.  SO  far  as  known,  and  there  it  is 
thought  spent  his  entire  life  as  a  fanner. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  the  only  member 
of  his  father's  family  that  ever  came  to  America. 
He  passed  his  early  life  in  hi-  native  shire,  and  was 
there  married  to  Amy  Burroughs,  a  native  of  that 
part  of   England,  and  a  daughter  of   Joseph  Bur- 


roughs.    She  died    in    this    county  in    1883,    at  a 

venerable  age.  she  was  the  mother  of  -even  chil- 
dren that  grew  to  maturity.  At  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen years  Mr.  Noon  entered  the  English  army  as 
a  member  of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Life  Guards, 
and  was  one  of  the  famous  body  guards  of  Queen 
Victoria  at  the  time  of  her  coronation.  He  served 
seven  years,  and  was  then  honorahh  discharged, 
and  in  1X44  came  with  his  family  to  the  United 
States.  They  set  .-ail  from  Liverpool  on  the  ves- 
sel ■•  Rockaway,"  and  twenty-five  day-  later  landed 
at  New  York.  They  went  direct  to  Wisconsin,  and 
were  amopg  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Waukesha 
County. 

After  hi.-  arrival  in  that  county  the  father  of 
our  subject  bought  eighty  aero  of  land  known  as 
Oak-OpeningS,  and  he  and  his  wife  and  children 
began  life  in  their  new  home  in  a  log  house,  which 
he  afterwards  replaced  with  a  more  commodious 
frame  residence.  He  was  busily  engaged  in  his 
farming  interest-  when  the  Rebellion  broke  out. 
Some  of  the  old  spiril  that  had  made  him  a  good 
soldier  in  her  Majesty's  service  when  he  lived  in 
old  England  awoke  within  him.  and  the  patriotic 
love  that  he  bore  hi-  adopted  country  caused  him 
to  enlist  in  1862  in  defense  of  the  Union,  and  he 
became  a  member  of  tin-  Twenty-eighth  Wisconsin 
Infantry.  1 1 i-  experience  in  the  English  army 
gave  value  to  hi-  services. and  he  was  mustered  in 
as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  F.and  in  1863  won 
deserved  promotion  to  the  captaincy  of  his  com- 
pany, which  he  commanded  until  his  death  August 
20,  of  the  -ami'  year,  while  at  home  on  a  furlough, 
and  thus  passed  away  a  hero  who  gave  up  his  life 
for  the  Government  under  winch  he  had  come 
to  live  nearly  two  decades  before. 

He  of  whom  this  brief  life-record  is  written  was 
but  a  boy  of  four  years  when  hi-  parent-  brought 
him  to  the  United  state-,  so  he  has  but  little  re- 
collection of  any  other  home.  He  commenced 
when  very  young  to  assist  his  father  on  the  farm. 
and  whenever  opportunity  offered  attended  school. 

The   first    one    that  he  went  to  was   taught  in  a   log 

house,  the  furniture  being  of  the  most  primitive 
kind,  the   benches   being  made  of  split  logs.     He 

remained  with  hi.-  parent-  until  1861,  when  he  paid 
hi-  tir-i  vi-it  to  Shelby  County.     He  worked  on  a 


540 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


farm  here  one  year,  and  then  returning  to  Wis- 
consin, took  charge  of  the  home  farm,  which  was 
under  his  management  until  1865.  In  that  year 
he  came  back  to  Shelby  County,  having  1  >c«mi 
favorably  impressed  with  the  opportunities  it 
afforded  in  the  richness  of  its  soil,  genial  climate, 
etc.,  to  young  men  of  energy  and  capability  to 
conduct  farming  profitably,  and  here  he  has  given 
his  time  to  agricultural  pursuits  ever  since. 

In  1862  it  was  Mr.  Noon's  good  fortune  to  secure 
a  true  helpmate  by  his  marriage  with  Miss  Hannah 
Fear,  a  native  of  Somersetshire,  England,  and  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Hannah  (Fowler)  Fear. 
who  were  also  of  English  birth,  and  were  pioneers 
of  Waukesha  County.  Wis.  Mr.and  Mrs.  Noonhave 
six  children  living,  namely:  Edith,  Ethel,  lltilda, 
Lotta,  Amy  and  Ruth.  Jeremiah,  their  second 
child  and  only  son.  died  when  four  years  old. 

A  man  whose  habits  and  character  are  above 
reproach,  who  has  an  evenly  balanced  mind  and  is 
well  posted  on  current  topics,  Mr.  Noon's  fellow- 
citizens  have  shown  their  appreciation  of  these 
traits  by  calling  him  to  responsible  public  positions, 
and  thus  at  one  time  he  represented  Pickaway 
Township  on  the  County  Hoard  of  Supervisors,  and 
guarded  its  interests  intelligently  while  an  in- 
cumbent of  that  important  office. 


/jj^n  IIRISTIAN  FREDERICK  R1NCKER.  A 
(l(      p  quarter  of  a  century  of  honest,  industrious. 

>_/  upright  living  in  any  community  is  wor- 
thy of  record  from  the  standpoint  of  the  biographer 
who  takes  a  broad  view  of  his  theme.  It  is  also  some- 
what remarkable  in  Illinois  to  find  a  record  of  this 
kind  as  it  is  so  young  a  State  in  comparison  with 
the  older  part  of  our  country,  as  to  have  compar- 
itively  few  of  such  experiences.  The  effect  upon 
a  community  of  a  residence  of  this  length  is 
potent  for  good  or  evil  and  has  a  cumulative  force. 
This  force  in  the  ease  of  our  subject  has  been  for 
good. 

Mr.  Rineker  is  a  prosperous  farmer  residing  on 
section  22,  Prairie  Township,  and  he  has  been  in 
the  county  since  1865,     He  was  bora  in  Chicago, 


111..  November  18,  1854,  being  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
Henry  W.  and  Anna  M.  (Gans)  Rineker.  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Germany,  the  father  being 
born  in  Nassau,  and  the  mother  in  Byron.  They 
came  to  the  United  States  about  1846  and  were 
married  in  Cook  County,  this  State  and  about  the 
year  1859  the\  removed  to  Terre  Haute,  Ind., 
whence  they  came  to  Illinois  again  and  settled 
upon  section  23,  Prairie  Township,  where  the  fa- 
ther purchased  some  six  hundred  acres  of  land 
which  was  at  that  time  entirely  unbroken- 
Henry  W.  Rineker  was  twice  married,  the  first 
time  in  Germany,  and  by  this  union  there  were 
two  children  born  who  grew  to  maturity,  namelj  : 
Amelia,  who  married  Fred  Fathauer  and  died  in 
Cook  County,  and  Theopholis  died  in  February. 
1891.  The  parents  of  our  subject  had  eight  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  grew  to  be  men  and  women. 
They  were,  our  subject;  Odelia,  who  married  John 
Hemmann;  Martin  and  Theodolinda,  now  the  wife 
of  Theodore  Kircher.  The  father  of  this  household 
died  in  November.  IKM',1.  and  the  mother  is  still  sur- 
viving. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  bell-maker  by 
trade  and  followed  this  calling  both  in  the  old 
country  and  in  Chicago.  He  also  carried  it  on  af- 
ter coming  to  Shelby  County.  He  was  an  expert 
in  this  line  art.  and  was  called  to  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  to 
make  over  bells,  a  work  which  required  great  care 
and  to  which  he  brought  an  unfailing  enthusiasm, 
a  practical  knowledge  of  the  trade  and  a  quick  ear 
to  detect  false  tones  in  the  musical  quality  of  the 
instrument.  He  made  the  bell  at  Strasburgh  and 
the  church  bell  at  Sigel.  both  of  which  are  still 
musically  speaking  the  praise  of  their  maker.  He 
also  cast  the  famous  bell  which  was  upon  the  Chi- 
cago court-house  at  the  time  of  the  lire,  and  he  will 
long  be  remembered  as  its  maker.  He  loved  his 
trade  devotedly  and  always  regretted  that  none  of 
his  children  joined  him  in  its  pursuit.  His  bell 
foundry  in  this  county  was  Located  at  Sigel. 

The  harmony  of  the  life  of  this  good  man  was 
akin  to  that  between  two  bells  pitched  upon  har- 
monious tones  as  he  carried  on  two  lines  of  thought 
and  work,  one  being  in  the  making  of  musical  bells 
and  the  other  in  developing  the  harmony  of  Christ- 
ian   life   among   the   people   with    whom   he   lived, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORL. 


541 


He  was  :i  minister  in  the  Lutheran  Church  and 
preached  al  Terre  Haute  and  also  established  the 
first  congregation  in  Prairie  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  upon  the 
farm  and  attended  the  district  school.  He  has  been 
twice  married,  his  first  union  being  in  1877  with 
Miss  Louise  Luker  "who  died  in  1878,  leaving  one 
child  who  had  been  named  Henry  in  honor  of  his 
grandfather.  In  1881  Mr.  Rincker  was  married 
to  Ida  Dietrich  who  was  born  in  Illinois  August  G. 
1864.  she  became  the  mother  of  live  children, 
namely:  Matilda.  Martin,  Frederick,  Ida  and  Paid. 
Mr.  Rincker  owns  nearly  four  hundred  acres  of 
land  upon  which  he  ha-  erected  tine  buildings  and 
has  made  many  improvements,  a-  when  he  became 
its  owner  it  was  nearly  all  virgin  prairie.  The  po- 
litical preferences  of  our  subjecl  are  tor  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  and  his  intelligence  and  thorough 
understanding  of  educational  matters  have  placed 
him  upon  the  School  Board.  The  Lutheran  Church 
in  which  he  was  brought  up  receives  hi-  warm  en- 
dorsement and  support  and  he  is  one  of  its  most 
earnest  and  active  members. 


*§iii^iig§*§: 


•■ 


55 


-J 


,ps=^  AMUEL  P.  LILLY.     It  is  a  grateful  task  to 
^^L    the  biographer  to  record  the  life  of  a  man 

\M_M   "hose  efforts  have   not    been  entirely  cen- 
tered upon  self,  hut  who  has  willingly  and 
gladly  devoted  much  of  his  energies  and  time  to  the 

g 1  of  the  community  and  to  the  upbuilding  of  the 

institutions  of  religion  and  morality. which  consti- 
tute the  true  basis  for  the  healthful  life  of  the 
community.  Such  a  career  has  been  that  of  Mr. 
Lilly  who  has  made  his  temporal  prosperitj'  second- 
ary in  importance  to  the  happiness  of  his  family 
and  the  responsibilities  which  his  church  and  Sun- 
day-school work  have  devolved  upon  him. 

This  gentleman's  parents  were  Joseph  and  Mary 
J.  (Wright)  Lilly,  both  of  whom  were  Kentuck- 
ians  by  birth,  the  former  being  bora  in  Harri- 
son County  in  1812.  and  the  latter  being  a  native 
of  Oldham  County,  bora  in  1816.  Upon  coming 
to  Illinois  they  settled  where  our  subject  now  lives 
in   East    Nelson    Town-hip.  Moultrie    County,  and 


there  lived  until  the  death  id'  the  father  in  1857. 
Subsequent  to  this  event  the  mother  was  united  in 
marriage  with  John  Hose  and  now  make-  her  home 
in  Sullivan.  There  were  hut  two  children  in  the 
family,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest  and 
his  sister.  Nancy  J.,  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years. 
Samuel  P.  Lilly  was  horn  on  the  old  homestead  in 
East  Nelson  Township,  December  3,  1835,  and  as 
his  father  lived  until  after  this  son  had  reached  his 
majority  he  received  the  full  benefit  of  that  par- 
ent- instruction  and  training.  Thorough  drill 
was  given  him  in  the  duties  of  a  farmer  lad  and  he 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  inherited 
the  old  homestead  which  he  -till  continues  to 
make  his  residence  and  he  would  feel  indeed  lost 
to  call  any  other  place  his  home. 

New  Year's  Day  of  I860  was  an  epoch  in  the  life 
of  the  young  man  who  had  chosen  for  himself  a 
wife  and  who  was  now  united  in  the  holy  bonds 
of  matrimony  at  the  residence  of  the  bride  in 
Whitley  Township,  with  Miss  Nancy  P.  A.  Hen- 
dricks, who  was  horn  in  the  latter  place.  Jan- 
uary 28.  1840.  This  young  wife  had  heen  well 
educated  and  carefully  trained  in  domestic  duties 
and  brought  to  her  new  home  qualities  which  made 
her  valuable  not  only  as  a  wife  and  mother  hut 
also  as  a  neighbor  and  a  member  of  society. 

Four  children  came  to  bless  this  household,  viz: 
Joseph  EL;  Sally  II.  who  was  the  wife  of  Henry 
Christy  and  who  died  February  23,  1887,  in  East 
Nelson  Township:  Europe  L.  and  Vica  ■!..  who  i- 
the  wife  of  John  T.  Edwards.  This  happy  home 
was  rudely  broken  in  upon  by  death  May  2o.  1871, 
when  the  wife  and  mother  was  called  from  her 
cares  and  responsibilities  and  her  husband  and 
children  were  left  to  mourn  their  loss.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  where  the  sound- 
ness of  her  Christian  faith  ami  the  beauty  of  her 
character  made  her  not  only  esteemed  but  beloved. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Lilly  took  place  in 
Sullivan.  December  •">.  1*72.  He  was  then  united 
with  Miss  Addie  Mallory  who  was  horn  in  Vigo 
County,  Ind.,  September  1th  1*47.  She  became 
the  happy  mother  of  five  beautiful  children.  Her 
eldest  and  youngest  both  died  while  young.  The 
names  of  her  offspring  are  Leona  P..  Ida  M..  Jesse 
F.,  Bertha  M.  and   John    R.     While    these  children 


542 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


were  still  young  they  were  deprived  by  death  of 
a  mother's  love  and  tenderness  and  now  a  double 
duly  fell  upon  the  father  of  this  little  flock.  To 
bring  up  his  children  in  the  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord,  and  to  give  them  as  far  as  lay 
within  his  power  the  attention  and  training  which 
motherless  children  so  sorely  need  has  been  his 
aim  and  endeavor. 

Mr.  Lilly  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  since  about  the  year  185(5  and  for  twenty- 
five  years  he  filled  the  office  of  Deacon  and  has 
now  become  an  Elder  in  the  church.  His  keenest 
and  broadest  interest  in  church  work  centers aboul 
the  Sunday-school  in  which  he  has  been  active  for 
a  lon»  term  of  years.  He  is  one  of  the  prominent 
men  of  Moultrie  County,  and  his  public-spirited 
course  receives  the  warm  endorsement  of  his  neigh- 
bore.  He  has  always  been  a  law-abiding  citizen 
and  has  never  had  a  lawsuit  in  his  life,  having  made 
if  his  aim  to  live  at  peace  with  his  fellow-men. 

The  office  of  Supervisor  of  East  Nelson  Town- 
ship has  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  .Mr.  Lilly  and 

he  has  also  held  scl I  offices.   He  at  one  time  took 

an  active  part  in  political  affairsand  was  formerly  a 
Republican  bul  now  feds  that  all  other  politicial 
issues  since  sink  into  nothingness  compared  with 
the  necessity  of  freeing  our  land  from  the  bondage 
of  the  saloon  and  the  distiller,  and  he  has  allied 
himself  with  the  Prohibition  party.  He  has  always 
been  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  and  in  stock- 
raising,  and  upon  his  line  estate  of  four  hundred 
and  thirty  acres  he  has  erected  a  suitable  and  com- 
modious set  of  buildings  anil  his  home  is  most  de- 
lightfully situated.  Mr.  Lilly  has  been  correspond- 
ent of  the  two  county  papers  for  a  number  of 
years. 


V_ 


♦es*=» 


/  ♦=-S-=+ 


N 


14^  ENRY  A.  PRATT.  In  the  American  way 
of  carrying  on  farming,  there  is  not  a  great 
deal  of  room  for  sentiment.  The  practical 
man  is  he  who  succeeds.  Our  subject  is  at 
the  same  time  one  of  the  most  practical  and  suc- 
cessful farmers  in  Moweaqua  Township,  where  he 
owns  eighty   acres   located   on   section    32.     He  is 


the  proprietor,  also,  of  thirty  acres  in  the  adjoin- 
ing township.  He  purchased  his  present  farm  in 
1870,  and  has  since  that  time  added  greatly  both 
to  the  comforts  and  appearance  of  the  place  by 
new  buildings,  fences,  and  the  neat  and  methodi- 
cal way  in  which  every  department  of  his  farm 
work  is  conducted. 

Our  subject  came  hither  from  Morgan  County. 
where  he  lived  for  four  years.  He  was  for  about 
five  years  a  resident  of  Macon  County.  His  ad- 
vent into  the  State  was  made  when  twenty-one 
years  old,  coming  hither  from  Vermont,  where  he 
was  born  in  Addison  County,  .March  22.  1838.  He 
comes  of  good  New  England  stock.  His  grand- 
father was  Abraham  Pratt,  a  native  of  Vermont. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  also  a  farmer. 
He  was  first  married  to  Mary  Pratt,  a  Vermont 
lady,  who  died  after  the  birth  of  her  first 
child.  This  child  was  a  daughter  who  was  given 
the  name  Mary,  and  who  is  now  deceased.  In  his 
second  marriage,  Abel  Pratt  wedded  Miss  Sarah 
Wing,  in  Rochester.  '  Yt.  She  was  a  native 
of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  and  came  also  of 
New  England  stock.  Her  parents  were  descend- 
ants of  a  family  in  excellent  standing  and  were 
long-lived  people,  her  father  passing  away  at  the 
age  of  ninety  years,  and  her  mother  being  over 
eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They 
were  members  also  of  the    Congregational  Church. 

Our  subject's  father.  Abel  Pratt,  died  when  fifty- 
seven  years  of  age,  in  Addison  County,  Yt,  His 
widow  is  yet  living,  and  is  now  eighty-four  years 
of  age.  She  and  her  husband  were  co-workers  in 
the  Congregational  Church.  Out  subject  is  one  of 
eldest  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  and  a 
1  not  her.  .lames  Pratt,  are  all  who  are  now  living  of 
the  family.  The  early  training  of  him  of  whom 
we  write  was  all  with  reference  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer.  When  about  of  age  he  came  to  Illinois, 
soon  settling  in  Morgan  County,  where  he  met  and 
married  Miss  Angelina  Foster.  She  was  born  in 
Morgan  County.  October  ('<.  1840,  and  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Orson  and  Eliza  (Sherwood)  Foster,  who 
were  natives  of  New  York  State,  and  who  came 
West  to  better  their  fortunes  in  a  new  country  at 
an  early  day,  locating  here  in  the  late  '30s. 
The\   first  settled  in  Morgan  County,  there  improv- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


543 


ing  a  small  farm,  upon  which  they   lived  until  the 
time  of  their  death. 

.\Ii>.  Pratt,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  is  one  of  a 
large  family,  having  received  her  education  in  her 
native  county,  she  is  a  kind  neighbor  and  a  gen- 
tle, loving  mother,  wisely  conducting  the  rearing 
of  Iter  children.  Of  these,  four  are  de  «as  <1.  t  \\ .  > 
having  passed  away  in  childhood,  and  two  having 
attained  womanhood.  The  living  children  are  Al- 
lien. Laura.  Charles,  Eva,  Harry.  Edson  and  Will- 
iam. Of  these.  Albert  was  married  to  Clo.  Dean 
and  is  a  farmer  near  Pana,  where  he  is  carrying  on 
a  farm  on  his  own  account;  Laura  at  present  re- 
sides in  Colorado,  at  Wagon  Whet  1  Gap;  Charles 
is  a  farmer  near  Pana.  The  younger  children  have 
not  yet  left  the  home  nest  They  are  well  educated 
and  intelligent,  being  respected  members  <>f  the 
communities  wherein  they  live.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pratt  are  attendants  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr. 
Pratt  is  a  Republican  of  the  strongest  kind,  ac- 
cepting the  tenets  of  his  party  in  an  unqualified 
sense. 


W 
1849. 


II.  MICHAEL,  a  wealthy  and  public- 
spirited  farmer  residing  on  section  20,  Sulli- 
van Township,  Moultrie  County,  was  born 
in  Pickaway    County,   Ohio,    February   26, 

His  father.  Hamilton  Michael,  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1813,  and  his  mother,  Martha  Bragg,  was 
born  in  savannah  County.  Ya..  in  1814.  They 
had  both  removed  to  Ohio  before  their  marriage, 
which  occurred  there  in  Ross  <  ounty  in  1833. 
After  sixteen  years'  residence  in  that  section  they 
removed  to  Pickaway  County,  which  they  made 
their  home  until  1868,  when  they  removed  to 
Moultrie  (  ounty,  111. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Hamilton  ami 
Martha  Michael  namely:  Anna  E.  horn  in  1834 
now  Mrs.  David  Dyer,  resides  in  Hall  (  ounty. 
Neb.;  Mary  C.  horn  in  1836,  married  Mr.  .1.  .1. 
Swank  in  Ohio  and  died  in  this  county:  Andrew 
L.  married  Cynthia  A.  Frantzand  reside- at  Broken 
Bow,  Neli.:  Sarah  who  was  born  in  1#4H.  died  un- 
married in  her  young   womanhood:    John    F.    lias 


been  married  twice  and  resides  in  Indiana:  Isaiah 
died  at  the  age  of  four  year-:  I  leorge  N  '..  married 
Mary  Nagles,  ami  resides  in  Decatur.  111.:  our  sub- 
ject: Martha  .lane,  born  in  1852  died  when  four- 
teen years  old.  The  father  of  these  children  passed 
away  after  hi.-  removal  to  Illinois  in  the  year  1879, 
but  his  venerable  and  honored  widow  still  remains 
anil  resides  with  her  son,  our  subject,  by  whom  -he 
i-  mi  i-t  tenderh    cherished. 

J.  H.  Michael  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents 
when  he  was  a  lad  of  sixteen  years  and  his  educa- 
tion which  had  begun  in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio 
was  continued  in  tliis  state.  He  was  married 
February  7.  1875,  to  Miss  Laura  A.  Hudson,  daugh- 
ter of  J.J.  Hudson.  For  further  particulars  in  re- 
gard to  tie-  history  of  this  interesting  and  prominent 
family,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  sketch  of  Isaac 
Hudson  to  be  found  upon  another  page.  This 
lovely  lady.  Mis.  Michael,  died  of  consumption, 
March  30,  1891,  leaving  no  children  to  mourn  her 
lo--. 

The  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres, 
which  is  partly  prairie  and  partly  timber  land,  has 
received  from  the  hand  of  Mr.  Michael  excellent  im- 
provements, and  he  ha.-  taken  a  great  deal  of  pains 
with  it.  The  crowning  beauty  of  this  farm  is  a 
delightful  park  and  carp  pond  which  he  has  spared 
no  expense  in  fitting  up  for  the  pleasure  of  his  own 
family  and  that  of  the  general  public.  Oak  Park 
as  it  is  called,  contains  comfortable  -eats,  swings, 
hammocks  and  other  plea-ant  accommodations  for 
those  who  would  enjoy  outdoor  life.  The  pond  is 
plentifully  tilled  with  excellent  fish  and  ha-  boats 
for  the  accommodation  of  visitors.  It  is  a  beauti- 
ful place  and  a  general  pleasure  resort  for  the  peo- 
ple for  miles  around.  The  trees  are  mostly  of 
hardwood  varieties  and  are  of  suitable  Size  to 
afford  excellent  shade.  The  park  is  five  miles 
northwest  of  Sullivan,  the  same  distance  southwest 
of  LovTngton  and  northeast  of  Bethany. a  location 
which  makes  it  very  convenient  of  access.  The 
farm  ir-  on  sections  20  and  21. 

Mr.  Michael  is  now  giving  his  entire  attention 
to  the  breeding  of  Englishshire  horses.  His  fine 
animal -Nail  Stone  lloiie-t  Boy"  is  an  imported 
horse  of  trreat  beauty  and  a  universal  favorite 
among  horsemen  and  represents  a  little  fortune  in 


544 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


himself,  having  cost  $2,000.  This  gentleman  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics  but  is  not  aggressive,  and  was 
a  member  of  the  Town  Council  of  thecity  of  Lov- 
ington  for  six  years.  He  has  declined  other  offices 
and  even  failed  to  qualify  after  being-  elected.  His 
departed  wife  was  a  worthy  and  devoted  member 
of  the  Christian  Church  and  her  loss  was  deeply 
deplored  by  those  who  had  been  with  her  in  Chris- 
tian communion. 


■    ja  *  I  p  I  m    j      t      i      I      <; 


I    <       |     I  [«H  '  ^  ^<  ' 


«  folLLIAM  CARNES.  Prominent  in  church 
\       /     and  political  circles  and    well  known  a>  a 

W  successful  and  retired  farmer  of  repute, 
both  as  to  character  and  capabilities,  is  the  gentle- 
man whose  name  appeal's  at  the  head  of  this  sketch 
and  whose  three-score  years  and  ten,  worthily  lived, 
have-  given  him  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 
IK-  resides  on  section  3.").  Shelbyville  Township, 
Shelby  County,  and  i>  counted  among  the  old  pio- 
neers, as  his  residence  in  the  county  dates  from 
L850. 

William  Carnes  was  horn  in  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio,  February  !».  1821,  his  father.  Robert,  being  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  his  mother,  Nancy  Stewart. 
having  been  horn  in  the  United  States.  The  father 
was  but  three  years  old  when  he  came  to  this  coun- 
try from  old  Krin  and  his  early  home  was  in  Guern- 
-t'V  and  Fairfield  Counties,  Ohio,  lie  died  in  the 
latter  county  at  Lhe  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  hav- 
ing been  a  thorough  and  respected  farmer,  and  his 
wife  also  passed  away  at  the  old  home  at  the  age  of 
sixty-six.  These  worthy  parent-  had  nine  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Their  record 
i-  :i-  follow-:  .lane,  who  was  twice  married  and 
died  at  Shelbyville  at  the  age  of  seventy-one: 
Thomas  and  Mary,  who  both  died  in  Shelby  County: 
Eliza,  who  died  in  California:  John  and  Arthur, 
who  died  in  Fairfield  County;  William,  our  sub- 
ject; Robert,  who  died  in  Shelby  County:  and 
.lames,  who  was  a  member  of  Company  II.  Seventh 
Illinois  Cavalry  and  was  killed  in  Alabama. 

Having  been  reared  on  the  farm,  young  Carnes 
chose  agriculture  as  his  life  work  and  on  Septem- 
ber  12.    1850,    he    took    to    himself    a    partner    in 


life'-  joys  and  sorrows  in  the  person  of  Mary 
C.  Ingman.  daughter  of  Henry  and  Henrietta 
(Rigby)  Ingman.  This  lady  was  bom  in  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio.  October  13.  1827.  and  her  parents 
were  Virginians  who  became  early  pioneers  in 
Ohio  and  remained  there  until  their  death,  tin- 
father  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  year-  and  the 
mother  when  sixty-five.  These  venerable  parents 
reared  eleven  children  to  years  of  maturity,  namely: 
William,  Elizabeth,  Amelia.  Otho  and  Ann.  who  all 
died  in  Ohio;  and  Sophia.  Lancelot  and  Maria,  who 
died  in  Indiana;  Edmund,  who  died  in  Missouri; 
and  .Mary  C.  who  became  Mr-.  Carnes,  and  i-  the 
only  survivor. 

Less  than  a  month  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Carnes  se1  out  with  a  team  to  emigrate  from 
Ohio  to  Illinois,  accomplishing  the  journey  in  six- 
teen days.  An  elder  brother  of  our  subject) 
Thomas  by  name,  accompanied  them  with  his  fam- 
ily. Our  subject  had  been  in  Illinois  in  the  win- 
ter of  1849—50  and  purchased  some  hogs,  which  he 
drove  to  St.  Louis  and  disposed  of.  and  in  the 
spring  of  1850  he  purchased  in  connection  with  a 
younger  brother,  .lames,  a  tract  of  one  hundredand 
fifty  acres  and  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty 
more.  About  thirty  acres  only  had  been  cleared 
and  a  log  house  had  been  built,  and  here  the  young 
couple  started  to  make  their  fortunes  and  remained 
there  till  1856,  when  they  removed  to  their  present 
home. 

Mr.  Carnes  has  given  his  attention  principally 
to  farming  and  in  time  acquired  possession  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  aero,  which  he  ha.-  now  divided 
among  his  children,  who  are  by  name:  Josephine, 
who  married  B.  F.  Fraker:  Nancy,  who  married  .1. 
L.  Thomas:  Maria  E.,  who  became  Mrs.  William 
Crockett  and  died  in  Shelby  County;  Henrietta, 
now  Mrs.  Lewis  C.  Thomas;  Mary  C,  wife  of  A.  I). 
Amlin:  John  W.;  James  M.,  who  is  a  minister  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Missouri;  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  A  grand-daughter  makes 
her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carnes  and  is  their 
main  stay  and  comfort  in  their  old  age.  For 
nearly  half  a  century  both  of  these  honored  and 
beloved  old  people  have  been  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  for  thirty  years 
Mr.  Carnes  has  been  steward  ami  Class-Leader.    He 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


.">  IT 


is  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  enactment  of  prohib- 
itory measures  against  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
Liquors  and  his  influence  is  always  given  on  the 
sick'  of  Christianity  and  morality. 


^^T?~>c 


*^7-^lI<)MAS  FLEMING.  The  portrait  on  the 
//T\  opposite  page  represents  a  gentleman  who 
v_y  figures  among  the  citizensof  Shelby  County 
asone  of  it<  most  wide-awake,  versatile  and  sa- 
gacious business  men.  He  i-  at  the  head  of  various 
important  enterprises  centering  in  Todd's  Point 
Township,  his  place  of  residence,  where  he  lias  a 
large  store  for  the  sale  of  general  merchandise,  a 
factory  for  the  manufacture  of  tile,  and  an  exten- 
sive farm,  all  of  which  are  under  his  supervision, 
and  arc  ably  managed. 

Todd's  Point  Township  is  the  birthplace  of  our 
subject,  and  August  3,  1858,  the  date  of  his  birth. 
Ills  parents.  Isaac  and  Anna  .lane  (King)  Fleming. 
were  among  it- earliest  settlers.  They  were  natives 
of  Westmorelandshire,  England.  Tin'  paternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject  was  an  extensive  farmer 
and  Stockraiser  of  that  shire,  where  he  -pent  hi- 
entire  life.  The  father  of  our  subject  grew  up 
amid  the  pleasant  surroundings  of  his  English 
home,  and  received  a  good  education  in  the  local 
schools.  In  1839  he  started  out  to  seek  his  fortune 
and  making  hi-  way  to  the  island  of  Santa  Cruz, 
was  employed  there  on  a  sugar  plantation  until 
1850,  when  he  again  started  out  into  the  world, 
and  coming  to  this  county,  located  in  Todd's  Point 
Township,  he  having  previously  sent  money  to  buy 

land  at   this  place.    At  that   time  this  section  of    the 

country  was  sparsely  settled,  the  best  land  being 
owned  by  the  Government,  and  since  sold  at  $1.25 
an  acre.  Mr.  Fleming  built  on  his  land,  and  de- 
voted his-  energies  to  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  until  1861,  when  hi'  returned  to  England  to 
spend  his  remaining  days  amid  the  scene-  of  his 
youth,  and  in  due  time  was  gathered  to  his  fa- 
ther.-. His  widow,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  still 
resides  there.  Three  children  were  horn  of  her 
marriage — Tames,  a  resident  of  Missouri;  Mary 
who  lives  with  her  mother,  and  Thomas. 


The  subject  Of  this  life-record  was  hut  a  child  of 
three  years  when  his  parent-  returned  to  England, 
and  he  was  reared  in  the  home  of  his  ancestor-. 
and  was  educated  in  English  schools.  He  did  not. 
however,  in  all  these  years  forget  the  land  of  his 
birth,  and  in  1KX7  he  came  hack  to  begin  life  anew 
in  his  native  township,  and  has  since  been  closely 
connected  with  its  leading  interests,  lie  estab- 
lished himself  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  has 
here  a  commodious,  two-story  brick  building  for 
store  purposes,  in  which  he  carries  a  large  and 
varied  stock  of  general  merchandise  suited  to  the 
wants  of  his  customers.  Resides  conducting  a  good 
trade  as  a  merchant,  he  opened  a  tile  factory  near 
his  store  in  lK.Ssi.  which  has  been  in  successful 
operation  since,  turning  out  a  superior  article  that 
commands  a  ready  sale  among  the  fanners  and  all 
who  are  interested  in  drainage.  Mr.  Fleming  also 
superintends  the  cultivation  of  his  large  farm,  of 
four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  excellent  tillage 
land,  lying  in  Todd's  Point  Township.  Although 
his  interests  are  so  diversified  he  manages  each  with 
surpassing  skill,  employing  systematic  and  busi- 
ness-like methods,  attending  carefully  to  details. 
ami  in  all  that  he  does  making  every  stroke  count. 

Mr.  Fleming  was  married  in  188ti  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Charlton,  a  native  of  Newcastle.  England. 
They  have  a  very  pleasant  home,  replete  with 
every  comfort,  and  Mrs..  Fleming's  sister.  Miss 
Alice  Charlton,  is  a  welcome  inmate  of  their  house- 
hold. 


V *=i 


r 


X 


AMES  T.  TURNER.  We  are  pleased  to 
record  among  other  prominent  and  pros- 
perous farmers  of  Shelby  County,  a  brief 
sketch  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  ap- 
pears at  the  head  of  this  paragraph,  whose  pleasant 
home  and  attractive  farm  are  an  ornament  to  sec- 
tion 7,  Oconee  Township.  He  was  born  in  Robin- 
son County.  Tenn..  August  28,  1840.  His  parents, 
Charles  and  Susan  (Price)  Turner,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, early  became  residents  of  North  Carolina, 
and  finally  settled  in  Tennessee,  where  they  were 
married  and  Ions*  made   their  home.     All  of    their 


>IK 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


family  of  nine  children  were  born  in  Tennessee  or 
across  the  line  in  Kentucky.  The  family  of  Charles 
Turner  and  Susan,  his  wife,  are  as  follows:  John 
11..  who  married  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Fay- 
ette County.  [11.;  Nancy  E.,  who  married  Thomas 
Thomas  Hill  and  died  in  IM.'it.  in  Montgomery 
County,  111.;  Susan  C,  who  became  Mrs.  R.  B. 
Evans,  and  died  in  1869;  Avy  J.  was  twice  mar- 
ried. Her  first  husband  being  George  W.  [shmael, 
who  enlisted  in  the  Seventy-third  Illinois  Infantry 
and  died  of  small-pox  at  Memphis.  Her  second 
husband,  James  Slater,  is  a  merchant  in  Oconee. 
The  sketch  of  his  life  will  lie  found  elsewhere  in 
this  volume.  Warren  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry  in  1863.  He  married  Anna  Po- 
land. William  K.  and  James  T.  were  also  members  of 
the  same  company;  they  having  enlisted  in  the 
year  of  1861,  the  former  married  Emma  Lamar. 
They  were  quartered  at  Cam))  Butler.  Springfield, 
from  September,  1861,  until  February,  1862.  This 
regiment  was  known  as  an  independent  cavalry 
organization  and  was  not  assigned  to  any  depart- 
ment but  took  part  in  almost  every  campaign. 
The  regiment  did  patrol  duty  along  the  Missis- 
sippi  River,  guarding  trains,  chasing  and  fighting 
guerrillas  and  bushwhackers  and  also  doing  garri- 
son duty.  It  participated  in  the  siege  and  capture 
of  Vicksburg  and  accompanied  the  victorious  army 
in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Johnston. 

Soon  after  this  our  subject  was  discharged  on 
account  of  disabilities  as  he  contracted  the  measles 
and  not  having  proper  care  and  befng  exposed  to 
the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  the  disease  settled 
in  his  eyes,  so  that  he  finally  lost  one  and  the 
other  is  much  injured.  The  other  two  brothers 
passed  through  the  war  without  serious  detriment. 
The  Fifth  Cavalry  went  to  Memphis  and  finally  to 
Texas  under  command  of  (Jen.  Custer.  Charles 
S.  Turner  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1  «(>  4  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Forty-third  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  served  one  hundred  days.  After  returning 
home  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  re- 
mained at  home  with  his  parents  until  their  death, 
the  father  passed  away  February  4,  USS."),  at.  the 
age  of  eighty  one  years  and  the  mother  dying 
January  12,  1888,  being  seventy-eight  years  old. 
Charles  then  felt  relieved    from   further  responsi- 


bility and  starting  in  life  for  himself,  went  to  St. 
Louis,  where  he  carries  on  the  carpenter  trade. 
Amanda  \Y.  married  F.  P.  Vest.  Her  home  i>  in 
St.  Louis  and  she  has  one  daughter. 

After  .lames  T.  Turner  returned  from  the  war  he 
engaged  in  farming.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Kate 
McLaury  took  place  September  'J.  L866.  This  lady 
was  one  of  a  family  of  four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, children  of  John  F.  and  Margaret  M.  (Hum- 
phrey) McLaury.  and  was  born  in  Mercer  County. 
Pa..  August  21.  1845.  Mr.  McLaury  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  his  wife  of  the  Empire  State. 
Mis.  Turner's  brothers  and  sisters  are  Thomas  F. 
Jr..  Calvin  B.,  James  A.,  William  A.,  Margaret  and 
Alice,  all  of  whom  are  living  except  James  A.,  and 
all  the  survivors  are  married.  Thomas  F.,  William 
A.,  and  Alice  (Mrs.  Wylie),  are  residents  of  the 
Lone  Star  State,  while  Calvin  B.  resides  in  .Mis- 
souri and  Margaret  (Mrs.  Wilie),  in  Tennessee. 
Mrs.  Tinner's  family  removed  to  Illinois  in  the 
fall  of  1845,  and  located  in  Montgomery  County. 
They  removed  to  Texas  before  the  death  of  the 
mother  and  when  last  heard  from  the  father  was  in 
Arkansas. 

The  Turner  family  removed  from  Tennessee  to 
Fayette  County,  111.,  in  1848,  and  soon  after 
removed  to  Montgomery  County  and  finally  made 
their  home  in  Oconee  Township,  Shelby  County, 
where  the  parents  died  as  has  been  previously 
Stated.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Illinois  and  has  been  a  farmer  all  his 
life  time.  For  six  or  seven  years  he  was  engaged 
in  the  hay  business,  buying,  bailing  and  shipping 
hay,  to  Eastern  and  Southern  cities. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turner  have  been  born  five 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Lena  E., 
born  June  8,  1867,  married  George  W.  Hinton  a 
merchant  at  Assumption.  111.  Charles  Franklin, 
who  was  born  May  1  1.  1869,  now  resides  with  his 
wife.  Flora  March,  on  his  father's  farm  in  Oconee 
Township.  Gladys  was  born  June  19,  1875,  and 
is  still  attending  school  and  qualifying  herself  for 
the  profession  of  a  teacher.  James  F..  born  April 
30,  1878,  and  Maggie  B.,  December  17.  1881,  are 
attending  school  and  studying  music  as  well  as 
well  as  making  themselves  generally  useful  in  the 
home  and  upon  the  farm.     Mr.  Turner  has  always 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilt  ><  iKAPHK  Al.    RECORD. 


.1:1 


been  a  stanch  Republican  ami  ever  take-  an  inter- 
esl  in  political  and  public  affair-.  Mrs.  Turner, 
her  si  >u  Frank  ami  daughter  Gladys  are  members 
of  tin-  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  ami  Frank. 
Gladys  ami  James  are  members  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Good  Templars.  .Mr.  Turner  i-  a  worthy 
member  of  Coplin  Post,  No.  268,  '■.  A.  R.  of  Oco- 
nee and  is  the  present  Junior  Vice  Commander. 
Besides  giving  attention  to  general  farming  In 
raises  a  g 1  grade  of  stock. 


^1 


;   ^>  •     t   :• 


,1  NDREW  I..  CRAIG.  Beginning  life  as 
Cg/—  I  a  pioneer  in  the  Mate  of  Indiana,  our 
subjeel  removed  to  this  state  at  an  early 
day.  where  the  country  was  as  undeveloped 
as  his  native  place  was  at  tin-  time  of  his  birth.  He 
settled  in  Shelby  County,  in  June.  1839,  and  has 
since  made  this  State  his  home.  A-  before  said 
Mr.  (  raig  is  a  native  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  hav- 
ing heen  born  in  Fayette  County,  January  6,  1*27. 
lie  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (  Bamckman  i  Craig, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  met.  however. 
and  married  in  Kentucky,  whence  tiny  removed  i<> 
Indiana,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  that 
state. 

1  in  first  coming  into  this  state  our  subject's 
parents  settled  on  Robinson  Creek.  Ridge  Town- 
ship, Shelby  County,  where  James  Craig  purchased 
four  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  entered  six  hun- 
dred acre-  of  Government  land.  For  the  former 
he  paid  $8  per  acre  hut  was  permitted  to  enjoy 
hi-  new  home  only  a  short  time,  for  in  1841  he 
died.  His  wife  survived  him  bya  number  of  years, 
finally  passing  away  in  1864,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six  veal's. 

James  and  Mary  Craig  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  lived  to  reach 
years  of  maturity.  Their  names  are  as  follows: 
Jane.  Janus.  Robert,  .Jacob  1'..  John  R.,  Mary. 
William  and  Andrew.  Of  these  the  eldest  daughter 
died  in  L864;  James  make-  hi-  home  in  Boone 
County,  Iowa;  Robert  died  in  Shelby  County;  Jacob 
F.  resides  in  Boone  County,  Iowa; John  R.  lives  in 
Shelbyville;  Mary    married    Madison    Busby     and 


died  in  Christian,  leaving  <>ne  -on  to  her  bereaved 
husband;   William  died  in  Shelby  County,  in  1864. 

Andrew  I...  oursubject,  is  the  youngest  member 
of  the  family,  lie  was  reared  mi  the  farm  and 
received  an  early  training  in  tin-  way  in  which 
i"  conduct  a  farmer'-  work.  lie  attended  such 
schools  as  the  county  afforded  at  that  time.  The 
lir-t  school  that  he  attended  was  a  log  cabin  with 
a  great  fireplace  at  one  end  that  scorched  the  chil- 
dren's faces  w  hilc  their  hack-  were  freezing.  The 
seats  were  of  slabs  with  pegs  set  in  the  ends  for 
lei;-.  There  were  no  de-k-  and  the  honk-  were  a 
promiscuous  and  heterogenous  mixture.  He  resided 
with  his  mother  until  her  death. 

In  1870  Mr.  (rail;  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Sarah  Fakner,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jane 
(Rodman)  Fakner.  The  lady  was  born  in  Ohio, 
March  12.  1829,  but  came  to  Illinois  when  very 
young.  She  is  the  eighth  of  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren. Oursubject  settled  on  section  14,  of  Rural 
Township,  in  1885, and  here  he  is  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good,  arable  land  that 
ha-  been  well  improved.  It  has  a  tine  residence 
well  located,  commodious  and  comfortable, and  the 
appliances  for  carrying  on  it-  owner's  calling  in 
a  thorough  and  scientific  manner  are  many  and  per- 
fect. Polititically  he  of  whom  we  write  inclines 
toward  Democracy,  finding  the  breadth  of  plat- 
form claimed  by  that  party  to  accord  with  his  views 
of  equity  and  freedom.  Hehasheld  several  offices 
in  the  township,  having  heen  Collector,  Assessor, 
and  Supervisor.  His  attention  has  been  mainly 
directed  to  the  raising  of  stock,  of  which  he  ha-  a 
great  deal  that  will  compare  well  with  any  in  the 
country. 


1 


(..  STEWART  has  ever  heen  a  living 
exponent  of  what  energy,  judgment  and 
ambition  can  accomplish  in  the  agricul- 
tural line  in  the  Prairie  state  \\  here  the  con- 
ditions are  so  favorable  to  the  farmer  as  to  take- 
away from  their  work  half  the  drudgery  that  it 
elsewhere  finds.  Mr.  Stewart  now  lives  in  Mowea- 
qua,  having  retired   from  agricultural  pursuits   in 


550 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


the  fall  of  1889,  and  is  now  living  on  a  fine  prop- 
erty in  this  place.  Mr.  Stewart's  farm,  whereon 
lie  spent  a  Dumber  of  years,  is  located  on  section 
25,  Moweaqua  Township,  Shelby  County,  lie  came 
to  it  in  1866,  beginning  life  with  but  little  else 
than  grit  and  perseverance,  which  served  him  far 
better  than  do  large  pecuniary  resources  many 
other  men. 

Although  our  subject  has  retired  from  the  act- 
ive business  of  fanning  he  still  owns  his  home- 
stead of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  There  is 
no  better  land  in  the  county,  and  Mr.  Stewart  has 
laid  out  large  suins  in  improvements  that  have 
greatly  added  to  its  value.  There  is  upon  the 
place  a  good  dwelling  made-  cozy  and  beautiful  by 
the  care,  interest  and  taste  of  womanly  hands.  The 
large  fortune  which  he  has  accumulated  has  been 
amassed  by  hard  work  and  his  capable  wife  has 
been  no  small  factor  in  his  success.  The  domestic 
realm  over  which  she  lias  held  sway  has  been  gov- 
erned in  such  a  way  as  fo  not  only  spare  our  sub- 
ject's means,  but  to  add  to  his  resources.  Gain 
has  not  been  her  only  object  in  life,  however,  for 
she  has  been  a  tender  mother  and  a  good  and  kind 
neighbor  ever  ready  to  lend  a  helpful  hand  in 
time  of  need. 

Mr.  Stewart's  birthplace  is  what  is  now  Blair 
County.  Pa.,  near  Alton.  He  was  born  September 
27,  1840,  and  i>  the  .-on  of  Alexander  Stewart,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  where  our  subject  was 
reared.  Ik'  is  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather  was  Alexander  Stewart,  like  his 
father  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  ended 
his  days.  When  in  middle  life  he  was  married  in 
Blair  County  to  Mary  <  <  ray.  whose  parents  were 
natives  of  Ireland  who  had  settled  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mary  Stewart  lived  and  died  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, being  about  seventy  years  of  age  when  her 
decease  occurred,  having  survived  her  husband  by 
a  good  many  years.  Our  subject's  grandparents 
were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Our  subject's  father  was  only  nine  years  of  age 
when  his  father  died. -lie  was  reared  by  his  mother 
in  his  native  county,  and  there  remained  until  he 
had  attained  manhood,  lie  died  in  the  city  of 
Alton  in  1889,  having  attained  the  age  of  nearly 
eighty-one   years,    and    was    much    mourned    by 


friends  and  acquaintances.  He  married  Miss  Ka- 
ziah  Green,  of  Blair  County,  Pa.,  where  she  was 
born  and  reared,  and  where  her  death  occurred  in 
1853,  being  then  forty-eight  years  of  age.  She  was 
of  good  family,  her  parents  being  old  settlers  in 
her  native  place.  Both  she  and  her  husband  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  grew  up  in  his  native 
county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1861,  on  the  first  call 
for  three-year  volunteers,  he  enlisted  in  the  army. 
joining  Company  F,  Seventy-sixth  Pennsylvania 
Infantry,  of  which  Capt.  A.  Wayne  and  Col.  Powers 
were  in  command.  The  regiment  proceeded  South 
and  assumed  duty  in  the  Tenth  Army  Corps.  Much 
of  the  time  they  were  engaged  in  hard  righting,  and 
our  subject  was  engaged  at  the  battles  at  Ft.  Pu- 
laski, James  Island,  Ft.  Wagner  and  Morris  Island. 
He  was  afterward  with  his  regiment  at  Drury's 
Bluff  and  Cold  Harbor,  and  passed  through  many 
engagements.  Mr.  Stewart  was  fortunate  enough 
to  escape  death  and  wounds  and  capture,  and  was 
never  in  the  hospital.  He  was  on  duty  in  every 
engagement  that  his  regiment  partook  m  with 
the  exception  of  one.  Our  subject  enlisted  in  the 
service  as  a  musician,  but  was  mustered  in  as  a 
private,  and  served  in  both  capacities.  He  is 
justly  proud  of  his  military  record,  which  is  with- 
out a  stain.  But,  although  he  had  the  opportunity, 
he  never  sought  promotion. 

After  his  return  from  the  war,  our  subject  per- 
suaded Miss  Lizzie  Freidley  to  share  the  duties  of 
life  with  him.  They  were  married  in  Moweacpia  in 
the  fall  of  1K(>8.  The  lady  was  born,  reared  and 
died  in  this  city,  her  demise  taking  place  in  the 
summer  of  1877.  She  was  then  only  twenty -seven 
years  of  age,  and  a  bright  and  beautiful  woman. 
She  left  to  her  husband  three  children,  all  of  whom 
are  now  deceased.  One  died  in  infancy.  John 
A.  and  Jessie  M.  did  not  reach  the  age  of  ma- 
turity. 

Mr.  Stewart  was  a  second  time  married  to  Miss 
Frena  M.  Brooks.  She  was  born  in  Flat  Branch 
Township  and  was  quite  young  when  her  parents 
came  to  Moweaqua.  Here  she  received  her  educa- 
tion and  attained  womanhood.  Her  father.  Josiah 
Brooks,  has  been  for  many  years  deceased.  He 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers   in  this  county.     His 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


o.il 


wife  is  yet  living  and  makes  her  home  in  Mowaequa. 
She  is  now  in  the  afternoon  of  life  and  i>  peace- 
fully enjoying  the  sunset.  By  his  present  mar- 
riage Mr.  Stewart  and  wife  have  had  four  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom  is  deceased.  The  living  children 
are:  .lames  F.,  Malcolm  W.  and  Charles  I...  who 
are  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart  are  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  and  are  generous  supporters 
of  the  >ame.  Mr.  Stewart  has  held  the  local  office 
of  Highway  Commissioner  and  he  is  at  present  Com- 
mander of  J.  V.  Cleming-  Post,  No.  363,  (i.  A.  R.. 
of  which  he  is  a  charter  member.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  1013,  K.  of  11..  and  of 
Shelby  Lodge.  No.  274.  I.  ( ).  ( ).  F. 


f#- 


•?&*" 


f  ABVEY  LOWARY.  The  gentleman  whose 
k  name  is  at  the  head  of  this  sketch,  is  the 
owner  of  a  small  farm  which,  however,  i-  a 
{§)  model  in  point  of  neatness,  productiveness 
and  improvements.  It  is  located  on  section  20,  of 
Richland  Township, Shelby  County,  and  its  advan- 
tage- as  to  situation  are  apparent.  Mr.  Lowary  is 
a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State  which  has  sent  out 
SO  many  ingenious  and  wide-awake  sons  to  aid  the 
progress  of  development  in  the  newer  and  more 
western  state.-.  He  was  horn  in  Fairfield  County. 
Ohio,  June  2.").  1831.  There  he  was  reared  to  man- 
hood and  there  he  continued  to  live  until  1860. 
He  had  early  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  which  he 
followed  until  he  came  to  Shelby  County,  this 
State  anil  even  after  locating  here  lie  pursued  his 
calling  to  some  extent  in  connection  with  farming. 
The  advent  of  the  original  of  our  sketch,  into 
Shelby  County,  this  State  was  made  in  1860.  lie 
first  lived  in  Shelbyville  Township,  where  he  con- 
tinued for  four  years  and  then  removed  to  Rich- 
laud  Town-hip  of  which  place  he  has  ever  since 
been  a  resident.  Before  leaving  Ohio,  he  was  mar- 
ried in  Fairfield  County,  to  a  lady  whose  maiden 
name  was  Emeline  Collins.  She  was  a  native  of 
the  county  and  state  in  which  her  marriage  oc- 
curred. 

Out  of  a  family  of  seven  children  which    have 


been  horn  to  our  subject  and  wife,  only  rive  are 
living.  Their  name-  are  Nelson,  Daniel,  .lame-. 
Byron  and  Joseph.  Two  of  their  children  died  in 
infancy.  Our  subject,  who  is  an  adherent  of  the 
Democratic  party,  brought  up  under  its  tenets  and 
having  a  firm  faith  in  its  platform,  has  tilled  sev- 
eral positions  in  the  gift  of  his  constituents.  For 
-ix  years,  he  tilled  the  office  of  Highway  Commis- 
sioner and  was  School  Director  for  several  years. 
His  farm  hear-  evidence  of  many  and  valuable  im- 
provements and  although  it  comprises  only  eighty- 
three  acres,  is  conspicuous  for  the  perfection  of  it?- 
management  and  it-  proportionally  large  produc- 
tiveness. 

It  will  not  lie  out  of  place  to  speak  of  the  family 
of  which  our  subject  was  one.  Hi-  father  was 
Jeremiah  Lowary.  1 1  is  mother  Catherine  (Siple) 
Lowary.  They  wen-  fanners  by  occupation,  hav- 
ing passed  their  live-  in  tilling  the  soil.  The  fa- 
ther died    in     Sandusky,    Ohio.      The    mother   who 

survived  her  husband, came  to  Shelby  (.  ounty  and 
-pent  her  Ia-t  day-,  passing  away  in  Holland  Town- 
ship, August  6,  1871.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  only  child  of  hi-  parents. 


QHN  F.  LINY1LLK.  This  respected  gentle- 
man and  thorough-going  fanner  who  resides 
on  section  is.  Whitley  Town-hip.  Moultrie 
County,  is  a  -on  of  John  Linville  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Donnelsen)  Linville,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Kentucky,  where  they  grew  to  maturity, 
married  and  settled  in  Bath  County,  Ivy.,  coming 
from  there  to  Indiana,  when-  they  settled  near 
Greensburg.  After  living  thereseveral  years  they 
removed  to  Fayette  County,  same  state,  and  there 
remained  until  called  hence  by  death. 

These  worthy  and  venerated  parents  had  ten 
children  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  fourth  in 
order  of  age,  being  born  in  Decatur  (ounty.  Ind.. 
April  7.  1824.  lie  was  about  ten  years  old  when 
his  father  removed  to  Fayette  County,  Ind..  where 
he  grew  to  manhood  and  continued  to  reside  until 
he  was  about  twenty-six  years  old.     In   his   bov- 


.v>2 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD, 


hood  lie  received  thorough  and  systematic  drill 
and  instruction  both  in  the  theory  and  practice  of 
farming  and  agriculture  has  been  hi-  sole  business  in 
life. 

John  F.  Lin ville  continued  to  live  in  Indiana 
until  the  fall  of  1849,  when  he  came  to  Clark 
(  •  .mi ty.  111.,  and  purchased  a  farm,  upon  which  he 
continued  to  live  until  December,  1864,  at  which 
time  he  removed  to  Moultrie  County  and  settled 
upon  tin-  section  where  he  ha-  ever  since  resided. 
The  most  important  event  in  his  life  as  a  young 
man  was  his  marriage,  August  •"■.  1848,  in  Fayette 
County,  lnd..  tu  .lane  McDowell,  who  was  born  in 
Bates  County,  Ohio,  January  17.  1829. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lin  ville,  had  two  children  viz.:  Wil- 
liam I),  win >  married  Margaret  E.  Kennedy  and 
was  a  farmer  in  Whitley  Township,  but  died  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1891;  Rebecca  E.  who  i-  the  wife  of 
Henry  Wright,  of  Whitley  Township.  The  death 
of  the  onlj  son  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  parents 
as  well  as  to  the  young  wife. 

Our  subject  now  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  upon  which  he  has  placed  many  excellent 
improvements  and  where  he  exercises  a  kind  and 
neighborly  hospitality  to  all  who  enter  hi-  door. 
Hi-  political  view-  have  led  him  to  affiliate  with 
the  Democratic  parly  and  he  believes  that  the 
principles  of  that  party  are  the  ones  which  are 
destined  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  Mate. 
In  his  religious  view-  he  is  liberal  and  he  is  an 
active  promoter  of  every  movement  toward  the 
moral  upbuilding  of  the  community. 


I>^-<!^ 


-s— 


WILLIAM  HARDY.  One  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  in  Central  Illinois  who  has  lived  to 
see  the  country  change  from  an  aspect  of 
wild,  uncultivated  beauty  to  that  of  one  of  the 
most  productive  agricultural  regions  of  theUnion, 
resides  on  a  line  farm  on  section  36,  of  Ridge  Town- 
ship. Shelby  County.  Mr.  Hardy  was  Lorn  in  Fair- 
field  County,  Ohio,  January  1.  1820,  ami  i-  a  son 
of  Thomas  and  Nellie  (Dutton)  Hardy,  natives  of 
Maryland  and  Delaware.  Each  bad  emigrated  to 
Fairfield  County.   Ohio,    in    early    life    when    the 


country    was   new   and    laborers    few.     There   they 
met  and  married. 

In  1836  our  subject's  parents  removed  to  Illi- 
nois, locating  in  Tazewell  County,  where  they 
rented  land  which  they  operated  for  two  years. 
They  then  came  to  Shelby  County,  in  the  spring  of 
1839  and  settled  in  Ridge  Township  on  section  25, 
where  the  father  entered  eighty  acres  of  land.  He 
also  pre-empted  eighty  acre-  of  timber  land  in  Okaw 
Towii-hiii.  where  he  resided  for  the  remainder  of 
his  life. 

Our  subject's  mother  died  in  1855,  a  victim  of 
the  cholera,  which  was  at  that  time  epidemic.  Her 
husband  followed  her  iii  1858.  They  reared  a 
family  of  nine  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy: Jesse  S.  died  in  ShelbyCounty;  he  married 
1'ii-cilla  Ward  and  left  a  wife  and  three  children. 
one  of  whom  is  now  living'  in  Kansas.  Polly  mar- 
ried John  llowlet  and  resides  at  Charleston,  111.: 
Sarah  is  the  wife  of  .lame-  Boys,  and  resides  in 
Ridge  Township,  as  doe-  also  Thomas.  George  \\ . 
makes  hi-  home  in  Hutchinson.  Kan.  Abigail  first 
married  Jacob  Leech  and  on  becoming  a  widow  she 
again  married  John  Cook  and  at  present  resides  in 
Iowa.  Elizabeth  i-  the  wife  of  George  W.  Boys, 
and  lives  in  Ridge  Township.  Henry  II.  resides  in 
Medicine  Lodge.  Kan. 

The  original  of  our  -ketch  is  a  farmer  born  and 
bred.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
he  reached  manhood  when  he  wa-  married  to 
Amanda  11.  Davis,  a  daughter  of  Joshua  Davis. 
she  was  a  native  of  ShelbyCounty,  where  she  was 
born  in  June,  1836.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hardy  are  the 
parents  of  six  children,  whose  names  are  Leah. 
Mary,  Thomas,  William.  Maud  ami  Florence,  lie- 
fore  his  marriage  our  subject  had  purchased  the 
land  upon  which  he  afterward  settled  and  has  since 
resided  on  it.  lie  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hun- 
dred and  five  acre-  of  finely  cultivated  land,  upon 
which  a  choice  variety  of  grains,  fruits  and  vege- 
tables are  raised.  The  place  bears  good  buildings 
and  many  of  the  improvements  both  in  science 
and  agriculture  are  applied  to  make  the  farmer's 
life  less  one  of  drudgery  than  formerly. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Hardy  learned  the  trade  of  ;i 
carpenter,  which  business  he  pursued  for  some  time, 
never,   however,   giving  up  hi-  agricultural    work 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


553 


entirely.  Politically  our  subjecl  is  a  follower  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  he  ha-  been  for  a  long  time 
School  Director  of  his  district  Mrs.  Hardj  is  a 
member  of  tin-  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and 
both  she  and  her  husband  an-  looked  upon  a-  being 
representative  people  in  the  township.  Affable, 
kind  hearted  and  hospitable,  they  art-  examples 
and  types  of  the  best  agricultural  class  in  the  state. 


BRAM    MIDDLESWORTH,    President    of 

the     First    National    Bank,    Shelbyville, 
Shelby  County.  is  a  representative  of  the 
QJ  men  of  energy,  ability  and  enterprise  who 

have  had  the  making  ofShelby  County.  Not  only 
i>  he  prominent  as  the  head  of  it-  leading  financial 
institutions, but  his  name  is  indissolubly  associated 
with  the  rise  and  progress  of  it-  agriculture  as  one 
of  its  most  extensive  farmers  ami  stockmen  for 
many  years,  lie  still  retains  his  farming  interests, 
and  has  one  of  the  largest  and  best  managed  farms 

in  this  -cetioii  of  the  Male. 

Our  subject  was  born,  November  10,  1821,  on  a 
farm  ten  miles  southwest  of  Lancaster,  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio.  His  father  was  Abraham  Middles- 
worth,  a  pioneer  of  this  county,  who  was  horn  in 
New  Jersey,  and  was  a  -on  of  John  and  Martha 
Middlesworth.  The  former  died  May  14.  1815, 
aged  seventy  years,  and  the  latter  departed  this 
life  Octobers,  1*24.  at  the  age  of  seventy-four 
years,  and  both  were  buried  near  Beavertown,  l'a. 
Xer.  an  uncle  of  our  subject,  became  a  prominent 
citizen  in  the  public  life  of  the  Commonwealth, 
and  for  eighteen  years  was  a  member  of  the 
State  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  and  served  as 
Speaker  of  the  House,  lie  "a-  born  December  12. 
1783  and  died  January  2.  1865.  The  grandfather, 
according  to  the  best  information  at  hand,  was  a 
native  of  England,  who  on  comin<r  to  America  at 
some  time  during  the  last  century  located  first 
in  New  Jersey.  Later  he  removed  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  settled  in  that  part  of  Union  now  in- 
cluded in  Snyder  County,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  until  death  closed  his  mortal  career. 

The  father  of  our  subjecl   resided  with  his  par- 


ents until  he  attained  hi-  majority',  when  he  started 
westward  t"  seek  his  fortune-,  taking  with  him  all 
his  worldl.\  possessions,  which  comprised  his  cloth- 
ing and  rifle,  lie  walked  to  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio,  and  locating  there  in  the  early  days  of  its 
settlement,  established  himself  at  the  trade  of  a 
cooper,  lie  applied  himself  closely  to  his  calling, 
and  in  due  time,  with  close  economy,  had  enough 
money  to  purchase  a  tract  of  timber  land  south- 
west of  Lancaster.  During  the  early  year-  of  his 
married  life  he  lived  in  the  log  cabin  which  be- 
came the  birthplace  of  hi-  son  of  whom  we  write. 
He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinal y  enterprise, 
ami  wa-  withal  a  successful  speculator,  buying  wild 
land  or  partly  developed  farm-,  taking  up  his 
residence  thereon,  and  after  making  improvements 
selling  at  an  advanced  price.  He  continued  to 
live  in  Fairfield  County  until  1840,  when  he 
ambitiously  sought  "greener  fields  and  pastures 
new"  in  this  county, bringing  with  him  his  family 
on  that  ever  memorable  journey,  he  and  his  wife 
traveling  in  a  carriage  and  Abram  with  a  five  horse 
team,  riding  one  ami  driving  the  others  with  a 
•     gjle  line. 

Abraham  Middlesworth  had  previously  visited 
Illinois  before  coming  here  to  settle  permanently, 
and  he  had  bought  a  large  tract  of  land  in  this 
county,  including  the  farm  then  owned  by  Benj- 
amin Waldron,  Sr.  Two  hewed  log  houses  and 
twenty  acre-  of  cleared  land  constituted  the  im- 
provement-, the  twenty  acres  referred  to  being 
known  at  that  time  a-  "Waldron 's  Big  Field".  Mr. 
Middlesworth  continued  to  he  a  resident  of  the 
county,  devoting  himself  to  the  improvement  of 
hi-  realty  until  hi-  death  deprived  this  part  of  the 
state  of  a  valuable  citizen,  who  while  he  lived  was 
actively  identified  with  it-  agriculture.  The 
maiden  name  of  his  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject, 
was  Barbara  Leather-,  she  wa-  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania or  Maryland,  and  of  German  antecedent-, 
she  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Sally 
Galligher.  These  are  the  name-  of  the  seven  chil- 
dren of  the  parents  of  our  subject;  Mary,  Sally. 
John.  Abram,  William.  Ner  and  Isabella. 

Abram  Middlesworth  was  nineteen  year-  of  age 
when  the  family  removed  to  this  county,  which 
was  then  hut  sparsely  settled, and  the  greater  part 


554 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI  A- K  APHICAL   RECORD. 


of  the  land  was  owned  by  the  Government.  Deer 
and  other  wild  game  were  quite  plentiful,  and 
often  furnished  an  agreeable  addition  to  the  fare 
of  the  settlers,  who  were  mostly  home-livers,  sub- 
sisting as  far  as  possible  on  what  they  raised  on 
their  farms.  There  were  no  railways  for  some 
years  after  the  family  settled  here,  and  St.  Louis 
was  the  principal  market  and  depot  for  supplies. 
Our  subject  embraced  every  opportunity  to  obtain 
an  education  in  the  schools  of  his  early  home  in 
Ohio,  which  were  taught  in  log  school-houses, 
which  he  attended  a  few  months  each  winter,  devot- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  year  to  working  on  his 
lather's  farm.  After  coming  to  this  county  he  and 
his  brother  managed  their  father's  farm  in  lull. 
and  sold  their  whole  crop  of  wheat  at  the  rate  of 
thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents  a  bushel.  For  a  time 
they  went  to  Springfield  to  get  their  grain  ground. 

Mr.  Middlesworth 's  father  gave  him  a  tract  of 
land,  which  was  located  in  Tower  Hill  Township, 
and  after  his  marriage  he  settled  on  it,  and  actively 
entered  upon  the  pioneer  task  of  reclaiming  it 
fii ini  the  wilderness.  After  the  Mexican  War  he 
purchased  land  warrants  of  the  soldiers  to  whom 
they  had  been  given  by  the  Government,  and  he 
entered  land  in  Ridge  Township,  at  a  cost  of  eighty 
cents  an  acre.  In  addition  to  fanning  he  engaged 
extensively  in  buying  hogs  and  cattle,  shipping 
the  former  to  St.  Louis  and  the  latter  to  the  New 
York  markets,  lie  continued  to  live  on  his  farm 
until  1871,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Shel- 
byville.  He  did  not  abandon  his  extensive  agri- 
cultural operations,  however,  but  superintended 
the  cultivation  of  his  farm  and  his  large  stock 
business  as  heretofore.  He  had  acquired  a  hand- 
some property  by  his  operations,  and  twenty-five 
hundred  acres  of  choice  land  are  numbered  among 
his  possessions.  In  1877  he  was  elected  President 
of  the  First,  National  Bank  of  Shelbyville,  111., 
which  position  he  still  holds,  and  it  is  through  his 
efficient  and  able  administration  of  its  finances 
that  it  has  risen  to  lie  one  of  the  safest  as  well  as 
one  of  the  most  important  monetary  institutions 
in  the  county. 

Forty-four  years  ago.  on  the  2Kth  of  January, 
1X47,  Mr.  Middlesworth  took  an  important  step  in 
life  that   has  contributed  greatly   to  his  happiness 


and  well-being,  as  on  that  date  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  T.  Goodwin.  Mrs. 
Middlesworth  is  a  native  of  this  county  and  a 
daughter  of  .lames  and  Sarah  (Donnel)  Goodwin. 
pioneers  of  this  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Middlesworth  have  three  sons  and  two  daughters 
living,  namely;  Sarah  B..  widow  of  John  W.  Ward, 
her  residence  being  on  a  farm  five  miles  northeast 
of  Shelbyville;  Isabella,  wife  of  Hiram  Scarborough; 
James;  John  and  William  S. 

In  early  life  our  subject  was  a  Whig,  but  lie 
subsequently  joined  the  Republican  party,  and  lias 
ever  since  been  a  stanch  advocate  of  its  policy.  Ib- 
is a  man  of  strong  character  and  linn  principles, 
who  has  always  exerted  a  good  influence  over  the 
community,  and  he  is  in  no  respect  behind  his  fel- 
low-citizens in  public  spirit  and  an  earliest  desire 
to  help  forward  all  enterprises  that  will  in  any 
way  advance  the  best  interests  of  the  city  and 
county,  giving  the  benefit  of  his  experience,  busi- 
ness talent  and  money  to  all  feasible  plans  to  pro- 
mate  the  public  weal.  He  and  his  estimable  wife 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  their 
liberality  and  helpfulness  have  contributed  largely 
to  its  usefulness  as  an  active  religious  organiza- 
tion. 


r^)EY.  BARNETT  SMOCK.     The  name  at  the 

L-{       head  of  tliis  sketch  is  that  of  a   well-known 

*    \     minister    of     the     Baptist     Church     of    this 

county,  having  had   the    pastorate   of  five 

churches     in     this.     Fayette,     and      Montgomery 

County,      lie  has  been  an  active  church  worker  for 

about  twenty  years,  during  this  time  having  been 

engaged  in  helping  to   organize   new   churches  as 

well  as  in  preaching  the  Gospel  in   the   older  ones. 

As  an  Evangelist,  he  has  a   great   power    for   good 

and  many  are  the  additions  to  the  various  churches 

in  which  he  has  preached,  attracted   thither   by  his 

work.      Each    year    he    has  performed    the   sacred 

ordinance  of    baptism   receiving    many    into     the 

churches. 

Our  subject  began  his  career  as  a  preacher  in 
this  county  and  was  ordained  in  1875,  Elders 
Kellev    and   Coffee   officiating  at    his    ordination. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


555 


Recently  he  1ms  spent  some  time  in  the  Held  of 
mission    work  and    is   an  earnest    laborer  in   this 

(I  i  recti  on.  Aside  from  bis  church  work,  he  of 
whom  we  write  is  a  successful  general  farmer 
located  (iii  the  pleasant  tract  of  hind  in  Pickaway 
Township,  and  having  a  well  improved  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  eight  acres,  besides  forty  acres  in 
Rural  Township,  and  eighty  acres  in  Flat  Branch 
Township.  He  has  lived  on  his  present  farm  for 
seven  years,  having  moved  hither  from  Rural 
Township.  He  came  to  Illinois  from  Indiana  in 
1856. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Vigo 
County,  six  miles  south  of  Tcrre  Haute.  March  17. 
1S:57.  He  was  but  a  youth  when  his  father 
moved  across  the  line  to  Sullivan  County,  where 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  conies  of  good 
stock.  I  lis  father  was  Abraham  Smock,  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  a  son  of  Henry  Smock,  who  was 
a  native  of  Germany.  After  our  subject's  grand- 
lather  was  grown,  he  was  married  in  his  native 
land  to  a  German  lady  and  soon  after  marriage  he 
and  his  wife  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the 
days  when  sailing  vessels  were  'used  for  transport 
ation.  They  settled  in  Kentucky,  near  Lexington, 
in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century.  The 
children  were  most  of  them  born  in  Kentucky. 
Henry  Smock  and  wife  with  their  family  re- 
moved to  Indiana  making  their  home  in  Sullivan 
County.  This  change  was  made  in  the  early  part 
of  the  '30s.  There  the  two  secured  a  tract  of 
land  in  the  wilds  of  the  State.  The  farm  which 
they  pre-empted  was  new  and  of  course  had  no 
improvements.  They  were  known  in  their  day  as 
large  farmers,  owning  several  hundred  acres.  Here 
the  parents  lived  and  died,  being  regarded  by 
neighbors  and  acquaintances,  as  good  people  and 
Successful  pioneers.  As  before  said,  the  country 
was  wholly  undeveloped  and  there  was  an  abund- 
ance of  wild  game.  They  first  beheld  the  land 
just  after  the  Indians  began  to  seek  broader  hunt- 
ing fields  and  before  their  deaths  they  beheld  it  a 
beautiful  agricultural  region,  with  wide  spreading 
fields  of  waving  grain  and  dotted  with  buildings 
that  are  the  picture  of  comfort  and  serene  content. 

The  grandparents  died  when   old   people.  Henry 
Smock    at   the   age    of   seventy,    his    wife    being 


seventy-six  at  the  time  of  her  decease.  They  were 
both  members  of  the  New  Light  Church.  Ten 
children  encircled  their  hearthstone  and  made 
merry  the  days,  and  light  the  work  about  the  old 
homestead.  Abraham,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  one  of  the  eldest  of  these.  lie  grew  from  boy- 
hood into  manhood  in  Sullivan  County,  and  was 
all  his  life  a  farmer.  While  a  young  man  he  was 
married  in  Vigo  County,  Ind..  to  Miss  Mary 
Weeks.  The  lady  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  was 
a  daughter  of  . I.  Lewis  and  Susan  E.  (Hampton) 
Weeks,  both  natives  of  Virginia  and  come  of 
Scotch-Irish  stock.  They  were  married  in  Virg- 
inia, and  later  went  to  Kentucky  where  they  lived 
near  Louisville.  After  a  time  they  removed  to 
Vigo  County,  Ind.,  where  they  were  very  early 
settlers.  There  Lewis  Weeks  died  in  the  old  home 
which  he  had  improved.  At  the  time  of  his  de- 
cease, he  was  about  sixty-live  years  old.  His  wife, 
who  survived  him  many  years,  later  came  to  her 
son.  Alfred  Weeks',  home,  in  Vermilion  County, 
111.,  where  she  died  in  June,  1890.  She  was  born 
in  1790,  and  at  the  time  of  her  death  was  within 
six  months  of  being  a  centenarian.  Her  mother 
before  her  had  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four 
years.  Lewis  Weeks  and  wife  were  all  their  lives 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  were  all  the 
generations  before  them  for  years. 

After  a  few  years  of  married  life.  Abraham 
Smock  with  his  family  located  on  a  farm  in  Sulli- 
van County,  where  they  both  finished  their  lives, 
the  former  passing  away  in  1846.  He  was  then  in 
the  prime  of  life,  having  been  born  in  1817.  His 
wife  lived  for  a  good  many  years  and  died  at  the 
old  homestead  in  Sullivan  County,  in  December, 
1875.  She  was  born  in  181(1.  During  the  latter 
part  of  her  life  she  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  but  for  many  years  she  and  her  husband 
were  members  of  the  New  Light  Church.  Our 
subject  was  carefully  reared  by  his  mother  and 
step-father,  lie  received  a  practical  education  in 
the  district  school-.,  but  feels  that  his  greatest  ad- 
vantage was  gained  by  the  light  of  the  hickory  fire, 
while  bending  over  his  books  in  the  chimney  cor- 
ner. Naturally  of  an  ardent,  thoughtful  nature,  he 
was  a  lover  of  books  and  read  carefully  and 
thoughtfully. 


556 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


When  he  of  whom  we  write  came  to  this  State, 
he  was  yet  a  single  man  but  could  not  long  resist 
the  charms  of  the  maidens  in  the  Prairie  State  and 
was  married  to  Miss  Delilah  Casey  in  the  township 
near  where  he  now  lives;  she  is  a  second  daughter 
of  Judge  John  Casey  who  was  for  many  years  a 
prominent  man  in  the  county,  of  whom  a  fuller 
history  may  lie  found  under  the  biographical 
sketch  of  Joseph  Smock.  Mrs.  Smock  was  born 
on  her  father's  homestead  in  this  county  and 
township  June  29,  1838.  Here  she  has  spent  her 
entire  life  and  is  known  in  the  vicinity  as  a  model 
mother,  a  kind,  helpful  and  generous  neighbor  and 
a  noble  woman.  As  a  pioneer  of  the  State  she  has 
a  large  circle  of  acquaintances  and  stands  high  in 
their  estimation  and  affection.  She,  like  her  hus- 
band, is  a  Baptist  in  her  religious  belief. 

Mr.  Smock  casts  his  vote  and  influence  in  favor 
of  the  Prohibition  party.  Our  subject  and  liis 
estimable  wife  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  two 
of  whom  are  deceased.  One  passed  away  in  in- 
fancy. The  other  was  named  William  A.  Tin' 
living  children  are:  Albert  B.;  Lydia  A.  and  John  C. 
Albert  B.  took  to  wife  Minnie  F.  Smith,  and  now 
resides  on  a  farm  in  this  township.  Lydia  A.,  who 
is  the  light  and  life  of  the  home,  is  a  bright  and 
intelligent  young  lady.  John  C.  helps  his  brother 
run  the  farm.  Mr.  Smock's  family  is  one  notable 
for  its  intelligence  and  culture  and  the  influence 
therefrom,  is  of  the  best. 


AMUEL  ANDERSON,  a  dealer  in  stock, 
who  resides  on  section  it,  Oconee  Town- 
ship, Shelby  County,  was  born  in  Simpson 
County,  Ky.,  May  1,  1856.  He  is  a  son  of 
Peyton  and  Anna  (Logan)  Anderson.  His  father, 
who  is  the  proprietor  of  the  Anderson  House  at 
Oconee,  was  born  in  Allen  County,  Ky..  September 
17,  1822.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and  Ann 
(Clarke)  Anderson,  the  father  being  born  in 
Virginia,  and  going  to  Kentucky  when  a  young 
man. 

The  mother,  who  was  bom   in    Nashville.  Tenn.. 


married  Samuel  Anderson  in  Allen  County,  Ky., 
which  remained  the  permanent  home  until  the 
death  of  this  couple.  Peyton  was  the  fourth  in  a 
family  of  .six  children,  the  others  being  Sallie  Ann, 
who  married  James  Jones,  of  Allen  County.  Ky.; 
Robert,  who  resides  in  Fayette  County,  111  ;  Rachel, 
who  married  and  resides  in  Kentucky  on  the  old 
homestead;  Mary, the  wife  of  Harrison  Dobbs,  who 
lives  in  Kentucky. 

Peyton  Anderson  was  reared  to  farm  life  and 
resided  in  Kentucky  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
eleven.  During  the  Civil  War  he  occupied  neu- 
tral ground  and  did  not  take  part  on  either  side, 
although  his  sympathies  were  with  the  Union 
cause.  He  was  married  in  Allen  County.  Ky.. 
January  1,  1844,  to  Miss  Anna  B.  Logan,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Rebecca  Logan,  who  removed  from 
North  Carolina  to  Kentucky  previous  to  their 
marriage.  Mi',  and  Mrs.  Logan  had  ten  children, 
namely:  E.  W.,  Minerva,  Eliza,  Joshua,  Lavina, 
Ann  B.,  Robert,  Zachariah,  Amelia  E.  and  Amanda 
M.  Eliza,  Mrs.  Garrison,  died  in  Kansas;  Amelia. 
Mrs.  Harris,  died  in  Kentucky;  and  Joshua  died  in 
Perry  County,  this  State. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  two  sons  and  three 
daughters  have  been  born,  namely:  Mary,  the 
wife  of  James  Allen,  who  resides  in  Montgomery 
County,  111.;  Samuel,  our  subject,  who  is  unmar- 
ried and  engaged  in  stock-raising  in  Shelby  County; 
Robert  L..  who  is  buying  and  shipping  horses  in 
Montgomery  County;  Amelia,  Mrs.  Ed.  Smith;  and 
Sauah,  Mrs.  John  Williamson. 

The  father  of  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
whose  Union  sentiments  are  a  credit  to  any  man. 
more  to  a  man  like  himself,  who  was  born  and  edu- 
cated in  the  South.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in 
political  affairs,  and  is  liberal  in  religious  mat- 
ters, though  a  Arm  believer  in  the  Christian  rclig- 
gion. 

Samuel  Anderson  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native 
State,  receiving  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that 
region,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
with  his  father  until  his  removal  in  1889,  when  he 
located  in  Oconee  Township,  Shelby  County,  this 
State,  and  worked  on  a  farm   for   some    ten    years. 

lie  then  engaged  in  buying,  feeding  and  selling- 
stock,  handling  cattle    and   hogs   principally,      lie 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


55* 


is  associated  in  business  with  Mr.  E.  Bass, and  buys 
and  ships  stock  from  Oconee.  He  votes  with  the 
Republican  party, and  believes  that  in  it*  principles 

mi'  in  In'  found  tin-  trui'  guide  to  progress  in  this 
country.  Ik1  is  industrious,  honest  and  intelligent, 
and  has  tlir  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  is  asso- 
ciated. 


£+£ 


k=> 


,  / 


.  1LLIAM  F.  TILL,  one  of  tin-  oldest  resi- 
dents, and  one  of  those  most  worthy  of 
honor  in  Windsor  Township,  Shelby 
County,  resides  mi  section  20,  ami  was  born  in 
Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  January  9,  1819.  His 
parents  were  Daniel  anil  Sallie  (Baw)  Tull,  both 
natives  of  North  Carolina,  who  married  there  and 
soon  after  returned  to  Tennessee,  where  they  re- 
mained until  1829.  At  this  time  they  emigrated 
to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Shelby  County.  Our 
-iil>ject  was  the  eighth  in  a  family  of  nine, 
and  all  are  deceased  except  this  son  and  Iris 
brother,  Nathan  P.,  who  resides  in  the  village  of 
Windsor. 

Mr.  Tull  was  hut  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when 
his  parents  located  in  Shelby  County,  yet  he 
has  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  trip  across  the  coun- 
try, with  a  six-horse  team,  and  often  recalls  the 
wild  and  unimproved  condition  of  the  country 
and  the  sparsely  peopled  section-  through  which 
they  traveled.  Shelbyville,  now  a  promising 
city  of  live  thousand  inhabitants,  was  then  a 
little  trading  post,  composed  of  a  few  log  shanties. 

In  tin-  fall  of  1838  this  young  man  (then  only 
nineteen  year-  old)  took  to  himself  a  wife  in  the 
person  of  Miss  Hannah  Davis,  who  «;i-  also  a  ua- 
tive  of  East  Tennessee,  where  she  was  bora  Decem- 
ber "27.  1821.  Her  parent-,  like  his,  came  to  Shelby 
(  ounty  in  the  early  days,  and  located  in  Windsor 
Township  in  1828,  and  there  spent  the  re- 
mainder Of  their  live-.  That  young  couple 
in  due  time  became  the  parents  of  :i  truh 
patriarchal  Hock,  fifteen  children  being  horn  to 
them. 

The  seven  children  who  are  still  living  an-  as 
follows:     Sallie.    Mrs.    Cane,   now    fifty-one    Mar- 


old,  and  lives  in  this  town-hip;  Josiah  has  been  a 
cripple  since  he  wa-  eighteen  months  old.  and  has 
always  been  cared  for  by  hi-  parents;  Harriet  is 
unmarried  and  lives  at  home:  Catherine,  now  Mrs. 
Moobery,  lives  in  this  township,  as  does  also 
Jonathan,  who  is  married;  .lames  and  Nathan  F. 
are  at  home  and  unmarried,  and  working  on  the 
old  homestead,  although  they  have  both  reached 
mature  years. 

This    beautiful    old    couple    have    enjoyed     each 

other's  society  in  wedded  life  for  over  fifty-two 
year-,  and  both  give  promise  of  many  more  years 
of  health  and  cheer.  They  speak  in  the  highest 
term-  of  tin-  lilial  affection  and  obedience  of  their 
children,  with  whom  ihe\  have  never  had  an  un- 
pleasant or  discordant  word.  Mr.  Tull  has  been  a 
life-long  Democrat,  and  has  ever  been  a  recognized 
leader  in  his  township.  His  middle  name  is  For- 
rest a-  he  wa-  named  for  the  father  of  the  noted 
Confederate  General,  that  general  being  a  play- 
mate of  Mr.  Tull 's.  Lor  many  years  this  couple 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
but  at  the  tiuieof  the  division  of  that  body  during 
the  war.  they  withdrew  and  joined  the  Christian 
Union  Church. 


•<■=•:•      ^~\ 


AMES  II.  WHITE.  We  are  pleased  to  pre- 
sent among  the  highly  esteemed  residents 
of  Shelby  County  the  name  of  .lames  II. 
White,  who  resides  on  section  13,  Lose 
Township.  His  father.  William  White,  was  horn 
in  Perry  County.  La.,  and  hi.-  mother.  Hannah 
Milligan,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county.  Their 
first  home  after  marriage  was  in  that  State,  from 
which  they  afterward  removed  to  Montgomery 
County,  Ind.,  and  later  to  Christian  County.  111., 
where  the\  located  in  Lana.  and  there  they  spent 
the  remainder  of  then  days.  They  were  the  happy 
parent-  of  ten  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is 
the  second. 

James  11.  White  was  horn  in  Perry  (ounty.  La.. 
July  16,  1829.  There  he  received  his  early  edu- 
cation and  his  practical  training  upon  a   farm  and 


558 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


grew  up  to  a  vigorous  young  manhood.  In  1851 
lie  removed  to  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  and  en- 
gaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Waveland  for 
about  fifteen  years.  He  sold  out  his  business  in 
1865.  and  coining  to  Shelby  County,  located  on 
section  13,  Rose  Township.  Since  his  removal  to 
this  place  he  has  devoted  himself  entirely  to  farm- 
ing and  dealing  in  stock.  His  rich  farm  comprises 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  upon  which  he  has 
placed  good  improvements. 

The  marriage  of  this  gentleman  look  place  in 
Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  October  3,  1*51.  his  bride 
being  Miss  Mildred  Canine,  a  daughter  of  Richard 
and  Eliza  (Gwynn)  Canine,  both  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. The  mother  died  in  Crawfordsville.  Ind.. 
and  the  father  still  survives.  Eight  children  com- 
pleted this  family  circle  and  Mrs.  White  was  next 
tn  the  eldest  of  them.  Her  birth  took  place  in 
Crawfordsville.  Ind..  April  2,  1835,  and  there  she 
was  reared  to  womanhood. 

The  children  who  came  to  bless  the  home  of  .Mr. 
and  Mrs. White  are  seven  in  number,  namely:  Albert 
T-,  who  married  Miss  Fannie  I  lurkee:  Clara  S.;  Will- 
iam R..  who  married  Mis-  Fannie  Smith,  of  Frank- 
furl.  Clinton  County.  Ind.:  .lames:  Walter;  Min- 
nie, who  died  when  ten  years  old:  and  Alia  1'. 
Mr.  White  has  the  profound  respect  and  esteem  of 
of  his  fellow-citizens  and  they  have  placed  him  in 
several  offices  of  responsibility,  all  of  which  he  has 
filled  with  real  benefit  to  the  community.  He  has 
for  four  terms  been  Supervisor  of  Rose  Township 
and  for  several  years  has  acted  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  Township  Clerk,  lie  i-  Secretary  for 
Ruse  Township  of  the  Farmer?'  Mutual  Insurance 
Company.  He  is  independent  in  his  political 
view-  and  dues  nut  ally  himself  with  any  of  the 
existing  parties,  as  he  prefers  to  he  free  to  follow 
hi>  own  judgment  and  convictions  rather  than  to 
lie  guided  by  the  party  leaders. 

Mrs.  White  is  a  woman  of  more  than  ordinary 
capability  and  influence  and  i-  the  efficient  and 
judicious  President  of  the  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union  of  Moulton.  They  have 
brought  up  their  children  in  the  faith  and  practice 
of  the  Christian  religion  and  the  whole  family  are 
united  in  the  membership  of  tin-  Presbyterian 
Church.     The  pleasant  home  of   our  subject  has 


attractive  surroundings  and  the  farm  buildings 
are  excellent.  Such  a  family  as  this  i>  one  of  the 
greatest  advantages  which  any  township  can  have. 
as  their  industry  and  enterprise  tend  to  its  mater- 
ial prosperity  and  their  character  and  intelligence 
make  an  influence  for  good  in  every  way. 


..^-^1 


LBERT   WYMAX.   a   large  and  successful 

W  I  dealer  in  hoots  and  shoes,  who  is  doing 
'  business  in  a  fine  establishment  at  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  public  square, 
came  to  Sullivan,  Moultrie  County,  in  1870  and 
entered  upon  work  as  a  journeyman  shoemaker. 
Later  he  began  business  mi  his  own  account  and 
finally  added  a  stock  of  goods  and  opened  a  store. 
Ilr  has  been  a  hard-working  man  and  is  the  archi- 
tecl  of  his  own  fortune,  and  out  of  his  profits  he 
has  built  the  commodious  business  house  which  he 
now  occupies.  It  is  twenty-two  feet  wide  by 
eighty-two  feet  deep,  two  stories  high  and  was 
built  in  1885,  since  which  time  he  has  kept  it 
stocked  with  an  excellent  and  extensive  line  of 
boots  and  -hoes. 

Mr.  Wyman  came  here  from  St.  Louis,  to  which 
point  he  had  traveled  over  a  great  many  States 
since  coming  to  this  country  in  1858  from  Ger- 
many. He  was  born  in  Prussia  not  far  from  Ber- 
lin, July  lo.  1835.  His  parents,  Daniel  and  Dora- 
thea  (Heiser)  Wyman.  natives  of  Prussia,  were  of 
excellent  German  stock  and  reared  him  through 
his  boyhood,  giving  to  him  the  best  advantages  of 
a  German  education.  The  father  passed  from  life 
in  his  native  country  in  1862  at  the  age  of  seven- 
ty-six, and  his  good  wife,  who  wms  born  in  1804, 
died  in  1866.  Daniel  Wyman  had  fought  with 
the  German  forces  in  the  war  with  France  which 
took  place  between  the  years  of  1812  and  1815, 
being  an  active  soldier  for  four  years  and  bearing 
throughout  life  wounds  received  in  conflict.  He 
and  his  faithful  wife  were  devout  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church. 

Our  subject  is  the  youngest  of  his  parent.-'  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  one  daughter,  and  two  of  these 
sons  are  now   deceased.      Albert   having  grown    to 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


559 


manhood  in  his  native  Province, set  oat  while  still 
young-  for  this  country,  breaking  away  from  home 
and  friend-  and  coming  all  alone  from  Hamburg 
to  New  York  City,  landing  there  in  1858,  and  be- 
ginning as  a  workman  at  hi-  trade  which  be  had 
learned  in  his  native  country. 

Mr.  Wvman  served  for  four  month-  a-  a  soldier 
in  tin-  War  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisting  at  the  first 
eall  in  the  Second  Missouri  Infantry,  and  fighting 
at  the  battle  of  Wilson's  Creek,  Mo.  He  often 
says  that  this  short  experience  gave  him  a  sufficient 
taste  of  war  and  of  rebellion  and  he  was  satisfied 
after  that   to  -ettle  down  to  his  trade  in  St.  Louis. 

He  adheres  to  the  church  of  his  forefathers,  the 
Lutheran,  and  is  active  and  helpful  in  it-  good 
works.  In  political  matters  he  i-  independent, not 
being  trammeled  by  party  tie-. 


v.. 


AMDEL  HARPER  resides  on  section  16,  of 

%t£"  Rural  Town-hip.  >helby  County.  Hi-  res- 
ideuce  in  this  county  dates  from  lx.*>4.  lit 
was  horn  in  Beaver  County.  Pa.,  December 
2k.  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  .lame-  and  Margaret  (Mc- 
Parland)  Harper,  both  natives  of  County  Antrim. 
Ireland. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  .lame-  Harper,  came 
to  the  United  State-  about  1825.  At  that  time  In- 
had  one  brother  in  this  country.  John  Harper, who 
had  come  here  from  the  Emerald  Isle  in  1800.  Our 
subject's  maternal  ancestors  were  also  natives  of 
County  Antrim.  Ireland,  and  of  tin-  three  children 
in  the  family,  two  son.-.  John  and  Robert  Mc- 
Farland  came  to  the  United  States,  where  they 
prepared  a  home,  a  id  their  parents  and  one  sister 
followed  them  hither  two  year-  after  their  advent 
into  this  country.  Their  sister,  Miss  Margaret  Mc- 
Farland.  was  a  highly  educated  lady,  and  on  com- 
ing to  this  country.  ?he  occupied  herself  in  the 
sacred  work  of  teaching  the  young  to  grow  into 
noble  men  and  women.  She  met  and  married 
James  Harper,  merchant  of  Fairview.  Beaver 
County.  Pa.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  about  1832. 
Both  parents  died  in  Beaver  County.  Pa.  The 
mother  passed  out  into  the  unknown  in  1H38.  and 


the  father  in  1849,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 
They  had  three  children,  only  one  of  whom,  our 
subject,  lived  to  attain  manh 1. 

The  original  d  our  sketch  was  reared  in  the 
mercantile  business,  receiving  a  practical  business 
education  which  fitted  him  for  commercial  life. 
lie  is  a  graduate  from  a  commercial  college  of 
high  standing.  Coming  to  Qlinois,  he  stopped  for 
a  -hort  time  in  Shelby  County  and  then  went  to 
Texas,  after  which  he  returned  to  hi-  native  state. 
Pennsylvania,  hut  finally  accepted  the  advice  of 
Horace  Greeley,  and  came  West,  settling  here  in 
Illinois  in  I860.  Soon  after  hi-  settling  in  this 
state  he  was  attracted  by  the  charms  of  one  of  the 
sweet  girl-  of  tin'  Prairie  state,  and  on  December 
27.  1  kCi  i.  was  married  to  .Mary  J.  Armstrong,  who 
is  .-i  daughter  of  Edward  and  Margaret  (Graham) 
Armstrong,  settlers  in  Shelby  County,  from  an 
early  day,  having  come  here  as  pioneers  about 
1*27.  They  were  natives  respectively  of  Knox 
County,  hid.,  and  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  Armstrong 
was  born  in  1814.  Hi-  wife  was  two  years  younger. 
They  were  married  in  Washington  County,  Ind., 
but  their  home  was  soon  after  established  in  Shelby 
County,  this  state,  where  they  located  on  a  farm 
in  Ridge  Township.  There  the  mother  died  in 
June.  1853.  The  father  followed  her  a  number  of 
years  later,  hi-  decease  taking  place  March  7. 
1870. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  six  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown. 
Their  name-  are  Mary  Jane.  Helen.  Richard.  Emma. 
William  and  Iona.  Mrs.  Harper's  father  was  twice 
married  after  the  death  of  Mrs.  Harper's  mother. 
By  his  third  wife  lie  became  the  father  of  one 
child  whose  name  is  James  C.  Mrs.  Harper's 
maiden  name  wa-  Mary  Jane.  She  was  born  in 
Ridge  Township,  January  25,  1*41.  and  was  mar- 
ried to  our  subject,  Samuel  Harper.  December  27. 
1860. 

After  marriage  our  subject  engaged  in  active 
service  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisting  in 
Company  O.  of  the  Thirty-second  Qlinois  Infantry. 
October  1*.  1864.  lie  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  participating  in  the  battles  of  Ben  ton  ville, 
the -iege  of  Savannah,  and  was  one  of  the  army 
who  wa?  with    Sherman    in    hi-    noted  march  from 


560 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Atlanta  to  the  sea.  He  was  a  First  Sergeanl  in 
his  regimenl  and  also  received  a  commission  as 
First  Lieutenant.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  re- 
turned t«i  Shelby  County  and  resinned  farming-. 
Here  he  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  is  under 
:i  g "  id  state  nf  cultivation. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harper  have  had  six  little  ones 
who  have  come  to  their  hearts  and  homes  as  prom- 
ises of  comfort  and  support  to  their  declining 
years.  Mosl  of  these  children  are  new  grown  and 
have  families  of  their  own  and  are  respected  and 
honored  members  of  society.  Maggie  is  the  wife 
of  Thomas  W.  Cortmell;  Lincoln  (-.  reside-  in 
Cheyenne.  Wyo.;  .lames  Edward  and  Carrie  are 
engaged  in  the  work  of  teaching,  and  have  made 
themselves  line  reputations  in  their  chosen  calling. 
Richard  (i.  and  Samuel  McFarland  make  their 
homes  with  their  parents.  Two  children  died  in 
childhood. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a  Republican  ami  the 
issues  that  are  vital  with  his  party  are  those  that 
are  likewise  most  important  to  him.  lie  has  been 
elected  to  several  positions  in  township  offices, 
having  been  Assessor  and  Township  Clerk.  Mr. 
Harper  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Rural 
Township  Farmers'  Mutual  Insurance  Company. 
and  has  been  the  Secretary  of  the  same  since  its  or- 
ganization. It  is  extremely  gratifying  to  him.  as 
to  other  officers  and  promoters  of  the  organization, 
that  success  and  financial  standing  i-  assured. 


^4 


"^3 


i — t  UAXCIS  X.  GRESS,  who  is  the  proprietor 
|— (s)  i  if  the  furniture  and  undertaking establish- 
1  nient    in    Stewardson,   is    one    of  the  most 

substantial  business  men  of  the  town,  having  rep- 
resented the  business  there  in  the  abovenamed 
branch  since  1876,  and  as  the  town  was  founded  in 
1875,  he  is  one  of  its  pioneers.  Mr.  Gress  was  horn 
Bavaria.  Germany.  February  5,  1836.  His  father 
lived  and  died  in  Germany.  His  mother  came  to 
the  United  States  about  1874,  and  passed  from  this 
life  to  the  tetter  world,  while  making  her  home  in 
Prairie  Township.  Our  subject's  mother  had  one 
brother,  after  whom  our  subject   IS  named.    He  also. 


was  a  settler  in  the  State  and  died  in  Shelby 
County,  leaving  a  wife  and  three  children,  she 
also  had  a  sister  who  was  unmarried,  and  died  at 
si.  bonis.  Mo. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  our  subject  was  ap- 
pr<  nticcd  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  cabinet  maker.  lb' 
served  his  apprenticeship  for  three  years  and  then 
went  to  work  at  his  trade  near  the  place  of  his 
birth  where  he  remained  until  1X57.  when  he 
lefl  the  Fatherland,  taking  a  vessel  at  Bremen  and 
after  a  voyage  of  fifty-two  days,  be  landed  in  Bal- 
timore and  at  once  went  to  Chicago,  the  journey 
at  that  time  between  the  two  cities,  occupying  eighl 
days.  For  a  time  after  coming  hither  he  was  en- 
gaged a-  a  cooper  in  a  brewery  near  Chicago;  there 
being  no  opportunity  to  work  at  his  trade  he  gave 
his  time  in  this  way  in  order  to  pay  bis  board 

In  January,  1858,  Mr.  Gress  came  to Shelbyville, 
having  previously  been  promised  work  at  that 
place.  He  remained  there  for  about  two  weeks, 
bill  as  his  funds  grew  scarce,  and  work  seemed  re- 
mote, he  went  to  Sullivan  where  he  found  an  op- 
portunity lo  employ  himself  at  his  trade.  In  the 
Spring  of  1863  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was 
engaged  a-  a  cabinet  maker.  He  staid  there  for 
some  months  and  in  August.  1864,  he  went  to 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  worked  as  a  carpenter  in 
Government  employ.  In  February.  1865,  he  re- 
turned to  Sullivan,  but  only  remained  a  few  months, 
when  he  again  went  to  Chicago,  and  in  .Inly.  1865, 
he  married  Mrs.  Josephine  Weisbrick,  nee  Altaian . 
Her  first  husband  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War 
and  was  killed.  In  1868,  our  subject  removed  to 
Shelby  County,  ami  -ettled  on  a  farm  in  Prairie 
Township,  occupying  himself  with  tilling  the  soil, 
until  he  removed  to  Stewardson. 

Our  subject  and  hi-  wife,  who  have  always  been 
prudent,  energetic  people,  are  now  the  owners  of 
four  good  building  lot-  in  the  place  where  they 
reside.  One  child  has  been  given  them  to  grace 
their  home  and  be  the  comfort  of  their  declining 
fears,  a  daughter  whose  name  is  Mary.  The  fam- 
ily are  in  their  religious  views  devout  Catholics, 
and  are  generous  supporters  of  that  body.  Polit- 
ically Mr.  Gress  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  held  sev- 
eral local  offices. 

Formerly  Mr.  Gress  was  associated  with  Joseph 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPH7CAL    RECORD. 


TjtH 


Steidle,  under  the  firm  name  of  Steidle  &  Gress. 
They  were  owners  and  proprietors  of  a  packing 
house  al  Stewardsoh,  which  was  buill  by  the  lm-ii- 
tleman  of  whom  we  are  writing. 


=^€>^M 


JACOB  F.  PFEIFFER  Among  the  enter- 
prising young  farmers  of  Rose  Township, 
Shelby  County,  none  perhaps  deserve  high- 
er praise  than  this  gentleman  whose  ances- 
try is  t<>  be  traced  across  the  seas.  His  father,  the 
late  John  Pfeiffer  was  born  in  Fairfield  County, 
t  )hio.  April  2.  1835,  and  was  the  son  of  John  Phil- 
lip Pfeiffer  who  was  born  in  Germany  and  emi- 
grated to  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  lie  came  to  thi> 
county  about  the  year  1*77  and  settled  in  Rose 
Township. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  Anna  M.  Finka.  her  parents  being  John  ('.  and 
Louisa  Finka,  natives  of  Germany.  It  was  about 
the  year  1843  when  they  left  the  old  country  and 
came  to  America,  where  they  settled  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
days.  Mrs.  Pfeiffer  is  the  youngest  of  their  four 
children,  and  she  was  born  in  Germany  August  13, 
1833. 

After  their  marriage  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
the  parents  of  our  subject  settled  there  for  some 
before  coming  to  Shelby  County.  111.,  where  they 
made  their  home  in  Ridge  Township,  in  March. 
1864.  For  four  year?  they  resided  there  and  then 
settled  on  section  5,  Rose  Township,  where  Mr. 
Pfeiffer  died  December  4.  1879.  Their  seven  chil- 
dren are:  John  C.  Louisa  M..  now  the  wifeof  Les- 
lie B.  Barrett:  Minnie  C,  the  wife  of  Isaac  Rale-: 
Benjamin  J.,  Jacob  F.,  Edward  W.  and  Emma  M. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  the  father  of  these 
children  owned  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  upon  which  he  had  erected  g 1,  suita- 
ble buildings,  since  his  demise  his  widow  has  car- 
ried nil  the  farm  most  efficiently  and  successfully. 
I  [e  was  prominent  during  his  life  in  educational 
affairs  and  held  some  school  offices.  He  was  an  ac- 
tive worker  in  the  Lutheran  Church  to  which  he 
and  his  good  wife  had  both  been  long  united. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Ridge 
Township,  November  II.  1864,  and  was  reared  t<« 
manhood  in  Rose  Township,  where  he  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools.  Here  bis  marriage 
occurred  November  ".'7.  1888,  Miss  Minnie  L.Frin- 
ger  becoming  his  bride.  The  parents  of  this  lady. 
Jacob  and  Mary  (Stoner)  Fringer  are  residents  of 
Rose  Township,  and  Mr-.  Pfeiffer  i>  the  fifth  in 
their  family  of  seven  children.  She  was  born  in 
Preston  County,  Va.,  May  16,  1871.  One  child. 
Lula  May.  has  come  to  bless  this  Jiome.  Mr.  Peif- 
fer  is  a  prominent  and  active  member  of  the  Luth- 
eran Church  anrl  is  a  young  man  who  gives  prom- 
ise "f  achieving  true  success  in  life.  His  good 
management  as  a  farmer  is  abundantly  attested  by 
the  excellent  condition  of  his  farm  and  the  neat 
appearanc3  of  his  buildings.  Mrs.  Pfeiffer  has 
evinced  capabilities  which  will,  no  doubt,  aid  her 
husband  greatly  in  carrying  on  his  life  work  and 
bring  to  her  the  enduring  reputation  which  every 
woman  should  seek  as  a  true  neighbor,  a  faithful 
wife  and  a  judicious  mother. 


FY.  HENRY  WEAKLY,  a  man  of  abilitj  and 

usefulness  who  pursues  the  double  avoca- 
tion of  tiller  of  the  soil  and  spiritual  la- 
borer in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  has  his 
plea-ant  home  on  section  2.  Rose  Township,  Shelby 
(  ounty.  His  father  was  Benedict  Weakly  and  his 
mother  Martha  Mathews,  both  born  in  Maryland, 
thence  they  migrated  to  Fairfield  County, Ohio,  and 
from  there  removed  to  Shelby  County,  111.  Their 
marriage  took  place  December  2\.  1815,  and  they 
were  successful  and  laborious  farmers.  It  was  in 
1843  when  they  came  to  Shelby  County.  111.,  and 
they  settled  in  Ridge  Township  which  became  their 
final  earthly   home. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  the  oldest  members  of 
hi-  father's  family,  his  native  place  being  in  Fair- 
field (ounty.  Ohio,  where  he  wa-  horn  September 
7.  1826.  He  passed  his  earl]  day-  in  Ohio  where 
he  attended  the  common  school-  and  after  coining 
to  Illinois  he  devoted  himself  to  farm  work,  assist- 


562 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ing  his  father  upon  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty- 
live  years  old,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Amanda  Wagoner,  a  native  of   Indiana. 

The  young  wedded  couple  made  their  first  home 
in  Ridge  Township  and  there  set  up  their  house- 
hold and  industriously  devoted  themselves  to  farm 
labors.  This  was  their  farm  home  until  they  removed 
to  Rose  Township.  Mr.  Weakly  first  united  with 
the  Evangelical  Brethren  Church  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship, which  church  afterward  became  a  part  of  the 
Southern  Methodist.  He  lias  officiated  in  the  pul- 
pit since  1866.  He  was  ordained  as  a  Deacon  in 
1877  and  four  years  later  received  the  ordination 
of  Elder. 

A  large  tract  of  land  located  in  Shelby  County 
is  the  property  owned  and  managed  by  our  sub- 
ject, lie  lias  it  in  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation 
and  has  erected  upon  it,  comfortable  and  neat  farm 
buildings.  This  worthy  couple  are  practically  doers 
of  good  in  the  world,  for  as  they  have  nochildren 
of  their  own  they  have  acted  as  father  and  mother 
to  four  little  orphans  and  have  brought  them  up 
to  attain  lives  and  character  of  usefulness  in  the 
world.  This  truly  good,  industrious  and  benev- 
olent life  strongly  re-inforces  the  pulpit  utterances 
of  .Mr.  Weakly,  and  his  eloquent  exhortation  to  a 
Christian  life  are  not  without  their  effect  upon  the 
people  to  whom  he  administers.  At  a  meeting 
which  he  conducted  nine  miles  east  of  Nokomis, 
thirty-seven  professed  conversion  to  the  Saviour. 
Aside  from  his  domestic  life  and  pulpit  work.  Mr. 
Weakly  has  been  useful  in  the  community  as  High- 
way Commissioner  in  Ridge  Township. 


w<ty 


~<S) 


!>*<! 


M.SPITLER.  For  more  than  twenty  years 
Mr.  Spitler  has  been  closely  connected  with 
k,  the  development  of  Moultrie  County  and 
since  1880  he  has  been  prominent  in  the  business 
and  political  circles  of  Sullivan.  lie  is  a  general 
merchant  and  dealer  in  staple  and  fancy  groceries, 
glass  and  queensware,  and  ranks  among  the  mosl 
enterprising  business  men  of  the  village.  Prior  to 
embarking  in  business  as  a  merchant  he  operated  a 
farm,  upon  which  be   located    in    1871.      Not    only 


has  he  been  influential  in  business  circles,  hut  in 
all  matters  of  public  moment  he  is  interested.  He 
has  served  efficiently  as  City  Councilman  and  in 
other  ways  aided  in  the  prosperity  of  the  place. 
Politically  he  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  never 
fails  to  deposit  a  ballot  in  the  interest  of  that  part  v. 

Mr.  Spitler  is  descended  from  German  forefathers. 
His  great-grandfather  crossed  the  broad  Atlantic 
from  Germany  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War  and 
settled  in  Virginia,  where  he  and  his  wife  both 
died.  Among  their  large  family  was  a  son  named 
Jacob,  who  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and 
grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State.  There  he 
was  married  to  a  Virginia  lady  and  there  several 
children  were  born  to  them,  including  the  father  of 
our  subject,  whose  given  name  was  Henry.  The 
latter  was  a  youth  of  fourteen  years  when,  in  1809, 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Fairfield  County. 
Ohio. 

At  that  time  Ohio  was  a  wilderness  and  the  Spit- 
ler family  began  life  there  as  pioneers,  improving 
the  farm  from  the  heavy  timber  lands  and  endur- 
ing all  the  hardships  which  fell  to  those  brave  men 
who  opened  a  pathway  for  modern  civilization. 
Jacob  Spitler  and  his  wife  became  prominent  in  the 
sparsely  settled  community  and  were  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  They  died  in  Fairfield 
County  at  a  good  old  age.  After  Henry  Spitler 
had  reached  manhood  he  married  Miss  Mary  S. 
Seitz.  a  native  of  Virginia  and  of  German  descent. 
She  was  only  eleven  years  old  when  her  parents  re- 
moved to  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  and  there  she 
grew  to  womanhood. 

After  their  marriage  Henry  Spitler  and  his  wife 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Fairfield  County,  where  they 
both  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  the 
mother  surviving  the  father  three  years.  They 
also  belonged  to  the  Baptist  Church  and  the  father 
voted  the  Democratic  tit  ket.  <  )ur  subject,  who  was 
a  twin,  was  one  of  a  family  of  sixteen  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  yet  living,  all  married  and  with 
families  of  their  own.  In  his  native  county  our 
subject  grew  to  a  vigorous  manhood,  receiving  .-in 
academic  education  at  the  Fairfield  Union  Acad- 
emy and  afterwaid  following  the  profession  of  a 
teacher  for  several  years.  He  taught  one  term 
after  coming  to  Illinois. 


^^^^up?^ 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


:,i;;, 


Mr.  Spitler  owes  much  of  the  comfort  with  which 
he  is  surrounded  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  hi-  wife, 
with  whom  he  was  united  in  marriage  in  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio,  In  1854.  She  was  known  in  maid- 
enhood as  Margaret  I).  Friend,  and  was  horn  in 
Fairfield  County  in  1826.  Her  parents,  Jonas  and 
Mary  A.  i  Daily)  Friend,  were  native-  of  Maryland 
and  were  married  in  Pennsylvania  and  settled  at  an 
early  day  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  There  they  im- 
proved  and  cultivated  a  farm  until  their  death. full 

of  years  and  honor.     Theywereg ireligious 

pie  and  consistent  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
They  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  -ix  of  whom 
survive,  all  past  middle  age  and  with  families. 
Mrs.  Spitler  was  carefully  reared  at  home  and  is  a 
woman  whose  nobility  of  character  and  kin  dm 
heart  win  for  her  friend-  wherever  she  i-  known. 

The  otherwise  happy  union,  of  our  subject  and 
hi>  good  wife  has  been  saddened  by  the  death  of 
their  only  -on.  Jefferson  I).,  who  died  ai  the  ag 
tbirty-two  years.  His  death  occurred  in  California, 
whither  he  had  gone  for  hi:-  health.  He  left  a  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  M.  E.  Harvey,  and  who  i- 
now  living  in  Sullivan,  engaged  in  the  millinery 
business.  The  surviving  child,  Mary  J.,  is -till  un- 
der the  parental  roof  and  i-  an  intelligent  and  re- 
fined young  lady.  Mr.  and  Mi's,  spitler  are 
prominent  in  social  circles  and  although  not  i 
municants  of  any  church,  are  held  in  high  esteem 
for  their  recognized  worth  of  character. 


^  mi  ■(■*     i  ■■ 


«  »  II. 1.1AM     TIH'XEMANX      i-    a     dealer    in 

\       /     and  manufacturer  of  harness  and  saddlery 

y  ^  in  Sullivan.  Moultrie  County,  and  i-  lo- 
cated on  the  north  side  of  the  public  square  where 
he  ha^  l>een  in  business  for  many  years,  having 
opened  his  establishment  here  in  1861.  He  firsl 
hegan  in  a  -mall  way  and  has  since  built  upa  large 
business  and  a  good  trade,  having  been  located  in 
three  different  places  in  the  city  since  coming  here. 
He  ha-  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  skilled  work- 
man and  turns  out  some  very  line  piece-  of  work. 
Our  subject  came    to   Sullivan    from  Chicago  in 

-    -.  hut  worked  on  a   faun    until    1861.     He  had 


come  to  Chicago  from    Philadelphia,  where  he  had 

Keen  tor  two  year-,  as  he  first  located  there  on 
coming  to  this  country  from  Germany  in  1856. 
His  native  home  was  in  one  of  the  Rhenish  Prov- 
inces, and  he  was  horn  September  8,  1820,  upon 
the  hanks  of  the  beautiful  and  picturesque  river 
Rhine.  lli>  parent-  William  and  Anna  M.  (Putz) 
Thunemann  were  of  pure  German  Stock,  the 
former  l>cing  horn  in  Saxony  and  the  latter  upon 
the  liver  Rhine.  They  were  married  and  began 
life  near  near  her  native  home  during  the  period 
of  the  Napoleonic  war-.  The  father  worked  in  the 
Government  service,  superintending  a  large  har- 
ness -hop  which  furnished  equipments  for  the 
Russian  Army,  and  he  was  thus  engaged  through- 
out the  war.  Later  in  life  he  started  in  business 
on  his  own  account  and  died  near  hi-  native  home 
in  1852,  being  then  sixty-two  year-  old.     His  wife 

ssed  away  six  years  later  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
nine.  She  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  hut  her  husband  brought  up  the 
children  in  hi-  own  faith,  that  of  the  Evangelical 
Church. 

Our  subject  i-  the  youngest  of  the  parental 
household,  of  whom  hut  two  are  now  living,  his 
brother  Jacob  being  a  harness-maker  in  the  Rhen- 
ish Province  of  (  Idenkieckeii.  and  being  now  -c\  - 
enty-four  years  old,  a  well  preserved  and  active 
business  man.  One  of  his  sons.  Paul,  a  tine  young 
business  man.  is  with  his  uncle  in  business.  Mr. 
Thunemann  learned  his  trade  when  about  fourteen 
y.-ar-  of  age  and  ha-  continued  in  it-  exercise  ever 
since.  He  was  married  in  his  native  province  to 
Anna   M.    Gilbert,    who    was    horn    February,  22, 

1828,  of  g 1   German   stock,   her  father   being  a 

weaver  of  tine  cloth  and  a  fanner.  Both  he  and 
his  faithful  wife,  who  like  himself,  spent  her  entire 
days  in  her  native  land,  found  in  the  Evangelical 
(  hureh  a  religion-  home. 

Mr-.  Thunemann  was  reared  in  her  native  prov- 
ince and  after  her  marriage  -he  became  the  mother 
of  two  children  before  emigrating  to  this  country. 
The  little  family  left  Antwerp  on  a  -ailing  vessel 
which  hore  the  name  of  "Matilda,"  and  after  five 
weeks  upon  the  ocean  they  landed  in  New  York 
City  and  traveled  from  there  to  Philadelphia. 
Somewhat  later  they    came    West,  -topping  first  at 


566 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Chicago  in  the  fall  of  L857,  before  coming  to  Sul- 
livan which  they  reached  in    1858. 

In  May,  187;").  our  .subject  and  bis  wife  returned 
to  their  Fatherland  and  visited  the  old  home. 
They  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Emperor  Will- 
iam  and  in  October  of  the  same  year  they  returned 
to  their  home  in  Sullivan.  They  are  the  parents 
of  four  children,  namely:  Johanna,  the  wife  of 
Edward  J.  Gilham,  who  is  traveling  for  a  St.  Louis 
House  in  Southern  Illinois;  Mary,  the  wife  of 
Charles  Barnhart,  the  manager  of  the  new  Litch- 
field    House    at.    Litchfield;    Margaret,  who    is    a 

teacher   in    the    public    scl Is    of  Spokane   Fails, 

Wash.,  and  Emma,  who  is  at  home  and  a  teacher 
of  music.  The  members  of  the  family  belong  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  are  active  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  their  religious  duties.  Mr.  Thunemann 
is  an  intelligent  student  of  our  American  institu- 
tions and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  has  been 
for  thirteen  years  one  of  the  City  Aldermen. 

In  connection  with  this  biographical  'notice  a 
portrait  of  Mr.  Thunemann  is  presented  to  our 
readers. 


"•5"5"5"J- ^ 


jACHARIAH  B.  WHITFIELD.  As  tin- 
city  of  Sullivan  is  the  center  of  a  rich, 
highly  cultivated  and  prosperous  county, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  within  its  bounds  may  be 
found  a  large  number  of  retired  farmers  who  have 
gained  sufficient  wealth  by  the  labors  of  their 
early  years  to  give  themselves  the  luxury  of  rest 
and  ease  in  their  declining  days.  These  retired 
farmers  are  not  so  old  and  decrepit  ss  to  have 
lost  their  interest  in  matters  outside  their  homes, 
but  are  active  and  useful  citizens,  employing  their 
energies  more  fully  in  the  line  of  public  improve- 
ments than  they  were  able  to  do  in  the  days  when 
tbey  were  more  heavily  burdened. 

Among  such  citizens  of  Sullivan  we  find  the 
prosperous  man  whose  name  appears  at  the  head 
of  this  present  writing.  His  fine  farm  in  Whitley 
Township  consists  of  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  acres,  which  has  upon  it  a  complete  set  of 
farm  buildings,  and  the   acres    are    well    improved 


and  finely  stocked.  He  came  to  Whitley  Town- 
ship in  1858  with  his  parents,  having  been  born 
January  15,  1847,  in  Shelby  County.  His  father, 
Willis  Whitfield,  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  whose 
parents  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  He  became 
a  farmer  in  bis  native  State,  and  was  there  first 
married  to  Alementra  Rhoads,  a  Tennessee  lady. 
This  worthy  pioneer  couple  soon  came  to  Shelby 
County,  III.,  settling  near  Shelbyville  when  there 
was  but  one  house  in  that  place,  and  taking  up 
Government  land.  This  was  about  the  year  1832, 
and  one  year  later  Mrs.  Whitfield  died  of  the 
Asiatic  cholera,  in  1833,  being  then  in  the  prime 
of  life.  Her  three  children,  Emeline,  Louisa  and 
Silas  have  all  now  passed  to  the  other  world, 
although  they  lived  to  mature  years  and  estab- 
lished families  of  their  own. 

The  Rev.  Willis  Whitfield  was  a  second  time 
married  in  Shelby  County  to  Miss  Martha  Pugh, 
who  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  came  when  a  child 
with  her  parents  to  Shelby  County.  Mr.  Pugh 
was  killed  when  in  middle  life  by  a  bolt  of  light- 
ning when  planting  corn.  In  1858  Willis  Whit- 
field and  wife  came  to  Whitley  Township  and 
there  took  a  farm,  and  making  good  improvements 
upon  it,  remained  in  this  home  through  life.  The 
father  passed  away  in  1869,  having  reached  the 
age  of  sixty-four  years.  The  mother  tarried  five 
years  longer,  and  then  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-four. 
They  were  active  members  of  the  Separate  Baptist 
Church,  and  for  many  years  Mr.  Whitfield  filled 
the  pulpit  in  that  church.  He  was  a  prominent 
church  worker  in  both  this  and  Shelby  Counties. 
His  political  views  were  Democratic,  and  he  was 
an  earnest  worker  for  that  cause. 

Our  subject  has  one  sister  living — Elizabeth,  the 
wife  of  M.  L.  Wagoner,  of  Whitley  Township. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  until  their  death,  his 
mother  passing  away  under  his  roof.  He  received 
a  fairly  good  education  in  his  youth,  and  is  a 
genial  man,  and  possesses  the  esteem  of  his  neigh- 
bors on  account  of  his  intelligence  and  integrity. 
He  has  been  a  leader  in  the  local  politics  of  Whit- 
ley Township,  and  has  been  placed  by  turn  in  all 
of  the  offices  of  the  township,  having  been  Super- 
visor for  five  years.  He  is  a  favorite  not  only  in 
the  Democratic  party,  but  in  all  political  circles. 


PORTRAIT  AM)   UIOURAPIIICAL    RECORD. 


56  "t 


The  marriage  of  our  subject  in  Whitley  Town- 
ship to  Miss  Hannah  I).  M.  Baker  gave  him  a  com- 
panion who  has  proved  of  inestimable  value  in  his 
battle  with  life.  She  was  born  in  Whitley  Town- 
ship, and  is  the  daughter  of  William  K.  Baker,  a 
prominent  farmer  and  stock-raiser  here,  whose  wife 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  Lucinda  Carter.  Mrs. 
Whitfield  was  one  of  a  numerous  family,  and  her- 
self has  become  the  mother  of  six  children,  viz.: 
William  K..  Zachariah  B.,  Martha  L..  Willis  II.. 
Lydia  E.  and  C.  Fred. 


-->  EORGE  W.  VORIS  is  the  name  of  the 
pioneer  business  man  of  Stewardson  who 
operates  upon  so  broad  a  plane  as  to  have 
made  his  place  of  residence  more  known  in  com- 
mercial circles  than  any  other  man  in  the  com- 
munity. He  is  the  leading  citizen  of  the  place, 
and  his  home  is  the  center  of  the  social  life  of  the 
community,  his  talented  and  charming  wife  pre- 
sides  over  the  domestic  realm  with  a  pleasing 
hospitality  and  great  grace  and  dignity.  While 
our  subject's  commercial  obligations  are  so  large 
as  to  consume  much  of  his  lime  and  attention, 
home  with  its  charming  mistress  and  bright  family 
of  children  holds  the  first  place  in  his  heart. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  devotes  himself  to 
dealing  in  grain,  hay  and  farm  machinery.  In 
February  of  1874  he  built  his  office  for  the  pur- 
chase of  grain.  This  was  the  first  building  the 
present  town  boasted.  The  railroad  had  been 
Completed  a  short  time  previous  to  the  location  of 
our  subject.  At  that  time  he  was  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Gould  &  Yoris,  and  continued  in  this  busi- 
ness relation  until  1889,  when  Mr.  Gould  withdrew 
and  the  firm  became  G.  W.  Voris  A-  Co. 

When  he  of  whom  we  write  first  began  business 
in  Stewardson,  it  was  for  the  purchase  of  grain. 
Our  subject  was  station  agent  for  the  railroad  at 
that  time,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  for  about 
three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  gave  his 
whole  attention  to  h's  private  business,  and  in  con- 
nection with  the  grain  business  dealt  in  live  stock. 


He  next  added  agricultural  implements,  and  later, 
in  1881,  began  dealing  in  hay.  He  now  owns  a 
hay  barn  that  is  over  one  hundred  feet  square. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Bath,  Summit  County, 
Ohio,  November  11,  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter 
and  Julia  (Coe)  Voris,  natives  of  Reading,  Pa., 
and  Connecticut.  The  family  removed,  in  1  S.">7. 
to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Mattoon,  where  the 
father  engaged  in  gardening.  While  a  resident  of 
Ohio  our  subject's  father  held  a  prominent  posi- 
tion in  the  count}',  being  a  surveyor,  and  for  a 
term  was  Associate  Judge  with  Hon.  Benjamin 
Wade.  He  was  an  honorable,  upright  man  in 
business  dealings,  but  not  a  successful  financier. 
He  passed  away  from  this  life  in  1881,  his  wife 
having  preceded  him  by  a  number  of  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  ou  • 
subject  was  the  youngest. 

Mr.  Voris'  mother  having  died  when  he  was  but 
a  small  boy,  at  the  age  of  seven  years  he  went  to 
Taylor  County,  Iowa,  and  lived  with  a  sister,  after 
which  he  spent  three  years  in  Nodaway  County, 
Mo.  He  then  returned  to  Illinois  and  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  in  Knox  County,  his  advent  into  the 
State  being  in  186li.  l"p  to  this  time  he  had 
enjoyed  but  few  educational  advantages,  but  as  he 
came  in  contact  with  the  world  he  felt  the  need  of 
an  education,  and  being  studiously  inclined  by 
nature,  he  made  up  the  deficiency  in  his  early  edu- 
cation as  much  as  possible  by  outside  study  and 
reading.  After  returning  to  Illinois  he  went  to 
Fulton,  N.  Y.,  where  for  two  years  he  attended 
Falley  Seminary.  At  the  end  of  the  second 
year  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  his  school  because 
of  ill  health.  On  his  return  to  Illinois  he  entered 
a  store  at  Windsor  as  a  clerk,  in  which  capacitv 
he  served  until  coming  to  Stewardson. 

In  1875  Mr.  Yoris  was  married  to  Margaret 
M.  Pfluger,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Sophia  M. 
Ptluger.  The  lady  was  born  near  Elgin,  III.,  in 
June,  1855.  Their  married  life  has  been  very  happy, 
and  six  children  have  come  to  gladden  their 
hearts  and  home.  One  of  these  was  taken  away 
in  infancy.  The  five  who  are  still  living  are 
Mabel,  Ralph,  Frank,  Maud  and  Helen. 

Politically,  Mr.  Yoris  affiliates  with  the  Repub- 
lican party,  using  his  vote   and    influence    for  the 


568 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


advantage  of  that  party.  In  local  matters,  how- 
ever, he  does  not  adhere  to  party  lines,  believing 
that  the  best  man  and  he  who  is  best  fitted  for  the 
position  involved  is  the  one  who  should  be 
awarded  local  favors.  He  has  served  as  President 
of  the  Village  Board,  and  has  also  been  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  some  time.  Our  subject  has  made 
his  combat  with  the  world  single-handed,  but  this 
fact  has  not,  as  is  very  frequently  the  case, 
hardened  his  heart  to  the  need*  and  weaknesses  of 
others.  Many  there  are  not  only  in  his  own  town, 
but  wherever  he  has  chanced  to  be,  who  will  ever 
have  reason  to  be  grateful  for  his  generosity,  sym- 
pathy and  good  will. 

G.  W.  Voris  it  Co.  do  business  at  the  following 
named  places:  Lerua,  Trilla,  Kingman,  Fancher. 
Ilerrick.  Herborn  and  Stewardson.  At  these  sta- 
tions the  firm  buy  grain  or  hay,  or  both.  Our  sub 
ject  also  owns  about  eleven  hundred  acres  of  land, 
parti}-  under  a  high  degree  of  cultivation.  The 
success  which  the  original  of  our  sketch  has 
attained  cannot  but  be  encouraging  to  the  young 
men  of  limited  means  and  education,  but  whose 
ambition  knows  no  bounds.  He  has  demonstrated 
that  by  persistent  effort  ami  determination  a  man 
can  make  of  himself  what  he  will. 


^1 


$+& 


& 


"S3 


"|  OHN  \Y.  COWLE.  who  is  part  proprietor  of 
the  Moweaqua  Mill,  Shelby  Count}  .  is  a  cap- 
able and  enterprising  business  man.  and  is 
contributing  his  meed  toward  ssustaining  and 
extending  the  material  prosperity  of  this,  his  na- 
tive State.  He  was  born  in  Macoupin  County, 
September  6,  1843.  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  Cowle, 
who  was  for  many  years  before  his  death  identified 
with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Illinois,  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  carrying  on  his  farming  operations 
in  this  count}'. 

Daniel  Cowle  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man. 
where  his  father,  whose  given  name  was  Charles, 
had  inherited  a  large  farm,  which  was  his  home 
throughout  his  life.  He  reared  three  sons  and  one 
daughter,  Daniel  being  the  only  member  of  the 
family   that   ever   came   to  this  country.      He  was 


reared  and  educated  in  the  home  of  his  birth,  re- 
ceiving a  thorough  drilling  in  all  things  that  per- 
tain to  fanning,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-live  he 
went  out  into  the  world  to  see  what  life  held  for 
him  elsewhere.  He  made  his  way  to  the  United 
Slates,  and  for  awhile  lived  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  was  also  a  resident  of  New  Jersey  for 
some  years.  We  next  hear  of  him  in  Connecticut, 
whence  he  went  to  Virginia,  and  from  that  State  he 
came  to  Illinois  in  1841,  coming  by  the  way  of  the 
Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers.  He  located  among 
the  pioneers  of  Macoupin  County,  and  for  a  time 
lived  near  Bunker  Hill.  He  then  went  to  Madison 
County  and  bought  land  ten  miles  north  of  Ed- 
waidsville,  and  devoted  himself  sedulously  to  farm- 
ing in  that  locality  for  several  years.  In  1865  he 
came  to  Shelby  County,  and  settled  in  that  part  of 
Pickaway  now  included  in  Penn  Township,  where 
he  bought  a  tract  of  wild  prairie,  which  in  time  he 
developed  into  a  productive  farm,  and  there  death 
claimed  him  in  1878,  and  his  township  was  de- 
prived of  a  most  worthy  citizen.  He  was  a  sincere 
Christian,  and  led  a  life  of  unswerving  integrity. 
He  was  reared  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  but  later 
in  life  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  ever  remained  true  to  that  faith. 

Mr.  Cowle  was  married  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  in 
1835,  to  Miss  Rosanna  Fanning,  who  survives  him, 
and  still  occupies  the  old  home  in  Penn  Township. 
She  is  a  good  woman,  and  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Christian  Church.  She  was  born  in  Patterson 
County.  N.  J.,  to  John  and  Catherine  Fanning, 
who  dying  when  she  was  young,  left  her  an  orphan, 
and  she  was  cared  for  by  her  older  sisters  until  her 
marriage.  She  has  reared  nine  children,  of  whom 
these  six  have  been  spared  to  comfort  her  old  age: 
Charles;  Harriet,  the  wife  of  George  Goodwin;  John 
W.;  George;  Louisa  J.,  the  widow  of  Lewis 
Cooper,  and  Fanny,  the  wife  of  James  Vangundy. 

Our  subject  passed  his  boyhood  in  Madison 
County,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents, 
continued  to  make  his  home  with  them,  and  after 
his  father's  death  he  superintended  the  farm  until 
1881.  In  that  year  he  went  to  Nebraska  and  spent 
a  few  months  in  that  State.  Returning  to  this 
county,  he   resumed  farming  on  the  old  homestead, 


PORTRAIT   AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


569 


and  «as  thus  employed  until  1890,  when  he  bougbl 
an  interest  in  the  Moweaqua  Mill,  and  has  since 
devoted  himself  to  its  management.  This  mill  is 
well  equipped  with  first-class  machinery  and  under 
our  subject's  supei vision  a  fine  grade  of  flour  is 
manufactured,  that  finds  a  ready  market  and  com- 
mands a  good  price. 

Mr.  Cowlc  and  Miss  Mary  K.  Manna  united  their 
lives  anil  fortunes  in  1879  in  a  marriage  thai  has 
been  a  union  of  mutual  felicity,  and  their  pleasant 
home  circle  is  completed  by  the  live  children  horn 
to  them,  named  as  follows:  Willie,  George.  Maud, 
Florence  and  Fred.  Mr-.  Cowle  was  horn  in  County 
Deny.  Ireland,  and  is  a  daughter  of  David  and 
Isabella  (Thompson)  Ilanna.  also  natives  of  that 
county.  They  were  industrious,  virtuous,  upright 
people,  and  faithful  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  1851  they  left  their  old  home,  and 
crossing  the  water  to  this  country,  settled  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  they  died  a  few  years  later,  the 
mother  in  November,  1859.  and  the  father  in  Jan- 
uary. 1860.  leaving  two  children.  Mi's.  Cowle  a  id 
her  brother  William,  the  latter  of  whom  is  now 
dead. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cowle  are  members  in  high  stand- 
ing of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  social  po- 
sition is  among  our  best  people,  and  Mr.  Cowle  is 
known  in  business  circles  as  an  honorable,  straight- 
forward, square-dealing  man. 

V *=♦=♦ / 


OSEPH  M.  BALES.  "The  true  ruler  and 
conqueror  he.  the  true  king  of  his  race, 
who  nerveth  his  arm  for  life's  combat,  and 
looks  the  strong  world  in  the  face." 
We  have  many  men  who  live  simple  and  un- 
pretentious lives,  who  are  made  of  the  same  fiber 
as  that  of  which  heroes  and  conquerors  are.  It  is 
not.  the  action  that  dignifies  the  man.  but  the  man 
should  dignify  the  action.  He  of  whom  we  write, 
who  well  knows  what  pioneer  life  is.  having  had 
experience  in  more  than  one  place,  although  he 
has  not  commanded  armies  nor  wielded  a  pen  to 
touch  the  hearts  of  men: — like  Moses  of  old,    who 


struck  the  rock  that  the  water  might  gush  forth, 
he  put  Ids  hand  to  the  plow,  that  the  earth  might 
yield  a  richness  of  harvest  that  should  provide 
nourishment  for  prince  or  peasant. 

Joseph  M.  Bales  is  the  owner  of  and  resident  on 
the  tine  farm  located  on  section  18,  of  Okaw 
Township,  Shelby  County.  He  has  resided  in 
Illinois  since  1854,  ami  in  Shelby  County  since  the 
spring  of  1877.  He  was  born  in  Last  Tennessee, 
February  20.  1829,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  (Trobough)  Hales,  both  natives  of  Tennes- 
At  an  early  day  Mr.  Bales'  parents  came  to 
Illinois  and  settled  in  Macon  County,  later  mov- 
ing to  Coles  County,  and  three  years  later  the 
parents  came  to  live  with  our  subject  at  his  pres- 
ent home.  There  his  mother  died  March  3.  1888. 
His  father  is  still  living. 

Mr.  Bales  was  one  of  eight  children,  there  being 
five  sons  and  three  daughters,  whose  names  are  re- 
spectively..lames, Joseph  M.  our  subject, William  M., 
Cephas  A.,  John.  Catherine,  Margaret  and  Jane.  The 
eldest  son  was  killed  in  a  railroad  wreck  at  Bunker 
Hill  while  engaged  in  shipping  caitle  to  St.  Louis. 
William  M.  is  a  resident  in  Missouri,  being  there 
engaged  as  a  speculator.  Cephas  lives  in  Colorado, 
John  is  in  Kansas.  Catherine,  now  Mrs.  Smith,  re- 
sides in  Iowa.  Margaret  is  now  Mrs.  Kingsolver, 
and  Jane  is  .Mrs.  Stumbaugh. 

Our  subject  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ten- 
nessee, where  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Bible. 
She,  also,  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  being  of 
Pennsylvania  Dutch  ancestry.  After  the  birth  of 
their  first  child,  they  started  to  Illinois  with  a  two 
horse  wagon,  and  arriving  in  the  State  settled  near 
Macon.  Macon  County,  where  they  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  the  raw  state,  paying  for  it 
#11  per  acre.  Upon  the  place  Mr.  Bales  erected  a 
shanty,  and  here  they  set  up  their  household  gods 
and  goods.  They  remained  upon  this  land  for 
eighteen  years  and  then  sold  it  for  $50  per  acre. 
They  then  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  I'enn  Township.  The  hind  was  improved  and 
the\  paid  135  per  acre,  soon  selling  it  for  $38  per 
acre.  He  'hen  settled  upon  the  place  where  he 
now  resides,  owning  at  the  present  time  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-sevi  n  acres  of  tine  land  upon 
which  there  is  no    incumbrance.      He    also    owns 


."»7il 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


property  in  Sbelbyville,  which  has  advanced 
greatly  in  value  since  his  purchase  and  promises 
still  better  to  be  a  good  investment.  Thus  can  be 
seen  what  energy,  industry  and  economy  can  ac- 
complish for  a  man.  Mr.  Bales  commenced  with 
hardly  more  than  a  pair  of  strong  hands  and  a 
willingness  to  work,  one  Claybank  horse  with 
black  mane  and  tail  being  his  stock  in  trade,  but 
during  the  years  that  have  passed,  in  hard  labor  it 
is  true,  he  has  amassed  more  than  a  comfortable 
competency. 

Our  subject  and  his  estimable  lady  are  the 
parents  of  six  children  whose  names  are  James, 
Daniel,  Cephas,  Mary  .lane,  who  is  the  wife  of 
.lames  Wilson ;  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles 
Davis,  and  Fannie,  who  is  still  at  home.  Mr. 
Bales  formerly  cast  his  vote  and  influence  with  the 
Democratic  party,  but  of  late  he  has  given  his 
allegiance  occasionally  to  the  Farmers'  Alliance 
and  favors  any  measures  that  benefit  the  class  to 
which  he  belongs.  In  his  religious  preferences, 
he,  with  his  family,  is  Presbyterian.  Socially  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


LEXANDER  H.  McTAGGART,  a  farmer 
and    stock-raiser    who    resides  on   section 
10,    Oconee     Township,    .Shelby    County, 
i.(2/'  was   born   in    Washington    County,    Ohio, 

January  15,  1841.  His  parents,  Neil  and  Cath- 
erine (Loynacham)  McTaggart,  were  born  in 
Scotland,  the  former  in  1811.  They  both  came 
to  America  in  their  youth,  and  settled  with  their 
parents  in  Washington  County,  Ohio,  where 
they  were  married  in  1836.  Six  sons  and  two 
daughters  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  David 
was  the  eldest.  This  son  died  in  his  ^native 
State  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  all  of  the 
children  were  born  in  Ohio.  The  second  child 
was  our  subject,  and  after  him  came  Neil,  who 
married  in  Canada,  and  now  resides  in  Colorado, 
where  he  fills  the  office  of  Postmaster.  Daniel  A. 
married  Miss  Harson,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  Marion  County,  Iowa.  Belle  married  James 
Amsbury,   a    farmer    in    Warren    County,    Iowa. 


Hugh  E.  married  in  Iowa,  and  located  in  Kansas, 
where  he  is  engaged  as  a  passenger  conductor  on 
the  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  He  has  been  with  this 
road  for  nine  years,  and  makes  his  home  at  New- 
ton, Kan.  Mary  J.  married  William  Stumpli,  and 
resided  in  Knoxville,  Iowa,  during  her  married 
life,  dying  there  in  July,  1887.  Douglas  I).  mar- 
ried in  Colorado,  and  is  now  carrying  on  farming 
in  Nebraska. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  became  a  soldier  in 
the  Union  Army  during  the  Civil  War,  enlisting  in 
Company  K,  Thirty-ninth  Ohio  Infantry,  June  20, 
1861.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  in 
186:3,  he  re-enlisted  for  the  remainder  of  the  war, 
and  was  finally  discharged  in  June,  1865.  He  was 
assigned  to  duty  in  St.  Louis,  and  served  in 
Northern  Missouri  until  February,  1862,  when  he 
was  ordered  to  New  Madrid  under  Gen.  Pope,  lie 
participated  in  the  engagements  at  New  Madrid 
and  Island  No.  10,  and  was  afterward  sent  to 
Helena,  Ark.,  after  which  he  returned  to  reinforce 
Gen.  Grant  at  Pittsburgh  Landing.  He  was  in 
the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  remained  in  that  vicinity 
for  several  months.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Iuka,  Miss.,  and  Coiinlh,  remaining  at  tiie  latter 
place  through  the  winter  of  1862-63.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1863  he  did  garrison  duty  at 
Memphis,  and  the  following  winter  was  spent  at 
Prospect,  Tenn  ,  where  he  was  guarding  the  rail- 
road, scouting,  and  watching  the  rebel  Gen.  Forrest. 
While  here  the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  re-enlisted 
as  veterans. 

Mr.  McTaggart  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
Orderly-Sergeant  of  his  company  at  the  time  of  re- 
enlistment.  In  the  spiing  of  1864  his  regiment 
joined  Gen.  Sherman's  army  at  Chattanoogr,  and 
participated  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  taking  part 
in  the  battles  of  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Resaca,  Ring- 
gold, Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Ruff's 
Mills.  In  the  latter  battle  Col.  E.  F.  Noyes,  of 
the  Thirty-ninth,  who  was  afterwards  the  Governor 
of  Ohio,  lost  a  leg. 

Sergeant  McTaggart  received  a  severe  wound  in 
his  left-  shoulder  July  22,  1864,  at  Atlanta,  Ga. 
This  has  permanently  disabled  him.  He  was  in 
the  hospital  for  some  time  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  and 
afterwards  spent  two  months  at  home  on  a  furlough. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


571 


He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Atlanta,  and  marched 
with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  Here  our  subject  re- 
ceived the  com  mission  of  a  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  of  the  same 
regiment.  He  was  placed  on  detached  duty,  hav- 
ing charge  of  the  forages  of  the  First  Division, 
Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  and  he  superintended 
the  gathering  of  supplies  during  the  march  north- 
ward through  the  Carolinas,  which  finally  ter- 
minated at  the  city  of  Washington.  While  on 
tins  duty  Lieut.  McTaggart  was  again  honored 
with  promotion,  being  commissioned  First  Lieu- 
tenant,  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  Company 
D.  in  his  regiment.  He  was  mustered  out  of 
service  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C,  March  29.  1865.  He 
then  marched  from  Raleigh.  N.  ('..  to  Washington. 
D.  C,  a  most  fatiguing  and  exhausting  march  in 
the  heat  of  that  tropical  region.  He  participated 
in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington,  and  was  sent 
to  Louisville,  Ky..  for  Ids  final  discharge. 

Lieut.  McTaggart  returned  to  Ohio,  although  his 
parents  had  removed  to  Iowa  the  previous  year, 
hut  there  was  on  attraction  in  Washington  County 
for  the  young  man,  and  he  was  wedded  July  18, 
186").  to  Miss  Margaret  Brown,  daughter  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  Brown.  She  was  one  of  three  sons 
and  three  daughters,  and  was  born  in  Washing 
County  November  16.  1840.  Those  of  her 
father's  family  who  are  still  living  are  Betsey,  the 
widow  of  John  Irwin:  John  C,  who  married,  and 
resides  on  a  farm  in  Oconee  Township,  and  Robert, 
of  whom  more  may  be  learned  by  the  perusal  of 
the  sketch  of  John  C.  Brown.  One  sister.  Nancy, 
married  in  Ohio,  but  died  soon  afterward. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Tagarart.  one  of  when  died  in  infancy.  Edwin, 
born  August  18,  1870,  lives  at  home  William 
F..  born  August  ■'>.  1872,  and  Arthur  C,  January 
17.  1>74.  Mr.  McTaggart  takes  an  active  interest 
in  political  affairs,  and  votes  with  the  Republican 
party.  In  1888  the  Seventeenth  Congressional 
District  of  Illinois  honored  itself  and  this  gentle- 
man by  making  him  its  Presidential  elector.  Next 
to  his  army  record.  Mr.  McTaggart  recognizes  this 
as  the  highest  distinction  of  his  life. 

Our  subject  has  never  united  witli  any  church 
organization,   although    he    gives    liberally  of  his 


means  to  the  support  of  the  Gospel  and  to  Sunday- 
schools.  He  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land,  with  fine  buildings  and  im- 
provements. It  is  situated  within  sight  of  school 
and  church,  and  is  in  every  way  a  desirable  loca- 
tion. 


^71  LMER  M.  COLLINS.  A.  M..  M.  D.  A 
I-/ -- 1  bright  mind  coupled  with  a  desire  to  do 
!  good  in  the  world,  has  wonderful  oppor- 
tunities for  accomplishing  a  great  work 
for  God  and  humanity.  To  bend  one's  energies 
to  the  betterment  physically  and  spiritually  of  hid 
fellow-men  and  to  devote  one's  talents  in  this  di- 
rection is  an  aim  worthy  of  the  brightest  intellect. 
The  work  which  has  been  done  by  Dr.  Collins,  pas- 
tor of  the  Christian  Church  at  Shelbyville.  is  of 
great  value  to  the  world.  His  brilliant  convincing 
lectures  on  temperance,  his  exhaustive  treatise  en- 
titled "Prohibition  versus  Personal  Liberty,"  his 
critical  examination  of  the  subject  of  Bible  Tem- 
perance and  his  valuable  work  entitled  the  '-Great 
Living  Issue.-'  have  had  and  will  continue  to  have 
a  vital  effect  upon  the  temperance  movement  while 
his  new  Interest  Calculator  is  of  real  merit  and  ex- 
tremely helpful  to  financiers. 

This  gentleman,  who  was  born  in  Buchanan. 
Mich..  May  18.  1844.  located  in  Shelbyville  in 
1888.  His  parents.  Nathaniel  and  Caroline  C. 
(Cone)  Collins,  natives  of  New  York,  reared  a 
family  of  seven  children.  Two  sons  grew  to 
manhood,  our  subject  and  Frank  N..  who  was  for 
many  years  a  druggist,  first  in  Chicago.  111.,  and 
afterward  in  Detroit.  Mich.  He  was  living  in  De- 
troit at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan- 
uary 29,  1887.  The  two  daughters  of  this 
family  were  Mary  A.,  now  the  wife  of  James 
M.  Crane,  general  agent  of  the  Pacific  Insurance 
Company,  having  headquarters  at  Cleveland.  Ohio  ; 
and  Kmuia  A.,  unmarried,  The  parents  of  this 
family  were  married  at  Plymouth,  Ind..  and  settled 
at  Buchanan.  Mich.,  where  the  father  followed 
general  merchandising  for  several  years,  subse- 
quently engaging  in    the   hardware    trade,  being 


.".72 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


also  for  several  years  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
esteemed  a  fair  lawyer.  He  was  an  earnest  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  for 
fourteen  years  was  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school. 

Nathaniel  Collins  was  a  stanch  Republican  in  his 
political  opinions  and  a  party  leader,  his  advice 
being'  sought  on  all  occasions  and  his  judgment 
being  highly  esteemed.  He  began  as  a  poor  man, 
but  was  successful  in  business  :tnd  amassed  quite  a 
fortune.  The  finest  business  block  in  Buchanan. 
Mich.,  was  built  by  him  and  he  was  president  of  a 
large  manufacturing  establishment,  besides  being 
prominent  in  all  public  enterprises  and  in  every 
matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  city.  He 
was  a  good  pubiic  speaker,  and  on  occasions  when 
the  pastor  of  the  church  was  absent,  the  pulpit  was 
well  filled  by  Mr.  Collins.  He  was  born  February 
26,  1815,  and  died  October  31,  1875.  His  widow 
who  survives  him,  resides  in  Cleveland.  Ohio.  She 
was  horn  October  2';.  1822,  and  i=  a  sister  of  the 
late  Hon.  Gustavus  Cone,  of  Wisconsin. 

The  boyhood  of, our  subject  did  not  lasl  long  - 
hi-  active  mind  did  not  allow  him  to  be  satisfied  with 
childish  pursuits.  His  earnest  Christian  parents 
stimulated  his  desire  to  do  good  work  and  upon 
January  23,1859,  when  a  boy  of  less  than  fifteen 
years,  he  preached  his  first  sermon  at  Troy.  Mich.. 
being  then  a  student.  After  this  he  gave  his  atten- 
tion largely  to  preaching  and  was  known  far  and 
wide  as  the  boy  preacher  of  Michigan.  Twenty- 
live  years  from  that  day  he  again  preached  in  Troy 
and  mx  people  were  present  who  had  heard  his 
first  sermon.  While  preaching  he  continued  his 
education  at  Hillsdale  College. 

Just  before  graduation  the  young  preacher  left 
college  to  accept  a  call  to  the  pulpit  at  South  Bend. 
Ind.  His  ministry  since  that  time  has  carried  him 
to  various  places,  among  which  arc  Auburn,  N.  Y.. 
Cony.  Pa..  Buchanan.  Mich..  Laporte.  Ind  .  Cov- 
ington. Ky..  Carthage.  Ohio.  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.. 
Marion.  Iowa,  and  Cameron.  Mo.  While  in  the 
East  he  attended  a  course  of  medical  lectures  at 
Buffalo.  N.  Y..  and  completed  his  course  at  Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio,  still  preaching  while  he  attended 
these  studies.  While  at  Cincinnati  he  graduated 
from   both    the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  and   Hie 


Medical  College  of  Ohio.  In  1877  while  living  in 
Grand  Rapids,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his 
hearing,  in  consequence  of  which  he  entered  the 
editorial  field  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  taking  charge 
of  a  paper  advocating  the  cause  of  Prohi- 
bition and  at  the  same  time  lecturing  on  this  theme. 
This  paper,  the  Northwestern  News,  had  sought 
him  on  account  of  the  fame  of  his  editorials  in  the 
which  was  then  published  at  Grand  Rap- 
ids and  now  at  Chicago.  He  partially  recovered 
ids  hearing  and  resumed  the  active  ministry,  and 
ten  years  later  came  to  Shelbyville.  where  he  has 
charge  of  the  leading  church  in  the  place. 

While  at  Cameron,  Mo..  Dr.  Collins  held  ineet- 
ngs  in  Shaw's  Opera  House  and  built  a  baptistry 
on  the  stage  where  he  baptized  a  number  of  peo- 
ple. This  remarkable  measure  attracted  the  atten 
tion  of  the  press  throughout  the  country.  Di. 
Collins  is  a  writer  of  no  small  calibre,  and.  the 
books  of  which  he  is  author  are  widely  circulated. 
He  is  very  methodical  and  keeps  a  full  record  of 
his  work.  His  Calculator  which  was  published  in 
1882  is  widely  used  by  banks  throughout  the 
country,  and  exhibits  hi-  mathematical  mind  by 
his  numerous  new  methods  of  calculation. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Collins  and  Miss  Joanna, 
daughter  of  Russell  P.  and  Almira  Hfbbard,  took 
pla  e  May  31,  1804.  This  lady  was  born  in  South 
Butler.  Wayne  County.  N.  Y..  and  is  now  the 
mother  of  one  child.  Leslie  N.  The  Doctor  is  a 
strong  temperance  man  and  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics. In  1880  the  College  of  Hillsdale.  Mich- 
honored  both  itself  and  our  subject  by  conferring 
upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 


.».■■>■»>» i  »  >■  »» 


-«#«- 


'      '     i  '    i  ' 


"IIOMAS    J.    SATTERTHWAITE,   a    note- 

/.  N  worthy  farmer  and  stock-raiser  residing  on 
section  8.  Oconee  Township,  Shelby  County, 
was  born  in  Brown  County.  Ind.  .  February  4,  1851. 
His  parents  were  Richard  and  Ursula  (Brock) 
Satterthwaite.  who  were  born  in  Hamilton  Coun- 
ty. ( ihio.  the  father  in  1820  and  the  mother  in 
1-22.  In  their  native  county  they  giew  up  side 
by  side  and    were   there    married    in    1840.       The 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


573 


father  died  in  Brown  County,  [nd.  about  thirty- 
eight  years  ngo.  He  and  his  good  wife  were  the 
parents  of  four  suns  and  one  daughter,  namely: 
Oddy  who  enlisted  in  the  Eighty-second  Indiana 
Regiment  ami  died  in  the  Andersonville  prison; 
John  who  married  and  lives  in  the  village  of  Oco- 
nee; Wilmie,  now  Mrs.  Bailey ,living  in  Montgomery 
County,  111.;  Daniel  who  was  married  and  lives 
in  Oconee  Township,  where  he  is  engaged  in  fann- 
ing and  our  subject,  who  was  the  youngest,  and  as 
we  have  said  had  his  nativity  in  Indiana  while  his 
brothers  and  sister  were  all  of  Ohio  birth. 

After  her  widowhood  tu  a  ither  of  "iir  subject 
inai  led  Joseph  Rice  in  Indiana, in  1853,  and  now 
resides  near  the  village  of  ( >conec  where  her  husband 
carries  on  his  double  avocation  of  fanner  and  Bap- 
tist preacher.  Sis  children  were  born  to  this 
marriage.  Thomas  Satterthwaile  came  to  Mont 
gomery  County  with  his  parents  in  1868,  and 
after  his  marriage  he  located  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  resides. 

His  splendid    tract   of   eighty    acres    of    land    is 
situated  near  the  timber  and  has  upon  it    not    only 

good  house  and  barn  but  an  exellent  orchard. 
Mr.  Satterthwaife  was  married  to  .Miss  Lucy  F.  Hob- 
son  September  3,  1878.  she  was  born  November 
'20,  180.")  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Hob- 
son  of  Oconee  Township.  For  further  particulars 
in  regard  to  the  history  of  this  prominent  and  in- 
teresting family  the  reader  is  kindly  referred 
sketoh  of  Mr.  llobson  upon  another  page  of  this 
Km  oKD.  Our  subject  takes  an  interest  in  public 
affairs  generally,  and  is  worthy  of  commendation) 
on  account  of  both  his  public  spirit  and  private  en- 
terprise, lie  has  been  a  School  Director  in  his 
district  and  carried  out  faithfully  and  well  the  du- 
ties of  that  office.  As  a  member  of  the  Farmers 
Mutual  Benefit  Association,  he  is  active  in  pro- 
moting the  intetcsts  of  the  farming  community 
for  which  he  is  willing  to  pledge  his  best  efforts. 
He  was  formerly  allied  with  the  Democratic  party 
but  bis  interest  in  the  cause  of  temperance  which 
he  considers  the  main  ally  of  good  citizenship,  has 
led  him  to  vote  for  the  last  four  years  the  Prohi- 
bition ticket.  With  his  lovely  and  capable  wife 
he  is  connected  with  the  Hopewell  Baptist 
Church    where   they    are    efficient  laborers    in    the 


ir's  vineyard.  They  have  had  the  happiness 
aring  four  children,  and  the  sorrow  of  laying 
two  in  the  grave.  They  are  named  as  follows: 
Lithuamy,  born  February  23,  1880;  Charley  ('. 
August  18,  1882;  John  Benny,  July  20,  1884; 
Florence,  November  28,  1886  and  Willie  January 
26,  1888.  The  last  two  passed  away  in  childhood. 
Since  their  death  the  youngest,  Gracie  May  has  come 
to  cheer  l iie  home.      She  was    bom  April   13,   1890. 


.  ^&-&!i^&C2Q 


m*#m@@& 


m 


OI1N  SWARTZ.  Love  has  here  dictated  a 
few  facts  that  are  mi  -i  salient  in  the  life  of 
him  who  was  at  one  time  the  comfort  and 
support,  as  well  as  the  clear  object  of  loving 
affection,  to  the  companion  with  whom  he  lived 
for  many  years,  and  who.  when  he  was  taken 
away,  was  left  bereaved.  Although  simple  in  his 
relations  both  in  the  family  and  in  his  business 
life,  Mr.  Swartz  was  a  manly  man  and  a  gentleman 
in  all  his  dealings.  His  death  occurred  at  his  home 
in  Pickaway  Township,  September  28,  1883.  He 
had  lived  here  since  1871, and  during  his  residence 
had  secured  a  farm  of  eighty-two  acres  on  section 
thirty-one,  which  he  had  improved  and  put  in  the 
besl  cultivation  before  his  death. 

Mr.  Swartz  was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 
January  2,  1837.  His  parents  were  also  natives  of 
Ohio,  who  came  West,  settled  and  died  in  this 
county.  Our  subject  lived  in  his  native  county 
until  he  arrived  at  manhood,  and  there  early 
learned  the  duties  incident  to  farmers'  life,  as  the 
calling  of  his  father  was  also  that  of  an  agricul- 
turist. When  the  war  broke  out,  he  of  whom  we 
write  enlisted  in  Company  F,  of  the  Forty-sixth 
Ohio  Regiment.  It  was  made  up  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  and  our  subject's  enlistment  was  made  Feb- 
ruary 0.  1861.  The  regiment  to  which  he  be- 
longed was  assigned  to  Gen.  Sherman's  com- 
mand, and  under  that  veteran  military  genius  saw 
full  and  active  service.  The  history  of  Gen. 
Sherman's  career  :s  SO  familiar  to  our  readers  that 
we  do  not  need  to  recount  the  desperate  battles 
fought  and  won,  nor  the  chances  of  war  run  by 
our  subject,  whose  fate  was  the  same  as  that  of  his 


574 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD 


commander.  The  original  of  our  sketch  served 
his  full  three  years,  and  after  being  honorably  dis- 
charged and  receiving  particular  commendation  for 
bravery,  he  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  his  old  regi- 
ment and  served  six  months  longer,  receiving  his 
final  discharge  July  8,  1865.  He  was  engaged 
during  Ii is  military  career  in  twenty-one  hard- 
fought  battles,  and  many  more  skirmishes.  He 
served  for  some  time  as  Sergeant  of  his  company. 
After  the  war  he  received  a  medal  from  the  State 
of  Ohio,  which  honor  was  conferred  for  noble 
veteran  service.  He  was  never  wounded  nor 
taken  prisoner,  but  was  poisoned  by  drinking  im- 
pure water  ;  this  was  in  the  last  days  of  his  service, 
but  he  never  really  recovered  from  the  sickness 
brought  on. 

After  Mr.  Swartz's  return  from  the  army  he 
joined  his  wife  and  three  children,  having  been 
married  previous  to  his  entering  into  service  in 
Fail-field  Count}',  Ohio,  his  nuptials  taking  place 
February  18,  1856.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was 
Rachael  Friesner.  She  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  February  20,  1838.  Like  her  hus- 
band, she  came  of  German  ancestry,  although  her 
parents.  Henry  and  Rebecca  (Seitz)  Friesner.  were 
natives  of  Ohio  and  of  Virginia,  respectively. 
After  marriage  they  made  their  home  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  and  there  Mr.  Friesner  died  in 
1854,  being  at  the  time  forty-nine  years  of  age. 
His  wife  came  to  Shelby  Count}',  and  here  died 
September  28,  1887,  being  at  the  time  eighty 
years  of  age.  She  had  been  for  many  years  previ- 
ous to  her  death  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Swartz 
manages  the  estate  which  he  left,  and  carries  on 
more  efficiently  the  work  of  the  farm,  assisted  by 
her  children,  of  whom  she  lias  six  living.  They 
are.  William.  Emma.  Luelli.  Ida,  Rebecca  and 
Carrie.  The  eon  is  at  home  and  carries  on  the 
active  work  of  the  farm.  Emma  is  the  wife  of 
L.  Thomas,  and  resides  on  a  farm  in  Missouri. 
Luella  married  Edgar  Thomas,  and  takes  charge  of 
the  domestic  portion  of  his  household  in  Eustace, 
Neb.  Ida  is  the  wife  of  Wilson  Friesner,  and  she 
and  her  husband  live  on  the  old  homestead  with 
her  mother.  Mr.  Friesner  is  a  painter  by  trade, 
and    divides   his  attention    by  the   exercise  of  his 


trade  and  farming.  Rebecca  is  the  wife  of  John 
lnlly,  and  resides  in  Pickaway  Township.  Carrie 
lives  at  home,  and  is  the  loving  assistant  and 
adviser  of  her  mother  in  the  domestic  work  of  the 
farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swartz  have  ever  been  asso- 
ciated with  the  best  people  of  their  Township. 
Mr.  Swart/,  was  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


^> 


/v/^  RS.  PEACE  H.  (TRU1TT)  SCONCE, 
widow  of  the  late  Henry  Wilson  Sconce,  is 
:k  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
this  county,  and  was  reared  under  the  pio- 
neer influences  that  obtained  in  the  early  days  of 
the  settlement  of  this  section,  and  is  now  quietly 
passing  her  declining  years  amid  the  comforts  of 
the  pleasant  home  in  Pickaway  Township  in  whose 
upbuilding  she  aided  her  husband. 

Mrs.  Sconce  was  bum  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.. 
February  12.  1826.  Her  father,  Littleton 
Truitt,  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  his  birthplace  on 
the  shores  Of  Chesapeake  Bay.  He  was  a  son  of 
Samuel  Truitt,  who  was  also  born  in  that  State, 
and  was  in  turn  a  son  of  John  Truitt.  The  latter 
was  born  in  England,  and  left  his  ancestral  home 
when  a  young  man  to  make  for  himself  a  home  in 
the  English  Colonics  beyond  the  sen..  He  thus 
became  a  citizen  of  Maryland,  and  so  far  as  known 
spent  li is  last  years  there.  Mrs.  Sconce's  grand- 
father was  reared  and  married  in  his  native  State, 
and  subsequently  went  from  there  to  Kentucky  in 
the  early  days  of  its  settlement.  He  resided  in 
Bourbon  County  for  a  time,  and  then  removed  to 
Missouri,  where  his  earthly  pilgrimage  was 
brought  to  a  close  by  his  death  in  Calloway 
County,  and  his  mortal  remains  were  laid  to  rest 
in  its  soil  at  Columbia.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  Par- 
ker, was  also  a  native  of  Maryland.  She  died 
while  the  family  was  on  the  way  to  Missouri,  and 
was  buried  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  River.  She 
was  the  mother  of  ten  children  who  grew  to  ma- 
turity. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  resident    of    his 
native  State  until   after  the  death  of  his  first  wife, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI<      RAPHICAL   RECORD. 


575 


and  lie  then  removed  to  Kentucky,  aud  for  some 
years  farmed  on  rented  land  in  Bourbon  County. 
In  1830  he  again  set  forth  in  search  of  a  new  loca 
tion,  and  bringing  with  him  his  wife  and  six  clnl- 
ilren,  came  to  Illinois,  journeying  with  three 
horses  attached  to  a  wagon,  in  which  all  the  hous  - 
hold  goods  were  contained,  and  camping  and 
cooking  by  the  wayside  at  noon  and  night.  After 
about  three  weeks  travel,  lie  arrived  in  Shelby 
County,  which  at  that  time  was  still  in  a  wild, 
sparsely  settled  condition,  and  the  few  houses  at 
Shelbyville  were  mostly  log  cabins.  In  the  sur- 
rounding wilderness  wolves,  deer  and  wild  turkeys 
roamed  at  will,  and  the  few  pioneers  in  this  region 
found  a  welcome  addition  to  their  meager  fare 
in  the  game  which  they  could  shoot  whenever  they 
took  time  from  their  arduous  work  to  go  hunting. 
Mr.  Truitt  entered  Government  land  in  what  is 
now  Okaw  Township,  [and  built  upon  ii  a  small 
log  cabin  for  a  dwelling,  splitting  shakes  for  the 
roof  and  puncheon  for  the  floor.  In  the  absence 
of  a  stove  the  family  cooking  was  done  before  a 
lire,  in  a  rude  open  fireplace,  and  the  women  spun 
and  wove  the  cloth  wherewith  the  various  mem- 
bers of  the  household  were  clad. 

Mr.  Truitt  worked  industriously  to  develop 
his  land,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  186-1  had 
a  well-improved  farm.  His  life-record  as  a  pio- 
neer, as  a  man  and  a  citizen  was  honorable  to  him- 
self and  to  his  community.  His  -croud  wife. 
mother  of  our  subject,  died  in  1865.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Jane  Hamilton,  and  she  was  bom  in 
Pennsylvania,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth 
(Lason)  Hamilton,  who  were  also  natives  of  the 
Keystone  State.  Mr.  Truitt  was  the  father  of  one 
child  by  his  first  marriage,  and  of  eight  children 
by  his  second  union. 

Mrs.  Sconce  was  four  years  old  when  her  parents 
brought  her  to  Illinois.  She  was  educated  in  the 
primitive  pioneer  schools  of  the  olden  days,  the 
one  that  she  attended  being  built  of  logs  and  heated 
by  means  of  an  open  fireplace,  while  a  row  of 
glass  inserted  in  an  aperture  made  by  the  re- 
moval of  a  log  from  the  side  of  the  building  served 
as  a  window,  and  the  seats  were  made  by  split- 
ting logs  and  using  wooden  pins  for  legs.  Our 
subject  was  early  taught  all  the    useful    household 


accomplishments  that  were  in  vogue  at  that  time. 
and  without  a  knowledge  of  which  a  woman  was 
not  thought  lit  !o  keep  house,  among  other  things 
learning  to  Spin  and  weave,  and  after  marriage 
made  cloth  for  her  own  and  husband's  garments. 
She  was  well  prepared  to  care  for  a  home  of  her 
own  when  she  united  her  fortunes  with  'hose  of 
Henry  Wilson  Sconce,  March  14,  1843. 

Mr.  Sconce  was  a  native  of  Nicholas  County. 
Ivy.,  born  March  23.  1823.  in  the  pioneer 
home  of  David  1..  and  Rebecca  (Keith)  Sconce, 
who  were  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Kentucky.  He  was  seven  years  old  when  his  pa- 
rents brought  him  to  Illinois  and  located  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Vermillion.  They  resided 
there  until  1835.  and  then  became  pioneers  of  this 
county,  the  father  entering  a  tract  of  Government 
land  in  Okaw  Town-hip.  which  he  improved  into 
a  farm,  winch  was  his  home  the  rest  of  his  life. 

The  husband  of  Mis.  Sconce  was  educated  in 
pioneer  schools  of  Okaw  Township,  and  there 
grew  to  a  stalwart  manhood.  When  he  started  in 
in  life  on  his  own  account  after  marrying  he  was 
the  proud  owner  of  a  small  mare  and  one  cow. 
His  father  allowed  hiin  to  build  a  small  cabin  on 
his  land,  and  he  and  his  bride  began  life  together 
in  a  humble  way.  His  capital  lay  in  his  strength, 
willingness  to  work,  and  capacity  to  do  well  what- 
ever he  undertook,  and  in  the  years  of  toil  that 
followed  he  met  with  more  than    ordinary    success 

in  his  efforts  to  acquire  a npetence.      He  farmed 

on  rented  land  three  yeais,  and  then  settled  on  a 
tract  of  Government  land.  He  built  a  log  house 
fiir  a  dwelling,  broke  and  fenced  twenty  acres  of 
land,  and  a  year  later  sold  his  improvements  for 
$50  He  invested  that  money  by  entering 
forty  acres  of  land  in  Okaw  Township,  and  also 
bought  fifty  acres  adjoining,  on  which  stood  a 
house.  l'he  next  year  he  sold  that  place  at  an  ad- 
vance on  the  cost  price,  and  bought  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  the  same  township. 
He  lived  on  it  two  years,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  sold  it  at  85  an  acre.  He  then  pur- 
chased the  farm  upon  which  his  widow  resides, 
and  it  was  his  home  until  he  closed  his  eyes  in 
death  April  4,  1890.  He  bought  other  land  at 
different  limes,  and  once  owned  five    hundred    anil 


ffi 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ninety-five  acres  of  fine  farming  land.  He  made 
many  valuable  improvements,  including  three  sets 
of  frame  buildings,  and  made  his  farm  one  of  the 
most  desirable  in  many  respects  in  the  township. 
By  diligence,  thrift  and  careful  management  lie 
arose  to  be  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  of 
Pickaway,  and  in  dying  he  left  behind  a  good 
name,  that  is  held  in  respect  by  all  who  knew  him, 
and  the  memory  of  a  useful  citizenship  as  one  of 
the  men  who  had  been  active  in  the  development 
of  the  agricultural  resources  of  the  county. 

Mrs.  Sconce  is  a  member  in  high  standing  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  is  known  as  one  who  does 
her  duty  in  all  the  relations  which  she  bears  toward 
others.  She  has  four  children,  all  of  which  are 
living,  and  of  them  the  following  is  recordc  I : 
Sarah  .).  married  James  M.  Thomas,  and  they  have 
one  child  living,  Alvah  C;  Luvena  married  -lames 
M.  Pogue,  and  they  have  five  children  living, 
Charles  E.,  Logan  E.,  Henry  W.,  Sylvia  E.  and 
.lames  Chester;  Emeline  married  John  Honey,  and 
they  have  one  child  living,  Walter;  William  Logan 
married  Maggie  Belle  Cole,  and  they  have  the 
following  children  living,  Peace  II.,  Henry  Wilson 
and  John  C.  Our  subject  commenced  life  with 
a  easli  capital  of  §3.50. 


>^ 


OHN  W.  W.  BROWN  is  a  brick  manufacturer 

in  the  town  of  Windsor,  where  he  does  a 
thriving  anil  prosperous  business.  Mr. 
Brown  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
June  5,  1832.  He  spent  the  early  years  of  his  life 
on  a  farm,  engaged  in  its  duties  until  eighteen 
years  of  age.  His  father  was  a  New  England  man. 
Luke  Eddy  Brown  was  born  in  Berkshire  County, 
Mass.  The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother 
was  Ann  Gleason.  She  was  a  native  of  Shenango 
County,  N.  Y.  They  came  to  Ohio  soon  after 
their  marriage,  and  settled  in  Licking  County, 
where  they  remained  until  1850,  when  they  emi- 
grated to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  McLean  County, 
this  State.  There  they  made  their  home  for 
several    years,    and     then     removed    to    Missouri. 


1 


The  father  was  killed  during  the  war  by  bush- 
whackers, and  the  mother  died  in  Nodaway 
County,  Mo. 

Eight  children  were  the  result  of  the  union  of 
our  subject's  parents,  and  of  these  he  of  whom  we 
write,  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  Mr. 
Blown  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1850, 
remaining  at  home  until  he  was  of  age.  During 
this  time  he  was  engaged  in  farming  and  in  teach- 
ing. Three  years  were  taken  up  by  this  latter  em- 
ployment. He  continued  to  reside  in  McLean 
County  for  several  years,  and  then  went  to  Macon 
County,  where  he  followed  farming  and  carpentry 
and  brick  making  for  a  living.  In  January,  1880, 
In'  came  to  Shelby  County  and  settled  in  Windsor 
Township,  where  he  was  proprietor  of  a  farm  for 
four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  began  the 
manufacture  of  tile,  but  in  the  spring  of  1891  his 
factory  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  since  then  he 
has  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  in  McLean  County, 
Hi.,  August  9,  1857,  to  Miss  Mary  Willhoite. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Ritchie) 
Willhoite.  The  former  was  born  in  Oweu  County, 
Ky.,  of  which  the  mother  was  also  a  native.  They 
came  from  Kentucky  to  McLean  County,  and 
there  died.  A  family  of  nine  children  came  to 
grace  the  household.  Of  these  Mrs.  Brown  was 
the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in 
Owen  County.  Ky..  March  22,  1839. 

Four  children  have  clustered  about  the  hearth- 
stone of  our  subject,  but  they  have  grown  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood,  and  some  have  families  of 
their  own.  Their  names  are  Franklin  A.,  Mary  H., 
Josephine  A.  and  Willis  B.  Franklin  married 
Miss  Nettie  Voris,  who  is  the  deputy  Postmistress 
of  Windsor;  Josephine  A.  is  the  wife  of  William 
Hudson. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  has  held  the  position 
of  Councilman  in  the  town.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  his  political  belief,  and  takes  quite  an  active 
interest  in  local  affairs.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
active  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  he  has  filled  the  office  of  Elder 
and  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School,  which 
last  position  he  has  filled  for  thirty -three  years. 
Socially,    Mr.    Brown    is    a    member    of    the    Odd 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Fellows,  and  also  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Full 
of  vitality  and  energy  that  never  recognizes 
defeat,  our  subject  has  overcome  many  difficulties 
in  his  business  life,  and  has  attained  a  recognized 
and  honorable  position  among  the  influential  men 
of  the  county.  His  home  life  is  very  pleasant. 
His  residence  is  all  that  a  loving  wife,  who  is 
gifted  with  tact,  culture  and  refinement,  can 
make  it. 


i>*<! 


»>>-___ 


-1v-~ 


\/\  IRON  CURTIS.  The  name  al  the  head  of 
this  sketch  is  that  of  a  contractor  and 
1  builder,  uniting  with  this  the  business  of 
agriculture,  being  a  general  fanner  resid- 
ing on  section  33,  of  Moweaqua  Township.  Shelby 
County,  where  he  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  well-improved  land. 

Our  subject  has  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  to  the  business  of  a  mechanic,  in  which  he  has 
had  a  very  successful  career.  He  came  to  Mowea- 
qua in  18.^2.  remaining  here  one  year.  He  then 
absented  himself  three  years,  returning  in  1855, 
and  has  since  made  the  township  his  home.  From 
the  fact  that  he  has  been  here  so  long  and  being 
well  known  as  a  man  of  much  business  ability  who 
is  never  satisfied  with  doing  anything  but  the  best 
work,  he  is  very  well  and  favorably  known  in  the 
county. 

When  the  slavery  question  culminated  in  the  ter- 
rible war  between  the  North  and  South,  and  a 
call  was  made  for  volunteers,  Mi'.  Curtis  was  on;' 
of  the  Grst  to  respond.  He  enlisted  in  October, 
1861,  in  Company  K.  of  the  Forty-first  0  hio  In- 
fantry. Col.  Hughes  being  in  command.  Our  sub- 
ject's regiment  was  under  the  general  command  of 
•  •en.  Culbert,  and  fought  at  Ft.  Donelsou,  Shiloh, 
Vicksburg,  Nashville  and  Atlanta,  and  serving  for 
three  years.  Our  subject  was  never  afraid  of  mili- 
tary duty.  He  was  an  active  ami  hard  Qghter  and 
was  engaged  in  many  skirmishes  besides  the  well- 
known  battles  mentioned  above,  lie  was  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  escape  without  a  wound,  nor  was  he  ever 
captured.  Entering  the  war  as  a  private  his  brav- 
ery was  recognized,  and  he  was  offered  a  first  lieu- 


tenant's commission,  but  honors  of  that  kind  were 
not  So  much  to  him  as  the  knowledge  that  he  was 
doing  the  best  that  he  could  for  his  country  and 
his  tlag.  as  a   brave   private,  and  he  declined  the 

honor.  lie  received  an  honorable  discharge  at 
Chattanooga,  Tonn.,  in  ( (ctober,  1864,  and  he  is  very 
proud  of  his  war  record,  and  though  unassuming 
and  modest,  tells  with  enthusiasm,  of  various  en- 
gagements in  which  he  has  taken  part. 

Mr.  Curtis  was  born  in  Medina  County,  Ohio. 
February  20,  1837.  He  is  a  sou  of  Enoch  and 
Mary  M.  (Serdan)  Curtis,  natives  of  Vermont, 
coming  of  good  New  England  stock.  After  the 
marriage  of  our  subject's  parents  they  came  to 
Ohio,  where  they  lived  for  a  few  years  and  then 
early  in  the  '40s,  while  the  country  was  as  prim- 
itive as  it  could  be.  and  while  some  of  the  greatest 
characters  in  American  history  were  maturing  and 
becoming  strong  to  meet  the  emergencies  that  were 
to  30nfront  them.  At  that  time  there  were  no  cars 
and  but  two  alternatives;  either  to  come  by  water 
via  the  lakes,  or  overland,  with  their  own  teams, 
which  latter  way  they  chose.  Their  first  location 
was  in  McLean  County,  and  they  made  them  a 
home  in  or  near  Blooinington,  Ills.  There  Enoch 
Curtis  died  in  1853  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years. 
He  had  learned  the  trade  of  a  mechanic,  although 
he  was  reared  a  farmer,  but  a  pioneer  settler  neces- 
sarily must  be  able  to  turn  his  skill  in  several  di- 
rections. His  wife  died  in  1888,  in  Moweaqua, 
111.,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Both  she 
and  her  husband  were  prominent  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  I!  >th  our  subject's  father  and 
his  grandfather,  Pond  Curtis,  belonged  to  the  old 
Whig  party.  Our  subject's  grandfather  and  his 
wife  were  early  settlers  in  this  State,  in  McLean 
County,  but  they  spent  the  last  years  in  Lake 
County,  where  they  died  at  an  advanced  age. 

(Inly  two  members  of  the  family  of  Curtis  still 
survive,  our  subject,  and  a  sister  Permelia  Kirk- 
man,  now  of  .Moweaqua.  From  the  age  of  twelve 
the  original  of  this  sketch  has  encountered  the  dif- 
ficulties of  life  alone  and  unaided,  being  at  the 
same  time,  the  support  of  his  mother.  He  learned 
the  tradeofa  house  builder  in  Moweaqua,  and  when 
he  had  arrived  at.  years  of  maturity,  he  united  him- 
self   in    marriage    to    Miss   Sarah     Daughtry.     She 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


was  born  iii  East  Tennessee  in  1846  and  came  to 
Illinois  while  young,  with  her  parents,  Brant  anil 
Lydia  Daughtry.  The  family  located  in  this 
county  and  township  about  the  time  of  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war,  in  which  .Air.  Daughtry  en- 
listed and  served  as  a  soldier,  lie  did  not  survive 
long  after  the  war,  his  death  having  been  caused 
by  sickness  contracted  in  the  army.  He  passed 
away  while  in  the  hospital  at  Mound  City,  111.  His 
wife,  resides  in  Mowcaqua,  and  is  now  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  and  is  a  good  and  conse- 
crated old  lady.  She  never  married  again.  Mrs. 
Curtis  was  reared  and  educated  for  the  most  part 
in  this  county.  She  is  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren, who  are  all  yet  under  their  father's  roof. 
They  are  Fred  and  James,  who  conduct  the  farm, 
and  a  daughter  Bertha,  all  bright  and  intelligent 
children.  Mrs.  Curtis  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  by  her  in- 
fluence she  exercises  a  very  beneficient  influence  in 
the  community.  Politically  her  husband  is  an 
adherent  of  the  Republican  party,  upholding  its 
platform  and  favoring  its  constituents. 


HARLES  COWLE,  the  fortunate  proprietor 
of  one  of  the  finest  and  best-managed  farms 
in  all  Penn  Township,  is  a  veteran  of  the 
late  war,  who  nobly  devoted  the  opening  years  of 
his  manhood  to  the  service  of  his  country  and 
helped  to  preserve  the  Union.  He  was  born  in  the 
beautiful  New  England  city  of  New  Haven,  Conn., 
July  27,  1837.  His  father,  Daniel  Cowle,  was  a 
native  of  the  Isle  of  Man,  a  son  of  Charles  Cowle, 
who  was  also  born  on  that  island,  upon  which  he 
spent  his  entire  life  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits on  an  estate  that  he  had  inherited.  He 
reared  three  sons  and  one  daughter. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  the  011I3'  member 
of  the  family  that  ever  came  to  America,  his  emi- 
gration to  this  country  occurring  when  he  was 
about  twenty-five  years  old.  He  resided  at  first 
in  New  York,  and  also  in  New  Jersey  for  a  time, 
whence  he  went  to  New  Haven.  Conn.,  and  later  to 


Virginia,  from  which  State  he  ultimately  came  to 
Illinois  in  1841  by  the  way  of  the  Ohio  and  Mis- 
sissippi Rivers.  He  located  in  the  southern  part  of 
Macoupin  County,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
that  section  of  the  State.  From  there  he  removed 
to  Madison  County  a  few  years  later,  and  buying 
a  farm  lived  there  until  18G5.  In  that  year  he 
came  to  this  county  and  bought  a  tract  of  wild 
prairie  in  what  is  now  Penn  Township.  He  built 
upon  his  land,  and  in  due  time  improved  a  good 
farm,  which  was  his  home  until  his  death  in  1878, 
when  the  township  lost  a  useful  citizen,  who  was 
greatly  respected.  During  his  residence  at  New 
Haven,  he  married  Miss  Rosanna  Fanning,  in 
whom  he  found  a  helpful  wife  and  a  devoted  com- 
panion. She  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead. 
She  is  a  native  of  Patterson,  N.  J.,  and  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Catherine  Fanning.  Of  her  nine 
children  six  have  been  spared  to  bless  her  declining- 
years. 

Our  subject,  who  was  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  followed  farming  in  Madison  County 
until  1801.  July  16,  that-  year,  he  threw  aside  his 
work  to  volunteer  for  the  defense  of  the  old  Hag, 
and  his  name  was  enrolled  as  a  member  of  Company 
1.  Ninth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  went  to  the  front 
nithhis  regiment,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Ft. 
Donelson,  Shilob,  Jackson  (Miss.),  joined  Sher- 
man's command  at  Goldsborough,  N.  O,  and  went 
on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  doing  his  share  of  fight- 
ing in  the  important  battles  enroute  to  Atlanta, 
and  in  the  engagements  with  the  enemy  around 
that  city.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Atlanta  on  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment. Returning  to  Illinois,  he  re-enlisted  the 
same  fall,  notwithstanding  his  past  experience  of 
the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  as,  with  true 
patriotism,  he  was  determined  to  see  the  contest 
between  the  North  and  South  to  its  bitter  end,  if 
possible.  He  joined  his  regiment  in  North  Caro- 
lina, and  marched  with  the  victorious  army  by  the 
way  of  Richmond  to  Washington,  where  he  took 
part  in  the  Grand  Review,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged for  a  second  time  from  the  service  in 
July,  1865. 

The  Ninth  Illinois  Infantry  to  which  Mr.  Cowle 
belonged  were  in  one  hundred  and  ten  engagements 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


579 


commanded  respectively  by  Col.  E.  A.  Paine,  Col. 
A.  Mersey  and  Col.  J.  J.  Philips.  At  Corinth,  in 
18G3.  the  regiment  was  mounted  and  remained  as 
such  until  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service, 
and  took  part  in  numberless  skirmishes  ami  liattles. 
In  the  fall  of  the  year  that  he  left  the  army,  Mr. 
Cowle  came  to  Shelby  County,  and  in  L868  bought 
the  farm  in  Penn  Township  that  he  now  owns  and 
occupies.  This  is  a  valuable  farm,  and  its  finely 
tilled  and  highly  productive  fields  yield  him  a  neat 
income.  Here  he  lives  happy  in  a  state  of  single 
blessedness,  sometimes  keeping  bachelor's  hall,  at 
other  times  boarding,  as  his  fancy  dictates.  He  is 
much  liked  in  his  community,  as  he  is  invariably 
pleasant,  neighborly  and  obliging,  and  he  is  trusted 
to  the  fullest  exteut  by  all  who  know  him,  as  he  is 
always  fair  and  honest  in  his  dealings.  Politically, 
he  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party  many 
years,  but  at  present  he  is  independent. 


«^ 


-"P>S» 


*OHN  E.  GARMAN  has  devoted  himself  to 
farming  the  past  few  years,  and  the  appear- 
ance of  his  fine,  well  improved  prairie  farm 
on  section  26.  Penn  Township.  Shelby 
County,  gives  evidence  that  he  has  a  clear  under- 
standing of  the  most  practical  methods  of  con- 
ducting agriculture  to  a  successful  issue.  He  is  a 
Pennsvlvanian  by  bi"th,  born  in  the  town  of  Jack- 
sonville, Center  County,  March  2-'>.  1853.  His 
father,  George  Garman  was  also  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  he  in  turn  was  a  son  of  John  Gar- 
man, who  was  born  near  Hanover,  Germany.  He 
came  to  this  country  after  he  had  attained  man- 
hood, and  was  quite  an  early  settler  of  Jefferson 
County,  Pa.  He  was  a  distiller  bytradp,  and  fol- 
lowed that  occupation  in  connection  with  farming, 
spending  his  last  years  in  the  State  of  his  adop- 
tion. 

George  Garman  served  a  seven  years'  appren- 
ticeship to  learn  the  trade  of  a  wheelwright,  car- 
penter and  millwright.  In  1856  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  located  in  Stephenson  County.  Renting  land 
near  Freeport.  he  was  engaged  in  fanning  there 
until  death  closed  his   busy    career   in    December, 


1863.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  .Mary  S. 
Neil.  She  was  born  in  Centre  County,  Pa.,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Xeil,  natives  of 
Scotland.  She  now  resides  with  her  sou,  James  I., 
in  Pickaway  Township.  She  was  left  a  widow 
with  four  children  to  care  for,  and  she  nobly 
shouldered  her  burden.  She  resided  in  Stephenson 
County  until  1865,  and  then  coming  to  this 
county,  bought  forty  acres  of  wild  prairie  land  in 
what  is  now  Pickaway  Township.  She  at  once 
erected  a  small  frame  house,  and  by  hard  toil  and 
much  self-sacrifice  kept  her  family  together,  with 
the  assistance  of  her  sons,  who  improved  the  land, 
and  she  still  owns  the  home  that  is  the  fruit  of  her 
unwearied  labors.  The  following  is  recorded  of 
her  four  c'lildren:  Isabelle  married  John  Black 
and  lives  in  .Milan  Township,  Macon  County;  John 
E.  is  our  subject:  James  lives  in  Pickaway  Town- 
ship; William  died  in  1878. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  three  years  old  when 
the  family  came  to  Illinois,  therefore  the  most  of 
his  associations  are  connected  with  his  life  in  this 
State.  Like  other  farmers'  boys,  as  soon  as  he 
was  large  enough  to  be  of  any  use  he  was  set  to 
work  on  the  farm,  and  was  a  great  help  to  his 
mother  after  his  father's  death,  remaining  with  her 
until  his  marriage.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years 
he  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter,  and  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  engaged  as  a  builder  on  his 
own  account.  He  continued  in  that  line  until 
December,  1884,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to 
the  calling  to  which  he  had  been  reared,  and  at 
that  time  bought  the  farm  in  Penn  Township, 
upon  which  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  is  car- 
rying on  his  farming  operations  advantageously 
and  profitably,  and  has  increased  the  value  of  his 
farm  since  it  came  into  his  possession  by  judicious 
cultivation,  and  by  many  substantial  improvements. 

Mr.  Garman  has  been  twice  married.  In  De- 
cember, 1884,  he  was  wedded  to  Miss  Winnie  T. 
Tolly,  a  native  of  Pickaway  Township,  and  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Sims)  Tolly.  She 
died  in  August,  1886,  leaving  one  child,  Emma 
May.  Our  subject's  second  marriage  took  place 
in  April,  1889,  and  Miss  Sarah  Frances  Foster 
became  his  wife.  She  is  a  native  of  Todd's  Point 
Township,  and  a    daughter   of  Joseph    and    Mary 


• 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Foster.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  her  name  is  associated  with  the 
good  work  carried  on  by  her  pastor  and  fellow- 
members.  Her  union  to  our  subject  lias  been 
blessed  to  them  by  the  birth  of  two  children.  Mary 
Alice,  and  Grace  Edna. 

Mr.  Garman  is  a  manly,  straightforward  mai 
sound  principle  and  good  habits,  and  in  him  the 
citizenship  of  this  township  has  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion. His  politics  are  of  the  Republican  order, 
and  he  stands  firmly  by  his  party  whatever 
betides. 


OHN  S.  FRY.  who  is  now  one  of  the  success- 
ful farmers  of  Penn  Township,  was  a  volun- 
teer in  the  Union  ranks  during  the  late  war, 
and  his  military  record  is  that  of  a  brave. 
patriotic  soldier,  who  cheerfully  endured  hardships, 
the  perils  of  battle,  and  even  death,  to  serve  his 
country  in  her  time  of  greatest  need.  His  native 
place  is  the  town  of  Bremen,  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio,  and  the  date  of  his  birth  November  11,  I 
He  comes  of  one  of  the  old  pioneer  families  of  that 
seel  ion.  and  his  father.  Henry  Fry.  was  born 
the  same  farm  as  himself.  The  grandfather  of  vuv 
subject,  John  Fry.  was  an  early  settler  of  that 
region.  He  was  burn,  reared  anil  married  in  Vir- 
ginia, taking  for  his  wife  Mary  Leib,  also  a  Vir- 
ginian. He  removed  from  his  native  State  to  Ohio 
in  the  early  years  of  its  settlement,  and  was  a 
pioneer  farmer  of  Fairfield  County.  lie  bought  a 
tract  of  Government  land  midway  between  Bre- 
men and  Rushville,  on  Little  Rush  Creek,  and 
cleared  a  farm,  upon  which  he  pleasantly  passed 
tiie  remainder  of  his  life  His  wife  died  at  the 
home  of  her  daughter  in  Seneca  County. 

In  the   county  in  which  he  was  born    the    father 
of  our  subject  was  reared  amid  pionei  He 

attended  a  German  school  at  Rushville.  and  at  other 
times  assisted  his  father  on  his  farm  until  he  was 
sixteen  years  old.  At  that  age  he  began  In  learn 
the  trade  of  a  cabinet-maker  and  was  employed  at 
it  until  his  marriage,  but  after  that  time  he  de- 
voted himself  to  farming  the  remainder  o<  his  life. 


which  closed  with  his  death  at  a  ripe  age.  January 
1.  1875.  The  wife  who  shared  with  him  for  many 
years  the  joys  and  sorrows  common  to  mortals,  sur- 
vives him,  and  now  makes  her  home  with  a  son 
near  Mil lersport,  Ohio.  In  her  maiden  da\s  -he 
bore  the  name  of  Jemima  Scott  Shaw  and  she  was 
burn  two  miles  south  of  West  Rushville,  Fairfield 
County.  Ohio. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  seven  children  and  was 
carefully  reared  in  the  home  of  his  birth.  He  was 
but  a  boy  when  the  great  Civil  War  broke  out.  yet 
the  following  year  he  offered  his  services  to  his 
country  and  on  the  16th  of  July  his  name  was 
enrolled  as  a  member  of  Company  D,  One  Hundred 
Twenty-Ninth  Ohio  Infantry.  The  most  impor- 
tant battles  in  which  he  look  part  during  that  term 
of  enlistment  were  those  fought  at  Wild  Cat.  Ky. 
and  at  Cumberland  Cap.  In  18G3  he  vet- 
eranized in  Company  1!.  Seventeenth  Ohio  Infan- 
try, and  joined  hi-  regiment  at  Ringgold,  Ga.  He 
accompanied  it,  on  the  famous  Sherman  campaign 
at  Atlanta,  and  did  seme  good  fighting   in   the  en- 

ments  with  the  enemy  on  the  way  to  that  city. 
At  Resaca  out  received  injuries  in  the  right 

.  but  he  continued  with  his  regiment  until 
Atlanta  was  reached.      Aftei  the  fall    of    that  City 

ined  the  provost  guard  and  went  with  that 
command  to  the  sea.  and  from  there,  by  the  way 
of  the  Carolinas  and  Richmond,  to  Washington, 
where  he  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review.  After 
that,  event  he  returned  with  his  regiment  to  Vir- 
ginia and  served  until  his  honorable  discharge. 
July  16,  1865,  just  three  years  to  a  day  after  lie 
entered  the    army. 

After  his  long  ami  bitter  experiences  of  the 
hardships  and  excitements  of  a  soldier's  life,  Mr. 
Fry  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Ohio,  and  quietlj 
resui:  h!  vocation   that   he    had    aban- 

doned to  take  up  arms  in  the  defense  of  the  stars 
ami  stripes.  In  1871  he  went  to  Missouri  and 
was  a  resident  of  Pettis  County,  that  State,  for  one 
year.  He  then  came  Eastward  as  far  as  Illinois 
and  bought  the  farm  that  he  now  owns  in  Fenn 
Township.  Since  he  took  possession  of  it  twenty 
years  ago  he  has  demonstrated  the  fact  that  he  has 
a  clear  understanding  of  farming  in  its  various 
branches,  a-  his  farm  i-  well  ordered  and  compares 


OstA"?  . 


PORTRAIT  AM'   BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


>83 


favorably  in  all  respects  with  all  the  others  in  its 
vicinity. 

Mr.  Fiy.  has  hail  the  good  fortune  to  si-cure  the 
helping  hands  of  an  efficient  wife,  to  whom  he  was 
united  in  marriage  .lune  17.  18(59.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Kmeline  Ruffner.  and  she  is  also  a  native 
of  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Jonas  and 
Susanna  Ruffner.  These  are  the  names  of  the 
seven  children  of  our  subject  and  nis  wife:  Prank 
1'...  Dolly  V.,  Theron  R..  Eva  S..  Belle  and  Dell 
i  twins )  and  Carrie. 

In  this  brief  life-record  of  our  subject  his  value 
as  a  loyal  citizen  has  been  shown  by  his  course 
during  the  war.  and  is  well  known  by  the  people 
among  whom  he  has  lived  for  many  years  since 
that  time.  He  is  exemplary  in  his  habits,  upright 
in  his  conduct,  and  in  bim  the  Presbyterian  Church 
finds  one  of  its  most  consistent  members.  His  life 
as  a  soldier  is  held  in  remembrance  by  his  connec- 
tion with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at 
Bethany.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  advocate  of 
the  Republican   party. 


\ 


THOMAS  1'.  MALT/..  The  senior  member 
of  the  firm  of  .Maut/.  .v  Diddea,  proprietors 
of  a  general  store  at  Stewardson,  Shelby 
County,  Mr.  Maut/.  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the 
adjoining  agricultural  districts,  as  well  as  in  the 
town  itself,  and  lie  and  his  partner  are  known  as 
upright,  honorable  dealers,  and  men  of  sterling 
worth  and  integrity.  The  business  was  established 
by  York  &  Mautz  in  1879.  .Mr.  York  sold  out  his 
interest  to  the  present  partner,  Mr.  Diddea.  in 
1881,  and  since  they  have  been  in  partnership  to- 
gether, the  firm  has  been  successful  in  its  business 
dealings  to  a   gratifying  degree. 

Our  subject  was  bom  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany. 
December  21,  1849,  and  i-  a  son  of  George  and 
Rosina  (Shantz)  Mautz.  of  whom  a  fuller  history 
may  be  found  under  the  biography  of  .1.  F.  Mautz. 
in  another  part  of  this  volume.  Thomas  1'..  of 
this  sketch,  was  but  a  small  boy,  when  the  family 
emigrated  to  America,   and   proceeding   to    Zancs- 


ville  and  Lancaster,  Ohio,  remained  there  a  short 
time,  removing  in  1854  to  Shelby  County.  111.  lie 
assisted  on  the  farm  and  early  learned  the  duties 
incident  to  such  work.  lie  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  of  the  vicinity,  and  continued  his 
residence  at  home  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
when  he  learned  the  milling  business,  winking  at 
l'ana  ami  Rosemond. 

Later  Mr.  Mautz  removed  to  Bainbridge,  [nd., 
and  thence  came  to  Oconee,  111.,  and  after  sojourn- 
ing in  the  latter  place  until  1871  came  to  Steward- 
son,  which  town  was  just  then  organized.  Here 
Mr.  Mautz  for  three  year-  operated  a  flouring  mill 
and  afterward  formed  a  partner-hip  with  11.  II. 
York  under  the  firm  name  of  York  A-  Mautz.  Mr. 
Mautz  established  a  general  mercantile  business  in 
Shumway,  III.  in  L878,  but  one  year  later  removed 
the  business  to  Stewardson,  in  which  he  has  con- 
tinued until  the  present  time,  being  now  senior 
member  of  the  firm.  They  occupy  their  own  store 
building  and  cany  a  large  general  stock  of  mer- 
chandise. 

On  May  20,  1879,  Mr.  Mautz  and  Mis>  Bertha 
Karls  were  united  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Mautz  is  a 
daughter  of  John  Karl-,  of  Rural  Township,  this 
county,  and  was  born  in  Lockville,  Ohio,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1858.  They  are  the  parent-  of  four  chil- 
dren—  Nora.  Lillie.  Lottie,  ami  Frankie.  all  of 
whom  are  intelligent  and  amiable.  Politically  our 
subject  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party.  it> 
breadth  of  platform  and  five  nade  principles  fa\  01- 
insr  his  notion-  of  the  government  that  should  rule 
the  Republic,  lie  is  the  founder  of  the  Stewardson 
Homestead  Loan  Association,  an  organization  to 
help  the  laboring  man  gel  a  home  of  his  own  and 
furnish  him  with  a  safe  and  profitable  investment 
for  his  .-mall  savings.     This  association  is  a  large 

factor  for  ^ 1  in  the  prosperity  of  the  community 

and  had  contributed  materially  to  the  well-being 
of  the  citizen-,  lie  has  been  the  incumbent  of 
several  local  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  town,  having 
been  Supervisor  of  Prairie  Township  for  seven 
consecutive  terms.  During  this  tune  he  was  <  hair- 
man  of  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  for  three  terms 
He  also  held  the  office  of  President  of  the  Village 
Board,  and  ha.-  tilled  other  local  offices.  In  hi-  re- 
ligious view-  Mr.  Mautz  is  a   Swedenborgian.     lb' 


;,xi 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  at 
present,  as  he  has  been  for  several  terms,  Master  of 
Sigel  Lodge,  No.  541,  F.  &  A.  M.  at  Stewardsou. 
His  portrait  is  presented  in  connection  with  this 
brief  biographical  review. 


lii i  |  h   pi  p  fc  ^ 


?■  i  <  i  i   ■  i  *  ••*,  i  ■ 


lf4_.  ARRY  M.  RAWLTNGS.  Among  the  ag- 
riculturists of  Shelby  County  who  arc  so 
capably  carrying  on  their  affairs,  both  as 
farmers  and  citizens,  as  to  be  deserving  of 
representation  in  a  biographical  work,  may  be 
mentioned  Mr.  Rawlings,  an  esteemed  citizen  of 
Ridge  Township.  His  home  of  one  hundred  twenty 
acres  is  on  section  9,  and  .being  well  managed,  is 
the  source  of  a  better  income  than  some  of  much 
greater  extent.  It  affords  a  good  maintenance  and 
enables  Mr.  Rawlings  to  make  some  provision  for 
the  future,  and  as  a  home,  it  is  comfortable  and 
pleasant.  The  owner  is  industrious  and  prudent, 
and  care  is  taken  to  make  the  best  possible  use  of 
the  acreage  that  he  cultivates  and  to  supply  it  with 
modern  inprovements,  such  as  befit  the  home  of  a 
cultured  and  intelligent  family. 

John  Rawlings.  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Cecil  County,  Md.,  in  1817  and  upon  reaching  man's 
estate  was  married  to  Martha  E.  McMaster,  a  native 
of  Maryland.  After  their  marriage  the  worthy 
couple  located  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  in  1856. 
After  a  sojourn  in  that  county  of  nine  years,  they 
came  to  Shelby  County.  111.,  in  1865,  and  located 
on  section  9.  Ridge  Township,  where  their  son.  our 
subject,  now  resides.  After  improving  this  farm 
and  making  it  their  home  for  a  period  of  sixteen 
years,  they  removed  to  Pickaway  Township,  where 
the  father  died  September  30,  1887.  The  mother 
still  survives.  Their  family  comprised  eight 
children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  our  subject 
being  the  second  in  order  of  birth. 

The  birthplace  of  our  subject  was  Cecil  County. 
Md..  and  his  natal  day  August  10,  1855.  He  was 
a  mere  babe  when  his  parents  took  him  to  Ohio, 
where  lie  remained  until  he  was  ten  years  old,  in 
the  meantime  gaining  the  rudiments  of  his  education 
in  the  district  schools.     In    1865    lie  accompanied 


his  parents  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  has  from  childhood  been  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  and  his  thorough  knowledge  of  agriculture 
in  all  its  departments  has  fitted  him  for  an  honorable 
and  successful  career.  He  was  married  in  Ridge 
Township.  February  '2  1.  1885, to  Miss  Katie  Weakly, 
(laughter  of  the  late  Samuel  Weakly.  For  further 
information  in  regard  to  her  parents  the  reader  is 
referred  to  the  sketch  of  Edson  15.  Weakly.  Mrs. 
Rawlings  was  born  in  Ridge  Township.  September 
li,  L861,and  is  universally  esteemed  for  her  noble 
qualities. 

In  politics  Mr.  Rawlings  gives  his  support  to 
the  Democratic  party  ;  religiously  he  and  his 
estimable  wife  are  consist  cut  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  His  farm  is  embellished  by  all 
buildings  necessary  for  the  shelter  of  stock  and 
storage  of  grain,  as  well  as  a  comfortable 
residence,  and  such  arrangements  are  made  for 
sowing  and  reaping  as  show  that  the  owner  possesses 
progressive  ideas  and  a  worthy  ambition.  lie 
is  a  judicious  and  successful  agriculturist  and 
deservedly  commands  the  confidence  of  the  business 
community. 


"^ 


il/OHX  H.  MILLER.  M.  I).  To  attain  emin- 
ence in  any  of  the  learned  professions  and 
especially  in  the  humane  one  of  medicine, 
is  worth  the  efforts  of  a  life  time  and  when 
this  achievement  is  gained  by  a  comparatively 
young  man.  it  is  certainly  worthy  of  note  by  the 
biographer.  The  popularity  already  gained  by  the 
gentleman  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this 
paragraph,  the  only  physician  and  surgeon  in 
Oconee,  justifies  the  prediction  that  he  will  soon 
stand  at  the  head  of   his  profession  in  this  State. 

Our  subject  was  horn  in  Fayette  County,  111., 
April  10.  IK,"),-)  and  is  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Jacob 
and  Mary  J.  (Stapp)  Miller  who  were  pioneers  of 
that  county,  the  father  having  been  born  there. 
The  mother  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  but  very 
early  in  life  came  to  Fayette  County. 

There  were  four  sons  and  one  daughter  in  the 
family  of    the     Rev.  Jacob   Miller,  of    whom   Dr. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


58a 


Joseph  F.  Miller  is  the  eldest  and  is  located  at 
Palmer,  111.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
medicine.  The  healing  art  is  a  favorite  calling  in 
this  family  and  a  half  brother  of  our  subject,  Dr. 

A.  D.  Miller,  is  also  practicing  liis  profession  at 
Palmer.     The  only  remaining  half  brother,  Louis 

A.  Miller,  will  enter  the  College  of  Physcians  and 
Surgeons  at  Chicago  this  year,  thereby  making 
complete  a  continuous  line  of  medicos  in  tin-  fam- 
ily. Two  brothers  and  one  sister  are  deceased. 
Dr.  .1.  11.  Miller  received  his  general  education  in 
the  excellent  public  school-  of  Illinois  and  at  the 
High  School  at  shelliyville.  and  at  Eureka  College, 
Eureka,  111.  lli>  professional  study  and  train- 
ing were  secured  privately  under  competent  and 
painstaking  tutors,  and  these  were  supplemented  by 
attendance  at  the  Missouri  Medical  College  at  st. 
Louis.  At  this  popular  institution  he  attended 
two  courses  of  lectures,  graduating  March  I.  1880, 
with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  the  profession. 

Like  most  men  who  achieve  commendable 
heights  in  art.  literature  of  science,  his  success  is 
mainly  due  to  his  own  exertions.  An  indomitable 
will  combined  with  energy,  industry  and  good 
health  was  his  >tock  in  trade,  and  every  draft  upon 
this  kind  of  bank  >lock  brings  a  liberal  response. 
Immediately  after  hi>  graduation  the  young  Doctor 
located  in  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  at 
Oconee,  where  he  still  remains,  enjoying  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  is  assoc- 
iated either  professionally  or  socially.  A  genial, 
whole-souled,  and  companionable  gentleman,  it 
is  not  strange  that  he  should  he  a  favorite  among 
hi-  fellow-men.  hut  it  is  remarkable  that  so  young 
a  man  should  have  built  up  a  practice  which  more 
experienced  physicians  mighl  justly  enjoy  with 
pride.  Another  evidence  of  the  Doctor's  pro- 
fessional popularity  i-  the  fact  that  he  is  the  only 
physician  in  the  town  of  Oconee  or  within  a 
radius  of  several  miles  around,  although  several 
talented  men  have  attempted  to  get  a  foothold 
here  in  their  profession. 

On  the  Huh  of  January,  1883,  Dr.  Miller  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Laura  Theile  of 
Ramsey,  111.,  the  ceremony  being  performed  at  the 
residence  of  the  bride's  parents.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a 
daughter    of    Henry   and    Eliza   Theile.   who    were 


among  the  first  settlers  of  Ramsey,  and  her  father, 
a  millwright  bj  profession,  owned  and  operated  a 
mill  in  that  place.  The  Doctor  i-  a  member  of 
Oconee  Camp  No.  1312,  M.  W.  of  A.  and  enjoy- 
the  distinction  of  having  been  chosen  to  theofJSce 
of  Deputy  Head  Counsel  of  the  Seventeenth 
Congressional  District  of  Illinois.  The  duties  of 
this  office  are  a  general  supervision  over  the  affairs 
of  the  order  within  hi-  territory  and  the  organ- 
ization of  new  camps,  his  territory  comprising  the 
counties  of  Shelby,  Macoupin.  Montgomery, Moul- 
trie, Effingham  and  Fayette 

Of  professional  associations  Dr.  Miller  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  District  Medical  Society  of  Central  Illi- 
nois  in  which  he  is  Secretary:  also  of  the  Illinois 
State  Medical  Society  in  which  body  he  is  the 
Secretary  of  the  Section  on  Etiology.  Preventive 
and  state  Medicine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  tiie 
American  Medical  Association  and  in  all  these 
organizations  he  ranks  high  among  his  brethren  in 
the  profession.  In  May  L891  he  was  elected  to 
the  position  of  Assistant  to  the  chair  on  Practice 
of  Medicine  in  the  College  of  Physician-  and 
Surgeons  of  Chicago  for  the  winter  term,  and 
in  addition  was  made  a  member  of  the  spring 
faculty  to  till  the  above  named  chair. 


<§^f 


-"»  FORCE  \V.  VAIOIIAN.     Prominent  among 
the  public  men  of  Sullivan,  and  eminent  as  a 

church    and    Sunday-scl I    worker    i-    the 

gentleman  whose  name  head-  thi-  paragraph.  lie 
is  no  office  seeker  hut  an  earnest  worker  in  the 
rank  and  tile  of  the  Democratic  party  and  has  at  tin' 
earnest  request  of  his  fellow-citizens,  filled  the 
offices  of  Supervisor  and  Deputy  County  Treasurer. 
Hi-  work  in  the  line  of  Sunday-school,-,  has  brought 
him  before  the  best  people  of  the  county, as  he  has 
been  President  of  the  county  organization  ar.d 
sits  as  delegate  in  mo-t  of  the  .State  Sun  day-school 
convention-.  He  i-  now  the  1're-ident  of  the 
County  sunday--chooi  Association. 

Mr.  Ynughan  i- a  retired  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
residing  in  a  comfortable  home  on  Jackson  street. 
He   removed   to   the  city  from   his  large  farm  in 


rm 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Sullivan  Township  in  October.  1886,  leaving  an 
estate  which  he  had  materially  decreased  in  extent 
by  gifts  to  his  children.  The  well-improved  tract 
which  lie  still  retains  comprises  two  hundred  aero, 
most  of  which  he  has  brought  from  its  native  con- 
dition tn  a  well  drained  and  highly  cultivated 
state,  lie  has  been  a  successful  farmer  in  this 
county  where  he  has  lived  since  1842  and  now 
enjoys  the  benefits  of  his  labors. 

Our  subject  was  horn  in  Shelby  County  in  1833 
his  parents  having  settled  in  Shelbyville  in  1829. 
His  father.  James  W.  Vaughan  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Black  Hawk  War  and  served  a-  a  private  under 
Gen.  Atkinson,  and  helped  to  bury  the  dead  after 
Maj.  Stillman's  defeat  near  Dixon's  Ferry.  After 
piace  was  concluded  and  the  Indian-  were  sent 
beyond  the  Father  of  Waters,  Mr.  Vaughan  came 
hack  to  Shelby  County,  and  there  devoted  himself  to 
his  trade,  lie  was  a  mechanic  and  gunsmith  and 
at  the  same  time  operated  a  farm.  In  1842  he 
removed  from  Shelby  County,  where  he  had  been 
a  pioneer,  to  Whitley  Township.  .Moultrie  County, 
and  later  came  to  Sullivan  but  in  January, 
1864  removed  to  ColesCounty  where  he  continued 
active  in  his  trade  and  upon  the  farm  until  his 
death  which  occurred  June  21.  1890,  when  he  was 
past  eighty-four  years  old.  He  was  born  in-  Vir- 
ginia December  8.  180.0.  and  was  the  son  of  Woody 
Vaughan  who  died  when  James  was  only  eight 
years  old.  The  family  is  of  English  stock  with 
some  German  admixture  and  came  to  this  coun- 
try prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  mother 
of  James  W.  Vaughan  was  a  Miss  Fairer,  who 
was  of  German  descent  and  who  came  with  her 
family  to  Illinois  in  1K2'J  and  died  in  Shelby 
County  at  a  very  advanced  age.  passing  away 
as  did  her  husband  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  beau- 
tiful Christian  faith. 

James  W.  Vaughan  was  eight  years  old  when  his 
mother  moved  to  Tennessee  and  in  1829,  after 
his  marriage  to  Jemima  McNealy  a  native  of  Tennes- 
see lie  came  to  Illinois.  Thisnohle  and  lovely  Christ- 
ian wife  died  in  Moultrie  County  at  the  age  of 
fifty-four  years.  She  had  been  a'  member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  most  of   her  life. 

The  second  matrimonial  union  of  Mr.  Vaughan 
was  with  Mrs.  Melinda  A.  Ellis,  nee  Phillips,  who  is 


yet  living  and  now  at  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years  makes  her  home  in  Cole-  County.  She  i-  a 
member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Church,  in  which 
her  husband.  James  W.  Vaughan  was  for  almost 
fifty  year-  a  minister.  He  was  an  earnest  and  hard 
working  servant  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord. and 
filled  many  pulpits  in  this  State.  He  was  univer- 
sally recognized  as  an  earnest  pioneer  minister  and 
rode  from  point  to  point  on  horseback  to  meet 
appointment  and  to  minister  to  the  spiritual  wants 
of  the  people  in  the  days  when  neighbors  were 
twenty  miles  apart. 

Of  the  children  of  tin-  pioneer  preacher  one. 
Samuel  is  a  Baptist  minister  at  Decatur.  111.:  three, 
William.  John  and  George,  were  soldiers  in  the 
Union  army.  John  being  Lieutenant  of  his  com- 
pany, and  being  killed  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh 
during  the  great  charge  of  the  Union  force-,  lb' 
and  William  belonged  in  Company  B,  Forty-first 
Illinois  Iiifantiv.  William  served  for  three  years 
and  escaped  unhurt  and  is  now  living  near  Bethany. 

Our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  C.  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  under 
(apt.  A.  N".  Smizer  of  Sullivan  and  Col.  Richmond 
of  Mattoon.  This  regiment  took  part  in  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg,  holding  the  key  to  the  city  in  the 
rear,  keeping  the  rebels  from  entering  through  the 
Yazoo  Valley.  Later  they  went  to  Arkansas  doing 
service  at  Duvall's  Bluff  and  Little  Hock.  Oursub- 
ject  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  at  the 
time  the  company  was  organized,  but  owing  to 
sickness  was  forced  to  resign  and  received  his 
honorable  discharge  before  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service. 

The  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Vaughan  united  him 
with  Miss  Beulah  Rhodes,  who  was  born  and  reared 
in  Shelby  County  and  died  in  December,  1880.  She 
wa-  the  mother  of  two  children  now  living:  Ar- 
thur L.  a  farmer,  who  has  married  Nancy  Hughes; 
and  Ida  the  wife  of  Arthur  Hampton,  of  Demorest, 
Ga.  A  daughter  now  deceased,  Olivia,  was  the  wife 
of  S.  F.  Corley.  a  Dakota  farmer.  Our  subject 
was  again  married  at  st.  Joseph,  Mo.  to  Miss  Nancy 
C.  Henry,  who  wa-  bom  in  Macon  County.  111.. 
May  l.'L  1851.  Her  parent-  were  John  and  Sybil 
(Truit)  Henry.  She  resided  in  St.  Joseph  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage.      She  is  the  mother  of  three 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


587 


children  one  sou  Jay.  having  passed  away.  Leslie 
II.  is  afflicted  with  loss  of  hearing  and  is  a  student  in 
the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution  at  Jacksonville  and 
Donna  M.  the  baby  of  the  household  is  the  delight 
of  her  parents,  both  of  whom  are  active  members 
of  society  and  useful  in  their  church  relations 
being  connected  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 


UlLLIAM    J.    SNYDER.      The    gentleman 
whose  biography  it  i-  < mr  pleasure  to  here 
give,  at  least  in  outline,  is  noted  for  the 
interest  that  he  takes  in   the   moral   and   religious 

g 1  of  the  community;  although  he  has  been  and 

is  a  successful  farmer,  he  is  a  deeply  religious  man 
and  devotes  more  time  to  the  progress  of  mental. 
moral  and  spiritual  life  than  to  financial  gain  for 
himself.  He  is  now  one  of  the  county  Sunday- 
school  workers,  having  been  Superintendent  for 
years,  and  once  President  of  the  County  Board. 
lh-  is  at  present  one  of  the  executives,  and  is 
also  a  standing  delegate  to  the  Mate  conventions 
that  meet  in  the  interest  of  thi>  work. 

Iu  the  business  of  general  farming.  Mr.  Snyder 
devotes  himself  mainly  to  stock-raising,  having  one 
of  the  best  stock  farms  in  Flat  Branch  Township, 
being  located  on  section  8,  where  he  owns  four 
hundred  and  twenty  aires.  All  of  this  i-  under  the 
plow.  His  buildings  are  all  first  class  in  construc- 
tion, and  the  place  i?  well  stocked.  Every  improve- 
ment is  the  work  of  lil—  own  hands.  He  purchased 
the  farm  in  1866,  locating  on  it  the  following 
year.  It  was  then  a  wild  brush  patch,  but  with 
undaunted  energy  he  set  about  clearing  it.  planted 
fine  shade  and  fruit  trees,  tilled  the  fields  and 
divided  the  meadows  into  paddocks  win-rein  are 
now  found  horses,  eattle.  sheep  ami  swim-  of  high 
grade  and  breeding.  Naturally  Mr.  Snyder  i>  a 
progressive  farmer  and  i-  aever  satisfied  with  well 
enough. 

Prior  to  the  coming  of  our  subject  to  this  State 
he  was  a  resident  of  Christian  County,  wherein' 
was    bom    in    Prairie   Township,   Ma\    28,    1842. 


There  he  was  reared  ami  educated,   going   through 

the  common    -el Is   and    finishing   at  the  High 

School    at    Mt.  Zion,  in    .Macon    County.     At   the 
breaking   out    of    the    war.    before    he    was    quite 
twenty  years  of   age,   he  enlisted    in  Company   II. 
One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illinois   Infantry.  Col. 
X.   W.  Tucker    i  now    deceased)    and   Capt.    J.    L. 
Dobson,    now    at    Salisbury,    Mo.,    in    command. 
They    joined   Gen.   Sherman's   Army   of   the  Teu- 
nessee,  and  were  with  them  in  the  battle  of  <  >xford. 
Tenn.      Our   subject    saw     much    service    during 
his  experience  in  the  war  and   was  honorably  dis- 
charged in  1862.    He  later,  however,  re-enlisted  in 
the  Thirteenth  New    York    Heavy    Artillery.  Com- 
pany   L,  and   did   marine    service   on   the   Tinted 
Mate-  steamer  "Parks,"  Col.Howard  commanding. 
Thi~  steamer   was   particularly  and   conspicuously 
engaged  in  capturing  rebel    torpedoes  and  in  pre- 
venting the  rebels  from  destroying  the  Union  pro- 
visions   at    Petersburg.       It   also    captured    many 
local  fleets  and  both   commissioned  and  non-com- 
missioned   officers.       It    also   captured    the    .lame- 
River    pirate.     Capt.    Hines.      While     this     little 
marine  hand  saw  comparatively  little   hard   fight- 
ing, they  did  a  great  deal  of  active  and    valuable 
service    and    won    for    themselves     many     laurels. 
( )ur  subject  received  his  final  discharge  at  Newbem, 
N.  (  .  in  1865.     He  was   never   wounded  or  taken 
prisoner,  but  suffered    from  experiences  known  to 
the    kind    of    army    life    he    had    served,    being 
swamped  in  the  surf  at  Port  Fisher,  with  many  of 
his  regiment. 

After  the  war.  Mr.  Snyder  returned  to  hi>  home 
in  this  State  and  devoted  his  time  to  bis  business 
as  a  farmer.  He  has  been  remarkably  successful 
and  of  his  abundant  store,  he  is  generous  and 
open  handed.  He  is  a  son  Of  Michael  Snyder,  of 
whom  a  further  sketch  may  be  found  in  another 
part  of  this  volume.  He  was  married  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Grinner,  who  was 
a  native  of  that  State  and  county,  she  was  there 
reared  and  educated,  where  her  parents  lived  and 
died.  Mrs.  Snyder  is  an  intelligent  and  capable 
woman  and  makes  a  charming  home  for  her  hus- 
band and  children,  who  -how  the  influence  of  re- 
fined and  cultured  home  training.  Our  subject 
and  hi-   wife  are  the  parents  of   -ix   children,  they 


588 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


are:  Lula  M.,  who  is  engaged  as  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  township  therein  she  lives. 
She  was  educated  at  the  YVesleyan  College  at 
Bloomington,  this  State;  Ernest  F..  May  Bell  C, 
William  11..  Lida  Pearl  and  Grace  <;..  who  are  all 
at  home  and  make  the  family  life  merry  with  their 
brightness  and  intelligent  converse. 

<  inr  subject  and  hi:-  wife  are  popular  young 
people.  Mr.  Snyder  is  a  member  of  the  Evangel- 
ical Association,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  He  i-  associated  in  all  his  work 
with  the  best  men  in  the  township  and  county. 
Politically  he  casts  his  vote  and  influence  with  the 
Prohibition  party. 


— 8- 


S.  3 


~.o 


§>^r<m^ 


-J— 


ACOB  F.  BAUER  represents  the  lumber 
trade  at  Stewardson,  having  carried  on  thi> 
business  here  >ince  1885,  his  residence  in 
Shelby  County  dating  from  1865.  He  is 
well  known  as  a  successful,  substantial  and  honored 
citizen.  In  connection  with  the  lumber  business 
Mr.  Bauer  deals  largely  in  farm  machinery,  build- 
ers'hardware  and  paints.  Our  subject  was  born 
in  Hocking  County.  Ohio,  April  •'!.  1836.  He  is  a 
son  of  Jacob  F.  and  .lulia  (Reel)  Bauer,  natives  of 
Baden  and  Hessing,  Germany,  respectively. 

The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  came 
to  the  United  Mates  at  an  early  day  and  settled  in 
Baltimore,  where  the  grandmother  died,  and  later. 
the  grandfather  removed  to  Zanesville,  ( )hk>.  where 
he  died.  The  father  of  our  subject  had  one 
brother,  John  <■.  Bauer,  who  >tiil  resides  in  Vir- 
ginia. The  maternal  grandparents  also  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  at  an  early  day.  first  living  in 
Baltimore,  and  then  in  Zanesville,  Ohio.  Mr. 
Bauer's  mother  had  three  brothers  and  one  sister. 
whose  names  are  Anthony  II..  John  II..  and  Henry 
William  II.  The  two  former  died  at  Columbus, 
Ohio.  Henry  passed  away  at  Lima,  Ohio,  and  Will- 
iam resides  in  Lancaster,  Ohio.  The  sister,  Chris- 
tine E.  Reel,  married  and  lives  in  Ohio. 

Our  subject's  parents  met  and  married  in  Zanes- 
ville where  the  families  were  early  settlers.  The 
young  couple  later  located  in  Hocking  County,  on 


a  farm,  and  there  they  lived,  rearing  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  reach  years 
of  maturity.  Of  these  our  subject  is  the  eldest. 
The  names  of  the  children  are  as  follows:  Chris- 
tena  E.,  Anthony  Henry.  Julia.  Christian.  Solomon. 
David.  William  and  John,  besides  our  subject. 

Mr.  Bauer's  early  life  was  spent  upon  a  farm 
where  he  acquired  a  physical  vigor  from  outdoor 
duties  that  has  been  a  great  advantage  to  him 
throughout  his  career.  His  school  days  were  lim- 
ited and  the  education  that  he  has  acquired  is  a 
practical  one.  attained  mostly  in  intercourse  with 
hi-  fellow-men,  and  by  the  exigencies  of  the  posi- 
tions in  which  he  found  himself  placed.  While  a 
young  man  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter. 
In  1865  he  removed  to  Illinois  and  purchased  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Prairie  Township  and  began  work 
at  his  trade.  This  flrst  purchase  was  the  nucleus 
of  the  line  farm  of  which  he  finally  became  pro- 
prietor, comprising  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  land,  most  of  which  was  originally  wild  prairie 
land.  He  however  expended  much  time  and  money 
in  placing  line  improvements  on  the  place  and 
made  it  hi-  home  until  1885,  when  he  traded  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  for  his  present 
business. 

Before  coming  to  this  State.  Mr.  Bauer  had  taken 
upon  himself  the  duties  and  obligations  of  married 
life.  His  marriage  was  celebrated  in  January.  1859, 
in  Hocking  County.  Ohio,  his  wife's  maiden  name 
being  Catherine  Ulmer.  she.  like  her  husband,  was 
a  native  of  Hocking  County,  Ohio,  her  birth  hav- 
ing occurred  February  25,  1839.  She  passed  away 
from  this  life  in  l«7.'i.  leaving  her  husband  and 
rive  children  to  mourn  her.  The  children's  names 
areas  follows:  Elizabeth,  Julia,  Caroline,  Andrew 
anil  Mary.  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Friese; 
.lulia  presides  over  the  domestic  realm  of  the  house- 
hold of  Ferdinand  Kull;  Caroline  is  the  wife  of 
( reorge  Kircher. 

In  1874  Mr.  Bauer  persuaded  Mrs.  Wilhelmina 
Frede  nee  Kull,  to  take  up  the  reins  of  domestic 
government  in  his  household,  she  was  born  in 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  and  by  her  first  marriage 
was  the  mother  of  live  children.  Mr.  Bauer  and 
his  present  wife  are  the  parents  of  five  children. 
Only  two  of  whom  are  living:  they  are  Tobias  and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RKCORD. 


:,s:. 


Martha.  The  family  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  tin'  Lutheran  Church.  In  his  political  prefer- 
ence, he  of  whom  we  write  is  .-i  stanch  Democrat. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors 
of  his  township  for  three  terms,  and  lias  also  held 
the  positions  of  School  Director  and  Trustee.  Our 
subject  owns  a  beautiful  home  at  Stewardson,  and 
nine  acres  of  land.  His  residence  is  rommodions 
and  com foi table  and  contain- all  the  late  improve- 
ments in  interior  arrangement  that  are  so  necessary 
to  modern  living.  Pecuniarily  he  is  well  fixed, 
and  stand-  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow-towns- 
men because  of  his  practical  business  views  and  his 
honorable  and  upright  dealings. 


H 


:•■ 


iM^ 


'  OSEPH  J.  SMOCK,  resides  on  section  2.  of 
Rural  Township,  Shelbj  County,  his  resi- 
dence in  the  county,  dating  from  1862. 
lie  is  a  native  of  Sullivan  County.  Ind.. 
where  he  was  horn.  February  20,  1844.  Joseph 
Smock  is  a  son  of  Abram  and  Mary  E.  (Weeks) 
Smock,  of  whom  a  fuller  history  may  he  found 
under  the  sketch  of  the  Rev.  Harnett  Smock,  in 
another  part  of  this  volume.  (>ur  subject's  early 
life  was  not  dissimilar  to  that  of  the  majority  of 
lads  who  arc  raised  on  n  farm.  He  early  became 
acquainted  with  the  mysteries  of  milking,  feeding 
the  stock,  ploughing,  hoeing  corn,  and  kindred 
work  that  the  farmer  hoy  is  apt  to  attempt  to 
escape  unless  he  has  a  vigilant  eye  placed  over 
him.  It  is  much  pleasanter  in  a  hot.  June  day.  to 
go  a-fishing  than  to  cultivate  corn. 

The  educational  advantages  enjoyed  by  our  sub- 
ject, were  limited,  although  he  attained  a  good 
foundation  for  a  practical  education  in  the  district 
schools  in  the  vicinity  in  which  hi'  lived.  In  IXtii 
lie  came  to  Shelby  County.  III.,  and  for  one 
year  was  engaged  in  work  as  a  farm  hand,  lie 
then  rented  land  and  tilled  the  same  in  order  to 
get  means  to  purchase.  In  1866,  January  25,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Susanna  Casey,  a 
daughter  of  Judge  John  ami  Nancy  (Denton) 
Casey.  She  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  this  State. 
December  17.  1X46.      Her   father    was  a    native   of 


Kentucky,  and  when  hut  a  child  of  fourteen  years 
of  age,  was  brought  by  his  parents  Levi  and  Chloe 
Casey,  to  Illinois.  The  family  settled  in  Ridge 
Township  in  the  year  1835,  and  at  that  time  en- 
tered :\  large  tract  of  Government  land,  upon 
which  they  made  many  improvements. 

Levi  and  Chloe  Casey  died  at  quite  advanced 
ages.  They  were  parents  of  eight  children.  Their 
son.  John  Casey,  Mrs.  Smock's  father,  was 
horn  February  16,  1813,  in  Warren  County.  Ky. 
The  family  removed  to  Illinois  in  1816,  and  re- 
sided in  Bond  County  until  1835.  John  Casey 
was  married  February  20,  1834  to  Mahala  Jackson, 
who  dii'cl  in  July.  1835,  leaving  one  child  as  a 
reminder  of  his  gentle  and  affectionate  wife.  Oc- 
tober 19,  1837,  Mr.  Ca>c\  again  married,  his  bride 
being  Nancy  Denton.  Their  union  was  blessed  by 
the  birth  of  eleven  children,  of  these  four  daugh- 
ters and  one  son  survive  hint.  In  Hie  early  days 
Judge  John  (  asey  was  a  man  of  considerable 
prominence.  He  filled  the  position  of  Justice  of 
tin'  Peace  from  l!Sf.">  to  1860,  and  during  this 
period  he  solemnized  many  marriages.  In  1  H4(>. 
he  became  a  volunteer,  enlisting  in  the  Mexican 
War,  entering  the  army  in  Company  B, Third  Reg- 
iment, Captain  Foreman  in  command.  He  served 
to  the  end  of  the  war  and  was  regarded  as  a  brave 
soldier  and  a  loyal  citizen  of  the  Republic  of  the 
I'nitcd  Stall's.  He  made  a  record  for  being  the 
fleetest  runner  and  the  hot  rifleman  in  the 
regiment. 

Before  Mr.  Casey  left  home  for  service,  he  pur- 
chased a  pair  of  -hoes  of  General  Thornton  anil 
these  he  wore  during  the  whole  lime  in  which  he 
was  in  service  and  on  his  return,  the  General  pre- 
sented  him  with  a  new  paii'  in  exchange  for  the 
old  ones,  which  he  kept  as  a  souvenir  and  which 
are  properly  labeled  as  a  treasured  relic  of  that 
stormy  period.  Judge  Casey  was  one  of  the  As- 
sociate Judges  under  the  old  system.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Twenty-seventh  General  Assembly, 
and  served  as  a  Supervisor  for  several  terms.  Iii 
1874,  he  removed  to  Shelbyville,  which  he  made 

his  home  until   his  death.      He  was    that    extremely 

rare  thing  in  law.  an  honest  judge,  and  prided 
himself  that  his  won!  was  as  good  at  any  time,Cas 
his  bond,     In  his  religious  preference,  he    was   a 


:>!m 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Baptist.  Personally  he  was  an  immense  man, 
weighing  from  [three  Tiundred  to  three  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds. 

After'marriage  our  subject,  Mr.  Smock,  resided 
in  Ridge  Township  for  two  years,  there  operating 
land  which  he  runted.  They  then  returned  to 
Flat  Branch|Township,  also  renting  their  land  for 
one  year.  Thence  they  went  to  Pickaway  Town- 
ship, where  they  rented  land  for  three  years.  From 
there  they  came  to  Rural  Township,  making  a  stay 
of  six  years.  Then  they  returned  to  Pickaway 
Township,  where  they  remained  for  ten  years, 
since  which  time  they  have  lived  in  Rural  Town- 
ship, where  he  purchased  a   farm  of   one  hundred 

and  twenty  acres,  all  of   which    is   g 1   and   well 

improved  land. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smock  have  had  their  lives  enrich- 
ed by  the  advent  into  their  family  of  live  children. 
Two  of  these  were  lent  them  but  for  a  short  time. 
The  three  living  are  Aha  !'>..  Chloe  Ellen  and 
Eliza  A.  Politically  our  subject  is  a  follower  of 
the  Democratic  party,  casting  his  vote  and  influ- 
ence with  it.  Mrs.  Smock  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Baptist  Church,  she  is  an  intelligent,  as 
well  as  amiable  and  cultured  woman. 


"•5-5-5-1-ms 


5  *.%  *.%  •■%  *J*  .- 


AMES  HOGARTH,  a  prosperous  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Penn  Township,  was  horn  in 
Yorkshire.  England.  July  5,  1839.  His 
father,  who  bore  the  same  name  as  himself, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  country,  his  birthplace 
being  Westmoreland,  and  he  in  turn  was  the  son 
of  another  James  Hogarth,  who  was  a  farmer,  na- 
tive of  Lancastershire,  and  a  life-long  resident  of 
England.  The  father  of  oursubjecl  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  in  York- 
shire, where  he  spent  his  last  years.  lie  married 
Elizabeth  Birtle,  whose  whole  life  was  passed  in 
Yorkshire.  She  was  the  mother  of  two  children, 
our  subject  and  Isabella,  her  daughter  spending  her 
entire  life  in  England. 

Our  subject  was  left  an  orphan  when  only  ten 
years  old.  As  soon  as  large  enough  he  began 
work  on  the  farm  and  early    gained  a  practical  in- 


sight into  the  hot  methods  of  carrying  on  farming. 
While  attending  school  he  learned  a  great  deal 
about  the  United  states  of  America,  a  subject 
which  hail  a  great  interest  for  him.  and  in  pursu- 
ance of  a  determination  to  try  life  in  this  great 
and  growing  country,  he  embarked  at  Liverpool 
in  I860,  on  the  steamer  "Washington  City,"  and 
after  a  voyage  of  eleven  days  landed  at  Castle  Gar- 
den. New  York,  lie  came  directly  to  Shelby 
County,  arriving  here  with  about  $15  in  his 
pocket,  which  scant  capital  was  supplemented  by  a 
courageous  heart,  a  cool  head  and  steady  hand, 
and  willingness  to  do  whatsoever  he  found  to  do 
with  the  capacity  of  doing  it  well.  He  began  life 
here  by  working  on  a  farm  by  the  month, continu- 
ing that  employment  until  his  marriage,  when  he 
located  on  the  farm  in  Penn  Township,  that  he 
has  since  occupied.  At  that  time  the  place  was 
but  very  little  improved,  hut  since  it  came  into 
his  hands  he  has  wrought  a  wonderous  change  by 
persistent  and  well  directed  labor.  The  land  is 
now  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  the  neat 
i  and  substantial  buildings  comparing  with  an\  in 
the  township,  and  fruit,  shade  and  ornamental 
trees,  planted  by  his  own  hand,  add  greatly  to  the 
attractiveness  of  the  place.  The  reader  will  be 
pleased  to  notice  a  view  of  this  homestead  on  an- 
other page. 

In  USfiT.  Mr.  Hogarth  took  unto  himself  a  wife 
in  the  person  of  Airs.  Margaret  (Shimman) Birkett, 
a  native  of  Cumberland, England.  Mrs.  Hogarth's 
father.  Philip  Shimman,  was  reared  on  the  Isle  of 
Man,  and  thence  he  removed  to  Cumberland,  where 
he  lived  for  many  years.  In  1!S57  he  came  to 
America  with  Mrs.  Hogarth.  He  visited  a  short 
time  in  Cleveland.  Ohio,  and  then  went  to  Clinton 
in  the  same  State,  to  see  a  daughter,  and  died  in 
her  home  ten  weeks  after  landing  in  this  country. 
I  lis  wife  died  in  England  in  1851.  She  was  the 
mother  of  six  children,  of  whom  these  three  came 
to  the  United  States — Mis.  Hogarth,  her  sister 
Mary  and  brother    Thomas. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  grew  to  womanhood  in 
her  native  shire,  and  was  first  married  there  to 
John  Birkett.  He  was  a  native  of  that  part  of 
England,  and  resided  there  until  1857.  In  that 
year.  August  7.  he  set  ^;i il   from   Liverpool  on  the 


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or 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


593 


vessel  "American  Union,"  accompanied  byhiswife 
and  her  father,  and  landed  in  New  York  after  a 
voyage  of  six  weeks  and  five  days.  He  and  liis 
wife  lived  in  Ohio  from  is.">7  to  I860,  then  they 
came  to  Todd's  Point  Township,  this  county,  which 
at  that  time  was  bu(  sparsely  settled  and  little  im- 
proved, with  plenty  of  laud  for  sale  at  *.">  or  lo- 
an acre.  Mr.  Birkett's  means  were  limited,  and  he 
began  life  in  his  new  home  on  rented  laud.  In 
the  spring  of  18(>4  lie  bought  a  tract  of  railway 
land  in  Peim  Township,  and  at  once  commenced 
to  improve  a  farm.  But  he  was  not  destined  to 
finish  hi:-  work,  as  death  cut  short  his  career  in  the 
fall  of  that  year,  and  his  township  lost  a  useful 
citizen. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hogarth  arc  people  of  most  esti- 
mable character,  worthy  in  every  way  of  the  good 
will  and  respect  of  llicir  neighbors,  which  is  ac- 
corded to  them  in  full  measure.  They  are  both 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  national 
politics  Mr.  Hogarth  votes  the  Republican  ticket, 
luit  in  local  affairs  he  is  independent,  giving  liis 
support  to  the  best  man  regardless  of  party. 


N 


DAM  II.  FULTON.  Forty  years  seems,  in 
considering  the  history  of  the  develop- 
ment of  some  countries,  a  mere  speck  of 
time,  but  in  this  Western  World,  since 
railroads  have  been  reaching  out  their  grasping 
fingers  in  every  direction  and  carrying  along  their 
line  an  infusion  of  vigorous  life,  it  is  not  aston- 
ishing  that  as  much  should  have  been  done  in  so 
short  a  time,  as  has  taken  ages  to  evolve  in  tin- 
Old  World.  It  is  a  truism  that  weaie  the  heirs  of 
all  the  ages,  and  that  fact  should  make  us  modest 
instead  of   boastful. 

Our  subject  first  saw  the  light  of  day  a  little 
over  forty  years  ago  upon  the  place  where  he  at 
this  time  resides,  his  natal  day  being  June  Id. 
1851.  These  forty  years  of  life  spent  in  Rural 
Township  have  not  been  without  avail,  for  his 
early  efforts  have  been  crowned  with  success,  and 
he  is  now  a  large  and  prominent  farmer  of  Shelby 


County,  residing  on  section  13,  of  Rural  Town- 
ship,    lie  is  a  son  of    Adam   and   Elizabeth  (Hill) 

Fulton,  natives  of  County  Antrim,  Ireland.  They 
were  married  in  their  native  land,  ami  in  1849 
came  to  the  United  States.  Adam  Fulton,  our 
subject's  father,  entered  land  from  the  Government 
in  Rural  and  Ridge  Townships,  but  he  died  in  the 
winter  of  1851   or    1852. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  being  the  only  child 
and  an  infant  of  but  six  months  old  at  the  lime  of 
his  father's  death,  he  was  not  of  much  assistance 
to  his  mother  for  some  time  after  her  bereave- 
ment. She  lived  until  March.  1890,  when  she  died 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  the  Only  member  of  his  family  to 
leave  the  native  land  for  the  United  states,  but 
on  his  mother's  side  he  has  an  uncle  living  in 
Shelbyville,  whose  name  is  George  B.Hill.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  early  learned  the 
duties  of  a  farmer's  lad.   His  education  was  attained 

at  the  common  scl Is.  and  there  he  was  fitted  for 

the  practical  relations  of  life.  lie  continues  to 
reside  on  the  homestead  and  has  not  yet  made  up 
his  mind  to  surrender  his  bachelor  freedom  and 
enter  the  benedictine  ranks. 

Mr.  Fulton  is  the  owner  of  a  .section  of  land 
and  also  thirty  acres  in  Ridge  Township.  Upon 
these  he  has  erected  good  buildings, and  the  houses 
and  barns  on  each  are  attractive  and  commodious 
structures.  He  devotes  himself  principally  to  the 
raising  of  grain  and  has  found  this  generally  to 
be  a  most  lucrative  business.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  forty-seven  years  of  age  the  time  of 
his  death.  lb'  came  to  the  United  States  some 
years  prim-  to  1849,  ami  was  a  merchant  at  Cincin- 
nati, and  also  kept  a  country  store  in  the  village 
of  Ilenton.  Shelby  County.  He  returned  to  Ire- 
land, during  which  visit  home  he  was  married, 
and  in  1849  broughl  his  bride  to  the  United 
states.  They  were  good,  substantial  citizens  and  as- 
sociated with  the  best  element  wherever  they  lived. 
In  their  religious  preference  they  were  attendants 
upon  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Like  his  parents,  our  subject  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  he  affiliates  with 
the  Republican  party  and  has  held  several  of  the 
minor  local  Offices  in  the  gift  of  his  party.      He  is  one 


594 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


of  the  substantial  business  men  of  the  county,  and 
besides  the  land  he  owns  here,  he  is  also  the  owner 
two  hundred  acres  in  Flat  Branch  Township,  one 
hundred  and  sixty  of  which  was  entered  by  his 
father  and  is  known  as  "Bald  Knob."  As  do  all 
these  places,  this  boasts  of  a  good  class  of  improve- 
ments. 

<  >n  another  page  of  this  volume   the   reader  will 
find  a  view  of  Mr.  Fulton's  homestead. 


c=1 


^+^[ 


AMUEL  M.  RHOADS.     One    of    the    most 
^s^     delightful  homes  in  Jonathan  Creek  Town- 


ship, Moultrie  County,  is  the  one  occupied 
by  the  family  of  Mr.  Rhoads.  It  is  located 
on  section  35.  and  >  not  only  handsome  in  its  ex- 
terior but  delightfully  located  and  fitted  up,  and 
furnished  with  numerous  evidences  of  taste  and  re- 
finement. The  beauty  of  the  home  is  not,  how- 
ever, entirely  due  to  its  material  adornments,  for 
it  is  permeated  with  a  lovely  spirit  of  cordiality 
and  harmony,  which  gives  to  every  visitor  an 
impression  of  cordial  good-fellowship  and  true 
home  life. 

The  owner  of  this  pleasant  home  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Rebecca  (Bradford)  Rhoads,  both  na- 
tives of  Tennessee.  The  father  resides  at  this 
present  writing  in  Arkansas,  where  he  was  a  few 
years  ago  bereaved  by  the  death  of  his  wife.  Only 
two  children  blessed  this  worthy  couple,  namely: 
our  subject  and  his  sister  Catherine.  Christmas 
Day.  18.r>0.  was  a  date  of  greal  importance  in  the 
life  of  this  family,  as  upon  that  day  was  born  to 
William  and  Rebecca  Rhoads  their  only  son.  Sam- 
uel M.  Arkansas  was  his  native  home  and  the 
scene  of  his  boyhood  days,  and  after  taking  his 
training  there  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  in  such 
schools  as  the  neighborhood  afforded,  he  came  to 
Moultrie  County.  III.,  and  worked  out  by  the 
month  at  farm  labor,  with  the  exception  of  eight 
months,  when  he  worked  in  McLean  County,  this 
State.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  anil  has  made  of  them  a  notable 
success. 

The  day  of  days  to  this  young  man  was  August 


1,  1869,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  in  Fast 
Nelson  Township,  with  Miss  lVnnelia  Wiley,  who 
was  born  in  1851.  She  is  a  daughter  of  the  late 
Thomas  Wiley,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Fast  Nel- 
son Township.  The  young  couple  settled  upon 
section  35,  Jonathan  Creek  Township,  and  there 
they  have  ever  since  made  their  home,  and  upon 
this  beautiful  farm  Mr.  Rhoads  has  erected  the 
pleasant  house  which  serves  as  the  family  residence. 
lie  has  made  other  substantial  improvements  and 
most  of  his  two  bundled  and  eighty  acres  is  in  an 
improved  condition. 

.Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhoads  are  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren— Emor  V..  Flora.  Thomas.  Edith,  Edna  and 
Black.  This  gentleman  has.  in  his  office  as  School 
Director,  done  much  to  advance  the  educational 
interests  of  the  community,  and  is  helping  to  build 
up  a  healthy  public  sentiment  in  this  respect.  His 
convictions  have  led  him  to  ally  himself  with  the 
Democratic  party,  and  he  believes  that  the  princi- 
ples endorsed  by  the  author  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  are  good  enough  for  Americans 
now-a-days.  He  gives  hisattention  to  general  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising,  in  which  he  linds  both  en- 
joyment and  success. 


<>I1N  I).  DAUGHERTY.  It  would  be  diffi- 
cult  to  find  among  the  farming  community 
of  Moultrie  County  a  man  who  wields 
greater  influence  or  has  greater  personal 
popularity  than  the  gentleman  whose  name  intro- 
duces this  sketch.  His  life  has  been  spent  in  the 
peaceful  pursuance  of  his  calling  of  a  farmer  and 
in  a  share  of  the  local  public  affairs.  His  home- 
stead upon  section  1  1,  Fast  Nelson  Township,  ranks 
among  the  best  in  the  community,  while  the  entire 
amount  of  land  owned  and  operated  by  Mr.  Daugh- 
erty  in  this  township  comprises  three  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  acres.  He  is  also  interested  in  land 
in  Whitley  Township  and  is  in  various  ways  closely 
identified  with  the  development  of  this  section. 

Virginia   claims  Mr.  Daugherty   as  one  of  her 
children,  and  in  Shenandoah  County  he  was  born 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


595 


January  10,  1823.  Amid  scenes  which  have  since 
Keen  made  memorable  in  the  history  of  our  countn  . 
he  grew  to  a  stalwart  manhood,  aiding  in  the  farm 
work  at  home  and  attending  the  village  school  in 
the  intervals  of  harvesting.  At  the  age  of  tlnrt\ 
he  left  the  ( >ld  Dominion  and  proceeding  Westward 
as  far  as  Illinois,  settled  in  Coles  County,  where  lie 
remained  one  year.  The  year  1854  found  him  in 
Moultrie  County  establishing  himself  as  a  farmer 
in  East  Nelson  Township.  He  soon  became  prom- 
inent in  local  affairs  ami  was  well  known  a-  a  man 
of  honor  and  integrity. 

Mr.  Daugherty  has  made  Moultrie  County  his 
home  since  his  first  arrival  here,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  years  spent  in  Coles  County  during  the 
late  war.  For  many  years  he  had  the  companion- 
ship of  a  most  estimable  woman,  who  was  true  to 

the  interests  of  husband  and  children,  and  a  u 1 

neighbor  and  friend,  she  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  Elizabeth  Waggoner  and  was  horn  in  Moultrie 
County.  Her  union  with  our  subject,  which  was 
solemnized  in  Whitley  Township,  this  county,  was 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  three  children,  George  R., 
who  died  in  infancy,  Anna  E.  and  an  infant  who 
died  unnamed. 

The  wife  and  mother  passed  from  earth  in  No- 
vember, 1889,  at  her  home  in  East  Nelson  Town- 
ship, she  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  conscientious  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  ever 

working  for  the  u' 1  of  others  ami   living  in  her 

life  the  principles  of  the  -'Golden  Rule."  Their 
daughter,  Miss  Anna,  i-  now  a  refined  and  intelli- 
gent young  lady,  upon  whom,  in  his  declining 
years,  the  father  leans  for  support  and  advice. 
she  is  judicious  in  the  management  of  household 
affairs  and  possesses  good  judgment.  A  good  bus- 
iness woman,  practical  and  thorough  in  her  work, 
she  is  also  intellectual,  and  in  social  circles  is  an 
ever  welcome  ^uest. 

Believing  that  the  principles  of  the  Democratic 
party  are  best  adapted  for  the  promotion  of  the 

common   g 1.  Mr.  Daugherty  uniformly  casts  his 

ballot  for  the  candidates  pledged  to  it>  support. 
He  has  held  the  minor  offices  of  the  township  ami 
served  as  Highway  Commissioner  for  >ix  years, 
doing  much  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  com- 
munity in  this   way  and  scrvine  with   credil    to 


himself  and  his  constituents.  Religiously  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  is  respected  for 

the  strength  of  his  character  and  the  industry  he 
has  shown  in  worldly  affairs.  His  labors  have 
gained  for  him  a  competency  sufficient  to  insure 
him  against  want  and  enable  him  to  gratify  all 
reasonable  desires. 


i»>»i>'> 


dene* 
have 


X.  STEWARD.  The  gentleman  who  is  the 
subject  of  this  -ketch  is  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  tile  and  brick  in  Rural 
Township,  Shelby  County,  hut  his  resi- 
is  in  Shelbyville,  and  few-,  if  any  men. 
been  for  many  years,  more  industrious 
than  he.  or  more  successful.  His  residence  dates 
from  1858,  at  which  time  he  left  his  native  State, 
Ohio,  and  removed  to  Illinois.  He  was  horn  Sep- 
tember 2ti.  1833,  ami  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Lacount)  Steward,  natives  of  Maryland.  They 
came  to  Shelby  County  in  1860,  and  both  passed 
away  in  Rural  Township  at  the  advanced  age  of 
-c\  enty-fi\  e  years. 

lie  of  whom  we  have  the  pleasure  of  writing 
this  sketch,  was  one  of  a  family  of  six  children 
boil)  to  his  parents.  Their  names  are  as  follows: 
.Tame-.  Sarah,  John,  Frances.  Mary  and  Russell  15. 
.lames  ami  Russell  IS.  both  reside  in  Sumner  County. 
Kan.:  Sarah,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Smith  resides  in 
Iowa:  Frances,  who  married  a  Mr.  Finney,  died 
at  Assumption,  II!.:  Mary,  who  is  Mrs.  Finney,  re- 
ticles in  Washington. 

The  educational  advantages  enjoyed  by  our 
subject,  were  limited,  being  only  such  as  could  he 
absorbed  at  a  country  school  during  the  summer 
months,  that  period  when  the  mind  a-  well  as  the 
body,  is  relaxed  and  so  little  capable  of  vigorous 
action.  However,  he  had  perseverance  enough  to 
work  for  an  additional  three  month--'  term  at 
Westerville  College.  Ohio.  Thereafter  he  gave  his 
attention  to  farming  and  became  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land.  While  dealing 
in  live  stock,  he  met  with  heavy  losses,  and  iii 
fact,  was  -o  deeply  involved,  that  some  ofhiscred- 
itors  offered  to  accept    fifty  cent-  on  the  dollar  in 


596 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


.settlement.  But  while  he  felt  that  he  had  youth 
and  energy,  he  was  too  much  of  a  man  to  accept 
this  concession,  and  sturdily  promising  to  pay  all 
in  full,  if  they  would  hut  li'ive  him  more  time,  he 
started  anew,  laboring  almost  night  and  day.  He, 
however,  discharged  all  his  debts  and  his  credit 
was  restored,  and  the  confidence  that  this  manly 
course  aroused  in  his  creditors  and  townsmen  was 
of  great  value  to  him. 

Our  subject  is  now  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  Rural  Township,  on  which,  in  1881,  lie 
erected  a  tile  and  and  brick  factory,  and  now  turns 
out  a  half  million  brick  annually,  and  of  such 
good  quality  that  it  is  steadily  gaining  ground  in 
commerce.  .Mr.  Steward  married  in  1855,  to  Miss 
Sophia  I).  Aider.  The  children  whose  names  fol- 
low, were  the  fruit  of  this  union:  Marcellus  A. 
died  in  childhood;  Josephine  died  in  18.">8;  Alice 
married  John  Middlesworth,  and  has  since  died: 
Flora  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Thomas,  and  resides  in 
Assumption,  III;  Harlow  \V.:  Alma,  who  died  in 
child! 1:  Wallace  and  Kt'fa.  Politically  Mr.  Stew- 
ard is  a  follower  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  socially 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


• 


-. 


-.-.■ 


■^ 


4  jfclLLIAM  H.  AKINS.  who  is  a  well-known 
\jjJ\l  practitioner  before  the  Circuit  and  Dis- 
'Wvl  trict  Court,  and  also  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois,  is  enjoying  a  lucrative  practice 
in  Cowden,  Shelly  County,  and  surrounding- 
towns.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county  and  was 
born  in  1818.  His  parents.  Samuel  and  Susan 
(Moore)  Akins,  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  North 
Carolina  respectively.  Roth  are  now  deceased, 
the  father  having  departed  this  life  in  1879, at  the 
age  of  sixty-two  years,  and  the  mother  having 
died  in  1883,  after  having  reached  her  fifty-eighth 
year. 

The  father  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War. 
He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  11,  Forty- 
first  Illinois  Infantry,  and  at  the  close  of  his  term 
of  service  re-enlisted  and  remained  in  the  army 
until  the  close  of  the  war  as  a   veteran  volunteer. 


He  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  First  Lieu- 
tenant, but  was  not  mustered  in  as  such,  owing  to 
its  depleted  ranks,  as  there  were  not  men  enough 
to  entitle  the  company  to  a  full  quota  of  com- 
missioned officers.  He  participated  in  all  the  en- 
gagements, marches  and  manoeuvres  in  which  his 
regiment  was  engaged  during  all  his  long  term 
of  service. 

Of  the  family  of  our  subject's  parents  three 
sons  and  two  daughters  are  living:  John,  a  farmer, 
married  Mary  Belt  and  resides  in  Cowden;  Rachel 
L.,  the  wife  of  William  Beck,  a  farmer,  resides  in 
Fayette  County,  this  State;  Mary  A.  is  unmarried 
and  is  the  housekeeper  for  her  brother,  our  sub- 
ject; Henry  C.  married  .lane  Belt  and  resides  in 
Cowden,  being  engaged  in  farming. 

William  Akins,  like  his  father,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  in  January,  1864,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war  in  Company  M, 
Third  Illinois  Cavalry,  lie  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Tupelo,  Guntown,  Nashville  and  sub- 
sequent  engagements  growing  out  of  that  cam- 
paign. During  the  summer  of  1865  the  regiment 
operated  in  a  campaign  against  the  Indians  in  Da- 
kota and  in  the  Red  River  Valley,  starting  from  Ft. 
Snelling,  Devil's  Lake,  and  Ft.  Bethel,  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi River,and  made  a  march  of  several  hundred 
miles.  They  endured  many  privations  and  dangers 
incident  to  their  removal  from  civilization  and 
close  proximity  to  hostile  bands  of  Indians.  This 
regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Ft.  Snell- 
ing. Minn.,  in  October,  1865. 

Farming  and  teaching  engaged  Mr.  Akins  for 
awhile  alter  his  return  home,  and  during  that  time 
he  commenced  the  study  of  law  and  became  a 
student  in  the  law  department  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity of  Iowa  in  1881,  being  graduated  from 
that  popular  institution  in  1882,with  honor  to  him- 
self and  credit  to  his  Alma  Mater.  Pursuant  upon 
his  graduation  Mr.  Akins  resumed  teaching  for 
two  years,  also  superintending  his  farm.  In  1885 
he  opened  his  present  office  in  Cowden.  In  con- 
nection with  his  business  as  an  attorney  and  coun- 
seior-at-law  he  deals  considerably  in  real  estate, 
buying  and  selling,  and  does  a  general  law  and 
land  business.  Mr.  Akins  is  a  worthy  member  of 
Samuel   Akins  Post.  No.  566,  G,  A.  R.,  which  was 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


597 


named  in  honor  of  his  deceased  father.  Mr.  Akins 
also  handles  a  number  of  standard  insurance  com- 
panies  besides  personally  carrying  on  his  farm  of 
about  ninety  acres,  which  is  situated  two  miles 
from  Cowden.  Thi>  tract  is  mostly  in  hay  and 
has  a  line  yield.  His  political  view-  have  allied 
him  with  the  Republican  party,  to  which  he  is  an 
intelligent  adherent. 


=^i 


I — !  DGAR  ALLEN.     He  of  whom   we  write  is  a 
member  of  a  family  who  just   previous  to 

the  war  settled  in  thi-  -late.  His  father 
was  a  large  landowner  and  a  man  who  was  highly 
respected  in  the  community,  our  subject  resides 
on  section  26.  of  Ridge  Township.  Shelby  County. 
where  lie  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres 
of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  His  parents 
were  George  and  Nancy  (Carlisle)  Allen,  natives 
respectively  of  Maryland  and  Ohio,  having  met 
and  married  in  the  latter  State.  Our  subject  ba- 
llon! April  18.  1854.  and  is  now  in  the  meridian 
of  life. 

In  1863,  our  subject's  parents  came  to  Shelby 
County,  and  purchased  two  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  land  which  was  at  that  time  but  little  im- 
proved. They  paid  for  this  $18  per  acre.  The 
father  however,  returned  to  Ohio,  and  there  in  the 
winter  of  1863.  February  24,  hi-  died,  leaving  a 
family  of  eight  children  to  mourn  iii-  decease.  They 
are  Sarah  A..  William  II..  Annetta,Angeline,Thomas, 
Theodore.  Edgar  and  Alice.  Sarah  married  And- 
erson Hunter.  Annetta  became  the  wife  of  Milton 
Hunter  and  died  in  Shelby  County.  Angeline  was 
married  to  George  X.  Arnold,  ami  Alice  became 
the  wife  of  M.  E.  Moore.  In  the  spring  of  1864, 
the  mother  with  her  family  of  children  returned  to 
thi-  State  and  settled  On  the  land  purchased  by  the 
husband  and  father.  She  is  still  living  having  at- 
tained more  than  the  three— core  years  and  ten  usu- 
allv  allotted  to  mankind. 

Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  until  he 
arrived  at  manhood.  He  was  there  engaged  in  the 
usual  duties  of  a  fanner  lad.  which  duties  were  re- 
lieved by  the  enjoyments  and  amusements  common 


to  country  life.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
district  schools  in  this  vicinity,  and  is  thus  prepared 
for  the  practical  hand-to-hand  combat  with  daily 
life. 

In  February,  1885,  Mr.  Allen  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  a  lady  whose  maiden  name  was  Miss  Allie 
Brandt,  a  daughter  of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Rugh) 
Brandt,  who  still  reside  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio. 
Four  children  graced  and  beautified  this  union, 
three  of  whom  are  living.  Bessie,  Maude  and  The- 
odore are  bright,  intelligent  children,  who  promise 
to  more  than  fulfdl  their  fond  parents' expectations 
and  hope  for  them.  Politically,  our  subject  affili- 
iates  witn  the  Democratic  party  and  under  his 
party  he  has  for  some  time  held  the  position  of 
Tax  Collector.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


m>-^<a 


•"">  EORGE  W.  YANTIS.      One  of  the  men  who 
I     —    lias  made  many  sacrifices  forpersonal  inter- 

V A    ests  that  have  redounded  to  the  benefit  and 

advantage  of  the  place  that  he  has  made  his  home. 
is  he  whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  Although  he 
has  accumulated  neither  the  land  no  rthe  pecuni- 
ary advantages  that  many  of  his  neighbors  and 
fellow-townsmen  have  gained,  no  one  has  accom- 
plished more  for  the  township  than  has  our  subject. 
Recognizing  that  educational  advantages  offer  in- 
ducements for  settlement  to  the  best  class  of  people 
he  ha-  striven  to  build  up  a  reputation  in  this  dir- 
ection for  the  town,  and  he  is  a  progressive  man 
in  every  way.  Mr.  Yantis  is  a  general  farmer 
residing  on  section  '■'<■>.  of  Pickaway  Township. 
where  he  owns  eighty  acres  of  well  improved  land. 
Our  subject  located  on  liis  present  farm  in  1864. 
It  was  at  the  lime  partially  improved  and  since 
then  he  has  expended  much  money  and  unceasing 
effort  in  bringing  it  up  to  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. He  ha-  lived  in  this  township  since  IS.".."), 
and  in  the  county  since  1853.  lb-  Was  born  in 
Pickaway  County.  Ohio.  April  20,  1836,  and  is  the 
second  son  of  Daniel  Yantis.  of  whom  a  biograph- 
ical sketch  may  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
volume. 


598 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


The  original  of  our  sketch  was  only  a  young  man 
when  his  parents  came  to  this  State,  and  lie  here 
attained  his  majority,  where  his  marriage  took 
plaee.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Miss  Lueinda 
Toiler,  who  was  born  August  2.  1SP5.  in  Flat 
Branch  Township.  She  was  reared  and  educated 
in  this  county  and  here  died  at  their  home  May  4. 
1882.  She  was  a  daughter  of  .lames  Toiler  one 
of  the  oldest  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  county. 
Mr-.  Yantis  was  a  co-worker  with  her  husband  in 
everything  that  pertained  to  the  interest  and  ad- 
vancement of  the  community.  She  was  a  kindly 
neighbor,  and  an  intelligent  ami  cultured  woman, 
she  was  a  member  of  the  old-school  Baptisl  Church, 
and  an  ardent  worker  in  that  body.  Five  children 
came  to  enliven  the  home  life  of  our  subject  and 
his  estimable  wife.  One  ofthese,a  daughter  whose 
name  was  Rose  li.  is  deceased.  The  living  child 
ren  are  Minnie  E.  John  W..  James  T.  and  George 
V.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  William  Seibert,  and 
lives  in  Assumption,  where  her  husband  i- engaged 
in  the  grocery  business.  John  W.  took  to  wife 
Rachael  Rice  and  he  now  lives  on  a  farm  in  llii- 
coiinly  and  township.  James  was  married  to  Nora 
B.  Killam  and  resides  in  Elk  County.  Kan.  on  a 
farm.  George  lire-  with  his  father  ami  is  of  great 
assistance  in  conducting  the  business  of   the  farm. 

Our  subject  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  belief. 
He  has  no  aspirations  to  high  position,  and  enjoys 
the  consciousness  that  while  the  pleasure  of  his  life 
i-  in  his  home,  his  heart  is  disposed  to  work  unsel- 
fishly tor  the  g'ood  of  others. 


\T  EFFERSOX  YV\  CARR.  The  name  that 
heads  this  sketch  is  that  of  a  gentleman 
».||;  who  resides  on  his  farm  on  section  19,  of 
l^Vyj/  Prairie  Township.  He  was  horn  in  Holland 
Township,  Shelby  County,  March  17.  1839.  He  is 
a  son  of  Elias  and  Nancy  Can-,  a  history  of  whom 
may  he  found  in  that  of  \V.  0.  Carr.  Oursubject's 
early  training  was  such  as  would  tit  him  for  agri- 
cultural life,  having  been  horn  and  reared  on  a 
farm,   and    naturally    being    thoroughly    well    ac- 


quainted with  such  duties.  Mr.  Carr  now  own- 
two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  which  it  is 
now  hard  to  believe,  was  not  so  many  years  ago  in 
a  crude,  uncultivated  state. 

When  a  lad  of  hut  nine  rears,  the  parents  of  our 
subject  were  taken  away  and  he  thereafter  made 
his  home  with  an  uncle,  and  with  other  guardian-. 
The  thought  of  the  lad  without  a  mother's  tender 
care  and  a  father's  counsel,  involuntarily  arouses 
our  sympathies.  In  1861,  when  the  heavens  were 
overcast  with  the  clouds  of  war.  our  subject  en- 
listed in  Company  11.  of  the  Forty-first  Illinois  In- 
fantry. Ih-  was  mustered  in  at  Decatur.  111.,  ami 
first  met  lire  at  Ft.  Donelson.  After  that  time 
he  took  part  in  the  most  desperate  and  celebrated 
battles  of  the  late  war.  He  saw  men  mowed  down 
before  the  tire  of  the  cannon  like  swaths  of  wheat, 
nt  Shiloh,  Corinth,  and  that  battle  whose  name  is 
asynonym  for  the  greatest  military  tragedy,  the 
battle  of  Vicksburg.  After  Vicksburg,  the  regi- 
ment in  which  our  subject  was  re-enlisted  and  lie- 
came  one  with  the  consolidated  Fifty-third  Illinois 
Infantry.  Thus  they  -erred  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  engaged  in  many  skirmishes  ami  being  par- 
ticipants in  much  hard  lighting.  Mr.  Can-  was 
mustered  out  at  l'aducah.  Ky.  He  was  a  private, 
being  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  fought,  not  for 
fame,  or  position,  but  because  of  loyalty  to  his 
country.  He  went  with  the  regiment  under  Sher- 
man in  hi-  celebrated  march  from  Atlanta  to  the 
sea.  thence  proceeded  to  Washington  and  partici- 
pated in  the  Grand  Review.  Our  subject  had  the 
rare  good  fortune  for  one  who  took  part  in  so 
many  serious  engagements,  never  to  have  re- 
rceived  a  wound,  to  he  taken  prisoner,  or  sent  to  the 
hospital. 

After  the  war.  he  of  whom  we  write  purchased  a 
farm  in  Prairie  Township,  where  he  settled  and  it 
is  hi-  present  home.  In  1867.  he  was  married 
to  .Matilda  William- a  daughter  of  John  Williams, 
who  settled  as  a  pioneer  in  Shelby  County,  at  an 
early  day.  There.  Mrs.  Carr  was  bora  April  18. 
1849.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carr  have  the  good  fortune 
to  he  the  parents  of  six  intelligent  and  manly  sons. 
Their  names  are  Sherman,  Walter.  Erven,  John. 
Mahlon   and  Roy  V. 

The  farm    of   which    Mr.    Carr    is    proprietor,  as 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


599 


has  been  before  said,  was  al  the  time  of  his  settle- 
ment here,  new  prairie  land.  It  is  now  in  a  per- 
fect state  of  cultivation,  and  the  well  tilled  fields 
yield  bountiful  crops.  Several  good  buildings 
have  been  erected  on  the  place.  They  have  a 
home  that  is  comfortable  and  commodious,  not  too 
good  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  sons  that  are 
growing  up  around  their  parents,  but  being  of 
such  a  character  as  to  cultivate  refined,  yet  strong 
ideas  of  life. 

Politically,  our  subject  is  a  Republican.  His 
religious  preferences  are  in  the  direction  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  which  body  he  has 
been  a  Class-Leader  for  a  number  of  years.  Soeiallv 
he   is   a  member  of    .John   Huffer   Post.    No.    633 

<..  a.  1;. 


• 


11*^ 


A.RCTJS  F.  PLEAK  A  man  who  is  noted 
as  being  a  thrifty  and  well-to-do  farmer 
1  residing  on  section  11.  of  Flat  Branch 
Township  where  he  owns  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  highly  improved  land,  is  he  whose 
name  is  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He  is  evidently 
a  man  who  thinks  more  of  home  than  of  the  mere 
accumulation  of  money,  for  his  family  are  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  and  even  elegancies 
that  the  modern  style  of  living  declare  so  neces- 
sary. His  residence  is  a  fine,  brick  house,  com- 
manding a  charming  view  of  the  surrounding- 
country.  Exteriorly,  it  is  attractive  and  tasteful 
in  style  of  architecture,  and  the  interior  arrange- 
ment is  made  with  a  view  to  comfort. 

Besides  his  fine  home  place,  -Mr.  Pleak  owns 
ninety-six  acres  on  section  12,  and  sixty-two  acres 
on  section  1  in  the  same  township,  and  forty  acres 
on  section  .'i.  lie  is  regarded  by  those  who  know 
him  best  as  being  one  of  the  most  practical  and 
successful  fanners  of  the  township,  having  made 
fine  improvements  since  his  coming  here,  which 
was  February   l.  1*77.     our  subject  came  hither 

from  Middle  Tennessee,  where  he  had  lived  for 
some  years.  He  was  horn  near  Mt.  Sterling.  Mont- 
gomery County.  K\  ..  April  28.  1838.  His  par- 
ents   are    Joseph  1>.    and    Sarah  . I.  ( Riblin)  Pleak. 


both  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  came  of  German 
stock  and  ancestry.  The  family  were  early  set- 
tlers  in  Kentucky.  Our  subject's  grandfather  was 
John  Pleak.  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  War,  belonging  to  a  Virginia 
regiment  lie.  however,  died  in  Kentucky,  after 
marriage  with  a  lady  of  that  State  whose  maiden 
name  was  Nancy  Wade.  She  was  of  Irish  descent 
and  like  her  husband,  died  in  Kentucky  at  an 
advanced  age.  The  family  were  all  members,  both 
active  and  prominent,  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
were  among  the  early  associates  of  that  reform, 
they  being  personal  friends  and  workers  with  Dr. 
Alexander  Campbell,  and  the  Rev.  Barton  W. 
Stone.  Joseph  D.  Pleak  and  wife,  after  marriage, 
resided  in  Kentucky  until  1870,  when  they  came 
to  Decatur  County.  Ind..  where  the  father  of  the 
family  died  in  1876,  having  attained  seventy-six 
years  of  age.  His  wife  died  in  1889,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four.  They  were  both  prominent  members 
for  many  years  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  fact, 
being  so  from  Dr.  Campbell's  day. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  a  large  family,  six  of 
whom  are  still  living.  Mr.  Pleak  was  well  reared 
in  his  native  county,  where  he  became  of  age.  He 
completed  his  education,  which  was  begun  at  home. 
at  Ilartsville.  Ind..  in  the  university  of  that  place. 
He  was  married  October  3,  1869  in  Tennessee  to 
Mrs.  Francis  II.  Briggs,  nee  Beard.  The  lady  was 
a  native  of  Tennessee,  where  she  was  reared 
and  married  to  her  first  husband,  who  was  W. 
Briggs.  Mr:  Briggs  was  treacherously  shot  by  a 
Southern  guerrilla  chief,  known  as  Dave  Miller. 
Mi'.  Briggs  being  then  a  Federal  scout,  lie  was 
only  twenty-five  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  ami  was  known  as  a  brave,  daring  man. 
He  left  one  child  to  his  widow.  William  N.,  who 
now  lives  in  this  township  on  a  farm,  having 
taken  to  wife,  (ienevra  Tannvhill. 

After  Mi'.  Pleak's  marriage,  he  lived  in  Tennes- 
see for  seven  years  and  then  removed  to  the  place 
where  they  now  reside,  being  a  leading  member  of 
their  community.  Mr.  Pleak  is  a  refined  and  ac- 
complished gentleman,  and  his  wife  is  a  lady  with 
whom  it  is  a  pleasure  and  privilege  to  meet.  They 
have  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased, 
one   in  infancy  and  Lillie  A.  and    Wallace   I-:,   who 


600 


PORTRAIT  AND  BI    '..hAPHICAL   RECORD. 


died  in  childhood.  The  living  children  are  Stoder 
M.,  Arthur  E.,  Marcus  F.  Jr.,  Mary  C.  and  John  J., 
all  of  whom  are  Mill  at  home,  making  the  house 
merry  with  their  bright  jestsand  happy  ways.  Mr. 
Pleak  and  his  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  of  which  the  gentleman  has 
been  an  Elder  for  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, using  his  influence  for  the  advantage  of 
that  party. 


j*4"S"5"  gBJ^  *  +  +  +  (; 


i,i"8Mi"fr 


'•5"5"S"5-C 


OHN  L.  GREGORY.  The  farmers  and  stock- 
raisers  of  Penn  Township  have  no  better 
representative  than  our  subject,  who  stands 
high  among  the  keen,  progressive,  business- 
like men  who  are  so  ably  conducting  the  extensive 
agricultural  interests  of  this  part  of  Shelby 
County,  lie  has  adopted  the  hot  modern  methods  in 
carrying  on  his  farming  operations,  and  his  farm  is 
conceded  to  be  one  of  the  best  managed  estates  in 
the  township.  It  is  also  the  seat  of  one  of  the  most 
attractive  and  comfortable  homes  of  this  locality, 
of  a  recent  and  appropriate  style  of  architecture, 
and  replete  in  its  interior  appointments. 

Mr.  Gregory  was  horn  in  Perry  County,  Ind., 
opposite  Cloverport,  Ky.,  January  2(1.  1st.").  His 
father, Edward  Gregory,  was  born  in  Henry  County. 
Ky.,  September  26.  1K17.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter 
Gregory,  who  was  born  cither  in  Culpeper  or 
Botetourt  Counties,  Ya.  He  in  turn  was  a  son 
of  John  Gregory,  who  was  horn  in  Virginia,  and 
was  of  early  English  ancestry.  He  was  a  farmer, 
and  so  far  as  known  spent  his  last  days  in  Virginia. 
The  grandfather  of  subject  passed  his  early  life  in 
his  native  State,  hut  after  marriage  he  removed  to 
the  wilds  of  Kentucky,  taking  with  him  his  wife 
and  the  two  children  that  had  been  born  to  them 
in  their  old  home,  and  making  the  removal  with  a 
pair  of  horses  and  a  wagon.  He  settled  in  Henry 
County,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  there  until 
1*2,").  when  he  removed  to  Breckenridge  County. 
In  1833  he  left  Kentucky  to  become  a  pioneer  of 
Indiana,  his  wife  and  nine  children  accompanying 
him  on  the  journey,  which  was  performed  with  a 
team.     He  crossed  the  Ohio  River  on  a  ferry   boat 


at  Cloverport,  and  settled  in  Perry  County,  where 
he  rented  land  and  dwelt  during  the  remaining 
days  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage.  His  wife  also  died 
in  Perry  County.  In  her  maiden  days  her  name 
was  .Mary  Dobson,  and  she  was  bora  in  Virginia,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Edith  (Calvert)  Dobson. 
Edward  Gregory  was  sixteen  years  old  when  his 
parents  removed  to  Indiana,  and  there  he  grew  to 
manhood  on  a  farm.  lie  was  married  in  1843  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Winchel, a  native  of  Perry  County, 
and  a  daughter  of  Smith  and  Annie  (Malory) 
Winchel.  lie  bought  a  tract  of  improved  land  in 
that  county,  and  lived  there,  actively  engaged  in 
farming,  until  1865.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
came  to  Shelby  County,  and  bought  a  quarter  of  a 
seel  ion  of  land,  a  half  of  it  in  Penn  and  the 
remainder  in  Pickaway  Township.  He  erected  a 
dwelling  and  other  suitable  buildings  in  Penn 
Township,  and  at  once  commenced  to  prepare  his 
land  for  cultivation.  He  has  been  prosperous  since 
he  came  here  to  seek  a  habitation,  and  has  bought 
other  land  at  different  times,  and  now  has  a  valuable 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres.  Here  he  is  spending 
his  declining  years  in  comfort,  and  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  competence  ample  for  all    of  his   wants.     The 

g 1  wife  who  joined  her  fortunes  with    his   when 

both  were  young,  anil  walked  by  his  side,  staying 
his  hands  and  strengthening  him  in  his  work,  for 
nearly  forty  years,  has  gone  from  him.  her  death 
taking  place  April  7.  1880.  Together  they  reared 
seven  children,  namely.  .lames  E.,  John  L.,  Laura, 
T.  Jefferson,  Wallace,  Franklin  and  Richard. 

John  L.  Gregory  grew-  to  manhood  in  his  native 
county,  and  obtained  his  education  in  its  public 
schools.  In  June.  1865,  he  came  to  Shelby  County, 
and  spent  the  summer  in  Penn  Township  and  at 
Moweaqua.  In  the  fall  he  joined  his  parents  and 
resided  with  them  until  1870,  and  then,  at  the 
time  of  his  marriage,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
wild  prairie  land  on  section  .">.  Penn  Township,  and 
later  he  purchased  a  like  amount  of  land  near  by. 
He  placed  nearly  the  entire  tract  under  cultivation, 
erected  good  buildings,  and  lived  there  until  1K87, 
when  he  sold  and  bought  the  farm  that  he  now 
occupies  on  section  (>.  of  the  same  township.  It  is 
well  Improved,  the  soil  is  exceedingly  fertile,  and  a 
never  failing  supply  of  water  adds   greatly   to  the 


£0£ai 

A4.V-,.-,-  W* 


V  -:'.'-- 


NANCY     E.BLAND 


EUGtNL"    BLAND 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


605 


value  of  the  place.  In  1 889  Mr.  Gregory  erected 
m  fine  frame  house,  building  it  substantially,  and 
in  a  modern  style  of  architecture. 

In  ilic  upbuilding  of  hi*  home  Mr.  Gregory  lias 
had  the  benefll  of  the  good  taste  and  assistance  of 
his  amiable  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  March  ;>. 
1870.  Mr>.  Gregory  was  formerly  Miss  Mary  R. 
Thomas,  she  is  :i  native  of  Fairbanks  Township, 
Sullivan  County,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  Calvin 
and  Jane  (Hunt)  Thomas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gregory 
have  si\  children  living,  Edwin  M.,  Mary  Lilian. 
Minnie  Florence,  Arthur  Hastings,  Alta  Beatrice 
and  Tracy.  Their  son  Clinton  I.,  died  at  the  age 
Of  nine  years. 

Since  his  removal  to  this  county  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  ago  our  subject  has  shown 
himself  to  be  an  acquisition  to  its  citizenship  not 
only  as  a  very  intelligent,  skillful  farmer,  but  as 
one  who  is  desirous  to  promote  the  general  welfare 
of  his  community,  and  at  all  times  gives  cordial 
support  to  all  schemes  advanced  for  the  benefit  of 
the  public,  lie  has  always  taken  a  dee])  interest  in 
educational  affairs,  and  has  served  several  years  as 
School  Director.  He  has  also  been  Highway  Com- 
missioner, and  this  is  his  third  term  as  Assessor  of 
the  township.  His  political  views  are  in  accord  with 
the  principles  promulgated  by  the  Republican  party. 
Religiously,  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  they  lead  exemplary  Christian 
lives. 


>-E5 

— »  CGENE  BLAND  is  a  fine  representative  of 
the    native-born    sons    of   Shelby    County. 

and  also  of  the  citizen-soldiers  that  she  sent 

to  the  front  during  the  great  Civil  War  to  defend 
the  stars  anil  stripes.  The  farm  that  he  owns  and 
occupies  on  section  2:5.  Todd's  Point  Township, 
was  the  scene  of  his  birth  November  2,  1841.  lie 
is  now  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  in  this 
section  of  Illinois,  and  a  leading  stock  dealer,  a 
business  thai  he  has  carried  on  with  more  than 
ordinary  success  for  several  years. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Capt.  Henry  Bland, 
was  a  well-known  pioneer  of  this  county  and  a 
wealthy  citizen,    who    materially    aided    in    its    up- 


building, lie  w :i-  horn  in  one  of  the  early  pion- 
eer homes  of  Muskingum  County.  Ohio,  and  when 
Only  a  boy  of  a  few  years  he  aSSl  lied  his  indepen- 
dence, and  left  the  shelter  of  the  parental  roof  to 
make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  He  was  very 
ambitious  and  enterprising,  full  of  push  and  energy  . 
and  in  a  few  years  In1  had  risen  to  the  command  of 
a  steamer  plying  on  the  Mississippi  River.  When 
St.  Louis  was  but  a  small  village,  he  boughta  tract 
of  land  there,  which  he  afterward  exchanged  for 
a  boat  load  of  honey,  that  he  sold  in  New  Orleans, 
for  a  time  he  was  overseer  on  a  plantation  in 
Mississippi,  hut  the  Southern  climate  disagreed 
with  his  family  and  he  concluded  to  locate  in  the 
North,  and  SO  came  to  this  State  and  county.  He 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Todd's  Point 
Township,  where  he  bought  a  trait  of  land  on 
section  23.  He  devoted  himself  to  its  improve- 
ment, and  made  it  his  home  until  death  closed  his 
busy  career,  and  deprived  the  county  of  one  of  its 
most  valued  citizens.  He  had  met  with  more  than 
ordinary  success  from  the  financial  point  of  view, 
and  in  the  course  of  years  had  become  a  large  real- 
estate  holder,  owning  extensive  tracts  of  land  in 
Shelby  and  Moultrie  Counties.  In  early  manhood 
he  had  married  Elizabeth  1  )itleiihauer.  a  native  of 
Ohio.  She  survived  him  until  1H7.">.  when  she  too 
passed  away,  dying  on  the  old   homestead. 

Our  subject  was  reared  in  the  home  of  his  birth, 
receiving  a  careful  training  in  all  that  g6es  to  make 
a  good  citizen  and  a  capable  business  man,  and 
with  the  exception  of  the  time  that  he  devoted  to 
his  country's  service  in  the  army,  he  was  with  his 
pareflls  until  their  death.  He  can  remember  when 
this  section  of  the  country  was  still  in  the  hands 
of  the  pioneers,  and  presented  a  far  different  ap- 
pearance from  what  it  does  to-day  where  many 
cultivated  farms  and  thriving  towns  have  taken 
the  place  of  a  sparsely  settled,  and  hut  little  devel- 
oped wilderness.  In  his  boyhood,  deer,  wild 
turkeys  and  other  kinds  of  game  were  plentiful; 
there  were  no  railways  here,  and  the  fanners  had  to 
gO  to  St.  Louis  for  tin1  principal  market.  Our  suli- 
ject*S    education     was    conducted     in     the    pioneer 

sel Is  of  other  days,  and    the    building    in    which 

he  gained  his  knowledge  of    the  ••three   lis."  was  a 
log  house,  heated  hya  fireplace,  and  furnished  with 


606 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


benches  made  of  split  logs,  one  side  hewn  smooth, 
and  there  were  no  desks  or  backs  to  the  seats. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  war  found  our  subject 
at  work  en  hi*  father's  farm,  but  at  the  first  call 
for  troops  he  abandoned  agricultural  pursuits  to 
offer  his  services  t<>  his  country,  though  be  bad  not 
then  attained  his  majority.  He  enlisted  with  the 
Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry  for  three  months  and 
in  1862  he  re-enlisted  as  a  member  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Infantry. 
He  served  a  few  months,  and  was  then  discharged 
on  account  of  disability.  Notwithstanding  all 
that  he  had  suffered  on  Southern  battlefields  and 
on  the  long  and  trying-  marches,  his  loyal  spirit 
was  undaunted,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  en- 
dure the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life  once  more,  he 
had  his  name  placed  on  tin'  roll  of  the  Seventh 
Illinois  Calvary,  with  which  he  remained  until 
after  the  war  was  closed.  He  saw  service  in  the 
Mates  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Ala- 
bama and  Virginia,  and  in  many  a  hard  struggle 
with  tile  enemy  showed  that  he  possessed  all  the 
requisites  of  a  good  soldier,  and  his  military  re- 
cord does  credit  to  the  citizenship  of  hi-  native 
Illinois.  He  -was  honorably  discharged  with  his 
regiment  at  Nashville  after  peace  was  declared. 

After  his  return  from  the  seat  of  war  Mr.  Bland 
resumed  farming,  and  also  gave  his  attention  to 
buying  and  shipping  stock,  in  which  line  he  has 
built  up  a  large  business,  and  is  to-day  one  of  the 
most  extensive  dealers  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
He  now  owns  and  occupies  the  old  homestead,  and 
this,  with  other  land  that  he  has  bought  at  differ- 
ent times,  makes  him  the  possessor  of  upwards  of 
eight  hundred  acres  of  valuable  real-estate. 

Mr.  ISland  was  married  in  1867  to  .Miss  Nancy  E- 
Wright,  a  native  of  Todd's  Point  Township,  and 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Martha  Wright,  well- 
known  pioneers  of  this  county.  Mrs.  Bland  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  She  possesses  in 
a  high  degree  those  tine  womanly  traits  of  char- 
acter that  mark  her  as  a  true  wife  and  devoted 
mother,  who  is  willing  to  sacrifice  self-interests  to 
procure  the  peace  and  well-being  of  her  house- 
hold. Her  marriage  with  our  subject  was  brought 
then  these  eight  children:  Mattie.  Ella.  Ada.  Wil- 
liam. Belle.  Arthur.  Eugene  and  Ray. 


Our  subject's  success  in  life  was  assured  at  the 
Outset,  not  only  from  the  fact  that  he  came  from  a 
well-to-do  family  and  did  not  have  so  many  dis- 
advantages to  content  against  in  his  chosen  career 
as  many  who  have  set  their  faces  in  the  same 
direction,  but  lie  hail  tine  natural  endowments  to 
aid  him  in  achieving  whatsoever  he  desired.  A- a 
gentleman  of  character,  business  acumen,  and  puli- 
lic-spirit  that  is  manifested  in  his  readiness  to  do 
all  in  his  power  to  help  forward  any  and  all  feasi- 
ble plans  for  the  good  of  the  ((immunity  at  large, 
his  name  -land-  high  in  his  country.  In  his 
political  belief,  he  is  a  Republican  sound  and 
true. 

The  reader  will  be  pleased  to  notice  in  this  con- 
nection, the  lithographic  portraits  of  Mr.  and  Mr-. 
Bland. 


OI1N  T.  KILLAM  resides  on  section  33,  of 
Rural  Town-hip.  Shelby  County,  where  he 
is  proprietor  of  a  tine  farm.  He  was  born 
in  Ridge  Township,  May  18,  1847  and  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Mary  M.  T.  (  Bowen)  Killain  and 
a  grandson  of  Peter  Killam.  His  mother"-  death  oc- 
curred February  12.  1877.  He  was  at  the  tender 
age  of  one  year  when  his  parents  removed  to  sec- 
tion :i:i.  Rural  Township,  where  his  father  had  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  and  had  also  entered  some 
Government  land,  and  thus  became  the  owner  of 
six  hundred  acres  in  one  body.  He  also  owned 
land  in  other  part-  of  the  county,  and  some  valu- 
able property  in  Pana.  being  one  of  the  founders 
of  said  town. 

Our  subject  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  five 
children.  He  early  learned  the  business  of  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising,  having  resided  at  home  un- 
til he  attained  his  majority.  He  attended  the  dis- 
trict school  and  completed  hi- education  at  the  old 
Seminary  at  shelbyville.  February  12.  1878,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Oma  .1.  Oiler, a  daughter 
of  David  and  Caroline  (Conrad)  Oiler,  natives  of 
(  )hio.  who  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  then  came  to 
Illinois  i-    1855,  settling  in  Shelby  County.      Mr. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


6(i7 


Oiler  died  in  1862  or  1863.    His  wife  is  still  living, 
making  her  home  at  Pana. 

Mr.  mid  Mrs.  (villain  have  no  children  of  their 
own  luit  have  been  the  loving  foster  parents  of 
several  children;  one  daughter,  now  deceased, 
having  lived  with  our  subject  and  his  estima- 
ble wife  and  enjoyed  every  advantage  thai 
she  would  have  received  had  she  been  their  own 
child.  Austin  E.  McDaniel  resided  with  Mr. 
Kilhun  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  old,  hav- 
ing been  taken  at  nine  years  of  age.  On  his  mar- 
riage to  Miss  .Minnie  Kerr,  he  made  a  home  lor 
himself,  but  only  five  months  later.  was  killed  by 
lightning.  Jessie  May  Ferguson  was  one  of  our 
subject's  family  until  she  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Paul  C.  Smith.  March  9,  1891.  Leslie  Ray 
Ramsey  is  now  the  pet  of  the  household,  being  a 
small  boy,  his  attention  being  chiefly  devoted  to 
his  studies  and  in  getting  as  much  fun  out  of  his 
childhood  life  as  possible. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Killam  are  members  of  the  Christ- 
ian Church.  Politically  our  subject  favors  the 
purity  of  principle  promulgated  by  the  Prohibition 
party.  He  was  formerly  a  Democrat,  but  now 
shows  his  total  abstinence  principles  in  union  with 
the  above  named  party.  He  was  Chairman  of  the 
Central  Committee  of  the  Prohibition  party  for 
several  years.  For  seven  years  he  served  as  Super- 
visor of  the  township,  being  Chamnan  of  the 
Hoard  for  six  years.  He  has  also  held  the  office  of 
Collector  for  one  year.  He  is  the  owner  of  three 
hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  well-improved  land, 
hut  raises  and  deals  largely  in  live-stock. 

So  much  of  a  man's  character  is  accounted  for 
by  his  antecedents  that  we  feel  that  a  short  sketch 
of  Peter  Killam,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
will  he  in  place  here.  He  was  horn  in  Maryland, 
hut  when  a  young  man  removed  to  Kentucky,  and 
there  married.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1  S.'S  1  and 
settled  in  Ridge  Township,  where  lie  died  at  the 
age  of  sixty.  His  wife.  also,  passed  away  from 
their  home  in  Ridge  'township.  Peter  Killam  had 
Ave  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom  came 
with  their  parents  to  Illinois,  with  the  exception 
of  a  son  named  Samuel,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty.  Those,  who  made  settlement  with  their 
father  in  this   State,   are    Isaac.    Thomas,     William, 


John,  Mary.  Elizabeth,  Sarah  and  Naomi.  William 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  War.  and  dying 
while  on  the  yoyage  home  was  buried  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Nathan  Smith. 
Elizabeth  married  Leton  Smith.  Sarah  married 
Harrison  Bailey.  Naomi  married  John  Todd,  in 
whose  honor  Todd's  Point  Township  received  its 
name. 


V- 


■, 


ILLIAM  WALKER.  The  ideal  life  of  an 
American  agriculturisl  is  perhaps  not  so 
\^'  often  attained  as  poets  and  romances 
might  lead  one  to  expect,  hut  when  one  sees  a  man 
not  past  the  prime  of  life,  comfortably  settled  with 
his  wife  and  children  upon  a  fertile  farm  which 
responds  with  generous  crops  to  the  thorough  and 
systematic  culture  bestowed  upon  it.  whose  home 
is  attractive  and  surrounded  with  beautiful 
"rounds  one  can  hut  envy  a  citizen  so  situated, 
especially  if  to  this  material  comfort  we  may  add 
that  in  reputation  he  stands  high  among  his  f  el  low- 
men  as  worthy  of  their  confidence.  Such  a  life  is 
that  of  William  Walker,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
grower,  who  resides  on  section  6,  Oconee  Town- 
ship, and  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass..  August  1H. 
\XU>.  His  parents  were  Edward  and  Rachel 
(Simonds)  Walker,  natives  of  the  Hay  State,  where 
the  father  was  horn  in  1824  and  the  mother  in 
1820,  Middlesex  being  her  native  county.  He 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  when  he  was 
twelve  years  old  and  made  his  home  at  Alton. 
After  awhile  lie  returned  to  Massachusetts  and  re- 
mained for  one  year  and  then  came  to  Pana.  Chris- 
tian   County. 

In  that  town  Mr.  Walker  was  married  in  Febru- 
ary, 1871,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  McConnell,  daughter 
of  Asa  and  Elvira  (Newport)  .McConnell.  natives 
of  Ohio,   where   their  daughter   was  also   born  in 

lK4t.  The  young  couple  located  On  a  farm  in 
Oconee  Township,  which  Mr.  Walker  had  procured 
the  previous  year,  and  where  he  has  since  resided. 
Their  happy  union  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  four  children,  of  whom  Edward,  now  nineteen 
years    old    is    the    eldest.     The   younger  ones  are 


(IDS 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Carrie  C,  aged  sixteen:  Asa,  aged  thirteen;  and 
Ray  a  frolicsome  hoy  of  five  years  :ill  of  whom  are 
living  and  under  the  parental  roof,  attending 
school  in  the  neighborhood. 

.Matters  of  public  interest  always  command  the 
attention  and  consideration *of  Mr.  Walker,  who  is 
now  a  member  of  the  Building  Committee  which  is 
engaged  in  erecting  a  church  for  the  worshiping' 
people  of  the  community,  and  he  has  served  for 
several  terms  as  School  Director  of  his  district,  lie 
had  only  one  brother,  Edward,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the 
Oconee  Detective  Association.  He  votes  with  the 
Republican  party,  having  always  supported  its 
principles  and  believes  that  the  theory  of  govern- 
ment which  was  endorsed  by  Abraham  Lincoln  is 
the  true  basis  from  which  to  secure  prosperity  for 
the  country.  Both  lie  and  his  good  wife  arc  earn- 
est and  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  he  is  an  honest,  upright  citizen. 
and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  all  who  know  him. 
His  finely  improved  farm  lies  mostly  in  Oconee 
Township,  where  he  has  three  hundred  and  five 
acres,  and  twenty  acres  lie  across  the  line  in  Mont- 
gomery County.  His  pleasant  home  is  delightfully 
situated  and  handsomely  anil  comfortably  fur- 
nished. 


— «-- 


=§^MBHjc§ 


S-~. 


,q>~ 


OIIN  SWENGEL,  the  leading  representative 
man  of  Ash  Grove  Township,  Shelby  County. 
resides  on  section  36,  in  a  pleasant  home 
where  he  is  remarkably  successful  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  His  father  was  the  late  George 
Swengel,  who  had  his  birth  in  Pickaway  County. 
Ohio,  and  his  mother  was  Sarah  Hamilton  who  was 
horn  in  Ireland.  Their  first  home  after  marriage 
was  near  Seymour,  Ind.,  and  upon  first  leaving 
there  they  came  to  Cumberland  County.  111.,  in 
1865,  and  there  made  their  home  until  the  deatli 
of  his  honored  father,  which  occurred  in  January. 
Ik.hk.  His  widow  is  still  surviving  and  is  active 
and  bright  for  a  lady  of  her  age. 

These     respected    parents    had    five    children — 
Frank,  John,  Reuben,  Kennedy  and  Edward.    Our 


subject  was  the  second  in  order  of  age.  his  birth 
taking  place  near  Seymour,  [nd., December  9,  1856. 
He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  when  about 
nine  years  old,  and  upon  his  father's  farm  he  was 
reared  to  manhood,  being  given  a  thorough  train- 
ing in  all  that  is  pertaining  to  agriculture  and 
learned  in  the  true  way,  by  doing,  how  to  cultivate 
a  farm   and  care   for    stock.     His    early  education 

was  such  as  could  lie  procured  in  the  district  scl Is 

in  Indiana  and  Cumberland  County  after  coming 
here  and  he  received  great  benefit  from  their  thor- 
ough drill,  although  he  would  have  been  glad  to 
take  advantage  of  a  college  curriculum,  for  which 
his  natural  abilities  befitted  him. 

This  young  man  resided  in  his  father's  home 
until  that  great  event  in  his  life  which  took  place 
at  the  residence  of  the  bride's  father  in  Cum- 
berland County.  III.,  October  30,  1878,  when  Flora 
I).,  daughter  of  Col.  T.  A.  and  Ann  Apperson,  be- 
came his  bride.  Mrs.  Flora  Swengel's  father  died 
at  his  home  March  Ml.  1S7!».  This  daughter  was 
bom  at  the  family  home,  January  18,  185'.),  and 
after  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Swengel  they  estab- 
lished themselves  on  section  36,  Ash  Grove  Town- 
ship where  the  young  man  purchased  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres,  which  he  has 
since  carried  on.  lie  has  always  followed  farming 
and  stock-raising  and  lias  made  a  success  in  both 
departments  of  the  work. as  his  prudence  and  lore- 
sight  have  enabled  him  to  govern  his  spirit  of  en- 
terprise in  such  a  manner  as  to  secure  the  best  re- 
sults from  his  labors,  which  have  been  unceasing. 
He  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  characteristics 
and  needs  of  the  various  grades  of  stock  which  he 
handles  and  takesa  comprehensive  view  of  the  soil. 
climate  and  productions  of  the  Prairie  Slate,  lie 
is  thus  enabled  each  year  to  plan  his  work  so  as  to 
Obtain  the  best  results  for  his  labor. 

Mr.  Swengel's  common-school  education  was 
supplemented  by  attendance  upon  the  academy  at 
Westfield,  111.,  which  so  advanced  him  as  to  lit  him 
to  teach  for  two  terms  in  Ash  Grove  Township. 
To  him  and  his  lovely  and  capable  companion  have 
been  granted  three  children — Imogene.  Oscar  and 
George.  Our  subject  was  elected  Supervisor  in  the 
sprinu'  of  1889,  since  which  time  he  has  continued 
to  serve  on  the  Board,  as  his  excellent  judgment, 


PORTRAIT  ANT)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


609 


hi-  broad  views  of  men  and  matters,  and  his  devo- 
tion t>>  the  best  interests  of  the  community  have 
made  him  a  model  Supen  isor. 

The  political  convictions  of  our  subject  have 
always  led  him  to  work  with  and  for  the  success 
of  the  Democratic  party,  in  which  he  takes  a  lively 
interest  and  has  also  taken  an  active  part  in  relig- 
ious affairs  and  Sunday-school  work,  and  is  exceed- 
ingly helpful  in  all  movements  that  tend  to  the 
elevation  of  the  community.  !!<>th  lie  and  his  wife 
are  of  value  in  their  church  connection,  being 
members  oi  the  church  of  the  United  Brethren. 

The  breeding  of  fine  grades  of  animals  is  a  spec- 
ialty with  Mr.  Swengel  and  he  is  remarkably  suc- 
cessful in  raising  Hereford  cattle,  Poland-China- 
hogs,  Shropshire  sheep,  bronze  turkeys,  and  Ply- 
mouth Rock  fowls,  and  in  their  welfare  he  take-  a 
lively  interest  and  provides  for  their  comfort  most 
generously.  The  record  of  such  a  home  as  Mr. 
Swengel's  and  of  such  a  life  as  his  must  he  influ- 
ential for  generations,  not  only  upon  those  who 
come  in  immediate  contact  with  him  but  also  upon 
the  whole  community. 


'  <"I"t"W" 


ILLIA.M  E.  STEDMAN,  M.  I).,  one  of  the 
successful  physicians  and  surgeons  of  Sul- 
livan, Moultrie  County,  locating  here  in 
August,  1855,  had  formerly  practiced  in  the  little 
town  of  Horace.  Edgar  County,  this  state,  where 
he  began  his  profession  in  1880.  He  i- a  native  of 
( )hio.  being  born  in  Pike  County,  ( tetober  19,  1849, 
and  i- a  son  of  Enoch  Stedman,  a  native  of  Che- 
nango County.  N.  Y..  being  of  English  parentage. 
Enoch  was  yet  a  small  hoy  when  his  father,  who 
was  a  seafaring  man  and  captain  of  a  vessel,  was 
lost  at  sea.  When  Enoch  had  reached  his  majority 
and  while  -till  unmarried  he  came  to  what  wa- then 
known  as  the  Western  Reserve  in  Medina  County. 
Ohio,  and  there  married  Elizabeth  McConkey  who 
had  been  born  and  reared  in  that  county. 

Samuel  McConkey,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Enoch 
Stedman,  was  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland  and 
came  while  yet  a  young  man  to  this  country  and 
in   Ohio   married  a  Scotch   lady,      Vfter  marriage 


Mr.  and  Mis.  McConkey  lived  on  a  farm  in  Medina 
County  through  all  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
surviving  until  they  reached  extreme  old  age. 
They  were  highlj  esteemed  for  their  honorable 
Christian  lives  and  were  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

After  Enoch  stedman  and  wife  were  married 
they  began  life  in  Medina  County, Ohio,  Mr.  sted- 
man being  a  cabinetmaker  by  trade,  hut  somewhat 
later  they  removed  to  farm  in  Pike  County  and 
then-  remained  for  many  years.  lie  has  now 
reached  the  age  of  eighty-three  years  and  has  re- 
tired from  active  life,  making  his  home  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Cordelia  Daley,  of  Waverly,  Ohio, 
The  Methodist  Church  was  the  religious  body  in 
which  Mr.  Stedman  wa-  for  many  years  an  active 
worker  and  he  i-  still  a  member  of  its  communion, 
lie  is  a  stanch  Jacksonian  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
was  bereaved  h\  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1887,  as 
she  died  full  of  years  in   Pike  County. 

The  thirteen  children  of  thi-  excellent  couple 
were  a  source  of  great  comfort  and  pride  to  their 
parents,  ami  eight  of  them  are  yet  living,  all  of 
these  having  established  homes  of  their  own.  The 
common  schools  furnished  the  educational  advan- 
tage? which  were  conferred  upon  our  subject  and 
for  eight  years  he  wa-  a  teacher  in  Ohio  and  Illi- 
nois. He  is  by  taste  and  habit  scholarly  and  keeps 
up  with  the  trend  of  the    time-    upon    every  point 

of  public  interest  He  wa-  graduated  in  the  Class 
of  '80  from  the  Kentucky  School  of  Medicine  at 
Louisville,  where  he  had  been  for  three  or  four 
year-.  He  had  also  studied  under  different  precep- 
tor- in  Waverly,  Ohio,  and  Coles  County.  111.,  at 
the  former  place  being  favored  with  the  instruction 
of  Well-  .1.  W.  .lone-.  M.  D..  and  at  the  latter  place 
having  as  his  teacher  Dr.  J.  K.  Hawthorn.  Like 
many  another  poor  boy  he  had  to  make  his  way 
upward  by  dint  of  push,  pluck  and  perseverance 
and  found  it  necessary  to  teach  school  in  order  to 
secure  the  means  of  acquiring  a  medical  education, 
hut  his  effort.-  have  been  crowned  with  success  and 
In  ha-  reached  the  goal  which  his  early  ambition 
pointed  out. 

The  happ\  wedding  daj  of  our  subject,  which 
united  him  with  Mi—  Ella  Jenkins,  of  Edgar 
(  ounty,  ihi-   State,  came   upon   January  12,  1878, 


1)111 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD 


This  lady  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio 
and  came  to  Edgar  County  with  her  parents,  Mar- 
tin and  Amanda  (Sillcott)  Jenkins,  who  live  in 
Sullivan,  having  retired  from  active  work  a>  tann- 
ers. They  are  active  and  useful  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Mr.  Jenkins  es- 
pouses the  cause  of  the  Republican  party.  .Mrs. 
Stedman  is  a  bright,  earnest,  capable  woman,  who 
is  prominent  as  a  leader  in  social  circles  and  faith- 
ful and  efficient  as  a  home-maker  and  a  wife. 
Both  she  and  her  husband  are  useful  in  their  church 
relations  and  belong  to  the  Methodist  Church. 
The  Doctor  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Subordinate  Lodge  of 
Moultrie.  No.  158,  1.  <>.<).  I'.  He  is  also  a  Knight 
of   Pythias,  belonging  to  Moultrie  Lodge  No.  "222. 


^i 


E 


:•' 


IM^ 


L'GENE   b".  DES  LARZES.     Our  subject  is  a 

uative  of  that  country  which  boasts  the 
most  beautiful  scenery  on  the  globe,  whose 
mountains  tower  skyward  and  are  girdled  by  the 
overhanging,  misty  clouds,  and  a  country  the 
aspirations  of  whose  people  areas  high  as  its  moun- 
tains. One  of  the  earliest  European  nations  to 
cast  aside  every  vestige  of  tryanny  and  In  declare 
itself  a  Republic,  the  sons  that  Switzerland  sends 
out  from  her  borders  arc  worthy  representatives 
of  the  mother  country.  They  stand  high  in  science 
and  high  in  the  ethics  of  nations.  Our  subject, 
who  resides  on  section  6.  of  Rural  Township  where 
he  settled  in  1865,  comes  from  the  land  of  European 
freedom  to  that  of  America,  lie  was  horn  in  Swit- 
zerland August  15,  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Mary  Des  Larzes. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  was  a  half  orphan  in  early 
childhood,  his  mother  having  been  taken  away  and 
leaving  to  her  bereaved  husband  five  children 
whose  names  are  as  follows:  Benjamin, our  subject, 
Frank.  Margaret  and  Morris.  Benjamin  now  re- 
sides in  Colorado.  Frank  make,-,  his  home  in  Fari- 
bault, Minn.   Morris  lives  in  Meeker  County,  Minn. 

The  father  of  our  subject  while  still  in  his  native 
land,  married  a  second  time  and  in  1849  came  to 
the  United  States.      Two  children  were  the  fruil  of 


this  marriage, Kate,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles 
Geneva  and  resides  in  Oregon,  and  Lewis,  who 
died  in  Assumption,  this  State:  he  was  unmarried. 
Upon  coming  to  the  United  States  the  family  set- 
tled first  in  Dodge  County,  Wis.. on  a  farm,  but  in 
1803  they  removed  to  Kankakee,  ill.,  whence  in 
1HG.")  they  came  to  Shelby  County  and  settled  in 
Rural  Township,  where  the  father  purchased  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land.  Here  his  wife 
died,  and  in  INN;")  he  went  to  Faribault,  Minn.,  to 
reside  with  a  daughter. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  came  with  his 
family  to  this  county  and  in  1H.-)K;  while  residing 
in  Wisconsin,  he  was  married  at  Kankakee.  111.,  to 
Louisa  Morend.  She  was  born  in  Switzerland  and 
came  to  the  United  Slates  with  her  parents.  Lewis 
and  Mary  Morend.  Mr.  Des  Larzes  continued  his 
residence  in  Wisconsin  until  1H63.  and  then  re- 
moved to  Kankakee  County,  this  State,  and  in 
1865  he  again  removed  to  Shelby  County  and  pur- 
chased his  present  home.  He  is  the  owner  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Des  Larzes  are  the 
parents  of  three  children  whose  names  are  Lewis  F... 
Adelc  and  llortense.  They  are  bright  and.  attrac- 
tive children.  Politically  our  subject  is  an  advo- 
cate of  and  voter  with  the  Republican  party,  its 
platform  being  consonant  with  his  ideas  of  the 
equity  and  policy  that  should  rule  so  great  a  nation. 
In  his  religious  views  he  isa  follower  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church. 


V 


♦=♦=♦     _y 


iOHN  WHITAKER,  a  retired  farmer  living 
in  Sullivan,  Moultrie  County,  to  which  he 
removed  in  February.  IS1.)  1,  came  here  from 
Douglas  County,  111.,  where  he  had  lived 
since  1856.  He  had  there  improved  a  farm  of 
some  eighty  acres  which  he  afterward  sold  and 
purchased  and  improved  a  larger  tract  which  com- 
prises some  two  hundred  acres.  His  farm  is  sup- 
plied with  good  farm  buildings  and  a  pleasant 
residence,  and  he  has  been  more  than  ordinarily 
prosperous  in  his  pursuit  of  agriculture. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


i;i  i 


Mr.  Whitaker  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  being  born 
in  Vigo  County,  March  12,  1833.  IIi>  father, 
William  Whitaker,  was  :i  Kentuckian  by  birth  and 
there  grew  up,and  while yet  a  single  man  removed 
(o  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  where  he  married  Elizabeth 
Taylor,  a  Kentucky  lady  who  had  come  to  Indiana 
several  years  before  her  marriage.  They  made 
their  home  upon  a  farm  and  lie  died  in  Vigo 
County  while  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  when  his 
years  numbered  less  than  half  a  century.  His  wife 
survived  him  for  many  years  and  died  in  extreme 
old  age  al  the  home  of  her  son  .lohn  when  he  \\ us 
residing  in  Douglas  County.  Bpth  she  and  her 
good  husband  were  earnesl  and  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptisl  Church  and  throughout  life 
were  devoted  to  their  religious  duties  and  faith. 

Our  subject  is  the  third  of  the  four  children  born 
to  his  parents  and  only  one  besides  himself  now 
survives,  namely:  a  sister.  Mrs.  Rccnah  Weddell, 
widow  of  Thomas  Weddell,  who  was  formerly  a 
resident  of  Coles,  III.  .lohn  Whitaker  grew  up  a 
farmer  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  life  work 
having  made  all  that  he  has  by  his  own  unaided 
efforts.  His  first  marriage  took  place  in  Douglas 
County,  being  then  united  with  Hannah  Davis,  a 
native  of  Vigo  County,  Ind.,  who  had  come  with 
her  parents  to  Douglas  County  when  a  child. 
Their  family  home  continued  there  until  after  her 
death  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  forty-One  years. 
She  was  deeply  mourned  by  her  husband  and  the 
live  children  who  survive  her.  who  are  as  follows: 
Theodosia,  the  wife  of  John  Hastings,  a  farmer  in 
Douglas  County;  William,  a  student  in  the  Chicago 
Law  College:  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Riddle 
who  resides  in  Cincinnati.  Green  County.  Ind.. 
here  he  is  a  merchant;  Cora  1!..  who  is  at  present 
with  her  sister.  Mrs.  Riddle,  in  Indiana,  and  Charles 
who  is  at  home. 

Our  subject  was  a  second  time  married  in  Sulli- 
van to  Mrs.  Harriet  Dyson  nee  Elder,  who  was  born 
in  Springfield,  111.,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood 
and  was  first  married  in  that  city  to  Mr.  Levi  Dy- 
son, now  deceased.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitaker 
are  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the  Baptisl 
Church  and  in  its  communion  and  labors  they 
share,  being  willing  to  lend  a  hand  toward  every 
movement    for    tin'    upbuilding    of    religion    and 


morality.  The  Democratic  party  in  its  declarations 
ami  platform  gives  expression  to  the  political  be- 
lief of  our  subject,  who  is  earnest  and  active  in 
his  advocacy  of  the  party  which  is  proud  to  claim 
as  its    most    distinguished    exponent    the   author   of 

the  Declaration  of  Independence. 


=  'V»'        )     li    )     I     / 


n^^fait^ 


»  1LLIAM  .1.  PUGH.  He  of  whom  we  write 
is  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  located  on 
section  1  1.  of  Tower  Hill  Township.  Shelby 
County,  [n  another  part  of  this  volume  will  be 
found  a  more  extended  sketch  of  the  history  of 
his  parents,  who  are  proud  of  the  fact  that  they 
are  the  earliest  settlers  in  this  county.  Our  sub- 
ject's father  is  John  Pugh.  His  mother  was  Eliza- 
beth (Inman)  Pugh.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  youngest 
member  and  only  son.  He  is  a  native  of  this  State 
and  county  being  here  born  near  the  village  of 
Shelbyville,   February  2,  1849. 

With  the  exception  of  six  months  spent  in  Texas. 
the  original  of  our  sketch  has  always  made  his 
home  in  this  State  and  county,  and  has  ever  been 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  As  a  lad,  he  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  district  in 
which  he  lived  and  there  received  such  practical 
and  common  sense  instruction  as  has  fitted  him  for 
the  cares  of  the  Ordinary  businessman.  The  growth 
of  this  State  has  been  so  very  phenomenal  that  one 
coming  from  older  States  or  countries  would 
scarcely  believe  that  the  educational  advantages 
offered  in  the  districts,  were  equal,  even  at  so  early 
a  day,  comparatively,  as  when  our  subject  was  a 
school  boy  to  those  in  older  communities,  but  such 
was  the   case. 

William  Pugh 's  marriage  took  place  in  Shelby 
County,  this  State  December  IK.  1873,  al  which 
time  he  was  united  to  Miss  Mary  F.  Smith,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  ('Weakly)  Smith. 
The  former  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the 
latter  of  Ohio.  They  were  among  the  very  early 
settlers  in  this  county.  Immediately  after  mar- 
riage,  the   yOUUg    couple    set     up     their    household 

goods  iu   Towci'  Hill  Township,  and    there  he    has 


612 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


ever  since  resided.  His  wife's  mother  Margaret 
Smith,  died  here  about  1^.">.">.  The  second  wife  of 
Samuel  Smith  was  Sarah  A.  McCullough.  Mrs. 
Pugh  is  one  of  three  children  that  were  the  fruit 
of  the  first  marriage.  She  was  bora  in  Tower  Hill 
Township,  February  9,  1852. 

Upon  the  marriage  of  our  subject  he  settled  in 
Tower  Hill  Township,  where  he  owns  two  hundred 
acres,  his  farm  here  boasting  line  improvements. 
Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  two 
children,  Charles  .1.  and  Robert  W.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pugh  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  which  body  he  of  whom  we  write  has 
been  Steward  for  several  years.  They  are  kindly, 
warm  hearted  people,  witb  broad  philanthropic 
ideas,  and  acts  that  are  ever  characterized  by  gen- 
erosity and  purity  of  purpose.  They  took  a  little 
girl  into  their  family  with  the  intention  of  adopt- 
ing her  and  rearing  her  as  one  of  their  own  chil- 
dren. She  bore  the  name  of  Mary  Pearl  Dove; 
she  was  hut  three  months  of  age  when  taken 
to  the  hearts  and  home  of  her  kindly  foster  par- 
ents, and  there  she  made  herself  a  place  in  their 
affections  that  was  left  very  desolate  when  at  the 
age  of  three  years  and  eight  months,  she  was  taken 
into  the  arms  of  the  Good  Shepherd  and  placed  in 
his  fold. 


.•£ 


^ 


HUMAN  GREEN. 
j.   vigor    of    manhood 


In    the    full    flush    and 


thi- 


■entleman    came 


'"  from  his  early  Ohio  home  to  this  county 
and  allied  himself  with  its  farmers  by  pur- 
chasing a  farm  in  l'enn  Township,  lie  soon  ac- 
quired an  excellent  reputation  as  an  industrious. 
sensible,  methodical  agriculturist,  and  was  con- 
ducting his  farming  operations witl)  a  good  degree 
of  success,  when  death  removed  him  from  his 
sphere  of  usefulness  in  April.  1885,  thus  depriving 
his  fellow-citizens  of  a  valuable  co-worker. 

Mr.  Green  was  horn  in  Geauga  County.  Ohio, 
March  is.  1853.  His  father.  Alonzo  Green,  was  a 
farmer  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Gr.ind  Junction, 
Iowa.  The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our 
subject  was  Eliza  Patton.     She  died  when  her  son 


of  whom  we  write  was  an  infant. and  he  was  reared 
by  his  aunt.  Mrs.  Ladow,  in  his  native  county, 
lie  was  carefully  trained  under  good  home  in- 
fluences and  gained  a  sound  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Ohio.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a 
farm,  and  he  began  when  quite  young  to  acquire 
a  practical  experience  of  farming  that  was  of  ser- 
vice to  him  when  he  began  his  career  as  an  inde- 
pendent farmer.  He  lived  with  his  aunt  until  his 
marriage  and  then  bought  a  farm  in  Geauga 
County.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  its  manage- 
ment until  lKX^,  when  he  sold  it  at  a  good  price  in 
order  to  take  up  his  residence  in  this  county,  as 
he  wisely  considered  that  on  this  fertile  soil  that 
had  not  been  worn  by  generations  of  cultivation 
the  prospects  for  rapid  advancement  in  his  chosen 
calling  weic  of  a  most  encouraging  character. 

On  coining  here  our  subject  bought  the  farm  in 
Penn  Township  now  occupied  by  his  widow.  He 
devoted  his  energies  to  its  further  improvement, 
but  scarcely  more  than  a  year  had  elapsed  after  his 
settlement  here  when  death  stayed  his  hand,  and 
his  life-record  was  brought  to  a  close  when  but 
thirty-two  years  of  age.  It  may  be  that  it  has 
been  taken  up  in  a  fairer  land,  where  he  has 
"entered  upon  broader  fields  of  action  and  duty, 
where  nobler  struggles  shall  tax  the  strength  anil 
more  precious  crowns  award  the  victor,  where  the 
hopes  and  dreams  of  earth  shall  lie  turned  to  sight, 
and  the  broken  circles  of  life  be  rounded  to  the 
perfect   orb.". 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Green  to  Miss  Amaretl 
Pelton  was  solemnized  October  1,  I874,and  in  her 
helpfulness,  loving  counsel,  and  devotion  to  his 
interests,  he  found  how  much  a  faithful  wife  has 
to  do  with  a  man's  success  in  life.  Mrs.  Green  is 
a  native  Of  the  same  county  ill  Ohio  where  her 
husband  was  born.  She  is  a  daughter  of  StOlTS 
Gustavus  Pelton,  who  was  born  in  one  of  the 
pioneer  home.-,  of  Trumbull  County.  Ohio.  His 
father.  Elias  l'elton.a  native  of  New  England,  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  section  or  Ohio, 
and  cleared  a  farm  from  the  primeval  forests  on 
which  he  lived  until  he  passed  from  life  to  death. 
Mrs.  Green's  father  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter in  his  youth  and  became  a  good  mechanic  in 
that  line      He  resided  in   his  native  county  until  a 


■ 


RE5IDENCE  OF   A  .  M  .  GREEN  ,  SEC  .  33.,  PEN  N    TR,  SHELBY   CO.,  ILL. 


i5ijfj4— -^ 


M.  X& 


RESIDENCE  OF  T.    E  .  MAYES  ,  SEC.  31.,  DORA    TR.MOU  LTR1  E  CO.,1  LL. 


FORTH  A  IT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


615 


short  time  after  his  marriage,  when  he  went  to 
Ucauga  County,  and  buying  a  farm  in  Russell 
Township,  devoted  himself  to  farming  during  the 
remainder  of  his  active  life.  He  is  now  living  in 
retirement  in  the  same  township  with  a  daughter. 
He  was  bereft  of  the  companionship  of  his  beloved 
wife  in  I860,  her  death  occurring  during  their  res- 
idence on  the  farm.  Her  maiden  name  was  l.vdia 
Bailey,  she  was  a  native  of  Trumbull  County,  a 
daughter  of  Ido  Bailey,  and  the  mother  of  nine 
children. 

Mrs.  Green  was  but  six  years  old  when  her 
mother  died  and  after  that  she  lived  with  an  older 
sister  until  she  married  our  subject.  After  his 
deatli  she  cheerfully  took  up  the  burden  thai  her 
husband  laid  down,  and  has  nobly  fulfilled  her 
duty.  In  her  management  of  her  farming  interests 
she  has  displayed  exceptional  ability,  and  shows 
what  a  woman  can  do  when  east  on  her  own  re- 
sources, sin-  has  a  line  farm  with  well-tilled  fields. 
and  amply  provided  with  neat  and  well-kept  build- 
ings, everything  about  the  place  wearing  an  air  of 
thrift,  good  order  and  solid  comfort,  that  betoken 
extra  care  and  denote  a  substantial  home.  A  view 
of  this  place  may  lie  found  mi  another  page.  Mrs. 
Green  is  prized  by  her  neighbors  and  the  com- 
munity at  large,  nut  only  as  a  woman  of  exceed- 
ing capability  and  business  acumen,  but  fur  her 
pleasant  social  qualities.  She  is  a  useful  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a  veri- 
table Christian,  she  has  two  daughters,  Gertrude 
E.  and  Maud  A.,  whom  she  i>  carefully  training  t" 
a  true  womanhood  and  who  bid  fair  to  follow  in 
the  footsteps  of  their  mother. 


EORGE  W.  BALLARD.  When  the  country 
was  convulsed  with  the  war  spirit  and  com- 
mercial as  well  as  domestic  life  was  shaken 
to  its  very  center  by  the  chance-  that  hung  upon 
numbers  of  the  respective  armies  and  the  compar- 
ative military  genius  of  the  leaders,  so  that  for- 
eign nations  looked  on  the  struggle  with  the  greatest 
interest  and  closesl  attention.  1 f  whom  we  write 


sought  peace  and  solitude  in  the  newness  of  the 
Prairie  State,  hoping  to  do  his  part  for  the   Union 

by  supplying  the  forces  with  the  product-  of  his 
labor.  Now  located  on  section  5,  of  Jonathan 
(  reek  Township.  Moultrie  County,he  of  whom  we 
write  settled  in  thi>  county  in  1860.  He  i-  a  Vir- 
ginian by  birthand  education,  being  born  in  Fau- 
quier County,  Va.,  September  Hi.  1834.  His  par- 
ent- were  Jonathan  and  Man  Ann  (Daw-oii) 
Ballard. 

Our  subject's  father  was  by  occupation  a  mill- 
wright and  wa-  engaged  in  the  exercise  of  his  call- 
ing in  his  native  State.  Virginia,  where  hi-  decease 
took  place  at  which  time  our  subject  was  but  a 
child.  The  mother  lived  for  Miinr  years  longer, 
tun  she  too  died  in  Virginia.  Thirteen  children 
wire  left  to  l\-el  the  bereavement  of  a  double  or- 
phanage, of  whom  our  subject  was  the  seventh 
in  order  of  birth.  He  wa-  reared  on  the  home  farm 
and  resided  in  Virginia  until  1860,  when  he  came 
to  Illinois  and  rented  land  in  Moultrie  County. 
Three  years  later  he  purchased  forty  acre-  of  prai- 
rie land  •hi  section  4,  of  Jonathan  (reek  Township, 
and  he  ha-  since  been  a  resident  here.  That  his  ef- 
fort- have  not  been  in  vain  during  these  years  that 
have  elapsed  since  hi-  settlement  in  this  State,  is 
proven  b\  the  fact  that  he  i-  now  the  owner  of 
three  hundred  and  seventy-four  acres  of  land,  and 
besides  the  acquisition  of  this  handsome  property 
has  spent  large  sums  in  the  erection  of  a  good 
class  of  buildings  upon  his  place. 

The  year  prior  to  Mr.  Ballard's  coming  to  this 
State,  was  made  memorable  to  him  by  his  marriage 
in  Virginia  to  Phcebe  Martin,  a  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Florinda  (Wood)  Martin.  The  lady  was  bora 
in  Harrison  County.  Va..  April  19,  1838.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ballard  have  had  thirteen  children,  although 
eleven  are  at  the  present  time  all  who  are  surviv- 
ing. The}  arc  John,  Edward.  Montville,  Dora. 
Florence.  Lucy. Mart  ha. Harlow.  Ira.  Ida  and  Blanche. 
Dora  is  the  wife  of  Moses  Dickson;  Florence  is 
the  wife  of  William  Kinney:  Lucy  married  William 
Matthew-:  and  Martha  was  united  to  Edward  En- 
terline.  This  large  and  interesting  family  has 
grown  to  manhood  and  womanhood  and  have 
taken  responsible  positions  in  social  ami  commercial 
life.      The  -on-   are   sturdy,    independent  young 


616 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


men.  filled  with  a  vitality  and  energy  that  are  bound 
to  bring  them  to  the  fore  in  their  business  re- 
lations. Politically  he  of  whom  we  write  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, admiring  the  doctrines  and  platform  of  that 
party  and  the  leaders  thereof,  and  finding  in  it 
more  admirable  principles  than  in  any  other  po- 
litical body.  He  has  been  Road  Commissioner  for 
twelve  years  and  in  this  position  has  accomplished 
much  for  the  township,  making  the  thoroughfares 
not  only  passable,  but  keeping  them  in  such  good 
condition  as  redounds  greatly  to  the  credit  not 
only  of  our  subject  personally,  but  to  the  county 
that  elects  him. 


^1 


^H^[ 


jt-^  EXRY  SPEARS,  a    successful     farmer   resid- 
j    ing  on  section  24.   Rose   Township,  Shelby 

County,  was  born  in  "Washington    County. 

Ohio.  April  19,  1847.  His  father.  Annis 
Spears,  was  a  native  of  Maine  and  his  mother,  Han- 
nah Ladd.  was  a  native  of  Washington  County, 
Ohio.  They  came  to  Shelby  County.  111.,  in  1857, 
and  settled  north  of  Shelly ville  for  one  year,  and 
then  came  into  Rose  Township,  where  they  made 
their  permanent  home.  The  father  died  January 
14, 1885,  and  the  mother  passed  away  March  9, 
IMN.'i.  In  their  family  of  ten  children  our  subject 
was  the  seventh. 

lb'  of  whom  we  write  came  to  Shelby  County 
with  his  father  when  he  was  ten  years  old.  and  has 
thus  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  1«.">7. 
August  2'.i.  1872,  was  his  wedding  day.  and  he  was 
then  united  in  Rose  Township,  witli  Miss  Rebecca 
Warner,  a  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Hannah  (Kers- 
chner)Warner.  They  came  from  Pickaway  County, 
Ohio,  to  this  county  in  1871,  and  are  still  residents 
of  this  county. 

Mrs.  Spears  first  saw  the  light  in  Pickaway  Coun- 
ty. Ohio,  December  31.  1851.  She  is  now  the 
mother  of  three  children — Charles  II..  Estella,  and 
.Etna.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Spears  are  most  earnest  and 
efficient  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  which  this  gentleman  takes  an  active  part.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  Collector  for  three  terms, and 
in  his  politics  espouses  the  cause  of  the  Republican 


party.  He  has  erected  good  buildings  upon  his 
farm  and  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  sixty  acres 
of  rich  and  arable  soil.  His  enterprise  and  energy 
combined  with  pluck,  push  and  perseverance  have 
made  him  a  successful  farmer  and  he  is  universally 
esteemed. 


y—4  OI.OMON  YANTIS.  is  the  owner  of  one 
^?  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  well-improved 
land  located  on  sections  27  and  2M.  of 
Pickaway  Township.  Shelby  County.  He 
is  a  general  farmer  and  successfully  operates  his 
tract  of  land  making  it  yield  as  much  as  any  farmer 
does  a  larger  tract.  Mr.  Yantis  is  an  intelligent 
man  and  a  close  observer,  having  early  familiarized 
himself  with  the  ways  of  nature.  He  has  adopted 
many  ideas  from  his  German  and  English  neigh- 
hoi's,  who.  in  their  native  lands  where  the  soil  is 
held  at  a  higher  premium  than  here,  learned  to 
utilize  every  foot  of  soil  and  make  it  yield  crop 
after  crop  in  a  single  season. 

Our  subject  lias  placed  many  valuable  improve- 
ments upon  his  tract,  which  is  well-stocked.  If  it 
were  the  custom  in  this  country,  to  give  a  name  to 
the  country  residences  as  it  is  in  England  and 
France  and  some  parts  of  the  South,  our  subject 
might  properly  give  his  the  beautiful  name  of  "  The 
Walnuts."  for  he  has  upon  his  place  a  grove  of  wal- 
nut trees  which  covers  ten  acres.  He  also  has  a  tine 
peach  orchard  covering  five  acres,  in  which  about 
one  thousand  trees  have  recently  been  set. 

The  place  has  good  and  substantial  buildings, 
the  residence  being  comfortable  and  commodious, 
and  the  barns  and  outbuildings  indicate  the  care- 
ful attention  the  proprietor  gives  to  every  de- 
tail of  his  farm  work.  He  purchased  the  farm  in 
1862  and  then  began  the  work  of  improvement,  it 
being,  at  the  time  of  his  purchase,  unbroken  prairie 
land.  He  has  lived  in  this  township  and  county 
since  the  spring  of  1855. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
December  1(1.  1839.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  Yan- 
tis. who  is  one  of  the   well-known    and    influential 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


617 


men  of  this  county  and  township,  although  aow 
quite  advanced  in  age,  but  still  living  on  his  old 
farm,  anil  still  retaining  his  faculties.  Our  subject 
i-  one  of  fifteen  children  thai  grew  to  manhood  and 
womanhood.  Of  these  nine  are  yel  living,  mosl 
of  them  residing  in  this  State.  He  of  whom  we 
write  remained  with  his  father  until  twenty-seven 
years  of  age.  He  reached  his  majority  in  this  town- 
ship, and  was  married  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
to  Miss  Mary  Runkle.     sin-  was  born  in  Pickaway 

County,  September  20,  1842  and  comes  of  a  g 1 

Pennsylvania  Dutch  family.  Her  parents  died  in 
Pickaway  County,  the  father  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
seven.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Runkle.  as  were  the  Yantis 
family,  were  members  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church. 

since  marriage,  the  original  of  our  -ketch  and 
his  wife  have  lived  upon  the  farm  which  they  at 
present  occupy,  and  have  here  raised  a  family  of 
ten  children.  One  of  these  died  in  infancy.  The 
living  children  who  are  still  at  hemic  are:  Alary  E., 
Daniel.  Henry,  Cora  M.,  Noah,  (irate.  Alma  P.. 
.lames  M..  Ilarlev  and  Roy. 

Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  (lunch. 
Airs.  Yantis  holds  to  the  Reformed  Church.  Mr. 
Yantis  i-  now  serving  his  second  term  as  Superin- 
tendent of  the  township.  Politically  he  is  hide 
pendent.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the  Fanners' 
Mutual  Benefit  Association. 


OHN  SCHEEF,  who  is  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial farmers  in  Prauie  Township,  Shelby 
County,  dates  his  residence  in  the  county, 
from  December,  1*77.  His  thorough-going 
German  characteristic-  of  thrift,  industry  and 
steadfastness  have  been  a  help  not  only  to  himself. 
but  also  to  the  community  where  he  has  lived  and 
labored  for  so  many  years,  and  these  trait-  arc 
worthy  of  the  study  and  emulation  of  the  young, 
who  are  apt  to  be  led  astray  by  the  flash  and  bril- 
liancy of  less  worthy  luit  more  showy  qualities. 
For  this  reason  we  are  pleased  to  present  a  record 
of  such  a  life  as  we  have  here  before  us. 

John    Scheef   was   bora    in    Sehleswig-flolstein, 


Germany,   February    13,    1K.VS.   and   i-    a    son    of 

Henry  and  Dora  Scheef.  who  brought  up  to  man's 
and  woman's  estate  eighl  children,  five  of  whom 
came  to  the  United  states,  while  three  remained  in 
their  native  land.  The  following  i-  the  record  of 
the  offspring  of  this  worthy  couple:  Anna,  who 
married  Henry  Froham  and  resides  in  Chicago; 
Amelia  and  Hannah,  who  remained  in  Germany; 
Fred  and  William  who  reside  in  Chicago;  John, 
our  subject;  Dora,  who  is  still  in  the  Fatherland 
and  Christian,  who  died  in  Chicago,  leaving  one 
child.  It  was  in  1884  when  the  parent-  of  this 
family  came  to  America  and  they  have  both  now 
pa-sed  away,  the  mother  being  called  home  while 
Chicago  was  the  family  residence,  and  the  father 
died  iii  this  county. 

.  Our  subject  wasa  lad  of  sixteen  when  he  came 
to  this  country  and  his  first  home  was  in  Chicago, 
where  his  brother  Fred  was  living.  He  there 
worked  as  a  laborer,  following  various  lines  of 
business  until  he  came  to  Shelby  County  which 
wa-  not  until  after  the  great  Chicago  lire,  through 
the  tragic  experiences  of  which  he  passed.  After 
that  tremendous  disaster  the  young  man  thought 
best  to  get  out  into  the  country,  where  there 
would  he  a  better  opportunity  for  him  to  do  well 
for  himself,  ami  leaving  the  city  In-  came  to  this 
county  and  for  five  years  worked  upon  a  tract  of 
eighty  acre-  which  he  rented.  Thrift  anil  economy 
supplemented  the  untiring  energy  and  zeal  with 
which  he  worked,  and  being  now  able  to  purchase 
the  land  upon  which  he  hail  been  living,  he 
deciderl  to  give  the  rest  of  hi-  life  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  now  own-  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  land  and  upon  it  he  has  erected  good  sub- 
stantial farm  buildings. 

The  union  in  marriage  of  two  true  hearts  and 
two  honest  hand-  is  an  event  which  deserves  not 
onl\  congratulation,  hut  the  most  serious  consid- 
eration of  the  biographer,  for  it  is  the  great  event 
in  the  lives  of  those  wh"  -.in-  thus  united,  telling 
upon  their  future  more  practically  and  efficiently 
than  it  is  possible  for  any  other  event  to  do.  This 
important     union      which     joined    our    subject     to 

Elizabeth  Falk,  took  place  December  5,  1875,  the 
bride  being  the  daughter  of  John  and  Anna 
(  Frank  i  Falk  of  whom  more    i-   told   at    length    in 


til* 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


the  sketch  of  their  son,  Mr.  John  W.  Falk.  of 
Herborn.  Mrs.  Scheef  was  born  in  Germany, 
December  11.  1853.  She  is  the  happy  mother  of 
six  children,  namely:  Anna,  born  October  10, 
l*7il;  Maggie,  January  29,  L879;  John,  January 
24.  1881;  Lena,  March  21.  1883;  Henry,  Septem- 
ber 27.  1887,  and  August.  October  18,  1889.  The 
religious  views  of  this  family  are  in  accord- 
ance  with  the  doctrines  and  practices  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  with  which  they  are  connected 
aud  in  it  they  are  esteemed  highly,  as  faithful 
helpers  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  The  politi- 
cal preferences  of  Mr.  Scheef  have  led  him  to 
affiliate  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  believes 
that  in  its  declarations  is  found  the  true  wisdom 
of  political  economy.  While  residing  in  Chicago, 
Mr.  Scheef  was  for  one  year  a  partner  in  a  grocery 
business,  hut  he  did  not  continue  long  in  this  line 
of  work  as  his  training  and  his  preferences  inclined 
him  to  a  farmer's  life. 


-m>^<^ 


NDREW  .1.  RICHET.  Among  the  farmers 
of  Moultrie  County  who  have  retired  from 
arduous  labors  and  are  quietly  passing  their 
declining  years.  isMr.  Richey,  whose  home 
is  a  pleasant  residence  in  Atwood,  Piatt  County. 
It  is  not  possible  in  the  limits  of  a  biographical 
sketch  like  this  to  do  more  than  touch  upon  the 
-cello  and  incidents  in  a  life  which  has  been  full 
of  toil  and  usefulne-s.  hut  it  is  our  purpose  to  note 
the  most  salient  features  in  that  of  Andrew  .T. 
Richey,  until  recently  a  resident  of  Lowe  Town- 
ship, lie  -till  own-  the  fine  farm  on  section  2. 
which  was  for  many  years  the  scene  of  his  labors, 
hut  this  he  now  rents  and  expects  to  pass  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  retired. 

Mr.  Richey  come-  of  excellent  families  of  Ken- 
tucky, both  parents  having  been  born  in  that  State. 
The  father.  Robert,  and  the  mother.  Elizabeth 
(  Biggs)  Richey.  were  united  in  marriage  in  Shelby 
County,  Ky..  in  1826.  Two  years  after  that  im- 
portant event  they  emigrated  to  Indiana  and  re- 
sided in  Montgomery  County  five  years,  where  the 
father  followed  the  vocation  of  a  fanner.   We  next 


find  them  in  Vigo  County.  Ind..  where  the  father 
died  in  1861.  To  him  and  his  good  wife  eight 
children  were  lion,,  our  subject  being  the  eldest. 
Kentucky  is  his  native  State  and  in  Shelby  County- 
he  wa-  born  October  22.  1*27.  He  accompanied 
his  parents  in  their  various  removals  and  wa-  reared 
to  manhood  chiefly  in  Vigo  County.  Ind. 

When  of  sufficient  age  Mr.  Richey  wisely  chose 
the  vocation  in  which  he  has  gained  a  good  main- 
tenance and  has  been  able  to  give  his  family  edu- 
cational and  social  privileges  that  add  to  their 
efficiency  a-  members  of  society.  On  November  9. 
1M*.  he  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock 
with  Miss  Barbara  Doty,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Mrs. 
Richey  died  in  Lowe  Township  in  1*67.  leaving 
rive  children — Theodore  J.,  Emory  R..  .lame-  R.. 
Mary  M.,  (Mrs,  James  Griffin)  and  Eli  X.  After 
hi-  marriage  our  subject  settled  in  Sullivan  County, 
Ind..  where  he  lived  twelve  years,  operating  as 
a  tiller  of  the  soil.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he  came 
to  Moultrie  County  and  settled  in  Lowe  Town- 
ship where  he  resided  until  1891,  the  date  of  his 
removal  to  Atwood. 

The  home  of  Mr.  Richey  i-  presided  over  by  a 
lady  of  refinement  and  intelligence,  who  has  aided 
her  husband  by  her  cheerful  co-operation  in  all 
his  enterprises.  She  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Elizabeth  Moon  and  was  born  in  Mon-.ngahela 
County.  Pa..  December  12.  1830.  Her  parents. 
John  and  Catherine  Moon  died  in  Piatt  County. 
111.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  our  suhjeet 
she  wa-  the  widow  of  Cornelius  Williams,  who 
died  in  White  County.  Ind;.  leaving  to  her  care 
two  children — William  and  Jasper.  The  ceremony 
which  made  her  the  wife  of  Mr.  Richey  wa-  solem- 
nized in  Moultrie  County,  111..  December  12.  1867, 
and  has  brought  mutual  happiness.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Richey  are  active  and  consistent  memliers  of  the 
Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Richey  i>  a  Re- 
publican and  ha.-  been  active  in  local  affairs.  He 
is  especially  interested  in  the  cause  of  education 
and  ha-  served  a-  School  Director  and  Trustee. 
Prior  to  his  removal  from  his  farm  he  had  placed 
it  under  excellent  improvements,  both  in  respect 
to  buildings  and  cultivation  of  the  soil.  The  es- 
tate comprises  two  hundred  acres  of  improved  land 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


619 


and  i-  numbered  among  the  best  farms  in  the 
township.  Its  beauty  is  enchanced  by  the  numer- 
ous shade  and  fruit  trees,  whose  foliage  throws  :i 
pleasant  shadow  on  the  grassy  lawn  and  whose 
ripened  fruit  blushes  as  though  kissed  by  the  sum- 
mer sun.  Mr.  Richey  is  :i  reading,  thinking  man. 
public  spirited  and  well  informed,  and  owns  one 
of  the  finest  libraries  in  the  community.  He  and 
his  wife  are  deservedly  held  in  high  estimation  by 
their  neighbors;  their  warm  hearts,  kind  manners. 
and  many  generous  deeds  have  gained  them  the 
affection  of  the  entire  community. 


.:--:->•:•- 
•-:-:-:-:-" 


OIIN  RAWLINGS.  It  seem-  one  of  the  com- 
pensations for  the  many  hardship-  we  suffer 
in  this  world  that  when  the  dark  river  has 
been  crussed.  the  friends  left  on  this  side 
f<  »rget  to  a  great  extent  the  mistakes  that  have  been 
made,  and  have  only  kindly,  gracious  things  to  say 
of  one.  This  is  as  it  should  be,  for  human  nature 
is  at  heart  much  better  than  we  are  often  willingto 
give  it  credit  for.  Let  us  strew  pansies  for  sweet 
thoughts  over  the  mounds  whose  fullness  leave-  a 
void   in   many  a  saddened   heart. 

Our  subject,  who  passed  away  from  this  life  into 
the  unknown  but  imagined  brightness  of  the  after 
world  at  his  home,  which  is  located  on  section  ."54. 
Pickaway  Township,  in  1888,  was  taken  away  while 
yet  there  was  a  golden  yellow  in  the  fall  season,  be- 
fore the  blasts  of  winter  were  chilling  the  homes 
and  malting  life  seem  more  desolate.  At  the  time 
of  his  decease  he  had  all  but  reached  the  three-score 
and  ten  generally  allotted  to  man,  being  sixty-nine 
years  and  some  months  old.  He  was  born  in  Mary- 
land December  is.  1819.  Although  he  was  an 
American  by  birth  and  parentage,  he  was  of  Irish 
ancestry. 

Our  subject's  father  had  died  when  his  son  was 
but  two  years  old.  He  was  the  youngest  of  two 
sons  and  two  daughters  bom  to  his  parents. 
(artfully  reared  by  his  mother,  he  continued  to 
live  with  her  in  hi-  native  State  until  he  became 
of  age,  during  which  time  he  aided  in  the  work  of 
earning  a  livelihood.     There  lie  beam,   of  age  and 


"a n  after  married  to  Mis.  Martha  E.  Mi-Ma- 
ter. Their  marriage  was  celebrated  May  15,  1851. 
The  lady  was  a  native  of  Maryland  and  born  May 
HI.  1830.  She  was  of  American  parents,  although 
of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry. 

After  marriage  our  subject  and  his  wife  went  to 
Ohio  and  there  they  lived  for  some  years  in  Guern- 
sey County,  where  a  part  of  their  children  were 
born.  In  1865  the  family  came  to  Shelby  County, 
111.,  and  our  subject,  who.  by  his  industrious, 
thrifty  way-,  had  accumulated  for  that  time  a  com. 
fortahle  amount,  was  enabled  to  purchase  a  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acre-  in  Ridge  Town-hip. 
at  which  place  he  lived  for  some  years.  In  S8S 
Mr.  Rawlings  came  to  Pickaway  Township  and  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acre-  on  section  24. 
where  he  was  living  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Our  subject  was  a  man  with  careful,  industrious 
and  prudent  business  faculties,  in  whom  the  acquis- 
itive faculty  was  predominant,  lb-  was  very  suc- 
cessful in  every  undertaking  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  the  owner  of  -ix  hundred  and  ninety- 
two  acre-  of  tine  land  in  this  county.  Most  of  this 
in  fact  all  but  eighty-five  acre-,  which  is  timber 
land,  was  well  improved.  Thrifty  and  far-sighted, 
the  investments  that  he  made  on  first  coming  to  the 
county  were  proved  to  be  judicious  and  profitable, 
nor  was  he  alone  in  his  efforts,  for  his  wife  was 
such  a  woman  a-  i-  described  in  Proverbs. 

He  of  whom  we  write  had  been  reared  in  the 
Quaker  belief  and  throughout  life  rather  held  to 
that  lielief.  but  here,  where  there  were  so  few  of  his 
sect,  he  united  in  worship  of  the  Almighty  with 
the  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which 
he  was  a  regular  attendant.  Mr.  Rawlings  was  a 
Democrat  in  his  political  inclinations,  although  in 
accordance  with  hi-  early  religious  training  he  left 
political  strife  to  those  who  had  taste  for  .such  an 
exciting,  unsatifying  career,  our  subject's  widow, 
who  yet  survives  him.  is  an  amiable  and  charming 
woman,  who  hold-  a  prominent  position  in  social 
life,  by  virtue  of  her  high  intellectual  attainments 
and  her  suavity  ami  gentleness  of  manner,  she 
i-  nmv  the  owner  of  part  of  the  homestead,  including 
the  fine  brick  residence  in  which  she  lives.  At 
sixty  year-  of  age  her  vigor  is  unabated  and  the 
keenness  of  perception  -how-  no  diminution,     she 


R20 


PORTRAIT   AND   PP.  (GRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


lias  a  large  circle  of  friends  in  this  county,  among 
whom  she  i>  regarded  with  tender  and  loving  affec- 
tion. She  and  her  children  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Eight  children  have  come  t<>  this  beautiful  home 
and  have  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  loving  par- 
ental care.  Two  of  these  are  deeeased:  Emma  T.. 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  Mary 
T.  passed  away  at  four  years  of  age.  The  living 
children  are:  CecilJ.,  who  is  an  owner  and  oper- 
ator of  a  farm  in  this  township;  he  took  to  wife 
Amelia  Robinson;  Harry  M..  look  to  wife  Cath- 
erine Weekly  and  resides  on  a  farm  of  which 
they  are  the  owners,  in  Ridge  Township:  William 
C.  farms  his  own  land  in  this  township;  his  wife's 
maiden  name  was  Ida  Veneer;  Robert  F.  owns  ami 
occupies  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  bome- 
stead  and  makes  his  home  with  his  mother;  Ed- 
ward  M.  took  to  wife  Elbe  Peed,  of  this  township: 
they  live  upon  the  old  home  place  in  Ridge  Town- 
ship; Lizzie  P.  is  at  home  and  is  the  comfort  and 
help  of  her  mother. 


•^n 


LB/ 


r-yPAXK    Iff.    HARBAUGH.     The   career    of 

I— (g)    this  young  gentleman  is  one  which  may  he 
1  reflected  upon  with  profit.     He   began  pad- 

dling his  own  canoe  at  an  early  stage  of  his  exig- 
ence, and  after  pulling  up  stream  for  a  season 
finally  found  himself  in  smooth  waters,  and  his 
course  has  since  been  one  of  uniform  prosperity. 
lie  is  now  numbered  among  the  influential  law\  ers 
of  Sullivan.  Moultrie  County,  where  he  located  in 
1883,  and  after  experiencing  the  ups  and  downs 
incidental  to  the  commencement  of  a  professional 
life,  lie  is  on  solid  footing,  with  every  indication 
of  a  prosperous  and  even  brilliant  future  in  the 
law. 

Mr.  Harbaugh  has  known  no  other  home  than 
Moultrie  County,  and  lie  was  born  on  his  father's 
farm,  one  mile  south  of  Sullivan.  September  4, 
1859.  As  is  the  usual  experience  of  everyone 
reared  upon  a  farm,  he  had  few  idle  moments, 
even  in  his  boyhood,  being  employed  in  aiding 
his   father    in    the   work    of    sowing  and    reaping, 


while  he  alternated  this  toilsome  labor  with  attend- 
ance in  the  village  school,  lie  decided  when  quite 
young  to  enter  upon  a  professional  life,  and  there- 
fore devoted  himself  assiduously  to  gaining  knowl- 
edge. He  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Stale 
University  of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  after 
taking  a  thorough  course  in  that  institution,  he 
was  graduated  with  the  Class  of  'Mil.  Soon  after- 
ward he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  Appelate 
Court,  in  Mt.  Vernon,  111.  lie  began  practice  of 
his  profession  in  Windsor,  whence  he  removed  to 
Lovington,  sojourning  in  both  places  about  three 
years,  and  coming  to   his  present  location  in  1883. 

The  father  of  our  subject.  David  llarliaugh.  and 
his  grandfather.  Jacob,  were  both  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  Dutch  descent,  belonging  to  that 
substantial  class  of  people  who  brought  the  Key- 
stone State  to  its  present  slate  of  development. 
Jacob  Ilarbaugh  grew  to  manhood  upon  a  farm 
and  in  his  early  prime  married  a  lady  by  the  name 
of  Sinclair.  About  1831  they  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois, making  the  tedious  journey  overland,  as  was 
common  in  those  days,  and  settling  in  what  is  now 
Sullivan  Township.  Moultrie  County,  before  the 
town  of  Sullivan  was  laid  out.  The  father  pur- 
chased Government  land,  which  he  improved  from 
the  wilderness.  Neighbors  were  very  tew.  the 
country  being  sparsely  settled,  and  improvements 
were  only  being  begun.  Amid  these  primeval 
Scenes  Jacob  llarliaugh  passed  his  declining  years 
and  there  he  died  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

The  father  of  our  subject  has  always  been  inter- 
ested in  farming  pursuits,  and  now  at  the  age  of 
sixty-seven  years,  is  hale  and  hearty,  and  makes 
his  home  in  the  city  of  Sullivan.  He  was  married 
in  this  county  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith,  a  native  of 
this  county,  who  i-  living  and  has  attained  to  the 
age  of  three-score  and  five  years.  Her  parents 
were  early  settlers  of  this  county  and  are  now  de- 
ceased. The  mother  of  our  subject  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Paptist  Church  and  adorns  her  pro- 
fession of  faith  by  a  noble  and  godly  life.  It  may 
truly  be  said  of  her  that  her  children  -rise  and  call 
her  blessed." 

There  were  three  children  in  the  family  circle,  of 
who  Leander,  the  eldest,  died  young.  The  surviv- 
ing member  of  the    family,    besides   our  subject,  is 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


621 


Lucretia,  wife  of  Robert  M.  Peadro,  attorney-at- 
law  in  Sullivan.  Our  subject  is  an  enterprising, 
ambitious  young  gentleman,  who  will,  undoubtedly, 
make  his  way  to  fortune  and  fame.  In  his  politi- 
cal views  he  is  a  stalwart  Democrat,  il<\  oted  to  the 
success  of  that  party  in  both  national  and  local 
affairs,  and  ever  anxious  to  cast  his  ballot  for  the 
candidates  nominated  by  his  chosen  party.  He 
served  as  City  Attorney  with  credit  to  himself  and 
to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  He  has  also 
been  Central  Committeeman  of  the  county,  and  is 
in  various  ways  connected  with  the  public  affairs 
of  this  section. 


«  fclLMER  A.  STEIDLEY,  the  editor  and  pro- 
\  /  prietor  of  the  Call-Mail,  a  weekly  paper, 
»'  puplished  in  Moweaqua,  Shelby  County, 
is  a  bright  and  ambitious  young  man.  who  has 
already  had  considerable  experience  in  journalism, 
and  give?  to  the  public  one  of  the  best  family 
papers  issued  in  Central  Illinois.  He  was  born  in 
Barr  Township.  Macoupin  County.  August  10,  1861. 
He  received  a  practical  education  in  the  public 
Schools,  and  when  a  hoy  worked  on  the  farm.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  he  left  school  to  enter  the 
office  of  the  Moweaqua  Register,  the  first  paper 
published  in  this  city.  lie  soon  acquired  the  art 
preservative  in  that  establishment,  and  remained 
there  until  the  fall  of  1880,  when  he  went  to  Mon- 
tezuma, Ind.,  and  was  employed  in  the  office  of  the 
Era  the  ensuing  three  months,  from  there  he  went 
to  Maroa,  and  was  employed  in  settingtype  in  the 
office  of  the  .Maroa  News  until  1881. 

In  that  year  Mr.  Steidley  entered  upon  his  career 
as  a  journalist,  coming  to  Moweaqua  in  the  month 
of  January,  and  started  a  paper  called  the  Mail. 
In  188-4  he  sold  that  publication,  and  returning  to 
.Maroa.  bought  the  News,  the  paper  on  which 
he  had  formerly  set  type.  He  conducted  the  News 
until  duly  1.  IMS*,  and  then  sold  it  on  good  terms, 
and  for  nearly  a  year  thereafter  he  lived  at  Colo- 
rado Springs,  Col.,  where  he  was  engaged asa  clerk 
in  a  furniture  store.      In  May,  1889,  he  returned  to 


.Moweaqua.  and  resumed  his  vocation  as  editor. 
purchasing  the  Call,  and  in  .Inly  of  the  same  year 
buying  the  Mail,  and  consolidating  the  two  under 
the  name  of  the  Call-Mail.  Thus  united  he  has 
infused  new  life  into  their  columns,  and  has  made 
the  union  paper  a  strong,  breezy,  entertaining 
family  newspaper,  full  of  information  on  subjects 
in  which  the  public  is  nost  interested,  with  its 
matter  well  arranged,  and  its  editorials  showing  a 
progressive  spirit,  and  giving  good  points  in  re- 
gard to  political  and  other  topics  with  which  the 
people  should  be  familiar. 

November  1,  1881  i-  tin-  date  of  the  marriage  of 
our  subject  with  Mi— s.  I-;.  Huff.  Mrs.  Steidley  was 
born  in  De  Witt  County,  111.,  in  February.  1862, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Nancy  (Dine)  Huff. 
Three  children  are  living  of  this  union. — lames  .1.. 
YVilmer  A.  and  Ida  Clare.  Their  fourth  child, 
named  Marguerite,  died  in  .Inly.  1889.  aged  ten 
months. 

Mr.  Steidley  is  popular  and  well-known  in  social 
circle-  as  a  member  of  the  following  organizations: 
Shelby  Lodge.  No.  274.  1.  < ).  ( ).  F..  and  Home 
Lodge,  No.  152  of  the  Order  of  Tonti,  he  being 
President  of  the  latter  lodge.  In  his  political  affil- 
iations, he  is  a  Democrat.  Religiously,  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church. 


i    i   '  i   i      i  i 


RANK  J.  STILL  WELL,  one  of  the  efficient 
and  progressive  tanners  of  Hose  Township, 
Shelby  County,  is  a  son  of  John   W.  and 
Sarah     (Templeton)     Stillwell.     The     former    was 

bora  neai'  Newport.  Ky.,  and  then  came  with  his 
family  to  Shelly  County  in  1866,  making  their 
home  in  Shelbyville  and  operating  a  sawmill  in 
Rose  Township,  which  they  carried  on  for  several 
years.  The  wife  passed  away  m  Shelbyville  in 
1876  and  the  bereaved  husband  is  now  living  a 
retired  life.  They  had  two  children, Robert  T.and 
Frank  J. 

Our  subject  was  horn  near  Newport.  Ky.. 
August  f.  1859,  and  came  to  Shelby  County,  this 
State  with   his  parents.      He  received  his  education 


022 


PORTRAIT  AND  RIOORAPIIICAL    RECORD. 


in  the  common  schools  and  made  good  use  of  his 
advantages,  gaining  much  from  this  thorough, 
tin  nigh  somewhat  narrow,  curriculum.  His  mar- 
riage at  Shelbyville,  April  5,  1883,  united  him 
with  Miss  Anna  Wortman,  who  was  born  in  Dry 
Point  Township.  When  they  married  they  settled 
in  Hose  Township,  where  Mr.  Stillwell  is  engaged 
in  farming,  giving  his  attention  to  the  cultivation 
of  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  excellent 
land,  and  also  raising  considerable  good  stock. 

Mr.  and  Mis.  Stillwell  are  the  parents  of  two 
children,  Mary  A.  and  .1.  Frank.  The  office  of 
School  Director  has  been  efficiently  filled  by  Mr. 
Stillwell.  lie  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  views. 
lie  is  prominently  identified  with  the  Order  of 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  with  his  wife 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Stillwell  are  William  and 
Margaret  (Hickman)  Wortman.  Mr.  Wortman 
was  horn  in  Shelby  Township.  Shelby  County. 
October  22.  1831.  His  father,  Isaac  Wortman,  was 
a  native  of  Christian  County.  Ky.,  being  born 
there  August  2d,  1865,  and  being  the  son  of 
Michael  Wortman.  a  Virginian  by  birth  and  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Christian  County.  Ky. 
Michael  Wortman  secured  a  tract  of  timber  land 
in  that  county  and  cleared  a  farm  and  spent  his 
last  years  there.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife 
was  Elizabeth  Wallace  and  she  was  also  a  Virgin- 
ian. She  came  to  Shelby  County  after  the  death 
of  her  husband. 

The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Stillwell  was  reared  in 
Kentucky  and  resided  there  until  1H2K.  when  he 
came  to  Illinois  accompanied  by  his  wife,  his 
mother  and  his  brother  with  his  wife.  They 
brought  all  their  household  goods  along  with 
them  in  their  wagons  and  camped  and  cooked  by 
the  way.  They  arrived  in  Shelby  County  in 
December,  1828, and  resided  in  what  is  now  known 
as  Windsor  Township  for  one  year  and  then  re- 
moved to  Shelby  Township  and  entered  a  tract  of 
Government  land  one  mile  cast  of  the  city.  A 
few  log  houses  were  all  that  Shelbyville  then 
boasted.  Isaac  Wortman  erected  a  log  house  on 
his  land  and  commenced  at  once  to  clear  away  the 
timber.  After  residing  there  for  several  years  he 
sold    his   property   and   bought    in    Holland   Town- 


ship, where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1868. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  (who  was  the  grand- 
mother of  Mrs.  Stillwell.)  was  Zelinda  Hall.  She 
was  born  in  Fayette  County.  Ky..  of  Virginian 
parentage,  her  father  and  mother  being  Peter  and 
Mary  (Fisher)  Hall,  who  became  pioneers  of  Fay- 
ette County.  Ky.  Mrs.  Hall  died  at  the  home  of 
her  daughter.  Mis.  Emily  Willis,  in  Shelbyville  in 
1872, having  been  the  mother  of  twelve  children. 

William  Franklin  Wortman  resided  with  his 
parents  until  his  marriage  and  then  settled  on  an 
eighty-acre  tract  of  land  which  he  owned  on  sec- 
tion 1  of  Dry  Point  Township.  It  was  wild  land 
at  the  time,  forty  acres  of  it  being  in  timber  and 
the  remainder  in  brush.  He  built  a  log  house  and 
there  commenced  housekeeping  and  later  bought 
other  land  until  at  one  time  he  possessed  some  two 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  all  in  one  body,  part  of  it 
being  in  Holland  Township.  He  improved  the 
land,  planted  an  orchard  and  erected  good  farm 
buildings.  He  continued  there  until  the  fall  of 
1890  when  Ik-  retired  from  active  farming  and 
built  the  home  where  he  now  resides  in  Shelbyville. 
He  was  married  in  1856  to  Margaret  Hickman. 
who  was  bora  in  Shelbyville.  February  15,  1836. 

Joseph  Hickman,  the  father  of  Mrs.  W.  F.  Wort- 
man. was  a  Virginian  by  birth,  and  the  son  of 
William  Hickman,  who  removed  from  that  State 
to  Shelly  County,  Ky..  where  he  continued  his 
vocation  of  a  farmer.  He  died  in  that  county. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Elizabeth  Tal- 
bot, who  was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  died  in 
Shelby   County.  Ky. 

Joseph  Hickman,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Still- 
well, married  in  Kentucky  and  came  from  that 
State  to  Illinois  in  1830,  thus  becoming  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Shelbyville.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  teachers  in  the  county  and  was  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  education.  lie  resided  there  for  a 
number  of  years  and  then  bought  a  farm  in  Shelby 
Township,  upon  which  he  made  his  home  until  his 
death.  His  wife  (the  grandmother  of  Mrs.  Still- 
well.) bore  the  maiden  name  of  Ziporah  Frankford. 
She  was  born  in  Illinois,  being  a  daughter  of  Elza 
and  Margaret  (Adams)  Frankford.  and  died  at  the 
home  of  a  son  in  Shelby  Township  about  the  year 
1868.     Seven   children   were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPIPCAL    RECORD. 


623 


Wortman,  namely:  Mary.  Hattie.  Emma,  Annie, 
Thomas,  James  nml  Mattie.  The  parents  are  ear- 
nest and  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal (  lunch  and  Mr.  Wortman  is  a  Democral  in  his 
political  views. 

Mr.  Stillwell's  personal  qualities  are  such  as  to 
have  won  for  him  the  respect  and  admiration  of 
las  fellow-citizens  and  lit-  has  the  heart}  ii»  >»  »<l  will 
of  all.  His  home  is  comfortable  and  pleasant  and 
his  family  share  with  him  the  good  opinion  <>f 
their  neighbors. 


•- 


OlIN  F.  MAUTZ.  The  gentleman  whose 
biographical  sketch  we  take  pleasure  in  here 
writing,  resides  mi  section  31,  of  Rural 
Township,  Shelby  County,  and  also  owns 
land  in  section  .'12.  He  belongs  to  the  nationality 
which  is  beginning  to  tinge  American  life  so  largely 
with  it^  sterling  qualities,  and  to  show  in  a  better 
physical  development  which  has  resulted  from  the 
commingling  of  the  American  and  Teutonic  na- 
tions. Our  subject  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Ger- 
many, April  3.  1840.  He  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Rosina  (Shantz)  Mautz,  the  former  born  in  Wur- 
temberg,   in    1802,  and   the    latter,   February    18, 

Our  subject's  father  was  a  fanner  by  Calling  and 
lie  Of  whom  we  write  early  learned  the  best  meth- 
ods i>f  making  the  ground  produce  the  best  in 
fruits  and  vegetables,  cereals  and  stuck.  After  the 
marriage  <>f  the  parents  of  our  subject,  they  de- 
voted themselves  to  the  rearing  of  their  large  fam- 
ily, which  numbered  eleven  children.  The}  were 
broughl  up  under  the  besl  conditions,  having  re- 
ceived that  best  of  inheritances  from  their  parents, 
robust  constitutions.  Mood  that  (lowed  through 
their  veins  in  swift  purity,  and  intelligences  that 
were  undimmed  by  vicious  associations  or  habits. 
The  brothere  and  sisters  of  oursubject  are  in  name 
a-  follow-:  Gottleib,  Rosina.  Christian.  George, 
Barbara.  Lewis,  John  I-\.  who  is  our  subject.  Will- 
iam. Jacob  II..  David  and  Thomas.  Gottleib  died 
in  Shelby  County  in  1879;  Rosina  married  Chris- 
tian Eberspacher;    she    died    in    November,    1866, 


and  left  four  children  to  her  bereaved  husband; 
Christian  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  man  in 
Rural  Township;  he  was  for  sixteen  years  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  ami  now  reside-  iii  Prescott,  Nevada 
County,  Ark.;  George  died  in  Shelb}  County  in 
1863;  Barbara  married  John  Haberlein.  and  died 
in  1865,  leaving  one  daughter;  Lewis  was  killed 
by  a  bull  in  Cowley  County,  Kan.:  William  re- 
sides on  the  homestead;  Jacob  II.  and  David  live 
in  Rural  Township;  Thomas  reside-  in  Shelby 
County. 

All  of  the  family  of  children  of  which  our  sub- 
ject wa-  one  were  bom  in  Germany.  Our  subject 
wa-  but  eleven  year-  when,  in  1852,  the  family 
emigrated  to  tin-  United  Mate-,  landing  in  New 
York  harbor  April  1.  The  journey  across  the  three 
thousand  mile-  of  water  required  only  nineteen 
day-.  The  family  at  once  went  to  Zanesville. 
Ohio,  and  soon  after  settled  in  Fairfield  County. 
Ohio.     In  1854  the}'  came   to  Shelby  Count}',  this 

State,  Bret  Settling  in  Rose  Township,  where  the} 
rented  land  which  they  operated  for  some  years. 
They  then  purchased  section  32,  in  Rural  Town- 
ship, and  later  purchased  one-half  of  section  31. 
Success  followed  their  agricultural  efforts,  and  as 
the  young  people  matured  they  were  encouraged 
to  start  out  in  life  for  themselves.  The  father 
died  February  :i-  1x72.  The  mother  followed  him 
January  l.">.  Ixtll.  The}  were  kindly.  Christian 
people,  and  their  simple,  honest  lives  infused  a 
spirit  of  kindliness  and  generosity  into  all  with 
whom  they  came  in  contact.  The}  were  members 
of  the  Swedenborgian  Church. 

Our  subject.  J.  F.  Mautz.  came  with  his  family 
to  Shelby  County,  and  in  1861,  he  enlisted  in   the 

War  of    the  Rebellion   to  fight    for    the    Bag,  which 

had  alread}  become  dear  to  him  as  a  symbol  of 
freedom,  which  he  could  not  enjoy  SO  fully  in  his 
native  land.  He  was  mustered  into  service,  and 
joined  Company  II.  of  the  Fifty-fourth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  remained  with  his  company  for  four 
year,  re-enlisting  at  the  end  of  his  first  term. 
During  his  military  career  lie  wa-  neither  wounded 
nor  taken  prisoner, nor  was  he  confined  to  the  hospi- 
tal. He  was  a  participant  in  many  battles,  and 
the  side  of  military  life,  which,  to  one  who  has 
never  seen  battle,  but   onlv   read  and   dreamed    of 


024 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


the  glorious  display  that  is  an  accessory,  haa  a 
seriousness  to  him,  which  was  an  outcome  of  bitter 
personal  experience.  He  was  in  the  battles  of 
Jackson,  Tenn.,  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  a1 
Little  Rock,  Ark.  In  1864  eighl  companies  of  the 
regiment  to  which  our  subject  belonged,  were 
taken  prisoners,  only  Companies  II  and  F  escap- 
ing. Our  subject  was  mustered  out  of  service  in 
October,  1865,  and  he  returned  to  Shelby  County 
November  19,  1867,  lie  was  married  to  Matilda 
Kull,  who  was  born  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  in 
1847. 

After  marriage  Mr.  Mautz  settled  with  his  wife 
upon  the  land  whereon  he  now  resides,  at  that 
time  raw  prairie.  Now  it  is  one  of  the  finest 
places  in  the  county,  comprising  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  beautifully  cultivated  land,  and 
ui)Oii  it  are  tine  buildings  that  are  in  the  best  of 
order.  The  original  of  our  sketch  and  his  wife 
have  four  children,  whose  names  are  as  follows: 
William.  Albert.  Julius  and  George.  Mr.  Mautz 
casts  his  vote  and  influence  with  the  Democratic 
party,  under  which  he  has  held  several  positions. 
He  has  been  Supervisor  for  three  terms,  and.  in- 
deed, has  held  all  the  local  offices.  Both  our 
.subject  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Evangeli- 
cal Church. 


S.  CREECH.  Sullivan  counts  among  its 
active  business  men,  not  only  those  in  the 
mercantile  line  and  men  who  cater  to  the 
physical  needs  of  the  citizens,  lint  those 
who  have  also  built  up  lines  of  business  which  pro- 
vide for  the  higher  nature.  Art  and  music  are 
having  their  full  share  of  attention  in  this  flourish- 
ing city  and  it  is  well  supplied  with  martsof  beauty 
and  luxury. 

The  successful  photographer  and  jeweler  whose 
name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  writing,  is  finding 
such  success  in  his  business  that  lie  lias  been  en- 
couraged to  build  for  himself  a  place  of  business 
and  dwelling,  both  of  which  are  complete  in  all 
departments.     His   fine  stock  of  jewelry  is   on    the 


ground  floor  and  the  second  stor\  contains  his  well 
arranged  and  commodious  photograph  gallery. 
lie  has  acquired  Ins  knowledge  in  both  branches 
of  his  art  by  determined  application  and  persever- 
ance and  for  four  years  has  carried  on  both  lines 
of  endeavor,  independently  of  others. 

This  young  man  applies  himself  closely  to  busi- 
ness and  is  a  practical  workman  in  both  arts.  To 
no  one  but  himself  can  credit  be  given  for  his 
success,  as  his  natural  talents  in  the  mechanical 
line  have  been  fully  exercised  and  developed  by 
his  efforts  to  gain  the  front  rank  in  his  line  of  work. 
He  is  a  natural  mechanic  and  learned  the  trade  in 
that  line  which  he  followed  for  a  few  years  in  his 
earlier  life. 

Our  subject  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
since  1871  and  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  where  lie 
was  born  in  Owen  County  May  31, 1854.  He  is 
the  son  of  Tennessee  parents,  his  father,  Christopher 
C.  Creech,  being  a  man  who  had  come  when  young 
with  his  parents  to  Owen  County,  and  had  there. 
grown  to  manhood  and  carried  on  the  double 
avocation  of  farmei  and  mechanic,  lie  married 
Miss  Amanda  C.  Evans,  who  had  come  to  Owen 
County  with  her  parents  at  an  early  day.  After 
marriage  this  wedded  couple  remained  near  the 
home  of  their  parents  until  the  spring  of  1871. 
when  they  came  to  this  State  and  made  their  first 
settlement  in  Coles  County,  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  removed  to  Moultrie  County.  Here  the 
father  lived  and  followed  his  trade  till  death  called 
him  hence,  his  demise  occurring  at  Oak,  Neb.,  in 
March,  18111,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  fifty- 
five  years.  His  widow  is  now  residing  in  Bethany 
and  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years  is  a  useful  mem- 
ber of  society  and  active  in  the  good  work  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  was  also  her  husband. 

Mr.  Creech  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  seven  sons 
and  one  daughter,  all  but  two  of  whom  are  living, 
and  all  married  but  two.  Our  subject  is  the  only 
one  of  the  family  now  residing  in  Sullivan,  lie 
was  married  first  at  Bethany,  Moultrie  County,  to 
Miss  Martha  Robertson,  who  was  born  and  reared 
in  Moultrie  County  and  after  becoming  the  mother 
of  one  sou,  .lames  C,  died  at  her  home  in  Sullivan 
in  1884.  This  promising  son  survived  his  mother 
but  died   recently   when   nearly   fifteen   years    old, 


PORTRAIT  AND  I'.Iix  iUAl'HK  AI.    RECORD. 


62" 


:$— & 


S 


his  demise  bringing  great   grief,  nol    only   to  his 
father,  but  to  :ill  who  knew  him. 

A.  S.  Creech  was  :i  second  time  married,  being 
united  in  tin-  county  to  Miss  Flora  Hoggett,  who 
was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  this  county,  and 
is  highly  respected  among  all  her  acquaintances 
for  her  intelligence,  her  affability  ami  her  capabil- 
ities as  a  housewife.  No  children  have  come  to 
brighten  her  home  and  she  turns  her  activities  in 
the  direction  of  church  work,  being  a  lnembei  of 
the  Christian  Church  and  a  helper  in  ever}  good 
work.  The  declarations  of  the  Democratic  party 
embody  the  political  ideas  of  Mi.  Creech,  but  he 
i-  no  politician  as  he  prefersto  devote  his  energies 
to  business  and  does  not  care  to  be  one  of  those 
who  manage  public  affairs. 


»  I  U.I  AM  E.  K 1 1.  I.AM.  Over  half  a  cen- 
tury lias  been  spent  by  our  subject  in  up- 
ward growth.  He  was  born  in  the  early 
part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  when  advantages 
for  culture  and  education  were  not  thru-t  upon  a 
young  man,  but  had  to  he  sought  by  those  who  had 
an  inclination  therefor.  William  Killain  was  born 
in  Ridge  Township,  Shelby  County,  March  7.  1888. 
Hi-  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  M.  T.  (Bowen) 
Killain.  and  a  grandson  of  l'eter  Killain.  lie  now 
resides  on  section  2*.  of  Rural  Township,  Shelby 
(  ountv.and  has  been  successful  in  making  a  pleas- 
ant home  and  amassing  a  competency. 

When  our  subject  was  a  lad  he  attended  the 
country  schools,  which  were  very  different  from 
tin-  schools  of  to-day.     Technical   training  was  at 

that  time  no  part  of  the  scl 1  curriculum.     Each 

boy  learning  from  1 1 i  —  father  the  duties  to  he  done 
in  agricultural  life.  Neither  was  there  aiy  atten- 
tion paid  to  modern  languages,  although  Lindsley 
Murray  was  conned  from  firel  to  last  pages,  so  that 
every  pupil  could  at  least  parse  an  English  sen- 
tence correctly,  which  is  more  than  many  can  do 
at  the  present    day.      The    few    who  had  the  proud 

acquisition  of  a  knowledge  of  Latin,  made  it  theirs 
for  life,  and  where  a  Latin  student  of  to-day  can- 
not  remember  from  one   day  to  another,  a  sinyle 


sentence  of  his  translation,  the  old  time  Latin 
students  can  recite  page  after  page  of  (  'aesar's  <  »iii- 
mentaries  and  of  Virgil.  Our  subject  laid  a  thor- 
ough foundation  for  the  education  that  he  after- 
ward acquired  by  much  drill   in  the  three  U's.  and 

in  English   grammar,  at   the   district   scl Is.     He 

completed  his  education  at  the  old  seminarx  al 
Shelbyville,  which  at  the  time  was  considered  a 
very  fine  institution  of  learning.  While  here. 
George  R.  Wendling  was  his  classmate  and  asso- 
ciate. After  finishing  at  Shelbyville,  our  subject 
was  engaged  as  a  teacher  for  two  terms. 

(In  October  31,  1861,  Mr.  Killam  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Levicy  Tolly,  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Jemima  (Denton)  Tolly,  she  was  horn  in  Flat 
Branch  Township.  Shelby  County,  this  state.  Feb- 
ruary Hi.  1838.  she  was  an  admirable  woman  and 
made  a  pleasant  home  for  her  husband  and  the  -ix 
children  which  she  left  on  her  death,  to  her 
husband's  care.  Her  decease  took  place  in  1889. 
Her  children's  names  are  a-  follows:  Mary  R., 
Morris  F..  John  II..  Clara  A..  William  E., and  Mabel 
<i.  During  her  life  Mrs.  Killam  was  a  consistent 
and  conscientious   member  of   the  Baptist  Church. 

Previous  to  his  marriage  he  of  whom  we  write 
had  built  a  house  on  the  land  where  he  made  his 
home.  The  young  couple  at  once  settled  here, 
spending  the  happiest  day-  of  their  marital  life  in 
the  making  of  a  home  in  its  truest  sense,  that  i~. 
not  tour  square  walls  that  should  he  merely  an 
abiding  place,  but  the  sanctuary  of  love,  sympathy 
and  encouragement.  Our  subject*  now  owns  two 
hundred  acres  of  land  that  i-  under  a  good  state 
of  improvement,  lie  has  always  followed  mixed 
husbandry,  finding  that  to  he  in  the  end  more 
profitable  than  attention  to  specialties.  Our  sub- 
ject is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  was  his 
wife.  While  the  political  inclinations  of  Mr.  Kil- 
lam are  toward  Democracy,  like  most  men  who  have 
breadth  of  thought  he  i-  rather  independent,  lean- 
ing however  towaid  Prohibition.  lie  ha-  held 
several  local  offices  in  the  township,  having  been 
Assessor.  Supervisor,  School  Assessor,  and  Town 
( 'lerk.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Rural  Town- 
ship Farmers'  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  ami 
since  its  organization  has  always  held  an  office. 
This   company  insure-  farm  property  in  six    town- 


626 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


ships,    namely:    Tower    Hill,  Rural.    Flat    Branch, 
Pickaway,  Ridge  and  Todd's  Point. 

Mr.  Killam  has  taken  ureal  interest  in  the  edu- 
cation nf  his  children.  Two  of  these  .Mary  R..and 
Mollis  F..  have  attended  the  State  Normal  Univer- 
sity at  Normal,  III.,  where  they  finished  the  course 
with  high  honor  to  themselves.  Mary  taught 
school  for  several  years,  and  Morris  E.  was  like- 
wise  engaged  for  three  terms.  Clara  K.  has  de- 
voted herself  to  becoming  proficient  in  the  art  of 
music,  having  attended  the  Jacksonville  Musical 
Institute,  and  being  a  tine  pianist.  The  young 
people  are  intelligent  and  accomplished  and  their 
father  is  justified  in  the  pride  which  he  takes  in 
their  progress. 


EREMIAH  1).  DONOVAN.  M.  1).  After 
year-  -pent  in  attendance  upon  invalids 
whose  physical  weakness  is  as  diversified  in 
nature  as  their  degrees  of  mental  capacity, 
and  whose  ills  are  the  result  of  ignorance,  careless- 
ness or  heredity,  all  of  which  are  equally  inexcusa- 
ble in  the  light  of  a  higher  understanding,  it  must 
be  refreshing  to  turn  from  the  imperfections  of 
human  nature  to  the  nnstunted  and  perfect  growth 
of  nature,  pure  and  simple.  This  relief  does  our 
subject  experience  after  there  has  been  a  strain 
upon  his  sympathies  as  well  as  his  professional 
skill,  and  he  feels  grateful  as  he  turns  from  the 
village  streets  into  his  own  sweet  and  modesl 
abode,  surrounded  by  a  pleasant  velvety  green 
lawn  and  lowers  whose  brightness  of  color  and 
varied  perfection  of  form  are  an  inspiration  to  his 
higher  nature. 

Our  subject  is  a  Kentuekian  by  parentage  and 
birth  and  inherits  the  Southern  warmth  of  nature, 
and  a  certain  loyalty  that  is  found  among  Ken- 
tuckians  more  than  among  people  of  other  Mates. 
His  father,  James  Donovan,  was  born  in  Mercer 
County,  Ky.,  as  was  his  mother.  Elizabeth  Carey. 
The  aged  couple  are  still  spared  and  reside  in  their 
native  Stale  and  county,  where  the  father  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  all  his  life.  Our  subject  is  one 


of  two  children  born  to  his  parents.  His  advent 
into  the  world  was  made  in  Mercer  County.  Ky.. 
December  7.  1836.  lb-  was  reared  to  manhood  on 
his  father'-  place,  enjoying  sucb  educational  and 
social  advantages  as  that  favored  portion  of  Ken- 
tucky offered.  For  five  years  after  reaching  his 
majority  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  his  native 
county,  although  in  1860  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  in  L868  he  graduated  at  the  Uni- 
versity at  Louisville,  Ky. 

Dr.  Donovan  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Johnsonville,  Anderson  County.  Ky.. 
and  continued  there  for  two  year-,  when  he  deter- 
mined to  remove  to  his  native  village,  Cornish- 
ville.  in  Mercer  County,  where  he  enjoyed  a  good 
and  paying  practice.  During  these  years  he  was 
attaining  a  reputation  in  the  healing  art  such  as 
only  actual  experience  can  give,  lie  remained  in 
his  native  town  from  1863  until  1881,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Antioch  in  Washington  County.  Ky.. 
and  there  stayed  for  two  year-,  then  he  made  the 
radical  change  from  his  native  State  to  Illinois, 
settling  in  Lovington,  but  at  that  time  only  re- 
mained here  about  eight  months,  removing  to  La 
Place,  in  Piatt  County,  where  he  wa-  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  for  about  the  same 
length  of  time,  lie  then  returned  to  .Moultrie 
County,  locating  in  Lake  City  where  he  enjoyed  a 
good  practice  for  three  years,  until  August.  1888, 
he  returned  to  Lovington. 

Personally,  our  subject  has  a  strong  physical  and 
mesmeric  power  that  is  greatly  in  his  favor  in  the 
sick  room.  A  bright  smile  and  a  cheery  good 
morning  goes  as  far  with  his  patients  as  a  bottle  o. 
medicine  with  many  others  who  have  less  dynamic 
force.  He  here  enjoys  a  good  practice  and  has 
been  appointed  to  the  State  Board  of  medical 
examinations  for  pension-.  He  is  called  into  con- 
sultation with  the  best  physicians  in  the  county 
and  his  judgment  and  knowledge  of  disease  is  ac- 
curate. He  eschews  fine  spun  theories  and  bases 
the  majority  of  his  deductions  upon  common  sense 
reasoning. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  first  married  in 
Johnsonville,  Anderson  County.  Ky.  His  bride 
was  Mi-s  Amanda  Driskell,  a  native  of  the  same 
count v  with  himself.     That  union  was  blessed    bv 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


C2; 


tlif  advent  of  one  child,  a  son,  whose  Dame  is 
James,  and  who  is  now  :i  successful  farmer  in  Mer- 
cer County,  Ky.  Mrs.  Amanda  Donovan  died  in 
her  native  suite  and  county. 

Dr.  Donovan  was  again  married  in  Mercer 
County,  Ky.,  to  Miss  Narcissus  Driskell,  a  sister  of 
his  lirst  wife.  By  this  marriage  they  became  the 
parents  of  eleven  children,  whose  names  are 
respectively,  Elizabeth,  John,  Josiah,  Jefferson, 
Ilershel.  Lorn.  Paston,  William, Samuel, Roscoe and 
Lloyd.  Two  of  these  children  died  in  infancy. 
The  others  have  grown  up  and  promise  to  take  re- 
sponsible and  honorable  positions  in  society.  Polit- 
ically the  Doctor  is  a  Republican,  and  although  he 
has  not  remained  in  any  one  place  long  enough  to 
thoroughly  identify  himself  with  its  local  political 
life,  he  is  of  course  interested  in  local  government. 
Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  in  his  relations  with  his  patients  or  society  at 
large,  his  manner  is  characterized  by  a  courtesy 
and  affability  such  as  is  seldom  found  outside  of 
the  Southern  States. 


. 


T~»1K>MAS  HANKS,  of  the  linn  of  N.  F.  Keim 
//— n  cfc  Co.,  general  merchants  at  Findlay,  has 
V__y  long  been  variously  identified  with  the  in- 
terests  of  Shelby  County,  and  is  connected  both 
with  its  mercantile  and  agricultural  affairs. 
Vaughn  Township.  York  County,  Province  of 
Ontario.  Canada,  is  the  place  of  his  birth.  His 
father,  who  bore  the  same  name  as  himself,  was  a 
native  of  Yorkshire.  England.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  a  stonemason  and  that  of  an  oatmeal 
miller.  On  coming  to  America  lie  settled  in 
Vaughn  Township,  Canada,  and  devoting  himself 
to  his  trade  as  a  miller,  he  ground  the  lirst  oatmeal 
that  was  ever  exported  from  Canada  to  England. 
He  continued  his  residence  in  York  Count)  many 
years,  and  then,  after  spending  a  few  months  in 
the  United  States,  returned  to  Canada,  and  passed 
his  last  years  in  Elgin  County.  The  maiden  name 
of  his  third  wife,  mother  of  our  subject,  was 
Janette  Jeffrey.  She  was  born  in  Scotland,  ami 
died  at  Richmond  Hill,  York  County,  (  anada. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his 
Canadian  birthplace,  and  in  his  youth  served  a 
three  years'  apprenticship  to  Thomas  Harris,  a  well- 
known  carpenter  and  builder.  After  acquiring  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  his  trade  in  all  its  branches, 
he  went  to  Elgin  County  and  did  journey  work 
there  until  1859.  In  that  year  lie  crossed  the  bor- 
der and  came  to  the  "States."  and  for  some  twelve 
months  was  engaged  as  a  carpenter  in  Indiana.  In 
I860  he  -tailed  on  his  return  to  his  old  home,  and 
on  his  way  came  to  Illinois  to  collect  a  small  bill 
due  him  by  a  person  living  in  Todd's  Point  Town- 
ship, this  county.  This  proved  to  be  the  turning 
point  in  his  life,  for  he  became  favorably  impressed 
with  the  country  and  resolved  to  settle  here  per- 
manently, perhaps  influenced   to  this  decision  by 

the  uiatrii lial  alliance   that    he    contracted   soon 

after  with  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  the  county.  He  found  work  at  his  trade 
as  a  carpenter  and  builder,  and  was  thus  employed 
until  1863,when  he  rented  a  tract  of  land  and 
gave  his  attention  to  farming.  He  was  successful 
in  his  operations  and  soon  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  on  section  34,  in  that  part  of  Okaw 
Township  now  included  in  Todd's  Point  Town- 
ship, to  which  he  subsequently  added  eighty  acres 
adjoining,  and  he  also  bought  fifteen  acres  of  tim- 
ber land  on  section  35.  lie  has  his  farm  well  im- 
proved, under  admirable  tillage,  and  provided  with 
two  sets  of  conveniently  arranged  frame  buildings. 
In  1889  Mr.  Banks  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
son-in-law.  N.  F.  Keim.  to  engage  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  at  Findlay.  They  have  a  well- 
appointed  store,  carry  a  line  assortment  of 
general  slock,  and  have  already  built  up  a  thriv- 
ing trade. 

Mr.  Banks  was  lirst  married  in  1861  to  Mrs.  Cas- 
sandra ( Waller)  Beck,  daughter  of  Eli  and  Mary 
(Stanaford)  Waller,  and  widow  of  Nathaniel  Keck. 
She  was  a  native  of  this  county.  She  departed 
this  life  in  June,  L883.  Four  children  were  horn 
Of  her  marriage  with  our  subject .  all  of  whom  arc 
living:  Priscilla.  who  married  Xavicr  Wernett. 
and  has  two  children — loseph  and  Henry;  Ella 
married  Warner  II.  Mau/.ev.  and  has  two  children 
— Eva  and  Adda:  Cynthia  married  N.  F.  Keim. 
and  has  one  child— Irus;  Erne  May.  the  youngest 


628 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


daughter,  is  .-it  home  with  her  parents.  Mr.Banks 
was  married  ;i  second  time  in  1890  to  Mrs.  Tabitha 
Robertson,  she  i>  n  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  shares  with  her  husband  tin'  respect 
.-mil  esteem  of  the  entire  community.  Mr.  Hanks 
i>  well  known  in  this  part  of  the  county,  and  is 
looked  np  to  as  a  man  of  solid  worth,  whose  deal- 
ings are  always  fair  and  above  board,  and  whose 
word  is  as  good  as  a  bond. 


;J>*<§^ 


EJv'DERSON  G.  SMITH,  one  of  the  promi- 
nent citizens  of  Okaw  Township,  Shelby 
County,  was  bora  within  its  bounds,  June 
^  19,  1829,  has  a  tine  farm  on  section  30, 
where  he  lias  carried  on  successfully  farming  and 
stock-raising,  lie  has  nearly  four  hundred  acres 
of  land  all  in  good  condition  and  his  residence 
which  he  built  in  1887  is  homelike,  capacious  and 
delightful. 

Allen  and  Karen  II.  (Robertson)  Smith,  the 
father  and  mother  of  our  subject  were  born  in  Vir- 
ginia and  married  in  Kentucky,  and  after  six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them  they  came  to  Illinois,  mak- 
ing the  journey  by  the  way  of  prairie  schooners, 
and  camping  out  by  the  way.  At  the  end  of  this 
primitive  journey  they  settled  in  Okaw  Township, 
in  the  fall  of  1*28  and  entering  land  they  erected 
a  house  of  hewed  logs.  This  substantial,  although 
rudely-built  house  has  been  occupied  from  that 
da\  to  this,  but  is  now  removed  from  the  spot 
where  it  was  first  built.  The  land  which  he  pur- 
chased was  located  just  in  the  edge  of  the  timber 
and  he  proceeded  to  improve  it  and  place  it  in  a 
condition  for  cultivation. 

The  following  year,  the  father  of  our  subject  re- 
moved to  the  place  which  is  now  the  family  home 
and  became  the  happy  possessor  of  some  three  hun- 
dred acres  of  rich  and  fertile  soil  and  proceeded  to 
place  upon  it  good  improvements,  so  that  it  was 
soon  in  as  prosperous  a  condition  as  any  farm  in 
those  early  days.  There  were  few  conveniences  in 
those  days  and  fewer  opportunities  for  culture  and 
education.  Mr.  Smith  had  to  go  to  St.  Louis  to 
market,  to  Springfield  to  mill,  and   to  Saline  for 


■-alt.  Venison  could  be  had  much  nearer  home  as 
deer,  bears,  turkeys  and  other  game  abounded  and 
came  within  easy  shot  of  the  house. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  became  a  widow  in 
1846,  her  husband  then  passing  away  at  the  age  of 
fifty-two  years,  and  she  Mirvivedhim  until  Septem- 
ber. I860.  Of  this  large  family  of  eleven  children 
two  died  ill  infancy.  One  was  killed  by  falling 
out  of  a  wagon  when  a  little  child  four  years  of 
age.  Henry  formerly  a  fanner  and  merchant,  died  in 
Farina.  111.;  William  who  has  been  a  farmer  and 
stock-dealer,  makes  his  home  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal., 
Squair  T.  died  in  Texas  when  a  young  unmarried 
man.  Thomas  is  a  fanner  in  Washington;  Eliza  B. 
died  unmarried.  February  27.  L846;  Wilburn  who 
is  a  physician  make-  his  home  in  IndianTerritory 
and  Bloomer  A.  is  carrying  on  a  farm  in  Clay 
County.  III. 

The  early  school  days  and  indeed  the  entire  ed- 
ucation of  our  subject  was  very  limited  as  the 
opportunities  in  his  boyhood  were  poor  and  his 
help  was  greatly  needed  upon  the  farm:  but  he 
received  the  best  of  home  training  and  a  thorough 
grounding  in  the  practical  work  of  farming.  In 
1854  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  L. Butts, 
a  daughter  of  Josephand  l'erlina  1>.  (Corley)  Butts 
and  a  native  of  Smith  County.  Teiin..  where  she 
first  saw  the  light,  April  1.  1  S.*?K.  Her  father  was 
a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  her  mother  a  Ten  11- 
esseean  and  they  came  to  Illinois  in  1841.  settling 
successively  in  Wayne  County.  Jefferson  County, 
and  Clay  County,  in  which  latter  place  the  parents 
died,  and  where  their  daughter  was  residing  at  the 
date  of  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Smith. 

After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  made  their 
lirst  home  on  the  farm  which  they  still  occupy  and 
he  gave  his  whole  attention  to  tilling  the  soil,  lie 
has  devoted  much  attention  to  stock-raising  and 
his  farm  is  thought  to  be  especially  well  adapted  to 
stock-raising.  The  eight  children  of  .Mr.  and  .Mrs. 
Smith  .are:  Wilburn,  John  II..  Allen.  William  T.. 
l'erlina.  Dexter,  Mary  L.  and  Klza  C.  Perlina  is 
the  wife  of  William  llendrick  and  makes  her  home 
not  far  from  her  parents.  Mr.  Smith's  political 
views  are  independent  although  he  was  a  Repub- 
lican during  war  but  for  the  last  twenty  years  he 
has  desired  to  feel   free  from   party   ties,     lie  has 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


629 


lifld  numerous  local  offices  and  has  served  as  Sup- 
ervisor. His  wife  i-  a  member  of  the  Separate 
Baptist  Church  in  which  she  finds  a  broad  field  foi 
influence  and  labor  and  in  whose  communion  she 
is  highly  prized.  Mr.  Smith  has  always  been  of  a 
speculative  turn  and  has  made  numerous  business 
deals  many  of  which  have  proveda  profil   to  him. 


;*+*+* 

~,I"l,*I,'i*^ 


■  .*k  •i—i--:"!- — 


1 


AMES  I..  15.  TURNER.  Farm  life  on  the 
Illinois  Prairie!  To  the  writer  the  very 
thought  is  a  poem,  and  the  mind  instantly 
clothes  it  in  the  word-  that  Longfellow  has 
used  in  so  exquisitely  describing  the  prairies  in 
the  beautiful  poem,  "Evangeline."  If  it  is  a  life 
of  toil,  that  of  the  farmer,  it  i-  also  one  of  beauty, 
for  even  the  black  loam  overturned  hjr  the  plow 
has  a  fragrance  of  it-  own  in  tin-  early  spring-time 
that  till>  the  heart  witli  gladness,  and  make-  the 
laborer  conscious  of  an  exaltation  and  a  nearness 
to  Divinity,  that  one  gets  in  no  other  occupation. 
lie  of  whom  we  write  belonged  to  the  class  of 
agriculturists,  who  inspire  with  each  breath,  a  sense 
of  freedom  and  elevation.  He  was  a  farmer  born 
and  bred.  Hi- father  wa-  thus  engaged  before  him. 
James  Turner.  Sr.,  our  subject's  father,  wa-  born 
in  Buckingham  County.  Va..  in  1790,  and  his 
mother.  Elsie  (Pendleton)  Turner,  was  a  native  of 
Buckingham  County.  Va.,  and  wa-  horn  about 
17'.'.").  After  marriage  they  settled  in  the  county 
in  which  their  wedding  took  place,  and  after  var- 
ious changes  of  location,  they  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Effingham  County,  in   1830. 

James  and  Elsie  Turner  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  third 
in  order  of  birth.  He  was  horn  in  Wilson  County, 
Tenn..  October  21.  1824.  He  was  six  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  emigrated  to  this  State,  and  his 
youth  and  early  manhood  wa-  spent  m  Effing- 
ham County.  He  made  hi-  home  under  the  pa- 
ternal roof  until  twenty-three  years  of  age  when 
he  wa-  married  in  Shelby  County,  111..  October  24. 
1x17.  to  Hannah  E.  Poe.  Mrs.  Turner's  father  was 
.lames  F.  Foe.  who  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Tenn..   about    1802.     Her    mother's  maiden   name 


was  Hannah  Parks.  She  wa-  horn  also,  in  Frank- 
lin County.  Tenn..  aboul  1807.  After  marriage 
they  settled  in  their  native  county,  where  the  wife- 
died  November  23,  1829.  Mr-.  Hannah  E.Turner 
was  the  only  child,  being  born  the  same  day  that 
her  mother  died.  Her  father  came  to  Shelbj 
County  and  settled  in  Richland  Township  in  the 
spring  of  1830,  and  continued  to  be  a  resident  of 
the  county  until  his  death,  which  took  place  on 
his  own  farm  in  Ash  Grove  'Township.  October  18, 
1838. 

After  hi-  wife'-  death.  Mr.  Foe  was  for  a  second 
time  married,  his  wedding  being  celebrated  in 
'Tennessee,  in  1830.  His  third  wife  was  Mr-.  Re- 
becca (Miller)  Elliott,  by  whom  he  became  the  fa- 
ther of  four  children,  whose  name-  are  respectively, 
Franklin,  A  main  la  M..  <  reorge  and  Ann.  and  an  in- 
fant killed  by  being  thrown  from  a  wagon,  Mrs. 
Rebecca     Poe,    wa-.    after    the    death  of  her  second 

husband,  united  to  Charles  Loomis.  Her  death 
took  place  in  Tazewell  County,  111.  After  the 
marriage  of  our  subject  he  settled  with  his  bride 
on  a  portion  of  the  farm  that  was  formerly  owned 
h\  her  father.  It  was  located  in  Richland  'Town- 
ship, between  Richland  and  Ash  Grove  'Townships. 
They  there  resided  from  February,  1848,  until 
April.  1891,  when  they  removed  to  Windsor,  where 
he  died  Augusl  •">  1 .  1891.  He  wa-  the  owner  of 
between  six  and  seven  hundred  acres  of  finely  im- 
proved land.  Four  children  have  been  horn  to 
Mr.  Turner  and  his  wife.  'They  are  James  I... 
William  W.,  George  R..  Zinnette  M.  The  last 
named  is  the  wife  of  (i.  1-'.  Schlack. 

Hi-  second  son,  William  W.  died  in  1875  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years.  'The  original  of  our 
-ketch  has  held  many  of  the  most  important  offices 
in  the  township.  Ih-  ha-  been  Supervisor  of  Rich- 
land, and  al-o  Assessor  and  Collector.  lie  was  in- 
dependent in  politics,  since  1882,  oursubject  and 
his  wife  have  been  connected  prominently  with  the 
Fniversalist  Church.  He  of  whom  we  write  was  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  had  been 
thus  connected  since  early  in  the  '60s.  .lame-  I.. 
married  Grace  A.  Smith:  William  W.  married 
Laura  B.  Smith:  George  R  took  to  wife  Mary  Ann 
(  urr\ . 

.lame-  I..  1'..   Turner  held  an  enviable  position  in 


630 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


the  respect  and  confidence  thai  he  had  among  the 
people  with  whom  he  has  been  connected  in  Imsi- 
n ess  or  in  a  social  way.  He  was  a  Christian  and 
a  gentleman  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and  al- 
though  having  reached  quite  an  advanced  age,  he 
was  progressive  and  interested  in  every  measure 
that  promised  to  be  for  the  welfare  of  the  commun- 
ity of  which  lie  was  a  part. 


•^NSfJi 


;□< 


>m 


H*^~ 


'  OIIN  PUOrH.      He  of  wl i  it  is  on i  pleasant 

privilege  to  write  in  outline  a  short  biogra- 
phical sketch,  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being 
the  oldest  living  settler  in  Shelby  County, 
and  although  having  attained  more  than  four-score 
years  in  age,  he  is  still  a  hale  and  hearty  old  gen- 
tleman. Although  pioneer  life  was  fraught  with 
main  drawbacks  and  hardships,  the  lapse  of  time 
during  which  these  uncomfortable  features  have 
been  entirely  done  away  with,  lias  cast  a  pleasing 
"low  over  the  whole,  and  the  pleasures  and  adven- 
tures that  were  tinctured  with  a  spice  of  danger 
and  an  occasional  hit  of  romance,  arc  far  better  re 
membeued  than  the  privations  of  ordinary  routine 
existence. 

When  our  subject  made  his  advent  into  the 
State,  the  prairie  was  still  a  playground  for  the 
wild  animals;  when  the  larder  needed  replenishing, 
all  he  had  to  do  was  to  shoulder  his  gun,  and.  go- 
ing out  into  the  woods,  game  was  at  hand.  Wild 
deer  and  turkeys  were  as  common  as  the  domestic 
fowl  in  the  barnyard  to-day.  His  father  w.as 
Thomas  Pugh,  who  was  probably  born  in  North 
Carolina.  His  mother  was  lieulah  (Hall)  Pugh, 
who  was  probably  a  native  of  the  same  State  as  her 
husband.  They  were  married,  however  in  Christian 
County,  Ky..  where  they  settled  and  lived  until 
182(1,  when  they  removed  to  this  State,  located  in 
(did  Spring  Township,  Shelby  County,  and  there 
they  lived  until  about  1832,  when  they  removed  to 
a  point  about  one  mile  north  of  Shelby ville.  There 
thc\  lived  until  their  decease,  which  took  place 
respectively,  is  is  and  1842. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  four  children,  there  being 
three   sons    and    one    daughter.      Their    names  are 


respectively,  John,  Robert,  William  and  Nancy. 
John,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  and  the  gentleman 
of  whom  we  are  writing,  was  born  in  Christian 
County.  Ky., September- 20,  1809,  and  consequently 
was  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  father  removed 
to  Shelby  County.  lie  was  reared  on  a  farm  in 
this  county,  and  lived  with  his  father  until  his 
marriage  took  place,  which  auspicious  event  was 
celebrated  at  the  residence  of  Rufus  Inman.  who 
also  lived  about  one  mile  north  of  Shelbyville. 
The  lady  to  whom  he  was  united  was  a  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Inman.  who  was  probably  born  in  Fayette 
County,  this  State.  February  2D.   1815. 

After  marriage  the  young  couple  settled  about 
one  mile  south  of  Shelbyville.  and  there  they  lived 
for  several  years.  They  removed  however  to  a 
place  about  three  miles  north  of  Shelbyville.  but 
made  that  their  home  for  a  period  of  only  three 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  sold  out 
and  removed  to  Texas,  but  made  a  stay  of  only 
about  six  months  in  that  State,  when  he  returned 
to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Dry  Point  Township. 
They  resided  there  about  twenty  years  when  again 
they  sold  and  came  to  Tower  Hill  Township,  of 
which  place  they  have  ever  since  been  residents. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pugh  was  taken  away  from  her 
husband  and  family  and  joined  -the  innumerable 
throng,"  November  II.  1868.  She  was  the  mother 
of  six  children,  live  daughters  and  one  son.  They 
are  by  name  Mary  Ann.  Nancy  C.  Martha.  Fliza 
J..  Sarah  F..  and  William  J.  Mary  Ann  was  the 
wife  of  Henry  Corley,  and  was  a  true  and  faithful 
helpmate  until  her  decease  which  took  place  Janu- 
ary 2(1.  1891.  Nancy  C.  is  the  wife  of  P.  M.  Killam. 
.Martha  was  the  wife  of  Nelson  Neil,  anil  died 
October  10,  1864.  Fliza  .1.  is  the  wife  of  Thomas 
li.  Ilavden.  and  Sarah  I'".,  presides  oxer  the  domes- 
tic affairs  of  the  family  of  Joseph  Wakefield.  An 
extended  sketch  of  the  only  son  may  lie  found  in 
another  part  of  this  volume.  Their  mother.  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Pugh,  was  a  member  of  the  .Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  a  second  time 
married.  October  5,  1S70.  his  bride  being  Mrs. 
Nancy  Mize.  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Jane 
(Nowland)  Henderson,  and  widow  of  Isaac  Alize. 
she    was    bora   iii   this  county  February  19,  1839, 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


63  I 


By  tlii;-  iiiiidii.  Mr.  Pugh  has  been  the  father  of 
four  children,  the  two  eldest,  however,  died  in  in- 
fancy. The  surviving  children  are  John  S.  and 
Beulah  L.  Our  subject  formerly  affiliated  with  the 
Democratic  party,  but  after  the  Rebellion  broke 
(nit.  he  transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  Republican 
party,  of  which,  ever  -ince.  he  has  been  a  faithful 
and  devoted  adherent.  In  his  church  relations  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  for  years  has  been  a  generous  supporter  of 
Gospel  work.  He  has  always  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  and  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  line  arable  land  upon  which  arc  excellent 
improvements. 

He  of  whom  we  write  is  the  object  of  the  regard 
and  veneration  of  the  whole  township,  lie  is  an 
interesting  conversationalist,  and  to  one  who.  is 
interested  in  pioneer  history,  he  is  a  fertile  and  re- 
liable source  of  information. 


r 


;-3-S5* 


AME.S  W.  CAREY,  a  prominent  resident  on 
section   25,   Big  Spring  Township.    Shelby 

County,  wa-  horn  in  Clinton  County.  Ohio, 
February  la,  1862.  Elias  Carey,  his  hon- 
ored father,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  where  he  was 
bora  April  23,  181  I.  being  a  son  of  John  (  arey. 
In  early  life  Elias  (arey  learned  the  trades  of  the 
silversmith  and  blacksmith,  and  in  1837  he  decided 
to  make  a  home  of  hi-  own  and  chose  as  the  u  Oman 
in  ail  the  world  best  pleasing  to  hi-  eyes,  Jane 
Moon,  who  wa-  born  in  Martinsville,  Ohio,  Nov- 
ember 26,  1819. 

After  marriage  the  parent-  of  our  subject  made 
their  home  in  Martinsville,  and  in  1851  removed 
to  La  Grange  County, Ind., where  they  lived  upon 
a  farm,  and  afterward  resided  for  some  time  in 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  later  in  Martinsville,  Ohio, 
whence  in  1867  they  emigrated  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Big  Spring  Township.  Here  they 
purchased  land  which  was  but  partially  improved. 
that  is  it  had  upon  it  a  log  cabin  and  a  few 
acres  of  the  land  was  broken.  At  the  date  of  his 
death,  winch  occurred  in    ls7">.  Elias  (  aiv\  owned 


some  one  thousand  acres  of  hind,  had  built  a  tine 
brick  residence  and  made  other  valuable  and  sub- 
stantial improvements.  Thus  had  the  poor  trades- 
man through  his  own  enterprise, and  by  the  wealth 
hidden  in  the  -oil  of  the  Prairie  State,  become  a 
rich  landed  proprietor.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling 
Christian  character,  and  belonged  t<>  the  Society 
of  Friends.  In  the  beautiful  homestead  which  was 
built  by  him  his  bereaved  and  venerable  widow 
now  resides. 

The  ten  children  of  \\\\>  excellent  couple  were. 
Mary  E.,  who  married  Richard  Jones  and  reside- 
in  Zenia,  Ohio;  Sarah  M..  who  married  David 
Hazely  and  died  in  Richmond.  Ind.:  Hannah  M., 
who  became  the  wife  of  Jesse  Mendenhall  and  died 
in  Shelby  County:  Martha  E.,  who  married  Jesse 
A.  Gibson,  and  John  II..  both  of  whom  reside  in 
Neoga,  IU.;  Rachel,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Francis  M. 
Hackett  and  resides  in  Jamestown.  Ohio:  Anna, 
who  is  now  Mrs.  William  C.  Bain  and  makes  her 
home  in  Marion.  Ind.:  Isaac  M..  who  resides  in 
Shelby  County;  Irene,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Lindley. 
who  also  live-  in  Shelby  County,  and  James  Wal- 
ter, the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  united  in  marriage  in 
April,  1885,  with  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Hubbert,  who 
was  horn  in  Cumberland  County,  Ohio.  To  this 
happy  couple  have  been  bora  three  children — Ethel 
I.,  Edith  J.,  and  Pearl  I.  Mr.  (arey  in  connect  ion 
with  his  mother,  own-  and  carries  on  the  home- 
stead which  contain-  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  rich  "ind  arable  land,  all  in  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation. 


-, » ,  i » i »  h.  P 


?   i   i  i  '     i  '    i  i 


REDERK  K  HARTMAX  is  a  general  farmer 

j\  on  section  22.  of  Flat  Branch  Town-hip. 
1  Shelby  County,  where  he  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres,  which  he  purchased  in  the 
wild  state  in  1865,  and  upon  which  he  has  since 
made  a  comfortable  Lome.  The  plate  i-  well- 
stocked  and  watered  and  the  buildings  are  all  good 
and  substantial.  He  located  in  this  county  on 
coming  from  Ogle  County,  where  he  had  lived  a 
good  mam    years,  fr 1856  to   1865,     There  he 


632 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


received  his  naturalization  papers,  being,  as  his 
name  would  indicate,  of  German  origin  and 
birth. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  engaged  in  Ogle 
County  as  a  farmer,  where  he  had  been  quite  sue. 
eessful.  Previous  to  going  there  lie  had  spent  one 
year  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Hartman  was  born  in 
Pleidelheim.  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  May  11,  L832. 
His  family  in  the  old  country  are  of  good  stock. 
His  father.  Frederick  Hartman,  Sr.,  Lived  and  died 
in  his  native  province,  having  reached  seventy-two 
years  of  age.  He  had  married  Magdeline  Kline,  a 
Wurtemberg  lady,  who  was  a  true  helpmate  and 
companion  to  her  hushand.  Her  death  occurred  in 
1*42.  She  was  then  in  middle  life.  She  and  her 
husband  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  there  were  four  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Of  the  Mins.  all  came  to  this  country  and  all  are 
farmers  here,  but  one.  who  is  a  shoemaker  in  Chi- 
cago. Our  subject  had  become  of  age  before  leav- 
ing hi>  native  land,  and  in  1855,  in  the  month  of 
April,  he  took  passage  from  Havre  de  Grasse,  on  a 
sailing  vessel,  and  in  May  he  landed  in  New  York 
City,  coming  thence  to  Dawson  County,  Pa.,  where 
he  spent  his  first  year,  and  then  proceeded  to  1 1 1 1 _ 
nois. 

November  29,  1858,  .Mr.  Hartman  was  united  in 
marriage  at  Mt.  Morris.  Ogle  County,  to  Miss 
Margaret  K.  Mitchell.  She  was  born  in  Fairfieid 
County.  Ohio.  November  14.  1838,  and  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (McGlinsey)  Mitchell,  na- 
tives of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  respectively. 
Both,  however,  are  of  Irish  parentage  and  descent 
on  the  paternal  side,  while  on  the  maternal  side 
the  lady  is  of  Scotch  descent.  Mr-.  Hartman's 
parents  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  later  moved  to 
Illinois,  settling  in  Ogle  County  in  1845,  where 
they  located  and  improved  a  farm  and  there  spent 
their  last  days,  passing  away  at  a  good  old  age. 
They  had  settled  at  a  ver\  early  da\  in  Mt. 
.Morris  Township,  and  had  procured  unbroken  land 
in  the  most  western  part  of  West  Grove  Town- 
ship. For  a  number  of  years  they  were  almost  the 
only  settlers  in  that  part  of  the  county.  They  both 
passed  away  in  1886,  and  were  deeply  mourned  by 
many  friends  in  their  adopted    home.     Tliev   were 


Methodists  in  their  religious  preference,  and  were 
consistent  members  and  generous  supporters  of 
that  sect  in  their  township. 

The  father  of  Jacob  Mitchell  was  Samuel  Mit- 
chell, who  had  come  to  Ogle  County.  111.,  in  the 
early  days  of  1838,  and  was  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  there,  where  he  died  at  the  ageof  seventy- 
nine  years.  Mis.  Hartman  was  one  of  a  large  fam- 
ily, of  which  live  are  now  living.  She  was  ten 
years  of  age  when  her  patents  came  to  Ogle 
County.  She  afterward  lived  there  until  her 
marriage.  She  is  a  true-hearted,  kind  friend,  and 
affectionate  wife  and  tender  mother.  Both  she  and 
Mr.  Hartman  are  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  and  his  wife  are  the 
parents  of  eight  children.  One  of  these  died  in 
childhood.  This  was  Sarah  M..  who  was  twelve 
years  of  age.  The  living  children  are:  Jacob  F., 
William  II..  Henrietta  M..  George  E.,  John  W., 
Elizabeth  and  Franklin  A.  Of  these,  William 
wa-  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ada  M.  Beckett, 
and  is  a  farmer  in  this  township.  Henrietta  is  the 
wife  of  Elmer  Pierce.  They  also  live  on  a  farm 
in  this  township.  George  E.  and  other  younger 
members  of  the  family,  all  re?ide  at  home.  They 
are  bright,  intelligent  young  men  and  women,  and 
promise  to  make  a  recognized  position  for  them- 
selves in  life. 


"ARON  SANDS.  Pennsylvania,  like  all  of 
the  Eastern  and  Southern  States,  contrib- 
uted a  large  share  toward  the  settlement 
of  Illinois,  both  in  the  early  days  and 
during  more  recent  years.  The  natives  of  that 
State  have  a  well-earned  reputation  for  thrift,  in- 
dustry and  steadfastness  of  character  and  they  were 
made  welcome  to  join  the  hoards  of  emigrants  who 
flocked  to  tin-  Prairie  State  from  their  native  homes. 
Among  such  we  find  our  subject,  who  resides  on 
section  II.  Okaw  Township.  Shelby  County,  where 
he  rents  two  hundred  and  ninety-four  acres  of  land. 
Mr.  Sand- has  resided  in  Shelby  (Utility  since 
1864,    having  come   Wes1    first    to  Ohio   from   his 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


r,.",:; 


native  home  in  Berks  County.  I'm.,  where  he  was 
bora  May  8,  L833.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and 
Catherine  Sands,  who  removed  to  Fairfield  County  • 
( )hi<>.  in  1835,  where  thej  made  their  home  until 
1865,  when  they  came  to  Illinois,  where1  the  father 
died  in  Shelby  Comity,  in  ls7t>.  The  mother  is 
Mill  Living  and  is  enjoying  a  green  old  age. 

In  this  family  of  William  and  Catherine  Sands 
there  were  nine  children,  and  all  bill  the  eldest 
daughter,  Mary,  are  still  living  and  form  a  happy 
and  united  band  of  brothers  and  sisters.  After 
Mary  came  Eliza,  Aaron,  Daniel,  William,  Frank- 
lin, Edward,  Peter  and  John.  Previous  t<>  our 
subject's  emigration  to  Illinois  he  was  married  in 
<)liio.  in  I860,  to  .Tulyann  Knur,  who  was  born 
April  3,  1840,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  and 
(  aniline  F ■. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sands  have  been  born  eighl 
children,  all  of  whom  have  lived  t<>  becomeworthy 
and  reputable  citizens  and  who  are  now  the  com- 
fort and  support  of  their  parents.  They  areas  fol- 
lows: Eliza,  deceased;  James  M.,  Isabelle,  Calvin, 
Otto,  Margaret  1-'...  Oscar,  Minnie  and  Edward. 

The  political  views  which  have  been  entertained 
by  .Mr.  Sands  during  most  of  his  life  have  led  him 
to  affiliate  with  the  party  which  is  proud  to  claim 
the  names  of  Jefferson  and  Jackson,  I  ill  t  of  late 
years  he  has  felt  that  it  was  better  to  lie  untrani- 
meled  by  party  ties  and  has  east  his  vote  independ- 
ent of  the  dictates  of  party  leaders.  His  good  wife 
is  an  earnest  ami  useful  member  of  the  German 
Reformed  Church,  in  which  her  labors  are  highly 
appreciated.  This  worthy  couple  receive  whal  thej 
so  richly  deserve,  the  kind  regard  and  esteem  of 
their  neighbors  and  of  all  who  know  them. 


->"> 


E(  >R(  SE  RUFF,  a  prominent  and  noteworthy 
eitizen  of  Rose  Township.  Shelby  County. 
\  is  a  son  of  John  M.  Huff,  who  was  horn  in 
Germany  in  1813,  and  Barbara  (Weitner)  Huff. 
whose  birth  occurred  in   the  same  land    in    1817. 

She    was    about    fourteen    years  old  and   he  had  at- 
tained some  eighteen    rears    when    ihe\    came    to 


America.  They  were  married  ami  made  their  first 
home  in  Hocking  County,  Ohio,  and  emigrated  to 

Illinois  in  January.  1884.  They  made  their  home 
in  Prairie  Township,  when-  they  still  reside. 
George  was  the  fourth  in  their  family  of  twelve 
children  and  he  resided  in  his  native  county, 
Hocking  County,  Ohio,  till  he  reached  his  major- 
ity. His  natal  day  was  March  17,  1843,  and  he 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 

When  our  subject  was  twenty-one  years  old  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  worked  for  four  years  in  the 
counties  of  I  )e  Witt  and  Logan  and  then  came 
into  Shelby  County  and  employed  himself  upon 
farms  and  at  carpentry  until  his  marriage.  This 
interesting  event  occurred  in  Shelby  County. 
March  21,  1869.  His  bride  was  Miss  Sophia 
Stumpf,  daughter  of  Gearhart  Stunipf.  For  fur- 
ther details  in  regard  to  the  history  of  this  capable 
and  amiable  lady,  our  readers  are  referred  to  the 
biography  of  Mr.  Edward  Roessler,  as  Mrs.  Ruff  and 
Mrs.  Roessler  are  sisters.  Mr.  Stumpf  died  in 
Shelby  County  in  1853,  having  been  bereaved  of 
his  wife  ill  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  some  four  years 
earlier.  Mrs.  Ruff  was  the  youngest  child  in  her 
father's  family  and  was  horn  in  Fairfield  County. 
Ohio.  June  I.  1847. 

After  the  marriage  of  Mi.  and  Mrs.  Ruff  they  de- 
cided to  go  further  west  and  located  in  Anderson 
County.  Kan.,  where  Mr.  Ruff  winked  at  bis  trade. 
that  of  carpentry,  lor  five  years  and  then  followed 
iIh  same  business  for  two  years  in  Shelby  County. 
He  now  decided  to  engage  in  farming  and  for 
eight  years  rented  land  in  Rose  Township,  at  the 
end  of  which  lime  he  purchased  the  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  on  section  .'i.  where  he  has  erected  a  good  set 
of  buildings.  He  divides  his  time  between  fann- 
ing and  carpentry  and  is  thorough  and  successful 
in  both  line-  of  work. 

This  gentleman  and  his  estimable  wife  are  the 
parents  of  seven  interesting  and  promising  chil- 
dren. The\  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  their 
eldest,  Florence  A.,  a  bright  and  beautiful  child  of 
two  and  one-half  years.  Those  who  survive  are  as 
follows:  Anna  M..  Cora  I..  Clarence  A..  Charlotta 
s..  ( leorge  W. and  I [armon  I.. 

The  estimation  in  which  Mr.  Ruff  is  held  by  his 
fellow -citizens  has  been  evinced  by  their  confidence 


634 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


in  placing  liim  upon  the  School  Board.  He  is 
deeply  interested  in  educational  matters  and  makes 
an  efficient  and  active  Director.  He  is  well  read  in 
political  matters  and  active  in  promoting  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Democratic  party,  to  which  he  belongs. 
In  the  Lutheran  Church,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruff 
are  active  members,  he  has  filled  the  offices  of  Dea- 
con and  Trustee. 


'■£+£{ 


~S) 


[=" 


I  ( tSKPII  S.  ROBERTS.  Among  the  men  who 
are  ambitious,  not  only  for  their  own  suc- 
cess but  also  for  the  prosperity  and  prog- 
ress of  the  community  in  which  they  live,  we 
are  proud  to  mention  the  name  which  appears  at 
the  head  of  this  paragraph,  a  man  who  was  horn  in 
Moultrie  County,  and  has  made  it  his  home  through- 
out his  life  and  who  feels  that  its  welfare  is  identi- 
cal with  that  of  himself  and  his  family. 

Thomas  A.  Roberts,  the  father  of  our  subject  was 
a  Marylander,  horn  May  4.  1S22.  and.  his  mother 
was  Lovicy  G.  Hendricks,  who  «:i>  horn  in  Ken- 
tucky. August  13,  1833.  This  excellent  couple 
were  united  in  Moultrie  County  and  made  their 
home  in  East  Nelson  Township,  where  they  lived 
in  dome-tic  happiness  and  prosperity  until  I860, 
when  they  removed  to  Whitley  Township,  where 
the  faithful  wife  passed  from  earth  April  29,  1868. 
The  bereaved  husband  died  in  Shelby  County. 
November  11.1883.  They  had  three  children,  of 
whom  their  son  Joseph  is  the  eldest. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  born  June  22,  18.V4.  in 
East  Nelson  Township.  He  resided  in  Moultrie 
County  throughout  all  his  youth  and  manhood 
and  was  educated  in  the  common  school-  of  Whit- 
ley. His  happy  marriage  took  place  October  30, 
1879,  in  Whitley  Township,  at  the  residence  of 
AY.  II.  Garrett.  Cynthia  11..  the  daughter  of  this 
gentleman  being  the  bride.  For  farther  details 
in  regard  to  this  prominent  family,  into  which 
our  subject  married  our  readers  will  please  consult 
the  sketch  of  W.  II.  Garrett  on  another  page  of 
this  Record. 

At  the  time  of  her  marriage  Mrs.  Roberts  was  a 
lovely  young  woman  of  ni       e      .  as  she  was  bom 


in  Whitley  Township,  August  •">.  1860.  She  cheer- 
fully and  efficiently  undertook  the  responsibilities 
of  a  home  and  became  the  happy  mother  of  eight 
children,  namely:  Carrie  1...  Europe  II..  Mabel. 
John  F.,  Roy.  Pearl.  Clarence  and  Edith.  All  are 
living  except  John  and  Roy  who  are  passed  to 
the  better  world. 

After  marriage  this  wedded  pair  set  up  their 
household  gods  in  Whitley  Township.  Locating  on 
section  1.  There  they  now  own  a  beautiful  estate 
of  two  hundred  and  nineteen  acres,  and  upon  this 
tract  Mr.  Roberts  ha.-  successfully  carried  on  his'ag- 
cultural  pursuits,  devoting  himself  to  general  farm- 
ing. He  is  an  influential  man  in  his  community 
and  an  earnest  worker  for  the  prosperity  and 
supremacy  of  the  Republican  party.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  conscientious  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  in  it>  communion  and  service  they 
find  spiritual  strength  and  an  abundant  opportu- 
nity for  labor.  Both  of  them  desire  to  see  Whitley 
Town>hip  rank  first  in  every  desirable  point  among 
the  townships  of  Moultrie  County  and  are  earnest 
promoters  of  every  movement  which  tend-  to  its 
progress,  socially  and  industrially. 


'  ACOB  E.  EBY.  Illinois  in  its  early  settle- 
ment gathered  within  its  bounds  represent- 
atives from  every  State  in  the  East  and 
South,  and  to  its  rich  and  fertile  prairies 
there  have  (locked,  even  unto  the  present  time,  rep- 
resentatives of  the  older  civilization  in  various 
parts  of  the  country.  Many  Pennsylvanians  by 
birth  are  among  its  sound  and  sensible  residents 
and  have  brought  from  the  old  Keystone  State 
those  principles  and  habits  of  thrift  which  mark 
that  Commonwealth.  Our  subject  who  is  a  native 
of  that  State  and  who  makes  his  home  on  section 
31.  Okaw  Township,  dates  his  residence  in  Shelby 
County  from  L882. 

Mr.  Eby  was  horn  in  Lebanon  County,  Pa., 
March  10.  1852.  and  was  thus  a  man  of  mature 
years  when  he  removed  to  the  West.  His  honored 
parent-  were    Jacob  and    Eliza  (Shaak)  Eby.  and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


635 


they  gave  to  him  so  good  a  common -school  educa- 
tion as  to  tit  him  to  take  a  position  al  the  teacher's 
desk,  which  he  tilled  for  eight  terms.  They  also 
gave  him  the  best  of  home  training  and  a  thorough 
drill  in  the  work  Of  the  farm. 

The  marriage  of  Jacob  Kin  with  Miss  Kate  Selt- 
zer was  solemnized  al  Washington,  D.  ('..in  April. 
1K77.  This  happy  occasion  was  the  beginning  of 
a  married  life  of  true  congeniality  and  harmony, 
and  the  foundation  of  one  of  those  families  which 
are  the  strength  and  glory  of  America,  in  that  their 
quiet  and  useful  home  lives  form  the  basis  for  the 
success  of  our  Republican  institutions.  Mrs.  Eby 
is  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Martin)  Selt- 
zer, and  like  her  husband,  was  born  in  Lebanon 
County.  Pa.,  hut  at  the  date  of  her  marriage  was 
residing  in  Maryland. 

As  we  have  said,  it  was  the  year  1882  when  our 
subject  first  came  to  Illinois,  and  being  favorably 
impressed  with  the  value  of  the  land  and  the  envi- 
ronments of  this  section,  he  purchased  the  farm 
upon  which  he  now  resides  and  made  his  home 
upon  it  in  the  spring  of  1883.  Since  that  time  he 
has  devoted  himself  indefatigably  to  the  cultiva- 
tion and  improvement  of  the  seventy-six  and  one- 
half  acres  which   he  owns. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eby  have  had  the  pleasure  of  wel- 
coming to  their  home  three  interesting  and  lovely 
children,  but  one  of  them  they  were  called  upon  to 
lay  in  the  grave  in  early  infancy.  The  two  who  are 
living  are  named  Sarah  and  John  D..and  the  traits 
of  character  which  they  have  already  shown  give 
a  fair  promise  of  their  future  usefulness  which  will, 
as  it  should,  prove  an  honor  to  their  parents. 

The  Democratic  party  for  many  years  held  the 
allegiance  of  Mr.  Eby,  hut  for  some  time  past  he 
lias  been  independent  in  his  political  views  and 
feels  that  by  being  free  from  the  trammels  of  party 
he  can  more  effectually  serve  his  State  and  country. 
This  independence  does  not  at  all  interfere  with 
his  popularity  among  his  neighbors  and  he  is  at 
present  the  efficient  Supervisor  of  Okaw  Township, 
lie  is  an  earnest  believer  m  the  Christian  religion. 
having  been  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Reformed 
Church.  The  interests  of  the  agricultural  commu- 
nity appeal  very  strongly  to  this  gentleman  and  it 
is  his  aim  to  assist  both  himself  and  others  in  pro- 


moting the  commercial  and  industrial  prosperity  of 
this  class.  With  this  end  in  view  he  has  identified 
himself  with  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Associa- 
tion, in  which  he  believes  there  is  help  for  the  diffi- 
culties which  have  stood  in  the  way  of  the  progress 
of  agriculturists. 


EMUEL  PARKER.     Among  the  farmers  of 

)  Shelby  County  who  have  materially  added 
to  its  prosperity  by  developing  its  rich 
agricultural  resources,  and  at  the  same  time  have 
accumulated  a  handsome  private  property.  Mr. 
Lemuel  Parker  is  well  worthy  of  mention  in  this 
volume.  For  many  years  he  has  carried  on  farm- 
ing in  Moweaqua  Township,  and  as  the  result  of 
his  persistent  and  well-directed  labors  has  a  farm 
that  is  equal  in  improvements  and  cultivation  to 
the  best  in  its  vicinity. 

September  (>.  1827,  is  the  date  of  the  birth  of  our 
subject  in  Cayuga  County,  X.  Y.  Mathias  Parker 
was  the  name  of  his  father,  and  he  was  a  native  of 
Canada,  lie  in  turn  was  a  son  of  one  Lemuel 
Parker,  who  was  a  pioneer  of  the  town  of  Niles. 
and  was  thereafter  engaged  at  his  occupation  as  a 
farmer  in  Cayuga  County  until  death  closed  his 
mortal  career.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was 
Tacv  Niles.  and  she  too  died  on  the  farm  in  Niles 
Township.  His  son.  .Mathias.  though  bom  in 
Canada  was  reared  on  the  family  homestead,  and 
he  followed  fanning  in  New  York  State  until  his 
demise  in  1830,  while  yet  in  life's  prime.  His 
widow,  whose  maiden  name  was  Susanna  Arm- 
strong, is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  her 
son.  our  subject,  and  retains  to  a  remarkable  de- 
gree her  mind  and  memory  and  physical  faculties, 
although  she  has  reached  the  ninety-first  milestone 
that  marks  a  long  life,  having  been  born  April  28, 
1800;  in  Genoa,  Cayuga  County.  N.  Y.  She  was 
married  a  second  time  in  1833  to  Owen  Dewitt. 
who  came  to  Illinois  with  his  family  in  1853.  He 
lived  in  Pike  County  for  a  time,  and  then  came  to 
this  county  to  spend  his  remaining  days,  dying 
here  in  1866. 

His  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject.  Andrew 


636 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Armstrong,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Cayuga 
County,  X.  Y.  He  bought  a  trad  of  timber  land 
in  the  township  of  Genoa,  and  established  a  home 
in  the  primeval  forest,  building  a  1  <  >i>'  cabin  for 
shelter.  Much  of  the  great  Empire  State  was  then 
in  a  wild,  sparsely  settled  condition,  and  there 
were  no  railways  or  canals  for  year-  to  facilitate 
communication  with  the  outside  world.  There 
were  no  mills  near  where  Mr.  Armstrong  settled, 
and  he  and  his  fellow-pioneers  had  to  reduce  their 
grain  in  iron  mortars.  They  lived  off  the  products 
of  their  land  and  from  wild  game,  which  was 
abundant.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  cleared 
a  farm,  and  dwelt  thereon  until  death  deprived 
him  of  the  companionship  of  his  wife  in  L818.  lie 
then  sold  his  place,  and  the  few  years  that  re- 
mained to  him  boarded  until  he  was  called  to  his 
long  home  in  1822.  His  wife  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Polly  Bowker.  She  was  bom  on  the 
hanks  of  the  Susquehanna  River,  and  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Silas  and  Esther  (Hobbs)  Bowker.  Her 
father  and  three  of  her  brothers  served  in  the 
Revolution.  She  was  carefully  trained  in  all  that 
went  to  make  a  good  housewife  in  the  olden  days. 
and  was  an  adept  in  carding,  spinning  and  weav- 
ing, she  imparted  those  arts  to  her  daughter,  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  who  for  many  years  after 
her  marriage  made  all  the  cloth  in  use  in  her 
family,  coloring  that  which  she  made  into  garments 
witli  the  simple  vegetable  dyes  formerly  used,  and 
she  spun  her  own  thread. 

After  his  father's  death,  the  subject  of  this  bio- 
graphical notice  went  to  live  with  his  grandpar- 
ents, but  they  died  when  lie  was  in  his  eighth  year, 
and  from  that  time  his  home  was  with  strangers 
until  he  established  one  of  his  own.  and  he  had  to 
earn  his  living,  getting  his  hoard  and  clothes  in  re-  j 
payment  for  his  work  as  a  chore-hoy  and  farm 
hand  for  a  farmer,  with  whom  he  lived  for  several 
years.  When  he  was  seventeen  years  old  he  began 
to  receive  wages,  earning  the  sum  of  *7  a 
month.  He  continued  to  work  out  by  the  month 
in  his  native  State  until  1849.  In  that  year  he 
took  an  important  step  in  lit\'  whereby  his  worldly 
prospects  were  much  advanced,  as  he  then  came  to 
Illinois  to  try  farming  on  the  fertile  soil  of  the 
Prairie  State,  and  in  due  time  became  an  independ- 


ent farmer.  In  coming  hither  he  journeyed  by  Erie 
Canal  to  Buffalo,  from  there  by  the  lakes  to  Chi- 
cago, and  then  on  the  canal  and  Illinois  River  to 
Pike  County,  where  he  tarried  a  few  years, finding 
employment  as  a  farm  laborer.  In  l«.j()  he  came 
to  Shelby  County,  and  invested  his  hard-earned 
money  in  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  prairie 
land,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  village  ofMowea- 
qua.  He  has  since  bought  other  land,  and  at  one 
time  had  three  hundred  and  forty  acres,  of  which 
he  still  retains  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  all  of 
it  being  finely  improved. 

A  measure  of  Mr.  Parker's  good  fortune  is  at- 
tributable to  the  devoted  assistance  of  his  good 
wife,  who  has  ever  been  to  him  a  cheerful  helper, 
has  given  him  wise  counsel  when  needed,  and  has 
contributed  to  his  comfort  and  well-being,  as  well 
as  to  his  financial  prosperity  by  her  careful  guid- 
ance of  household  matters.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Cena  A.  Parker,  she  was  a  native  of  the  same 
county  as  her  husband,  and  they  were  wedded  in 
1855.  They  have  three  children — Willis  E.. 
Charles  M.  and  Lydia  A.  Mrs.  Parker  is  aconsist- 
eni  Christian  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Kpiscopal  Church. 

Mr.  Parker  is  a  sensible  man.  with  sound  views 
on  all  subjects  in  which  he  is  interested,  especially 
in  regard  to  politics,  and  we  find  him  to  bea  stead- 
fast Republican.  As  a  farmer  he  stands  high  in 
the  community,  and  he  hears  an  unsullied  reputa- 
tion a-  a  man  and  a  citizen. 


•§-4 


ft=7?RED  A.  PAUCHERT,  a  retired  merchant 
-Jq  of  Shelbyville,  Shelby  County,  is  connected 
with  the  agricultural  interests  of  this 
county  as  the  proprietor  of  two  tine  farms,  lie 
has  held  prominent  public  positions,  and  whether 
as  a  civic  officer,  a  business  man,  or  as  a  private 
citizen,  he  has  always  manifested  a  deep  interest  in 
all  that  concerns  the  welfare  of  thecity  and  county, 
and  has  materially  aided  in  their  advancement. 
He  was  born  near  Daaden,  in  the  Rhenish  Province 
of  Friedenwald,  Prussia.  His  father  and  paternal 
grandfather,  both  of   whom  hore  the  given  name  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


(J37 


Engelbert,  were  also  natives  of  the  same  town  as 
himself,  the  latter  spending  his  entire  Life  there,  he 
having  been  a  fanner  and  the  keeper  of  a  public 

house. 

The  father  of  onr  subject  learned  the  trade  of  a 
baker  when  he  was  young,  and  carried  on  that 
business  and  conducted  a  grocery  store  in  connec- 
tion with  it  in  his  native  town  for  many  years. 
lit-  now  lives  retired  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty- 
six  years.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Catherine  Held,  and  who  was  bornal  Daaden,  died 
in  January,  1887,  at  an  advanced  age.  They 
reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the 
following  are  the  names:  Fred  A..  Caroline.  Henry. 
Gusiaf.  Louis.  Robert  and  Julia.  Fred  A..  Gustaf, 
Louis  and  Robert  are  the  only  members  of  the 
family  that  ever  came  to  this  country.  Gustaf 
reared  a  family  and  spent  his  last  years  in  Shelby- 
ville.  Louis,  who  never  married,  died  at  St  Louis. 
Robert,  a  resident  of  Shelbyville,  has  a  family. 

Our  subject  had  the  advantages  of  a  good  edu- 
cation in  the  excellent  schools  of  his  native  land, 
which  he  attended  steadily  until  he  was  fourteen 
pears  "Id.  At  that  age  he  began  to  work  at  the 
trade  of  a  baker  with  his  father,  and  also  assisted 
in  the  labors  of  his  father's  farm.  He  was  of  an 
ambitious,  stirring  temperament,  and  desirous  to 
make  the  best  of  life  he  decided  to  emigrate  to 
this  country,  the  goal  of  so  many  of  his  compa- 
triots, where  he  hoped  to  better  his  fortunes.  In 
the  spring  of  1*~>2  he  started  out  on  1 1 1  —  ever 
memorable  journey. setting  sail  from  Antwerp,  and 
after  fifty-two  days  on  the  ocean,  landing  in  New 
York.  He  proceeded  directly  to  Schenectady 
(  mint  v.  in  the  same  State,  and  was  there  employed 
by  an  American-born  citizen  to  work  on  a  farm, 
lie  found  himself  a  stranger  among  a  people  with 
whose  habits  and  customs  he  was  unacquainted, 
and  he  could  not  understand  their  speech,  as  he 
knew  not  a  word  of  the  English  Language.  lie 
was  an  apt  scholar,  however,  and  during  the  two 
months*- that  he  worked  there,  he  learned  rapidly, 
and  soon  caught  the  meaning  of  what  was  said  to 
him.  and  in  time  mastered  English. 

From  that  part  of  the  country  Mr.  Fauchert 
made  his  way  toSt.  Louis,  going  by  rail  to  Buffalo. 
thence  by  lake  to  Detroit,   from   there  by  rail  to 


Chicago,  where  he  embarked  on  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  (anal  for  LaSalle,  from  which  town  he 
went  by  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Rivers  to  St. 
Louis,  which  was  then  but  a  -mall  city.  There  he 
found  employment  at  various  kinds  of  work  the 
ensuing  two  years,  and  then  was  engaged  in  the 
Office  of  the  Terre  Haute  Railway  Company  three 
years.  After  that  he  established  himself  in  the 
grocery  business,  whicll  he  carried  on  there  until 
1861.  In  that  year  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
Shelbyville,  and  for  two  years  was  variously  em- 
ployed. At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  ac- 
cepted a  position  a-  clerk  in  a  store,  at  which  he 
was  engaged  three  years.  His  next  move  was  to 
open  a  store  at  Moulton  which  is  now  included 
within  the  city  limits,  and  he  carried  on  business 
there  upwards  of  twenty  year-,  lie  then  traded 
for  a  farm  which  is  still  in  hi-  possession, and  since 
has  lived  retired  from  active  business.  Besides 
that  farm,  which  is  situated  in  Rose  Township,  he 
has  another  in  Dry  Point  Township,  and  has  fine 
property  adjoining  the  city  of  Shelbyville.  upon 
which  he  make-  hi-  home,  the  grounds  about  his 
residence  comprising  ten  acres  of  Land,  well  laid 
out.  and  adding  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  local- 
ity. 

Mr.  Pauchert  was  first  married  in  March,  1857. 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schneider,  a  native  of  Hesse- 
(  a— el.  Germany,  who  came  to  this  country  with  a 
l'i other  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  She  died  in 
January,  1874,leaving  live  children:  Robert,  Fred. 
Gust,  Julia  and  Annie.  Mr.  l'auchert's  marriage 
with  his  present  wife,  formerly  Miss  Rosena  Maurer. 
took  place  in  November.  1874.  Mrs.  Pauchert  was 
bom  in  Tuscarawas  County.  Ohio.  September  12. 
L848,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Barbara 
(Mayers)  Maurer.  natives  of  Wurtemberg.  Her 
marriage  with  our  subject  has  brought  them  seven 
children,  whom  they  have  named  Kate,  Rosa,  John, 
Amelia.  Carrie.  Albert   and  Harry. 

A  man  of  Mr.  l'auchert's  mental  calibre,  sound 
common-sense,  and  clear  judgment  in  regard  to 
business  is  necessarily  influential  in  the  regulation 
of  public  affairs,  and  we  find  that  he  ha-  held  var- 
ious important  offices,  lie  has  served  -ix  year-  as 
a  member  of  the  City  Council,  two  terms  as  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  has  twice  represented  Rose  Town- 


638 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


ship  on  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors.  In  pol- 
itics  he  steadily  upholds  the  Republican  party.  Re- 
ligiously he  is  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  to  which  his  wife  and  children 
also  belong. 


1^  )h  »J  9  *  V 


f 


m 


OIIX  FREEMAN,  capitalist,  residing  in 
Mont-aqua  Township,  is  one  of  Shelby 
County's  best  known  and  most  prominent 
citizensj  who  has  long  been  concerned  in  its 
financial  interests,  has  been  a  potent  agent  in  its 
material  advancement,  has  had  a  hand  in  the 
management  of  its  public  affairs,  and  i>  closely 
identified  with  its  social  and  political  life.  He  i> 
■a  descendant  of  tine  old  New  England  and  Revol- 
utionary stock,  and  his  ancestors  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Massachusetts,  lii^  native  Slate. 
Edmund  Freeman,  of  English  birth,  being  the  first 
of  the  family  to  come  to  America,  the  "  Abigail," 
bringing  him  hither  on  her  second  trip  across  the 
Atlantic  in  1635.  He  first  located  at  Saugus, 
Mas-.,  but  subsequently  went  to  the  town  of  Sand- 
wich. Barnstable  County,  where  he  secured  a  large 
tract  of  land,  including  Sagamore  Hill,  the  greater 
portion  of  the  land  being  still  owned  by  his  de- 
scendants. 

( >ur  subject  was  horn  on  Purchase  Street,  Boston. 
Mass.,  January  11.  1831.  His  father.  Benjamin 
Freeman,  was  born  in  that  city  December  .'51. 
1803,  and  was  a  son  of  Watson  Freeman,  who  was 
also  a  native  of  Boston.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  fourteen  years  old  when  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  broke  out.  Patriotic  blood  ran  in  his 
veins,  and  notwithstanding  his  youth,  two  years 
later  he  enlisted  April  7.  1777.  in  the  Fourth  Con- 
tinental Regiment,  lie  was  present  at  Burgoyne's 
defeat  in  177N.  and  was  afterward  honorably  dis- 
charged from  the  army.  But  the  youthful  patriot 
was  Mill  anxious  to  help  secure  t he  freedom  of  his 
country,  and  lie  soon  entered  the  naval  service  as 
a  privateer.  In  17K2  he  was  wounded  in  a  battle 
at  sea.  and  witli  ship  and  crew  was  captured  by  the 
British.  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital  at  Ports- 
mouth, England,  and  later  discharged   from  there. 


He  returned  to  his  native  country,  and  in  1800 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  another 
gentleman  under  the  firm  name  of  Freeman  & 
Baty.and  subsequently  with  Mr.  dishing,  as  Free- 
man A-  Cushing.  They  were  heavy  importer-  of 
china,  crockery  ware.  etc..  and  the  grandfather  of 
our  subject  continued  in  the  business  a  number  of 
years  until  his  retirement  with  a  handsome  compe- 
tency. He  died  at  Sandwich  April  Id.  1813.  The 
maiden  name  of  his  second  wife,  grandmother  of 
our  subject,  was  Experience  Freeman,  and  she  was 
also  a  native  of  Boston. 

Benjamin  Freeman  was  reared  and  educated  in 
the  city  of  his  birth.  He  commenced  life  on  his 
own  account  as  a  sailor,  but  he  did  not  long  pur- 
sue that  vocation,  as  he  preferred  following  in  the 
footsteps  of  his  father  as  a  merchant.  He  con- 
tinued in  business  in  Boston  until  1839,  when  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  invested  in  several  thousand 
acre-  of  land,  destined  some  day.  as  he  shrewdly 
foresaw,  to  be  very  valuable.  In  1841  he  removed 
his  family  to  this  State. the  journey  being  performed 
bysteamer  from  Fall  River  to  New  York,  thence  by 
canal  and  rail  through  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg, 
from  there  by  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers  to 
St.  Louis,  anil  thence  overland  to  their  destination 
in  Hillsboro,  Montgomery  County.  Mr.  Freeman 
did  not  live  to  enjoy  bis  new  home  very  long,  as 
in  .Inly  of  the  same  year  his  life  was  brought  to 
an  untimely  end  by  his  death  while  yet  in  his 
prime,  and  the  county  was  deprived  of  the  services 
of  one  of  its  most  able  pioneers,  who.  if  he  had 
lived,  would  undoubtedly  have  done  much  to 
develop  it-  resources  and  promote  its  growth. 
His  wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sallie  Shaw 
Shurtleff.  She  was  likewise  a  native  of  Boston. 
Mass..  a  descendant  of  some  of  the  old  families  of 
that  city,  and  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Benjamin  and 
Sallie  (Shaw)  Shurtleff.  She  was  married  a  second 
time  to  Henry  R.  Child,  who  died  in  1*4*.  She 
returned  to  Boston  in  1849,  and  died  in  that  city 
in  1876.  she  had  ten  children  by  her  first  mar- 
riage, and  one  by  the  second. 

John  Freeman  was  ten  years  old  when  be  came 
to  Illinois  with  his  parents.  He  was  given  good 
educational  advantages,  and  was  a  student  at 
Shurtleff  College  in  Alton  when  the  discovery  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


63!) 


gold  in  California  created   such   profound    excite- 
ment in  all  parts  of  the    world,  and    in    1841)    he 
threw  aside  his  books  and  bade  farewell  to  college 
Life  to  join  the  seekers  after  the  precious  metal  mi 
the  Pacific  coast-     He,  with  others,  made  the  entire 
journey  across  the  plains  and  mountains  with  ox- 
teams.  a  long  and  weary  way  over  what    was   then 
known  as   ■■  Great   American    Desert,"    and    after 
they  left  the  Missouri  River    they    saw    uo    white 
settlements,  except    that  <>f    the    Mormons,    until 
they    arrived    in    California,  while    buffalo,  deer, 
antelopes  and  other  wild  animals  were  encounter- 
ed  in    large  numbers.     Arriving   at    Weaverville, 
September  17.  after  many  months'  travel,  our  sub- 
ject at  once  took  a  job  at    scoring  logs    receiving 
=?11   a  day,  and   in    that   way    he  earned    money 
to    buy    provisions    to   take    to    the   mountains. 
where  cornmeal  and   bacon,  the  chief   articles    of 
t'o.  d.  were  a  dollar  a  pound  each.     He  engaged  in 
mining  in  Maraposa  County  until  December,  1851, 
and  then  started  for  the  East  with   his  gains,  and 
traveling  by  the  way   of  the  Isthmus  and  Havana. 
joined  his  family  at  Boston.     His  health   had   suf- 
fered from  the   privations  and    hardships    that    lu- 
had  had  to  endure  in  the  rough  frontier  life  of  tin- 
two  preceding  years,  and  he  did    not  immediately 
engage  in  any  active  business,  hut    traveled   while 
recuperating,  and  during  the  time  of  tin    Crimean 
War    visited    Crimea.     He   was  away    from    home 
ahout  nine  months,  and  then    returned   to    Boston. 
where  he   remained  until    1857.      In    that    year    he 
(•Mine  back  toShelby  Count}  .  intending  to  dispose  of 
his  landed  interests  here,  but  he  liked   the  country 
so  well  that  he  decided  to  improve  his  rial   estate. 
and  built,  and   has  ever  since  had   a    home    here. 
though  making  his  residence  here   only  a    portion 
of  the  time.     For  three   yeais   he  lived  at  Shelby- 
ville,  and  in  1879  went  to  Decatur,  where    he   be- 
came interested  in  the  mercantile  and    hotel    busi- 
ness,  ami  for  a  time  managed  tin-  new   ••  Deming." 
lie  Mill  retains  hi-  interest  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness    there,  and   i-    connected    with    a    hotel    else- 
where. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  married  in  1859  to  Miss  F.llcn 
A.,  daughter  of  A.  F.  and  Louisa  i  Wheadon)  Wil- 
son, and  a  native  of  Jacksonville,  111.  Their  home 
i-  attractive  in  it-  appointments  and  surroundings, 


and  its  pleasing  comforts  as  presided  over  by  the 
gracious,  considerate  hostess  and  the  kindly, court- 
eous hosl  are  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by 
those  who  have  enjoyed  them,  whether  as  a 
"stranger  within  the  gates."  or  a-  friends,  of 
whom  our  subject  and  his  amiable  wife  have  many. 
Four  children  have  been  horn  to  them,  two  of 
whom  are  now  living;  Alice  F..  wife  of  Oscar  F. 
Kpaulding,  and  John  I'.. 

Not  only  has  Mr.  Freeman  helped  to  advance 
the  financial  standing  of  this  county  by  his  judic- 
ious investments  and  by  his  business  qualifications, 
Imt  he  has  been  <«f  invaluable  service  as  a  civic 
official.  IK-  ha-  represented  Moweaqua  Township 
on  the  County  Hoard  of  Supervisors  several  terms, 
and  while  holding  that  important  office  always 
looked  closely  after  the  interests  of  the  public, and 
his  intelligent  and  generous  advocacy  of  various 
enterprises  for  the  benefit  of  the  community  at 
large  has  often  contributed  to  their  success.  He 
is  an  ardent  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
hi-  party  has  in  him  an  earnest  champion  of  its 
policy".  In  his  social  relations  lie  is  connected 
with  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  also  with  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  has  Keen 
a  member  of  tin-  former  since  1859,  when  he  join- 
ed the  Dewitt  Clinton  Lodge  at  Sandwich.  Mass. 
He  identified  himself  with  the  Odd  Fellows  by 
joining  the  Winnissimete  Lodge  at  Chelsea,  Mass.. 
and    he    i-  a    liiemher  of  tin-  Shelby  villi'  Lodge,  K. 

of       II. 


~^*ii 


11^ 


i        felLLIAM    W.  .lAMFs.     one    of  the  stanch. 

\  /  substantial  men,  both  in  character  and  so- 
vv  cial  standing,  is  he  whose  name  is  at  the 
head  of  this  sketch,  lie  resides  on  section  3.  of 
Ridge  Township.  Hi-  residence  in  the  county  dates 
from  the  fall  of  1831, at  which  time  lie  was  brought 
to  the  state  by  his  parent-.  He  was  born  in  Nich- 
ols (  ountv.  Ky..  December  22.  1829.  and  was  a  son 
of  Alexander  C.  ami  Mary  Ann  (Robinson)  James, 
natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and  Delaware. 
Thcv  met  and  married,  however,  in  Kentucky. and 
in   ls.il.  when  our  subject  was  bul  two  years  of  age 


640 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


the  family  came  to  Illinois,  their  journey  hither 
beingmade  in  a  wagon,  and  with  a  camp  outfit. 
Of  course  our  subject  can  remember  nothing  of 
of  the  journey,  but  it  lakes  bul  small  imagination 
to  picture  the  delights  and  adventures  of  an  over- 
land journey  through  the  beautiful  States  of  Ken- 
tucky, Ohio  and  Indiana,  into  Illinois. 

After  coming  hither,  our  subject's  parents  settled 
at  once  in  Ridge  Township,  where  they  rented  a 
small  place  for  a  space  of  three  year-.  In  1835, 
they  entered  a  tract  of  land  on  section  .'!.  and  also 
purchased  a  claim  which  was  but  very  little  im- 
proved, but  which  boasted  a  log  cabin  and  fences 
about  seventeen  acres  being  fenced.  For  this 
they  paid  *4o.  In  those  days  it  was  necessary  to 
drive  hogs  to  St.  Louis  in  order  to  find  market  for 
them.  This  was  one  hundred  miles  distant  from 
their  home.  The  wheat,  also,  had  to  be  hauled 
thither  and  then  sold  for  twenty-five  cents  a 
bushel.  We  cannot  but  wonder  how  the  pioneers 
managed  to  support  their  families  with  the  neces- 
sities of  life,  and  lay  aside  as  nearly  all  of  them 
did.  money  enough  to  invest  in  land,  when  their 
products  brought  so  little  return.  Our  subject's 
family  were  obliged  to  go  to  Springfield  in  order 
to  have  their  corn  and  wheat  ground  into  flour. 
and  other  commodities  were  equally  difficult  to 
uet.  But  Mr.  James  was  industrious  and  economi- 
cal and  in  time  became  the  owner  of  four  hundred 
acres  of  good  land.  He  erected  good  buildings 
upon  his  place  and  improved  it  well.  In  1870,he 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  Nelson  James, 
a  brother  of  our  subject,  came  to  this  county  in 
1836,  but  later  went  to  .Missouri.  Our  subject's 
father  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  preferences. 
His  wife  is  still  living  and  resides  with  the  origi- 
nal of  our  sketch.  She  was  bom  March  30,  1805. 
For  many  years  she  has  been  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church. 

There  was  but  one  child  in  the  family  of  Alex- 
ander James,  that  being  our  subject.  He  still  re- 
sides on  the  homestead,  and  has  been  a  witness  of 
the  changes  which  Shelby  County  has  undergone 
for  many  years.  His  early  education  was  obtained 
under  difficulties,  having  to  go  four  miles  in  order 
to  attend  school,  which  was  held  in  a  log  cabin. 
There  were  no    windows    in    the    building,  and  an 


ingenious  device  was  resorted  to  supply  the  defi- 
ciency. A  lot;  was  left  out  in  the  side  of  the  build- 
ing and  the  space  was  covered  with  greased  paper, 

which  admitted  an  opaque  light  that  would  send 
the  school  reformers  of  to-day  to  an  insane  asylum. 
A  split  sapling  with  pegs  put  in  the  end.  furnished 
the  seats  for  the  pupils,  and  the  building  was 
heated  by  a  huge  fireplace  that  scorched  the  little 
laces,  while  their  backs  were  freezing.  His  school 
life  began  when  he  was  eight  years  of  age  at  which 
time  he  could  read  and  spell  words  of  one  syllable. 
He  attended  the  first  school  taught  in  the  town- 
ship, the  teacher  being  .lames  Rhoads. 

Tin"  original  of  our  sketch  is  as  old  a'settler  as 
any  in  the  town-hip.  although  two  others.  William 
and  Daniel  Smith,  came  here  the  same  fall  in  which 
his  parents  located.  At  that  time  the  larder  was 
easily  supplied  with  various  kinds  of  game,  there 
being  plenty  of  deer,  wild  turkeys,  bears,  and  also 
wild  cat-  and  panthers,  against  which  the  early  set- 
tlers were  obliged  to  lie  on  their  guard  The  In- 
dians had  been  driven  farther  West  and  the  coun- 
try was  a  good  place  for  a  poor  man.  because  of  the 
abundance  of  game,  and  the  early  crops  were  ex- 
traordinarily good.  There  was  but  little  sickness 
excepting  ague,  which  the  early  settlers  accepted 
a-  one  of  the  conditions  of  their  pioneer  exist- 
ence. 

Mr.  .lames  was  married  January  22,  1852,  to 
Cordelia  Small,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
Small.  She  was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
ami  'lu tin •>  her  life  was  a  tender,  loving  wife  and 
true  mother.  She  died  August,  \M2,  leaving  five 
children  to  mourn  with  their  father,  her  loss.  The 
children  are  John  A..  Mary  E.,  Tarcy  .1..  William 
D.  and  Cordelia.  Mary  is  now  the  wife  of  C.  W. 
Steward:  Tarcy  was  united  to  John  W.  Yantis.  and 
died  in  1881,  leaving  two  children;  William  1). 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years;  Cordelia  be- 
came the  wife  of  John  W.  Yantis. 

In  1864,  our  subject  married  for  a  second  time 
taking  to  wife  Leah  Killam.  a  daughter  of  Isaac 
K  i  I  bun.  She  was  a  native  of  Shelby  County.  Two 
children  are  the  fruit  of  this  union.  They  are 
l-aac  I.,  and  Laura,  who  is  the  wife  of  Julius  Christ- 
man.  Mr.  James  is  the  owner  of  five  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  well    improved    land.     He  has  made 


PORTRAIT  AND  lilucRAPIIICAI.    RECORD. 


i;  1 1 


stock-raising  a  specialty  and  1 1:1-  bred  some  of  the 
purest  blooded  stock  in  the  county.  He  now  rente 
the  greater  part  of  his  land,  retaining  only  enough 
id  keep  him  pleasantly  employed.  Politically. 
Mr.  James  favors  the  Democratic  party.  He  has 
never  been  ambitious  to  accept  cilice,  feeling  that 
his  private  affairs  would  not  admit  of  a  divided 
attention.  Mi's.  James,  who  is  an  estimable  lady, 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Her  hus- 
band is  not  connected  with  any  church,  although 
he  is  a  believer  in  Christianity,  and  a  liberal  sup- 
porter  of  the  churches  in  his  vicinity7. 


^HHH® 


S3y~- 


\        fcESLEY  II.  GARRETT.     This  worthy  and 


\ 


prominent  gentleman  whose  sterling  char- 
acter and  many  attractive  personal  quali- 
ties, give  him  an  exceptional  standing  in  the  com- 
munity, resides  upon  section  9,  Whitley  Township. 
His  honored  father,  William  Garrett,  was  born  in 
Montgomery  County.  Ky„  about  the  year  1798, 
and  is  the  son  of  .lames  Garrett  who  was  probably 
born  in  Virginia,  and  was  proud  to  claim  his 
ancestry  from  the  rugged  land-  of  the  Highlands 
and  bagpipes.  James  Garrett  died  in  Montgomery 
Country  Ivy,,  having  lived  to  the  remarkable  age 
of  one  hundred  years  and  six  months. 

Polly  Reid  was  the  maiden  name  of  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  and  she  was  born  in  Montgomery 
County,  Ivy.,  in  L801.  Her  father,  Joseph  Reid, 
the  son  of  William  Reid,  died  in  that  county,  as 
did  also  his  father  William,  whom  our  subject  dis- 
tinctly rememl)ers  as  visiting  their  home  when  he 
was  nineteen  years  old.  The  family  is  thus  on 
both  sides  notable  for  longevity  and    endurance. 

William  II.  Garrett  was  married  in  Kentucky 
and  soon  after  removed  to  Indiana,  but  resided 
there  for  only  a  short  time,  as  within  a  year  he 
returned  to  Montgomery  County  and  continued 
to  live  in  that  and  (lark  and  Harrison  Counties 
for  some  years.  He  Anally  came  to  Illinois  and 
spent  a  year  in  Whitley  Township,  .Moultrie  Count  \  . 
but  on  account  of  sickness  lite  family  returned 
again  to  their    Dative  Mate,  and    made    their    home 

in    Harrison    Counts',  where  the  father  died  about 


1857,  and    the  mother  passed  away  in   1886.    Their 

-i\  children  arc  Wesley  II..  Lihhy,  Susan,  Sarah, 
Joseph  and  James. 

Our  subject,  who  is  the  oldest  in  the  parental 
home,  was  horn  during  their  sojourn  in  Indiana, 
near  the  White  River,  on  the  22d  of  duly.  1820. 
lie  was  but  an  infant  when  his  parent.-  returned  to 

Kentucky,   and    the   greater  part   of   his    boyl d 

was  spent  in  Harrison  County,  that  State.  He 
received  the  early  training  and  education  of  an 
ordinary  Kentucky  hoy  of  that  period,  and  made 
his  home  with  his  parent-  until  he  was  able  to 
establish  a  home  of  his  own. 

Wesley  Garrett's  marriage  with  Miss  .Mary  E. 
Baker,  took  place  in  Harrison  County,  her  native 
place.  August  28,  1840.  This  lady  was  horn 
August  2!>.  1817.  and  her  wedded  life,  although 
it  opened  with  the  brightest  prospects,  soon  faded 
into  darkness,  as  she  died  July  27.  1841.  The 
second  marriage  of  Mr.  Garrett  took  place  in  Har- 
rison County.  Ky..  July  28,  1842.  and  he  was  then 
united  with  Miss  Eliza  J.  Evans,  daughter  of 
David  and  Mary  (Baker)  Evans,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  lioth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Evans  died  in 
Harrison  County,  having  been  the  parents  of  three 
children.  Eliza  J.,  Cynthia  and  John.  Eliza  was 
born  in  Harrison  County.  April  11.  1817. 

Eight  living  children  have  been  horn  to  Wesley 
II.  and  Eliza  J.  Garrett,  viz:  .lames  F.  who  mar- 
ried Anna  Cox.  and  resides  in  Sullivan  Township; 
William  1).  who  took  to  wife  Melissa  Armentrout, 
and  resides  in  Whitley  Township;  Green  1!.  who 
married  Eudora  Rose,  and  makes  his  home  in 
Moultrie  County  :  Solomon  I',  who  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Anna  Harrison,  and  lives  in  YVhit- 
ley  Township ;  Mary  S.  who  i-  the  wife  of  Beal 
Marsh,  of  Moultrie  County  :  Robert  M.  who  died 
in  infancy:  McArthur,  who  married  Nancy  Ar- 
mentrout, and  reside-  in  Whitley  Town-hip  :  Rich- 
ard ( >.  who  took  to  wife  Delia  Lauham,  and  makes 
his  home  in  Ka-t  N'el-on  Township,  and  Cynthia 
R..  who  is  now  Mrs.  Joseph  Roberts,  and  lives  in 
Whitley  Township. 

Mr.  Garrett  came  to  Moultrie  County    in   1850, 

and    settled    in    Whitley     Township,    where    he    has 

since  been  one  of   it-  most   respected  and  useful 

resident-.     There  were,  however,  sis  month- of  that 


642 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


time  when  he  lived  in  East  Nelson  Township,  but 
soon  returned  to  his  first  choice.  The  Christian 
church  is  the  religious  body  with  which  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Garrett  are  actively  connected,  and  in  it  they 
rejoice  to  find  abroad  field  tor  labor  and  influence. 
The  political  views  with  which  Mr.  Garrett 
finds  himself  in  sympathy  are  most  fully  expressed 
in  the  platform  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
although  he  i>  no  office  seeker  yet  he  has  been 
compelled  by  the  suffrages  of  his  fellow  citizens  to 
accept  a  number  of  offices  of  trust  and  influence. 
For  fourteen  years  he  held  the  office  of  School 
Trustee,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  promot- 
ing the  educational  interest  of  the  township  and 
county.  Upon  his  splendid  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  fifteen  acres,  he  has  placed  excellent  improve- 
ments, and  it  is  all  in  a  first-class  condition.  His 
beautiful  home  and  well-kept  barns  testify,  not 
only  to  his  enterprise,  but  his  intelligence  and 
culture. 


gs^AMUELII.  BROWNBACK.  All  our  re- 
^^4>  lations  in  life  are  more  or  less  of  a  social 
'(L^Jj)  nature  and  these  are  circles  within  circles. 
The  domestic  life  is  the  inner  circle,  or  hub 
of  the  wheel  from  which  radiate  outward  the  many 
lines  or  spokes  that  bind  it  to  the  outer  circle,  or 
the  social  verge.  These  spokes  are  of  various 
natures  arising  from  relationship,  affinity  or  con- 
sanguinity. Each  circle  within  the  life  of  our 
subject  has  been  well  rounded.  His  home  life,  while 
simple,  is  full  of  affection  and  tender  consideration. 
His  residence  which  is  located  on  section  2.  of 
Rural  Township,  is  the  dwelling  place  of  peace  and 
harmony.  He  has  resided  in  Shelby  County  since 
1868. 

Mr.  Brown  back  was  I  lorn  in  Pickaway  County. 
Ohio,  January  21.  1843.  He  is  a  son  of  William 
and  Sarah  (Shutt)  Brownback,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  they  were  married  and  began  the 
journey  of  life  together.  About  1835  they  removed 
to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Pickaway  County.  There 
they  passed  the  remaining  years  of  their  lives,  the 
father  passing  away   from   this   life   at  the  age  of 


fifty  years,  the  mother  surviving  him  for  a  number 
of  years,  being  sixty-three  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  her  decease.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  four  of  whom  lived  to  lie  grown.  Their 
names  are  as  follows:  Joseph,  Melinda, Eliza, Sarah, 
Emeline  and  Samuel.  Joseph  died  while  young; 
Melinda  married  Aimer  Settles  and  died  in  Pickaway 
County,  leaving  an  interesting  family  of  children; 
Eliza  married  John  Breutigan.  She  died  in 
Pickaway  County;  Sarah  died  while  yet  a  young 
woman,  being  only  twenty  years  of  age.  Emeline 
also  died  early  in  life;  our  subject  is  the  youngest 
of  his  family  and  now  the  only  one  surviving.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  attended,  in  boyhood,  the 
common  schools,  which  were  very  good,  and  he 
feels  that  he  owes  much  to  the  masters  under  whom 
he  studied  when  a  lad.  He  remained  in  his  native 
State  until  he  arrived  at  manhood  and  in  18(i7.  he 
was  an  attendant  upon  the  last  sad  rites  paid  to 
the  memory  of  the  last  member  of  his  family. 
Feeling  that  all  bonds  that  held  him  to  his  native 
State  had  been  severed,  in  1868  he  sold  out  and 
emigrated  to  this  State,  settling  in  Shelby  County, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  he  at  present 
resides. 

When  Mr.  Brownback  purchased  his  farm  it  was 
but  very  little  improved  and  he  began  at  once  tin- 
work  of  putting  it  in  such  order  as  should  realize 
his  ideal  of  a  modern  farm.  He  gave  his  attention 
chiefly  to  stock  raising,  in  which  he  was  very 
successful.  On  first  coming  to  the  county  he 
purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  but  from 
time  to  time  has  added  to  this  until  his  farm  now 
aggregates  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  It  is 
located  on  sections  2  and  11.  and  boasts  many  line 
improvements.  Well  located  in  the  bottom  lands.it 
is  plentifully  watered  and  drained. 

Our  subject  has  been  twice  married.  In  1870,  he 
was  united  to  Mary  Y.  Smith,  a  daughter  of  Daniel 
and  Sarah  Smith,  of  whom  a  sketch  may  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  volume.  Mrs.  Brownback 
died  in  1872.  leaving  one  son  who  now  resides  with 
his  grandfather,  Daniel  Smith.  In  1874.  our  subject 
married  Elizabeth  A.  Cochoran,  a  daughter  of 
Robert  Cochoran.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1818. 
Our  subject  by  his  present  wife  is  the  father  of  one 
daughter,  by  name  Mary   F.     She  is  a  bright,  in- 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  RECORL. 


643 


telligent  young  girl.  The  original  of  our  sketch 
is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  preference  and  has 
served  in  several  capacities  in  public  office  under 
hi-  party  showing  the  confidence  and  estimation  of 
his  ability  that  his  fellow-townsmen  have  in  him. 
lit-  lias  served  as  School  Trustee  for  nine  years  and 
two  years  a-  Supen  isor  of  the  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brownback  air.  in  their  religious  views. 
members  of  theChristian  Church.  They  are  kindly. 
intelligent  people,  in  whom  their  fellow-townsmen 
repose  the  greatest  confidence  and  affection. 


DDISON   \V.  McPHEETERS,  the  efficient 
^LJ     and  popular   Postmaster  of  Sullivan,  and 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  that   place, 
where    he    ha-   resided   for  eight  years,  is 
numbered    among    the    early    settlers   of   Moultrie 
County,  of   1852.     lie  has  the   honor  of    being  a 
native-born  citizen  of  Illinois,  his  birth  having  oc- 
curred in  Morgan  County,on  the  1st  of  July,  1834. 
Hi-  parent-.  Addison  and  Julia.  (Pogue)    McPhee- 
ters,    were    native-    of    Kentucky,  and   after   their 
marriage    emigrated    to    Morgan    County,   111.,  in 
1833.     Twelve    years    they    spent    in  that  county, 
and  then  returned  to    Fayette  County.  Ky..  but    in 
1852  we  again  find  them   in    Illinois,  and   the  fol- 
lowing year  the  father  purchased   a   good  farm  in 
thi>  locality,  on  which  he  made  his  home  until    his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1879, at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five  years.      He    wa-  a    Whig    and     Republican     in 
politics,  and    was  a   member   of  the    Presbyterian 
Church.     Hi-  wife,  who  wa-  born  about  1801, died 
during    the   winter    of   1844,  in    Fayette    County, 
Ky.     she   was  a  Presbyterian    in    religious    belief, 
and  like  her  husband    was   highly   esteemed.     The 
family  numbered  four  children,  but   two  are  now 
deceased.      The  twin  brothers,  Addison    and     Kan- 
kin,  are  yet  living.      The  latter  is  married  and  en- 
gages in  farming  in  Nelson  Township. 

Our  subject  returned  with  his  parents  to  Ken- 
tucky, but  was  living  in  Moultrie  County.  111., 
when  he  attained  in  mature  years.  A-  before  inti- 
mated, his  residence  here  cover-  a  period  "i  almost 


fort\  year-.  After  arriving  al  man's  estate  he  led 
to  the  marriage  altar  Mi-s  Margaret  Lynn. a  native 
■  it  Jefferson  County.  Ky.,  born  in  1848,  and  a 
daughter  of  .lames  and  Belinda  (Welch)  Lynn. 
who  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  having  lived  in 
Jefferson  County,  that  state,  until  1855, when  with 
their  family  they  came  to  Illinoi-.  where  both  Mr. 
and  Mr-.  Lynn  died  when  past  si\t\  year-  of  age. 
They  lived  the  life  of  farming  people,  and  in  re- 
ligious belief  were  Presbyterians,  while  in  political 
faith  Mr.  Lynn  wa-  a  stanch  Republican.  In  the 
family  are  three  children,  yet  living — Mrs.  Mfi- 
l'heeters;  George  W.,  who  is  married  and  resides 
in  Eureka  Spring,  Ark.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
real-estate  business;  and  Martha,  wife  of  John 
William-,  of   Decatur.  111. 

Among  the  first    to  enlist   in    Moultrie  County 
after  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  was  our  sub- 
ject, who  responded  to  the  call  for  troops    and    he- 
came  a  member  of  the  Twenty-first  Illinois  Infantry. 
The  regiment  was  then  commanded  by    Col.    ['.  S. 
Grant,   and    the    company    by    Capt.  John    Love. 
Joining  the  Army  of  the   Cumberland,  the  troops 
fought    at    Frederickstown,    Mo..    Perryville,  Ky.. 
Champion  Hill,  and  in  the   battle   of  stone   River. 
under    lien.    McCook.       Then    came    the     Atlanta 
campaign, and  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  remained 
with  Sherman  until  after   the    hat  tie    at    that    city, 
when  it  was  sent  hack  to  fight  Hood  at    Nashville. 
After    veteranizing   and    being    assigned     to    the 
Fourth  Army  Corp-,  the  troops  were  sent  to  Texas 
by   way  of  New  Orleans,  camping   for  two   weeks 
on  the  battle  ground,  near  the  Crescent   City.     At 
San  Antonio.  Tex.,  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
December  16,  1865,  and  on  the  18th  of  January  of 
the  new  year   arrived   at    Camp   Cutler,  where    the 
brave  boys  in  blue  were  honorably  discharged.   Mr. 
McPheelerS  had  enlisted  as  private,  hut  during  the 
first  year  of  his  service  was  made   Sergeant,  ami 
held  that  office  until  his  discharge,      lie  was  never 
wounded  or  captured,  hut  was  always  found  at  his 

post,  faithfully  discharged  every  duty. 

On  his  return  from  the  war.  Mr.  Mcl'hecter- 
again  went  to  his  farm  in  Nelson  Township,  and 
devoted  his  energies  to  its  cultivation  and  improve- 
ment until  1880,  when  he  was  stricken  with  paral- 
ysis and  lost  the  u-i  of  hi-  lower  limbs.    Shortly 


644 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


afterward  lie  came  to  Sullivan,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home  and  is  now  Riling  the  position  of 
Postmaster  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned.  II>'  and  his  family  dold 
a  high  position  in  social  circles,  and  are  widely 
known  throughout  this  community".  In  politics 
Mr.  McPheeters  is  a  stalwarl  Republican  and  an 
earnest  worker  in  the  interests  of  the  parly,  He 
holds  membership  with  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Church. 
Their  family  numbers  six  interesting  children — 
Nettie  L.,  George  R,  Leroy,  Addison  P..  Frank 
and  Julia  P.  Miss  Nettie,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Sullivan  High  School.  i-  now  assisting  her  father 
in  the  office. 


acres,  living  on  it  for  six  or  seven  years.  Two 
years  previous  to  his  purchase  of  this  last-named 
tract  he  leased  and  ran  the  poor  farm  of  the 
county.  He  came  here  from  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  had  settled  soon  after  his  arrival  in  this  coun- 
try from  t  o'linan  v. 

lie   of   whom   we  write    is  of   German   ancestry. 
His    parents    were    Michael   and    Barbara    (Crofft) 
Schinzler,    both    natives    of    Bavaria,  where    they 
lived  and   died  aged  respectively  seventy-two  and 
seventy    years.      Religiously  their  inclinations  and 
membership  were  with    the  Catholic  Church.     Our 
subject    and    a    brother,    Lawrence,  were    the    oii!\ 
members  of   the  family  that  came   to  this  country 
and    both    are    now    farmers   in    this   county.      Mr. 
Schinzler    lefl    Germany    in    March.    1856,   taking 
a    sailing    vessel    from    Havre    de    Grace.       They 
landed  in  New  York  City  and  came  thence  to  Ilar- 
risburg,    Pa.,    where    they    lived    two   and    a    half 
years.     They  (hen  came  to  Illinois,  where  our  sub- 
ject   took    the    next    important    step   in    his    life    in 
marrying  Miss  Mary  E.  Sprinkle.     Their   marriage 
was   celebrated  in  March.   1864.     She   was   horn    in 
Richland   County.   Ohio,    May    16,    1843,   and    is   a 
daughter  of  Eli  and  Elizabeth  (Jennings)  Sprinkle. 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  and  married  in 
the  latter  State,  where  they  were  engaged  in  farm- 
ing.    In  1849  they  went  to  Indiana  ami  spent  four 
years    in    Adams    County.      They    then    came    to 
Shelby   County,  and    here    Mr.   and    Mrs.   Sprinkle 
most    responsible   positions.      A.-   his   name    would       passed  the  remainder  of  their   lives,  dying  at   the 
indicate,  our  subject    is  a  native  of   Bavaria,  Ger-       ages    respectively    of   sixty-live    and    sixty-eight 
main,  where    he    was   born    October   "27.  lK2(i.      11 


GEORGE  SCHINZLER.  Our  subject  is  one 
of  the  many  representatives  of  tin' Teutonic 
race  in  this  country  who  have  brought  into 
our  American  commercial  and  agricultural  life  a 
new  impetus  of  penetrating  foresight  that  has 
accumulated  for  its  possessors  vast  fortunes  and 
honorable  positions.  The  German  element  is  hon- 
orably represented  in  every  branch  of  American 
life.  In  its  government,  its  literary,  social  and 
commercial    and    social    relations,    it    ha-   held   the 


is  now  the  owner  of  a  line  farm  located  in  Flat 
Branch  Township. 

Mr.  Schinzler  is  the  proprietor  of  three  hundred 

and  twenty  acres    of    land,  upon   which    he    resides 

and  which  he  devotes  to  general  farming.  This 
tract  hears  all  modern  agricultural  improvements 
and    upon    it  is  a  pleasant  and  attractive  resilience 


besides  other  farm  buildings 


11. 


years.     They  were  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
( 'hurch. 

Mrs.  Schinzler,  wile  of  our  subject,  was  only  ten 
\ear-  of  age  when  her  parents  came  to  this  State 
and  she  has  since  lived  in  the  county  wherein 
thev  then  settled.  She  is  the  mother  of  twelve 
children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  de- 
ceased children  are:  Fliza.  aged  five  years.  John. 
Iso  has  twenty       aged  six  years.  Mary  1..  who  was  the  wife  of   I).  E. 


acres  On  another  section.  Hi-  purchase  was  made 
in  the  fall  of  1869  and  he  has  since  changed  the 
face  of  his  land  from  a  (lower-spangled  prairie  to 
acre-  yellow  in  the  warm  Jul\  sun  with  waving 
grains.  He  came  to  this  township  from  Rose 
Township,  where  he  owned    and    improved    eighty 


Middleton.  now  also  deceased.  The  living  chil- 
dren are:  Elizabeth,  Joseph.  George  L.,  Grant, 
Anna.  Jane.  William.  Pearl,  Marion  and  Roy. 
Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Harvey  Tritt.  They  live 
on  a  farm  in  Christian  County,  this  State.  Joseph 
i-  a  bachelor  and  the  proprietor  of   a  good  farm  in 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


645 


this  township.  George  L.  Grant  remains  al  home 
and  !i>'  is  his  father's  assistant  in  running  the  farm. 
The  other  children  have  none  of  them  yet  lefl  the 
parental  roof.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schinzler  attend  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  are  helpers  and  co-labor- 
ers in  any  good  cause  that  promises  to  develop 
and  benefil  the  neighborhood. 


c- 


>  r^=i    . 


AMES  BOYS.  The  name  at  the  head  of  our 
sketch  is  that  of  a  highly  respected  and 
honored  man  who  has  watched  the  growth 
of  this  State  for  many  wars,  having  set- 
tled hereon  section  26, of  Ridge  Township,  Shelby 
County,  in  L836.  He  was  born  in  Durbin  County, 
hid..  June  26,  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  Alexander 
and  Virginia  (Bradley)  Boys,  natives  respectively 
of  Ohio  and  Virginia.  They  began  life  together 
as  pioneers  in  Ohio,  thence  removed  to  Indiana. 
casting  their  lot  with  other  pioneers  in  the  Hoosier 
State,  and  in  1833  they  removed  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing in  Vermillion  County. 

After  three  year-  spent  by  our  subject's  parents 
in  improving  alarm  in  Vermilion  County,  they 
came  to  Shelby  County  and  entered  some  land  in 
Okaw  Township,  again  casting  their  lot  with  pio- 
neer settlers.  The  father  passed  his  remaining 
years  in  Shelby  Count}  and  died  in  January, 
1881,  his  wife  having  passed  away  two  days  pre- 
vious to  hi-  own  demise.  The  old  people  were  in- 
terred al  thesame  time  and  in  one  grave,  and  thus 
the\  were  together  in  death.  ;h  they  had  hern  for 
so  many  years  in  life.  Our  subject's  father  was 
the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  Of 
land,  much  of  which  he  cultivated,  and  which,  at 

the  time  Of  his  death,  was  well  improved.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  for  many  year-  ardent  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Church. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  is  one  of  thirteen 
children,  ten  of  whom  lived  to  maturity:  of  these, 
our  subject  is  the  eldest  The  others  arc:  Mary, 
John  W.,  Sarah,  George  \\ ..  Lyda,  Elizabeth,  Will- 
iam, Bonaparte  and  Charlie.  ( if  these,  Mary  be- 
came the  wife  of  Henry  . I.  Bowen  and  resides  in 
Shelbvville:  John   W.  died   in  okaw    Township,  a 


victim  of  the  cholera  epidemic  of  1855;  Sarah 
married  .lame-  Hillsbach  and  resides  in Stewardson ; 
George  W.  lives  in  Ridge  Township.  Lyda  mar- 
ried Henry  Hougtbough.  Elizabeth  became  the 
wife  of  E.  Hager.  After  becoming  a  widow  she 
married  Thomas  Blackstone.  Willliam  died  of 
typhoid  fever  when  a  young  man.  Bonaparte, 
like  his  brother  John,  and  in  the  same  year,  was  a 
victim  of  cholera,  as  was  also  hi-  younger  brother 
Charlie. 

Mr.  Boys  was  reared  on  hi-  father'-  farm  and 
early  learned  the  duties  incident  to  a  farmer's 
life.  He  received  the  educational  advantages  to 
lie  had  in  the  district  schools,  having  attended  the 
fi ret  school  taught  in  Okaw  Township.  The  teacher 
was  Peter  Parker,  a  man  who  was  highly  respected 
by  all  as  much  tor  his  manliness  as  for  his  supe- 
riority in  an  intellectual  way.  When  a  young 
man  the  monotony  of  farm  life  was  broken  for  our 
subject  by  trip-  made  to  markets  and  null.  For 
the  former  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and  Alton  and 
carried  his  corn  to  Springfield  to  he  ground. 

October  15,  1849,  Mr.  Hoy-  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Sarah  Hardy,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Hardy,  of  whom  a  sketch  may  he  found  under  that 
Of  William  Hardy,  in  another  part  of  this  volume, 
she  was  bom  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio,  and  Octo- 
ber 7.  L827,  wa-  her  natal  day.  After  marriage 
Mr.  Boys  purchased  land  which  is  now  within  the 
limits  of  Shelbyville.  Two  years  later  he  settled 
where  he  now  resides,  having  purchased  there 
eighty  acres,  and  adding  to  it  forty  acre- of  tim- 
ber land.  He  i-  now  the  owner  of  over  eight  hun- 
dred acres  of  land,  five  hundred  acre-  of  which  is 
in  one  body  ami  included  in  the  farm  whereon 
he  resides.  All  of  Mr.  Boys'  land  he  ha-  accumu- 
la-ed  by  hi-  own  efforts.  At  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage he  had  only  a  horse  and  a  cow  with  which 
to  set  up  housekeeping.     His  wife  was  the   proud 

owner  of  a  lied,  and  with  $10  they  commenced  the 

serious  business  of  lite  together.  Doubtless  thej 
were  as  happy,  however,  when  with  youth  and 
vigor  they  started  out  together  with  love  and  con- 
fidence in  each  other's  ability,  as  when  years  after, 
they  could  count  their  dollars  by  the  thousands. 

Our  subject  has  now  retired  from  active  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  renting  his  land  and  living  the  de- 


646 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOURA1  IIICAL    RECORD. 


lightful  life  of  a  retired  country  "gentleman.  1I>' 
and  hi-  wife  are  the  parents  of  nine  children,  three 
of  whom  died  young.  One,  Alexander,  died  No- 
vember 25,  1834,  at  the  age  of  thirty  years,  leaving 
a  widow  and  four  children.  The  five  children 
Mill  living  are:  John  YV.,  Mary  J., James  M.,  Thomas 
II.  and  Charles  F.  Mary  J.  is  tin  wife  of  Robert 
Weekly. 

The  breadth  of  platform  of  the  Democratic  party 
is  that  which  appeals  most  directly  to  Mr.  Boys' 
political  intelligence,  and  with  il  he  lias  cast  his 
influence  and  vote  for  many  years.  He  has  held 
the  office  of  Road  Commissioner  and  School  Di- 
rector, and  although  frequently  having-  been  urged 
to  accept  office,  he  fell  that  loyalty  to  his  party 
did  not  necessitate  the  relinquishing  of  his  private 
business  for  the  duties  of  public  office.  lie  has. 
however,  ever  been  held  in  high  esteem  by  his 
fellow- townsmen.  His  ability  in  a  business  wa\ 
has  been  seconded  by  a  native  good  sense  and 
practical  view  of  affairs  that  rarely  allow-  of  a 
mistake  in  judgment  or  action  on  his  part.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Boys  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Kpi-- 
copal  Church  South,  and  our  subject  was  one  of  the 
largest  contributors  toward  the  erection  of  a  church 
near  his  home.  Although  having  reached  the  age 
when  many  people  lose  their  sympathy  with  youth 
and  joyousness,  and  life  seems  but  a  threadbare 
garment  to  he  worn  hut  a  short  time,  our  subject 
and  his  amiable  wife  have  mellowed  until  the 
kindly  geniality  of  their  natures  lends  a  charm 
that  is  fascinating  to  each  day  of  the  serenity  of 
their  lives. 


^ 


()1IN  A.  KERN,  a  prosperous  tanner  of 
Moultrie  County,  resides  on  section  21, 
Whitley  Township.  Hi-  residence  in  this 
county  dale-  from  1858,  at  which  time  his 
advent  here  wa-  made  from  Indiana,  lie  was 
bora  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind..  November  14, 
1836, and  his  parent-  were  Edward  and  Polly  Ann 
(Rice)Kern,  natives  of  Gallatin  County.  Ivy.  In 
that   county    thev  were    married   and   about    two 


years  after  that  important  event  in  their  lives  they 
removed  to  Lawrence  County.  Ind..  where  they 
settled  on  a  farm.  There  they  died,  the  father  at 
the  age  of  fifty-five  and  the  mother  when  sixty- 
seven  years  old.  They  welcomed  the  coming  of 
eighl  children  to  their  home  and  fireside,  Six  of 
whom  lived  to  he  grown. 

The  names  of  the  children  of  whom  our  subjeel 
is  one.  are  respectively:  Sophia.  David  S.,John  A.. 
James  B..  Susan  E.  and  Newton  .1.  The  survivors 
of  these  have  reached  man's  and  woman'-  estate 
and  have  taken  honorable  positions  in  society. 
Sophia  married  Anderson  Boadinghamer  and 
resides  in  Lawrence.  Ind..  on  a  part  of  the  old 
homestead.  David  S.  died  in  February.  1858,  at 
Indianapolis,  Ind.  Susan  E.  i-  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Ray  and  resides  in  Lawrence  County,  in  her  native 
State.      Newton  J.  lives  on  the  old  home-tend. 

The  subject  of  our  -ketch  was  reared  on  the 
home  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon school-  of  his  district.  He  was  a  careful  and 
conscientious  student  and  became  well  posted  in 
all  the  common  branches  of  learning.     In  1858  he 

taught    the    -el 1    in  his    home    district  and    n 

afterward  came  to  this  state  and  was  engaged  in 
teaching  in  this  county  in  East  Nelson  Township. 
While  there  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Ann 
E.  Armentrout  and  in  March.  I860,  she  became  his 
wife.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Philip  Armentrout 
and  was  born  in  Whitley  Township.  August  I. 
1*12.  After  marriage  Mr.  Kern  rented  a  tract  of 
laud  which  he  operated  for  four  years  and  in  1865 
he  purchased  the  land  upon  which  heat  present 
resides,  which  was  at  the  time  entirely  new.  never 
having  been  CUt  by  the  plow.  He  i-  now  the 
owner  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acre-  of  land 
upon  which  he  ha-  placed  line  improvements,  hav- 
ing a  g 1  residence  and  commodious  barns  and 

out-buildings. 

Mr.  Kern  ha-  been  twice  married.  His  lir-t  wife 
died  March  I.  1884,  having  been  the  mother  of 
eight  children,  six  of  whom  survived  her.  They 
are  all  progressive  men  and  women  who  have  ap- 
preciated the  advantages  of  education  and  in  this 
iv.-peei  have  made  all  efforts  to  obtain  every  ad- 
vantage. Ollie.l.  is  Principal  of  a  school  at  Cherry 
Valley,  this  State:   .lame-  R,  i-  a  farmer  and  resides 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


647 


in  Indiana:  Minnie  M..  who  is  a  teacher  by  pro- 
fession, is  at  present  in  Germany,  where  she  has 
gone  to  complete  her  education  in  Hanover,  desir- 
ing to  uive  her  attention  to  the  teaching  of  the 
German  language.  Eunice  P.,  who  i>  also  a  teacher, 
lives  at  home,  a>  do  her  brothers  John  K.  and 
Charles. 

On  October  11.  1886,  our  subject  was  again  mar- 
ried, this  union  being  with  Mis-  Laura  Pedro,  a 
daughter  of  15ayle>s  Pedro,  a  resident  of  Shelby 
County.  By  her  Mr.  Kern  is  the  father  of  two 
children,  only  one  of  whom,  however,  is  living,  a 
son,  whose  name  i-  Vernon  II.  Politically  our 
subject  i-  a  Republican,  having  joined  forces  with 
that  party  on  its  formation  and  being  loyal  to  it 
in  every  respect  He  has  been  a  member  <>f  the 
School  Hoard,  in  which  capacity  he  has  done  etti- 
cient  work,  being  a  broad,  liberal-minded  and  pro- 
_  ssive  man  in  all  his  ideas,  and  especially  con- 
cerning education.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  while  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Baptist 
(lunch. 


m*-&m 


OBERT  A.  PATTON.  Postmaster  at  Prairie 
Home,  i-  a  prominent  citizen  of  this  village, 
who  is  closely  associated  with  the  leading 
^interests  of  this  section  of  the  county  as  a 
general  merchant  and  as  the  proprietor  of  a  choice 
farm.  He  is  a  native  of  Miftlin  County,  l'a.  horn 
November  12.  1842,  the  son  of  a  prosperous  far- 
mer of  that  State.  .Tames  Patton.  Hi>  father  was 
horn  in  Cecil  County,  Md.,  while  his  father,  who 
bore  the  samenameas  himself,  was  horn  in  (  ounty 
Derry,  Ireland,  being  a  descendant  of  one  of  the 
old  Scotch  families  that  iiad  settled  in  that  region 
many  years  ago.  He  came  to  this  country  and 
first  located  in  Maryland,  whence  he  removed  after 
awhile  to  Pennsylvania  where  In-  died  in   1840. 

The  father  of  our  subject   learned  the  trade  of  a 
brick  and  stone  mason  in  his  youth,  and  engag 
in  thai   in  connection   with  farming.     In    1843  he 
bought  the  farm  where  his  widow  now  resides  in 
Mifflin    County.     He   (lied   in    August,  1891,     a 
seventy-five  vears.     Hi-  good  wife  is  living  in  a 


cozy  home  surrounded  with  all  the  desirable  com- 
forts of  life.  They  reared  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren to  lives  of  nsefullK — .  The  maiden  name  of 
the  mother  was  Eiiza  Lowrie,  and  she  i>  a  native 
■  ■'  Mifflin  (  ounty,  l'a..  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Polly  Lowrie. 

Robert  Patton  [Missed  his  boyhood  in  his  native 
county  and  was  given  excellent  advantages  to  ob- 
tain a  sound  education.  He  gained  his  first  know- 
ledge of  books  at   home  and   in    the  local  district 

-el Land   later   in  life   became  a  student  at  the 

Kjshacoquillas    Seminary,    where    he    pursued    a 

thorough  course  of  study  which  gave  him  a  g 1 

equipment  as  a  teacher.  He  entered  the  ranks  of 
that  profession  in  1861,  and  the  ensuing  twelve 
years  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  that 
vocation,  and  when  not  thus  employed  being  en- 
s' _•  d  at  the  trade  of  a  bricklayer. 

In  1870  our  subject  made  a  new  departure,  leav- 
ing his  native  state  to  settle  iu  Illinois,  and  giving 
his  attention  to  farming  in  Hat  Branch  Town-hip. 
where  he  bought  forty  acre-  of  land.  He  did  not 
wholly  abandon  his  profession,  however,  but  was  a 
part  of  the  time  employed  in  teaching  as  well  as 
in  cultivating  the  soil.  In  1*7.'5  he  went  to  Mow- 
eaqua,  where  he  carried  on  the  drug  business  until 
1887,  when  he  came  to  Prairie  Home  where  he  has 
since  conducted  a  general  -tore.  His  establishment 
is  titled  up  in  good  style  and  i-  amply  stocked 
with  a  large  supply  of  all  -oil- of  merchandise  that 
are  in  demand  in  such  a  village,  including  dry- 
g 1-.  ! t-.  -hoe-,  crockery,  glassware  and  gro- 
ceries, ami  the  customers  have  a-  varied  a  -election 
a-  can  he  found  in  the  stores  of  many  larger  towns. 
Besides  his  mercantile  interests  Mr.  Patton  has  a 
well-managed  farm,  advantageously  located  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  from  hi-  Store,  and  upon  it  he  and 
his  family  have  one  of  the  pleasantest  homes  in 
this  vicinity. 

Mr.  Patton  was  first  married  November  12.  1867, 
Mi—  Sadie  .1.  Stine  becoming  his  wife,  she  was 
horn  in  Mifflin  County,  l'a.. and  was  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Stine.  Their  wedded  life 
was  brought  to  an  end  by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Patton 
in  March.  1882.  She  left  live  children.  May.  Cora. 
Robert  S.,  Lulu  and  Edith.  The  second  marriage 
of  our  subjeel  which  took  place  in  November,  1882. 


648 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


was  with  Mrs.  Minnie  (Xims)  Parker,  a  native  of 
Lake  County  and  a  daughter  of  Charles  Xims. 
Three  children  have  been  born  of  this  marriage, 
Willie  R..  Grover  Cleveland  and  Dada. 

Mr.  Patton  is  a  man  whose  education,  character 
and  business  equipment  have  made  him  a  decided 
acquisition  to  the  citizenship  of  this  county,  and 
he  stands  well   in   its   financial   and   social   circles. 


whence  he  accompanied  his  parents  to   Illinois  in 
L832. 

Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  upon  hi>  father's 
farm  in  Christian  County,  and  prior  to  his  mar- 
riage he  entered  eighty  acres  of  Government  land 
in  (  hristian  County.  On  March  30,  1843,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Catherine,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hanson)  May,  natives  re- 


in   him   the  Democratic  party  of  this  section  ha?      spectively  of  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana.    The  May 

one  of  its  most  sensible  followers.     In  1887  he  was 

appointed    Postmaster    at    Prairie    Home    and    no 

Postofflce  in  the  county    is  better  managed   than 

the  one  under  his  charge.     Religiously  Mr.  Patton 

i>  of  the  Presbyterian   faith,  and   both  he  and  his 

wife  are  consistent   members  of  the  church  of  that 

denomination  in  this  village. 


_=] 


i+* 


~S 


1  JOHN  SHARROCK.  The  life  of  Mr.  Shar- 
rock has  been  a  busy  one  and  his  personal 
effort-  for  advancement  were  begun  at  an 
early  age.  I  lis  experience  has  been  a  some- 
what checkered  one.  as  continued  success  falls  to 
the  lot  of  very  few.  but  he  has  on  the  whole  been 
successful,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  good  prop- 
erty in  Shelby  County.  Some  years  since  he  re- 
tired from  the  more  arduous  duties  of  life,  and  is 
now  living  in  quiet  and  comfort  in  the  village  of 
Tower  Hill.  He  has  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity as  a  man  of  sterling  integrity,  and  all  his 
acquaintances  recognize  the  public  spirit  which  he 
considers  the  duty  of  every  loyal  citizen. 

Everard  Sharrock,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  New  York  City,  and  married  Amy  Stevens,  a 
native  of  Maryland.  At  a  very  early  day  he  emi- 
grated from  Richland  County.  Ohio,  to  what  i- 
now  Christian  County.  111.,  and  altera  sojourn  in 
this  Mate  of  fifteen  years,  removed  to  Dallas 
County.  Texas.  There  the  faithful  wife  and  de- 
voted mother  died  in  1848.  After  that  -ad  event 
the  father  went  to  Oregon,  where  he  died  in  1859. 
They  had  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  our  subject 
being  the  third.  His  birthplace  was  Marion  County. 
Ohio,  and  his  natal  day  December  12.  1819.  IIi> 
early    youth    was    passed    in    the    Buckeye    Mate. 


family  emigrated  from  Kentucky  toShelby  County. 
111.,  about  1831,  and  the  following  year  Mrs.  May 
passed  from  earth.  Mr.  May  survived  until  1849. 
Mrs.  Sharrock  was  among  the  younger  members  of 
the  family,  which  comprised  ten  children.  Nhe 
was  horn  in  Floyd  County, Ky.. February  10, 182.''. 
and  was  at  an   early  age  deprived  of  a   mother's 

care,     she   grew  to  a  noble    woman] d.  fitted  to 

aid  her  husband  in  all  his  labors. 

Immediately  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
sharrock  settled  in  Christian  County  upon  the 
farm  which  he  had  pre-empted.  After  sojourning 
there  three  years  they  removed  to  Shelby  County, 
locating  in  Tower  Hill  Township,  of  which  they 
have  -nice  been  resident-.  Upon  his  arrival  here 
Mi .  sharrock  entered  upon  active  labor  upon  a 
farm,  which  he  made  his  home  until  1865.  At  that 
time  he  retired  from  farming  pursuits,  and  going 
to  the  village  of  Tower  Hill,  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  until  1884.  Having  by  his  unceasing 
labor  and  good  management  acquired  a  comforta- 
ble competency  for  his  declining  years,  he  sold  out 
his  interests  and  now  in  the  declining  years  of  his 
life  is  resting  from  the  arduous  toil  of  his  younger 
years. 

Mr.  and  Mr-.  Shai'rock  are  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  namely:  Am os  .1..  Francis  M..  John  E.. 
Julia  A..  Marquis  L..  Amanda.  Leniotia,  .lame-  II.. 
Lovina,  Abraham  I...  and  Charlie.  Of  these  the 
following  are  deceased:  John E., Julia  A..  Leniotia. 
.lame-  II..  and  Charlie.  Mr.  sharrock  has  held  the 
office  of  Highway  Commissioner  for  sixteen  years, 
and  also  served  as  School  Director  and  Trustee. 
At  one  time  he  received  the  nomination  of  County 
Clerk  on  the  Greenback  ticket,  hut  declined  to 
run.  Politically  he  i-  an  active  Republican  and 
formerly  took  an  active  part  in  political  affair-. 
He  and   his  estimable  wife  are  active  members  of 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


619 


the  Fivo  Methodist  (  hurch,  where  In-  has  filled  the 
offices  of  Steward  and  Class-Leader.  They  have 
been  identified  with  the  church  and  church  work 
fur  nearly  fifty  years  and  he  has  served  as  Sunday- 
school  Superintendent. 

While  operating  a.-  a  farmer  Mr.  Sharrock  en- 
gaged very  largely  iu  stock-raising,  lie  now  owns 
eighty  acres  besides  village  property.  In  1849  he 
crossed  tin-  plains  to  California,  driving  an  nx- 
team  tlie  entile  distance — over  three  thousand 
miles  from  his  home  in  Tower  Hill  Township.  He 
was  absent  fifteen  months  and  returned  via  the 
Isthmus.  During  the  Civil  "War  he  served  eleven 
months  with  efficiency  in  Company  II.  Ninth  Illi- 
nois  Infantry,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Ft. 
Donelson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  evacuation  of  Cor- 
inth and  Inka.  He  was  discharged  for  disability. 
His  xins.  Amos  and  Francis,  served  three  and  two 
years  respectively  in  Company  C  One  Hundred 
and  Fifteenth  Illinois  Infantrv. 


I      I         1-^— T~»T-^ 


&     I         I   '  r«^«— «— r«- 


WILLIAM  U.  BIVINS,  a  representative  of 
ime  nf  the  earliest  pioneer  families  i'f 
Shelby  County,  was  for  many  year-  identi- 
fied with  it-  leading  interests  a-  an  agriculturist 
and  a-  a  merchant.  He  i-  now  living  in  honor- 
able retirement  from  active  business  in  one  of  the 
many  attractive  homes  of  Shelbyville.  where  he 
deservedly  enjoys  the  confidence  and  esteem 
accorded  ti>  a  life  spent  in  well-doing,  lie  «a- 
l >< nil  in  Rutherford  County-,  Tenn.,  .March  15, 
l*2t'>.  Ili-  father.  Leonard  Bivins,  was  a  native 
of  Ninth  Carolina,  and  was  a  son  nf  Fielder 
Bivins,  who  is  supposed   to   have  spent  his  entire 

life  ill  that  Mate. 

The  father  nf  our  subject  passed  his  early  life 
in  the  Mate  nf  his  nativity,  and  was  there  married, 
taking  Nancy  Murdough  a-  his  wife.  She  was 
born  in  the  north  of  Ireland  June  15,  1795,  and 
was  of  Scotch  ancestry.  Shortly  after  marriage 
the  parents  nf  our  subject  removed  to  Tennessee, 
nf  which  they  thus  became  pioneers,  and  there  the 
father  followed  hi-  trade  as  a  carpenter  in  Ruther- 
ford County.     In  1829  he  made  another  move,  and 


came  to  Illinois  with  a  four-horse  team,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  four  children,  bringing 
household  goods,  and  camping  by  the  way-side  at 
noon  and  nightfall.  He  located  on  the  presenl 
site  nf  Shelbyville,  which  was  then  lint  a  small 
hamlet  with  only  a  few  pioneer  dwellings,  and  the 
only  communication  with  the  outside  world  was 
1m  stage.  The  mail  was  received  once  each  week, 
and  Joseph  Oliver  who  was  the  Postmaster  for 
.-'■me    time.  Used    to   carry  the    letters    in    the  emwn 

nf  his  hat.  The  surrounding  country  was  very 
sparsely  settled  and  deer,  wild  turkey-,  wolves,  and 
other  wild  animals  stil!  remained  in  their  old 
haunts. 

Mr.  Bivins  bought  two  or  three  lots  mi  the  easl 
-ide  nf  the  street  north  nf  the  Court  House  and 
built  a  comfortable  home.  lie  carried  cm  a  good 
business  in  the  village  and  in  the  surrounding 
country  as  a  contractor  and  builder  until  his 
premature  death   in    1849  deprived  the  county  nf 

a   g 1  citizen  and  a   pioneer  who  had  been  very 

useful  iii  promoting  its  growth.  Hi-  widow  sur- 
vived him  many  year-  and  finally  died  at  a  vener- 
able aire  in  December  1872. 

Our  subject  may  lie  said  to  have  grown  up  with 
this  county  where  the  nm-t  of  his  life  has  been 
passed,  as  he  was  only  three  years  old  when  he  was 
brought  here  by  his  parents,  and  this  section  was 
then  also  in  it-  infancy.  His  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  pioneer  schools  nf  Shelbyville.  The 
first  that  he  attended  wa-  taught  in  a  log  school 
house  with  furniture  nf  home  manufacture,  the 
-eat-  Iteing  made  by  splitting  logs  and  hewing  one 
side  smooth,  inserting  wooden  pins  for  legs,  and 
they  were  without  backs.  At  the  age  nf  fifteen 
William,  who  wa-  an  active  enterprising  lad.  be- 
gan In  carry  the  mail.  Martini;  forth  mi  his  jour- 
neys early  Monday  morning  he  wouldgo  to  Deca- 
tur and  thence  to  Bloomington, arriving  there  Tues- 
day night,  starting  on  hi-  return  home  Wednesday 
morning.  Arriving  at  Shelbyville  Thursday  night 
early  the  next  morning  he  would  start  in  another 
direction  for  Vandalia  returning  thence  Saturday 
night,  these  journeys  being  made  mi  horseback. 
He  was  thus  employed  nearly  two  year-,  and  then 
learning  the  trade  nf  a  carpenter  under  his  father's 
instructions,    In-    carried    on    business     with     him 


650 


l'(  >RTRA1T  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


until  his  marriage  in  1848.  The  discovery  of 
gold  in  California  led  him  to  seek  that  El  Dorado 
with  a  party  of  friends,  starting  on  that  long  jour- 
ney with  an  ox-team  in  1849.  At  that  time  there 
was  scarcely  a  white  settler  between  the  Missouri 
River  and  California,  except  at  Salt  Lake:  buffalo 
were  seen  in  great  numbers,  often  large  herds  of 
deer  and  antelopes  were  encountered,  and  the 
howlings  of  the  coyotes,  or  prairie  wolves,  often 
disturbed  the  slumbers  of  the  little  parly.  They 
finally  arrived  at  Sacramento  safely  in  October. 
Our  subject  went  to  the  mines  and  was  engaged  in 
digging  gold  until  1850.  In  October  of  that  year 
he  gathered  together  his  gains  and  started  for 
home,  coming  by  the  way  of  the  Isthmus  and 
Havana  to  New  Orleans,  thence  up  the  Mississippi 
River  to  St.  Louis  and  from  there  by  stage  through 
Springfield  to  Shelbyville.  After  hi?  return  Mr. 
Bivins  invested  some  money  in  a  fertile  tract  of 
land  one  mile  northwest  of  the  city,  which  he  im- 
proved into  a  farm,  making  it  his  home  until  1*72. 
and  at  the  same  time  working  at  his  trade  as  a 
builder.  In  the  year  mentioned  he  rented  his 
farm,  and  coming  to  Shelbyville,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  company  with  ('.  .1.  Kurtz, con- 
tinuing in  that  line  until  1880.  He  then  hail  to 
give  up  active  business  on  account  of  failing 
health,  and  has  since  lived  retired  in  his  pleasant 
home  in  the  west  part  of  the  city,  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  an  income  ample  for  all  his  want-. 

Mr.  Bivins  has  been  twice  married.  His  first 
wife  to  whom  lie  waswedded  in  1848,  was  Sarah  1". 
Warren,  a  native  of  Windsor  Township  and  a 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Warren 
early  pioneers  of  that  place.  Mrs.  Bivins  departed 
this  life  March  7.  I860,  leaving  behind  her  a 
worthy  record  as  a  wife  and  mother.  There  are 
three  children  living  of  that  marriage:  Josephine, 
who  married  W.  R.  Austin  and  has  four  chil- 
dren: Franklin  P..  a  physician  who  i-  represented 
in  thi-  volume:  and  Ella,  who  married  the  Rev. 
W.  R.  Howard,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal  Church.  Sarah  Alice  tin-  second  daughter  of 
our  subject  by  his  first  marriage  married  C.  .1. 
Kurtz,  and  died  in  August  1890,  leaving  three 
-on-.  William  C.  a  son  of  our  subject  by  hi-  first 
wife,  died  at  the  aire  of  fourteen  years,     Mr.  Bivins 


%\ .- 1 -  married  a  second  time  January  29,  1869,  to 
Martha  .1.  lirokaw.  in  whom  he  has  found  a  good 
wife  Mrs.  Bivins  i-  a  native  of  Hamilton  County. 
Ohio,  born  near  Glendale  and  she  is  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Cordelia  lirokaw.  Her  union  with  our 
subject  has  been  blessed  to  them  by  the  birth  of 
two  children.  Charles  II.  and  Harry  L. 

Mr.  Bivins  is  a  man  of  exemplary  lialdt-  and  of 
a  sincere  character  who  i-  zealous  in  promoting  the 
religion-  and  moral  interest-  of  the  community 
where  he  is  held  in  high  estimation  by  all  who 
are  familiar  witli  his  daily  life  and  conduct.  For 
many  year-  he  was  a  member  of  the  Methodisl 
Episcopal  Church  which  he  served  long  and  faith- 
fully a-  Class-leader  and  steward.  In  1886  he 
served  hi-  connection  with  that  denomination  in 
onler  to  join  the  Free  Methodist  Church  which 
was  organized  here  largely  through  his  instrument- 
ality, he  contributing  liberally  towards  the  erection 
of  it-  bouse  of  worship.  In  hi-  political  senti- 
ments Mr.  Bivins  was  a  Democrat  until  18*1.  hut 
since  that  time  he  has  been  identified  with  the 
Prohibitionists.  He  has  borne  an  honorable  part 
in  the  management  of  public  affairs  and  has  served 
a-  Assessor  and  Collector. 


EVI  SEASS.    The  publishers  of  this  volume 

would  fail   in  their   purpose  of    recording 
I \    the    lives  of  those  who  have  been    useful 


and  are  worthy  of  note,  were  they  to  omit  men- 
tion of  the  successful  career  of  Mr.  Seass.  He  i- 
the  owner  of  one  of  the  licst  farms  in  Moultrie 
County,  and  was  for  several  years  engaged  in  the 
agricultural  implement  business  in  Arthur,  repre- 
senting  the  Pitts  Agricultural  Company,  of  Buf- 
falo. N.  Y.  He  also  engaged  in  the  grain  busi- 
ness, and  built  a  large  elevator  in  Arthur.  He 
handled  all  kind.-  of  implements  and  farming  ma- 
chinery, and  during  the  year- he  was  thus  engaged 
only  added  to  the  reputation  which  he  had  already 
WOn — that  of  an  honorable  man.  trustworthy  in  all 
business  relations. 

The    father  of  our   subject,  Jacob  Seass,  was  a 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


651 


native  of  Pennsylvania,  but  has  passed  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  in  Moultrie  County.      Here 

he  was  married  in  October,  1843,  to  Miss  Jane 
Patterson,  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  an  estimable 
woman,  who  still  survives.  They  had  a  family  of 
five  children,  who  lived  to  maturity,  our  subject 
being  the  eldest.  He  was  born  in  Moultrie  County, 
111..  October  20,  1846,  and  was  reared  to  manhood 
upon  his  father's  farm.  His  earliest  recollections 
are  of  the  scene-  of  pioneer  life,  and  he  has  been  a 
witness  of  the  rapid  growth  of  Illinois.  During 
his  youth  schools  were  few  and  far  between,  edu- 
cational advantages  proportionately  limited,  and 
he  had  few  opportunities  t«  >  gain  an  education. 
lie  gleaned  the  rudiments  of  knowledge  from  the 
old  text-books  then  in  vogue,  and  at  an  early  ag< 
acquired  a  love  for  learning  which  ha-  induced 
him  to  read  the  best  of  literature,  and  keep  posted 
upon  all  current  events,  until  he  has  now  that  best 
of  educations — the  one  gained  in  the  school  of 
which  experience  is  the  teacher. 

With  the  exception  of  four  years  passed  in  Ar- 
thur, our  subject  ha-  -pent  his  entire  life  within 
the  limits  of  Jonathan  Creek  Township.  He  now- 
own-  rive  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres  on  sections 
13,  14.  1.")  and  'J-J.  and  is  numbered  among  the 
most  successful  agriculturists  of  the  county.  He 
was  married  August  I'n.  1867,  in  .Jonathan  Creek 
Township,  to  Miss. Elizabeth  A.  Powell.  This  es- 
timable lady,  who  is  the  daughter  of  Nelson  K. 
and  Klvira  (Henry)  Powell,  was  bora  in  Shelby 
(  .unity,  this  Mate.  May  28,  1851.  Mr-.  Seass  i-  a 
lady  of  culture  and  refinement,  which  is  manifested 
in  her  home  and  shown  bj  the  circle  of  friend-  she 
has  gathered  around  her.  people  of  the  highest 
worth  and  intelligence. 

The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mr-.  Seass  comprises  six 
children,  namely:  Aurora  I...  Klvira  .1..  Llewellyn 
1)..  Bertha  E.,  Nellie  C.  and  Waverly  W.  The 
parents  have  given  the  children  the  best  possible 
educational  advantages,  and  have  endeavored  in 
every  way  to  tit  them  for  the  duties  of  life  await- 
ing them.  Mr.  Sea—  has  served  a-  Supervisor  of 
Jonathan  Creek  Town-hip  for  two  terms,  and  as 
Township  Treasurer  one  term,  discharging  the 
duties  of  both  position-  in  a  manner  creditable 
alike  to  himself  and  his  constituent-.      He  was  ap- 


pointed Census  Enumerator  in  1800.  In  the  fall 
Of  that  year  he  wa- a  candidate  for  the  legislature 
on  the  Independent  ticket,  and  polled  a  large  VOte, 
running  ahead  of  his  ticket. 

Upright  and  honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  the 
course  in  life  followed  by  Mr.  Seass  has  been  such 
as  to  secure  the  confidence  and  warm  friendship  of 
all  with  whom  he  is  brought  in  contact.  His  deal- 
ings are  always  marked  with  the  strictest  integrity 
and  fairness,  and  he  has  gained  a  competency 
through  hi-  arduous  and  systematic  exertions.  He 
is  an  honored  citizen  of  this  community,  and  it  is 
with  pleasure  that  we  present   this  brief  -ketch  of 

his  life  to  our  reader-. 


SAAC  HUDSON,  of  the  law  firm  of  Spitler  <v- 
Hudson,  and  Master  in  Chancery,  was  born  in 
Moultrie  County.  [11.,  January  8,  IStiT.  and  is 
the  son  of  .1.  J.  and  Susan  I  Souther)  Hudson.  The 
parent.-,  who  were  natives  respectively  of  Virginia 
and  Kentucky  were  quite  young  when  they  came 
to  Illinois  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Moultrie 
County.  Jeremiah  Souther,  our  subject's  maternal 
grandfather,  secured  some  Government  land  in 
Moultrie  County,  and  after  making  extensive  im- 
provements and  becoming  the  owner  of  about  eight 
hundred  acres,  died  in  March.  1889,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-seven  year-.  He  wa-  a  man  of  great  influ- 
ence ni  hi-  community,  and  hi-  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  Shelby  County,  was  widely  mourned.  He 
was  twice  married  and  hi-  second  wife,  who  still 
survives,  makes  her  home  on  the  farm  in  Shelby 
County. 

The  father  of  our  subject  wa-  born  in  April,  is  in. 
ami  accompanied  Mr.  Souther  to  Illinois  in  the 
early  '30s.  lie  immediately  set  to  work  to  gain  a 
livelihood  and  so  successful  was  he  in  his  efforts 
that  at  the  time  of  his  death.  January  3,  IS?."),  he 
was  the  owner  of  about  one  thousand  acre-  of 
splendid  land.  Hi-  property  was  in  Sullivan  Town- 
ship, Moultrie  County,  where  he  spent  his  active 
life.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  religiously 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  was  evera 
liberal  contributor  to  charitable   purpose-  and  no 


6.52 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


man  worthy  of  his  confidence  was  ever  unkindly 
turned  away  when  lie  sought  a  favor  at  the  hands 
of  J.  J.  Hudson. 

The  wife  of  J.  •).  Hudson  was  the  daughter  of  his 
benefactor  with  whom  he  had  come  to  Illinois  and 
afterward  resided.  This  most  estimable  woman 
passed  from  the  busy  scenes  of  earth  May  15,  1*74. 
at  the  age  of  forty-six  years,  having  been  horn  in 
182«.  In  her  early  girlhood  she  had  united  with 
the  Christian  Church  and  in  that  faith  she  died. 
For  some  years  before  her  demise  she  had  been  an 
an  invalid  and  passed  away,  the  victim  of  con- 
sumption. A  good  and  noble  woman,  and  a  true 
helpmate,  she  was  mourned  not  only  by  those 
nearest  to  her.  but  by  the  neighbors  and  friends 
who  still  hold  her  memory  dear.  She  was  the 
mother  of  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  died 
young.  Laura  died  March  30,  1891,  the  wife  of 
.T.  II.  Michael;  Barbara  is  the  wife  of  Isaac  Horn, 
a  well-to-do  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this  county; 
Jerry  chose  as  his  wife  Addie  Wheeler  and  is  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Lovington  Town- 
ship; Sarah  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Elder,  a 
prominent  farmer  of  Sullivan  Township. 

Under  careful  influences  at  home  our  subject  was 
reared  and  the  good  common-school  education 
which  he  obtained  from  the  home  schools  was  sup- 
plemented by  a  thorough  course  in  the  Christian 
College  at  Eureka,  this  State,  an  institution  of 
prominence  and  influence.  In  1888  he  began  the 
study  of  law  with  his  present  partner  and  after  a 
thorough  course  of  reading  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  at  the  liar  of  Illinois.  He  was  appointed 
Master  in  Chancery  in  December,  1HKK.  and  tills 
the  office  to  the  general  satisfaction.  He  owns  a 
tine  property  divided  into  three  good  farms  and 
aggregating  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He 
also  has  invested  some  in  city  property  in  Sullivan 
and  possessing  good  judgment,  will  undoubtedly 
attain  prominence  in  political  and  public  affairs  in 
the  State.  His  political  convictions  are  strongly 
with  the  Republican  party,  and  he  is  ever  inter- 
ested in  matters  of  public  interest  and  is  wide- 
awake to  the  progress  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Hudson  was  married  September  9,  1891  to 
Miss  Kate  Evans  of  Sullivan  who  is  also  proud  to 
claim    Moultrie    County    as    her    birthplace.      Mrs. 


Hudson  is  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  Evans,  de- 
ceased, and  possesses  the  nobility  of  mind  and 
geniality  of  disposition  which  wins  her  friends 
wherever  she  may  be.  The  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity, who  are  proud  of  the  acquaintance  of  her- 
self and  Mr.  Hudson,  wish  them  every  bappiness 
in  the  union  upon  which  they  have  recently  en- 
tered. 


EORGE  SCHOCH.     It  is  with  pleasure  that 

__  we  incorporate  in  this  Record  a  brief  ac- 
count of  the  life  of  this  respected  citizen 
of  Tower  Hill  Township.  Shelby  County.  He  has 
borne  a  worthy  part  in  the  agricultural  work  of 
the  county,  and  in  that  of  social  and  benevolent 
circles,  and  to  every  position  he  has  brought  the 
energy  and  earnestness  which  are  his  chief  char- 
acteristics. As  a  farmer,  he  uses  excellent  judg- 
ment in  the  preparation  of  the  soil  for  ciops.  in  the 
character  of  the  produce  raised,  and  reaps  a  cor- 
responding harvest.  Buildings  suited  to  the  vari- 
ous needs  of  the  family  and  farm  economy  have 
been  erected  and  everywhere  the  indications  are  of 
peace  and  plenty.  The  estate  is  pleasantly  located 
on  section  4  and  comprises  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres. 

Mr.  Schoch  is  one  of  our  German- American  citi- 
zens, who  have  aided  so  materially  in  the  develop- 
ment of  our  country.  He  was  born  in  YVurteiu- 
berg,  Germany,  October  9,  1840,  and  grew  to 
manhood  in  his  native  land.  In  the  excellent  pub- 
lic schools  of  tin'  Fatherland  he  gleaned  a  good 
education  and  at  the  same  time  assisted  his  father 
in  the  farm  work,  for  which  he  had  a  natural  apti- 
tude. His  parents  were  Leonard  ami  Magdelena 
(Knodler)  Schoch.  who  passed  their  entire  lives  in 
Germany.  George  Schoch,  the  subject  of  this  bio- 
graphical notice,  remained  in  Germany  until  he 
was  about  twenty-four  years  old.  anil  in  September, 
1865,  took  passage  for  America. 

Lauding  in  New  York  Mr.  Schoch  proceeded  di- 
rectly to  Shelbyville,  this  county,  where  for  about 
three  years  he  worked   out    on    a    farm.     He   then 


PORTRAIT  AXD  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


653 


rented  land  for  about  three  years,  and  by  careful 
hoarding  of  his  hard  earned  money  he  was  enabled 
in  ls71  to  purchase  a  tract  of  forty  acres  in  Tower 
Hill  Township.  He  afterward  added  to  the  acreage 
a-  suited  1 1 i  —  convenience  ami  now  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres,  nearly  all  of  which  i-  in 
cultivation,  lie  erected  a  commodious  residence 
mi  his  farm,  and  in  various  ways  embellished  his 
property.  Possessing  good  judgment  and  untir- 
ing energy  he  naturally  ranks  among  the  foremost 
farmers  of   the  community. 

When  prepared  to  establish  domestic  ties  of  his 
own,  Mr.Schoch  was  married  in  Tower  Hill  Town- 
ship, to  Man  Weidle,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  April 
8,  1852.  Unto  them  were  born  six  children,  namely: 
Charlie  F..  Lizzie  11..  Rickey  K..  Minnie  A..  Will- 
iam G.  and  Emma  C.  Mrs.  Schoch  is  the  daughter 
of  Frederick  and  Rickey  (  Reossler)  Weidle.  natives 
of  Wurtem berg,  Germany,  who  came  to  America 
in  1852  and  settled  in  Preble  County,  Ohio.  In 
L857  they  came  to  Illinois  settling  in  Rural  Town- 
ship, Shelby  County,  where  Mr.  Weidle  died  in 
1859.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  both  faithful 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  are  noted  fi  ir 
their  benevolent  and  kindly  dispositions.  Politi- 
cally, Mr.  Schoch  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never 
sought  office,  preferring  domestic  i|uiet  to  the  tur- 
moil attached  to  a  public  career. 


*>^<§ 


©be- 


*7T  BRAM    L.    KELLAR,    M.    1).     The    good 

<■/  - 1      old  doctor  of   pioneer  day-    won     hi-    wa\ 
/     •     into  the  good  graces  of  every   family  in 
Qj  all  the  region  round  about,  for  his  sturdy 

but  kindly  character  won  the  hearts  of  the  mothers 
and  children  and  his  judgment  and  skill  compelled 
the  respect  of  the  hard-working  pioneer  men.  It 
i-  possible  that  the  position  of  a  doctor  who  has 
long  held  sway  in  a  community  embodies  an  ideal 
life  as  far  as  influence  and  standing  go.  Such  a 
life  has  been  that  of  the  well-known  doctor  and 
old  settler  whose  home  has  been  in  this  countj 
most  of  the  time  since  1832  and  who-.-  name  ap- 
pears  at  the  head  of  this  paragraph. 

Dr.  Kellar  was  graduated  from   the   medical    de- 


partment of  the  university  at  Louisville,  Ky..  and 
began  active  practice  in  1852  at  Decatur,  bul  four 
Veal's  later  made  Sullivan  his  permanent  home, 
with  the  exception  of  the  decade  1865—1875, 
which  he  spent  at  Shelhyville.  He  is  a  physician 
of  the  regular  school  and  ha-  been  one  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  county  since  hi-  settlement  here. 
His  parents  were  pioneer-  in  Macon  County  when 
he  was  a  little  hoy  at  a  time  when  thai  county  ivn- 
all  an  unbroken  wilderness. 

The  Doctor  was  horn  in  Oldham  County.  Ky., 
December  16,  1827,  and  i>  the  youngest  member  of 
lii-  father's  family.  His  father  Abraham  H.  Kellar. 
was  a  native  of  Tennessee  and  a  son  of  William 
Kellar.  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth  who  grew  up 
among  the  Dutch  farmers  and  when  he  had  leached 

manh 1  removed  to  Tennessee  and  then-  married 

Miss  Rebecca  Netherton,  who  came  of  a  prominent 
family  in  that  region.  After  their  marriage  and 
the  birth  of  some  of  their  children  William  Kellar 
and  wife  removed  to  Oldham  County.  Ivy.,  and 
there  became  pioneer-,  for  they  made  their  loca- 
tion in  that  State  in  the  last  decade  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century.  In  that  county  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  days  living  to  an  extreme  old 
age.  Mrs.  Kellar  especially,  as  she  died  at  the  age 
of  ninety-four.  Her  husband  had  been  a  preacher 
in  the  old  school  Baptist  Church  for  year-  and  for 
generations  the  family  adhered  to  that  church  in 
religion  and  to  the  Democratic  party  in  politic-. 

Abraham  II.  Kellar.  who  came  with  his  parents 
when  three  years  old  to  Oldham  County,  Ky..  was 
there  married  to  Nancy  .1.  Hitt.  who  was  horn  in 
the  Mine  Grass  regions  of  Fayette  County,  Ky. 
This  couple  with  their  children  emigrated  in  1832 
to  what  is  now  Moultrie  County,  111.,  locating  near 
the  present  site  of  the  village  of  l.ovington.  al- 
though there  was  not  then  a  town  in  the  county 
and  only  five  families  within  it-  present  limit. 
They  came  with  wagon-,  ox-tea  m-  and  a  horse  and 
camped  out  upon  the  way.  passing  through  a 
sparsely  settled  country. 

The  parents  took  (iovernmeut  land  and  here 
began  life  in  Illinois  about  the  time  that  the  In- 
dian- left  this  region.  The  county  was  thickly 
inhabited  by  wild  game  and  last  but  not  Least,  as 
the  Doctor  savs.  there  were  then  great  numbers   of 


654 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


rattlesnakes  upon  the  prairies,  lit-  at  nut.- time 
killed  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  sizable  snakes  in 
breaking  ten  acres  of  land.  Before  the  death  of 
A  brain  11.  Kellar,  which  occurred  when  he  was 
sixty-five  years  old,  he  had  secured  a  comfortable 
home  and  life  hail  grown  easier  for  the  farming 
community.  His  widow  returned  to  Kentucky  and 
her  days  ended  under  the  roof  of  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Paulina  Hike- mar  Louisville,  Ky.,  after  she 
had  reached  the  age  of  four-score  years  and  four. 
.Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abraham  Kellar  were  formerly 
Baptists,  but  in  1828  they  joined  the  Reformation 
and  became  active  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  in  whose  communion  they  continued 
through  life.  Mr.  Kellar  was  familiarly  knownfor 
many  years  as  "Hickory"  Kellar  on  account  of  his 
Jacksonian  faith  which  was  Democracy  of  the 
deepest  dye.  The  two  brothers  of  our  subject  are 
II.  V.  Kellar,  a  Christian  minister  at  Effingham, 
111.,  and  Joel  II..  who  lives  in  Scotland  County. 
Mo.  The  sisters  who  are  living  are  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Albert  (1.  Snyder  of  Elk  County.  Kan., 
and  Paulina,  wife  of  Edward  J.  Hikes  living  near 
Louisville. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  in  Decatur 
to  Miss  .lane  E.  Cantrill.  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Hall)  Cantrill,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
whose  daughter  was  horn  in  Illinois.  They  resided 
in  this  State  until  death  and  passed  away  at  the 
ages  of  eighty-one  and  fifty-eight  years  respect- 
ively, being  much  mourned  and  deeply  respected 
for  their  true  Christian  faith.  Mrs.  Kellar  is  the 
mother  of  five  children,  viz:  Charles  II..  who  married 
Sarah  Dilsaver,and  is  a  painter  by  trade  in  Beatrice. 
Ncli.:  Addie  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Goodwin, 
City  Treasurer  of  Pomona.  Cal.:  Edgar  II..  married 
Lyda  Stewart  and  is  a  minister  in  the  Christian 
Church  in  St.  Louis.  Mo.;  Lizzie  M.  and  N.  Pearl 
reside  at  home  and  are  receiving  at  the  hands  of 
their  parents  a  liberal  education. 

The  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church  and  the  ability,  in- 
telligence and  zeal  of  this  gentleman  has  fitted 
him  to  do  excellent  work  in  the  church  and  he  fre- 
quently tills  the  pulpit  with  profit,  and  acceptably. 
He  is  known  as  a  fluent  speaker  and  a  natural  ora- 
tor and  has  a  reputation  as  a   logician,  and    he    is 


frequently  called  upon  to  make  speeches  on  vari- 
ous subjects  and  is  never  at  a  loss  for  f orcible 
thought  and  expression.  He  was  formerly  an  ac- 
tive worker  in  the  Democratic  party  but  is  now 
alive  to  the  interests  of  prohibition  and  votes  to 
pu1  down  the  saloon,  lie  i-  a  member  of  Blue 
Lodge  No.  7fH  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  for  four 
years  was  Master  Mason  in  the  old  lodge  before  the 
re-organization.  He  is  a  man  of  somewhat  portly 
figure,  striking  appearance  and  has  an  excellent 
voice  which  -land-  him  in  good  stead  in  his  public 
addresses. 


2*$*.$**!"!*  *ST;  S§i  *!*-}*  *■!*•*• - 


HILIP  ROESSLER.  The  readers  of  this 
volume  will  be  interested  to  pursue  still 
farther  the  history  of  the  Roessler  family, 
one  of  the  most  prominent  and  respected 
circles  of  Rose  Township.  Shelby  County.  The 
representative  whose  name  we  give  here  is  one  of 
the  most  thorough-going  fanners  ami  intelligent 
and  representative  citizens  of  his  section  of  the 
county.  His  parents  are  spoken  of  moreat  length 
in  the  history  of  his  brother,  Edward  Roessler. 

six  children  gathered  about  the  parental  fireside 
and  among  these  our  subject  was  the  youngest  son 
and  next  to  the  youngest  child.  He  was  born  in 
Fairliehl  County,  Ohio,  near  Lancaster,  July  7. 
1837.  Here  he  spent  hi-  boyhood  days  and  came 
with  his  father  to  shelly  County  in  1849,  growing 
to  maturity  in  Pose  Township.  He  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  married,  and  then  settled  upon 
the  old  home  farm  where  he  ha-  since  resided.  His 
bride  was  Sarah  E.  Barringer,  who  was  born  in 
Montgomery  County,  111.,  in  ls:!7.  Their  wedding 
took  place  in  Pose  Township,  in  October,  I860. 
Tliis  wife  bore  him  two  children,  Stephen  A.  and 
Mary  s..  the  daughter  dying  when  fifteen  years 
old.  and  the  mother  being  called  away  in  October, 
1864. 

Tlie  second  marriage  of  our  subjecttook  place  in 
Rose  Township,  Februarj  22.  1870,  his  wife  being 
Mary  E.  Gearhart,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania. 
She  became  the  mother  of  four  children:  Theodore 
.!..  Arthur  II..  Nellie   M.  and  Emma  F.     Mrs.  Man 


PORTRAIT   AND   l'.K  )( IRAl'lIK  AL    RECORD. 


655 


V..  Roessler  died  in  September,  1878.  Hi-  third  wife 
was  Florence  M.  Gearhart,  who  died  in  June,  1880. 
The  lad\  who  now  presides  so  graciously  aver  the 
household  of  Mr.  Roessler,  bore  the  maiden    name 

of  Mary  M.  Kull  and  was  born  in  Shelby  County. 
Five  children  have  crowned  this  union,  munch  : 
Ralph  K..  Luther  M.,  Charles  A.,  [ra  1'.  and  Will- 
iam ( ). 

Agricultural  pursuits  have  always  claimed  the 
attention  of  Mr.  Roessler  and  he  i-  uow  the  owner 
of  two  hundred  acres  of  rich  ami  fertilesoil  which 
bears  upon  it  excellent  improvements,  and  com- 
fortable and  commodious  buildings.  Hi-  neighbors 
have  placed  him  in  several  offices  of  responsibility 
and  trust.  IK'  has  been  Collector  for  four  terms, 
Assessor  for  one  term  ami  School  Director  for 
several  years,  lie  lias  taken  quite  an  active  part 
in  political  affairs,  is  in  sympathy  with  the  Labor 
Union  movement  ami  a  member  of  the  Farmers' 
Mutual  Benefit  Association.  His  religious  training 
ami  associations  have  led  him  to  unite  himself 
with  (he  Lutheran  Church  in  which  his  wife  is  also 
an  active  member.  lie  has  contributed  liberally  both 
to  tin'  support  and  building  of  the  church,  and  i- 
:i  man  of  broad  intelligence  and  one  of  the  efficient 
promoters    of    all   movements  designed  to  forward 

the    best   interest-    of  tlie    community.     His  g 1 

wife  bears  a  high  reputation  for  housewifely  skill 
and  management  and  her  hospitality  and  geniality 
make  her  a  decided  favorite  in  the  social  circle-  of 
Rose   Township. 


V 


♦5S*=* 


3-SS- 


/ACOB  N.  JONES,  who  is  the  head  of  the 
linn  of  .lone-  ami  Son-,  merchants  in  Wind- 
sor, Shelby  County,  this  state,  was  born  in 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio.  March  27.  L828. 
lie  was  reared  on  a  farm  where  he  remained  until 
seventeen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  left  home 
and  started  out  to  make  a  fortune  for  himself. 
When  he  was  but  three  years  of  age  his  father  re- 
moved to  Clermont  County.  Ohio,  and  there  they 
lived  until  our  subject  left  the  home  roof.  With  the 
sanguineness  of  youth  he  felt  that  the  world  lay  be- 


fore him  lo  conquer  a-  he  would,  anil  he  was  eager 
lo  try  hi-  Strength  with  its  difficulties  and  hard- 
ships. 

On  leaving  home,  he  wenl  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  learned  to  make  counter  scales.  He  served  a 
Short  apprenticeship  to  this  business  and  then 
worked  at  it  for  about  two  yeai'-.  and  for  some 
time  after  he  was  engaged  in  daguerreotyping, 
and  in  1  s."i4.  came  to  stark  County,  this  State,  and 
at  once  launched  into  farming  on  his  own  account. 
This  he  continued  for  ten  years  being  successful  in 
his  chosen  calling.  In  the  latter  part  of  1863, how- 
ever, he  removed  to  Moultrie  County,  this  State, 
and  purchased  a  farm  which  hewas  engaged  in  im- 
proving for  a  period  of  less  than  one  year.  He 
then  removed  to  Windsor  and  was  employed  as 
clerk  in  a  store.  From  that  time  he  launched  into 
mercantile  business  for  himself,  and  since  then  lie 
has  been  in  partnership  with  different  persons.  In 
1X81  he  founded  his  present  partnership,  by  admit- 
ting his  son,  Wilbur  11.  into  the  business,  and  in 
1890,  his  son  Jacob  was  added  to  the  firm.  The\ 
carry  on  an  extensive  business  both  in  the  town 
and  in  the  neighboring  agricultural  region. 

Mr.  .lone-  was  married  in  Clermont  County,  <  Miio. 
to  Mary  Myser,  who  was  also  a  native  of  the 
county  in  which  -he  was  married.  Their  marriage 
wa-  celebrated  June  1.  1857,  and  Mr-,  .lone-  died 
October  1.  1887.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children  whose  names  areas  follow-:  Wilbur  II.. 
Susan  B.,  Willie.  Jacob  ami  Frank.  The  young 
men  are  all  ambitious  and  energetic,  and  their  en- 
trance into  their  father's  business  has  been  to  the 
advantage  both  of  themselves  and  the  firm. 

Our  subject  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  prefer- 
ence. Religiously  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  ha-  tilled  the  office  of  Trus- 
tee for  some  time.  Mr.  Jones  is  the  owner  of  con- 
siderable property  in  various  parts  of  the  county. 
He  Owns  one  hundred  and  -event  \ -two  acre-  of 
land  in  Windsor  Township,  and  valuable  property 
in  the  village  of  Windsor.  Our  subject's  father 
wa-  John  C.  Jones,  who  was  born  in  Jefferson 
(  iiimtv.  Ohio,  llis  mother's  maiden  name  was  Isa- 
bella Williams,  a  native  of  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  and  was  born  near  Brownsville,  she  died  in 
Stark  County,  III.,  when  about  sixtv-three  years  of 


656 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


age.  Her  husband  passed  away  in  Windsor,  111.,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years.  They  were 
the  parents  of  twelve  children,  seven  sons  and  live 
daughters.  Of  these  our  subject  was  the  second  in 
order  of  birth. 

The  young  men  who  have  been  taken  into  part- 
nership  with  their  father,  have  made  homes  Cor 
themselves.  Wilbur  11.  lias  placed  over  his  domes- 
tie  life.  Miss  Mollie  Moberly.  They  were  married 
October  19,  1881,  and  have  a  pleasant  home  in  the 
village.  Jacob  married  Mis>  Caddie  Russel,  and 
makes  a  model  husband.  Our  subject  is  a  thor- 
ough business  man.  and  his  credit  has  never  been 
impaired  by  carelessness  or  misjudgment.  He  has 
a  good  store  with  a  carefully  and  well  selected 
stoek  of  goods.  Their  residence  is  a  comfortable 
and  commodious  place,  not  too  good  for  the  en- 
joyment of  everything  in  and  around  it.  by  the 
members  of  the  family. 


I1ILIP  A.  MAUTZ.  One  of  the  German- 
American  citizens  in  Tower  Hill  Town- 
ship who  emigrated  to  America  that,  under 
the  star-spangled  banner,  he  might  reap 
the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  an  unlimited  free- 
dom, is  the  gentleman  who  resides  on  the  farm 
which  he  has  made  conspicuous  for  its  nicety  of 
cultivation,  on  section  6.  of  Tower  Hill  Township. 
On  coming  to  the  United  States,  he  proceeded  at 
once  to  Shelby  County,  this  State,  where  he  arriv- 
ed October  13.  1856. 

Philip  Mautz  is  a  son  of  George  G.  and  Mar- 
garet C.  (Anger)  Mautz.  Our  subject  was  born  in 
Wurtemberg,  Germany.  September  27.  1850.  In 
1856.  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United  states 
and  soon  settled  m  Shelby  County.  They  remov- 
ed, however,  to  Ridge  Township,  where  the  father 
died  June  8.  1856.  at  the  age  of  forty  years.  The 
mother  is  still  living  and  resides  with  our  subject, 
having  attained  the  threescore  years  and  ten  allot- 
ted in  Scripture.  She  is  the  mother  of  eight  child- 
ren born,  with  the  exception  of  one  child,  in  the 
Fatherland.  Of  the  eight  children  above  men- 
tioned, only  three  lived  to  years  of  maturity.  They 


are  Elizabeth  C,  Barbara  M.  and  our  subject.  Eliz- 
abeth is  the  wife  of  Jacob  Galster,  of  Rural  Town- 
ship. Barbara  married  Jacob  Doll,  and  resides  in 
Tower  Hill;  our  subject  is  the  only  living  son. 
lli>  education  was  acquired  for  the  most  part  in 
the  United  States,  having  here  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools.  With  his  mother  he  removed  to  the 
place  where  they  now  live  in  September.  1866.  at 
which  time  his  mother  purchased  ninety-four  acres 
of  new  prairie  land,  which  our  subject  has  impro- 
ved and  of  which  he  has  made  a  most  desirable 
home.  He  also  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  in    Dallas  County.  Mo. 

February  14.  1  s 7 .s .  he  of  whom  we  write,  invited 
to  be  mistress  of  his  home  .Mary  S.  ('.  Luepke.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Dora  Luepke.  She 
was  born  in  Prussia  and  came  to  the  United  States 
with  her  parents  when  but  seven  years  old.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mautz  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church.  Our  subject  gives  special  atten- 
tion to  the  breeding  of  line  Clydesdale  horses,  and 
is  the  owner  of  the  well  known  stallion.  "  Colonel 
Mills."  No.  1057. also  "Heirloom"'  No.  8691,  regis- 
tered in  Vol.  13,  of  the  Clydesdale  Stud  Book  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  No.  6021  of  the  Amer- 
ican Clydesdale  Stud  Book. 


*4* 


— "N* 


,jEUBEN  TERRY.  Prominent  in  agricult- 
ural and  church  circles  is  the  family  repre- 
sented by  our  subject,  who  resides  on  sec- 
tion 22,  Okaw  Township,  Shelby  County. 
He  was  born  in  Bourbon  County.  Ky.,  December 
10,  1832,  being  a  son'  of  Reuben  and  Elizabeth 
(Dazey)  Terry,  who  in  1833  when  this  son  was  in 
his  early  infancy  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
( )kaw  Township. 

Reuben  Terry.  Sr..  made  his  first  home  in  Illinois 
for  a  short  time  with  his  father-in-law  Lemuel 
Dazey  and  somewhat  later  made  a  settlement  on  the 
section  which  is  now  the  family  home,  and  where 
he  resided  until  his  death  which  occurred  April  2. 
1881.  He  was  bereaved  of  his  beloved  and  faith- 
ful companion  September  5,  1851.  She  had  been 
the  mother  of  eleven  children,  two  of  whom  died 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAJ     RECORD. 


65 1 


in  infancy  and  nine  grew  to  the  age  of  maturity. 
They  were  as  follows:  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Allen 
Francisco,  of  Oka  a  Township;  John,  who  died  in 
Mississippi  while  traveling  for  his  health;  Sarah, 
\vln>  married  Alfred  Doddy  and  died  in  Okaw 
Township;  Vincent,  deceased;  Reuben,  our  subject; 
Lemuel,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  John  A. 
Eearman;  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years  and  George,  who  livesin  Shelbyville.  Their 
mother  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  gave  to  all  her  children  a  thorough 
training  in   the  doctrines  and  duties    of    religion. 

()ur  subject,  who  is  the  oldest  of  the  living  mem- 
bers of  his  father's  family,  was  reared  upon  the 
farm  and  attended  the  pioneer  schools  which  were 
held  in  the  old  log  cabins,  ventilated  l>\  large  fire 
places  and  furnished  with  rough  hewn  seats  and 
benches.  In  August,  1854,  he  was  married  to 
Martha  K.  Shanks,  daughter  of  -1(11111  K.  and  Mild- 
red (Johnson)  Shanks.  This  lady  was  bom  in 
Okaw  Township,  May  '!■>.  1837,  and  was  of  South- 
ern parentage,  her  father  being  a  native  of  Del- 
aware and  her  mother  of  Virginia. 

Mr.  and  Mre.  Shanks  were  married  in  Kentucky 
in  1831,  and  came  to  Illinois  about  1835.  [nearly 
life  he  had  been  a  shoemaker,  but  after  coming  to 
Okaw  Township,  he  pursued  farming  as  his  life 
work.  He  was  called  from  earth,  July  20,  1855, 
luit  his  bereaved  widow  survived  until  the  fall  of 
1H77.  Of  their  six  children,  Mary  Ann  married 
Jacob  Jackson  and  died  near  Jefferson  (  ity,  Mo.. 
wlile  removing  to  Kansas.  Elizabeth  .1.  married 
Smith  I!.  Chapman  and  resides  in  Okaw  Town- 
ship. Martha  K.  is  the  wife  of  Mr.  Terry.  John 
F.  resides  in  Okaw  Township;  Lucy  C.  married  D. 
D.  Anders  and  has  been  for  mail)  years  a  will- 
ow of  the  Civil  War.  resident  in  Shelbyville;  Da- 
vid 11..  who  wa-  a  member  of  the  Seventh  Ill- 
inois Cavalry  was  killed  near  Nashville.  Decemlier 
1.").  1864. 

After  marriage  Mr.  Terry  purchased  forty  acres 
of  line  land  from  his  father,  upon  which  he  began 
the  independent  life  of  a  farmer  which  he  lias  pur- 
sued to  the  present  day.  He  now  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres,  on  which  he  has  erected  good 
buildings,  lie  and  his  worthy  wife  have  reared  a 
family  of  five  children:   Mary   E.,  wife   of    Lawson 


Hendricks;  John  VV.,  George  R.,  Ella  A.,  wife  of 
William  Price;  Sue  .1..  wife  of  .1.  i;.  Warthman. 
During  the  war  Mr.  Terry  was  a  I'nion  man  and 
in  1860  he  cast  hi-  ballot  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas. 
He  is  now  independent  in  hi-  political  views  and 
ha-  served  a-  Supervisor,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Road  Commissioner.  W'iin  his  excellent  wife  he 
i- a  member  of  the    Methodist    Episcopal   Church. 


■yWyh^J  p  ..  w  pJb 


>     I     I    l     I 


■^  HARLES  SHUMAN.  Sullivan.  Moultrie 
County,  is  happy  in  having  among  its  list 
of  citizens  a  number  of  nun  who  are  deeply 
interested  in  educational  affairs,  and  sufficiently 
capable  of  being  intelligent  guides  of  its  public 
schools.  Among  such  we  count  Mr.  shuinan.  a 
practical  and  successful  farmer  living  in  Sullivan, 
and  managing  a  farm  upon  sections  7  and  18.  East 
Nelson  Township.  He  then1  has  a  splendid  prop- 
erty of  four  hundred  and  forty-two  acres,  which  is 
well  stocked,  and  most  of  it  handsomely  improved. 
IK-  is  a  thrifty  and  practical  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  and  handles  line  breeds  of  stock. 

Besides  his  agricultural  pursuits  lie  has  been  for 
some  live  years  associated  with  the  Sullivan  Pro- 
gress as  he  removed  to  Sullivau  from  East  Nelson 
Town-hip    several    year-   ago.       He    was   elected  in 

1  ss-j  by  the  Democracy  of  the  county  to  the  office 

of  County  Clerk,  which  position  he  filled  with 
much  satisfaction  for  eighl  years,  hi-  second  term 
closing  in    1890.       lor  a   number    of   vears  he  wa-   a 

member  of    the  Board  of  Supervisors   while  living 

in   East   Nel-on.  and    has    been   in   the  county    -ince 

1861.  He  was  educated  for  a  teacher  al  Lebanon. 
111.,  where  he  wa-  graduated  at  Mclvendree  College 

in    the    Class    of    '72.   and    afterward    taught   ill  St. 

Clair  County  for  some  four  winter-.  He  had  been 
a  student  in  the  city  school-  of  Shelbyville  before 
entering  college.  He  began  to  teach  in  the  public- 
schools  in  1872,  and  then  engaged  in  farming  for 
a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Shuman  was  born  in  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa,,  February  21,  1843,  his  father.  Charles 
G.  Shuman.  having  come  to  thel'uited  States  from 
Germany  when  a  young  man.  and  having  learned 
there  the  trade   of   a   shoemaker.      In   that    city  he 


(158 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


married  his  wife,  Mary  Eberhart,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  Germany,  and  who  bad  com,-  to  this 
country  when  young.  After  the  birth  of  two  chil- 
dren this  worthy  couple  removed  to  Louisville, 
Ivy.,  and  there  the  father  started  a  shop  and  con- 
ducted a  prosperous  business  until  1847,  when  he 
removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Edgar  County, 
111.,  and  there  built  up  a  trade  at  Dudley.  In  that 
village  Charles  G.  Shuman  passed  away  in  1*77. 
having  reached  the  limits  of  three-score  years  and 
ten.  He  was  a  Lutheran  in  religion  and  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics.  In  his  religious  principles  his  wife 
sympathized  must  cordially,  and  she  is  -till  con- 
nected with  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  i-  living  in 
Edgar  County,  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

Five  sons  and  two  daughters  of  this  family  are 
now  living  and  are  self-sustaining.  He  of  whom 
we  write  was  married  in  East  Nelson  Township,  to 
Mi-s  Mary  McPheeters,  who  was  born  in  Fayette 
County.  Ivy..  January  25,  1848.  "-heir  a  daughter 
of  Maj.  Addison  McPheeters,  for  whose  Culler  his- 
tory our  reader  is  referred  to  the  biography  of  Mr. 
A.  W.  McPheeters.  Mrs. Shuman  wasquite  young 
when  her  parents  came  to  Illinois,  and  here  she  re- 
ceived her  education  and  made  her  home  until 
marriage.  She  is  now  the  mother  of  four  children, 
all  of  whom  arc  still  under  the  parental  roof  except 
one  son.  who  lias  passed  to  the  better  world.  Those 
who  are  at  home  are  Bertha,  Bliss  and  Irving.  Mrs. 
Shuman  is  an  earnest  and  active  member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  where  the  entire 
family  attend  service.  Mr.  Shuman  is  prominently 
identified  with  the  Blue  Lodge  of  Masons, No.  7i>4 
of  Sullivan,  and  is  at  present  the  Treasurer  of  the 
lodge.  He  is  a  great  lover  of  education  and  one 
of  the  most  useful  members  of  the  School   Board. 


•^1 


H 


m\ 


'  GORGE  A.  DURKEE.     The  original  of  our 

G  sketch  is  a  worthy  representative  of  an  old 
and  well-known  family  of  the  New  Eng- 
land States.  From  them  he  has  inherited  a  strong 
mentality,  which  has  been  intelligently  directed 
and  he  is  now  recognized  as  being  one  of  the 
intellectual,    broad   thinking   men    of  this  section. 


His  superior  mental   caliber  is  recognized   by    his 

town-men.  and  he  has  been  appointed  to  some 
positions  of  honor  and  trust.  Several  times  he 
has  been  sent  as  a  Republican  delegate  to  the 
state  Conventions  and  is  the  proud  possessor  of  a 
souvenir  of  one  of  these  missions,  in  the  shape  of 
a  gavel  made  out  of  a  rail  which  Abraham  Lincoln 
hewed  out  with  Ids  own  hand-.  This  he  received 
a-  (.  hairman  of  the  County  Central  Committee. 

George  A.  Durkee  is  a  grandson  of  Dr.  John 
Durkee,  a  native  of  Vermont,  who  came  of  Ameri- 
can parentage,  although  very  likely  of  French  ex- 
traction. He  studied  to  become  a  physician  and 
followed  his  profession  for  many  years,  although 
he  was  at  the  same  time  proprietor  of  a  large  farm 
which  he  continued  to  manage  until  the  end  of  his 
life. 

He  married  his  wife  in  Vermont.  The  lady's 
maiden  name  was  Corinna  Winters,  she  was  horn 
and  reared  in  the  Green  Mountain  state,  and 
after  the  birth  of  their  first  -on.  David,  who  was 
the  father  of  our  subject,  Dr.  Durkee  and  wife 
removed  to  the  Genesee  Valley,  New  York, 
when  that  section  was  new.  After  ten  or  twelve 
year-,  the  family  continued  Westward  and  settled 
in  Indiana,  in  the  same  year  in  which  the  State 
was  admitted  to  the  Union,  1816.  They  settled  in 
Vigo  County,  near  Terre  Haute.  The  country  was 
quite  wild  at  the  time.  They  had  proceeded  thither 
down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Wabash  Rivers,  in  an 
i'ld  style  keel  boat.  The  State  was  just  beginning 
to  be  settled  when  they  came.  They  procured  a 
tract  of  Government  land  upon  which  they  began 
to  make  a  home.  It  was  there  that  David  F.  was 
married  to  Ereelove  Frink.  about  1820.  The  lady 
was  bora  and  reared  in  New  York,  and  wa-  a 
young  woman  when  she  came  West  with  some  of 
her  neighbors. 

After  the  marriage  of  David  F.  and  his  young 
wife,  they  began  life  as  farmers  near  Terre  Haute, 
and  there  our  subject  was  born  April  1.  1823.  In 
the  spring  of  1*27).  David  F..  wife  and  children 
moved  to  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.,  and  there 
secured  a  tract  of  Government  land,  upon  which 
they  made  many  improvements,  and  they  secured 
a  comfortable  home.  Dr.  John  Durkee  and  wife 
had  also   gone    to  that    country,    and    there    they 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


659 


(Hod.  the  Doctor  aged  sixty-three.  His  wife  sur- 
\  ived  him  for  some  years  and  passed  away  :it  four- 
score  years.  They  were  members  and  adherents  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  were  well  known  and 
highly  respected  pioneers  of  Indiana. 

In  1848,  David  F.  Durkee,  wife  and  children, 
emigrated  to  this  State, making  the  journey  by  the 
overland  route  and  bringing  their  worldly  posses- 
sions with  them  by  teams.  They  made  a  settle- 
ment on  good  land  in  Pickaway  Township,  Shelby 
County,  and  here  they  made  a  home  and  some 
progress  toward  improving  the  farm.  They  later 
retired  to  Shelbyville,  and  there  David  F.  died 
December  28,  1871,  being  then  seventy  years  of 
age.  1 1  i>  wife  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter  in 
Wells  County,  this  Mate-  in  1881.  she  was  born 
in  1798,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Durkee  was  an  old  line  Whig  in 
politics  and  an  active  local  politician,  though  not 
an  office  seeker. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  eight 
children,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  A  brother 
James  is  a  hanker  in  Eureka,  Kan.,  and  a  sister, 
who  is  now  Mrs.  William  Tackit,  of  whom  a  bio- 
graphical sketch  may  be  found  in  another  part  of 
this  volume.  He  of  whom  we  write  became  of 
age  in  Tippecanoe  County,  lie  remained  with  his 
father  until  his  marriage,  working  in  hi>  mill  and 
factoiy.  lie  married  Miss  Salome  Ellis,  their 
nuptial-  being  celebrated  .March  .">.  1846.  The  lady 
was  born  in  Ohio,  near  Dayton,  August  7.  1826. 
she  was  quite  young  when  her  parents,  .lame-  1'. 
and  Elizabeth  (Swyhart)  Ellis  made  a   settlement 

in    Tippecanoe   County.   Ind.     There   her   ther 

died  in  middle  life.  Later  Mr.  Klli<  removed  to 
Illinois,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  in 
Iroquois  County.  He  and  his  wife  were  pioneers 
in  Indiana.  Mr.  Ellis  was  brought  up  under  the 
Quaker  persuasion,  but  in  later  years  neglected  to 
follow  the  customs  of  that  church.  Mrs.  Durkee 
was  one  of  a  large  family,  being  chiefly  reared  in 
Tippecanoe  (  ounty.  For  many  years  she  has  Keen 
a  true  and  loving  wife  to  her  husband,  ever  study- 
ing his  interests,  and  presiding  over  his  home  with 
grace  and  dignity,  she  has  been  his  intelligent 
helpmate  in  securing  and  improving  the  three 
hundred  and    forty  acres,   which    their   fine    farm 


comprises.  Our  subjeel  secured  his  first  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  from  the  Govern- 
ment. He  lias  improved  the  whole  of  what  he 
now  owns. 

Mrs.  Durkee  has  presented  her  husband  with  -ix 
children,  two  Of  whom  were  taken  away  while 
babes.  The  living  children  are  Walter  B.,  Fannie, 
.lame-  Edward,  besides  one  daughter  who  died  in 
1881.  Walter  took  to  wife  Bell  Kelley,  and  is  a 
farmer  in  Holland  Township.  Fannie  is  the  wife 
of  Albert  White  and  lives  in  Shelbyville.  .lames 
Edward  lives  on  a  farm  in  thi-  town-hip  and  made 
.lennie  French,  hi-  wife.  The  daughter  who  died 
was  the  wife  of  S.  A.  Martin,  and  passed  away  in 
her  thirty-first  year.  Mr.  and  Sirs.  Durkee  are 
kind  and  hospitable  people  and  have  a  hosl  of 
friend-  in  this  county.  Mr.  Durkee  is  one  of  the 
Leading  Republicans  of  the  country,  but  not  an 
office  seeker.  lie  is  an  ex-President  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Society  of  the  county,  having  occupied 
this  position  for  a  great  many  years.  He  has  been 
Vice  President  and  Director  from  the  second  year 
of  it-  organization. 


EDWARD  LEWIS  SHEPHERD  i-  a  resident 
of  Sullivan.  Moultrie  County,  being  for 
many  years  a  merchant  and  saloonist  on 
Main  street.  He  came  here  first  in  1861,  and  be- 
gan first  asa  restaurant  keeper,  merging  this  estab- 
lishment finally  into  a  general  -tore  until  1871, 
when  he  opened  a  bar  on  the  west  side  of  the  square 
where  he  has  been  engaged  for  several  years.  lie 
ha- been  a  very  careful  man  in  his  business.  He 
allows  no  game  of  chance  to  goon  within  the  walls 
of  his  house,  and  no  loafing  or  carousing  and  keeps 
strictly  within  the  bounds  of  the  law. 

Mr.  shenherd  was  born  in  Scott  County.  Ivy., 
August  11.  1832.  His  father.  William  Shepherd, 
wa-  a  native  of  Virginia,  ami  the  grandfather  a 
Frenchman,  who  .lied  in  the  Old  Dominion.  In 
that  State  William  Shepherd  grew  to  manhood  and 
took  part  a-  a  private  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812. 
After  seeing  much  hard  lighting  in  thatconflict,  he 


(">(•»(  I 


■OKTKAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


came  to  Woodford  County,  Ky.,  and  was  there 
united  in  marriage  with  Evaline  Ball,  a  native  of 
Virginia,  who  came  to  Kentucky  before  her  mar- 
riage. William  Shepherd  and  his  wife  lived  in 
Kentucky  until  their  children  had  all  grown  to  ma- 
turity, and  in  1854  they  came  a-  a  family  to  Sulli- 
van, and  here  the  father  died  March  15,  1871, hav- 
ing reached  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  His  wife 
survived  him.  but  passed  away  April  29,  1875. 
They  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  ami 
in  politics  Mr.  William  Shepherd  was  formerly  a 
Whig,  and  later  a  Democrat. 

Our  subject  was  the  third  child  and  second  son 
in  a  family  of  five  children.  The  two  daughters 
are  deceased,  viz:  Ann.  formerly  the  wife  of  S.  1*. 
Alexander:  and  Belle  who  passed  away  in  infancy  : 
John  B.  took  t">  wife  Sarah  Haydon,  and  now  lives 
in  Texarkana,  Ark.:  and  M.  T.,  a  banker  who  re- 
sides in  Lovington.  this  enmity.  His  wife  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Jenny  Mullikin.  Oursubjecl  was 
married  in  Franklin  County.  Ky.,  to  Miss  Ann  M. 
Hawkins,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1842,  on 
June  30,  and  died  in  Sullivan,  December  16,  1889, 
her  death  being  caused  l>\  a  cancer,  she  was  a 
woman  of  kin  illy  impulses  and  had  a  host  of  friends 
among  the  good  women  of  Sullivan,  and  was  an 
earnest  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  she  was 
tin  mother  <>t'  one  child,  Laura  B.,  who  died  in 
early  childhood,  in  1864.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shepherd 
have  been  foster  parents  to  two  children,  Maggie, 
who  1-  now  married  to  Walter  Craig  and  lives  in 
Sullivan,  and  Etta,  the  wife  of  George  B.  Bohling, 
who  i-  a  jeweler  in  Versailles.  Morgan  County, Mo. 


—J- 


w^    - 


oP^ 


M.  HOUSH,  living  on  a  beautiful  farm  of 
one  hundred  -ix  acres  on  section  1,  Flat 
Branch  Township,  Shelbj  County,isone  of 
the  thrifty  and  prominent  general  farm- 
ers and  breeders  of  stock  of  this  township.  The 
property  of  which  he  is  the  happy  possessor,  was 
accumulated  by  his  own  efforts  and  industry.  He 
has  greatl'  beautified  the  place  by  keeping  il  in 
perfect  order  and  erecting  thereon  an  attractive 
home  and    a  tine  and    niodernlv   constructed    barn, 


with  other  outbuildings  that  he-peak  the  care  and 
attention  bestowed  by  the  owner. 

Our  subject  began  his  successful  financial  career 
in  1*74.  since  which  time  he  has  accomplished  all 
that  so  evidently  marks  him  to  be  a  man  with 
practical  ideas  of  agriculture.  He  has  not  only  im- 
proved his  plaee  and  erected  the  buildings  thereon, 
bul  has  also  freed  il  from  debt  and  stocked  it  with 
fine  grades  of  horses,  sheep,  swine  and  cattle.  Vet 
young,  his  energy  and  ambition  destine  him  to  be 
a  rich  man  and  a  prominent  figure  in  his  commu- 
nity. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  has  spent  his  entire 
life  in  this  county,  with  the  exception  of  four  veal's 
during  which  he  was  in  the  Golden  state,  and  on 
the  shores  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  lie  was  not,  how- 
ever, engaged  there  as  a  miner,  although  he  was  an 
eager  searcher  for  the  precious  metal  bearing  the 
Government  stamp,  and  this  he  acquired  by  hon- 
est labor,  being  variously  engaged,  but  spending 
th<-  greater  part  of  his  time  in  teaming,  which  com- 
manded at  that  time,  the  best  price-.  He  went 
Wesl  in  the  fall  id'  1869,  and  returned  four  years 
later:  his  journey  out  was  made  by  the  overland 
route,  and  while  the  privations  and  discomfort  of 
traveling'  in  that  way.  were  many,  it  offered  unsur- 
passed opportunity  of  seeing  the  country  and  ob- 
serving its  various  feature.-. 

Mr.  tlousli  was  born  May  25,  1849, on  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns,  and  near  where  his  own 
house  now  stands.  As  he  grew  up  he  early 
learned  the  necessity  of  hard  labor,  and  realized  the 
truth  in  the  expression,  the  "survival  of  the  lil- 
tesl  "  and  thu-  determined  to  show  himself  a-  Strong 
as  am  in  the  struggle  for  a  livelihood.  A-  soon 
:i-  In-  developed  into  manhood  he  began  to  better 
his  condition.  He  i-  the  second  -on  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Armstrong)  Housh,  the  former  having 
died  near  Hastings.  Neb.,  iii  1888,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-four  year-.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  came  to  Illinois  while  young,  being  then  a  sin- 
gle man.  He  first  located  in  Shelby  County,  and 
was  "He  of  the  early  settlers  in  Flat  Branch  Town- 
ship, helping  with  the  general  improvements  at  the 
same  lime,  making  a  good  farm  and  home  for  him- 
self, and  wa-  fairly  successful  in  his  career.  His 
wife  was  a  native  of  tin-  Mate,  having  been   born 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


K61 


in  Madison  County,  although  reared  from  child- 
hood in  Shelby  County,  near  Pickaway  Township. 
She  is  yet  living  and  owns  a  neat  little  farm  of  her 
own  on  section  1.  Flat  Branch  Township,  and  al 

the  aire  of  sixty-seven,  her  faculties  are  undimned, 
and  she  is  as  bright  and  energetic  as  ever,  she  is 
now  recognized  a>  the  oldest  settler  of  Pickaway 
Township  now  living,  she  has  a  large  circle  of 
friends  who  are  the  comfort  and  pleasure  she  prom- 
ises her  declining  years.  For  many  year-  she  has 
been  a  prominent  member  of  the  <  >ld  School  Bap- 
tist Church. 

Oursubject  was  married  in  1*71  to  Miss  Rebecca 
Lord,  who  was  born  in  Macon  County,  111.,  in  1857. 
There  she  was  reared  to  womanhood.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  andMary  Lord,  both  -till  liv- 
ing and  prominent  farmer-  of  Macon  County.  ( >f 
the  seven  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Housh. 
one.  the  first  born,  died  young.  The  little  one  had 
been  christened  Nora  N.  The  living  children  are: 
Lottie  N.,  Gid.,  Nellie.  Karl.  Luella  and  Jessie.  All 
of  the  children  live  at  home,  and  are  at  the  same 
time  the  joy  and  care  of  their  devoted  parents. 


A.   LINVILL.     In  these  days  of  evolution 
in  every  branch  of  industry  it  seems  that 

every  man  who  has  any  originality  is  in 
himself  a  centrifugal  force,  attracting  to 
himself  new  idea.- and  methods  thai  go  to  make  the 
system  of  his  small  work  and  interests  complete. 
While  we  know  more  of  the  world  at  large  than 
evei  before,  in  our  specialties  we  are  all  specialists 
and  egotists.  Mr.  Linvill.  who  devotes  himself  to 
the  work  of  preparing  Hour  for  the  use  and  con- 
sumption of  mankind,  is  a  specialist  in  his  branch 
and  bends  every  energy  and  power  to  bringing  t<> 
hi-  work  ail  improvements  and  advantages  that  can 
give  him  the  best  results.  lie  is  the  proprietor  of 
the  New  Era  Roller  Process  Mills,  in  Windsor, this 
State,  and  under  his  able  management  the  mills 
turn  out  an  immense  quantity  of  the  farinaceous 
product. 

He  of  whom  we  write  was  horn  in  Fayette  (  <  unity. 
Ind.  March  17.  1837.     He  was  reared  On  a  farm  until 


he  attained  hi-  nineteenth  year;  at  that  time  he  made 
his  first  journey  out  into  the  world  and  went  into  the 
eastern  part  of  Kansas  where  he  took  upsomeland 
claim-  and  dealt  in  stock  to  some  extent.  The 
young  man  remained  in  the  then  perfectly  new 
state  for  two  year-,  during  which  he  had  many 
exciting  and  strange  adventures.  However,  at  the 
end  of  that  time  he  came  to  Moultrie  County,  this 
stale,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Whitley  Township, 
where  he  settled  and  remained  for  >ix  or  seven 
months,  being  there  engaged  in  farming.  He  came 
from  this  farm  to  Windsor  and  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  with  Dr.  C.  II.  Brunk,  the  firm  name  under 
which  they  conducted  their  business,  being  Brunk 
it  Linvill.  They  continued  this  partnership  for  a 
period  of  about  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  then  our 
subject  sold  out  his  interest  ami  confined  his 
attention  to  the  operating  of  his  farm  and  dealing 
in  stock,  lie  bought  the  flouring  mill  of  which  he 
is  proprietor  in  May.  1890.  It  has  a  capacity  for 
turning  out  fifty  barrels  of  Hour  daily. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  while  in  Moultrie 
County,  took  upon  himself  the  duties  ami  obli- 
gations of  marital  life.  In  October  30,  I860,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  . I.  Reed,  who  was  born 
in  Shelby  County.  111.  Three  bright  children  have 
come  to  gladden  their  home  and  brighten,  by  their 
intelligence  and  beautiful  merriment,  the  daily 
lives  of  our  subject  and  his  amiable  wife.  Their 
name-  are  Elizabeth  J.,  John  F.  and  Mary  B.  Mrs. 
Linvill  is  a  charming,  matronly  little  woman  and 
is  devoted  to  her  children,  although  one  of  the 
favorites  in  Windsor  society,  her  home  is  the  first 
and  most  important  object  in  her  estimation. 

Oursubject  own-  three  hundred  and  forty -.-ix 
acre-  of  land  which  is  located  partially  in  Shelby 
County  a  id  partially  in  Moultrie  County.  This  is 
well  cultivated  and  highly  productive  and  yields 
a  handsome  income  to  it-  owner.  Mr.  Linvill  i-  a 
member  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  elected 
under  his  party  as  first  Collector  of  Whitley  Town- 
ship, which  was  also  the  firsl  Town-hip  Collector 
in  that  county.  Both  our  subject  and  his  wife  are 
member.-  and  attendant-  of  the  Christian  Church 
of  which  Mr.  Linvill  is  Deacon. 

The  parents  of  him  of  whom  we  write  were  John 
and  Elizaheth  (Donelson)  Linvill.     The  former  was 


662 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


probably  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of 
Virginia.  They  were,  however,  both  reared  in 
Kentucky,  near  Lexington,  where  they  were  married 
and  lirst  settled.  From  there  they  removed  to 
Fayette  County,  hid.,  where  they  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  Our  subject's  father  was 
at  one  time  a  Methodist  preacher  but  about  1*43 
lie  espoused  the  doctrines  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  died  in  that  faith.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  tenth. 
Mr.  Linvill  is  a  public  spirited  man.  whose 
generous  impulses  are  governed  by  a  firm  and  steady 
intelligence.     He  and  his  wife  aie  associated   with 

the  best  people  of  the  place. 


~S 


;^«- 


e_ 


&~ 


MOM  AS  T.  TOWNLEY.  Men  of  strict  in- 
//j~n  tegrity,  whose  lives  arc  governed  by  pru- 
dence and  principle,  are  the  real  backbone 
of  any  community.  The  reliance  which  their  fel- 
low-men are  able  to  place  upon  them  strengthens 
every  commercial  transaction  and  reinforces  that 
confidence  in  human  nature  which  is  the  prime  cs- 
santial  in  all  dealings  between  man  anil  man.  This 
necessary  help  in  the  upbuilding  of  a  community 
is  given  by  such  men  as  Mr.  Townley,  an  old  set- 
tler of  East  Nelson  Township,  whose  active  life  has 
brought  him  into  relations  with  many  of  the  men 
in  Moultrie  County,  and  whose  public-spirited 
cour-e  has  ever  co  in  mended  him  to  those  who  have 
had  dealings  with  him. 

Our  subject  is  of  English  parentage,  his  lather. 
William,  having  been  born  in  Manchester  and  his 
mother.  Sarah  (Acton)  Townley.  being  also  a  native 
of  England.  They  were  married  August  :!.  181.5. 
The\  were  both  born  ill  Manchester.  This  worthy 
and  intelligent  family  came  to  America  about  the 
year  IN27.  although  the  father  had  come  to  this 
country  one  year  previous,  lie  was  a  machinist 
and  found  employment  in  the  manufacture  of  cot- 
ton thread  at,  Manayunk,  and  located  his  family 
in  that  city  some  eight  miles  from  the  city 
of  Philadelphia.  He  remained  there  for  about 
eight  years,  after  which  lie  took  charge  of  a 
machine   -hop    on    Brandy  wine    Creek    for     about 


a  year  and  later  of  another  shop  on  the  Schuylkill 
liner.  His  work  while  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadel- 
phia was  in  the  line  of  making  machinery  for  these 
different  factories,  lie  had  built  a  factory  in  Eng- 
land, on  German  Street.  Manchester,  for  a  man 
named  Duck. 

About  the  year  L837,  one  year  after  the  close  of 
the  Black  Hawk  War.  the  father  of  our  subject 
came  to  Illinois  and  secured  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  tine  land  in  Shelby  County  and  in  the  fall 
of  that  year  he  brought  his  family  on  from  the 
East  and  settled  down  upon  his  land  and  devoted 
himself  entirely  to  agricultural  pursuits.  After- 
ward he  added  to  it  by  purchase  till  he  had  six 
hundred  acres.  Both  he  and  his  good  wife 
finally  passed  away  in  Shelby  County.  She  died 
April  12,  1853,  and  he  May  28,  I860.  They  had 
six  living  children,  of  whom  Thomas  T.  was  the 
eldest. 

Manchester.  England,  Thomas  Street,  was  the 
native  home  of  Thomas  Townley.  and  .Inly  2.S- 
1X1(1,  was  the  date  of  his  birth.  He  came  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  father's  family,  and  remaining  with 
them,  did  not  come  West  until  the  fall  of  1837- 
His  marriage  took  place  June  12.  1839,  in  what  is 
now  Hickory  Township,  and  his  bride,  who  was 
known  in  her  maidenhood  as  Emily  D.  Apple,  was 
born  in  Philadelphia.  They  settled  in  Whitley 
Township  and  there  established  a  happy  home. 
This  wife  became  the  mother  of  two  children,  who 
lived  to  years  of  maturity,  namely:  Thomas  W.  and 
Francis,  but  she  herself  passed  away,  leaving  her 
husband  and  children  to  mourn  her  loss.  Her 
death  occurred  February  26,    1850. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Townley  took  place 
March  1  1.  1851,  in  Edgar  County.  Ilk.  and  he  was 
then  united  with  a  lady  of  unusual  amiability  and 
character,  who  was  known  in  her  maidenhood  aS 
Mary  Barnes  and  was  born  in  Ohio  February  .">, 
1828.  She  brought  to  the  arduous  and  onerous 
duties  of  her  position  all  the  powers  of  her  tine 
character  and  warm-hearted  devotion,  and  was  suc- 
cessful in  the  training,  not  only  of  her  three  chil- 
dren— George,  Lucy  and  Josie — but  of  the  two 
whom  she  found  in  her  husband's  home. 

When  Mr.  Townley  removed  from  Whitley 
Township  he  came  to   East   Nelson   Township   and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


663 


settled  upon  section  ■'>•">.  where  he  has  since  been  a 
resident.  lTpon  his  splendid  farm  of  five  hundred 
acres  he  has  erected  good  buildings,  which  are  an 
ornament  to  the  township.  In  his  encumbent  "I 
the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  he  has  greatly 
benefited  the  traveling  community.  He  has  a 
-'»'il  blacksmith  shop  upon  his  farm,  which  he  uses 
to  advantage, as  hi'  has  worked  at  that  business  for 
some  thirty  years,  in  connection  with  his  farm. 


REV.  NATHANIEL  CORLEY,  i-  an  old 
settler  and  prominent  farmer  of  Pickaway 
Township,  who  has  ever  been  known  for 
bis  good  words  and  works  among  the  people. 
Hi-  is  a  resident  on  section  34,  where  he  has  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  lessoneacre  given  by  him 
for  the  use  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church,  lie 
procured  this  land  from  the  Government  in  1847, 
and  has  ever  since  owned  the  place  and  lias  put  it 
in  its  present  well  cultivated  and  productive  condi- 
dition.  It  i-  a  well  caved  fur  place,  every  particu- 
lar being  kept  up  in  the  best  of  order,  lie  secured 
the  land  on  a  land  warrant  issued  to  him  by  the 
(iovernment  for  service-  rendered  in  the  Mexican 
War.  in  which  he  had  enlisted  when  nineteen 
years  of  age,  in  the  year  1846,  joining  the  Third 
Illinois  Regiment,  Col.  Forman  and  (apt.  Free- 
man, of  Company   B,  commanding. 

Mr.  Corley  went  with  his  regiment  to  Mexico  as 
Sergeant  and  after  serving  for  about  seven  months 
was  discharged  on  account  of  disability,  having 
contracted  illness  during  his  service.  lie  was  in 
no  active  engagements,  hut  saw  much  of  the 
treachery  and  vindictiveness  of  the  Mexicans.  On 
his  return  home,  and  when  he  recovered  bis 
health  he  located  his  warrant  on  the  land  which  he 
now  owns  and  ha-  ever  since  made  it  his  home, 
his  grant  being  admitted  during  President  Polk's 
administration. 

Our  subject  was  born  on  Robinson  (reek.  Ridge 
Township,  this  county,  June  13,  1*27.  His 
father  was  Bryant  Corley,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  of  Scotch-Irish   parentage  and   ancestry,     lie 


wa-  only  two  years  old  when  hi-  parent-.  Jonathan 
(  .  and  Delilah  (Smith)  Corley  came  to  Kentucky. 
and  eighteen  years  of  age  when  hi-  parents  ami 
family  proceeded  to  Illinois  and  made  settlement 
ou  Robinson  (  reek.  There  thej  began  life  in  the 
early  '2<is  and  were  the  first  pioneers  of  the 
county  and"for  many  years  were  in  a  sparsely  settled 
country.  At  the  time  of  their  advent  here,  the 
Indians  were  their  most  frequent  visitors  and  wild 
game  was  to  he  procured  in  abundance.  Jonathan 
(  .  and  his  wife  after  some  year-  improved  a  farm 
in  Culd  Spring  Township,  this  county,  and  there 
died.  Mi".  Corley  being  a  victim  to  paralysis  and 
passing  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight,  October 
3,  1861.  lie  had  been  a  very  strong  and  rugged 
man.  ami  was  noted  for  hi-  wonderful  strength  and 
enduring  capacity.  His  wife -was,  at  the  time  of 
her  death  in  1848,  three-score  and  ten  years  of  age. 
'They  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Church,  when  the 
primitive  followers  of  Wesley  believed  it  wrong  to 
wear  a  ribbon  or  flower,  or  to  beautify  in  any  way, 
the  exterior  person. 

Bryant  Corley  was  one  of  ijuite  a  large  family, 
the  children  being  thirteen  in  number.  All  lived 
to  be  married  and  have  families,  but  at  the  present 
time  only  six  of  the  family  survive,  and  they  are 
all  quite  advanced  in  year.-.  Byrant  Corley.  soon 
after  reaching  manhood,  married  Elizabeth  Lee.  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Hill)  Lee.  both  native-  of  this  country. but 
of  German  ancestry.  'The  lady's  family  came  to 
Illinois  in  1818,  and  settled  on  Robinson  (reck. 
Shelbv  County,  a  short  time  later,  and  like  the 
Robinsons  and  Corleys.  were  among  the  earliest 
settlers  in  the  county,  and  there  John  Lee  and  his 
wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  with  the 
exception  of  the  last  few  months,  which  they 
passed  in  Texas,  where  they  died.  Mr.  Lee  had 
served  for  three  months  in  the  War  of    1812. 

After  the  marriage  of  our  subject's  parents  they 
purchased  a  raw  prairie  farm  and  there  lived  for 
some  time.  Later  they  secured  another  farm,  and 
improved  it  afterward  moving  to  Rose  Township, 
where  they  settled  in  a  comfortable  home,  and 
there  died.  The  father  passed  away  -human  13, 
1X74.  He  was  born  December  8,  1805.  Hi-  wife 
died  some  years  later  at  tin'  home  of  her  son,  our 


664 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


subject,  her  decease  occurring  March  3,  1881.  She 
and  her  husband  were  four  years  identified  with 
the  Methodist  Church. 

Our  subject  was  the  first  born  of  ten  children, 
six  sons  and  four  daughters.  Four  of  the  children 
are  yet  living,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  and 
all  are  married.  Our  subject  acquired  his  educa- 
tion in  the  primitive  log  school  house,  but  is  an 
intelligent  and  well  informed  man.  lie  was  mar- 
ried in  Ridge  Township,  this  county,  in  1847.  to 
Miss  Chloe  Casey.  She  was  born  and  reared  on  the 
farm  in  Ridge  Township,  where  she  celebrated  her 
marriage  and  was  the  youngest  daughter,  of  Levi 
Casey,  a  well-known  pioneer  and  frontiersman  of 
this  county,  where  he  lived  and  died.  Mrs.  Corley 
was  well  reared  by  good  parents.  She  is  the  sister 
of  Judge  John  Casey,  a  prominent  man  in  his 
county  and  State  in  the  early  days.  Mrs.  Corley 
was  an  earnest  Christian  and  a  kind  neighbor  and 
loving  wife.  She  died  at,  her  home  in  this  town- 
ship April  19,  1862.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church.  She  bore  her  husband 
two  children,  namely:  Levi  B.  and  Bryant  The 
former  took  as  wife  Catherine  Maltox.  They  live 
on  the  farm  owned  by  our  subject  and  operate  the 
same.  Bryant  took  as  wife  Nancy  Brinker.  They 
also  live  on  the  home  farm.  The  old  house  is  full 
of  the  merry  voices  of  children  who  make  the  rooms 
re-echo  with  their  gay  laughter  and  merry  play. 
Levi  has  four  children  who  are  Addie.  the  wife  of 
Rich  R.  Bryant,  who  resides  in  Cold  Spring  Town- 
ship, this  county,  Chloe,  Mary  J.  and  Emma  M. 
Bryant's  children  are  Mary  F.,  Naomi.  Lydia  E., 
Nelson  0.,Ettir  M.  and  Edith  N. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  our  subject  was 
a  second  time  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  R.  Whitten. 
Their  marriage  was  solemnized  January  15,  1863. 
The  lady  was  born  in  Kentucky.  October  23.  1828, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Sarah  (Rector) 
Whitten,  natives  of  South  Carolina  and  Virginia, 
respectively,  although  married  in  Tennessee,  and 
after  a  short  residence  in  Kentucky  emigrating  to 
Illinois  in  1846,  where  they  settled  in  Montgom- 
ery County,  and  here  lived,  passing  away  at  the 
ages  of  ninety-four  and  eighty-two,  respectively. 
They  were  farmers  and  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.     Mis.  Corlev  was  twenty  years  old  when 


her  parents  came  to  Illinois,  and  she  lived  in 
Montgomery  County  until  her  marriage-  Both 
she  and  her  husband  are  active  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church  in  which  body  Mr.  Corley  has 
been  ordained  a  preacher  and  in  which  capacity  he 
lias  served  for  twenty-four  years.  Ins  ordination 
taking  place  in  the  month  when  he  was  forty  years 
old.  The  Elders  officiating  were  Revs.  Willis 
Whitfield.  Francis  anil  Randolph.  George  W. 
Carter  and  John  Turner.  lie  has  been  in  active 
service  in  the  church  ever  since,  until  within  four 
years.  During  that  time  he  has  done  much  travel- 
ling through  the  State  and  has  been  a  faithful  and 
devoted  worker. 


^o^c*! 


Ps^£^ 


So 


OHN  W.  HOMRIGHOUS.  The  original  of 
this  sketch  is  a  farmer  residing  on  section 
30,  of  Prairie  Township.  He  settled  in 
Shelly  County  in  the  fall  of  1860,  and  is 
now  numbered  among  the  large  and  prominent 
agriculturists  of  Shelby  County.  He  was  born  in 
Fairfield  Countw.Iune  1.").  1834.  and  is  a  son  of 
John  and  Magdeleine  (Wagner)  Ilomrighous,  for 
whose  further  biography  see  sketch  of  Frvin 
Ilomrighous.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  the  district  in  which  he  lived. 
When  a  boy  he  worked  with  his  father,  who  was  a 
cabinet  maker,  and  thus  learned  the  use  of  tools, 
and  to  handle  them  with  delicate  nicety.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  worked  on  the  farm  owned  by 
his  father,  residing  at  home  meantime. 

December  31,  1857,  our  subject  was  married  to 
Mary  Ann  Reber.  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Reber  and 
Rachael  (Allen)  Reber.  for  whose  further  history 
see  sketch  of  John  Reber.  Mrs.  Ilomrighous  was 
born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  February  7.  1836, 
In  186(1,  our  subject  and  family  removed  to  Shelby 
County,  and  in  the  spring  of  1861  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides,  having  purchased  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  which  at  the 
time  bore  but  little  improvement.  He  has  since 
pursued  fanning  and  has  become  the  owner  of  nine 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  eighty  acres  of 
which  he  has  given  his  son. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


665 


( >ur  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children.  They  are  Charles,  Rachel.  Reber,  Jennie, 
Carrie,  Hattie,  Luc}' and  Clay.  Of  these  the  eldest 
daughter  is  tin-  wife  of  Doris  Miller.  Jennie  is  the 
wife  of  Robert  Cecil. 

Our  subject  formerly  was  an  advocate  of  Demo- 
cratic policy  and  principles,  but  he  has  now  trans- 
ferred his  allegiance  to  the  independent  party.  He 
ha-  been  the  incumbent  of  several  offices  in  the 
township,  having  Keen  Supervisor,  Road  Commis- 
sioner and  Township  Treasurer.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Homrigbous  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  of  which  our  subject  has  been  (  lass- 
Leader  for  a  long  time.  He  of  whom  we  write  is 
a  member  of  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Benefit  Associa- 
tion. His  pecuniary  success  has  been  attained 
largely  by  dealing  in  stock  and  also  in  raising  the 
same.  He  is  a  breeder  of  Norman  horses,  finding 
a  ready  market  for  the  same  in  the  metropolitan 
cities.  He  also  has  a  large  number  of  Short-horn 
cattle  of  the  finest  breeding.  The  family  residence 
is  a  brick  house, commodious  and  comfortable,  and 
bearing  evidence  of  taste  and  culture  in  its  exter- 
nal appearance  and  inner  arrangement.  Mrs. 
Homrighous  is  a  lady  of  unusual  attainments,  and 
is  tin'  personification  of  amiability  and  kind- 
heartedness.  Many  valuable  improvements  have 
been   made  on  the  place. 


+€{. 


AMES  H.  .JONES.  It  has  often  been  ob 
served  that  while  our  foreign-born  residents 
do  not  always  readily  ace nodate  them- 
selves to  the  genius  of  our  country,  thai 
their  descendants  in  the  immediately  following 
generation  possess  peculiar  qualities  of  intellect  and 
executive  ability,  which  bring  them  into  prominent 
places  in  our  American  civilization.  It  seems  that 
the  vigor  acquired  during  many  generations  of 
quiet,  settled  life  in  the  Old  World,  stimulated  by 
the  unprecedented  activity  of  the  American  atmos- 
phere and  institutions,  produced  si  valuable  re- 
sults. The  subject  of  our  sketch,  who  resides  in 
Lowe  Township.  Moultrie  County,  has  this  peculiar 


advantage,  as  his  father.  William  Jones,  was  a 
native  of  Wales,  while  he  was  horn  and  reared  in 
this  country. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  Martha  Keyes  and  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  al- 
though she  was  living  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
when  she  met  and  married  William  Jones.  They 
spent  together  more  than  a  golden  half-century  in 
wedded  life,  most  of  this  time  being  passed  in  Fair- 
field County,  whence  they  removed  in  their  later 
years  to  Attica,  Seneca  County.  Ohio.  Eleven 
children  Messed  this  happy  union,  five  sons  and  si  \ 
daughters,  and  our  subject  was  the  youngest  son 
and  ninth  child,  being  horn  in  Madison  Township. 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  December  .">,  1836. 

.lames  11.  .loncs  spent  his  early  years  much  after 
the  fashion  of  that  day  with  farmer  boys  and  re- 
ceived the  best  education  which  the  advantages  of 
the  neighborhood  afforded.  His  father  owned  and 
managed  a  small  farm,  although  he  was  also  a  Pres- 
byterian minister.  His  son  grew  to  manhood  in 
Fairfield  County  and  remained  there  until  the  fall 
of  1856,  when  he  decided  to  seek  the  Prairie  State 
and  came  to  Coles  County,  where  he  resided  about 
a  year  and  then  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Ohio. 
One  year  later  he  returned  to  Coles  County  and 
was  living  there  when  the  war  broke  out,  and  with 
him  as  with  thousands  of  young  men.  this  import- 
ant epoch  in  our  country's  history  changed  the 
whole  current  of  his   life. 

It  seemed  the  most  natural  thing  in  the  world  to 
this  young  man.  who  had  thoroughly  enjoyed  the 
blessings  of  freedom  ami  who  had  been  trained  in 
a  patriotic  love  for  his  country's  flag  and  honor, 
that  he  should  spring  to  defend  that  flag  when  re- 
bellious hands  had  trailed  it  in  the  dust,  and  in 
August,  1 862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A.  Eighty- 
eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  until  June  '.*. 
1865,  when  lie  was  mustered  out  of  the  service. 
His  record  in  the  army  is  one  of  participation  in 
numerous  conflicts  and  weary  marches  and  he  saw 
the  smoke  of  battle  at  Perryville.  Ky.,  Stone  River. 
Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain.  Peach  Tree  Creek  and 
at  Atlanta,  besides  others  of  less  note.  His  army 
experience  is  a  part  of  his  life  of  which  he  has  just 
reason  to  lie  proud  and  he  cherishes  the  memory  of 


666 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


those  days  with  ardor  and  enthusiasm.  He  is  prom- 
inently identified  with  Post  No.  1114,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Arthur. 

When  "the  piping  times  of  peace"  returned  this 
young  man  came  again  to  Coles  County  and  re- 
sided there  for  some  two  years,  but  in  the  spring 
of  ]Xi\X  removed  to  Moultrie  County  and  made  his 
home  on  section  5,  Lowe  Township,  where  he  has 
since  heen  so  useful  and  prominent  a  citizen.  He 
had  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Ohio  when  a 
young  man  and  followed  it  in  connection  with 
farming  for  some  time  after  coming  to  Moultrie 
County.  Of  late  years  he  has  given  np  his  trade 
and  devoted  his  attention  entirely  to  farming,  hav- 
ing the  management  of  his  farm,  a  tract  of  eighty 
acres. 

Previous  to  the  war  .Mr.  Jones  had  been  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Miller,  who  was  born  near  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  January  27.  1H42.  Their  wedding  oc- 
curred in  Moultrie  County.  May  It,  1859,  and  to 
them  were  granted  eight  children.  Their  first- 
born, who  bore  the  name  of  the  martyred  Presi- 
dent, Lincoln,  died  in  infancy  and  the  following 
remained  to  them:  Charles  W.,  John  N.,  Lucy  C.j 
James  E.,  Sherman,  Frank  and  Ida  M.  The  mother 
of  these  sons  and  daughters  died  in  Lowe  Town- 
ship, February  7.  1880. 

The  present  Mrs.  Jones,  who  is  an  earnest  and 
active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  a  woman  of  sterling  character  and  high  intel- 
ligence, became  the  wife  of  our  subject  in  Moultrie 
County,  June  15,  1884.  being  at  the  time  of  her 
marriage  to  this  gentleman  the  widow  of  Mr.  John 
Rigg.  Her  maiden  name  was  Diantha  Brabham, 
being  a  daughter  of  John  P.  Brabham,  whose  bio- 
graphical sketch  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this 
Record.  By  hei  (irsl  marriage  she  became  the 
mother  of  four  children:  A'esta  J.,  Norton  M..  Ar- 
thur and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  She  was  horn 
in  Washington  County,  Ohio,  March  13,  1842,  and 
has  made  her  home  through  life  in  Ohio  and  Illi- 
nois. 

The  high  intelligence  and  genuine  interest  which 
Mr.  Jones  takes  in  matters  of  public  importance 
have  secured  to  him  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
the  residents  of  this  township  and  he  has  occupied 
ihe  position  of  Supervisor  of  Lowe  Township,  first 


by  appointment  and  afterward  by  election,  for 
more  than  two  terms.  He  has  also  served  two 
terms  as  Township  Assessor,  and  his  twelve 
years  of  service  as  Highway  Commissioner  and 
School  Director  have  been  years  of  progress  in  the 
direction  of  education  and  convenience  to  the 
traveling  public.  lie  is  well  read  on  political 
themes  and  takes  his  stand  witli  the  Republican 
party, being  active  in  its  support  and  having  great 
faith  in  its  possibilities. 


r-i-^-'  — .-*^-_^t?Jmi 


}   1  '  I  I     I  '    I 


/^ECIL    J.    RAWLINOS  is  a  general    farmer 

and   the  owner  of  a  fine  tract  of  land  com- 


prising one  hundred  acres  on  section  27,  of 
Pickaway  Township.  Shelby  County.  His  place  is 
highly  improved  and  every  aid  that  science  has 
brought  to  bear  upon  agriculture,  has  been  made 
to  favor  the  improvement  of  his  property.  He  has 
erected  a  good  class  of  buildings  upon  his  place, 
the  most  important  and  central  being  his  residence, 
which  is  attractive  from  without  and  comfortable 
and  convenient  within.  Prior  to  his  becoming 
proprietor  of  this  farm  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
in  this  county,  in  which  work  he  has  been  devoted 
since  his  majority. 

Our  subject  came  to  Pickaway  Township  with 
his  parents  in  1865.  His  advent  here  was  made 
from  Maryland, where  he  was  horn  in  Cecil  County 
March  II,  1853.  His  father  was  John  Rawlings.  a 
native  of  Maryland,  who  came  of  Scotch-Irish  an- 
cestry, and  a  cousin  on  the  maternal  side,  to 
George  B.  McClellan.  his  mother  having  heen  an 
aunt  to  the  honorable  gentleman.  John  Rawlings 
lost  his  father  when  very  young  and  was  reared  by 
his  mother  until  he  became  of  age.  About  that 
time  he  learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade,  but  as 
the  work  did  not  agree  with  him  physically  he  left 
it  to  become  clerk  in  a  store,  in  which  position  he 
continued  for  a  time,  after  which  he  went  to 
Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  lie  there  lived  until  1865 
when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  this  State, 
purchasing  a  large  farm  in  Ridge  Township  upon 
which  he  made  some  improvements.  Later,  in  1883, 
he    (•.•ime    to    Pickaway  Township   and    secured  one 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


667 


hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  34,  and  tlu-ii- 
made  valuable  improvements,  purchasing  other 
land  and  owning  in  this  county  not  far  from  seven 
hundred  acres.  He  made  and  improved  his  prop- 
erty entirely  by  his  own  efforts,  being  :i  prac- 
tical and  thrifty  farmer,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
make  the  proper  investments  such  a  time  as  to  re- 
turn large  profits  t"  himself.  He  died  at  hi-  home 
in  tlii—  township,  September  29,  1887,  being  then 
past  sixty-nine  years  of  age. 

Our  subject  i-  the  eldest  of  -ix  children  yet  liv- 
ing— two  children  having  passed  away.  lie  of 
whom  we  write  acquired  a  practical  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  district.  He  had  the 
advantages  <>t'  a  beautiful  home  life  and  an  exam- 
ple in  both  parents  of  uprightness,  honor  and  in- 
tegrity, and  an  ideal  being  constantly  before  him 
of  gentleness  and  patience,  which  are  the  leading 
characteristics  that  the  sect  to  which  his  father  be- 
longed endeavor  to  cultivate.  He  became  of  age 
in  Ridge  Township,  and  there  married  his  wife 
in  April,  liSTs.  Her  maiden  name  was  Amelia  T. 
Robinson.  She  was  horn  in  Kentucky.  February 
8,  1856.  She  came  to  this  State  and  located  in  Shelby 
(  ounty,  when  hut  a  girl,  in  1867,  coming  hither 
with  her  parents,  .lames  .1.  and  Margaret  (Gaines) 
Robinson,  who  are  now  successful  fanners  in  Todd 
Point  Township,  this  county.  Mis.  Rawlingsisof 
good  family  having  been  reared  nn  i-t  tenderly.  She 
ha-  taken  advantage  of  every  opportunity  to  add 
to  her  native  attractions  by  making  the  most  of  all 
educational  opportunities,  and  is  the  possessor  of 
many  accomplishments.  I'm-  sonic  seven  years  he- 
fore  her  marriage  she  was  engaged  a-  a  teacher, 
and  a-  teachers  generally  do.  -he  makes  a  delight- 
ful home  for  her  husband. 

Mrs.  Rawlings  is  the  mother  of  five  children. 
Two  of  these  are  deceased,  namely:  Mabel  M.  who 
was  ten  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death,  and 
Loren  who  was  hut  live  months  old  when  called 
away.  The  living  children  are  Adrian  C,  Zena  B. 
and  Ethel  S.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Christian 
Chinch,  and  although  by  force  of  habit  and  edu- 
cation they  go  their  different  ways  in  church  mat- 
ter-, they  are  one  in  their  Christian  life,  striving 
to  do  unto  others  as  they  would   he   done   by.      A- 


wa-  hi-  father  before  him.  Mr.  Rawlings  is  a  Demo- 
crat, believing  those  principles  to.be  the  one-  mosl 
favoring  freedom  in  the  sense  that  a-  a  Republic, 
we  desire. 


LLEK  (LORE.  A  man  who  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  upbuilding  of  his  town- 
ship and  has  given  to  it  an  example  in  the 
way  of  patient  industry,  speculative  inves- 
tigation, and  great  attention  to  the  minutia  of 
agricultural  work.  Mr.  Clore,  of  whom  here  we 
shall  attempt  to  give  a  sketch,  has  well  earned  the 
rest  from  active  labor  that  he  now  enjoys.  He 
now  from  the  richness  of  his  own  experience,  can 
advise  and  instruct  the  young  men  who  are  coming 
up  and  following  in  his  footsteps,  and  while  they, 
in  the  light  of  new  and  practical  sciences  applied 
to  the  common  act  of  fanning,  can  give  him  many 
ne«  lines  of  thought,  he,  in  return  can  pass  opinion 
upon  the  feasibility  of  their  investigations  in  the 
lighl  of  actual  experience.    . 

Mr.  (lore  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  Moultrie 
County,  and  his  friend-  hope  for  him  still  many 
years  of  agreeable  existence,  and  as  he  belongs  to  a 
long  lived  family,  doubtless  their  wish  will  he 
gratified.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  and  Ann 
(Christopher)  Glore,  both  of  whom  were  uativesof 
Virginia.  There  they  were  married  and  removed 
to  Kentucky  at  a  very  early  day,  settling  in  what 
\\a-  then  Jefferson  County,  hut  since  divided,  and 
that  part  of  the  county  in  which  they  lived  is  now 
called  Oldham  County.  There  both  parents  died, 
the  father  being  ninety-four  year-  of  age,  and  the 
mother  about  eighty.  They  had  eleven  children. 
all  of  whom  lived  to  he  grown.  Our  subject  was 
one  of  the  youngest  members  of  the  Hock  and  he 
was  horn  in  what  is  now  Oldham  County.  Ky. 
November  27,  1810,  so  that  the  patriarchal  snows 
may  now  lie  seen  upon  his  reverend  and  venerable 
head. 

Oui  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native 
county  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  con- 
tinued to  live  until  he    came    to  this    countv    and 


668 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


state  in  18:53.  and  settled  on  section  28,  of  Lov- 
ington  Township,  a  short  distance  west  from  where 
the  village  of  Lovingfcon  now  stands,  and  covering 
a  portion  of  the  presenl  site  of  the  town,  he  having 
sold  four  acres  of  his  (arm  for  the  use  of  the  village. 
Thus  he  has  lived  to  see  spring  up  around  him, 
families  and  children's  families,  with  the  newcomers 
t lint  are  inevitably  attracted  to  a  place  with  a 
vigorous  growth,  and  one  having  such  local  ad- 
vantages as  has  Lo\  ington. 

Just  previous  to  coming  to  this  State,  the  original 
of  our  sketch  was  married  in  Oldham  County.  K\\, 
July  28.  1833,  to  one  of  the  Kentucky  women  who 
are  so  notable  for  beauty  and  housewifely  skill. 
The  lady's  name  was  Ann  E.  Hardin.  Her  parents 
were  Jonathan  and  Lucy  (Wilhoite)  Harden.  Their 
decease  occured  in  her  native  county  and  State  and 
at  an  advanced  age.  Mrs.  Clore's  natal  day  was 
October  2d,  1813.  A  little  brood  of  children  soon 
gathered  around  the  family  hearth  and  board.  They 
were  seven  in  number  and  were  by  name.  Lucy  A., 
John  II..  William  S., Mary E.,  James W.,  ZacharyT. 
and  Susan  E.  The  eldest  daughter  became  the  wife 
of  Stanton  Adkins,  while  the  eldest  son  is  engaged  in 
farming  in  Missouri.  William  S.  wasa  soldier  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Regiment 
and  died  at  Pine  Bluff,  October  20,  1864,  while  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty:  .Mary  E.  married  Jacob 
Jones;  James  W.  is  a  farmer  in  Moultrie  (  ounty ; 
Zachary  T.  resides  in  Lovington,  and  for  a  further 
history  of  his  life  see  sketch  in  another  part  of  this 
volume;  Susan  E.  became  the  wife  of  Sis>el  Boggs 
and  died  in  Bement,  111.;  her  death  was  the  result 
of  burns.  While  sweeping,  her  dress  caught  lire 
and.  running  across  the  street  before  help  could  be 
brought,  she  was  so  severely  burned  that  she  died 
from  the  effects.  February,  1872. 

Mrs.  Ann  E.  Clore.  our  subject's  wife  died  March 
8.  1877.  She  was  an  admirable  Christian  character, 
performing  her  duties  about  the  domestic  realm  so 
conscientiously  and  sweetly,  never  impatient  or 
fretful,  that  her  example  in  itself  did  much  to  con- 
vince a  careless  person  of  the  beauty  of  Christian 
life.  A  tender,  loving  wife,  a  devoted  mother  and 
a  good  neighbor,  her  ear  was  ever  ready  and  her 
heart  sympathetic  to  the  troubles  or  interests  of 
others.     She  wasa  devoted  member  of  (he  Christian 


Church  and  had  been  so  since  fifteen  years  of  age. 
During  the  war.  Mr.  (lore  was  President  of  the 
liiion  League  in  Moultrie  County,  and  he  is  proud 
of  the  fact  that  since  the  organization  of  the  lie- 
publican  party,  he  has  been  one  of  its  most  loyal 
and  stanch  supporters.  In  his  church  relation,  he 
lias  been  a  member  and  communicant  of  the 
Christian  Church  since  he  was  twenty-three  years 
old.  Personally,  in  his  younger  days  our  subject 
was  a  man  of  great  physical  strength,  and  of  well 
proportioned,  though  Herculean  mold.  When  but 
fourteen  years  of  age  he  gathered  twenty-two 
barrels  of  apples  in  a  single  day.  jumping  from  the 
outreaching  branches  of  one  tree  to  those  of  an- 
other; the  trunks  of  the  trees  were  forty  feet  apart. 
When  sixteen  years  old.  he  was  able  to  stand 
in  a  half  bushel  basket  and  shoulder  three  bushels 
of  wheal,  and  when  thirteen  years  old  he  made 
a  lull  hand  in  the  harvest  field  for  eleven  days.  In 
these  days,  few  men  outside  of  trained  athletes, 
could  perform  such  feats.  Mr.  (  lore's  experience 
has  not  been  devoid  of  adventure  and  incident, 
although  he  has  devoted  his  life  to  the  peaceful 
pursuit  of  bucolic  labor.  The  romance  and  tragedy, 
however,  that  is  nearest  and  dearest  to  him.  is  not 
the  subject  for  general  reading,  nor  for  prying 
eyes  to  look  into.  Every  man  has  his  secrets  that 
go  down  into  the  grave  with  him.  and  that  are  only 
read  in  the  bright  white  light  of   the   other    world. 


AMES  W.  SANDERS,    M.    I).      The    young 

physician  whose  early  success  it  is  our  pleas- 
ure here  to  chronicle,  is  a  native  of  this 
State,  and  as  such  he  should  receive  the  en- 
couragement and  recognition  that  his  ability  and 
standing  in  the  profession  merits.  He  was  born  in 
Pawnee.  Sangamon  County,  this  State.  February 
21.  1864.  and  up  to  the  age  of  eighteen  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  lie  early  felt  a  sympathy  with  nature 
and  the  botany  of  the  woods  and  meadows  became 
familiar  to  him.  and  in  his  studies  later  his  knowl- 
edge of  simples  was  of  great  advantage  to  him.  In 
selecting  a  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  professional 
skill,  he  felt  that  a  young  man    could   not    find    a 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


669 


better  location  than  the  thriving  young  town  of 
Windsor  and  here  he  settled,  and  is  already  highly 
regarded  among  the  medical  profession. 

In  his  boyhood,  our  subject  attended  the  com- 
mon schools,  pursuing  his  course  there  until  eigh- 
teen years  of  age.  lie  then  entered  the  Normal 
school  at  Valparaiso  where  he  remained  about  six 
months  and  then  entered  the  Central  Normal  Col- 
lege at  Danville.  Ind..  after  which  lie  returned 
home  and  engaged  in  teaching  for  one  and  a  half 
years.  It  is  said  that  a  teacher  always  learns  more 
than  his  best  pupils  and  doubtless  Dr.  Sanders 
found  Ihe  discipline  to  he  of  value  and  in  teach- 
ing his  pupils  to  lie  diligent  in  study  and  obedi- 
ent, the  lesson  was  impressed  upon  his  own  mind 
that  self-control  is  of  all  qualities  the  most  desira- 
ble to  a  professional  man. 

In  the  fall  of  1886,  the  original  of  our  sketch 
entered  the  Chicago  Medical  College,  pursuing  his 
course  there  with  great  credit  to  himself.  His  life 
also  in  the  great  metropolis,  was  an  education  to 
the  young  man  in  itself,  and  he  found  many  op- 
portunities of  widening  his  intellectual  horizon 
outside  of  lectures  and  clinics.  lie  graduated  in 
1889  with  much  honor  to  himself  and  the  piece  of 
parchment  that  he  at  that  time  received,  bearing 
the  signature  of  gome  of  the  finest  physicians  in 
the  West,  who  attested  that  his  course  had  been 
pursued  with  credit  to  himself,  is  a  precious  testi- 
monial to  him  of  hours  spent  in  preparing  for  the 
profession  which  was  his  choice.  At  once  after 
graduating  he  began  practice  at  Windsor,  where  he 
is  so  fortunate  as  already  to  have  gained  a  tine 
patronage.  He  stands  as  one  of  the  best  physicians 
in  the  city. 

We  feel  that  too  much  credit  cannot  be  ac- 
corded to  the  man  or  woman  who  has  had  the  grit 
and  stamina  not  only  to  be  unabashed  by  the  diffi- 
culties of  a  chosen  course,  but  also  to  work  their 
way.  sweeping  aside  any  obstacle  that  may  inter- 
vene between  them  and  their  purpose.  It  redounds 
greatly  to  the  credit  of  our  subject,  that  at  every 
spare  moment  and  during  vacations,  he  was  work- 
ing in  order  to  gain  a  permanent  foothold  as  a  stu- 
dent, and  this  he  accomplished  by  getting  a  posi- 
tion with  the  Chicago  Hansom  Cab  Company.  To 
him  belongs  the  credit  and  honor  of  having  organ - 


I 


ized  the  Chicago  .Medical  Nurse  Bureau,  which  is 
composed  of  senior  students  of  the  Chicago  Medi- 
cal College.  This  also  was  of  great  help  to  him  in 
a  financial  way. 

Our  subject  was  married  near  Paris.  Edgar 
County,  this  State.  March  1  1.  1886,  to  Miss  Ida  M. 
Zink.  who  is  a  native  of  Edgar  County.  111.  One 
little  boy  has  come  to  brighten  his  parents'  path- 
way, and  is  the  pet  and  pride  of  both  father  and 
mother.  Our  subject's  father  was  Robert  E.  San- 
ders, and  his  mother  was  Elizabeth  (Bridges) 
Sanders.  The  latter  passed  away  in  1865  in  Paw- 
nee Township.  Sangamon  County.  The  father  still 
survives  and  is  a  resident  of  Pawnee  Township. 

Doubtless  Dr.  Sanders'  success  in  Windsor,  as  a 
professional  man.  is  owing,  to  a  large  extent,  to 
the  personal  favor  in  which  he  is  with  the  people. 
He  is  an  energetic,  ambitious  man,  and  the  progress 
of  his  profession  will  never  leave  him  in  the  rear. 
He  has  a  pleasant  home,  which  i.-  presided  over 
by  his  estimable  wife. 


,/^  LIVER  L.  KENDALL,  who  is  connected  with 
.  the  farming  interests  of  Todd's  Point  To wn- 
ship,  is  a  veteran  of  the  late  war.  in  which, 
as  a  loyal  and  efficient  soldier,  he  won  a  record  of 
which  he  may  well  be  proud.  Tippecanoe  County. 
Ind..  is  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  November  2, 
1834.  the  date  thereof  His.  father,  Joseph  Kendall, 
was  born  in  Massachusetts,  and  went  from  there  to 
Kentucky.  He  lived  in  the  wilds  of  that  State  for 
some  time,  and  then  removed  to  Darke  County, 
( Ihio.whence  he  went  in  1825  to  Tippecanoe  County. 
Ind..  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Tippecanoe 
Township.  He  bought  a  tract  of  Government  land 
in  that  locality  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Tippecanoe 
River,  and  in  the  log  house  that  he  built  by  Ihe 
side  of  that  stream  his  son.  of  whom  we  now  write, 
was  horn.  He  split  clapboards  for  the  roof  and 
puncheon  for  the  floor,  and  made  it.  in  fact,  a  typ- 
ical pioneer  dwelling.  Forsome  time  the  country 
roundabout  was  but  sparsely  settled,  and  deer 
roamed  at  will  through  the  forests   and   across    the 


670 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


clearings  thai  the  pioneers  had  made.  There  were 
mi  railwaj'S,  and  for  years  Michigan  City  and  Chi- 
cago Wert-  the  nearest  markets  I'm'  grain. 

The  father  cleared  a  part  of  his  land.but  hi-  work 
of  improvement  was  closed  by  his  death  in  1838. 
The  maiden  name  of  hi-  second  wife,  mother  of 
our  subject,  was  Nancy  Nunn,  ami  she  was  a  na- 
tive uf  South  Carolina.  She  married  a  second 
time,  becoming  the  wife-  of  .Martin  Hermann,  and 
lie  died  in  ism;  in  Tippecanoe  (ounty.  at  a  ven- 
erable age. 

Oliver  Kendall  attended  the  pioneer  schools  uf 
Tippeconoe  County,  which  were  taught  on  the  sub- 
scription plan,  each  family  paying  according  to 
the  number  of  scholars  sent.  The  school-house  was 
a  primitive  concern,  built  of  logs,  furnished  with 
slab  benches  that  were  without  backs  or  desks 
and  were  supported  by  wooden  pins;  and  the 
school  room  was  'lighted  by  taking  out  a  section  of 
a  log  and  placing  greased  paper  over  the  hole  thus 
made.  Our  subject  resided  with  his  mother  until 
lie  was  fifteen  years  old.  and  then  began  the  strug- 
gle for  an  independent  existence  with  no  other 
capital  than  strong  muscles,  a  stout  heart, and  will- 
ing hands.  At  first  he  worked  out  by  the  month 
for  $6  a  month,  lie  lived  in  Tippecanoe  County 
until  the  fall  01  1860,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
rented  a  farm  in  Macon  (  i unity,  four  mile-  south 
of  Decatur. 

The  war  broke  out  and  found  him  busy  man- 
aging his  farming  interests,  which  he  abandoned 
in  the  fall  of  that  year  to  defense  of  the  In  ion. 
lh  became  a  member  of  the  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry 
and  after  a  long  term  of  service  on  many  a  hard- 
fought  Southern  battlefield,  veteranized  in  March. 
1864,  and  remained  with  his  regiment  until  he 
and  his  comrades  were  honorably  discharged  in 
November,  1865.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Farmington.Iuka.and  Corinth,Miss.;in  those  fought 
ai  Somerville,  Coffeeville,  Plain  store.  Colliersville, 
Byhalia  and  Moscow;  encountered  Forrest's  forces 
at  Memphis.  Tenn.,  in  May*.  1864,  and  with  his 
brave  comrade-  assisted  in  driving  him  from  the 
state.  His  regiment  also  did  good  work  in  an  en- 
gagement with  the  enemy  at  Hart's  Cross  Road, 
Tenn..  and  December  13  and  14,  1864,  bravely 
fought  Hood's  force-  between  Franklinand  Colum- 


bus, anil  gallantly  captured  the  work-  on  Brent- 
wood's Hill.  The  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry  joined 
in  pursuit  of  Hood's  Hoeing  army,  and  drove  the 
Confederates  across  the  Tenneesse  River.  The 
regiment  remained  in  Tennessee  during  the  win- 
ter, and  then  went  to  Mississippi  and  did  garrison 
duty  in  that  state  and  Alabama  until  it-  final  dis- 
charge several  month-  after  the  Rebellion  was 
brought  to  a  close,  when  its  services  were  no  longer 
needed  by  the  Government.  Our  subject  was  com- 
missioned by  order  of  Gen.  Rosencrans  in  1864 
.■I-  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  I.  Seventh  llli- 
nois  (  avalry. 

After  leaving  the  army  our  subject  returned 
Northward  and  resumed  farming  in  Macon  County, 
lie  resided  there  until  1889  when  he  rented  the 
farm  which  he  now  occupies  in  Todd'-  Point 
Township.  He  is  carrying  on  his  agricultural  op- 
eration- skilfully,  derives  a  good  income  in  repay- 
ment for  hi-  industry,  and  has  already  attained  an 
honorable  place  among  our  most  practical  fanner-. 
He  is  greatly  esteemed  by  his  neighbors,  and  is 
known  in  social  circle-  a.-  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  which  joined  in  1872;  and  for  hi-  con- 
nection with  I.  C.  Pugb  Post,  No.  481,  G.  A.  R. 

Mr.  Kendall  was  first  married  in  1855  to  Mi— 
Savilla  Shaw,  a  native  of  Tippecanoe  (  ounty,  Ind.. 
and  a  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Kmillia  Shaw,  she 
died  July  21.  1861.  Her  father  was  born  in  Pick- 
away County,  Ohio,  and  after  marriage  removed 
to  Tippecanoe  (ounty.  Ind.  He  cleared  a  farm  from 
tin-  wilderness  in  Tippecanoe  Township,  and  there 
death  found  him  March.  1864.  The  maiden  name  of 
hi-  wife  was  Emilia  Marquess.  She  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  a  daughter  of  Smith  and  Eve 
(Stingley)  Marquess,  smith  Marquess  was  on»  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  Tippecanoe  Township,  where 
he  cleared  a  farm,  which  remained  his  home  until 
death  ended  his  life.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Kendall's 
first  wife  now  resides  on  her  farm  in  Iroquois 
(ounty.  111. 

The  second  marriage  of  our  subject  was  with 
Mrs.  Jane  Ward,  and  it  was  solemnized  December 
31,  1865.  Mrs.  Kendall  was  bom  in  Pickaway 
County.  Ohio.  January  10,  1836.  Her  father. 
Thomas  Morris,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye 
state,  and  in  earlv  niaiih 1  wa-   there   married    In 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


671 


Mis*  Nancj  Bevingtoii,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who 
went  to  Ohio  with  her  parents  when  she  was  four- 
teen years  "Id.  Mr.  Morris  remained  a  resident  of 
Pickaway  County  until  18S9,  and  then  with  his 
wife  and  eight  children,  he  started  with  a  team  i>n 
an  overland  journey  to  Illinois.  After  his  arrival 
in  this  State  he  located  in  Macon  County.  being 
one  of  its  pioneers.  He  entered  a  tract  of  Gov- 
ernment land  three  miles  south  of  Deealur.  and 
resided  on  it  for  some  years,  giving  his  attention 
to  its  improvement.  He  then  sold,  and  removing 
to  Decatur  invested  quite  largely  in  city  property 
and  was  a  resident  of  that  place  until  his  death. 
His  wife  died  while  they  were  living  on  the  home 
farm  in  Macon  County. 

Mrs.  Kendall  was  tii>t  married  to  Larkin  Ward. 
a  native  of  Maeon  County,  and  a  son  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Wheeler)  Ward,  lie  died  in  1864. 
Mrs.  Kendall  has  three  children  living  by  that  mar- 
riage,— Henry.  Marion  and  Martha.  Her  eldest- 
bom,  Bettie.  is  dead.  By  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject  Mis.  Kendall  is  the  mother  of  four  children, — 
Charlie.  George.  Albert  and  Nettie. 


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5$=jftl    ship,  and 


fl^- 


EORGE  W  .  WINN  is  a  resident  on  a  fine 
located  on  section  38,  Lowe  Town- 
d  fettled  in  the  county  of  Shelby 
December  9,  Im^:'.  Our  subject  was  horn  Feb.  2. 
1833,  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio  and  is  a  son  of 
James  and  Louisa  (Shaw-)  Winn,  natives  of  the 
State  that  is  notable  for  its  Presidents  and  States- 
men and  pretty  girls.  Our  subject's  parents  with 
their  respective  families  moved  from  old  Virginia 
to  Ohio  when  they  were  children  and  wen  among 
the  tirst  settlers  of  Muskingum  County.  The 
Winn  family  settled  in  Prairie  Township  and  the 
shaw  family  in  Adams  Township.  In  their  resp- 
ective locations  the  parents  of  our  subject  were 
reared  and  meeting,  married,  soon  after  settling 
upon  a  farm  in  Salem  Township,  where  they  pass- 
ed their  lives  and  were  reasonably  successful  as 
farmers. 

Our  Subject's    father  became   the    owner   of    two 
hundred  acres  of   land    in    Ohio   before    his    death. 


His  decease  occurred  July  9,  1890,  his  wife  pass- 
ing away  in  1879  or  1880.  The  father  was  born 
September  30,  1808.     He  was  a  Missionary  Baptist 

in  his  church  following  and  the  mother  was  united 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination.  Tln\ 
have  fourteen  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
second  in  order  of  birth  and  the  oldest  one  now 
living. 

George  W.  Winn  was  reared  on  tin-  home  farm 
in  Ohio,  and  in  CS.~>J  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Malinda  A.  Bowden.  she  was  born  in  Salem 
Township,  Muskingum  County.  Ohio.  July  18, 
1837,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Helen 
I  Adams)  Bowden,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Ohio 
respectively.  Our  subject  came  to  Illinois  in  the 
fall  of  1*.">7  and  first  settled  in  Edgar  County, 
whence  in  1862  he  came  to  Moultrie  County  and 
purchased  eighty  acre-  of  land  which  was  little 
improved  at  the  time.  He  i-  ncn  the  owner  of 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  whereon 
he  lives  and  besides  owns  the  farm  where  he  was 
born  in  Ohio.  This  last-mentioned  property  com- 
prises three  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable 
land. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  have  been  spared 
them  to  be  their  comfort  and  sustenance  in  their 
declining  years.  They  are.  C  haridota  K..  Cordelia 
M.,  George  W.,  Clara  1!..  Henrietta  M..  Sherman  I.. 
and  Ilattie  R.  Cordelia  i-  the  wife  of  Eli  Smith 
and  re-ides  in  Hall  County.  Neb.:  Clara  died  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  years;  Henrietta  is  the  wife  of 
Lewis  Smith  of  Moultrie  County. 

Politically.  Mr.  Winn  fraternizes  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party  and  his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  hi> 
party  ha-  been  rewarded  by  appointment  to  vari- 
ous local  positions.  He  has  been  (  ollector  for  two 
years  and  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  bill 
resigned  the  office.  In  his  religion-  belief  he  is  an 
attendant  upon  and  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  lie  has  been  a  (  lass-Leader  in 
that  denomination  for  many  years.  In  early  life 
he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  and  continued  so  em- 
ployed for  three  terms  while  yet  in  Ohio  and 
taught  for  three  terms  after  coming  to  Illinois. 
Mr.  Winn  was  made   a  Mason  in  1854. 

James  and  Louisa  Winn,  the  parents  of  our  sub- 


672 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


jeet,  have  fourteen  children,  of  whom  the  follow- 
ing  grew   to  maiili i  and   womanhood:    George 

W..  our  subject,  is  the  eldest,  then  follows  John 
W  ..  Dolphin,  Martha  ( '..  Rosanna.  Emeline,  Hiram 
S.,  Henrietta  C.  and  Franklin  P.  Dolphin  died  ai 
Camp  Denison,  Ohio,  soon  after  enlisting  in  the 
Civil  War;  Emeline  is  the  wife  of  Peter  C.  Sawyer 
and  resides  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio;  Hiram 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War  and  exper- 
ienced the  horrors  of  Confederate  prison  life  for 
fourteen  months.  Franklin  resides  in  Adams- 
ville,  Ohio,  where  he  is  a  merchant. 


j'l"t"I"S*i0 


1  ^.^.^.^.~ 


\  RS.  ROMN  A  KILL,  who  resides  mi  section 
4.  Rose  Township,  isoncof  the  representa- 
tive women  of  Shelby  County,  and  was 
born  in  Germany  June  2<i.  L833.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Rosina  Walker  and  her  marriage 
with  the  late  Christian  Kull  took  place  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio.  He  was  bora  in  Lancaster,  Ohio, 
January  13,  1832.  Their  first  settlement  asa  mar- 
ried couple  was  made  in  Hocking  County,  that 
Mate,  and  there  they  continued  to  make  their 
home  until  1864. 

During  the  year  just  mentioned  this  young  cou- 
ple removed  to  Shelly  County.  111.,  ami  settled 
upon  a  farm  where  the  widow  now  resides.  Here 
Mr.  Kull  was  actively  engaged  in  farming  which 
he  carries  on  successfully  until  his  death  which 
transpired  October  *.  1881.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
early  became  identified  with  the  Lutheran  Church, 
in   which   they  were   devoted  and   hearty  workers. 

Mrs.  Kull  is  the  mother  of  seven  children:  Mag- 
dalena  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Wendling; 
Helen  who  married  Henry  Fossler  ami  died  in 
Nebraska,  September  2j.  1890;  Mary:  John,  who 
married  Mis-  Mary  Bowman;  Jacob  F.,  who  oper- 
ates the  farm  and  «a-  married  in  Rose  Township, 
February  12.  1890,  to  Miss  Julia  Pauschert  who  is 
the  mother  of  one  child — Rosa  May:  Mattie  who 
i-  the  wife  of  Augustus  Pauschert  and  Drucilla. 

The  quiet  and  unostentatious  lives  of  this  worthy 
mother  and  her  excellent  children  are  of  interest 
to  all  who   understand  that  the  best  prosperity  of 


the  community,  is  derived  from  the  homes  within 
it-  borders  which  are  not  notable  for  public  affairs, 
but  in  which  1>  carried  on  au  industrious  and  hon- 
orable existance  tending  to  the  preservation  of 
society  and  the  prosperity    of   the   commonwealth. 


I^$£l 


[=" 


HRISTIAN  11.  ALT AO.  the  well-known  and 
efficient  Commissioner  of  Highways  of  Prai- 
rie Township,  Shelby  County,  whose  pleas- 
ant home  is  on  section  9,  dates  his  residence  in  the 
county  from  1KI!7  when  he  removed  here  from 
Madison  County,  this  State,  where  he  was  born 
November  19,  1854. 

The  honored  parents  of  our  subject  are  Henry 
and  Eliza  (Sponeman)  Altag,who  were  born  across 
the  -ens  in  Germany.  Before  their  marriage,  and 
indeed  in  early  life,  they  came  to  the  United  States 
and  both  settling  in  Madison  County  there  learned 
to  know  each  other  and  were  united  in  marriage. 
l'hey  resided  in  said  county  until  1X(37.  wlu'ii  they 
came  to  Shelby  County  and  making  their  home  in 
Prairie  Township  felt  that  they  had  found  a  perm- 
anent place  of  abode. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  twice  married, 
three  children  being  born  by  the  first  marriage, 
namely:  Henry:  Hannah,  the  wife  of  Charles  Doch- 
ney.  and  Sophia,  wife  of  Henry  Buesking.  By  his 
marriage  with  Eliza  Sponeman.  Henry  Altag  has 
had  four  children,  of  whom  Christian  is  the  eldest, 
and  following  him  came  Eliza,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Ostemeier;  Harmon  and  Fred  who  died  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two  year-. 

Thorough  and  systematic  training  upon  the  farm 
and  the  intellectual  drill  which  maybe  received  in 
the  common  schools  were,  in  the  case  of  Christian 
Altag,  supplemented  by  attendance  upon  the  old 
Shelbyville  Academy,  which  proved  so  profitable 
as  to  tit  him  for  teaching,  which  he  pursued  for 
one  season  only  as  he  preferred  to  devote  himself 
entirely  to  farming. 

April  20,  1x70.  young  Altag  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Ida  Junkey.  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Minnie  Junkey.  This  lady  was  ot  foreign  birth, 
having  first  seen  the   light   in   Germany,  but   her 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BL.CPAPIIK  AI.    RECORD. 


673 


training  and  education  have  made  her  a  thorough 
American,  as  her  parents  left  the  old  country  for 
the  New  World  when  she  was  only  >i\  week-  old. 
Soon  after  marriage  this  young  couple  made  their 
home  where  they  now  reside,  purchasing  eighty 
acres  of  land  to  which  they  have  added  until  they 
now  own  one  hundred  acres,  upon  winch  they  have 
elected  a  good  residence,  excellent  barns  and  con- 
venient and  commodious  outbuildings  necessary 
to  carrying  On  farms  with  system  and  success. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Altai;  have  been  born  live  chil- 
dren, in  whom  they  take  a  just  pride  and  for  whom 
they  cherish  an  honorable  ambition.  These  promis- 
ing children  bid  fair  to  realize  in  the  future  all 
that  their  devoted  parents  desire  for  them.  They 
are  by  name  Emma,  Lizzie.  Ida.  Clara  and  Bertha. 
The  religion  in  which  tins  family  has  been  reared 
and  which  they  have  espoused  is  that  of  the  Luth- 
eran Church,  in  which  they  are  faithful  and  de- 
devoted  members. 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Altag  have  led  him 
to  ally  himself  with  the  Democratic  party  hut  he 
is  not  in  an\  sense  a  politician,  being  content  to 
quietly  cast  his  vote  in  the  direction  which  he  be- 
lieves will  be  most  useful  to  his  neighborhood  and 
Mate.  lie  is  now  the  incumbent  of  the  office  of 
Commissioner  of  Highways  but  does  not  desire  to 
he  among  those  who  manage  the  affairs  of  the 
county. 


OIIN  WEEKS.  This  gentleman,  the  popu- 
lar Postmaster  of  Tower  Mill.  Shelby 
County,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  known 
throughout  Shelby  County  as  an  upright 
citizen  and  a  reliable  business  man.  Peaceful 
and    law-abiding  and    a     man     of   honor   iii     the 

affairs  of  life,  he  has  the  respect  of  his  acquaint- 
ances and  his  friendly  spirit  has  won  a  warmer 
feeling  from  his  neighbors.  A  veteran  of  the  late 
war.  every  loyal  heart  will  feel  a  thrill  of  gratitude 
to  him  as  one  of  those  valiant  soldiers  to  whom  we 
owe  the  preservation  of  the  I'nion. 

The    father    of    our    subject,    whose    name    was 


George  I...  was  a  man   of  considerable  prominence 

in  his  community.  lie  was  horn  in  Princeton. 
Ky..  and  in  his  early  manhood  married  Nancy 
Smith,  a  native  of  Columbia  County.  S.  ( '.  They 
emigrated  from  Kentucky  to  Illinois  in  L830, 
locating  in  Bond  County,  where  they  passed  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  The  father  served  as 
Deputy  Sheriff  of  Pond  County  for  several  years, 
held  the  office  of  Constable,  and  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  sixteen  year.-.  He  discharged  the  duties 
of  these  various  offices  to  the  general  satisfaction, 
and  is  remembered  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  and 
one  who  in  his  business  affairs  was  the  soul  of  in- 
tegrity. In  his  chosen  calling  of  a  farmer  he  was 
successful  and  acquired  a  competency.  SO  that  he 
was  able  to  supply  his  family  with   every  comfort. 

In  a  family  of  six  children  our  Subject  was  the 
second,  and  he  was  horn.  February  1.  1831,  near 
Greenville,  Bond  County,  111.  There  he  was  reared 
to  manhood  and  remained  until  he  was  about 
twenty-two  years  old.  In  the  meantime  he  ac- 
quired an  excellent  education,  of  which  he  made 
use  in  teaching  in  Pond.  Montgomery,  .Madison 
and  Shelby  Counties,  this  Slate.  Later  he  attended 
school  in  Platteville,  Wis.,  and  also  taught  school 
for  two  terms  in  that  Slate.  He  followed  the  pro- 
fession of  a  teacher  thirty  years  consecutively, 
with  the  exception  of  the  three  years  in  which  he 
served  in  the  army. 

Mr.  Weeks  came  to  Shelby  County  in  1860,  and 
on  August  4,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  was 
appointed  First  Sergeant  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  lie  took  part  in  many  important 
engagements,  among  them  being  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga,  Dalton,  Tunnel  Hill.  Resaca.  ami 
other  smaller  engagements,  and  altogether  he  was 
in  action  for  sixty-seven  days.  During  the  tierce 
conflict  at  Chickamauga  he  was  commanded  h\ 
Gen.  Steedman   to  cany  the  colors,  which  he  did 

during  the  remainder  of  that  day.  proving  himself 

a  brave  and  valiant  soldier.     Of  the  five  who  wen' 
ill  his  mess,  he  alone  escaped  fatal  injuries. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Weeks  returned  to 
Shelbyville  and  was  soon  engaged  in  hi- profes- 
sion. Occupying  the  position  of  Principal  of  the 
public  schools  in  Windsor,  111.,  for  two   years,      lie 


674 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


continued  teaching  until  December.  1881.  when  he 
was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Tower  Hill,  filling  the 
position  satisfactorily  until  he  was  deposed  under 
the  administration  ofGrover  Cleveland.  In  April. 
1885,  he  was  elected  Justice  Of  the  Peace,  was  re- 
elected in  April.  1889,  and  is  now  holding  that 
office.  In  April.  1889.  he  was  re-appointed  Post- 
master of  Tower  Hill  and  assumed  the  duties  of 
the  position  in  the  following  June,  lie  has  held 
Other  offices  in  the  township,  and  holds  a  promin- 
ent rank  among  the  Republicans  of  the  county.  In 
1884  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  County 
Surveyor  on  the  Republican  ticket,  hut  was  de- 
feated by  his  Democratic  opponent.  However,  he 
ran  ahead  of  his  ticket  in  every  township,  with 
one  exception,  in  the  county.  Nor  is  he  forgetful 
of  things  divine,  for  he  has  been  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  for  many  years,  also 
acting  as  Sunday-school  Superintendent  for  a  long 
time. 

At  the  head  of  the  household  affairs  in  the 
pleasant  home  of  Mr.  Weeks  is  a  refined  and  cult- 
ured lady,  who  prior  to  October  18.  1866,  was 
known  as  Sevilla  .1.  Sill.  She  was  born  in  Monroe 
County,  Ohio,  September  1.  1845, and  the  ceremony 
which  united  her  for  life  with  Mr.  Weeks  was  per- 
formed in  Hennepin.  111.  Nine  children  came  to 
bless  the  home,  viz:  Kstella.  the  assistant  Postmist- 
ress at  Tower  Hill;  George  I)..  Bertel,  who  died  in 
infancy;  John  W..  Nellie  B.,  who  died  when  two 
years  old;  Warren.  Chase.  Boyd  and  Lois  A.  The 
family  are  honored  members  of  society  and  are  de- 
servedly popular  in  the  comnmnilv. 


4^ 


■fa* 


OHX  II.  SHELTON,  M.  I).     The  professional 

reputation  of  Dr.  Shelton  is  an  enviable  one. 
and  his  skill  and  knowledge  are  held  at  their 
proper  valuation.  For  many  years  a  stu- 
dent, he  has  not  been  content  with  the  wisdom 
which  won  him  his  diploma,  but  has  read  and  in- 
vestigated from  time  to  time  and  increased  his 
store  of  technical  knowledge  and  ability  to  diag- 
nose and  treat  diseases.  He  is  known  far  and  near, 
respected    and    loved,  and    numbered   among  the 


most  worthy  citizens  of  Shelby  County,  who  are 
active  in  promoting  its  prosperity  and  elevating 
the  status  of  its  citizens. 

The  birthplace  of  Dr.  Shelton  was  Owen  County. 
Ky.,  and  his  natal  day  February  11.  1835.  His 
parents  were  Austin  and  Emily  (Callender)  Shel- 
ton. natives  of  Virginia,  who  removed  to  Kentucky 
at  a  very  early  day.  They  located  in  Owen  County 
where  after  attaining  to  a  good  old  age,  they 
passed  from  earth.  Our  subject  remained  at  home 
during  his  youth,  receiving  a  limited  education  in 
the  district  schools  and  acquiring  a  thorough  and 
practical  knowledge  of  agricultural  pursuits.  Upon 
arriving  at  man's  estate  he  began  to  operate  as  a 
farmer,  and  continued  chiefly  thus  engaged  until 
187.'5.  We  next  find  him  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  in  Owenton,  Ky..  for  eight  years.  During 
that  time  he  read  medicine,  for  which  he  had  a 
natural  aptitude,  and  after  selling  out  his  interest 
in  the  drug  business,  he  attended  medical  lectures 
in  the  hospital  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  during  the  winter 
of  1*78-7!). 

In  1879,  Dr.  Shelton  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and 
coming  to  Shelby  County,  practiced  medicine  with 
Dr.  <;.  W.  Fringer  until  the  fall  of  1881.  He  then 
entered  the  Medical  College  at  Keokuk.  la.,  where 
he  was  graduated  in  February.  1882.  After  receiv- 
ing the  diploma  for  which  he  had  toiled  so  ardu- 
ously, the  Doctor  returned  to  Tower  Hill  and  has 
since  resided  here,  with  the  exception  of  eight 
months  in  Henton.  this  county.  He  enjoys  an  ex- 
tensive and  lucrative  practice,  aad  as  a  citizen  is 
public-spirited  and  interested  in  everything  calcu- 
lated to  elevate  the  status  of  the  community. 

The  Doctor  has  an  amiable  and  active  helpmate 
in  his  wife,  with  whom  he  was  united  in  marriage 
May  2(1.  18ot>,  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio.  The  bride 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  Marietta  Oarnett,  and 
was  born  and  reared  in  Owen  County,  Ky.  Her 
parents.  Jamison  and  Lucinda  Garnett.  were  na- 
tives of  Kentucky;  the  father  now  lives  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  mother  is  deceased.  Dr.  Shelton 
and  his  estimable  wife  have  become  the  parents  of 
six  children,  only  two  of  whom  survive:  Bettie  G.. 
and  Nannie  C,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  Dr. 
Shelton  has  served  the  people  in  various  capacities, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Township  Board  of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


675 


Trustees,  and  also  served  as  School  Trustee.  He 
and  bis  family  are  highly  esteemed  and  arc  among 
the  prominent   members  of  society  in  Tower  Hill. 


<  »  1 1.1. 1  AM  FANl  HER  The  family  of  which 
\  /  our  subject  is  a  representative  is  a  long  es- 
»  '  tablished  American  family,  descended 
from  German  stock.  The  father  of  this  gentleman 
bought  about  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Hol- 
land Township,  Shelby  County.  The  father  was 
bom  in  Vermont  and  was  a  resident  of  New  York 
Mate  thence  he  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  theme 
t<>  Ohio,  and  finally  located  in  Shelby  (.•unity.  111., 
on  a  portion  of  which  our  subject  now  lives,  hav- 
ing a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-one  acres 
adjoining  the  town  of  Fancher,  besides  considera- 
ble land  in  the  town.  He  is  now  a  retired  fanner. 
making  his  home  in  the  village  which  was  named 
for  him  by  the  railroad  authorities  in  consideration 
of  his  liberality  in  donating  land  and  money  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  the  Toledo.  St.  Louis  & 
Kansas  City  Railroad. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  this  brief  sketch,  first  saw 
the  light  of  life  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  July 
25,  1835.  Hi>  parent-  Samuel  and  Polly  (Dickson  | 
Fancher,  were  natives  of  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  and 
the  heads  of  a  truly  patriarchal  family.  Only  five 
ot  their  twelve  children  are  now  living,  namely: 
John.  Morris.  William.  Henry  and  Juliana.  Morris 
lives  in  Kansas,  Juliana  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  and 
the  others  are  residents  of  Illinois;  Henry  in  this 
county,  and  John  in  Effingham  County;  Juliana 
has  been  twice  married,  her  first  husband  being 
Jeremiah  Rogers  and  hei  present  name  being  Mr-. 
Sine. 

Our  subject  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents 
when  he  was  a  mere  boy  and  grew  to  manhood  in 
Shelby  County,  having  his  training  and  education 
upon  the  farm  in  the  district  schools.  Here  he 
found  his  wife,  a  native  of  the  same  county,  and 
here  he  expect.-  to  spend  the  balance  of  his  day-  in 
the  pursuit  of  farming,  which  i-  with  him  a  dearly 
loved  calling.     His  wife'-  maiden  name  was  Susan- 


nah Piper.  Her  parent-  were  natives  of  Ohio  and 
her  grandparent.-  were  Pennsylvanians  and  of 
German  descent.  Before  marrying  Mr.  Fancher 
she  was  a  widow,  her  first  husband  being  Mr. 
shannon  \V.  Gallagher. 

The  little  railroad  station  of  Fancher  whh  h  was 
established  upon  Mr.  Fancher's  farm  ha-  gathered 
about  it  a  pleasant  little  village  having  two  stores, 
a  hotel  and  the  usual  shops.  It  in  is  the  mid-t  of 
a  very  tine  farming  district  and  has  an  excellent 
community  back  of  it.  Mr.  Fancher  has  been  :i 
life-long  Republican  in  his  political  view-  and 
take-  a  lively  interest  in  politics.  He  is  not  a 
member  of  any  church  but  gives  liberally  of  bis 
means  to  the  support  of  churches,  Sunday-schools 
and  other  objects  of  benevolence.  Mrs.  Fancher 
ha.-  three  children  by  her  former  marriage:  Nettie. 
Gertie  and  Nellie  Gallagher. 


g>>^     . 


•Sy^ 


If 


OT  LUTTRELL.  Ii  is  said  that  no  people 
travel  >n  extensively  as  do  the  Americans, 
and  hence  their  experience  of  different 
phases  of  life  i>  correspondingly  larger  as  a  rule. 
Our  subject  has  had  many  advantages  in  thi>  re- 
spect and  has  traveled  in  various  ways,  not  mih 
in  the  luxurious  Pullman  ears  of  the  present  day, 
but  also  by  prairie  schooner  across  the  plain-,  meet- 
ing frequently  the  red  man  on  his  territory.  Mr. 
Luttrell  i-  now  a  retired  farmer  living  in  Sullivan, 
where  he  located  January.  1891,  coming  here  from 
Whitley  Town-hip  where  he  had  been  engaged  for 
some  years  and  where  he  still  own- two  hundred 
and  forty  acre-  of  line  land. 

The  original  of  our  r-ketch  came  to  shelly  County 
from  DeWitt  County,  and  while  there  living  was 
engaged  a-  a  grocer  in  Kinney,  of  that  countv. 
He  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  III..  December  24. 
1839,  and  was  there  reared  ami  educated.  Also 
after  marriage  he  made  that  his  home  for  several 
years.  Mr.  Luttrell  is  the  son  of  John  Luttrell.  a 
native  of  Kentucky.  Our  subject  is  named  after 
his  grandfather  who  was  also  a  nativeof  Kentucky. 
being  there  reared  on  a  farm.  Mr. Luttrell 's pater- 
nal grandmother  was  likewise  a  Kentuekian  and  a 


676 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RFXORD. 


member  of  an  old  and  highly  respected  family  of 
thai  State.  They  lefl  their  native  State  after  the 
birth  of  their  first  two  children,  of  which  our  sub- 
ject's father  John  was  the  elder,  having  been  born 
in  February,  1*17.  and  moved  to  Illinois  about 
182(1,  coming  overland  and  bringing  their  house- 
hold goods  and  children  in  a  one-horse  cart.  The 
parents  walked  the  greater  part  of  the  way.  and 
altera  long  and  tedious  trip  in  which  they  camped 
out  at  intervals,  they  settled  on  what  is  now  Sul- 
phur Springs  Township,  and  there  secured  a  tract 
of  Government  land.  The  neighboring  village  of 
Jackson  was  not  at  that  time  thought  of  and  there 
were  very  few  people  in  the  county,  and  for  a  few 
years  they  experienced  the  hardships  incident  to 
pioneer  life. 

( )n  the  farm  which  our  subject's  grandparents 
procured  on  first  coming  here  they  spenl  tin-  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  The  grandfather's  decease 
occurred  in  1863.  UN  wife  survived  him  by  a 
number  of  veal's,  her  death  occurring  about  1886. 
She  was  bora  in  17T.I  and  was  well  known  as  on< 
of  the  prominent  pioneer  women  of  thai  county. 
For  many  years  prior  to  her  death  she  was  afflicted 
with  blindness.  In  religion  they-  were  adherents 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  politics  the  senior  .Mr. 
Luttrell  was  a  Democrat. 

The  eldest  of  a  large  family,  John  Luttrell.  the 
immediate  progenitor  of  him  of  whom  we  write, 
was  reared  to  manhood  in  Morgan  County,  grow- 
ing up  to  the  calling  of  a  farmer.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Tabitha  Cross,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Lotta  (Compton)  <  i"--. 
natives  of  Kentucky.  After  marriage  they  emi- 
grated to  Illinois  and  settled  in  the  Eastern  part 
of  Morgan  (  ounty  a-   pioneer-. 

Our  subject's  parents  began  life  as  farmers  and 
the  father  pursued  his  calling  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  took  place  in  1*47.  He  was  then  in 
Straightened  circumstances  and  left  a  widow  with 
four  c  hildren  whose  names  were.  Caroline,  our  sub- 
ject. William  R.  ami  Josiah.  Our  subject's  mother 
some  time  after  the  death  of  John  Luttreil,  was 
again  married  to  the  Rev.  Peter  Garrett  and  they 
later  removed  to  DeWitt  County,  where  .Mr-.  Gar- 
rett died  June  16,  1869.  She  was  bora  in  1816. 
Mr.  Garrett    united    with   his   work   as   a   reliarious 


teacher  the  calling  of  farming;  he  is  now  a  resident 
of  Crawford  County,  Kan. 

Our  subject  was  married  m  the  eastern  part  of 
Morgan  County  to  Miss  Sarah  Cox.  she  was  born 
in  that  county  Xoveinber  19,  1845, and  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Corydon  ami  Mary  (McGill)  Cox.  natives 
of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Illinois  with  their  respec- 
tive families  at  an  early  day.  They  were  victims 
of  the  great  cyclone  that  passed  over  the  country 
M:n  S),  1880,  at  which  time  Mr.  C  ox  was  injured. 
Their  servant  was  killed  and  also  a  daughter-in-law. 
and  all  moveable  property  was  swept  away. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  four 
children.  They  are  Mary.  William  A.,  Rufus  ami 
Corydon.  They  are  all  well  educated,  highly  re- 
spected men  and  women.  William  was  for  some 
time  a  teacher.  Our  subject  Stands  high  in  the 
estimation  of  his  town-people  and  has  been  elected 
t"  various  local  offices,   lie  isa  Democrat  in  politics. 


ANIKI.     M.     PATTERSON.       A     popular 

young  artist  and  writer  of  the  present 
day  has  -aid  that  one  never  sees  the  pic- 
turesque until  she  has  been  roughl}-  han- 
dled by  man  and  has  outlived  the  hard  usage; 
that  the  picturesque  quality  conn's  only  after  the 
ax  and  the  saw  have  let  the  sunlight  into  the 
dense  tangle  of  the  forest,  and  scattered  the  fall- 
ing timber,  or  the  water-wheel  ha-  divided  the 
rush  of  the  brook.  This  is  so  in  any  condition  of 
nature,  for  in  the  constructive  period  there  is  al- 
ways a  crudeness  that  strikes  the  artistic  sensibil- 
ities unpleasantly.  Hut  in  farming  we  do  not 
care  so  much  for  the  picturesque  "tangle  of  vines 
.Hid  darkness  of  forest."     He  who  most  diligently 

Combats    the   encroachment     of    weeds,    briars    and 

stones,  and  smooths,  enriches  and  makes  produc- 
tive and  fruitful  the  fields  and  orchards  and  gar- 
den patch  is  the  one  whom  we  most  admire  in  his 
agricultural  calling.     Such  an    one  is  our  subject, 

who  i>  the  owner  of  three  hundred  acre-  of  finely 
cultivated  and  fertile  land  located  on  section  18, 
of  Sullivan  Township. 

Mr.  Patterson  knows  no  other  state  1>\   actual  .  \- 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


67 


perience  than  that  in  which  he  now  resides.  He 
was  born  in  Moultrie  County,  November  9,  1839, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Carriker) 
Patterson,  natives  of  Union  County,  this  state. 
(For  a  fuller  sketch  of  William  Patterson  refer  to 
another  portion  of  this  volume.)  The  father  of 
our  subject  had  two  brothers  and  two  sisters,  also 
twii  half-brothers  and  cue  half-sister.  1 1  i  —  marriage 
took  place  in  Southern  Illinois,  and  his  advent 
was  made  into  this  county  when  settlers  were  few 
and  the  land  very  little  cultivated,  coming  hither 
about  1836. 

Upon  the  farm  above  mentioned  he  of  whom 
we  write  found  the  Alpha  of  life,  and  there  he 
was  reared,  receiving  what  educational  advantages 

when  a  hoy  that  the  district  scl Is  afforded.    Life 

was  not,  however,  barren  to  the  young  man.  In- 
deed, the  writer  questions  if  it  is  ever  SO  to  youth 
in  its  sanguine,  fresh  young  year: — for  there  were 
recreations  then  as  now — hay  rides,  nutting  par- 
ties, barbecues,  husking  bees  and  apple  panic-, 
and  with  work  and  play,  the  young  man  was  de- 
veloping  in  every  direction    to    the   perfection  of 

manh 1.   and    taught    five    terms   of  school.     In 

1864  lie  was  united  m  marriage  with  Ellen  J.' 
Hoke,  a  daughter  of  Frederick  Hoke.  She  was 
horn  in  Moultrie  County.  Soon  after  marriage 
the  young  couple  settled  where  they  now  reside, 
his-  father  having  given  him  forty  acres  of  timber 
land,  and  here  he  started  to  make  a  home  about 
the  year  1870.  It  was  a  new  experience  for  the 
young  man,  as  for  several  years  previous  to  this 
he  had  been  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  store  in  the 
town  of  Sullivan.  He.  however,  bent  his  energies 
to  the  work  in  hand,  and  has  been  successful  to  a 
Battering  degree.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  three 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  an  excellent  condition 
and  hearing  good  improvement-. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson  are  the  parents  of  four 
children.  The  eldest  daughter,  <  trpha.  is  the  wife 
of  Oscar  Rose.  The  three  other  children  are  Nora. 
Ezra  and  Lura.  All  the  political  interests  of  the 
gentleman  of  whom  we  write  arc  centered  in  the 
Democratic  party,  every  plank  of  its  platform  hav- 
ing to  him  a  good  and  Logical  reason  for  being. 
He  has  Keen  an  Assessor  of  tin-  town-hip.  He  and 
his  wife  are  raemhers  of  the   Christian    (  lunch,  of 


which  they  are  generous  and  liberal  supporters. 
Mr.  Patterson  ha-  such  qualities  of  character  and 
mind  as  insure  him  -urn--  in  whatever  line  of 
thought  or  action  his  judgment  should  direct  him 
to  become  a  participator  in.  Just  and  generous, 
broad-minded  and  liberal,  all  his  aims  and  ambi- 
tions are  for  the  upbuilding  of  tin-  best  tone,  so- 
cially mentally  and  morally  of  the  locality  in 
which  he  live-. 


•:-      -:■ 


OSEPH  II.   McGl  IKK.      Many  families  who 

reside  in  Illinois  came  to  this  section   origi- 
nally from    Kentucky    and   Tennessee,  and 
those  who  came  from  the  eastern    or    moun- 
tainous portion  of  the   latter   State    belonged    to   a 

class  of  | pic.  who.  like  other  mountaineers,  were 

lovers  of  liberty.  They  removed  their  families 
from  their  native  and  beloved  State  in  order  that 
they  might  take  them  out  from  under  the  blight- 
ing influence  of  the  institution  of  human  slavery, 
and  in  doing  so  they  brought  to  their  posterity 
not  only  a  moral  and  spiritual  blessing,  hut  also 
in  locating  them  in  Illinois  advanced  their  material 
interests.  Mr.  McGuire,  the  Postmaster  in  Beth- 
any, Moultrie  County,  belongs  to  such  a  family. 

Our  subject  was  horn  in  Jefferson,  East  Tennes- 
see. June  S.  1836,  hi- worthy  parents  being  Thomas 
and  Rachel  (Ashmore)  McGuire,  both  of  whom 
were  native-  of  Tennessee.  The  family  removed 
to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1843,  and  made  their  first 
-top  in  Coles  County,  where  the  father  was  called 
from  them  by  death,  during  the  fall  of  that  year. 
In  1853  the  family  removed  to  Moultrie  County, 
and  somewhat  later  on  Mrs.  McGuire  married  a 
second  time,  taking  as  her  husband  Mr.  "William 
Knight. 

Thomas  and  Rachel  McGuire  were  blessed  by  the 
birth  of  ei!_rht  children,  their  offspring  being  equally 
divided  between  sons  ami  daughters,  and  only  one 
of  those  children  being  taken  from  them  during 
childhood.  Their  family  i>  a-  follow-:  James, 
who  died  in  tin-  county :  William  P..  residing  in 
Bethany  ;    Elizabeth,   wife   of  John    Baukston.  of 


6/8 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Washington;  Mary,  who  married  I).  A.  Vaughn, 
died  in  this  county;  Joseph  II..  our  subject; 
Michael,  who  died  in  childhood:  Sarah,  who  is 
now  Mrs.  Thomas  Mitchell,  of  this  county,  and 
Maggie,  who  is'the  wife  of  John  Hah. 

The  hardy  life  of  a  farmer's  boy  proved  a  good 
preparation  for  the  hardshipsof  a  soldier's  exist- 
ence: and  in  1861  our  subject,  following  the 
training  of  his  early  life  and  with  the  love  of  lib- 
erty in  hi-  heart,  enlisted  under  the  1'nion  flag  to 
help  subdue  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  He  was 
mustered  into  service  in  Company  E,  Twenty-first 
Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served  for  four  years, 
-ix  months  and  two  days.  He  first  saw  active 
service  at  Fredericktowu,  Md..  and  took  part  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  and  in  the  battles  of  Perryville, 
Ivy..  Murfreesboro.  Tenn.,  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Franklin. 
Tenn..  Nashville,  Tenn..  and  numerous  skirmishes 
in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  During  all  this  long 
and  arduous  service  he  escaped  both  wounds  and 
imprisonment.  During  the  first  part  of  his  ser- 
vice he  was  Corporal,  bul  in  1864  was  made  Ser- 
geant. 

When  the  "piping  times  of  peace"  had  come 
our  young  hero,  having  been  mustered  out  of  ser- 
vice, returned  to  Moultrie  County  and  resumed 
tanning.  In  1869  he  removed  to  Bethany  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery  trade,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued for  three  years,  lie  was  then  elected  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace,  and  attended  to  the  duties  of 
that  office  for  some  sixteen  years,  during  the  latter 
part  of  "hich  he  engaged  in  the  furniture  busi- 
wliich  he  sold  out  in  1889,  to  accept  the  office  of 
Postmaster.  He  is  a  loyal  and  stanch  Republican 
in  his  political  views  and  has  ever  adhered  to  that 
party. 

Mr.  McGuire  was  married  May  15,  1  *(><>.  to  Mrs. 
Mary  Crowder.  are  Creltz.  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  little 
girl  of  ten  years.  She  has  become  the  mother  of 
six  children,  namely:  Ella,  Rachel;  Addie.  who 
died  in  the  spring  of  1890;  Anna.  Laura  and 
Dora.  They  have  also  an  adopted  son  who  hears 
the  name  of  Finis  Fwing.  The  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  is  the  religious  body  witli  which 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGuire  are  connected,  and  in  its 
communion    they    find    an    abundant    opportunity 


for  Christian  work.  Mr.  McGuire  is  prominently 
connected  with  the  Grand  Army  of   the   Republic, 

and  as  an  old  soldier  he  has  a  deep  interest  in  its 
method-  of  procedure  and  loves  to  meet  his  old 
comrades  in  its  enthusiastic  gatherings. 


s  T.  SPRINGER,  Since  locating  in 
Moultrie  County,  the  gentleman  of  whom 
we  write  has  been  very  successful  in  a  busi- 
ness way.  His  friends  characterize  him  as  a  manly 
man  and  a  gentleman,  one  with  keen  business  in- 
stinct, who.  although  still  young,  has  had  wide  ex- 
perience, having  been  engaged  in  business  for  him- 
self at  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  is  the  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Skinner  &  Stocks,  hardware 
merchants  at  Lake  City,  who  also  deal  in  farm 
implements. 

Mr.  Springer  became  a  resident  of  Moultrie 
County  in  1876  and  for  the  past  eight  years  has 
been  engaged  as  a  merchant  at  Lake  City.  He  has 
been  in  his  present  business  tor  only  one  year,  but 
already  it  promises  to  be  a  pecuniary  success.  Our 
subject  was  born  in  the  town  of  Jackson,  III..  .Ian- 
nary  1.  1852,  and  is  the  son  of  Lawson  and  Mar- 
garet (Hinson)  Springer,  natives  of  New  York  and 
Ohio  respectively.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
a  farmer.  He  died  in  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  in 
IK.'iT  and  left  eight  children,  there  being  three  sons 
and  five  daughters.  Two  daughters.  Jenny  and 
Lydia,  died  in  early  womanhood,  and  six  members 
of  the  family  grew  to  years  of  maturity  and  be- 
came heads  of  families  of  their  own.  Sarah  mar- 
ried Ambrose  Davis  and  is  a  resident  of  Ross 
County,  Ohio;  Louisa  married  Joseph  Ziegler.  also 
of  Ross  County,  Ohio:  Drusilla  became  the  wife  of 
Samuel  Mulvana  and  lives  at  Burlington,  Iowa; 
Pleasant  is  a  resident  of  Jackson  County,  Ohio, 
and  Wheeler  of  Moultrie  County. 

The    original  of  our  sketch    is   the   youngest    of 
his  family.      Reared  on  the  home  farm  he  received 

a    good    eommon-scl I   education.     In    1  <s 7 o   he 

went  to  Riclnnondale.  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  a  gen- 
eral mercantile  business,  continuing  there  until 
IS7(i.  at  which   time   he  came  to  Moultrie  Country 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


679 


:m«I  purchased  a  farm.  Fur  a  time  after  coming 
here  he  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness. Endowed  with  unusual  financial  and  execu- 
tive ability  Mr.  Springer  has  been  successful  in  his 
business  efforts.  He  was  only  twenty  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  this  county  and  at  the  present 
time,  besides  the  business  above  mentioned,  he  is 
the  owner  of  a  drug  store  at  Lake  City.  lie  also 
leals  in  grain. coal  and  groceries,  and  at  Williams- 
burg carries  on  a  general  mercantile  business,  lie 
owns  all  the  business  houses  in  which  he  has  stock 
and  other  property  comprising  dwellings  and  stoic 
buildings. 

Mr.  Springer  was  married  in  1870  when  but 
eighteen  years  of  age  to  Miss  Nancy  Sinclair,  a 
daughter  of  T.  D.  Sinclair.  She  is  a  native  of 
Jackson  County,  Ohio,  and  was  horn  January  17. 
L851.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  had  six  chil- 
dren. The  oldest,  Walter  .1.,  died  in  early  boy- 
hood. Five  are  living  at  the  present  time.  Law- 
son  is  in  charge  of  a  store  at  Williamsburg;  the 
others  are  Lydia.  William,  Charles  and  Jessie.  He 
is  a  man  who  may  always  he  depended  upon  in  a 
political  issue,  being  loyal  to  his  county  and  sec- 
tion. He  is  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  a  Notasy, 
also  a  member  of  the  School  Hoard.  Mr.  Springer 
socially  belongs  to  the  Knights  Templar. 


j,  GRACE  L.  MARTIN  is  prominent  in  the 
literary,  social  and  political  life  of  his  com- 
munity as  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Shelhyville  Union,  one  of  the  best  eon- 
ducted  and  leading  newspapers  of  this  part  of  the 
State,  which  is  distinguished  as  being  the  only 
daily  journal,  and  the  only  organ  of  the  Republi- 
can party  published  in  Shelby  County.  Mr.  Mai- 
tin  is  descended  from  the  vigorous  pioneer  stock 
of  Ohio,  the  state  of  his  birth,  In-  having  been 
born  in  the  village  of  Jersey.  Licking  County, 
July  11.  1836. 

Mark  D.  Martin,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
horn  in  New  Jersey,  near  the  City  of  Newark,  and 
was  a  son  of  Lewis  Martin,  who  was  also  a  native 
of  that   State.     The  latter   was  among    (he   early 


settlers  of  Licking  County.  Ohio,  removing  to  that 
part  of  the  country  when  Columbus  was  a  small 
village,  and  at  that  time  was  the  nearest  milling 
point  for  the  settlers  for  many  miles  around.  He 
secured  a  tract  of  timber  land  and  developed  it 
into  a  fine  farm,  which  was  his  place  of  residence 
until  death  terminated  his  earthly  career.  His 
wife  also  died  on  the  home  farm  in  Licking  Coun- 
ty. Her  maiden  name  was  Catherine  Osborne,  and 
her  parents  were  natives  of  Holland. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  one  of  a  family  of 
seven  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  was  young 
when  his  parents  moved  to  Ohio.  He  worked  in 
his  youth,  in  his  father's  smithy,  and  learned  from 
him  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  which  he  followed 
for  some  years  in  Licking  County  after  he  attained 
his  manhood.  Finally  he  abandoned  that  calling  on 
account  of  falling  health  and  turned  his  attention 
to  fanning.  He  also  dealt  extensively  in  stock, 
and  before  the  introduction  of  railways  he  drove 
his  stock  to  the  Eastern  markets  of  New  York  and 
Baltimore.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  in 
Licking  County  until  1*58,  when  he  came  to 
Shelby  County,  and  for  two  years  was  a  resident 
of  Shelhyville.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
bought  a  farm  in  Rose  Township,  and  for  some 
years  devoted  himself  to  its  management.  Return- 
ing to  Shelhyville  he  kept  a  hotel  here  some  years 
and  then  retired  to  Terre  Haute.  Indiana,  where 
he  is  now  pasr-ini:  away  his  declining  years  in  a 
pleasant  home,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  respect 
due  his  honorable  and  well-spent  life.  Mr.  Mar- 
tin has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  was  Julia  Ann  Ward,  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  and  a  daughter  of  Josiali  Ward. 
She  died  in  March,  IK  It;.  Mr.  Martin  married  for 
second  wife  Martha  L.  <  r  as  ton,  a  native  of  Dela- 
ware County.  Ohio.  There  were  five  children 
horn  of  the  first  marriage,  all  sons,  and  of  the 
second  marriage,  six  daughters  and  two  sons  were 
horn. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  review  received 
a  substantial  education  in  the  excellent  public 
schools  of  his  native  county  where  was  reared  to 
manhood.  He  resided  with  his  parents  until  1855. 
and  then  came  to  Shelhyville  to  accept  a  position 
as  clerk  in  his  uncle's  drug  store,  making  the  trip 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


in  thirteen  days  with  a  horse  and  buggy.  He 
clerked  nearly  two  years,  studying  medicine  dur- 
ing that  time,  and  lie  then  attended  a  course  of 
lectures  at  the  Starling  Medical  College  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  After  that  he  made  a  thorough  study 
(if  the  water  cure  process  at  Granville,  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  and  then  returning  to  SheUryville, 
he  began  to  practice  as  a  physician  with  his  uncle. 
Three  months  later  he  decided  to  abandon  that  pro- 
fession and  he  again  became  a  clerk,  being  thus 
employed  in  a  dry-goods  store  the  ensuing  two 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  lie  formed 
a  partnership  with  S.  II.  and  P.  R.  Webster,  and 
carried  on  a  general  store  the  following  twelve 
war-,  the  latter  part  of  the  time  dealing  in  agri- 
cultural implements,  and  also  buying  and  selling 
stock. 

In  1*72.  our  subject  gave  up  mercantile  pur- 
suits to  give  his  attention  to  journalism,  buying 
an  interest  in  the  Shelbyville  Union  with  his 
lirothers.  Park  T.  and  Elgin  II..  and  the  same  year 
established  a  paper  at  Effingham,  known  as  the 
Effingham  Republican.  In  1873  he  bought  the 
interest  of  hi-  lirothers  in  the  Union,  of  which  he 
ha-  since  been  sole  proprietor,  and  in  January. 
1887,  In-  commenced  the  publication  of  a  daily 
which  he  -till  issues  in  connection  with  the 
weekly.  Mr.  Martin  has  devoted  hi-  besl  energies 
to  his  paper,  and  under  his  judicious  and  able 
management,  it  has  taken  its  place  among  those 
journals  that  have  the  most  influence  in  molding 
public  opinion,  and  in  advancing  the  highest  in- 
terests of  city  and  county.  The  high  estimation 
in  which  it  is  held  is  denoted  bj  its  extensive  cir- 
culation as  a  sound,  well-conducted  family  new- 
paper,  replete  with  valuable  information  concern- 
ing current  topics,  and  the  affairs  of  this  anil  other 
countries,  set  forth  in  an  attractive  and  interesting 
manner.  Although  it  is  the  mouthpiece  of  the 
Republicans  of  Shelby  County,  and  in  no  uncer- 
tain tones  voices  the  policy  of  the  party,  and 
vigorously  upholds  all  measures  emanating  from 
it.  it  is  by  no  means  unjustly  aggressive  towards 
political  opponents,  who  are  always  accorded  fair 
and  courteous  treatment  in  its  columns. 

Mr.  Martin  lias  an  attractive  home,  and  to  the 
lady  who  presides  over  it.  and  assists  him    in  dis- 


pensing its  pleasant  hospitalities,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  July  1.  1859.  Mrs.  Martin  in  her  maiden 
days  bore  the  name  of  Mary  Arinilla  Jagger.  she 
is  a  native  of  Summit  County.  Ohio,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Elmus  and  Hannah  M.  (Noah)  Jagger.  Our 
subject  and  his  wife  have  two  children  living. 
Etta  M.  and  Lucy  E.  Etta  married  John  E. 
Downs  ami  has  one  child,  Ferna  Estelle. 

Mr.  Martin  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  for- 
mation of  the  party,  ami  through  his  position  as 
editor  ha-  exercised  a  wise  influence  in  the  politi- 
cal councils  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  this  section. 
lie  ha-  always  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  what- 
ever concerned  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  county. 
and  exerted  himself  to  help  forward  all  schemes 
that  will  in  any  way  benefit  them,  lie  has  been 
partly  instrumental  in  building  up  the  Laborers' 
Loan  Association,  of  which  he  is  a  Director  and 
Secretary,  and  his  name  i-  associated  with  various 
other  enterprise-  that  have  been  Organized  foi  the 
public  g 1. 


A-l"h*i 


i  -I-M-*:- 


-****^.iS'  •:•<-**- 


OLLAM)  S.  GRIFFITH,  was  bom  in  De- 
YVitt  County,HL,  January  3,1867.  His  father 
was  horn  in    Pickaway   County,    Ohio,  was 

reared  there,  and  married.  From  thence  he 
came  to  Illinois  in  an  early  day.  remaining  for  a 
time  in  Macon  County,  after  which  he  removed  to 
DeWitt  County,  lie  took  up  a  tract  of  Govern- 
ment land,  living  on  the  same  for  two  years  be- 
fore entering  it.  Tin-  land  was  located  eight  miles 
northeast  of  Clinton.  He  was  a  very  enterprising 
man  of  good  judgment  and  consequently  was  very 
successful.  He  also  entered  land  in  DeWitt  County. 
besides  going  quite  extensively  into  real  estate 
in  Kansas,  owning  one  thousand  acres  in  Chase 
County.  Mr.  Griffith  was  also  engaged  in  stock- 
raising  there.  In  1880,  accompanied  by  his  fam 
ilv.  he  started  West  with  a  team  for  Kansas  and 
traveled  quite  extensively,  there  living  one  year 
on  his  land  in  Chase  County.  Afterward,  in  1882. 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  DeWitt.  residing  there 
until  hi-  death,  which  took  place  November  Hi 
1890, 


PORTRAIT  AM)  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


i;,si 


Mr.  Griffith  was  married  :i  second  time  choosing 
as  his  wife  Miss  Sarah  Reed,  of  Steuben  County. 
Ohio,  ami  who  became  the  mother  of  our  subject. 
She  has  five  children  living:  Byard,  Dell,  Hol- 
land, Nellie  and  Melvin.  Our  subject  was  reared 
lo  agricultural  pursuits  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  DeWitt  County,  and  resided  with 
his  parents  whom  he  .- 1 — i  - 1  *  *  <  1  on  the  farm,  until  lie 
was  twenty-three  years  of  age  when  he  settled  mi 
the  farm  where  he  dow  resides  on  sect  inn  21. 
Todd's  Point.  It  is  a  well-cultivated  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  broad  and  fertile  acres. 


+£ 


~S)< 


Ira 


Y'  OHN  A.  STEWART.  The  genial  Supervisor 
of  Penn  Township,  and  who  owns  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  line  land  located  on  section 
36,  is  he  whose  name  is  found  above,  lie 
was  born  in  Center  County,  l'a..  in  Shore  Creek 
Valley,  November  3,  1848.  lie  is  a  son  of  John 
Gr.  Stewart,  who  was  horn  in  the  same  State,  .•mil 
the  father  of  John  ('<..  the  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject,  was  horn  in  Scotland,  and  came  to  America  at 
an  early  day.  and  witli  his  parents  located  in  Penn- 
sylvania, settling  in  Huntington.  He  was  there 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life  in  that  place.  Our  subject's 
father  learned  a  trade  hut  did  not  follow  it  long, 
turning  his  attention  to  farming.  He  removed 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Illinois  in  1867,  and  resided 
in  Moweaqua  until  1884,  then  went  to  Missouri 
and  settled  in  DeKalb  County,  and  there  made  his 
home  until  his  death,  which  occured  in  1888. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  in  her  girlhood 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Elder:  She  was  horn  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  was  a  daughter  of  Ahrani  Elder. 
She  still  survives,  making  her  home  in  DeKalb 
County.  Mo.  She  is  the  mother  of  nine  children. 
Our  subject  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
State,  and  coming  to  Illinois  when  quite  young, 
with  his  parents,  again  located  on  the  farm  and 
there  remained  until  his  marriage,  after  which  he 
came  to  Penn  Township  and  boughl  eighty  acres 
of  land  on  section  27. 

Our  Subject  did  not     occupy     the     farm  that   was 


his  first  purchase,  but  rented  other  land  and 
worked  it  until  1887,  when  he  bought  the  place  he 
now  occupies  thai  is  located  on  section  36.  If  is 
well  improved  and  hears  striking  evidence  of  the 
energy  and  industry  Mr.  Stewart  lias  broughl  i<> 
hear  on  his  work.  It  has  a  good  class  of  buildings 
with  a  pleasant  and  comfortable  residence  and  the 
most  advanced  idea-  a-  regards  agriculture  are  em- 
ployed in   his  care  and  cultivation  of  the  place. 

In  January,  1876,  our  subject  quit  the  bachelor 
ranks  and  merged  his  life  with  that  of  Miss  Mary 
E.  Thompson.  She  was  horn  in  Pennsylvania  and 
is  a  daughter  of  ( Gardner  and  Eliza  (  Baird  )  Thomp- 
son. Five  children  have  been  vouchsafed  to  the 
care  and  guidance  of  our  subject  and  his  estimable 
wife.  They  are  by  name  Maude  A..  Frank*;..  Har- 
vey. Edith,  and  Mary  Belle.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stew- 
art are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and 
are  consistent  and  noble  Christians.  He  of  whom 
we  write  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Hoard  of  County  Super- 
visors in  the  spring  of  1891.  Socially  he  belongs 
to  the  Prairie  Home  Lodge.  No.  3574,  of  the 
Knights  of  1 1< >n< ir. 


\ 


OHN  A.  CROWDER  lives  on  section  15, 
Marrowbone  Township,  Moultrie  County, 
and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Barbara 
(Prather)  Crowder.  lie  was  horn  in  Mar- 
rowbone Town-hip.  November  II.  1*17.  lie  re- 
C<  ived  hi-  early  training  on  the  home  farm  and  in 
the  common  schools,  and  in  May.  1864,  when  in 
his  seventeenth  year,  and  weighing  one  hundred 
and  nine  pounds,  be  enlisted  in  the  lute  war  and 
was  mustered  out  with  Company  I.  One  Hundred 
and  Forty-third  Illinois  Infantry,  October,  1864, 
on  account  of  expiration  of  time,  he  having  en- 
listed for  three  months.  In  January,  1865,  he  re- 
enlisted  in  Company  A.  and  served  until  Septem- 
ber. In  the  spring  of  1 M < > 7  he  was  united  in  the 
holy  bonds  of  wedlock  to  Mis-  F.inih  F.  Kennedy, 
a  daughter  of  James  C.  Kennedy,  who  was  horn 
iii  this  county,      lie  then  settled  on  :i  farm  on  sec- 


682 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


tion  14,  where  he  resided  for  Ave  years.  lie  then 
purchased  a  portion  of  his  present  farm  and  settled 
on  the  same.  His  wife  died  November  15,  1888, 
leaving;  nine  children — Artie  L.,  (  tecar  W.,  Leora  A., 
John  R.  C-,  Emily  Edith.  Athol  S..  Ida  M.,  .lames 
G.  and  Cora  M.  August  8,  1889,  Mr.  Crowder 
was  married  a  second  time  to  Viola  A.  Roberts, 
daughter  of  Thomas  A.  and  Louisa  G.  Roberts,  of 
Whitley  Township.  They  have  had  one  child, who 
is  deceased. 

Mr.  Crowder  owns  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  has  very  fine  im- 
provements. His  politicsare  with  the  Republicans. 
lie  has  held  many  local  offices,  in  which  he  not 
only  did  credit  to  himself  but  his  party.  Reli- 
giously he  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church, and  socially  is  a  member 
of  the  Odd  Fellows'  society  and  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic.  Mr.  Crowder  is  interested  in 
stock-raising  and  is  a  dealer  in  live  stock.  He  is 
now  giving  a  good  deal  of  attention  to  horse- 
flesh, and  has  a  number  of  imported  horses  on  his 
farm. 


OUIS  d.  KIRCHER  is  a  prominent  dealer 
in  dry  goods,  clothing  and  groceries, 
also  hardware,  stoves  and  farming  imple- 
ments, in  Slrasburg.  Shelby  County.  He  keeps  a 
large  and  well-assorted  stock  of  goods  that  is  suit- 
able for  the  country  trade  of  which  he  has  almost 
a  monopoly.  Our  subject  is  a  son  of  Matthew  and 
Catherine  (String)  Kircher.  They  were  residents 
of  Richland  Township,  and  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  of  whom  he  of  whom  we  write  is  the 
eldest.  He  was  born  in  Hocking  County,  Ohio, 
April  23,  1K.36. 

Our  subject  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  his  na- 
tive place,  enjoying  such  educational  advantages 
as  were  to  lie  obtained  in  the  district  schools  of  the 
vicinity.  When  fourteen  years  old  lie  came  with 
his  father  to  Shelby  County,  and  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  reaching  his  majority,  when 
he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  account  in  Richland 
Township,  continuing  on  his  first  tract  for  two  or 


three  years.  In  1883  Mr.  Kircher  came  to  Stras- 
burg  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  He 
has  since  added  a  good  stock  of  merchandise  and 
has  a  line  store  and  enjoys  a  large  and  lucrative 
patronage. 

( )ur  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Ruff.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  John  Ruff.  Of  three  children 
born  of  this  union  only  one  is  living  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  To  him  has  been  given  the  name  of 
Edward  G.  Our  subject  has  been  honored  by  elec- 
tion to  various  township  offices.  He  was  Collector 
for  two  years,  and  has  for  some  time  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Village  Board.  He  with  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  In  politics  our 
subject  is  an  ardent  Democrat,  believing  in  the 
sovereign  right  of  the  individual. 


C^ 


*  IXiAR  ALLEN,  who  is  numbered  among 
the  influential  agriculturists  of  Shelby 
County,  owns  and  operates  a  line  farm  on 
section  26.  Ridge  Township.  He  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  horn  in  Fairfield  County.  April  18,  1854. 
Ihs  parents,  George  and  Nancy  (Carlisle)  Allen. 
were  natives  of  Maryland  and  Ohio  respectively, 
and  were  married  in  the  Buckeye  State,  where  they 
owned  a  farm.  In  1863  the  father  came  to  Illinois, 
and  in  Shelby  County  he  purchased  two  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  but  little  improved,  pay- 
ing for  it  $18  per  acre  He  returned  to  Ohio, 
where  he  died  in  the  winter  of  1863-64,  leaving 
eight  children  to  mourn   his  untimely  death. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  brothers  and 
sisters  of  our  subject:  Sarah  A.,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Anderson  Hunter;  William  II.;  Anetta, 
who  married  Milton  Hunter  and  died  in  Shelby 
County;  Angeline.  who  was  united  in  marriage 
with  George  N.  Arnold,  and  also  passed  away  in 
Shelby  County;  Thomas,  Theodore,  Edgar,  and 
Alice,  the  wife  of  M.  E.  Moore.  In  the  spring  of 
1861.  the  widowed  mother,  accompanied  by  her 
Children,  came  to  Illinois  and  located  on  the  land 
which  had  been  purchased  by  her  late  husband. 
She  still  survives  at  the  age  of  seventv-iive  years. 


PORTRAIT  AJnD  BIO  .RAPHICAL   RECORL. 


688 


and  her  declining  years  have  been  made  happy  by 
the  love  of  her  children  and  the  affection  of  her 
large  circle  of  friend-. 

Mr.  Allen  passed  a  comparatively  uneventful 
youth  marked  by  no  incidents  of  note.  lie  aided 
his  mother  as  much  as  possible  in  his  childhood 
and  alternated  study  at  the  neighboring  distinct 
school  with  work  'ii  the  home  farm,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  practical  training  in  agricultural  affair-. 
When  ready  to  establish  a  home  of  his  own  he 
wa-  united  in  marriage,  in  February,  1884,  with 
Miss  Allie  Brandt,  the  daughter  of  Adam  Brandt, 
who  still  resides  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio.  Vr. 
and  Mrs.  Allen  mourn  the  loss  of  one  child,  and 
have  three  surviving-  members  of  their  family — 
Bessie,  Maud  and  Theodore.  Politically  Mr.  Allen 
is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Democratic  principles 
and  has  served  in  various  minor  offices,  among 
them  that  of  Tax  Collector.  Socially  he  i-  a 
member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
Hi-  industry  has  heen  rewarded  with  success,  and 
he  is  now-  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
live  acres  of  fertile  land,  embellished  with  good 
improvement-  and  hearing  a  first-class  set  of  farm 
buildings. 


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AXLIEl'S  T.  SHEPHERD.     The  Shepherds 

on  the  paternal  side  are  of  French  ances- 
try. The  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  one  of  the  patriotic  French- 
men who  came  with  the  distinguished  Marquis  de 
Lafayette  to  America,  during  the  progress  of  the 
Revolutionary  War.  and  participated  with  him  in 
it.  lie  wa-  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Yorktown, 
and  rendered  a  cripple  for  the  rest  of  his  life.  After 
the  close  of  the  Revolution,  he  married  an  Ameri- 
can young  lady  and  settled  in  Orange  County.  \'a.. 
where  his  three  sons.  Philip.  Lewis  and  William 
were  horn  and  reared  to  maturity.  William,  the 
father  of  our  subject  was  horn  in  1704.  and  moved 
to  Kentucky  in  1825.  His  profession  was  that  of 
a  school-teacher  and  a  professor  of  vocal  music, 
and  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  Virginia,  Kentucky 
and  Ohio,  crossing  the  mountains  many  times  on 


horseback  and  alone.  Highwaymen  were  at  that 
time  numerous  and  frequently  for  hour-  he  car- 
ried his  life,  as  it  "ere  in  his  hands. 

Our  subject's  father  was  married  in  Kentucky  in 
1827  to  Miss  Eveline  H.  Ball,  whose  parents  had 
settled  in  Jessamine  County.  Ky..  in  1825.  The 
father.  John  Pall  was  a  wealthy  land  and  slave 
owner,  and  hi-  wife  was  an  own  cousin  of  the  first 
President  of  the  United  State-.  Both  sides  of  the 
family  were  highly  connected  with  the  best  social 
element  of  the  State  of  Virginia  and  had  all  the 
advantages  of  culture  and  education.  William 
Shepherd  remained  in  Kentucky  until  1859  when 
he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Sullivan. 
Moultrie  County,  where  his  decease  took  place   in 

1871.  During  the  War  of  1812  to  1814,  he  took 
an  active  part  in  the  engagements  a-  a  private  sol- 
dier. His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  died  in 
Sullivan.  111.,  in  1874.  Then'  were  horn  to  Will- 
iam anil  Eveline  II.  Shepherd,  live  children:  the 
eldest  daughter  married  S.  P.  Alexander  in  Ken- 
tucky, in  .January.  18411.  Mr.  Alexander  resides 
in  this  county  and  State.  His  wife  died,  leaving 
two  children,  one  of  whom  was  named  .lame-  W. 
His    decease    took   place  in   Sullivan,  this  State,   in 

1872.  Louisa  Bell,  is  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Eden. 
County  Clerk  of  Moultrie  County.  The  family 
are  now  residents  of  Fresno.  Cal.  John  B.  the  eld- 
e-t  -on  married  Miss  Sarah  L.  Hayden,  of  Shelby 
County,  this  State,  and  was  at  one  time  one  of  the 
business  men  of  Sullivan,  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
Texarkana.  Texas.  Edwin  L.  married  Miss  Ann  M. 
Hawkins,  of  Franklin  County,  Ky  .  and  makes  his 
home  at  Sullivan,  this  State. 

Manlieus  T.  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the 
youngest  of  the  family,  and  he  was  horn  in  Frank- 
lin County.  Ky..  February  28.  1835.  His  early 
educational  advantages  were  limited  and  what 
knowledge  of  hooks  he  possesses,  has  heen  attained 
by  his  own  efforts  outside  of  the  school-room,  as 
he  -pent  hut  a  short  time  in  the  district  school  of 
his  native  state.  He  is  a  man  who  possesses  more 
than  an  ordinary  amount  of  observation  and  in- 
dustry, and  added  to  these  qualities  is  a  retentive 
memory. 

When  young  Shepherd  was  in  his  nineteenth 
year  he   left    home  to  go  out    into  the  world.     His 


684 


•ORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


first  employment  began  in  1854  and  1855,  when 
he  was  engaged  as  guard  a1  the  Kentucky  peniten- 
tiary at  Frankfurt.  At  that  date  there  were  but 
two  hundred  men  imprisoned  there.  During  a 
great  part  of  the  time,  in  which  he  was  there  occu- 
pied, lie  locked  one  of  the  main  rows  of  cells  in 
which  slept  Calvin  Fairbanks,  and  one  Doyle,  who 
were  under  kmo-  sentences  for  assisting  slaves  to 
leave  their  masters.  Every  evening  the  name  of 
each  prisoner  was  called  and  lie  was  personally  ac- 
quainted with  every  man  in  the  institution. 

Our  subject  was  next  engaged  as  clerk  in  the 
Mansion  House  in  Frankfort.  Ky.,  where  he  re- 
mained for  some  time,  and  by  his  industry  and 
close  attention  to  business  he  gained  the  esteem 
and  good  will  of  his  employers,  and  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact,  lie  remembers  well 
John  C.  Crittenden.  John  C.  Breckinridge,  Charles 
S.  Morehead.  and  John  M.  Harlan,  present  United 
States  Judge,  lie  afterward  went  to  the  Capital 
Hotel  in  tin1  same  city  and  remained  there  until 
18.57.  when  he  went  to  Versailles,  in  Woodford 
County.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  Hon. 
Thomas  F.  Marshall,  and  also  Buford,  who  killed 
Judge  Elliot  two  years  ago,  (1889)  at  Frankfort. 
Ky..  for  deciding  a  ureal  suit  against  him. 

.Mr.  Shepherd  continued  as  a  hotel  clerk  until  the 
spiring  of  1858,  when  he  came  to  this  Stale,  stop- 
ping in  Sullivan,  this  county,  where  he  engaged 
with  his  brother.  John  B.,  in  the  grocery  and  res- 
taurant business.  He  had  about  $200  and  this  he 
invested  in  the  business  which  was  necessarily 
commenced  on  a  small  scab',  but  gradually  grew  to 
large  proportions  and  gravitated  into  general 
merchandising.  In  thai  business  the  brothers  con- 
tinued together  until  1862,  when  our  subject  came 
to  Lovington  with  part  of  the  stork,  to  which  he 
made  additions,  and  together  the\  carried  on  an 
extensive  business,  and  were  the  leading  merchants 
of  the  two  places  for  a  number  of  years.  They 
continued  in  partnership  until  1867,  when  the 
partnership  was  dissolved,  the  older  brother  taking 
the  stock  and  Store-house  in  Sullivan,  and  our  sub- 
ject the  Lovington  store-house  and  stock.  Mr. 
Shepherd  continued  the  business  in  this  place  with 
great  success,  and  in  1870,  he  added  private  flank- 
ing to   his    business.      This  latter  branch  gradually 


absorbed  so  much  of  his  time  that  he  began  cur- 
tailing his  merchandising,  added  the  real  estate 
business;  and  a  few  years  later,  went  out  of  the 
mercantile  business  entirely,  since  which  time  he 
has  given  his  whole  attention  to  his  private  bank- 
ing, and  the  care  of  his  real  estate,  having  about 
six  hundred  acres  of  land  and  being  the  owner  of 
a  large  number  of  the  best  dwelling  and  business 
houses  in  Lovington  and  Sullivan. 

(in  February  7.  1870,  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Maria  J.  Mulli- 
kin.  a  native  of  Johnson  County.  Ind.  This  mar- 
riage has  been  Messed  by  the  advent  of  seven  chil- 
dren. Justin  M.  has  been  a  most  progressive  and 
ambitious  student,  anil  graduated  from  the  Lov- 
ington High  School  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years, 
receiving  his  diploma  from  Eureka  College  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years.  Ollie  Jewel,  Fail  T..  Blos- 
som, and  Paul  T.  died  in  infancy;  Homer  T..  and 
Flossie,  complete  the  family  circle.  Mrs.  Shepherd, 
who  is  an  estimable  woman,  and  a  leader  of  society 
in  Lovington,  is  in  her  church  relations  a  member 
of  the  Christian  denomination.  Politically  our 
subject  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party. 


^5" 


»ILI.IAM    BECKETT.       Among   the    promi- 
nent farmers  of  Shelby  County,  noted   for 


its  rich  agricultural  products,  is  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  who  is  known  and  respected  by- 
all  as  an  honest,  upright  and  liberal  citizen.  He 
resides  on  section  2.  Rural  Township,  his  residence 
in  the  county  dating  from  December,  1886.  He 
was  bom  in  I'.rantbroughton.  Lincolnshire.  Eng- 
land. March  15.  [825,  being  a  son  of  Thomas  ami 
Ann  Beckett,  who  reared  a  family  of  seven  hoys 
and  one  girl,  our  subject  being  the  only  one  who 
came  to  the  United  States,  and  remained  here. 
One  brother.  Thomas,  came  to  this  country  but  re- 
mained only  a  short  time. 

Frank  Beckett,  a  brother  of  our  subject  has  two 
children  in  the  United  States.  Arthur  and  Annie 
Mai'V,  both  of  whom  reside  with  our  subject. 
Ma\  17.  1849,  he  was  married  to  .Mary  Ann  Beck- 
ett at  Shelling  Thorp.    England.      She  was  born    in 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


685 


Waddington,  Lincolnshire,  England,  June  i*.  1829. 
After  the  birth  of  two  children  they  in  L854, 
concluded  they  would  try  their  fortune  in  the 
United  states,  first  locating  al  Utica,  X.  Y..  where 
our  subject  worked  for  some  time  in  a  soap  and 
candle  factory, later  engaging  in  the  express  busi- 
ness. 

In  the  spring  of  1859,  Mr.  Beckett  migrated  to 
Illinois,  locating  at  Springfield,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  dairy  business  becoming  sole  owner  of  the 
principal  dairy  of  that  city.     From  Springfield,  lie 

came  to  Shelby  County  and  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  railroad  land,  then  all  raw  prairie 
which  he  paid  for  at  the  time  but  from  the  re- 
cording deeds  having  been  misstated  he  was  obliged 
to  pay  for  one-half  of  it  the  second  time,  lie 
still  resides  on  the  land  first  purchased,  having 
added  new  land,  however,  from  time  to  time,  and 
is  at  present  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and 
sixty-four  acres  oi  well-cultivated  land,  lie  has 
been  very  successful  in  his  business  adding  to  his 
other  agricultural  pursuits  the  business  of  raising 
swine,  in  which  lie  has  been  largely  engaged. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beckett  have  been  blessed  by  the 
birth  of  seven  children  who  are  named  as  follows: 
John  was  horn  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  March  7. 
1850;  Thomas  was  also  horn  in  England,  December 
1852,  lint  died  in  I'tica  after  their  removal  there. 
September  5,  1859;  Mary  Ann.  now  the  wife  of 
Samuel  Wilson,  was  born  in  I'tica.  X.  Y..  April  26. 
1857;  Fanny  C,  was  horn  near  Springfield,  .lime 
19,  1859,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  William  II. 
Thomas;  Frank  Grant  was  born  .at  Springfield, 
January  29,  1862;  Abraham  Lincoln  was  born  near 
Springfield,  March  1.  1865  and  died  May  5,  1888; 
Ada  Matilda  was  horn  in  Shelby  County.  Septem- 
ber 5,  1867,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Willinn 
llartiuann. 

Mr.  Beckett  has  always  been  very  patriotic 
having  been  a  strong  Union  man  during  thestormy 
times  of  war.  He  is  also  an  ardent  advocate  of 
temperance  but  never  paid  much  attention  to  poli- 
tic- in  fact  seldom  voting.  While  our  subject  i-  a 
strong  supporter  of  the  cause  of  Christ,  he  i>  at 
present  not  a  member  of  any  church.  His  earls 
training  was  in  the  Methodist  Church  and  he  still 
adheres  to  that  faith.     His  family  are  members  of 


the  Church  of  (  .od  whose  house  of  worship  is 
located  on  land  denoted  by  him.  He  also  paid 
two-thirds  of  the  expenses  necessaiy  to  building  a 
church.  Mr.  Beckett  is  a  man  who  i-  well-known 
and  highly  respected  in  the  community  in  which 
he  resides.  He  i-  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune 
having  hut  a  few  dollars  in  his  pocket  when  he 
emigrated  to  America,  hut  by  industry  ami  good 
management  he  ha-  succeeded  in  accumulating  a 
competence. 


V_ 


/ 


OHN  DIXON,  Si*.  The  owner  of  the  fine 
farm  located  on  section  1.  of  Lovington 
Township,  Moultrie  County,  i-  of  Southern 
parentage,  his  father  being  Jacob  Dixon,  who 
was  horn  in  North  Carolina,  and  his  mother  Ann 
Blurry  (Miller)  Dixon,  was  horn  in  Virginia,  the 
State  that  is  so  noted  for  pretty  girls,  statesmen  and 
woiid  cooking.  Soon  after  marriage  they  settled 
in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  where  our  subject's  father 
died;  the  mother  survived  and  came  to  Moultrie 
County,  where  -he  finally  passed  away  at  the  resi- 
dence of  our  subject.  They  were  the  parents  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  third  in 
order  of  birth. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  horn  in  Ross 
County.  Ohio.  August  11.  1819.  There  hegrewto 
manhood  and  was  employed  as  were  most  of  the 
young  farmers  of  hi-  age  and  day.  His  boyhood 
years  were  marked  by  his  application  to  school 
duties  and  learning  the  routine  of  farm  work.  On 
reaching  manhood  he  was  married  to  Lydia  Kay. 
Their  nuptial- were  solemnized  Xovemher  11.  1844. 
The  lady  was  horn  in  Ohio.  November  15,  1822. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children  whose 
names  are  as  follows, — Jacob,  Mahala,  Mary.  Rach- 
ael  I..  Charity,  Moses,  Lydia  E.,  John R. and  Nancy 
F.  Of  these  Mahala  ami  Charity  are  deceased.  BIrS. 
Lydia  Dixon  died  in  Lovington  Township,  Jnlj 
1*.  1874. 

John  Dixon  was  married  the  second  time  in  ROSS 
County.  Ohio.  April  8,  Is;  7.  to  Mrs.  Margaret  (Hen- 
SOn)  Springer.    Her  parents  weri'  Henry  and  Sarah 


686 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD 


(Slurry)  Heiison;  they  died  in  Ohio.  By  her  first 
marriage  she  beame  the  wife  of  Alanson  Springer, 
who  died  in  Jackson  County,  Ohio.  By  that  union 
.-he  became  the  mother  of  eight  children,  whose 
name?  are  respectively — Louisa.  Sarah.  Drusilla, 
Pleasant.  Wheelen.  Titus,  Hester  J.  and  Lydia. 
Mrs.  Margaret  Dixon  was  born  in  Boss  (  ounty, 
Ohio.  March  27.  1817. 

Our  subject  in  his  young  manhood  worked  in  a 
saw  and  grist  mill,  and  in  a  felling  and  cording 
mill,  which  he  followed  until  he  was  thirty  year- 
old,  beginning  this  work  at  the  early  age  of  twelve 
years.  Since  that  time,  that  i.-.  at  the  age  of  thirty, 
he  has  followed  farming  and  finds  the  peacful seren- 
ity of  this  life  to  he  more  suited  to  his  tempera- 
ment than  the  business  in  which  he  was  engaged 
in  his  youth.  He  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred 
and  fourteen  acre-  of  good  farm  land  upon  which  he 
had  placed  good  improvements  having  expended 
large  sum-  of  money  in  the  erection  of  buildings, 
conveyance  of  water,  drainage,  fencing,  etc.  lie 
also  own-  eighty  acres  in  Buffalo  County.  Neb. 

Our  subject  is  a  follower  of  the  Democratic 
party  believing  thoroughly  in  the  superiority  of 
principle  and  executive  power  as  exerted  by  that 
form  of  government.  He  has  tilled  the  office  of 
Highway  Commissioner  most  successfully  in  the 
township.  Mrs.  Dixon  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  fifteen  years  of 
age.  Her  husband  is  liberal  in  his  religious  l>elief. 
His  first  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church 
from  the  time  she  was  sixteen  year?  of  aire  until 
her  death.  Mr.  Dixon's  advent  into  this  state 
and  county  was  made  in  March  1863.  and  the  fol- 
lowing February  he  settled  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  lives.  He  has  somewhat  dropped  the  active 
proprietorship  of  the  place,  and  lives  a  semi-retired 
life,  leaving  the  management  of  the  place  to  one 
of  his  sons.  All  of  Mr.  Dixon-  children  who  are 
surviving,  have  homes  and  families  of  their  own. 
and  are  honored  and  respected  meml>ei-s  of  the  com- 
munities in  which  they  live.  Jacob  Dixon  mar- 
ried Orilda  Fred,  who  died  May.  1891.  Mahala 
died  when  only  about  twenty-three  year-  of  age. 
at  a  time  when  life  is  so  full  of  promise.  Mary  i- 
the  wife  of  Sylvester  Arganbright.  Rachael  mar- 
ried F.  0.  Davis.     Charity  died  when  a  voting  lad  v 


t wen ty-two  years  old.  Moses  was  united  to  Miss 
Dora  Ballard.  Lydia  E.  is  the  wife  of  Harmon 
Hoffman.  John  R.  is  still  in  the  bachelor  rank-. 
Nancy  E.  is  the  wife  of  J.  S.  Fred:  Louisa  i?  the 
wife  of  Joseph  Sigler;  Sarah  married  Ambrose 
Davis.  Drusilla  was  united  to  Samuel  Mul  van  \ . 
Plea-ant  married  Caroline  Leach.  Wheelen  made 
mistress  of  the  dome-tic  affair?  of  his  household. 
Elizabeth  Steward.  Titus  married  Nancy  Sinclair. 
Hester  J.  and  Lydia  are  deceased. 

\  E(  )R< .  F  FERRE.  the  leading  business  man  of 
Dalton  City.  Moultrie  County,  located  in 
this  town  in  April.  1872.  which  date  i> 
identical  with  the  founding  of  Dalton  City.  He 
i-  the  proprietor  of  two  flourishing  -tore-  in  one 
of  which  he  carries  a  treneral  stock  and  in  the 
other  hardware.  He  wasborn  in  Perry,  Pike  County. 
111..  January  (i.  1847).  being  the  son  of  Luciau  and 
Ann  (Avar-)  Ferre,  the  former  a  native  of  Canada 
and  the  latter  of  England. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Daniel 
Ferre.  was  a  native  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  but  passed 
the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Canada  and  thus  the 
father  of  our  subject  had  his  nativity  in  that  do- 
minion. There  Lucian  Ferre  grew  to  manhood  ami 
wa-  married.  He  had  taken  the  trade  of  a  black- 
smith and  concluded  that  in  the  newer  regions  of 
Illinois  would  be  the  l>est  place  to  carry  on  his 
trade,  lie  therefore  migrated  here,  becoming  an 
early  ?ettler  in  Pike  County,  locating  at  Perry, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  plows. 
In  that  early  day  Illinois  possessed  but  one  short 
line  of  railway,  that  from  Naples  to  Jacksonville, 
therefore  he  was  compelled  to  journey  in  primitive 
fashion  to  the  new  home,  coming  in  a  wagon  ex- 
cept when  crossing  the  lake. 

In  September,  1856,  he  determined  to  trive  up 
the  plow  business  and  devote  himself  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  removing  to  Macon  County,  and 
settling  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of 
Macon.  There  he  lived  until  death  called  him 
hence  in  1875,  his  age  being  sixty-four  years.  His 
faithful   and   beloved   wife  had   preceded  him    to 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


687 


the  spirit  world,  three  months  previous  to  hi-  de- 
mise, having  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-five 
They  had  a  family  of  five  children,  namely:  Lou- 
isa, who  married  H.  II.  Brengelman  of  Perry,  Pike 
County,  111.:  William  H.  who  died  in  January.1875. 
leaving  a  family  of  two  children:  George,  oursub- 
ject;  Sarah,  who  married  J.  H.  Gibson  of  Macon, 
111.:  Emily  A.  who  resides  at  Perry.  The  father  of 
ibis  family  was  a  man  of  ability  and  succeeded  in 
accumulating  a  handsome  property,  and  the  later 
years  of  himself  and  wife  were  prosperous  and 
comfortable  ones.  They  were  held  in  high  esteem 
by  the  people  with  whom  they  made  their  home 
and  were  active  in  church  work,  he  being  a  Deacon 
in  the  Baptist  Church  of  Moweaqua. 

The  boyhood  of  our  subject  was  passed  in  Perry 
and  later  on  the  farm  in  Macon  County,  where  he 
received  thorough  instruction  and  practice  in  the 
duties  of  farm  life  and  took  his  schooling  in  the 
district  schools.  This  education  was  further  sup- 
plemented by  a  course  of  study  at  Shurtleff  Col- 
lege, I'pper  Alton.  111.  He  pursued  farming  until 
-nine  twenty-five  years  of  age  and  then  came  to 
Dalton  City  and  entered  upon  the  business  of  buy- 
ing and  selling  grain,  and  in  the  fall  of  [872 
purchased  an  interest  in  a  general  store,  and  a-  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Webb  a-  Ferre,  carried  on 
business  for  five  years,  after  which  he  became  the 
sole  proprietor  and  in  1**7  added  a  hardware 
-tore  to  the  ii-t  of  his  enterprises.  \U-  success  has 
been  marked  and  he  is  rapid  h  accumulating  a 
handsome  property.  He  now  owns  seven  acres 
of  land  near  Dalton.  one  hundred  and  sixty  in 
Shelby  County,  111.,  one  hundred  and  sixty  iii 
Macon  County.  111.,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  in 
Kansas. 

A  happv  and  congenial  marriage  was  contract!  d 
November  17.  L875,  between  George  Ferre  and 
Eleanor  Dalton.  daughter  of  James  Dalton.  This 
lady  was  born  in  the  North  of  England  and  a> 
her  mother  died  when  -he  was  quite  a  small  child 
she  was  placed  under  the  care  of  her  uncle  Thomas 
Dalton.  in  whose  honor  Dalton  City  is  named  and 
was  bought  by  him  to  the  United  States,  ami 
reared  and  educated  under  his  fostering  care.  The 
following  children  have  been  born  to  .Mr.  and  .Mr-. 
Ferre,  Daisy  L.,  Mabel  and  Guy.     They  arc  being 


carefully  and  judiciously  reared  and  educated  and 
are  being  conscientiously  instructed  by  their  parents 
in  the  Christian  faith.  For  nine  years  Mr.  Ferre 
was  Postmaster  at  Dalton.  In  politic-  In-  is  a 
stanch  and  sturdy  Republican  and  is  also  identi- 
fied with  the  Knights  of  Honor. 


LDER  WILLIAM  A.  RATES.  The  divine 
command  -Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  has 
for  more  than  eighteen  hundred  years  been  ac- 
cepted by  a  few  who  felt  that  they  would  accept  the 
humble  position  of  teacher  to  the  people,  for  their 
dear  Lord's  sake.  Every  religion  has  its  fanatics, 
but  the  purpose  of  none  is  so  pure  and  unalloyed  as 
that  of  the  preacher  to  the  simple  agricultural 
classes  of  America.  They  are  one  with  the  people 
and  no  false  notions  of  superiority  can  give  tliem 
prestige  over  their  flock.  They  can  preach  the 
life  of  the  Divine  man  in  all  its  simplicity,  because 
the}-  themselves,  in  a  degree,  live  the  same  life. 
( >ur  subject  resides  on  section  13,  of  Ridge 
Township,  Shelby  County.  He  was  born  in  Grant 
County.  Ind.,  his  natal  day  being  December  4. 
1851.  He  is  a  son  of  David  ami  Elizabeth  (  Brad- 
shaw)  Bates,  both  natives  of  Indiana.  Roth  pater- 
nal and  maternal  grandparents  were  pioneer  set- 
tlers of  his  native  State.  '1  he  parents  of  our  sub- 
ject died  in  Indiana,  and  of  a  family  of  eight 
children,  only  three  attained  their  majority.  They 
are.  Rebecca.  John  Wisley  ami  our  subject.  Re- 
becca married  C.  F.  Lay.  and  resides  in  Miami 
County.  Kan.  John  died  in  18110  in  Miami 
County,  Kan.  Our  subject  was  only  five  years  of 
age  when  his  father  passed  away  from  this  life, 
and  one  3-ear  later  he  lost  his  mother,  and  only 
those  who  have  been  orphans  can  appreciate  the 
bereavement  of  the  lad.  Our  subject  had  a  guar- 
dian appointed  with  whom  he  lived  for  a  time, 
after  a  previous  residence  with  his  relatives  on  the 
borne  farm.  He  attended  the  district  schools  and 
derived  all  the  advantages  to  be  had  there. 

At  the  age  of    seventeen     the    original    of    our 
sketch  came     to     Shelby     County     and    purchased 


ess 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


eighty  acres  of  land.  In  1874,  he  was  married  to 
Arminta  Bare,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Marga- 
ret (Dillinger)  Bare.  The  lady  was  born  in  West- 
moreland County,  Pa.,  August  11,  1847.  In  1848 
the  family  removed  to  Ohio  and  in  1872  came  to 
Shelby  County,  where  she  and  our  subject  met 
anil  married.  After  marriage,  he  of  whom  we 
write,  with  his  wife,  went  to  Kansas,  where  they 
resided  for  a  time  in  Miami,  and  then  went  across 
the  line  into  Missouri.  While  West:',  he  purchased 
forty  acres  of  laud  and  operated  land  which  he 
rented. 

In  October,  1882,  the  family  returned  to  Shelby 
County  and  our  subject  has  since  rented  the  land 
which  he  now  occupies,  operating  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres.  Politically.  Mr.  Bates  is  a  Pro- 
hibitionist, not  only  living,  but  teaching  and 
preaching  a  total  abstinence  from  all  stimulants. 
Five  little  ones  have  come  as  buds  of  promise  to 
cheer  the  home  of  our  subject  and  wife.  Of  these, 
four  are  now  living.  They  are  Maggie,  Cora, 
Bertha  and  John.  Mr.  Bates  has  been  an  earnest 
Christian  and  has  officiated  as  minister  over  several 
congregations.  He  preached  one  year  at  Antioch, 
two  years  at  Wilber  Creek,  two  years  at  Union, 
and  two  years  at  Zion,  at  which  place  he  is  now 
preaching.  He  united  with  the  Church  of  Christ 
when  twenty  one  years  of  age,  and  had  no  special 
preparation  for  the  pulpit,  gleaning  his  theologi- 
cal training  as  best  he  could  from  books  and  con- 
versations with  learned,  good  men.  During  the 
time  of  his  ministry  with  the  churches  above  men- 
tioned, he  at  the  same  time  pursued  his  calling  as  a 
farmer,  although  he  has  given  a  portion  of  his 
time  to  his  ministerial  duties.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  church  of  Antioch,  and  occasionally 
preaches  at  that  place. 


3  •$"$••$•*$•/ 


ft/ AMES  SLATER.  Pioneer  life  in  the  Prairie 
State  was  not,  perhaps,  so  full  of  hardships 
as  in  some  of  the  more  densely  wooded  sec- 
tions of  our  country,  but  those  who  came 
to  this  State  in  the  early  days  can  recount  many 
tales  of  deprivation  which  sound  strangely  to   the 


ears  of  the  younger  generation.  In  the  days  when 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  first  lived  in  Illinois, 
there  was  no  Justice  of  the  Peace  nearer  than 
Shelbyville,  and  for  four  years  after  his  coming 
here  no  property  was  assessed  for  taxation. 

Mr.  Slater  was  born  near  the  city  of  Indian- 
opolis.  Ind..  May  2.  1824.  His  parents  were  Wil- 
liam and  Jane  (Wilson)  Slater,  the  father  being  a 
native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  and  the  mother  being 
born  in  Kentucky.  They  were  married  in  Indiana 
and  resided  there  until  1832,  when  they  came  to 
Lawrence  County,  111.,  and  afterward  to  Mont- 
gomery County  where  they  settled  in  1844. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  came  to 
Shelby  County  in  the  year  1848  and  for  four  years 
previous  had  lived  just  across  the  line  and  within 
sight  of  the  village  of  Oconee.  Farming  was 
his  occupation  and  he  did  much  pioneer  work 
in  Montgomery  and  Shelby  Counties.  His  first  mar- 
riage which  took  place  in  Montgomery  Count}',  111., 
prior  to  his  coming  to  Shelby  County,  united  him 
with  a  young  lady  of  great  loveliness  of  character, 
Miss  Ann  Morrell.  Her  married  life  was  brief  but 
full  of  cares  and  responsibilities,  as  was  that  of  all 
early  pioneer  women.  She  died  in  1853  after  having 
become  the  mother  of  five  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  early  childhood;  Jennie  died  in  1889.  The 
two  who  survive  are  Horatio  and  Sidney,  both  of 
whom  are  energetic  young  farmers  of  character 
and  enterprise,  the  eldest  living  in  Fayette  County 
and  the  younger  in  Oconee  Township. 

In  1863  our  subject  assumed  a  second  matri- 
monial alliance  with  Avy  J.  (Turner)  Ishmael. 
Seven  children  were  born  of  this  marriage,  five  of 
whom  were  gathered  to  the  arms  of  the  Heavenly 
Shepherd  in  early  childhood,  and  the  two  who  are 
living  are  Otis,  who  resides  at  home  and  Alta, 
now  Mrs.  Ed.  Morgan  who  lives  on  a  farm  in  this 
township. 

Mr.  Slater  retired  from  the  farm  about  nine 
years  ago,  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  mer- 
chandising. He  owned  and  operated  a  store  in 
Oconee,  and  there  carried  a  full  line  of  groceries, 
provisions,  queensware,  tinware,  notions,  etc.,  and 
enjoyed  a  lucrative  trade.  He  always  took  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  political  affairs  and  worked  with  the 
Democratic  party,    believing    that   the    principles 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RE<  I  )RD. 


- 


announced  bj  the  author  of  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence are  good  enough  for  the   guidance   of 

the  country  in  these  modern  days.  He  was  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  for  eighteen  years,  in  Mont- 
gomery County.  He  was  elected  Supervisor  from 
his  township  when  he  lived  in  Audubon.  Mont- 
gomery County,  and  had  served  as  School  Direc- 
tor, having  always  taken  a  deep  and  abiding  inti 
in  the  public  school  system.  During  his  forty- 
seven  years'  residence  in  this  vicinity  he  witni  - 
the  development  of  this  county  from  a  wilderness 
to  its  present  state  of  high  cultivation. 

'1  he  Oconee  Lodge  Xo.  392  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  is 
the  social  body  with  which  Mr.  Slater  was  formerly 
connected,  but  at  the  time  of  bis  death  he  was  non- 
affiliated. He  held  no  church  membership  but  was 
interested  in  the  progress  of  churches  and  schools 
and  all  institutions  looking  to  the  progress  of  Oco- 
nee. He  was  distinctively  a  pioneer  of  this  region 
and  a  man  who  had  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  all  with  whom  he  is  acquainted.  Mr.  Slater 
died  August  28.  1891,  aged  sixty-seven  years 
eight    months  and  six  day-. 


NH^I 


GEOEGE  W.  BOYS.  A  member  of  a  family 
highly  respected  and  honored  in  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  resides  our  subject  is 
one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  central  part  of  the 
state.  He  was  there  growing  to  manhood  while 
Lincoln  was  maturing  and  preparing  for  the 
career  which  has  made  his  name  immortal.  Mr. 
Boys  resides  on  section  26.  of  Ridge  Township. 
Shelby  County.  He  is  a  son  of  Alexander  and 
Virginia  Boys,  of  whom  notice  may  be  found 
under  the  sketch  of  .lames  Boys,  in  another  part  of 
this  volume.  Our  subject's  father  was  born  in 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century  and  when  the 
War  of  1812  occurred,  he  was  old  enough  to  re- 
member something  regarding  it. 

He  of  whom  >ve  write  first  saw  the  light  of  dav 
in  Vermilion  County,  this  State.  January  23. 
1834.  When  only  two  years  of  age  his  family  re- 
moved from  that  county  and  located  in  Shelby 
County.     Here  he  grew  to  manhood    and    assisted 


in  the  improvement  of  the  farm,  making  bis  home 
under  the  paternal  roof  until  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority. When  twenty  one  years  of  age,  he 
attended  school  for  one  winter,  and  the  next  year 
he  was  married  fo.  Elizabeth  Hardy,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Nellie  Hardy.  Their  marriage 
was  celebrated  February  26.  18.")6.  The  huh  was 
born  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio.  For  the  further 
history  of  her  family  see  sketch  of  William  Hardy 
in  another  part  of  this  Rk>  ord. 

After  marriage.  Mr.  Boys  rented  a  tract  of  laad 
which  he  operated  for  two  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  in  Todd's  Point  Township, 
there  lesiding  for  several  years,  engaged  in  plow. 
ing.  planting  and  reaping,  and  the  general  im- 
provement of  his  place.  They  then  removed  to 
Ridge  Township,  and  purchased  a  larger  tract 
comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which 
was  the  nucleus  of  his  present  farm,  which  was  at 
the  time  of  purchase  but  a  little  improved.  He 
is  now  the  possessor  of  three  hundred  acres  of 
finely  cultivated  and  highly  productive  land,  upon 
which  he  has  expended  iarge  amounts  in  improve- 
ments. Although  Mr.  Boys  follows  general  agri- 
culture as  his  calling,  he  particularly  favors  the 
branch  of  stock  raising  and  has  many  fine  animals 
that  are  noted  throughout  the  county  for  the  pur- 
ity of  their  breeding.  For  some  years  he  devoted 
himself  to  wheat  raising. 

Mr.  Boys  and  his  amiable  and  charming  wife 
have  been  the  parents  of  eight  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living.  They  are  Ollie.  I.uella.  Emma, 
Sarah.  Cora  and  Hope.  Of  these.  Emma  is  the 
wife  of  Law-  in  Killam.  Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Cy- 
rus Killam.  Politically,  our  subject  favors  the 
Democratic  party  and  although  he  is  much  inter- 
ested in  local  politics,  desiring  that  the  best  man 
should  receive  the  favors  to  be  awarded,  he  has 
never  been  prevailed  upon  to  accept  office.  Re- 
ligiously. Mr.  Boys  is  a  believer  in  Christianity, 
but  has  never  connected  himself  with  any  church, 
finding  good  in  all.  His  daughter  Ollie.  howevi  i. 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
in  which  she  is  an  efficient  worker.  Our  subject 
has  felt  that  in  being  entrusted  with  the  care  of 
children,  an  almost  sacred  obligation  is  upon  him 
to  enrich  their  intelligence  to  the  greatest   possible 


690 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


extent,  and  he  has  never  sparer]  any  means  to  give 
his  children  the  best  educational  advantages.     Two 

daughters,  after  finishing  at  the  home  school,  at- 
tended the  Wesleyan  College,  at  Bloomington, 
and  two  others  finished  at  St.  Mary's,  near  Terre 
Halite,  Ind.  Their  course  in  the  Sheibyville 
schools  prior  to  their  college  life,  was  thorough 
and  practical.  His  children  are  cultivated  and  re- 
fined women,  who  are  adornments  and  desirable 
additions  to  the  social  and  intellectual  life  of  the 
community  in  which  they  live.  Miss  Cora  is  a 
teacher  of  music,  in  which  art  she  is  proficient, 
having  a  wide  local  reputation  for  the  beauty  and 
sympathy  of  her  piano  forte  performances. 


AN1EL  MOLL,  of  Moweaqua,  one  of  the 
formost  stock  dealers  in  this  count}',  and  an 
extensive  land  owner,  is  one  of  our  substan- 
tial citizens  who  in  the  successful  management  of 
this  business  has  added  to  the  wealth  of  this  sect- 
ion and  has  helped  to  establish  its  prosperity  on  a 
solid  foundation.  He  was  born  in  Bucks  County 
Pa.  ,  which  was  also  the  native  county  of  his  fath- 
er, who  bore  the  same  name  as  himself.  His  grand- 
father was  likewise  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth  and 
was  of  German  antecedents.  He  spent  his  last  years 
at    his    occupation    as  a    farmer    in  Bucks  County 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  always  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  spend- 
ing his  entire  life  in  the  county  of  his  nativity.  He 
married  Margaret  Hines,  a  native  of  that  county, 
and  a  life-long  resident  of  that  section  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. She  was  the  mother  of  fifteen  children 
that  grew  to  maturity. 

Daniel  Moll,  of  this  biographical  sketch,  passed 
his  life  on  his  father's  farm,  and  when  he  was  eigh- 
teen early  years  of  age  his  father  gave  him  his  time. 
He  started  out  even  with  the  world,  his  only  capital 
being  a  clear  brain,  strong  muscle,  a  courageous 
heart,  and  right  principles,  but  these  were  worth 
more  to  him  than  money,  and  by  their  aid  he  has 
been  more  than  ordinarily  successful  in  acquiring 
wealth.     He  made  his  way  to    Ohio    after    he   left 


the  sheltering  roof  of  his  old  home,  and  entered 
upon  his  career  by  working  upon  a  farm  by  the 
month.  He  was  so  employed  in  the  Buckeye 
State  until  1853,  when,  thinking  that  he  could  do 
better  in  this  Slate,  he  came  to  Shelby  County 
with  a  team,  and  at  first  farmed  as  a  renter.  As  soon 
as  Ins  means  would  admit,  he  bought  forty  acres 
of  land  in  Pickaway  Township,  a  half  of  which 
was  under  cultivation,  and  a  log  cabin  adorned 
the  place.  Busy  years  followed  his  location  there, 
but  prosperity  smiled  upon  his  efforts,  and  lie  of- 
ten judiciously  invested  his  money  in  land,  and  at 
the  present  time  has  nine  hundred  fifty  eight  acres 
of  valuable  real  estate,  divided  into  five  finely  im- 
proved farms. 

Mr.  Moll  continued  his  residence  on  his  home- 
stead until  Ma}',  1890,  when  he  came  to  Mowea- 
qua and  purchased  the  pleasant  place  where  he 
now  lives.  He  has  for  many  years  been  actively 
engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  live-stock,  com- 
mencing in  a  moderate  way,  and  gradually  build- 
ing up  a  large  business,  which  he  still  continues, 
he  being  one  of  the  shippers  in  the  county,  all  his 
stock  going  to  Chicago.  He  is  one  of  our  solid 
business  men,  keen  foresight  and  unerring  judg- 
ment, united  with  honorable  and  generous  dealings, 
marking  all  his  transactions. 

He  stands  high  in  financial  circles,  and  public- 
spirit  is  one  of  his  characteristics,  he  being  always 
willing  to  use  his  means  and  influence  to  advance 
all  enterprises  that  will  in  any  way  benefit  city  or 
country.  He  lias  always  given  of  his  time  to  help 
in  the  management  of  civic  affairs,  and  has  done 
good  service  as  Highway  Commissioner  and  as  a 
member  of  the  District  School  Board.  As  to  his 
politics,  he  is  a  firm  and  unswerving  adherence  to 
the  Republican  part}-.  Both  he  and  his  good  wife 
are  people  of  earnest  religious  character  and  are 
faithful  members  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
Church. 

Mr.  Moll  has  been  exceedingly  happy  in  his  do- 
mestic relations,  as  by  his  marriage  in  November, 
1853,  with  Miss  Coraline  Wolfe,  lie  secured  a 
wife  who  has  ever  been  watchful  of  his  interests, 
and  has  cheerfully  co-operated  with  him  in  the 
upbuilding  of  their  home.  They  have  five  children, 
namely:     Mary  E.,    who    is    the    wife    of  Jesse  O. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


691 


Weakly,  of  Ridge  Township;  John,  who  married 
Miss  Nelly  Tolly,  and  lives  in  Pickaway  Town- 
ship; Clara  A.  .the  wife  of  Cyrus  Weakly,  of  Pick- 
away Township:  and  William  Henry,  who  lives  at 
home  with  his  parents. 

Mrs.  Moll  is  a  native  of  Fairfield  County.  Ohio, 
and  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Susan  (Stearns) 
Wolf.  Her  father,  who  is  thought  to  have 
been  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  a  pioneer  of 
Hawkin  Township,  Fairfield  County,  where  he  car- 
ied  on  his  trade  as  a  miller,  and  died  at  a  ripe  age 
in  1840.  His  wife,  who  was  a  Pennsylvania!)  by 
birth,  spent  her  last  years  with  a  daughter  in  Carro 
County.  Ind. 


@ 


ACOB  SIT  MP.  The  most  imperishable 
monuments  erected  to  commemorate  the  vir- 
tues of  our  deceased  friends  are  not  built  of 
perishable  marble,  but  are  found  in  the  mem- 
ories and  affections  of  friends  and  fellow-men. 
Our  subject,  Jacob  Stump,  who  passed  away  from 
this  life  to  seek  the  light  of  upper  day,  April  8, 
1876,  was  one  whose  monument  though  unpreten- 
tious, is  as  enduring  as  the  memory  of  man,  for 
his  thoughts  and  acts  and  words  were  such  as  to 
make  the  world  better  and  wiser  and  to  bring  hu- 
manity iuto  nearer  relation  with  the  great  Infinite. 
He  was  a  genial,  whole-souled  man  who  was  the 
confidant  and  friend  of  every  person  who  needed 
a  sympathetic  ear  in  which  to  pour  their  joys  or 
grievances. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Fairfield  County.  Ohio, 
October  20,  1820.  He  comes  of  Pennsylvania 
Dutch  parentage,  who  were  early  settlers  in  Fair- 
field Count}',  Ohio.  His  father  and  mother  lived 
and  died  where  our  subject  was  born.  They  were 
both  old  people  at  the  time  of  their  decease,  and 
had  seen  much  experience  in  pioneer  life.  They 
were  members  of  the  German  Reformed  Church. 
Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  and  attained  his 
majority  in  his  native  county.  There  he  was  edu- 
cated and  having  an  aptitude  for  study,  he  began 
his  career  as  a  teacher  and  was  thus  engaged  until 
he  was  twenty-nine  years  old. 

In    1849,    Mr.   Stump    was  united   in    marriage 


in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Sarah  Blinker, 
a  native  also  of  that  place,  being  there  born  March 
13.  1827.  She  was  the  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  (Shafer).  natives  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  Dutch  ancestry  with  a  mixture  of 
Irish.  After  marriage  in  Pickaway  County,  George 
Blinker  and  wife  began  life  as  very  poor  people. 
They  made  a  home  far  back  in  the  depths  of  the 
woods  of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  where  they 
began  their  domestic  life  in  the  most  primitive 
style.  They  were  surrounded  by  wild  game  of  all 
kinds,  and  before  their  little  log  cabin  was  built 
their  cooking  was  done  in  the  lea  of  two  logs, 
which  they  rolled  together  in  lieu  of  a  fireplace. 
They  were  industrious  and  ingenious  young  people, 
and  as  their  children  increased  and  grew  in  stature 
and  strength,  tbey  made  a  comfortable  little  home, 
where  the  parents  lived  and  labored  together  for 
many  years,  surrounded  by  a  family  of  children 
that  were  blessed  with  robust  constitutions,  and 
bright,  clear,  vigorous  minds;  and  although  they 
did  not  afford  a  great  deal  of  style,  they  had 
plenty  to  live  on  and  a  comfortable  abode  Here 
the  parents  lived  until  the  time  of  their  decease. 
being  old  people  when  taken  away.  For  years 
their  social  life  was  closely  connected  with  their 
church  relations,  being  ardent  members  of  the 
Methodist  denomination.  Mr.  Brinker's  home, 
humble  as  it  was,  was  always  large  enough  to  en 
tertain  the  traveling  preacher,  and  thej'  did  not 
regard  it  as  anything  but  a  privilege  to  transform 
their  house  into  a  temporary  sanctuary.  The 
thought  seems  fitting  that  in  the  little  house 
snuggled  down  among  the  great  trees  in  God's 
own  temple,  that  the  handful  of  settlers  should 
meet  to  hear  the  Gospel  expounded. 

Mrs.  Stump,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  was  early 
acquainted  with  pioneer  life,  and  was  fitted  to  be 
the  wife  f  a  man  who  was  determined  to  make  a 
place  for  himself  in  the  world.  After  the  birth  of 
three  of  their  children,  one  of  whom  died.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stump  set  out,  in  1854.  for  what  was  then 
considered  the  wild  West.  They  took  the  over- 
land route,  coming  hither  with  teams,  thus  bring- 
ing their  household  g Is  and   two  small  children. 

The   journey  was  a  difficult   one.    for    the    mother 
had  a  baby  who  was  less  than  a  }-ear  old,  and   who 


692 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


was  taken  sick  on  the  way.  compelling  them  to 
make  a  slop  of  a  week.  Mothers  of  to-day.  who 
are  frantic  if  a  physician  cannot  respond  to  their 
call  within  ten  minutes  to  attend  upon  their  chil- 
dren who  are  slightly  indisposed,  can  realize  the 
anxiety  of  the  mother  whose  situation  rendered  it 
so  difficult  to  alleviate  the  suffering  of  her  little 
one.  After  reaching  this  State,  they  settled  in 
Pickaway  Township,  on  a  farm  in  section  19, 
which  was  then  only  slightly  improved.  It  com- 
prised one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  here  they 
began  life  anew,  and  here  they  have  lived  and 
labored  together  until  the  father  and  husband  was 
taken  away.  He  lived,  however,  to  enjoy  the 
result  of  his  early  labor. 

Mrs.  .Stump  still  owns  eighty  acres,  and  here  she 
makes  her  abiding  place.  It  is  a  well  improved 
farm,  and  does  not  suffer  from  lack  of  care.  The 
lady  has  been  a  hard  worker,  and  for  many  years 
did  the  work  that  our  grandmothers  discarded. 
that  of  spinning  her  own  yarn  and  thread,  and 
then  weaving  it  into  cloth  and  carpets.  After 
living  to  see  her  children  grown  up  about  her.  and 
taking  honorable  positions  in  life,  she  is  still  hale 
and  active  for  one  of  her  years.  One  of  her 
greatest  pleasures  and  comforts  has  been  in  church 
work,  both  she  and  her  husband  having  been  for 
many  years  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Stump  was  a  great  Sunday-school 
worker.  Politically,  he  affiliated  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  occupied  several  local  offices, 
having  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  number  of 
years. 

Mrs.  Stump  is  the  mother  of  twelve  children, 
four  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Their  names  are 
respe  lively:  Mary.  George.  Henry,  and  an  un- 
named infant.  The  living  children  are:  Catherine. 
Salome,  Wayne,  Elizabeth,  Charles.  John,  Ida  B. 
and  Carrie.  Catherine  is  the  wife  of  John  Porter, 
and  resides  on  a  farm  in  Todd's  Point  Township. 
Salome  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Sloan,  who  owns  a 
farm  in  tbis  township.  Wayne,  who  took  to  wife 
Sarah  Davis,  is  a  farmer  in  this  township.  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  S.  B.  Cole,  lives  on  and  operates 
the  home  place.  Charles  took  to  wife  Lucretia 
Hoy,  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Pickaway  Township. 
John  resides  with  his  brother  in-law.  John  Porter. 


at  this  place.  Ida  B.  is  the  wife  of  B.  A.  Rich- 
hart,  of  whom  a  biographical  sketch  may  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  volume.  The  youngest 
daughter,  Carrie,  is  the  comfort  and  support  of 
her  mother's  declining  years;  she  is  a  well  edu- 
cated and  refined  woman,  holding  a  desirable  posi- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  the  county. 


— i 5— 


wffj 


~*Q 


>*<! 


Sr- 


ON.  ALFRED  C.  CAMPBELL,  a  distin 
guished  veteran  officer  of  two  wars,  was 
formerly  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  this 
county,  and,  as  the  proprietor  of  a  large 
and  finely  improved  farm,  is  still  indentified  with 
its  agricultural  affairs  although  practically  living 
in  retirement  in  his  pleasant  home  at  Moweaqua. 
He  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  carl}'  pioneer  families  of 
Central  Illinois,  is  noted  in  its  history  as  the  third 
child  bom  of  white  parents  in  Sangamon  County 
and  is  thought  to  be  the  oldest  white  man  living 
who  is  a  native  of  that  county. 

Our  subject  was  born  July  22.  1819.  and  comes 
of  good  Revolutionary  stock  and  Scotch  ancestry. 
The  first  of  the  Campbell  family  to  come  to  this 
country  from  his  native  heaths  in  Scotland  was  the 
great-grandfather  of  subject,  who  came  here  in 
Colonial  times  and  settled  iu  South  Carolina.  His 
son  Jeremiah  was  the  next  in  line.  He  was  born 
in  Scotland  and  emigrated  to  South  Carolina,  and 
went  from  there  to  Tennessee  in  the  early  years  of 
its  settlement,  before  it  became  a  State  and  when 
the  Cherokee  Indians  held  full  sway  there.  He 
I  located  at  Hampton, -Carter  County  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  there.  He  did  valiant  service 
in  the  Revolutionary  War  as  a  soldier  under  the 
gallant  Gen.  Francis  Marion.  His  wife  was  a 
Miss  Marr. 

The  father  of  subject,  John  Campbell,  was  born 
Nov.  24,  1790,  in  Carter  County.  Tenn.  He  was  of 
a  thoughtful  and  studious  turn  of  mind,  and  made 
the  best  of  his  opportunities  to  obtain  an  educa- 
tion. In  1817  he  came  to  Illinois,  which  was  then 
a  territory,  and  first  located  in  Madison  County. 
He  was  there  married  to  Levina  Parkinson,  and  in 
1819  he   started    with    a    team    for    the"  unsettled 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


693 


wilderness  of  Sangamon  Count}-.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  to  locate  there,  and  though  the  land 
was  not  then  in  market  he  made  a  claim  on  Lick 
Creek,  and  after  building  a  log  cabin  for  the  shel- 
ter of  his  family,  he  entered  actively  upon  pioneer 
work  that  lay  before  him. of  evolving  a  farm  from 
the  wild  country  in  which  he  had  settled.  He  was 
of  an  energetic  disposition,  very  capable,  and  by 
hard  and  unremitting  labor  acquired  and  improved 
a  large  tract  of  land,  and  became  one  of  the  most 
substantial  men  of  his  township.  A  man  of  his  cal- 
ibre was  naturally  called  to  positions  of  trust  in  the 
administration  of  public  affairs,  and  among  other 
offices  he  held  that  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  many 
years.  Possessed  of  considerable  learning  himself, 
he  had  a  just  value  of  a  good  education,  and  did 
all  he  could  to  advance  the  educational  interests  of 
his  township  by  building  a  hewed  log  house  on  his 
own  land  for  school  purposes,  the  school  being 
taught  on  the  subscription  plan.  Politically  he 
was  a  stanch  Democrat.  He  died  in  1874,  thus 
closing  a  long  and  well-spent  life,  and  leaving  be- 
hind him  the  legacy  of  an  untarnished  name  that 
is  held  in  reverence  by  all  who  knew  him. 

When  Mr.  Campbell  became  a  pioneer  of  San- 
gamon County,  there  were  but  few  white  settlers 
in  Illinois,  the  Indians  still  retaining  their  old 
hunting  grounds  to  a  great  extent.  Kaskaskia  was 
the  capital  of  the  State.  Springfield  had  not  been 
founded,  and  St.  Louis,  which  was  but  a  village  at 
that  time  was  the  nearest  market  for  the  settlers  to 
sell  their  products  and  obtain  supplies.  The  people 
were  home-livers,  having  to  subsist  on  what  they 
could  raise  and  on  the  game  such  as  deer,  wild 
turkeys,  etc., which  were  abundant.  The  wives  and 
daughters  of  the  pioneers  had  to  card,  spin  and 
weave  the  wool  and  flax  raised  by  the  men,  to 
make  cloth  for  wearing  materiafand  other  purposes. 
The  father  of  subject  lived  to  see  a  great  change 
wrought,  not  only  in  the  face  of  the  country,  but 
in  the  mode  of  living  and  the  customs  of  the  peo 
pie. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  subject  was  Will- 
iam  Parkinson  a  native  of  Tennessee.  His  father, 
Peter  Parkinson,  was  born  in  England,  came  to 
America  in  Colonial  times,  and  spent  his  last  yeais 
in  Carter  County,  Tenn.     William   Parkinson  was 


reared  in  Tennessee,  and  came  from  there  to  this 
State  in  territorial  days.  He  was  a  pioneer  of  Mad- 
ison County,  whence  he  went  after  a  few  years  to 
Lafayette  County,  Wis.,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers,  and  there  he  died  in  the  course  of 
time.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Russell.  The  mother 
of  subject  was  a  worthy  type  of  the  pioneer  women 
of  Illinois  who  did  so  much  to  help  their  fathers, 
husbands  and  sons  in  reclaiming  this  Slate  from  the 
wilderness.  She  carefully  reared  a  family  of  six 
children  to  the  habits  of  industry  and  right  living, 
of  whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest.  The  names  of 
the  others  are  William,  Jeremiah,  Joseph  W.,  Peter 
C,  and  Caroline. 

Born  in  the  early  years  of  the  settlement  of  this 
State,  our  subject  grew  up  amid  pioneer  surround- 
ings, and  was  educated  in  the  primitive  schools  of 
the  olden  times,  which  were  taught  in  log  houses 
that  were  furnished  with  rude  slab  benches,  and 
greased  paper  pasted  over  the  opening  made  by  the 
removal  of  a  log  from  the  side  of  the  building 
served  instead  of  glass  to  light  the  interior.  He 
was  studious,  and  under  such  able  masters  as 
Daniel  McCaskill,  John  Calhoun,  who  afterwards 
became  famous  in  the  Kansas  border  troubles,  and 
Rowan  Morris,  he  obtained  a  good  practical  educa- 
tion, including  a  good  knowledge  of  mathematics 
and  surveying.  Thus  well  equipped  mentally,  he 
utilized  his  education  by  teaching  several  terms 
after  he  attained  manhood.  He  selected  farming 
as  his  principal  life-work,  however,  and  was  en- 
gaged at  that  in  Sangamon  County  until  he  came 
to  this  county  in  1851,  when  he  chose  a  desirable 
location  on  section  4,  township  13  (now  Flat 
Branch  Township),  range  2.  He  developed  a  fine 
farm  of  four  hundred  and  ten  acres  and  also  gave 
his  attention  to  the  mercantile  business,  opening  a 
store  on  his  homestead,  which  he  conducted  there 
until  the  village  of  Moweaqua  was  founded  in 
1856.  He  then  removed  his  business  thither,  and 
carried  it  on  here  until  1859.  Returning  then  to 
his  farm,  he  made  it  his  place  of  residence  the  en- 
suing five  years,  though  much  of  that  time  was 
spent  in  fighting  for  his  country  on  Southern  battle- 
fields. Since  the  war  he  has  lived  practically  re- 
tired at  Moweaqua.  though  superintending  his 
farming  interests,  as  he  still  retains  four    hundred 


69  1 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


acres  of    fine    farm    land   in    Moweaqu.i    and   Flat 
Branch  Townships. 

As  before  mentioned.  Capt.  Campbell  has  dis- 
played his  loyalty  to  the  Government  and  his 
patriotism  by  service  'in  two  wars.  After  war  was 
declared  with  Mexico  he  enlisted  June  10,  1846.  in 
Company  D,  Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  commanded 
by  Col.  E.  D.  Baker.  He  was  elected  Lieutenant  of 
his  regiment,  and  went  with  it  from  Alton  to  Jeffer- 
son Barracks.  St.  Louis,  whence,  after  a  few  weeks' 
drilling'  in  army  tactics,  it  was  dispatched  to 
Mexico  by  way  uf  New  Orleans.  Ascending  the 
Rio  Grande  River  to  Camargo.  from  that  point  the 
regiment  marched  back  to  Metamoras.  and  from 
there  to  Victoria,  where  on;  subject  and  his  com- 
mand were  placed  under  Gen.  Scott,  and  bore 
active  part  in  the  bombardment  of  Vera  Cruz  and 
the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo.  At  Tampico.  the  cap- 
lain  dying,  our  subject  was  left  in  command  of  the 
company,  and  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  ex- 
piration of  the  term  of  enlistment,  and  returning 
then  to  Illinois,  arrived  about  a  year  from  the 
time  of  leaving  the  Stale. 

Capt.  Campbell's  experience  in  the  war  with 
Mexico  made  his  services  valuable  in  the  great 
Civil  War  that  followed  in  the  United  States 
several  years  later,  when  he  volunteered  in  Octo- 
ber. 1861.  and  went  to  the  front  as  Captain  of 
Company  E.  Thirty-second  Illinois  Infantry,  com- 
manded by  Col.  John  A.  Logan.  For  three  years 
he  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  war  his  regiment 
was  a  part  of  the  Seventeenth  corps.  The 
Captain  saw  much  hard  campaigning  aud  fight- 
ing in  Missouri.  Arkansas.  Kentucky.  Tennessee, 
Mississippi.  Georgia.  Alabama  and  South  Carolina. 
He  faced  the  enemy  in  the  battles  of  Ft.  Donel- 
son  and  Shiloh,  was  active  in  the  sieges  of  Corinth 
and  Coldwater,  and  fought  in  the  engagement 
around  Vicksbuig.  Jackson  and  Keuesaw  Moun 
lain,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  famous  "March 
from  Atlanta  to  the  Sea,"  taking  part  in  the 
various  battles  and  skirmishes  on  the  way.  He 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  February.  1865, 
a  «  ar  worn  veteran,  whose  record  as  a  soldier  was 
bright  and  reflected  credit  on  the  military  of  his 
native  State. 


Capt.  Campbell  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote 
for  Martin  Van  Buren  in  1840,  and  for  more  than 
half  a  century  has  beeifa  Democrat  of  the  deepest 
dye.  His  party  honored  him  by  electing  him  to 
the  legislature  in  1880  to  represent  the  Thirty- 
third. Senatorial  District,  including  the  counties  of 
Shelby.  Effingham  and  Cumberland.  A  flattering 
majority  of  his  fellow-citizens'  votes  seut  him  to 
the  General  Assembly,  and  tie  fulfilled  his  duties 
while  there  with  characteristic  fidelity  and  public 
spirit.  He  was  at  one  time  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
being  an  incumbent  of  that  office  two  terms.  In 
his  social  relations  he  is  connected  with  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  ana  is  now  the  oldest  charter 
member  of  Moweaqua  Lodge.  No.  180. 

May  3.  1838.  Capt.  Campbell  was  married  to 
Polly,  daughter  of  Peyton  Foster,  and  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  Their  happy  wedded  life  of  nearly 
twenty  years'  duration  was  brought  to  an  end  by 
the  death  of  the  faithful  wife  January  'J,  1858. 
She  was  the  mother  of  these  six  children :  John  P., 
a  resident  of  Spokane  Falls.  Wash.:  Elizira 
E..  wife  of  James  W.  Clark,  of  Moweaqua;  Sarah 
C  wife  of  Edward  Segar.  of  Decatur:  Leonard 
W..  a  resident  of  Dallas.  Tex.:  Alfred  C,  now  de- 
ceased, who  married  aud  left  five  children:  and 
George  W.,  deceased.  Our  subject  was  again 
married  June  17,  185iL  to  his  present  estimable 
wife,  formerly  Miss  Jennie  Hurt,  a  native  of  Mont- 
gomery County,  Ohio,  and  in  her  he  has  a  true 
companion  and  devoted  helpmate. 


^  EV.  ALBERT  R.  BECKETT.  There  is 
perhaps  no  more  public  spirited  man  nor 
one  more  wide-awake  to  matters  of  general 
)  interest  in  the  township  of  Oconee.  Shelby 
County,  than  the  gentleman  whose  name  initiates 
this  sketch,  who  is  carrying  on  the  work  of  a  far- 
mer and  stock -raiser,  along  with  arduous  pastoral 
labors.  He  was  born  in  McMinn  County.  Tenn.. 
October  27,  1824.  His  father.  Josiah  Beckett, 
was  a  Virginian,  and  his  mother.  Barbara  Souders. 
a  Marylander.     They   have    three    sons    and     six 


PORTRAIT  AND  r.Mi.KAPIIK'AL    KK.toRD. 


695 


daughters  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  youngest. 
They  are:  Arrnie.  Thomas.  Sabina,  Elizabeth, 
Elza.  Mary.  Nancy,  Susannah,  and  Albert   R.,    our 

subject.  Only  four  are  now  living.  Eliza  resides 
in  Clinton  County.  Ky.,  as  does  also  Susannah  and 
Nancy  in  Missouri. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  removed  from  Ten- 
nessee to  Kentucky  while  he  was  still  young  and 
there  he  attended  school  at  Danville,  lie  studied 
law  for  some  time  but  decided  not  to  enter  prac- 
tice. After  eight  years  spent  in  Danville,  he  was 
married  in  Clinton  County.  Ky..  in  184.5.  to  Mi?^ 
Louisa  Shelley,  who  was  born  in  that  State  in 
1S25.  of  Virginia  parents  who  had  removed  to 
Kentucky  in  a  very  early  day. 

Albert  R.  Beckett  remained  in  Kentucky  until 
1862  when  he  was  obliged  to  flee  to  save  his  life. 
He  had  been  robbed  of  everythirg  he  had  by  the 
so  called  Confederacy.  He  was  frequently  shot 
at  and  on  one  occasion  he  and  his  two  sons  were 
attacked  while  at  work  in  the  field.  They  heroi- 
cally defended  themselves,  being  well  armed,  but 
were  finally  obliged  to  retreat,  leaving  every- 
thing. They  gathered  the  little  family  into  a 
wagon  and  set  out  with  an  ox-team  for  the  North. 
He  had  but  seventy-five  cents  in  money  when  he 
left  the  South.  The  ground  traveled  over  by  the 
party  lay  between  the  two  opposing  armies,  hence 
no  obstructions  were  presented  to  thejr  flight. 

The  family  reached  Charleston.  Coles  County. 
111.,  and  remained  there  for  about  four  years.  Mr. 
Beckett  bought  forty  acres  of  land  which  he 
finally  sold  and  started  to  go  to  Ft.  smith.  Ark., 
but  while  on  the  way  he  was  atttacked  by  guer- 
rillas and  wounded.  He  at  once  decided  to  return 
to  Illinois  and  now  made  his  permanent  home  in 
Oconee  Township,  where  he  still  resides. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beckett  were  born  eleven  chil- 
dren nine  of  whom  are  now  living:  Elza  who  married 
Maria  Titus,  is  a  farmer  and  resides  in  Oconee  Town- 
ship: Albert  R.  married  and  resides  in  Missouri  on 
a  farm;  John  with  his  wife  lives  in  this  township: 
G.  A.  C.  is  married  and  lives  near  his  parents; 
William  C.  lives  with  his  wife  in  this  towpship; 
Samuel  is  married  and  lives  with  his  parents:  Bar- 
bara Jane  is  married  and  lives  in  Oconei  Town- 
ship; Eliza  Ellen  is  unmarried  and   is    taking    care 


of  her  afflicted  mother.  Arcadia  died  in  child- 
hood. In  addition  to  these  children  there  were 
born  a  pair  of  twins,  a  boy  and  a  girl,  whom  the 
father  named  Abe  and  Lincoln,  giving  the  girl 
also  the  moie  feminine  appelation  of  Clarinda. 
Abe  died  in  infancy.  His  sister.  Miss  Clarinda 
Lincoln  Beckett,  married  E.  F.  Barker,  an  attor- 
ney at  Danville,  hid.,  who  is  also  a  noted  orator 
espousing  the  Prohibition  cause. 

About  thirty-three  years  ago  Mr.  Beckett  ex- 
perienced  religion  and  soon  after  felt  it  his  duly 
to  preach  the  Gospel.  He  studied  theological 
works  and  finally  began  to  preach  for  the  Baptist 
Church  in  Clinton  Comity.  Ky..  and  afterward  in 
Coles  County.  111.  He  subsequently  became  im- 
bued with  the  idea  that  our  portion  of  punish- 
ment and  tribulation  was  quite  complete  in  this 
life  and  he  espoused  the  belief  of  the  Universalis t 
and  was  ordained  bv  the  Dniversalist  Convention 
of  the  State  of  Illinois  some  eleven  years  ago. 

Mrs.  Beckett  has  been  a  helpless  invalid  for  the 
last  eleven  years.  She  believes  that  it  is  largely 
due  to  the  nervous  shock  which  she  experienced 
durii  g  her  husband's  hazardous  experiences  in  the 
late  war.  Mr.  Beckett  owns  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  valuable  land  which  he  has  in  fine 
condition  as  he  superintends  it  all  personally.  He 
takes  an  interest  in  public  affairs  generally,  and  is 
enterprising  and  public  spirited.  He  is  a  Prohi- 
bitionist in  sentiment  and  espouses  the  cause  of 
the  laboring  men  of  the  countiy,  demanding  that 
they  have  representation  in  Congress  and  else- 
where. 


r  -Hi  (MAS  SINGER.  It  seems  odd  that  while 
our  Teutonic  neighbors  are  generally  con- 
ceded to  be  rather  phlegmatic  and  slow, 
and  notoriously  a  home-loving  people,  that  at  the 
same  time  the)-  should  be  among  the  widest  trav- 
eled people  and  have  accomplished  more  in  ad- 
vancement, in  the  general  sciences,  than  any  other 
nationality.  Our  subject,  Thomas  Singer,  who 
resides  on  his  farm  located  on  section  6,  Tower 
Hill  Township,   Shelby    County,  is  a   German 


696 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


birth  and  education,  and  liis  life  has  been  one  of 
varied  experiences.  Reared  as  a  farmer  lad  in  his 
own  country,  he  had  a  taste  for  military  training 
to  which  the  lads  of  Germany  are  subjected. 

Mr.  Singer  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  No- 
vember 8,  1831.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Caroline 
(Dorn)  Singer,  and  is  the  only  one  of  the  family 
who  have  left  the  home  nest  and  dared  the  dan- 
gers of  the  three  thousand  miles  of  ocean,  to  come 
to  the  United  States.  A  half  brother,  John  Hab- 
erlein,  came  with  him.  Our  subject  came  hither 
in  1852  and  after  landing  proceeded  to  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  where  for  some  time  he  was  en- 
gaged   in  work  as  a  hostler. 

In  1856.  when  the  gold  fever  was  at  its  height 
in  California,  the  original  of  our  sketch  crossed 
the  plains  in  order  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  land 
then  productive  of  the  precious  metal,  now  yield- 
ing the  richest  harvest  in  its  fruits  and  woods. 
He  there  remained  for  ten  years,  during  that  time 
being  engaged  as  a  farm  hand  for  seven  years, 
after  which  he  kept  a  dairy  near  San  Jose.  He 
was  reasonably  successful  in  a  financial  way  while 
West,  although  he  had  to  contend  with  much  sick- 
ness in  his  family.  In  1866,  he  returned  to  the 
Central  States,  locating  in  Shelby  County,  where 
he  purchased  land  upon  which  he  now  resides. 
This  tract  was  originally  railroad  bind  and  at  the 
time  of  his  location  was  virgin  soil,  its  only  pro- 
duct having  been  the  wild  flowers  of  the  prairie; 
for  this  he  paid  $13  and  &16  per  acre.  He  now 
owns  one  hundred  and  thirty- one  and  a  third  acres, 
which  is  thoroughly  improved  and  in  a  fine  state 
of  cultivation,  the  changes  having  been  made  by 
his  own  efforts. 

Mr.  Singer  has  erected  a  good  farm  residence 
upon  his  place.  It  is  quite  new,  having  been 
built  in  1890.  Just  before  his  removal  to  Califor- 
nia, our  subject  united  himself  for  better  or  worse 
to  Catherine  Leyh.  She  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  and  was  of  German  parentage,  her 
parents  being  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth  (Arnoli) 
Leyh.  Several  children  have  come  to  gladden  the 
hearts  and  homes  of  their  affectionate  parents. 
Their  names  are  John,  George,  Thou  as,  August, 
Elizabeth,  Henry,  Ellen  and  Clara.  Politically 
Mr.  Singer  favors  the  Democratic  part}-,  its  broad 


platform  more  nearly  approaching  the  idea  which 
in  early  life  he  formed  of  the  freedom  of  govern- 
ment in  America.  He,  with  his  family,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran   Church. 


•^^1 


Hffi'H 


II* 


<|       IVILLIAM    J.     BREHMER.      The    pleasant 
1  a/|    home    belonging  to  the   intelligent  young 

ffiy  man  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of 
this  sketch,  is  presided  over  by  a  lady  of  true  cul- 
ture and  refinement  who  makes  it  one  of  the  bright 
spots  in  Prairie  Township,  Shelby  County,  and  the 
best  place  on  earth  to  her  hard  working  husband 
and  interesting  children.  Mr.  Brehmer  was  born 
in  1'russia,  Germany,  June  10,  1858,  being  a  son 
of  Charles  and  Caroline  (Kasang)  Brehmer,  who 
came  to  America  in  1861  and  made  Chicago  their 
first  stopping  place.  They  remained  in  the  vicinity 
of  that  city  for  about  two  years  and  then  removed 
to  this  county,  where  the  parents  now  own  two 
hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  they 
have  changed  from  a  raw  prairie  to  a  well  cultiva- 
ted farm,  and  upon  which  they  have  placed  excel- 
lent farm  buildings. 

Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  the  five  surviving 
children  of  his  parents,  his  brothers  and  sisters  be- 
ing Lizzie,  (JMrs.  Theodore  Werth);  Fred,  Emma 
and  Anna.  Farm  training  consumed  most  of  the 
early  years  of  our  subject  and  he  had  but  a  scant 
opportunity  for  acquiring  an  education,  although 
he  did  for  a  short  time  attend  the  district  schools 
but  the  family  necessities  often  demanded  his  help 
upon  the  farm,  and  the  father  did  not  appreciate 
as  the  son  does  the  necessities  of  an  American  citi- 
zen in  this  line.  He  resided  at  home  until  1881, 
when  he  was  happily  joined  in  marriage  with  Ma- 
tilda, daughter  of  Charles  and  Margaret  Kull,  who 
was  born  in  this  county,  October  9,  1861. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Brehmer  resides  on  section 
14,  Prairie  Township,  to  which  he  removed  from 
Hocking  County,  Ohio,  in  1856.  He  was  born 
February  16,  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and 
Hannah  Kull  of  whom  our  reader  will  learn  more 
in  the  biography  of  Mr.  J.  F.  Kull  upon  another 
page  of   this  book.     He  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in 


PORTRAIT  AND  Blot  .KAPHICAL    RECORD. 


697 


Hocking  County,  and  after  attaining  his  majority 
worked  for  one  season  in  Miami  County,  hid.,  but 
returned  to  Ohio  until  1856.  when  be  came  to  Illi- 
nois. Ilis  marriage  in  December,  18j7.  with  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  Adam  and  Catherine  Lowery 
brought  him  ten  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Brehmer 
is  the  third  in  order  of  age.  For  a  number  of 
Vitus  ne  rented  land  but  now  owns  sixty  acres 
where  he  resides  in  Prairie  Township,  all  of  which 
he  has  changed  from  virgin  soil  to  a  well  cultivated 
farm,  and  upon  which  he  has  placed  good  build- 
ings. He  is  independent  in  his  political  ideas  but 
tends  to  the  Democratic  vote  rather  than  the  Re- 
publican, and  in  his  religious  life  he  is  in  accord 
and  membership  with  the  Lutheran  Church. 

Six  children  blessed  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brehmer  and  the  following  named  are  living: 
Clara,  Amelia,  Nellie  and  Anna.  Forty  acres  of 
tine  land  and  a  comfortable  farm  residence  forms 
the  estate  of  our  subject,  ami  by  his  industry  ami 
frugality  be  has  been  able  to  place  all  of  these  in 
an  excellent  condition.  His  political  views  have 
caused  him  to  affiliate  with  the  Democratic-  party 
and  his  position  as  School  Director  has  given  him 
an  opportunity  to  work  efficiently  to  the  end  that 
his  children,  and  the  children  of  his  neighbors  may 
have  the  best  opportunities  for  education.  He 
earnestly  believes  that  such  a  training  as  may  be 
acquired  in  the  public  schools  is  the  best  prepara- 
tion for  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  mature 
years.  The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  is  the 
religious  body  with  which  he  find  himself  in  ac- 
cord and  here  he  makes  his  religious  home  and  is  a 
helper  in  every  good  word  andwork. 


5  MANUEL  OMAN.  The  history  of  our 
subject  is  that   of  many    farmers   who  have 

^  struggled  to  make  themselves  and  families 
a  home  and  social  position  in  their  chosen  com- 
munities, hiding  the  little  romances  or  tragedies 
that  come  to  them  as  to  others  under  a  serene  and 
impassive  exterior.  Not  many  of  our  farmers  had 
the  time  or  inclination  to  make  verses  to    the  field 


dais}-,  or  the  field  mice,  as  did  Burns,  but  there 
have  been  whole  volumes  of  poetry  unwritten, 
surging  under  the  rough  exterior  of  many  a  plough- 
man or  many  a  harvester.  They  are  songs  un- 
sung. 

He  of  whom  we  write  is  a  farmer  residing  on 
section  26,  and  also  owning  land  in  sections  22  and 
25,  of  Ridge  Township.  Shelby  County.  He  was 
born  in  Pickaway  County.  Ohio.  January  15,  1847, 
being  a  sou  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Martin)  Oman. 
The  family  were  early  settlers  in  the  county  and 
State  in  which  our  subject  was  born,  and  Samuel 
<  Mnan  still  resides  on  the  place  where  he  was  born 
seventy-five  years  ago.  Mrs.  Oman  dk-d  when  our 
subject  was  but  seven  years  of  age.  She  left  to 
her  bereaved  husband,  six  children,  and  one  child 
had  been  called  away  before  its  mother.  The  six 
living  children  are  William,  Emanuel,  Catherine, 
Isabel.    Adam  and  John. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Oman  married  a  second  time, 
his  wife  being  Sarah  Pontius.  Three  children 
were  the  fruit  of  this  marriage.  Their  names  are 
Josephus,  Elizabeth  and  Elmer,  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  country 
schools,  where  he  learned  the  three  R's,  and  such 
other  branches  as  were  considered  essential  at  that 
time.  He  continued  to  reside  in  Ohio  until  1869, 
when  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  first  in  Pickaway 
Township  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  anil  on  which  he  resided  for  eight 
\  ears.  He  then  came  to  Ridge  Township  and  subse- 
quently settled  where  lie  at  present  resides.  He  is 
now  :he owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty-one  acres 
of  land   which  is  well  tilled  and  xery  productive. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried. His  first  wife  was  .Mary  A.  Reed,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Martha  Reed.  She  was  born  in 
Pickaway  County.  Ohio,  January  20.  1849.  and 
came  to  Illinois  where  she  died,  December  16, 
1869,  leaving  one  child,  whose  name  is  William  E. 
Their  marriage  was  celebrated    February  16,  1869. 

In  1872.  our  subject  was  again  married,  his 
choice  being  Miss  Viola  Small,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Small.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children 
whose  names  are:  Harley  C  Clarence  E..  Cora  1!. 
and  Luther  J.,  all  of  whom  are  bright  and  intelli- 
gent and  active  members  of  society.     <  >ur  subject 


698 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


bas  joined  the  army  of  Prohibitionists,  believing 
that  the  issue  of  prohibition  is  more  important  than 
the  tariff  or  any  consideration  that  other  parties 
may  he  concerned  with.  He  has  served  in  the 
capacity  of  Constable,  and  has  also  been  a  School 
Trustee  for  some  time.  Both  our  subject  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  They  are  held  in  the  high  estimation  of 
their  neighbors,  being  conscientious.  Christian 
people  and  kindly  and  intelligent  neighbors. 


—i  ■'  i  p  ^  }  i  i 


mi 


i  <    t  i,  m.^^ 


OH.N  J.  FRITZ  In  this  gentleman  we  are 
pleased  to  call  to  the  notice  of  our  readers, 
one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  German 
American  citizens  of  Ridge  Township. 
Shelby  County.  He  is  thoroughly  German  in  his 
sturdy  industry,  integrity  and  thrift,  and  Ameri- 
can in  his  determination  to  make  this  land  of  free- 
dom a  happy  home  for  himself  anil  his  postperity. 
His  excellent  farm  bears  the  marks  of  thorough 
culture  and  good  management,  and  the  neatness 
and  convenience  of  the  buildings  are  a  compliment 
to  the  owner  which  is  more  effective  than  words. 

John  Jacob  Fritz,  Sr..  the  father  of  cur  subject, 
was  a  native  of  Wurtemberg,  German}',  and  came 
to  this  country  and  died  in  Ridge  Township.  His 
wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Rosanna  Clay,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  Wurtemberg.  and  she  also 
passed  away  in  this  township.  Of  their  twelve 
children,  our  subject  was  the  third  in  order  of  age. 
being  born  in  Wurtemberg.  Germany,  March  19, 
1833.  and  emigrating  at  the  very  early  age  of  four 
weeks  to  a  new  world.  They  first  settled  in  Lan- 
caster County.  Pa.,  and  theie  made  their  home  for 
three  years,  after  which  they  went  to  Ohio,  and 
lived  in  Morgan  County,  until  a  short  time  before 
their  death,  when  they  removed  to  Shelby  County, 
111. 

He  of  whom  we  write,  lived  at  home  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  and  then  removed  to  Fair- 
field County.  Ohio,  and  worked  upon  a  farm  until 
he  came  to  Shelby  County,  in  the  fall  of  I860.  He 
then  rented  the  land  which  he  now  owns  in  Ridge 
Township,  and  brought  on  his  wife  to  whom  he  bad 


been  united  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  in  February, 
1858.  Her  maiden  name  was  Barbara  Sander,  and 
she  was  born  in  Wayne  County.  <  ihio.  in  September, 
1841.  After  five  years  of  renting,  the  young  man 
purchased  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  he 
has  now  as  fine  an  improved  farm  as  is  to  be  found 
in  the  township,  upon  which  he  has  erected  a  good 
house  and  other  excellent  farm  buildings.  His 
farm  has  been  increased  from  time  to  time  by  pur- 
chase until  it  now  comprises  six  hundred  and  sixty 
acres. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritz  lost  two  sons.  William  and 
Simon,  in  infancy.  Those  who  survive  are:  John 
K.  who  married  Emma  Eversole;  Lizzie,  the  wife 
of  Clinton  Eversole;  James:  Ella,  who  married 
Charles  Beery;  Edward.  Samuel,  and  Charles  B. 
Tiie  parents  are  members  of  the  Evangelical  Asso- 
ciation  in  which  Mr.  Fritz  has  rilled  the  offices  of 
Steward,  Trustee  and  Class-Leader.  His  political 
views  incline  him  to  believe  that  in  the  principles 
of  the  Democratic  party  are  to  be  found  the  best 
governmental  ideas.  He  has  officiated  as  Highway 
Commissioner  and  as  School  Director  and  in 
both  capacities  has  served  faithfullv  and  efficiently. 


l — 5  DSON  B.  WEAKLY.  An  honorable  posi- 
l— ■  tion  among  the  men  to  whom  Shelby 
I  County  is    indebted    for    its    present    high 

state  of  its  material  development  is  held  by  Mr. 
Weakly,  who  resides  on  section  3,  Ridge  Town- 
ship. The  present  condition  of  his  farm  attests  to 
his  ability  as  a  financier  and  his  judgment  regard- 
ing agricultural  affairs.  As  a  citizen  he  is  worthy 
of  the  respect  and  confidence  that  he  bas  inspired 
by  his  honorable  career.  Xot  only  is  be  a  man  of 
note  in  his  own  community,  but  he  ranks  among 
the  most  influential  residents  of  the  county.  His 
success  as  a  farmer  has  been  unusual  and  he  is  also 
well  known  as  a  business  man  of  ability  and  integ- 
rity. 

Samuel  Weakly,  father  of  our  subject,  is  well 
known  among  the  citizens  of  this  county,  whither 
he  came  in  1852.  He  was  horn  in  Man  land.  Sep- 
tember 3.  1814,  and    removed    to    Ohio    in     1824. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


In  Fairfleld  County,  thai  State,  lie  was  married 
February  12.  1830.  to  Miss  Maria  Fetters,  who  was 
born  in  Ohio  in  1820.  This  worthy  ecu  pie  so- 
journed in  the  Buckeye  State  for  many  years  after 
their  marriage,  and  after  their  removal  to  Illinois. 
located  in  Ridge  Township,  this  county,  where 
they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  days.  The 
mother  passed  awaj  January  10,  18(32.  To  her  and 
husband  ten  children  had  been  born,  as  follows: 
Emanuel  J.,  Alva  P..  Naomi.  Mary  J.,  Eliza.  An- 
nie M.,  Jesse  <>..  Edson  B..  Ida  and  Katie. 

The  father  contracted  a  second  matrimonial  al- 
liance, choosing  as  his  wife  Rachel  A.  Petty,  and 
of  this  union  one  child  was  born.  Minnie  B..  who 
died  May  6.  1889.  The  widow  now  survives, 
making  her  home  in  Assumption.  The  father 
died  in  Ridge  Township  October  21.  1890.  He 
had  been  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church 
since  1811.  and  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  many 
excellent  traits  of  character,  ever  seeking  to  do 
unto  others  as  he  would  be  done  by.  "Uncle 
Sam"  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  experienced 
many  of  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  but  by  dint 
of  perseverance  and  good  judgment,  became  well- 
to-do.  and  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  left  a  good 
estate  for  his  widow  and  children. 

Ridge  Township,  this  county,  was  the  native 
place  of  Edson  B.  Weakly,  of  this  sketch,  and 
April  25.  1857.  the  date  of  his  birth.  His  life  has 
beer,  characterized  by  no  unusual  events,  but  has 
passed  quietly  and  uneventfully.  In  his  youth  he 
received  the  advantages  of  the  district  schools, 
and  as  he  is  a  systematic  reader,  keeps  posted  npou 
all  topics  of  general  interest.  Early  in  life  lie 
commenced  to  aid  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  nat- 
urally when  the  time  came  for  him  to  choose  a 
calling,  he  became  a  farmer,  and  has  always  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits.  He  now  owns  forty 
acres  of  good  land,  embellished  with  good  build- 
ings and  well  improved. 

On  March  26,  1S82,  Mr.  Weakly  and  Miss  Mal- 
tha J.  Moll  were  united  in  marriage  in  Pickaway 
Township,  this  county.  The  bride  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Caroline  (Wolf)  Moll,  who  are 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectivley.  the 
father  being  born  January  2.  1831.  and  the  mother 
June  12.    1829,   and    are    now     living    retired  in 


Moweaqua.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moll  had  a  family  of 
six  children,  viz:  Lydia  C,  Mary  1'...  Martha  J.. 
John  W..  Clara  A.  and  William  H.  Mrs.  Weakly 
was  born  in  Pickaway  Township,  October  12. 
1859,  and  to  her  and  Mr.  Weakly  have  been  born 
two  children.  Homer  H.  and  Daniel  R.  Politi- 
cally. Mr.  Weakly  is  a  Republican,  and  religiously 
he  and  his  estimable  wife  are  members  iu  good 
standing  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 


AMUEL  MILLER  is  an  intelligent  and  en- 
terprising member  of  the  farming  com- 
}  muuity  of  Moweaqua  Township.  He  was 
born  in  Somerset.  Perry  County.  Ohio. 
December  12.  1833.  His  father,  George  Miller, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  removed  to 
Ohio  in  pioneer  times,  and  his  last  years  were 
passed  in  Somerset,  where  he  carried  on  his  trade 
a~  a  stonemason.  He  served  with  credit  as  a  sol- 
dier during  the  Mexican  war.  He  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  Frederick  Leathers,  and  a  native  of 
Fairfleld  County.  Ohio,  of  which  her  father  was  an 
early  pioneer.  She  came  to  Illinois  m  1854.  and 
her  last  years  were  passed  in  a  home  southeast  of 
Shelbyville. 

When  our  subject  was  seven  years  old  he  went 
to  live  with  Peter  Keslei.  a  farmer  of  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio.  He  remained  with  him  two  years, 
and  then  went  to  Preble  County,  and  was  with 
Reuben  Pottenger  two  years.  He  then  returned 
to  his  old  home  to  live  with  his  mother,  who  had 
married  a  second  time,  becoming  the  wife  of 
Samuel  Potter.  He  remained  an  inmate  of  his 
step-lather's  household  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
old.  At  that  age  he  went  to  Dayton,  in  his  native 
State,  to  serve  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  to 
learn  the  trade  of  a  carriage  smhh.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  did  journey-work  at  Troy. 
Ohio,  and  later  at  Indianapolis  and  Lafayette. 
Ind..  at  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  and  at  BJoomington,  III. 
In  1859  he  started  for  the  Pacific  coast,  going  by 
the  way  of  the  Isthmus,  and  for  two  months  he 
worked  at  his  trade  at  San  Francisco.  From  there 
he  went  to    Portland.   (  ire.  and    was    employed   in 


nio 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


the  same  way  in  that  city  the  ensuing  three 
months.  We  next  hear  of  him  at  Cloverdale,  in 
the  same  State,  where  he  opened  a  shop  and  carried 
on  business  as  a  carriage  manufacturer  three  years. 
His  place  of  residence  after  that  for  some  time 
was  at  Eugene  City,  where  he  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing carriages  until  1864. 

In  the  year  last  mentioned  Mr.  Miller  returned 
eastward  as  far  as  this  State,  and  was  a  resident  of 
Mattoon  one  year.  lie  then  went  back  to  Port- 
land, resumed  business  as  a  carriage  manufacturer, 
and  while  there  took  a  Government  contract  to 
build  army  wagons.  He  remained  in  that  cit}' 
until  1868,  and  then  conducted  business  at  his 
trade  in  Albany,  Ore.  In  1870  he  left  that  place 
and  once  more  came  to  Illinois.  He  bought  a 
farm  in  Long  Grove  Township,  this  county,  and 
gave  his  attention  to  agriculture.  Two  years  later 
he  rented  his  farm,  and  going  back  to  Oregon 
bought  property  at  Albany,  and  resumed  the  man- 
ufacture of  carriages  and  wagons,  continuing  in 
that  line  until  1872.  He  then  sold  out  his  business 
and  returned  to  his  Illinois  farm,  which  lie  disposed 
of  at  a  good  price  in  1881,  and  his  next  venture 
was  to  engage  in  the  sale  of  groceries  and  agricul- 
tural implements  at  Moweaqua.  carrying  on  a 
thriving  business  the  following  four  years.  He 
then  sold  at  a  good  advantage,  and  bought  the 
place  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  devoting  him- 
self assiduously  to  its  improvement. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married  first  in  Cloverdale,  Ore., 
in  1864,  to  Miss  Mary  Agnes  Southwell,  a  native 
of  Morgan  County,  III.  Their  wedded  life  was 
but  brief,  as  the  young  wife  died  in  1865.  The 
second  marriage  of  our  subject,  which  took  place 
in  1867,  was  to  Miss  Mary  Hand,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. She  died  at  Albany,  Ore.,  in  1876,  leaving 
three  children,  Agnes  M.,  Arabella  (  wife  of  Everett 
Russell),  and  Efh'e  Blanche.  The  marriage  of  Mr. 
Miller  to  his  present  wife,  formerly  Sarah  J.  Def- 
enbacker,  was  solemnized  in  1877,  and  has  brought 
them  two  children,  Cora  Edna  and  Samuel.  Mrs. 
Miller  is  a  native  of  Decatur,  III,  and  a  daughter 
of  Dr.  Defenbacker,  who  was  a  German  b3'  birtii, 
and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of   Decatur. 

A  certain  energy  and  force  of  character,  versa- 
tility and  shrewd  business    tact    have    marked   the 


acts  of  our  subject  ever  since  he  began  the  battle 
of  life  on  Lis  own  account,  and  have  helped  to 
place  him  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  the 
county.  He  and  his  wife  occupy  a  good  position 
socially,  and  in  them  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  has  two  good  working  members.  Mr. 
Miller's  political  sentiments  are  expressed  by  the 
platform  of  the  Republican  party. 


<         »  ALTER  K.  HOOVER,  M.  D.     Thisgentle- 

\  /  man  and  physician,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Vy  Lovington,  Moultrie  County,  is  the  son  of 
the  late  David  Hoover,  who  was  born  in  Belmont 
County,  Ohio,  in  1824.  His  mother  was  Sarah 
Calhoun,  also  a  native  of  Belmont  County 
Ohio.  She  was  born  in  1820.  They  first  settled 
in  Belmont  County  and  afterward  in  Guernsey 
County  and  thence  went  to  Macon  County,  this 
State,  in  1864.  He  was  a  farmer  b}'  occupation, 
lie  died  in  Macon  County,  111.,  in  July,  1800,  and 
his  wife  preceded  him  some  years  to  the  better 
land.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children, 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  whom  our  subject 
was  the  second  child. 

Dr.  Hoover  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
June  2,  1855.  He  was  only  nine  months  old  when 
his  parents  came  to  Macon  County,  111.,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  where  he  lived  until  1888. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  in  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloomington, 
111.,  at  which  time  he  took  up  the  study  of  medi- 
cine, but  on  account  of  ill  health  was  obliged  to 
relinquish  his  studies  for  awhile,  but  afterwards  re- 
sumed them  entering  Hush  Medical  College,  Chi- 
cago, in  1880,  where  he  graduated  in  1888.  Soon 
afterward  he  settled  in  Lovington,  where  he  has 
been  ever  since  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  enjoys  an  excellent  practice  and  has 
the  confidence  of  the  community.  He  remained  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  age.  then  and  for  about 
eight  years  engaged  in  trading  and  studying.  He 
worked  his  way  through  and  is  a  self-reliant  man. 
He    was    married  at  Mama.  III.,  October  23,   1889, 


PORTRAIT  AND  UK  ><   RAPHTC'AL    RECORD. 


JH 


to  Miss  Effie  S.  Bean,  who  «a~  born  in  Mor- 
gan County,  111..  JulyS,  1865.  Her  father  was 
Joseph  Bean,  and  her  mother  was  Ellen  Pratt. 
They  are  residents  of  Macon  County,  111.  He  is  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  Dr.  Hoover  has  buried  one 
child  who  died  in  infancy.  He  has  been  an  active 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church  since  1873.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  of  which  he  is  a  leading 
member. 


— 5- 


-^Si 


-~<s>: 


■■■■     -yg^   - 


EFFEBSON  P.  GRAY  RILL  was  born  in 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  near  Lancaster.  Sep- 
tember 12,  1836.  His  parents  were  Sam- 
uel and  Nancy  (Pence)  Graybill.  Both 
were  natives  of  Lancaster  County.  Pa.  His  father 
moved  to  Ohio  in  1808  and  was  there  married. 
They  were  of  German  descent.  Of  this  family  there 
were  sis  sons  and  six  daughters,  eight  of  whom 
are  now  living.  Our  subject  is  the  eldest  son  and 
fourth  child.  Of  those  living.  Emily  is  the  wife  of 
Charles  Vorys  of  Lancaster.  Ohio;  Nancy  married 
Mr.  Gesell  and  resides  at  Odell.  Neb.;  our  subject; 
George  who  married  Mattie  Carlisle  and  lives  in 
Lancaster.  Ohio:  Minerva,  the  widow  of  Henry 
Mailer,  who  resides  near  Lancaster.  Ohio:  Mary. 
the  wife  of  Mr.  N.  Middlesworth,  who  resides  in 
Ringgold.  Iowa:  Samuel,  resides  in  Morton  County. 
Kan.,  and  Lewis  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Ohio. 
The  names  of  the  deceased  are:  Martha.  Matilda. 
Isaac  and  Jacob. 

Our  subject  came  to  Illinois  in  1858.  locating  in 
Holland  Township.  Shelby  Count}-.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  at  the  Ohio 
University  in  Athens.  He  also  took  a  course  in 
Granger  A*  Armstrong's  Commercial  College  at  Col- 
umbus. Ohio,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1858. 
He  commenced  teaching  after  locating  in  Illinois, 
following  that  profession  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing, for  several  years.  For  twenty-two  years  he 
has  devoted  his  attention  to  farming  exclusively. 
He  was  married  June  30.  1867  to  Miss  Cynthia  A. 
Syfert,  who  was  born  in  this  count).  December  17, 
1849.     Her  parents   weie    George    and     Mary    A. 


(Neivling)  Syfert.  They  were  natives  of  Ohio, 
where  they  were  married.  They  removed  from 
Ohio  to  Holland  Township  and  were  among  its 
pioneers.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  them,  six 
of  whom  arc  now  living.  Mrs.  Graybill  being  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

Mr.  Graybill  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  po- 
litical matters  and  Ins  been  a  life  long  Democrat. 
He  has  held  many  offices  in  his  township,  having 
served  four  years  as  Supervisor;  he  was  on  the 
Building  Committee  of  the  Court  House,  having 
served  one  year  on  this  committee,  after  his  term 
a>  Supervisor  expired  Lit  refusing  to  re-elected.  He 
has  been  Collector  of  taxes.  Township  Clerk.  As- 
sessor, and  served  six  years  in  succession  as  High- 
way Commissioner.  Mr.  Graybill  gives  liberally 
of  his  means  to  the  support  of  religious  enterprises, 
although  he  is  not  a  professor  of  religion.  Eleven 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graybill, 
all  of  whom  are  living.  Edward  Clement  is  the 
eldest  and  is  attending  school  at  Norma!,  111.;  Sam- 
uel J.  is  qualified  to  teach  but  prefers  farming,  and 
is  now  engaged  in  that  laudable  avocation:  Clara 
May  has  been  teaching  two  years  in  Shelby  County  : 
Mara  Ida,  is  teaching  in  Fayette  County,  111,; 
Charles  Walter.  Thomas  Perry,  Victor  Milton. 
Lewis  Burton,  Florence  Edna.  Anna  Pearl  and  Nel- 
lie Fern.  These  latter  seven  reside  at  home  with 
their  parents. 


AMES  \V.  RHODES,  a  prominent  farmer 
of  Shelby  County,  residing  on  section  'J, 
Tower  Hill  Township,  owns  and  operates 
one  of  the  finest  estates  in  the  community. 
By  a  proper  rotation  of  crops  the  land  has  been 
brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  the 
large  harvests  bear  evidence  of  the  thrift  of  the 
manager.  Good  buildings  have  been  erected,  the 
principal  one  being  the  resider.ee.  a  commodious 
structure  with  an  air  of  refinement  within  its  walls, 
which  proves  the  presence  of  a  cultured  lady. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Green   Rhodes,  was  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  who  came  at   an  early  i\ay  to 


70-2 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Shelby  County,  III.,  and  was  here  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Margaret  Wakefield,  a  native  of  this 
county.  At  first  the  young  couple  resided  in  the 
vicinity  of  Shelbyville,  whence  they  removed  to 
Tennessee,  and  made  it  their  home  one  year.  How- 
ever, they  concluded  that  prospects  in  Illinois 
were  more  flattering  than  in  Tennessee,  and  accord- 
ingly they  returned  hither  and  settled  south  of 
Williamsburg,  where  the  father  closed  his  eves  to 
the  scenes  of  earth.  His  wife  died  in  Pana,  this 
State. 

Our  subject  was  the  only  son  among  five  chil- 
dren, and  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  111.,  August 
21,  1810.  He  passed  his  childhood  upon  a  farm. 
and  when  about  ten  years  old  accompanied  his 
mother  to  Dallas  County,  Mo.,  where  he  remained 
perhaps  seven  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
time  the  family  returned  to  Shelby  County,  where 
he  has  since  made  his  home,  being  identified  with 
the  growth  of  (he  county  and  a  witness  of  its  de- 
velopment. His  chief  business  in  life  has  been 
farming,  in  which  he  has  met  with  more  than 
ordinary  success,  as  he  possesses  those  qualities  of 
energy  and  industry  which  are  essential  to  any 
calling  in  life. 

The  first  wife  of  Mr.  Rhodes  was  born  in  Shelby 
County,  111.,  September  4,  1845,  and  bore  the 
maiden  name  of  Martha  E.  Pugh.  After  their 
marriage,  which  was  celebrated  in  Missouri,  they 
settled  on  the  farm  where  Mr,  Rhodes  now  resides 
in  Tower  Hill  Township.  The  wife  and  mother 
died  March  9,  1885.  She  had  become  the  mother 
of  seven  children,  viz.:  Merritt  E.,  who  married  a 
Miss  Wiese;  Margaret,  and  a  son,  both  of  whom 
died  in  infancy;  Frank  W.;  Efiie  L.,  who  passed 
from  earth  December  30,  1889,  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen; John  J.  and  Ida  1!.  Mrs.  Rhodes  was  a 
consisteut  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

Having  considerable  interest  in  the  cause  of 
education,  Mr.  Rhodes  has  served  efficiently  as 
School  Director  for  several  years.  He  has  also 
taken  an  active  part  in  political  atliairs  and  is  a 
Prohibitionist.  Any  measure  caluculated  to  assist 
the  community  finds  in  him  a  strong  supporter, 
and  he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  pillars  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  has  been 
Trustee.     By  careful  economy  and  good  judgment 


he  has  been  enabled  to  increase  his  real-estate  hold- 
ings until  he  is  now  owner  of  four  hundred  and 
foi^-five  acres  of  splendid  land. 

On  March  14,  1889,  Mr.  Rhodes  was  united  in 
marriage  in  Shelbyville,  III.,  with  MissOllie  Brown 
who  was  born  in  Hancock  County,  Ohio,  August 
18,  1866.  Mrs.  Rhodes  is  the  daughter  of  Dr. 
Ahaaham  and  Helen  (Buckingham)  Brown,  the 
former  dying  in  Tower  Hill  Township  and  the  lat- 
ter still  surviving.  Eight  children  came  to  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Brown,  of  whom  Mrs.  Rhodes  was  next 
to  the  youngest.  She  is  an  estimable  lady  and  en- 
joys the  high  regard  of  all   who  know  her. 


GEORGE  W.  BARGER.  A  cursory  glance  at 
the  biographical  sketch  of  our  subject  will 
show  that  he  is  one  who,  buffeted  by  the 
adverse  winds  of  circumstances  and  being, has  over- 
come them  all,  guiding  his  life  barge  safely  through 
the  deep  waves  and  sandy  shallows,  and  anchoring 
it  safely  in  a  placid  harbor.  For  what  is  life  be- 
side this?  Do  not  heroes  of  battle,  of  invention, 
literature,  the  sciences  and  arts,  all  work  in  order 
that  they  may  enjoy  peacefully?  So  has  our  sub- 
ject, and  though  comparatively  a  young  man  he 
has  already  attained  a  position  in  the  township  in 
which  he  lives  that  promises  not  only  security  and 
comfort,  for  the  present,  but  advancement  for  the 
future. 

lie  of  whom  we  write  is  the  Superintendent  in 
charge  of  the  Moultrie  County  Poor  Farm,  an  hum- 
ble position,  it  is  true,  but  one  in  which  there  are 
opportunities  for  showing  the  natural  kindness  and 
tenderness  and  sympathy  that  the  Master  has  com- 
manded in  caring  for  his  "little  ones".  He  is  now 
serving  his  fourth  year  in  this  position,  and  has 
filled  it  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  commu- 
nity at  large.  The  property  is  located  on  section  4, 
of  Sullivan  Township,  and  comprises  one  hundred 
sixty  acres  of  land.  The  county  also  owns  forty'  acres 
of  timber  land.  Upon  the  farm  is  a  good,  two- 
story,  brick  structure,  which  serves  as  a  home  for 
some  twelve  to  twenty  inmates,  men,  women  and 
children  who  perhaps  were  born  to    better    things; 


PORTRAIT  AN!)  UK  )( iHAPIIIC  AI.    RECORD. 


?03 


who  have  made  their  fight  by  which  some  one  else 
will  be  benefited,  and  now.  incapacitated  for  ear- 
ing for  themselves,  the  county  takes  care  of  its 
children,  granting  them  a  resting  place  and  plenty 
of  substantial  nourishment. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Perry  Coun- 
ty. December  3.  1850.  and  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Lydia( Davison)  Barger.  Our  subject  was  but  a 
boy  when  his  parents  died,  leaving  as  the  issue  of 
that  marriage,  two  children,  himself  and  Lydia  M. 
now  Mrs.  Huff,  of  Kvansville.  Ind.  Both  parents 
had  been  previously  married,  the  father  having 
had  ten  children  by  his  former  marriage,  and  the 
mother,  three  children,  the  latter  bearing  the  name 
of  Salmon.  He  of  whom  we  write  was  reared  in 
the  family  of  a  half  brother.  Charles  Barger.  in 
Perry  County.  111.,  and  was  early  taught  the  duties 
of  a  farmer. 

On  October  10,  1870,  Mr.  Barger  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Elizabeth  J.  Marshall,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Mary  Marshall,  who  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Ind.  April  25.  1853.  She  was  only  an  in- 
fant when  left  motherless,  being  the  youngest  of 
a  family  of  twelve  children.  She  lived  at  home 
until  her  marriage. 

In  1872,  the  original  of  our  sketch  came  to  this 
State  passing  one  winter  in  Shelby  County,  thence 
vent  to  Cowley  [County,  Kan.,  where  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  near  Arkansas  City, 
remaining  there  two  years,  during  which  time  he 
experienced  all  the  hardships  caused  by  the  grass- 
hopper plague.  In  1873.  all  the  crops  were  des- 
troyed  in  the  space  of  a  few  hours,  by  the  scourge 
which  Moses  brought  into  Egypt,  and  which  has 
found  its  repetition  so  many  times  in  Western 
American  agricultural  history.  Mr.  Barger  retur- 
ned to  Shelby  County  in  1874  and  renting  land  in 
Pcnn  Township,  for  five  years  engaged  in  farming. 
I.i  1879  became  to  Moultrie  County  and  has  since 
resided  near  Sullivan.  In  1887.  he  was  appointed 
Superintendent  of  the  Poor  Farm  and  took  possess- 
ion of  the  place  in  March.  1888.  Under  his  alilc 
management,  the  Poor  Farm  is  about  self  support- 
ing. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  five 
children,  who  are  Bertie.  Chester  K.  James  A. 
Artemas  Victor  and  Lela.     Politically  he  of  whom 


we  write  is  an  adherent  of,  the  Republican  'parly 
by  his  vote  and  influence  doing  all  he  can  to  prop- 
agate and  strengthen  Republican  doctrines.  In 
his  religious  predeliction  he  is  a  Baptist,  while  so- 
cially he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
odd  Fellows.  He  is  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of 
hind,  located  in  this  county. 

DETER      DIDDEA.     The     gentleman  .^whose 
name  is  at    the    head  of    this    sketch    is    a 
member   of  the  well-known  firm  of  Mautz 
A-    Diddea.    of    Stewaidson.     A   biograph- 
cial  sketch  may  lie  seen  of    the   senior    member  of 
the   firm    under    the    name  of  T.  P.  Mautz.       Mr. 
Diddea  is  a  wide  awake,  progressive  business  man. 
His  interests  aie  involved  in  several    directions,  in 
all    of    which    he  is    successful.     He    was    born  in 
Schuylkill  County,  Pa..  June  1.  18-19    and  is  a  son 
of  Christian  and  Margaret  (Guraahley )  Diddea,  who 
were  natives  of  Germany,  and  in  1847.  emigrated 
to   the    United   suites  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania 
and  were    there  married.     In  1857,  they  came    to 
Illinois  and  first  located  at  Sheffield,  where    the  fa- 
ther worked  as  a  coal  miner,   that  being    his  trade; 
while  at  Sheffield   he  held    the    important   post  of 
road    boss  in  the  mine.     In    1865  the    family   cam 
to  Shelby  County  and   settled    on  a    new    farm    in 
Prairie  Township,    their    farm    comprising    eighty 
acres.     Here  the  father  died  in    187  1    while  ye    in 
middle  life,  being  only  forty-six  years  of  ace.    The 
mother  still  survives  and  lives  in  Stewardson    hav- 
ing attained  sixty-four  years. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  nine  children,  seven  of 
whom  lived  to  be  grown.  Their  names  are  Pe- 
ter. Margaret,  Jacob,  Elizabeth,  Frank.  Carrie  and 
Amelia.  All  of  the  children  are  respected  mem- 
bers of  society,  being  useful  and  intelligent  men 
and  women.  The  original  of  our  sketch  was  a 
small  boy  when  the  family  settled  in  Illinois.  His 
first  schoo1  days  were  passed  in  the  public  schools 
of  bis  native  place  after  which  he  attended  the  pri- 
vate schools  of  Sheffield,  and  finished  at  Teutopo- 
lis.  Jn  1865  the  family  came  to  Shelby  County, 
and  he  assisted   in    the    improvement  of    the    farm 


704 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


on  which  the  family  settled.  He  resided  at  home 
until  1871,  when  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Leff- 
ler.  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  Leffler. 
She  was  born  in  Hocking  County,    Ohio,  in    1849. 

After  marriage  our  subject  rented  some  land  and 
followed  the  calling  of  farming  until  1881  when 
he  came  to  Stewardson ,  and  was  for  a  space  of  two 
years,  partner  in  the  implement  establishment  of 
G.  S.  Baldwin.  After  this  time  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  York  <fc  Mautz,  and  later,  the 
business  was  carried  on  under  the  firm  name  by 
which  it  is  at  present  known.  Mr.  Diddea  and  his 
wife  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living.  They  are  Ida  B,  and  Emma  E.  Our  sub- 
ject erected  the  finest  residence  in  the  town  of 
Stewardson  in  1888. 

The  original  of  Our  sketch  is  a  follower  of  the 
Democratic  party,  believ'ng  in  the  tenets  of  free 
trade  and  sovereign  power.  He  has  been  awarded 
several  local  offices  under  his  party,  having  been 
Constable  from  the  time  when  he  cast  his  first 
ballot,  nine  consecutive  3'ears.  He  also  occu- 
pied the  position  of  Township  Clerk  for  three  years 
Socially  Mr.  Diddea  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  also  the  Modern  AVoodmen  of  America. 
He  has  with  his  other  business,  been  engaged  in  the 
livery  business  since  1886.  and  is  now  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Diddea  &  Turner.  The  firm  has  the 
finest  livery  stable  in  Shelby ville;  they  also  have 
a  good  barn  at  Stewardson.  Our  subject  alsc  owns 
ont  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  and  the 
firm  of  Mautz  &  Diddea  owns  land  which  they  cul- 
tivate. 


y>TLLIAM  G.  COVEY,  editor  and  proprie- 
tor of  the  Moultrie  County  News,  has  had 
that  paper  under  his  control  since  Decem- 
ber 15,  1887.  It  is  a  six-column  quarto  and  a 
spicy  weekly,  issued  at  Sullivan.  111.  Mr.  Covey 
succeeded  J.  H.  Dunscomb  in  the  management  of 
this  paper,  which  had  its  origin  December  10, 
1884,  under  the  management  of  Messrs.  Hollings- 
worth  i  Green,  being  the  successor  of  the  Sullivan 


Journal  which  had  a  checkered  experience.  The 
gentlemen  just  named  entitled  their  sheet  the  Sul- 
livan News  until  December  25,  1886,  when  it  be- 
became  full-fledged  as  the  Moultrie  County  News, 
having  in  the  meantime  become  the  property  of 
Mr.  Dunscomb,  who  changed  its  political  color 
from  Independent  to  Republican,  the  position 
which  it  now  holds. 

The  Neivs  has  a  good  circulation  and  a  large  ad- 
vertising patronage  and  it  is  having  an  admirable 
success  under  the  hand  of  Mr.  Covey,  who  was  a 
novitiate  in  the  newspaper  business  when  he  took 
it  in  charge.  He  had  formerly  been  an  agricul- 
turist in  Coles  County  for  some  ten  years  and  also 
taught  for  about  three  years  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  county.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  March, 
1875,  and  taught  for  one  year  in  Douglas  County 
before  settling  in  Coles  County. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  No- 
vember 6,  1852.  His  Welsh  ancestors  were  early 
settlers  in  Vermont  during  the  Colonial  days  and 
the  family  was  prominently  indentified  with  the 
early  history  of  that  State.  For  generations  the 
old  slock  was  content  to  remain  among  the  Green 
Mountains,  but  during  the  present  half  century  the 
younger  members  of  the  family  became  imbued 
with  the  Western  fever  and  have  scattered  west  of 
the  Alleghanies.  Most  of  the  family  who  remained 
in  Vermont  are  adherents  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Clark  Covey,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
and  giew  to  manhood  in  Somerset,  in  the  Green 
Mountain  State,  and  after  reaching  his  majority 
was  married  at  Brattleboro  to  Lestina  A.  Farr,  a 
native  of  the  adjoining  State  of  New  Hampshire. 
She  came  of  an  old  and  liighly  respected  New 
Hampshire  family  who  had  for  generations  farmed 
in  Chesterfield.  The  early  wedded  home  of  this 
couple  was  in  Brattleboro,  where  Mr.  Covey  con- 
ducted a  meat  market  and  later  farmed  for  a  while 
before  coming  to  Illinois,  in  1855.  They  settled 
in  Bloomington,  McLean  County,  and  during  the 
winter  the  wife  and  mother  was  stricken  with 
typhoid  fever  and  died  in  the  prime  of  life.  Her 
remains  were  subsequently  taken  back  to  New 
Hampshire  and  laid  in  the  old  cemetery  at  Ches- 
terfield.    She  was  a  Universalis'.,  in  religion. 

The  husband  and  father  then  returned  to  the  old 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


ros 


home  in  the  East  and  some  time  later  contracted 
a  secoiul  marriage,  being  then  united  with  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  Cook,  net  Lay  born,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania who  became    the    mother   of    two    children, 

Cora  L.  and  Walter  E.  Cora  died  at  the  age  of 
three  years  and  Walter  is  residing  in  Nebraska 
where  lie  teaches  vocal  and  instrumental    music. 

The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  Vermont 
at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years,  leaving  besides  these 
just  mentioned,  two  children  by  her  previous  mar- 
riage. At  the  time  of  her  death  Mr.  Clark  Covey 
was  .n  soldier  in  the  Civil  War  and  the  then  acting 
Governor  of  Vermont,  Mr.  Hoi  brook,  requested 
the  Secretary  of  War  to  grant  Mr.  Covey  a  fur- 
lough that  he  might  come  home  and  look  after  the 
interests  of  the  six  little  children  who  were  left 
without  anyone  to  care  for  them,  and  on  this  account 
he  was  also  ultimately  granted  a  discbarge  from  ser- 
vice. While  in  service  he  had  acted  as  cook  for 
( .en.  Stoughton. 

Mr.  Covey  was  some  few  years  later  married  in 
Vermont  to  Harriet  A.  Stowe,  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts, but  within  a  year  he  died  after  a  short 
sickness,  succumbing  to  an  attack  of  diphtheria. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Missionary  l!apti-t 
Church  and  in  politics  allied  himself  with  the  Re- 
publican party.  His  youngest  daughter  was  born 
some  five  months  after  his  death.  This  child 
Lillian  by  name,  was  separated  from  the  family 
and  for  eighteen  years  her  whereabouts  <vas  not 
known,  but  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  through  in- 
formation given  him  by  a  local  biographical  writer 
was  recently  able  to  locate  her  in  Massachusetts. 
She  had  in  the  meantime  become  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward Green,  now  of  Leominster.  Mass. 

Our  subject  is  the  first  born  of  the  two  children 
granted  to  his  mother,  his  brother  Arthur,  being 
foreman  in  a  large  tape  factory  in  Worcester, 
Mass.,  and  having  taken  to  wife  Miss  Lenora  Law. 
ivnce.  William  G.  Covey  was  well  and  carefully 
educated  in  his  native  State  and  Massachusetts. 
being  granted  an  academic  education,  thus  prepar- 
ing him  fur  the  profession  of  a  teacher,  which  he 
followed  for  five  years  in  the  East.  He  was  mar- 
ried after  coming  West  in  Cole  County.  HI.,  to  Miss 
Emma  R.  Martin,  who  was  born  in  that  tountj 
August  -20,  1852.     She   became    a    teacher    before 


her  marriage  and  bears  a  high  reputation  as  a  cul- 
tured and  intelligent  woman.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Martha  (Cassady)  Martin,  natives  of 
Kentucky  who  came  to  Illinois  with  their  respec- 
tive parents  when  quite  young  and  were  married 
in  Edgar  County  where  they  were  early  settlers. 
They  afterward  did  pioneer  work  in  Lafayette 
Township,  Coles  County.  In  that  home  all  of 
their  children  were  born  and  there  the  father  died 
in  January.  1875,  having  completed  his  threescore 
and  ten  years.  He  was  a  pillar  in  the  old-school 
Baptist  Church  and  a  man  who  was  honest  from 
principle  and  the  love  of  rigbt.  His  widow,  who 
still  survives,  is  a.  member  of  the  same  church  and 
resides  at  the  old  homestead  in  Coles  County. 

Mrs.  Covey,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  had  an 
excellent  training  and  education  and  was  ably  lil- 
ted for  the  responsible  position  of  wife  and  mother. 
Of  the  six  children  who  have  crowned  the  union 
of  this  couple,  two  have  passed  to  the  other  world 
— Lillian  B.  and  Lettie  Lee — both  of  whom  passed 
away  while  young.  Those  who  still  remain  under 
the  parental  roof  aie  Iva  S..  Walter  S..  Jessie  B. 
and  Hazel  G.  Mr.  Covey  while  in  Coles  County 
was  for  some  time  in  the  office  of  Township  Clerk. 
He  is  a  sound  Republican  in  politics  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  is 
also  an  Odd   Eel  low. 


i>i  i«i  t '  I  '  m  ti    > 


AMF.s  THOMAS.  While  it  is  not  to  be 
denied  that  a  man  is  not  only  the  architect 
of  his  own  fortune,  but  also  the  roolder 
and  former  of  his  own  character,  it  is  never- 
theless true  that  nationality  is  a  mighty  factor  in 
the  inherent  traits  and  qualities  which  a  man  must 
cultivate  or  modify.  The  warm,  impulsive  races 
of  the  South  need  to  tone  and  strengthen  their 
natural  traits  by  strong  principles  to  which  they 
should  unflinchingly  adhere.  And  while  the 
nations  of  the  North  are  conspicuous  for  the  sturdy 
integrity  of  its  peoples,  their  natural  sobriety  of 
temperament  should  be  warmed  and  lighted  by 
the  geniality  and  affability  borrowed  from  the 
Southern  natures. 


7m; 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Our  subject  is  decended  from  a  nation  noted  for 
strength  of  character  ami  intellectual  depth.  The 
'1  homas  family  are  of  Scotch  and  Welsh  ancestry. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject.  Joseph  Thomas 
Sr..  was  born  in  Scotland.  He  came  to  this  coon  try 
after  his  marriage  to  a  lady  whom  it  seems  was  of 
Welsh  parentage.  Their  first  settlement  in  this 
country  was  made  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  and 
there  Joseph  Thomas,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born.  He  was  about  fourteen  'years  of 
age  when  the  family  left  Kentucky,  and  crossing 
the  Ohio  River  located  in  Knox  County,  Ind..  and 
here  the  senior  Joseph  Thomas  and  wife  spent  their 
last  years,  being  old  people  at  the  time  of  their 
death.  It  was  in  Knox  County.  Ind..  that  Joseph 
Thomas.  Jr..  grew  to  manhood,  reaching  his  ma- 
jority in  his  adopted  slate.  He  there  married  his 
wife.  The  lady's  maiden  name  was  Mary  Cham- 
bers. She  also  was  a  descendant  of  a  Welsh  family 
who.  after  the  birth  of  part  of  their  children,  set- 
tled in  Knox  County.  Ind.  After  marriage  Joseph 
Thomas  and  wife  removed  to  Sullivan  County 
when  it  was  new  and  unbroken.  There  they  pre- 
empted a  tract  of  Government  land  upon  which 
they  lived  and  placed  valuable  improvements. 
After  a  number  of  years  the  wife  and  mother  died 
having  attained  quite  advanced  years.  Her  death 
took  place  in  Sullivan  County.  Our  subject's 
father.  Joseph  Thomas,  then  came  to  Illinois  and 
spent  his  last  years  in  Shelby  County.  He  was 
ninety  years  of  age  when  his  death  occurred. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  attendants  on  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  of  which  Mrs.  Thomas  was  a  member 
for  long  years  before  her  death.  Tbey  were  pio- 
neers well  known  for  their  kindliness  and  hospital- 
ity. They  located  in  Sullivan  County,  Ind..  in 
the  wilds  and  were  surrounded  by  Indians.  Game 
could  be  gotten  in  abundance. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  is  the  youngest  of 
fourteen  children. there  being  seven  sons  and  seven 
daughters.  Two  of  these  died  while  quite  young. 
The  other  twelve  children  [grew  to  manhood  and 
womanhood,  all  marrying  and  rearing  families,  with 
the  exception  of  two  sisters.  All  of  the  brothers 
and  sisters  are  now  deceased  excepting  our  subject 
and  two  other  brothers.  Calvin  and  Alexander.  The 
former  is  a  farmer  in  this  township.     The  latter  a 


farmer  in  Jasper  County.  Mo.  Our  subject  was 
born  in  Sullivan  County.  Ind..  August  24.  1834. 
Here  he  became  of  age  and  later  removed  to  this 
State  and  was  married  in  Pickaway  Township,  this 
county.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Malvina 
Casey.  She  is  a  native  of  Pickaway  Township 
where  she  was  born  August  23.  1840.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Denton)  Casey, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  where  Mr.  Casey  was  born  in 
1813.  They  were  jet  young  when  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Casey  came  with  their  parents  to  this  State  settling 
Pickaway  Township.  Shelby  County,  when  the 
place  was  new  and  unbroken.  They  purchased  a 
tract  of  Government  land  and  devoted  themselves 
to  improving  a  farm,  but  after  some  years  left  this 
place  and  went  to  Shelby ville.  There  the  parents 
of  Mrs.  Thomas  died,  aged  respectively  seventy- 
two  and  sixty-eight  years.  Mr.  Casey  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat in  politics.  For  one  year  he  was  a  member 
of  the  State  Legislature,  sent  from  Shelby  Connty, 
and  was  then  elected  County  Judge,  which  place 
he  filled  for  several  years.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  several  terms  and 
Justice  of  the  Peat  e  for  many  years.  He  served 
through  the  Mexican  War  as  Orderly  Sergeant  of 
his  company,  and  saw  some  hot  fire  from  both 
sides.  He  was  known  in  the  county  as  an  active 
worker  in  the  political  cause,  whether  local  or 
national.  He  had  by  a  former  marriage  to  the 
one  we  have  mentioned,  one  child,  Jemima.  The 
mother  was  Mahala  Jackson,  who  died  at  her 
child's  birth.      This  daughter  is  still  living. 

Mrs.  Thomas  is  the  eldest  but  one  of  a  family 
of  twelve  children.  Only  four,  however,  are  still 
living.  Our  subject's  wife  was  reared  to  woman- 
hood in  Pickaway  Township,  this  county.  She  is 
an  intelligent  woman  who  has  been  the  star  of  en- 
couragement to  her  husband  in  all  his  undertak- 
ings. She  and  her  husband  are  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  body  Mr. 
Thomas  has  been  a  Deacon  for  a  number  of  years 
past.  Politically  our  subject  is  a  Democrat,  as  was 
his  father  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812, 
and  who  fought  with  Gen.  Harrison  at  the  Battle 
of  Tippecanoe. 

He  of  whom  we  write  and  his  amiable  lady,  are 
the  parents  of  eight  children,    four    of    whom    are 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


Til, 


deceased,  namely,  Halie,  and  three  others  who 
died  in  infancy.  The  living  children  are  William 
R..  Mary  J.,  Nancy  J.  and  Clara  A.  William  is 
his  father's  able  assistant  in  running  the  farm  and 
is  a  promising  young  man  who  is  highly  respected 
throughout  the  vicinitj'.  All  of  the  children  are 
intelligent  and  well  educated.  Since  marriage, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  have  lived  on  their  beautiful 
farm  located  on  section  24,  of  Flat  Branch  Town- 
ship. Here  he  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  which  is  all  under  cultivation  with  the  ex- 
ception of  ten  acres.  The  place  boasts  the  finest 
improvements,  and  a  good  class  of  buildings,  ami 
the  owners  are  proud  of  the  fact  that  they  have 
earned  all  that  they  possess  by  their  own  industry 
and  foresight. 


"4  'd^— 


•^z  •••  CW^ 


■N- 


nOAH  HOSTETLER.  One  of  the  lesidents 
and  most  prominent  men  of  Lovington 
who  has  made  himself  felt  in  the  commer- 
cial life  of  the  town  is  he  whose  name  is  at  the 
head  of  this  sketch.  Although  an  American  by 
birth  and  education,  he  is  of  German  ancestry  and 
has  always  brought  to  bear  in  his  business  dealings 
the  good  common  sense  and  thorough  business 
principles  for  which  that  nation  of  people  is  noted. 
His  father  was  Christian  Hostetler  and  his  mother 
Elizabeth  (Hard man)  Hostetler.  'Ihe  former  was 
a  victim  of  the  cholera  and  died  in  1831.  Our 
subject's  mother  passed  away  from  this  world  to  a 
bitter  land,  in  Orange  County,  Ind.  '1  hey  were 
the  parents  of  four  sons  and  five  daughters  and  of 
these  our  subject  was  the  eighth  child  in  the  order 
of  birth.  He  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.. 
February  9,  1826. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  home  farm  and  in  the  latter  part  of  18J2  lie 
came  to  Moultrie  County  and  settled  near  the  vil- 
lage of  Lovington,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and 
thereafter  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until 
about  1872  when  he  removed  to  the  village  of 
Lovington,  and  embarked  in  the  grain  business. 
afterward  adding  the  lumber  business  to  his  in- 
terests and  later,  enlarging  his  business  so  that    it 


included  grain,  lumber  and  hardware,  and  was 
thus  engaged  for  several  years.  He  has  not.  how- 
ever, been  actively  engaged  in  business  for  the 
past  few  years,  confining  his  attention  to  the  care 
of  his  estate  and  a  general  oversight  of  the  bank- 
ing business  which  is  now  operated  by  his  son, 
Leonard  G.  Hostetler  and  S.  P.  Drake,  'ihe  firm 
is  run  under  the  name  of  Drake.  Hostetler  cfc  Son. 
They  carry  on  a  general  banking  business  and  do 
a  large  and  flourishing  business. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Orange  County, 
Ind..  1849.  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Harman,  who  is  a 
native  of  the  same  county  in  which  she  was  mar- 
ried, her  birth  occuring  May  12.  1829.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hos'eller  i-.re  the  parents  of  four  children. 
'Ihe  eldest  of  these  is  a  daughter.  Margaret,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Samuel  S.  Boggs.  Calvin  E.,  mar- 
ried Miss  Ella  Bovvers,  and  has  set  up  a  home  for 
himself,  being  engaged  in  farming  in  Moultrie 
Countv.  this  State.  Leonard  G.  is  engaged  in  the 
banking  business  in  Lovington.  The  youngest  son, 
William,  died  when  about  seven  years  of  age. 
The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  has  filled  the 
office  of  School  Director  and  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Village  Board.  In  his  political  preference 
he  is  a  Republican,  being  one  with  that  party  in 
his  opinions  as  regards  tariff,  currency  and  other 
planks  of  the  part}'  platform.  Our  subject  and 
his  estimable  and  amiable  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church  and  are  generous  supporters  and 
ardent  and  interested  workers  in  the  upholding  of 
Gospel  truths. 

Mr.  Hostetler  is  the  fortunate  possessor  of  nearly 
one  thousand  acres  of  land,  most  of  which  is 
located  in  Lovington  Township.  He  is  also  the 
owner  of  valuable  property  in  the  village  of  Lov- 
ington. When  actively  engaged  in  farming,  he 
made  a  specialty  of  stock-raising  and  the  founda- 
tion of  his  fortune  was  laid  in  this  way.  He,  of 
whom  we  write,  and  his  wife  are  numbered  among 
the  representative  people  of  Lovington  Township, 
and  although  financially  they  stand  among  the 
best  people  in  the  countv,  money  is  not  all  in  all 
to  them,  for  they  number  among  their  friends 
more  people  whose  intelligence  and  culture  is  pre 
eminent,  than  any  other  class.  Mr.  Hostetler  is  a 
broad  minded  and   intelligent    man    to    whom   the 


ms 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


current  topics  of  the  clay,  both  general  and  local, 
me  very  interesting  and  in  which  he  is  always  well 
posted.  A  good  conversationalist,  knowing  what 
to  say,  and  being  above  petty  gossip,  lie  is  at  the 
same  time  a  sympathetic,  attentive  and  interested 
listener  to  any  one  who  may  have  something  that 
is  worth  listening  to. 


•>=♦=♦ 


J 


m 


*=*=*  \ 


,  OIIN  CLARK.  A  well  built  and  attractive 
house  is  a  monument  erected  to  the  honor 
of  the  builder,  speaking  more  truthfully 
than  can  words,  of  the  dominant  traits  of 
his  character.  If  he  is  thorough,  it  will  be  indi- 
cated by  the  firmness  of  foundation  and  the  qual- 
ity of  lumber  that  he  uses.  If  he  be  of  an  analyz- 
ing turn  of  mind,  it  will  show  in  the  detail,  and  if 
he  have  taste  and  culture,  it  will  bespeak  itself 
from  the  ridge  pole  to  the  cellar  and  from  the 
front  entrance  to  the  rear.  Our  subject  is  evi- 
dently one  who  pleases  his  patrons  in  ever)'  detail 
in  building,  for  he  is  one  of  the  most  successful 
dealeis  in  lumber  and  house  furnishing  supplies  in 
Moweaqua,  having,  previous  to  engaging  in  this 
business,  made  a  reputation  for  himself  as  a 
builder. 

Our  subject  is  one  of  the  firm  of  Berry  &  Clark, 
dealers  in  all  kinds  of  lumber.  Mr.  Clark  has 
been  a  member  of  the  firm  since  it  was  started, 
September,  1889.  He  came  to  the  county  in  1854, 
and  with  his  father,  settled  in  Flat  Branch  Town- 
ship. He  has  since  lived  in  this  county,  with  the 
exception  of  six  years,  extending  from  187;")  to 
1881 .  at  which  time  he  was  a  resident  of  Mont- 
gomery County,  Kan.,  where  he  was  engaged  as 
a  cattle  dealer. 

While  yet  a  lad,  our  subject  learned  the  trade  of 
carpenter  which  he  has  followed  for  many  years. 
He  has  erected  many  of  the  best  buildings  both  in 
the  township  and  village  of  Moweaqua,  and  in  Flat 
Branch  Township.  He  has  been  a  contractor  and 
builder,  and  all  the    best    buildings   in  Moweaqua 


he  has  been  more  or  less  connected  with  during 
construction. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Warren  County.  Ohio. 
April  14,  1842.  His  father,  was  W.  H.  Clark,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  his  grandfather  was  William 
Clark,  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  one  of  the  first 
settlers  on  the  site  of  what  is  now  the  city  of  Cin- 
cinnati, at  that  time  nothing  more  than  a  wilder- 
ness. William  Clark  had  married  while  in  Ohio, 
a  Miss  Rachael  Ross.  He  and  his  wife  lived  in 
Warren  County  at  an  early  day,  and  there  died, 
an  old  man.  He  was  of  a  Welsh  family  noted  for 
their  longevity.  Ail  his  life  was  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  II is  wife  survived  him  and  was 
a  second  time  married,  her  husband  being  Mr. 
Decker,  who  left  her  a  widow.  She  then  came  to 
Illinois,  and  died  in  Mercer  County,  this  State,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  She  was  of  German 
ancestry. 

W.  R.  Clark  was  the  only  son  of  his  parents. 
He  grew  up  in  his  native  county  and  when  Cin- 
cinnati became  a  village  of  some  importance,  and 
a  commercial  center  for  the  region  about,  for  a 
period  of  eighteen  years  he  drove  a  six-horse  team 
over  the  new  country  from  Lebanon,  Clarksburg, 
Milford  and  Foster  Crossing,  carrying  flour,  pork, 
whiskey  and  other  freight,  and  bringing  back  sup- 
plies for  the  general  stores  in  the  country  towns. 
In  1854.  with  his  family  he  moved  West,  making 
the  journey  overland,  his  household  goods  as  well 
as  his  family  being  conveyed  hither  by  means  of 
teams.  They  enjoyed  camp  life  during  this  emi- 
gration and  after  a  long  trip  they  settled  on  a 
tract  of  Government  land  in  Hat  Branch  Town- 
ship, Shelby  County,  and  the  tract  which  he  at 
that  time  located  upon  was  never  transferred  until 
his  death,  he  having  passed  away  from  this  life  on 
the  farm  which  he  had  preempted,  September  19, 
1889.  He  was  born  February  14,  1802,  and  had 
become  a  well  known  man  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  He  was  quiet  and  unassuming  in  his 
personal  bearing,  but  had  had  an  experience  that 
few  men,  even  at  that  time,  had  enjoyed.  He 
lived  to  see  the  country  change  from  primeval 
wilderness  to  one  of  the  richest  commercial  and 
agricultural  districts  in  the  country.  His  wife 
had   preceded    him,    having    died    April    9,    1881. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Td'.i 


Her  birth  occurred  December  19,  1806,  near  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.  Her  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Berger. 
She  anrl  her  husband  enjoyed  fifty- two  years  of 
married  life. 

Our  subject  is  the  youngest  but  one  of  nine 
children,  now  living.  Two  of  his  mother's  chil- 
dren had  died  at  an  early  a&e.  He  grew  up  in  his 
native  county,  enjoying  the  limited  advantages  as 
to  education  and  social  life  that  were  to  be  had  at 
that  time.  "When  the  first  three  years'  call  was 
made  for  volunteers  to  go  to  the  front  to  quell  the 
rebellion,  our  subject  responded.  He  enlisted 
August  14,  1861,  in  the  Seventh  Kansas  Cavalry, 
Company  F.  The  Colonel  in  command  being  C. 
R.  Jennison,  and  F.  M.  Maloney  serving  as  Cap- 
tain. The  regiment  in  which  he  served  was  known 
as  the  noted  Jayhawkers,  and  the}'  served  in  the 
Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  being  engaged  in  Mis- 
souri, Kansas,  Kentucky.  Tennessee,  Alabama  and 
Mississippi.  Our  subject  was  a  participant  in  the 
battles  of  Corinth,  luka  or  Tupelo,  Oxford, 
Water  Valley  and  Coffeyville.  The  regiment  was 
under  the  general  command  of  Gen.  Grant  and 
was  the  first  to  penetrate  into  Oxford,  Miss.,  being 
in  the  advance  of  the  main  army  from  Holly 
Springs  to  Coffeeville. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  during  his  military 
experience,  was  fortunately  never  seriously  in- 
jured, hut  was  once  knocked  off  his  horse  by  a 
spent  ball.  He  was  never  captured,  nor  spent  a 
day  in  a  hospital.  During  all  his  service  he  re- 
ported every  day  for  duty.  He  saw  much  hard 
fighting  during  the  three  years  he  spent  in  the 
army.  He  veteranized  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  be- 
came recruiting  officer  of  the  regiment.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  after 
three  years  and  seven  months  of  service,  in  1864. 
He  had  received  the  honor  of  being  advanced  to 
the  position  of  First  Lieutenant  of  his  regiment, 
and  was  on  special  duty  as  Court  Marshal  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  some  time.  He  was  also  of- 
fered the  Provost  Marshalship  in  Northern  Mis- 
souri, but  refused  to  serve. 

After  our  subject's  discharge  from  military  life, 
he  returned  to  Shelby  County,  this  State,  and  took 
upon  himself  the  obligations  of  married  life,  his 
■wife  having  been  a  Miss    Charlotte    A.    Goodwin, 


who  was  of  English  ancestry  and  birth,  having 
come  to  the  United  States  when  but  thirteen  years 
of  age,  her  only  kinsman  in  this  country  being 
Dr.  Richard  Dawson  Goodwin,  of  St.  Louis.  Mrs. 
Clark  died  in  St.  Louis  on  May  111.  1871.  she 
was  in  the  prime  of  life  at  the  time  of  her  taking 
away. 

Mr.  Clark  again  married,  the  second  partner  of 
his  joys  and  sorrows  being  Mrs.  Nancy  II.  Jones, 
a  native  of  Illinois.  She  died  one  year  after  her 
marriage,  while  yet  in  her  young  womanhood. 
The  little  daughter  that  she  left  to  be  a  comfort  to 
her  husband,  followed  her  mother  when  but  four 
years  old.  By  a  former  marriage,  Mrs.  Clark  was 
the  mother  of  two  children,  Eliza  J.  Brickey,  who 
lives  with  her  step-father,  and  Charles  W.  Brickey. 
who  took  to  wife  Stella  Henry,  now  a  resident  in 
Moweaqua  Township.  The  lady  is  a  daughter  of 
Ex-Representative  Thomas  Henry,  of  Windsor,  III. 
Mr.  Clark's  first  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  His  second  wife  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Levi 
Jones,  now  deceased,  a  prominent  minister  at  an 
early  day  in  Montgomery  Count}',  Kan. 

Our  subject  is  an  adherent  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  is  much  interested  in  local  as  well  as 
national  affairs  and  has  been  closely  identified 
with  all  the  local  offices  from  Supervisor  down. 
He  is  a  Past  Commander  of  J.  V.  Cleming  Post, 
No.  363.  of  the  G.  A.  R.  in  Moweaqua. 


AVI.ESS  A.  RICHHART.  The  Kichhart 
family  have  for  years  been  prominent 
in  this  country.  The  oldest  progenitor 
known  to  our  subject  was  his  grandfather. 
Henry  Richhart,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Penn- 
sylvania, coming  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch  stock  and 
parentage.  He  was  a  fanner  by  occupation,  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  moved  to  Ohio  and  there  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty-eighl  years.  While  a  young 
man  he  married  Susanna  Lawyer,  who  was  also  of 
Dutch  ancestry;  she.  like  her  husband,  passed  her 
life  in  her  native  Stale,  and  there  passed  away  at 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


tlir  age  of  about  forty  years.  The  aged  couple  were 
sturdy,  stanch,  true-hearted  representatives  of  the 
(Quaker  State.  To  them  were  born  fourteen  chil- 
dren, three  of  whom  are  yet  living,  namely:  Henry, 
Mrs.  Barbara  Johnson  and  Catherine  Brainer. 
Henry  is  :i  farmer  and  dairyman  at  Nickerson,  Kan. 
Mrs.  Brainer  is  now  living  in  Morgan  County,  this 
State. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  William  Richhart 
and  was  one  of  the  large  family  above  mentioned, 
He  was  bora  December  13,  1KIC>.  in  Boss  County. 
Ohio.  There  lie  was  reared  and  early  learned  the 
science  of  farming.  When  he  reached  manhood  he 
was  married  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss 
Fienore  Nichols,  a  native  of  the  county  wherein 
her  marriage  was  celebrated.  The  lady  was  a 
daughter  of  Bayless.  Nichols,  and  was  bora  Decem- 
ber 31,  1784,  in  Virginia,  and  died  in  Ohio.  May 
.'!.  1842.  Her  father  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Melinda  Rutledge.  She  died  leaving 
live  offspring.  The  second  wife  of  Bayless  Nich- 
ols, was  Sarah  Griffith.  After  their  marriage  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  Ohio,  being 
old  settlers  there.  Their  parents  came  respectively 
from  England  and  Virginia,  the  father  of  Bayless 
Nichols  being  a  native  of  the  British  Isles,  lie 
came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  was  early 
married  to  Elizabeth  Glover,  their  nuptials  being 
celebrated,  strange  to  say.  during  the  strife  of  the 
Revolution,  and  although  the  groom  was  not  long 
from  the  mother  country,  he  did  not  demur  that 
his  bride's  wedding  outlit  was  homespun  and  the 
work  of  her  own  hands,  as  on  principle,  she  would 
not  pay  any  duty  on  foreign  goods.  They  were 
married  in  Virginia,  where  their  fifteen  children 
were  born.  They  moved  to  Ohio  where  they  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  Methodists 
in  religious  belief,  and  Whigs  in  political  following. 

After  marriage,  William  liichhart,  the  father  of 
oursubject,  began  life  with  his  bride  in  Boss  County. 
Ohio,  and  some  years  after  the  birth  of  their  first 
child,  came  to  Illinois  during  the  'IDs,  journey- 
ing hither  with  their  household  yoods  overland,  bv 
means  of  teams.  They  settled  in  a  new  part  of 
Morgan  County,  near  Arcadia,  where  they  entered 
a  farm  which  in  later  years  was  improved  to  a 
Uiglt  degree.      It  was  al  this   place  that  our  subject 


opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  of  this  mundane 
sphere,  his  natal  day  being  September  24,  1850. 
He  was  the  second  child  and  the  first  bora  to  his 
parents  in  Illinois.  There  were  five  sons  and  four 
daughters  in  all.  Only  three  of  the  sons  arc  now 
living.  They  are  our  subject,  John  and  William. 
The  latter  is  a  farmer  in  this  county,  and  John  is 
a  farmer  at  Strawn.  Coffey  County.  Kan.  Both 
have  token  to  themselves  wives  who  are  good  and 
noble  women.  The  father  died  in  Morgan  County 
on  his  farm.  March  18.  lK.~)(i.  lie  was  a  good  man 
and  had  a  large  circle  of  friends  where  he  lived, 
who  mourned  his  loss.  Politically  he  was  an  old- 
line  Whig,  and  in  his  religious  views,  a  Methodist. 
He  was  a  quiet,  unpretentious  man.  hut  genial  and 
kindly  in  his  disposition.  His  wife,  who  survived 
him,  married  Lewis  Dean.  One  child  was  the  out- 
come of  this  union.  Mrs.  Dean,  who  is  now  sixty- 
five  years  of  age  is  yet  active  and  ambitious.  She 
lives  in  Moweaqua,  and  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  that  place. 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  reared  to  man- 
hood in  Morgan  County  and  when  about  twenty 
years  of  age  moved  to  Logan  County.  HI.,  and 
after  two  years  spent  there,  he  removed  to  Macon 
County  in  1872  and  six  years  thereafter  came  to 
this  county.  He  was  first  married  in  Logan  County, 
to  .Miss  Maggie  I!.  Stein,  who  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  who.  when  very  young,  came  with 
her  parents  to  Illinois,  settling  first  in  Flat  Branch 
Township,  Shelby  County,  and  after  some  years, 
the  parents.  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Macklin)  Stein, 
moved  to  Moweaqua  and  there  died  at  an  advanced 
age.  Mrs.  Richhart,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  died 
in  Flat  Branch  Township,  on  the  farm  on  which 
she  was  reared,  October  8,  18iS3.  being  then  only 
twenty-seven  years  of  age.  She  was  the  mother 
of  five  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
Those  living  are  Bertha  A..  Nellie  K.,  Russell  F. 
and  Mabel. 

Mr.  Richhart  was  a  second  time  married  in  Pick- 
away Township,  to  Miss  Ida  B.  Stunt]).  Their  mar- 
riage was  celebrated  April  5,  1**.").  The  lady  is  a 
native  of  Pickaway  Township,  where  she  was  born 
January  31,  1864.  She  was  brought  up  in  the 
county  in  which  she  was  married  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Sarah  St  unit),  who  are  natives  of  Ohio. 


PORTRAIT  AM)  lilt )( iRAPHIC  AI.    RECORD. 


711 


being  married  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  and  la- 
ter coming  to  Illinois,  where  they  settled  in  Pick- 
away Township.  There  they  purchased  and  im- 
proved a  tract  of  land  and  there  Mr.  Stump  died 
in  the  spring  of  1876,  while  yet  in  the  primeof  life. 
Mrs.  Stump  is  yet  living  <>n  the  old  homestead, 
having  attained  sixty-three  years  of  age.  She,  as 
was  her  husband,  is  a  very  active  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mrs.  Richhart  is  the 
mother  of  two  children  whose  names  are  Rollin  F. 
and  Bessie  A. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richhart  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethern  Church.  The  gentleman  has  been  honored 
l>\  several  positions  in  the  township  gift,  having 
been  Road  (  ommissioner,  Supervisor  and  Assessor, 
besides  holding-  minor  offices.  He  is  a  prominent 
Republican  in  his  locality.  There  is  a  saying  that 
"He  who  shoots  at  a  midday  sun.  though  he  may 
imt  hit.  shoots  higher  than  hewho  aims  at  a  bush," 
and  this  has  ever  Keen  the  mode  of  procedure  of 
our  subject.  lie  ran  truly  say  that  be  is  a  self- 
made  man.  ever  having  worked  to  reach  the  mark 
which  he  hadset  high  for  himself.  He  has  thus  far 
overcome  every  difficulty  that  he  has  encountered 
in  his  career  and  has  already  won  a  Battering  de- 
gree of  success,  lie  own-  a  beautiful  home  which 
is  on  three  hundred  and  forty  acres,  located  on 
section.  1.  of  Flat  Branch  Township.  Here  he  has 
a  tine  residence  recently  limit  on  the  site  of  one 
that  he  lost  by  tire. 


5©-S, 


j«k£  AMUEL  FUGET.  Among  the  names  held 
^^2  in  honor  in  Shelby  County,  that  which 
introduces  these  paragraphs  has  for  many 
years  had  a  place.  He  who  hear-  it  came 
hither  in  1*71  and  has  been  a  potent  factor  in  the 
well-being  of  the  citizens,  bearing  a  worthy  part 
in  the  battle  of  life  as  a  private  individual,  and 
acting  with  ability  in  prominent  positions  to  which 
he  ha-  been  called.  He  i-  one  of  the  number  before 
whom  discouragements  Bee,  and  who  surmount  ob- 
stacles  that  lie  in  their  way  without  letting  the 
world  into  the  secret  of  their  existence.  He  has 
therefore  gained  a  competency  where  many  would 


have  failed,  and  has  pushed  to  a  successful  con- 
clusion affairs  that  in  other  hands  would  have  re- 
sulted far  differently. 

Many  years  ago  William  Fuget  and  Sarah  Kun- 
kle  were  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock,  and 
began  their  wedded  life  in  Pennsylvania, of  which 
Mate  they  were  both  natives.  They  resided  for 
many  year-  in  Cumberland  County,  where  both 
died  at  a  goodly  old  age.  Of  their  nine  children 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order 
of  birth,  and  he  was  horn  in  Cumberland  County. 
September  12.  1*44.  He  passed  his  youth  in  the 
usual  manner  of  farmer  lads  of  that  period,  al- 
ternating attendance  in  the  district  schools  with 
farm  work.  Until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old  he 
lived  in  the  Key-tone  Mate,  whence  he  removed  in 
1865  to  Pana  111.,  and  engaged  in  different  occu- 
pations. 

In  August,  1871,  Mr.  Fuget  arrived  in  Shelby 
County,  and  locating  in  Tower  Hill,  began  work- 
ing in  a  flour  mill.  For  a  time  he  rented  the  mill 
and  afterward  bought  a  one-third  interest  in  it. 
Tlii-  interest  he  -old  ami  became  the  head  miller 
of  the  Anchor  Mills  in  Tower  Hill,  owned  by  John 
Runkle  A-  Son.  Tin-  responsible  position  Mr. 
Fuget  i-  still  tilling  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  con- 
cerned. His  pleaseant  home  is  presided  over  by  a 
lady  of  culture,  with  whom  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage in  Pana  111.,  in  January,  1871.  she  lion- the 
maiden  name  of  Miss  Shaffer  and  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  Her  parent-.  John  and  Christina 
(  Davis)  Shaffer,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  is  living  with  our  subject  andthe  mother  is  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Fuget  and  his  estimable  wife  have  a 
family  of  three  children  —  Minnie  M..  Lora  E.  and 
(irate  E.  Minnie  M.  i>  the  wife  of  M.  II.  Fenton,  of 
Tower  Hill,  and  Lora  E.  is  the  wife  of  George  E. 
Allen,  of  Arkansas. 

Mr.  Fuget  has  been  called  upon  to  till  various 
official  positions  and  has  honored  every  position 
which  he  has  tilled,  by  proving  capable,  faithful, 
and  eminently  trustworthy.  He  is  at  present  serv- 
ing  a-  Supervisor  of  Tower  Hill  Township,  has 
been  Township  Collector,  and  has  held  several 
school  offices  in  the  village.  He  also  served  as 
President  of  the  village  and  Trustee  for  several 
terms.      Politically    he    is  an  ardent    supporter    of 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD 


the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  takes 
a  lively  interest  in  everything  that  affects  the  pros- 
perity of  the  city  or  county.  Socially  he  belongs 
to  the  I.  ().  I).  F..  the  K.  of  P..  and  the  Modem 
Woodmen  of  America.  With  hi:-  wife,  he  has  won 
a  secure  place  in  the  affections  of  his  associates  and 
is  highly  esteemed  for  fine  social  qualities  and 
mil ile   character. 


\ 


ap^A  KELTON  BIRKETT.  Si;.,  stands  amongthe 
^^4      influential  citizens  of  Shelby  County,  and 
liL/JJ.    to  him   and  men   of  his  indomitable  will, 
wide  experience,  unsurpassed  business  acu- 
men and  far-reaching  public  spirit,  it  is  indebted 
for  its  high  standing  among  its  sister  counties  in 
this  great  Commonwealth  of  Illinois.     Our  subject 
is  a  leading  farmer  and  stockman  of  this  section, 
his    extensive   agricultural    interests  centering   in 
Todd's  Point  Township,  where  he  has  an  attrrative 
home  and   eleven   hundred  acres  of  land,  all  lying 
in  a  body,  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  its  soil  of 
marvelous    fertility    and    its    valuable    ami     well- 
appointed    improvements     rendering    it   a    model 
farm. 

Mr.  Birkett  was  born  August  13,  1820,  near  Kis- 
wick,  Cumberland  County,  in  The  Yale  of  St.  John  *s 
Parish  of  Crosthwait,  England,  on  a  farm  which 
was  also  the  birthplace  of  his  grandfather,  Daniel 
Birkett.  who  spent  his  entire  life,  as  did  his  father 
before  him.  upon  that  estate,  which  he  owned,  be- 
sides owning  two  other  farms.  1 1 i>  son  John,  the 
lather  of  our  subject,  also  passed  his  whole  life  Oil 
that  pleasant  English  farm,  while  his  brothers, 
Clement  and  John,  and  his  sister  Rebecca  came  to 
America.  The  former  settled  in  Missouri  where 
he  lived  the  remainder  of  hi-  days;  John  was  a 
farmer  and  died  in  Shelby  County;  Rebecca  died 
in  Moultrie  County,  this  State.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  lived  to 
the  good  old  age  of  seventy  seven  years,  his  death 
occurring  in  November.  1873.  His  wife  whose 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Skelton,  died  June  3. 
1847,  when    she    was    forty-seven    years    of   age. 


She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children,  seven  sons  and 
three  daughters,  and  five  of  them  are  yet  living. 

Ile  of  whom  we  write  was  the  fourth  child  born 
to  his  parents,  and  he  passed  his  early  days  in  the 
home  of  his  birth,  where  he  received  a  careful 
training  in  all  that  goes  to  make  a  good  man  and 
a  useful  citizen.  lie  was  given  the  advantage  of 
an  education  in  the  local  schools,  and  when  not  in 
school  was  acquiring  practical  experience  in  agri- 
culture on  his  father's  farm  that  was  of  use  to  him 
in  after  years  in  the  prosecution  of  his  chosen  call- 
ing on  American  soil.  Christmas  Day.  1839,  was 
a  memorable  day  for  him.  as  he  then  left  belaud 
him  his  old  home  with  its  many  pleasant  associa- 
tions and  went  out  to  the  island  of  St.  Croix. 
where  he  had  two  uncle.-.  Clement  and  John  Skel- 
ton. who  owned  estates  there,  to  see  what  life  held 
for  him  in  the  West  Indie-,  and  there  he  was  en- 
tailed a-  a  planter  on  a  sugar  plantation  for  eight 
years  and  three  months.  Failing  health  w:arned  him 
that  he  must  seek  another  climate,  and  he  decided 
upon  the  United  State-  of  America,  lie  embarked 
on  a  vessel  bound  for  New  York,  arrived  safely, 
and  two  weeks  later  boarded  a  steamer  for  Phila- 
delphia, on  his  way  to  tin-  State.  From  the  (Quaker 
City  he  went  by  rail  to  Chambersburg.  and  then 
by  stage  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  from  there  by  the  same 
conveyance  to  Ma-sillon.  Ohio,  whence  he  went  by 
canal  to  Cleveland,  from  that  city  by  Lake  Erie  to 
Toledo,  and  thence  by  way  of  Lovington  to  Terre 
Haute.  End.,  whence  he  came  to  this  county,  travel- 
ing by  canal  and  stage  to  Shelby ville. 

The  date  of  the  arrival  of  our  subject  in  this 
county  was  August  31.  1848.  and  though  not  one 
of  its  earliot  settlers  he  may  be  denominated  one 
of  its  pioneers  as  he  has  done  as  much  as  any  other 
man  to  develop  its  great  agricultural  resources, 
and  has  been  a  potent  factor  in  the  advancement 
of  its  interests  in  various  directions,  generously 
using  a  part  of  the  wealth  that  he  has  acquired 
within  its  borders  to  further  all  worthy  enterprises 
to  promote  itsgrowth  and  benefit  the  public.  In  the 
busy  years  that  followed  his  settlement  here,  he 
has  not  been  too  much  occupied  in  attending  to 
his  private  affairs  to  be  able  to  do  his  duty  as  a 
citizen,  and  he  has  devoted  some  of  his  valuable 
time  to  aid  in  the  management    of  civic  interests. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORL. 


ri3 


bringing  to  his  official  duties  in  the  various  respon- 
sible positions  that  he  has  filled  the  same  aptitude 
for  business,  promptness,  and  unerring  judgment 
and  untiring  zeal  that  have  characterized  him 
throughout  his  career. 

lli>  persona]  standing  is  nf  the  highest,  and 
whether  in  public  or  in  private  life  he  has  always 
Inline  himself  as  an  honorable,  upright  gentleman, 
all  worthy  of  the  implicit  confidence  which  his 
conduct  has  inspired  in  his  fellow-citizens.  Among 
other  important  offices  to  which  they  have  called 
him  is  that  of  Supervisor,  and  he  has  represented 
Todd's  Point  Township  on  the  County  Board  of 
supervisors  ten  years,  lie  was  a  member  of  that 
honorable  body  when  the  present  court  house  was 
in  process  of  erection  at  the  county  seat,  and  as 
one  of  the  building  committee  he  carefully  super- 
intended every  detail  of  work,  and  used  his  in- 
fluence to  have  it  built  in  a  style  of  architecture 
combining  strength,  utility  and  beauty,  and  at  a 
reasonable  cost.  Politically.  Mr.  Birkett  has  been 
identified  with  the  three  leading  parties  that  have 
held  sway  since  he  came  to  this  country.  At  first 
lie  advocated  the  old-line  Whig  policy  and  sub- 
sequently became  a  Republican,  but  in  1876  he 
joined  the  Democrat-,  a-  lie  considered  that  the 
Republican  party  had  outlived  its  usefulness  and 
had  begun  to  abuse  its  great  power,  so  that  a 
change  was  necessary  in  the  interests  of  a  pure 
government. 

Mr.  Birkett's  financial  standing  is  the  result  en- 
tirely of  hi-  own  efforts,  as  he  -tailed  out  in  the 
world  empty  handed,  with  the  exception  of 
t'-J."i  of  English  money  was  which  given  him  by  his 
father,  and  which  he  returned  to  him  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  had  a  better  capital,  however,  with 
which  to  build  his  fortunes  in  his  fine  physique, 
clear  brain,  and  the  solid  trait-  of  character  that 
have  made  him  successful  in  life.  After  his  arrival 
in  tin-  county  he  worked  on  a  farm  in  Todd's 
Point  Town-hip.  and  the  following  year  entered  a 
section  of  land  in  the  same- township  on  sections 
17.  1*  and  2n.aud  in  the  ensuing  March  he  entered 
upon  its  improvement,  breaking  the  wild  prairie 
and  fencing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  it. 
He  began  to  stock  is  farm  by  the  purchase  of  one 
hundred  head  of  cattle  and  seven  hundred  sheep. 


and  thus  entered  upon  his  prosperous  career  of 
stock  and  sheep  raising  ami  wool  business,  lie 
has  made  his  home  upon  that  section  of  land 
that  he  ha-  developed  from  the  wilderness  into 
one  of  the  choicest  farms  of  the  county,  upon 
winch  he  has  placed  every  needed  improvement, 
including  roomy  barns  for  his  stock,  a  commodious 
dwelling,  etc.  He  has  purchased  more  land  since 
hi-  first  investment,  and  now  has  eleven  hundred 
acres  ail  in  one  tract.  He  at  one  time  had  thirty 
two  hundred  "acres  of  laud  in  this  state  and  in 
Kansas,  two  thousand  of  which  he  gave  to  his 
-on-. 

Mi.  Birkett  has  heen  eminently  happy  in  his 
domestic  relation-,  and  shows  to  the  best  advant- 
age in  his  home,  not  only  as  a  husband  and  father, 
hut  in  the  character  of  the  most  courteous  and 
genial  of  hosts,  dispensing  a  generous  hospitality 
to  friend  or  stranger  who  may  happen  beneath  his 
sheltering  roof,  cordially  assisted  by  his  estimable 
wife,  who  is  always  thoughtful  and  considerate  for 
the  comfort  of  all  about  her.  ■  Our  subject  was 
first  married  February  Ki.  1850,  to  Mis-  Mary 
Bland,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry 
Bland,  she  was  a  resident  of  this  county  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage,  and  had  gathered  many 
friends  about  her.  who  were  attracted  by  her  fine 
womanly  character  and  great  worth,  and  at  her 
death  February  9,  1865,  sorrowed  with  her  family 
in  their  great  bereavement.  By  that  marriage 
there  were  seven  children,  of  whom  the  following 
i>  recorded:  Henry,  a  resident  of  Springfield. 
married  Grace  Adams,  and  they  have  one 
child:  John,  who  wa-  a  resident  of  Kansas 
at  the  time  of  his  death  in  his  twenty-second 
year,  by  drowning  while  in  bathing  in  the  river: 
Skelton  a  farmer,  residing  in  Greenwood  County, 
Kan.,  married  Grace  Gleason;  Harriet  died  at  the 
age  of  two  year-:  George  is  a  farmer  of  Greenwood 
County,  Kan.  Mary  married  George  Becker,  a 
merchant  of  Wichita,  Kan.;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife 
of  Dr.  A.  1'.  Williams,  of  Hot  Springs.    Ark. 

January  17.  1867  our  subject  wa-  married  to 
Mi—  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Lenovcr,  an  old 
resident  of  Shelby  County,  and  in  her  he  has  a 
devoted  wife.  Two  children  have  blessed  their 
union,   of  whom  hut  one  i-  living,    Arthur.     Mr. 


14 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


Birkett  was  reared  in  the  Church  of  England,  and 

has  remained  true  to  the  faith  of  his  fathers.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  .Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  is  identified  with  its  every  good  work. 
charitable  or  religious.  The  former  -Mrs.  Birkett 
was  also  a  member  of  that  church. 


,1  f  I  W  ^   T^ 


*■'"*  ' 


iL^  ON.  W.G.  COCHRAN. Speaker  of  the  House 
1    during-    the    Thirty-Math    session    of    the 
General  Assembly,  is  well  known  not  only 

5)  in  Sullivan  but  throughout  Southern  llli" 
nois  as  a  Leading  attorney  and  an  influential  citi- 
zen. He  has  resided  in  .Moultrie  County  since  lie 
was  four  years  old.  although  his  residence  in  Sulli- 
van permanently  dates  only  from  April  lX'.H.  lie 
was  formerly  located  in  Lovington  and  vicinity, 
where  he  won  laurels  in  his  profession  and  as  a 
politician.  His  advent  as  a  student  of  the  law  be- 
gan under  Judge  Miner  in  1*77.  and  May  23, 
187'J  he  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  bar.  Since 
that  date  he  has  been  progressing  constantly  and 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  stanehest  Republicans  in 
the  county. 

In  L888  Mr.  Cochran  was  nominated  by  the  Re- 
publican party  for  Representative  and  was  success- 
fully run  on  the  minority  ticket.  After  his  election 
to  the  State  Legislature  he  felt  the  embarrassment  of 
being  compelled  to  enter  the  Legislative  halls  with- 
out knowing  the  State  Executive  or  any  of  the 
state  officers,  or  even  a  member  of  either  branch 
of  the  Legislature.  Hut  he  was  possessed  of  a  gen- 
ial disposition  and  frank,  open  manners  which  soon 
won  him  the  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  came 
in  contact  and  the  respseet  of  every  member  of  the 
law-making  body  of  the  State.  When  it  became 
necessary  to  elect  a  Speaker  of  the  House  an  old 
soldier  was  looked  for.  and  among  that  class  Mr. 
Cochran  was  entered  in  the  race  with  JudgeCooly, 
the  well-known  "heavy  weight"  of  Knox   County. 

On  the  third  ballot  Mr.  Cochran  won  the  race. 
It  is  well  known  that  he  tilled  this  place  of  trust 
with  great  success  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
members  of  both  parties.  While  a  Republican  he 
looked   closelv  to  the  interests  of  his  constituents 


and  made  many  friends  who  rejoiced  in  his  elec- 
tion to  the  Speakership.  On  his  return  home  lie 
was  nominated  by  liis  party  for  Senator  and  polled 
more  votes  than  his  party  ticket,  which  is  much  in 
the  minority.  While  in  the  Legislature  he  served 
as  a  member  of  the  Judicial  Committee  and  was 
Chairman  of  the  Municipal  Committee. 

Not  without  a  struggle,  however,  did  Mr.  Coch- 
ran attain  to  success  in  this  life.  He  was  reared 
in  this  county, having  no  advantages  for  a  school- 
ing and  working  on  the  home  farm.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen  the  war  broke  out,  and  at  this  youth- 
ful age  he  sought  an  opportunity  to  enter  in  the 
defense  of  his  country  early  in  1861,  but  was  re- 
fused admission  by  the  Captain  of  the  company 
where  he  made  application.  About  one  year  later 
he  succeeded  in  securing  a  place  in  the  ranks  as  a 
private  of  Company  A, One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
sixth  Illinois  Infantry.  The  regiment  was  com- 
posed, of  young  men  who  possessed  the  fighting 
qualities  of  veterans.  Their  presence  was  soon 
felt  in  the  South  and  they  did  service  at  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg.  They  also  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Clarendon.  Little  Rock,  and  went  on  an 
expedition  to  Red  River  to  meet  Gen.  Ranks. 
They  afterward  continued  their  march  through 
Arkansas  and  as  they  went  along  did  good  service 
iii  frightening  the  enemy  out  of  the  country  and 
suppressing  the  sharpshooters. 

Young  Cochran  stood  his  army  life  nobly  and 
endured  many  hardships,  but  he  was  always  pre- 
pared for  duty  and  did  his  part  without  flinching'. 
lie  was  promoted  to  be  Sergeant,  and  at  the  expir- 
ation of  three  years  was  mustered  out  at  Pine 
Bluff,  Ark.,  and  honorably  discharged  from  the 
service  at  Springfield.  111.,  in  August.  lH(5.r>.  Al- 
though he  had  seen  a  great  deal  of  hard  fighting 
he  had  fortunately  escaped  uninjured  and  had 
never  seen  the  inside  of  a  prison  or  hospital.  He 
had  just  attained  to  his  majority  before  his  term 
of  enlistment  expired,  and  to  illustrate  the  progress 
he  has  since  made  it  may  be  said  that  when  he  en- 
tered the  service  his  enlistment  papers  bear  only 
his  mark,  as  he  could  not  write  at  that  time. 

For  several  years  after  the  close  of  the  war  Mr. 
Cochran  was  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  near 
Lovington,  but    his    heart  was   meanwhile  with  his 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


715 


books  and  he  later  followed  his  natural  bent,  the 
study  of  law.  He  has  a  brilliant, daring  eloquence 
whicb  with  his  sparkling  wit  makes  him  an  attract- 
ive speaker.  At  the  beginning  of  an  address  he  is 
cool  and  calm,  but  gradually  warms  to  the  subject. 
In  politics  he  i-  intensely  Republican,  but  his  per- 
sonal friendships  and  influence  extend  to  all  parties. 
lie  i-  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  has  been 

In  mi  iled  with  M.nie  of  their  highest    offices,  ha  villi; 

membership  with  Blue  Lodge.  No.  "288.  and  Chap- 
ter No.  171.  at  Lovington.  He  has  served  several 
terms  as  Master  and  has  also  Ween  chosen  High 
Priest  He  is  a  Knight  Templar  in  theCoinmand- 
ery  at  Sullivan.  In  church  and  Sunday-school  he 
i-  an  active  worker,  having  been  a  faithful  C'hri>- 
tian  since  the  late  war.  I Ii>  membership  is  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  since  1868  lie 
ha-  preached  when  called  upon  to  do  SO,  and  has 
Keen  heard  expounding  the  Scripture-  in  almost 
every  place  of  meeting  in  the  county.  In  Loving- 
ton  he  was  a  member  of  the  Sunday-school  fur 
twenty-seven  years  and  was  superintendent  for 
fifteen  years  of  the  time. 

The  birth  of  the  Hon.  Mr.  Cochran  occurred 
near  Frankford, Ohio,  the  oldest  town  in  the  state. 
located  in  1!""  County,  November /3,  1844.  He 
came  of  comparatively  poor  but  highly  respectable 
parentage,  his  ancestors  being  people  of  steady 
habits  and  moral  character.  Hi-  father.  Andrew 
Cochran,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  -mi  of 
another  Andrew  Cochran,  born  in  the  same  state. 
It  appears  that  the  family  had  lived  in  the  Key- 
stone State  foi  many  year-  and  came  of  a  mixed 
stock,  strongly  adhering  to  the  Pennsylvania  Dutch 
ancestry.  The  elder  Andrew  Cochran  grewtoman- 
h 1  upon  a  farm  and  was  married  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Hewitt,  whose  love  he  had  won  by  his  heroism 
The  Hewitt  family  was  once  trying  to  cross  a  swollen 
river  and  all  seemed  destined  to  In-  drowned  in  the 
rapidly  flowing  stream,  but  youngCochran  showed 
hi-  natural  bravery  and  rushed  to  the  rescue.  By 
hemic  effort  he  saved  the  life  of  two  of  the  daugh- 
ter-, the  remaining  members  of  the  family  having 
already  been  borne  down  the  rushing  river.  A 
marriage  to  one  of  the  daughter-  soon  followed 
and  proved  a  happy  union. 

The  brave  youngCochran  and   his  wife   began 


life  poor  in  this  world's  g Is  hut  labored  together 

fur  -ome  years  in  their  first  home.  Desiring  to 
better  their  condition  they  resolved  to  go  to  the 
wilds  of  what  wa-  then  the  new  country  of  Ohio. 
At  an  early  day  they  settled  in  RoSS  <  OUntj  and 
there  opened  up  a  new  home  in  the  woods  where 
they  died  at  a  ripe  old  age.  They  were  Christians 
and  reared  an  honorable  family.  The -mi  Andrew 
wa-  only  a  small  hoy  when  his  parents  -tailed  out 
in  Ross  County  and  there  he  grew  to  a  Stalwart 
manhood.  He  married  into  a  good  family,  his 
wife.  Jane  Poster,  being  one  of  a  pair  of  twin-. 
The  other  twin  is  now  Mrs.  Isabel]  Gregory,  and 
survives  at  the  age  of  eighty  five  years,  being 
quite  active  and  hearty. 

After  their  six  children  had  been  horn  to  Andrew 
Cochran,  Jr.,  and  his  good  wife,  they  decided  to 
follow  the  example  of  their  ancestors  and  locate  in 
a  new  country.  In  1849  they  gathered  together 
their  worldly  goods,  and  with  wagon- and  team- 
started  for  Illinois,  camping  by  the  way  and  the 
father  and  sons  sleeping  at  night  under  the  canopj 
of  the  heaven-.  After  a  somewhat  long  and  tedi- 
ous journey  they  landed  at  their  destination  and 
pitched  their  tent-  not  far  from  Lovington.  where 
the  father  secured  a  -mall  farm.  There  the  father 
and  mother  lived  and  labored  until  their  death. 
The  good  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  Novem- 
ber, 1881,  and  had  reached  a  good  old  age,  having 
heen  horn  in  1806.  The  father  who  was  horn  in 
1808  survived  until  January  •">.  1889,  and  passed 
from  earth  on  the  same  day  that  his  son  wa-  to 
start  for  the  State  capital  to  accept  his  office  of 
trust  as  the  representative  of  the  people  of  M>*lhr 
County.  He  had  heen  a  life-long  Democrat  and 
Cast  his  only  Republican  vote  when  he  gave  his 
suffrage  to  his  son  W. G.,  who  had  grown  up  a  Re- 
publican in  his  political  faith.  Andrew  Cochran 
wa-  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  but  in  the  absence  of  that  church  here, 
joined  the  Methodist  Church. 

Of  the  six  children  our  subject  wa-  next  to  the 
youngest  Two  of  the  daughters  are  now  deceased. 
The  survivors  are  I-ahcll.  wife  of  William  (  .  Fos- 
ter, of  Decatur;  Charles,  a  farmer  on  the  old  (  och- 
ran  homestead;  Andrew  W.,  a  farmer  in  this 
county:  and  our  subject.     The  wife  of  our  subject 


716 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


bore  the  maiden  name  of  Chariots  Keyes  and  was 
born  in  Ohio,  her  parents  being  Virginians.     The 

lather.  .lames  Keyes.  was  a  farmer  and  died  in 
Loveland.  at  a  ootid  old  age.  Mrs.  Cochran  was 
reared  and  educated  principally  in  Sullivan  County 
and  has  made  a  good  wife  to  her  worthy  husband, 
to  whom  she  has  borne  six  children.  Prudence  is 
deceased.  The  survivors  are — Oscar,  a  successful 
teacher  in  this  county;  Grace  M.,  a  graduate  of 
Lovington  High  School;  Archie  1!..  Arthur  G., 
and  Laura  C.  all  of  whom  are  under  the  parental 
roof  and  are  bright,  intelligent  children. 


~^32)' 


:>*<! 


iSy^ 


gHOMAS  BINKLEY.  Amid  the  fertile  farm 
I  /p\  lands  of  Lovington  Township  is  a  tract 
vfy  of  eighty  acres  belonging  to  the  gentleman 
abovenamed  and  devoted  by  him  to  general 
farming.  It  is  pleasantly  located  on  section  24, 
and  is  embellished  with  every  necessary  structure. 
To  say  that  the  owner  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
farmers  in  the  community  gives  but  a  slight  idea 
of  the  respect  he  commands,  for  he  is  looked  upon 
as  one  of  the  most  intelligent  citizens  to  whatever 
class  they  may  belong.  A  good  neighbor  and  a 
reliable  business  man.  he  also  merits  the  gratitude 
of  a  11  who  are  pleased  with  the  advance  of  civil- 
ization in  this  section. 

Mr.  Binkley  comes  of  substantial  forefathers.  His 
father.  Daniel  Binkley.  was  a  native  of  Perry 
County.  Ohio,  and  was  a  chair  maker  by  trade.  The 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Catherine  Zartman, 
was  also  a  native  of  Perry  County.  The  worthy 
couple  passed  their  entire  wedded  life  in  Ohio 
where  the  father  died  in  1868;  five  years  later 
the  mother  came  to  Moultrie  County,  and  died  in 
Lovington  Township  in  1880.  Our  subject  was 
the  only  son  in  the  family,  and  he  had  one  sister. 
Amelia  A.,  who  became  the  wife  of  B.  M.  Clark  and 
died  in   Lovington  Township  in   1881. 

The  birthplace  of  our  subject  is  Perry  County. 
Ohio,  and  his  natal  day  August  25,  1838.  His  youth 
was  passed  uneventfully  in  conning  his  lessons  at 
the  district  school  and  gaining  practical  knowledge 
of  the  way  to  conduct  a  farm.   He  began  the  battle 


of  life  for  himself  at  an  early  age  and  when  he 
was  able  to  establish  a  home  of  his  own  lie  was 
married  in  his  native  county.  September  2b.  1868, 
to  Miss  Matilda,  daughter  of  John  and  Charlotte 
(Jonas)  Fisher,  natives  of  Perry  County.  Ohio.  Mr. 
Fisher  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  and 
died  in  Perry  County,  where  also  his  wife  passed 
away.  A  large  family  of  children  had  been  bom 
to  them,  ten  in  number,  and  Mrs.  Binkley  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth,  having  been  born  in  Perry 
County.  Ohio.  September  1(1.  1839. 

After  his  marriage  our  subject  located  in  Perry 
County.  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  They 
made  their  home  in  the  Buckeye  State  until  1873, 
when  they  removed  to  Moultrie  Countj',  111.;  after- 
ward they  removed  to  Piatt  County,  whence  after 
a  residence  of  six  years,  they  returned  to  Moultrie 
County  and  located  in  Lovington  Township.  Into 
him  and  his  estimable  wife  thirteen  children  have 
been  born,  ten  of  whom  are  living,  as  follows: 
Amanda  ('..  the  wife  of  George  E.  Foster;  Amelia 
A.,  wlio  married  Charles  Redman;  Acta  C.  the 
the  wife  of  Irving  Ilouseworth;  William  P..  Char- 
lotte. Oscar.  Liberta,  Daniel  R..  Walker  O.  and 
Lambert.     The  three  deceased  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Binkley  are  consistent  members 
of  the  German  Reformed  and  Lutheran  Churches 
and  are  active  in  every  benevolent  enterprise. 
He  has  served  the  people  in  several  offices,  among 
them  that  of  School  Director.  He  has  always  fol- 
lowed agriculture  and  his  successful  and  honorable 
career  is  worthy  of  emulation. 


felLLIAM  A.  WEBB  is  the  popular  druggist 
\  /  at  Dalton  City.  Moultrie  County,  and  in 
»  »  the  compounding  of  medicines  and  reme- 
dies, is  considered  very  expert.  He  is  a  dealer  in 
grain,  buying  from  the  country  around,  which  is 
rich  in  its  cereals,  and  finding  a  ready  market  «  iih 
the  large  grain  buyers  of  Chicago.  Our  subject  lias 
been  engaged  in  business  at  the  >ame  stand  since 
lKT.'L  at  which  date  he  became  associated  with 
George  Fern  >.  under  the  firm  name  of  Webb  &  Fern  >. 
dealing  at  first  in  the  general   mercantile   business. 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


717 


and  also  in  the  grain  business.  He  has  remained 
constant  to  his  post  of  business  ever  since,  and  is 
now  line  of  the  oldest  business  men  in  the  place, 
and  the  leading  grain  merchants  in  the  town. 

Mr.  Webb  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  being  bom 
in  Boyle  County,  May  27,  1841.  He  is  a  son  of 
William  R.  and  .lane  (Moore)  Webb,  natives  of 
Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively,  but  married 
in  the  latter  State.  In  1837  they  emigrated  to 
Parke  County.  Ind..  and  lived  on  a  farm  for  a 
short  time.  Thence  they  removed  to  Greencastle. 
In  1859  they  removed  to  Decatur,  111.,  and  there 
became  proprietors  of  the  Oglesby  House,  now 
known  as  the  St.  Nicholas.  In  1862  they  removed 
to  Mason,  having  traded  the  hotel  property  for  a 
farm.  Our  subject's  father  subsequently  retired 
from  the  active  business  of  agricultural  life,  and 
made  his  home  in  the  village  of  Mason;  he  there 
died  in  1874.  His  wife  had  expired  some  years 
previous  while  residing  in  Decatur. 

<  >ur  subject  is  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children, 
all  of  whom  lived  to  be  mown.  Byname  thej  are 
as  follows:  Lucy.  Margaret,  Theodocia,  Richard, 
Jane  II..  Lewis  F..  William  A.  and  Edward  S. 
Margaret  married  Joseph  Ferguson,  and  is  now  a 
resident  of  Wichita.  Kan.;  Theodocia  became  the 
wife  of  William  II.  Laird,  of  Mason.  111.:  Lewis  re- 
sides at  Mason.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a 
Whig  in  his  political  preference,  and  during  life 
was  the  incumbent  of  several  local  offices.  He 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  forseveral  years.  In 
his  religious  preference  he  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  was  a  Class- 
Leader,  and  throughout  life  a  liberal  supporter  of 
the  ( rospel  work. 

William  Webb  passed  his  early  life  in  his  father's 
hotel  and  on  reaching  his  majority  he  entered  the 
grain  trade  at  Mason  and  contined  to  be  thus  em- 
ployed until  he  came  to  Dalton  City,  at  which 
place  he  became  one  of  the  first  merchants.  He 
sold  out  his  interest  in  the  store  to  Mr.  Ferro  and 
gave  his  entire  attention  to  his  grain  trade.  He 
was  also  for  four  years  station  agent  at  Dalton. 
He  aiso  dealt  in  live  stock, and  in  1891  established 
his  drug  business. 

Mr.  Webb  was  married  id  1874  to  Miss  Retta  15. 
Jeffries,  of  Philadelphia.  Pa.  The  lady  is  a  daugh- 


ter of  Thomas  J.  Jeffrie-,  a  machinist  and  a  manu- 
facturer of  car  springs  in  the  above  named  city. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webb  are  the  parents  of  one  child. 
Politically  our  subject  is  a  Republican,  having  been 
brought  up  to  that  party  and  platform, and  having 
imbibed  the  theories  as  held  by  the  Republicans  by 

inheritance  and   youthful    association    as  by   i 1 

judgment.  Our  subject  has  at  different  times  held 
various  local  offices.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  the 
line  of  his  business  he  also  deal-  quite  largely  in 
agricultural  implements  and  machinery. 


*+^ 


~ES) 


|        ON.  FRANK  SPITLER.     This    well-known 
J     member  of   the    legal    profession    has   made 

K/  his  home  in  Sullivan.  Moultrie  County. 
(J*)  since  March  1885.  and  is  devoting  himself 
to  hi.-  practice  in  partnership  with  Isaac  Hudson. 
This  firm,  which  was  established  in  August.  1888, 
ha-  gained  prominence  throughout  Moultrie  and 
the  adjoining  counties  and  conduct  its  business 
successfully.  Mr.  Spitler  has  been  associated  with 
other  lawyers  since  he  became  a  member  of  the  bar, 
being  formerly  in  partnership  with  ex-Judge  II.  M. 
Miner,  now  in  the  West,  and  prior  to  that  with 
A.  C.  Monser.  now  of  California. 

Mr.  Spitler  was  born  in  Marion  County.  III.. 
January  28,  1853  and  is  the  -on  of  Judge  T.  A. 
and  (.illy  R.  (Kelley)  Spitler.  The  father  was  bom 
in  Fairfield  County,Ohio,  and  the  mother  in  South 
Carolina,  and  they  both  arrived  in  Illinois  in  1840. 
The  following  year  they  were  united  in  the  holy 
bonds  of  wedlock,  in  Marion  County,  where  they 
followed  the  business  of  fanning  in  Alma  Township. 
Then  the  father  is  yet  living  at  the  advanced  age 
of  seventy  year-:  he  ha-  always  been  an  active 
worker  and  is  still  hale  and  hearty  for  one  of  his 
age.  He  was  a  stanch  old-line  Democrat  and  served 
his  party  faithfully  and  well  on  many  occasions, 
during  his  younger  years.  for  some  years  he  was 
Supervisor  of  the  township,  discharging  the  duties 
of  the  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents. 
He  was  also  for  a  time  Associate  Judge  of  the 
county,  and  is  now  held  in  excellent  repute  on  ac- 


718 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


count  of  his  fine  character,  general  intelligence  and 
useful  life,  lie  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  as  was  also  his  wife. 

On  December  31,  1888,  the  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject passed  from  the  busy  scenes  of  earth,  and  the 
New  Year,  which  brought  to  all  of  earth's  children 
their  joys  and  sorrows,  brought  to  her  a  realization 
of  the  "Great  Beyond".  She  was  at  tin'  time  of 
her  demise  sixty-six  years  old  and  had  become  the 
mother  of  fifteen  children,  eightof  whom  survived 
her.  A  good  woman,  her  life  was  devoted  to  her 
husband  and  children,  and  it  was  her  great  object 
to  prepare  her  sons  and  daughters  for  responsible 
positions  in  life.  Her  eldest  son  Henry. was  a  sold- 
ier in  the  Civil  War,  serving  as  a  Sergeant  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Eleventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
belonging  to  Company  K.  lie  died  in  the  hospi- 
tal in  Kentucky. 

Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  upon  his  father's 
farm,  engaged  in  various  pursuits  which  belong  to 
the  life  of  a  farmer.  He  received  a  good  common- 
school  education,  which  he  supplemented  by  a 
thorough  course  of  study  at  a  Baptist  College.  He 
utilized  his  knowledge  as  a  teacher,  following  that 
profession  for  several  years  and  earning  the  money 
to  educate  himself,  lie  taughl  school  at  Benton. 
111.,  for  three  years  and  was  afterward  Principal  of 
the  schools  at  Odin.  111.,  for  two  years.  When  he 
commenced  to  read  law.  he  was  a  student  under 
.Indue  Williams  of  Benton.  111.,  and  later  read  with 
.Indue  Pollock,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  Jefferson  County. 
In  1884  he  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  bar, 
and  has  since  devoted  his  undivided  attention  to 
his  profession.  In  1888  ^he  was  nominated  by  the 
Democratic  party,  of  which  he  is  a  stanch  supporter. 
to  the  State  Legislature, and  represented  the  Thirty- 
third  District  in  the  Thirty-sixth  Session.  He  was 
a  member  of  various  important  committees,  among 
them  that  of  State  Institutions,  lie  served  his 
constituency  faithfully  and  advanced  the  interests 
of  his  community  to  the  best  of  his  ability. 

Mr.  Spitler  was  married.  March  20.  L888,  in  Sul- 
livan, to  Miss  May  McCaig,  a  native  of  <  >hio,  whence 
she  accompanied  her  parents  to  Illinois  and  was 
reared  to  womanhood  in  Sullivan.  She  is  a  mother 
of  one  child.  Clarke.  In  his  religious  views  Mr. 
Spitler   is   a    Baptist    and    adheres   to  every   cause 


calculated  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  city  so- 
cially, morally  and  educationally,  lie  gives  liber- 
ally of  his  earnings  to  the  church  and  all  public- 
spirited  enterprises.  When  it  was  decided  to  build 
a  Baptist  Church  in  Sullivan.  Mr.  Spitler  came  to 
the  front  and  was  an  active  worker  in  securing 
means  and  helping  materially  the  completing  of 
the  Structure,  which  is  a  credit  to  the  people  and 
the  city.  As  a  lawyer,  he  pleads  his  cases  with 
force  and  shows  his  ability  as  a  student:  his  daih 
applications,  research  and  practice'  have  given  him 
a  wide  reputation  as  a  successful  counsel  and  re- 
liable advocate,  which  with  his  personal  qualities 
have  attracted  to  him  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
patrons. 


**&i? 


LDLDIAII  II.  SILVER  was  born  in  Ilopkin- 
ton.  X.  II..  November  3,  1823.  His  father. 
Jeremiah  Silver,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
State  and  our  subject's  paternal  grandsire, 
John  silver. was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  removed 
thence  to  New  Hampshire  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  and  in  18;i7  moved  to  Michigan  and 
settled  in  Cass  County,  becominga  pioneer  farmer. 
He  made  his  home  during  the  latter  portion  of 
his  life  with  his  son-in-law. 

The  lather  of  our  subject  was  reared  and  married 
in  New  Hampshire.  He  there  learned  the  trade  of 
mason  and  followed  it  in  llopkinton  until  1827. 
and  then  with  his  wife  and  five  children  and  his 
father-in-law,  mother-in-law  and  two  brothers  with 
their  families  removed  to  Michigan.  They  came 
West  with  teams  as  far  as  Buffalo  and  then  putting 
all  on  a  steamer,  they  went  to  Toledo.  Ohio,  and 
there  purchased  a  small  place.  They  did  not  re- 
main at  that  place,  however,  but  on  the  crest  of 
the  Westward  wave  of  immigration  went  to  (ass 
County  Mich.,  which  was  then  very  sparsely  set- 
tled. Indians  were  still  frequent  visitors  and  there 
were  plenty  of  deer  and  wild  turkeys.  Our  subject 
bought  a  tract  of  land  and  devoted  a  great  part  of 
his  time  to  the  improvement  of  his  farm.  He  re- 
sided there  until  after  the  death  of  his  wife  and 
spent  his  last  days  with  his  children  in  Cass 
County,  his  decease  occurring  in  1876. 


-. 


\ 


B 


jlJ& 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL    RECORD. 


721 


The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Sally  Hastings.  She  was  born  in  Hopkinton,  X. 
II..  and  died  in  1849.  Five  of  her  children  were 
reared  to  years  of  maturity.  They  are  by  name. 
May,  Jedediah  II..  Lydia.  Margaret  and  John. 
Our  subject  was  only  four  years  of  age  when  hi- 
parents  moved  to  Michigan,  hence  he  was  reared 
to  an  experience  of  pioneer  life.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  a  mason  in  young  manhood  and  followed 
it  in  connection  with  farming,  residing  on  the 
In mie  farm  until  1848,  and  thence  removed  to 
Edwardsburg  and  there  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  trade  until  1858,  and  thence  removed  to 
Shelbyville,  where  he  purchased  a  hit  and  built 
thereon  a  brick  house,  which  was  comfortable  and 
commodious.  lie  followed  his  trade  for  two  years 
and  then  exchanged  his  city  property  fur  a  farm 
in  Ridge  Township,  making  that  his  home.  He 
managed  the  farm  while  lie  followed  his  trade  and 
after  a  residence  of  two  year-  there,  he  rented  it 
for  four  years  and  then  purchased  a  home  two 
miles  north  pf  Ids  former  farm  and  there  resided 
until  1876,  when  he  came  t<i  Shelbyville  and 
entered  upon  his  official  duties  as  sheriff  of  the 
county  and  here  he  has  since  resided. 

Mr.  silver  was  married  in  1865  to  Julia  A. 
Mead,  a  native  of  Chautauqua  County,  X.  Y..  and 
the  daughter  of  Barak  and  Clarissa  (Brown)  Mead. 
Mrs.  Silver  died  in  1X7U.  she  was  the  mother  of 
six  children — Emma  ( '..  Edward  A.,  Barak  M.. 
Wilbur  II..  J.  Judson  and  llattie.  He  of  whom 
we  write  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  served  for 
four  terms  as  Township  Collector  and  was  elected 
Sheriff  in  1876  and  re-elected  in  1878,  serving  two 
full   terms. 

>  -*   ~m — -*— 

i  SAAC    LONGENBACH.      It    is  something  to 

climb  the  white  summit  of  life  where  one  can 
1  look  over  the  far  reaching  years  that  span  so 
much  of — feeling  shall  we  say? — the  feeling  of  in- 
tense gladness  or  sorrow  that  the  youth  experi- 
ences, the  modified  pleasure  or  pain  of  middle  life 
and  the  retrospective  of  old  age.  It  seems  to  Mr. 
Longenbach,  about  whom  this  sketch  is  written, 
that  his  seventy  years  are   a    panorama    spread  out 


before  him,  picturing,  not  onlj  his  own  life,  but 
the  events  thai  are  making  history.  I. mated  com- 
fortably on  his  farm  <m  section  ^".  Pickaway 
Township.   Shelby   County,    he    is   enjoying   the 

autumn  sunset  of  life.  Universally  esteemed,  his 
friends  will  notice  with  pleasure  his  portrait  on  the 
opposite  page  and  will  read  with  interesl  the  fol- 
lowing paragraphs. 

The  gentleman  of  whom  we  write  belongs  to  a 
family  whose  interests  are  closely  identified  with 
the  pioneer  history  of  Ohio  and  Illinois.  His 
grandfather,  Balsom  Longebach,  came  to  thi-  coun- 
try in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century  and 
settled  in  Somerset  County,  Pa.,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing  away  while  yet 
in  middle  age.  Before  leaving  Germany,  which 
was  his  native  land,  our  subject's  grandfather  had 
married  a  German  lady,  who  died  at  an  advanced 
age  in  Pennsylvania.  Our  subject's  father,  Jacob 
Longenbach  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  was 
one  of  a  larae  family.  lie  spent  his  early  years  as 
a  fronlierman  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812,  serving  as  a  scout  for  the  Continentals,  lie 
was  thrown  among  the  Indians  a  great  deal  and 
learned  their  language  and  habits.  While  acting 
a-  a  scout  he  had  to  hide  in  the  timber  and  lived 
on  acorns  ami  roots  for  day-  at  a  time.  Later  he 
became  a  fanner  and  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mis- 10  lea  noie  sl  i  ope.  a  native,  like  himself,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, hut  of  Irish  parentage. 

After  marriage  Jacob  Longenbach  and  his  wife 
removed  to  Fairfield  County, Ohio,  at  a  very  early 
day,  cutting  the  timber  off  the  land  where  the  city 
of  Lancaster  now  stands;  there  they  lived  for  a 
long  time  in  the  wood-  and  among  the  Indian-. 
lie  finally  -old  his  place  and  moved  into  the  wilds 
of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  where  they  purchased 
and  improved  one  hundred  and  sixty  acre-  of 
wild  woodland.  Later  the  family  sold  this  place 
and  purcha-ed  a  second  farm  in  the  -aine  locality. 
where  the  father  spent  his  last  years,  dying  when 
about  sixty-two  year-  of  age,  about  1835.  His 
wife  survived  him  many  years,  passing  away  on 
the  old  farm  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  after 
reaching  three-score  year-  ami  ten.  she  was  a 
good  woman  and  a  loving  helpmate. 

Our  subject  i-  the  youngest    of   eight    children. 


V- 


'•)•) 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


six  sons  and  two  daughters,  who  all  Lived  1<>  be 
men  and  women  with  families  of  their  own.  Our 
subject  and  one  brother,  Solomon,  now  a  retired 
farmer  in  Nevada.  Mo.,  who  has  reached  the  age 
of  seventy-three  years,  are  the  veterans  of  the  fam- 
ily, although  other  members  of  the  family  have 
lived  to  a  good  old  age.  .Mr.  Longenbach,  the 
subject  of  this  notice,  was  born  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  December  17.  1821,  and  was  reared 
to  manhood  in  his  native  place,  where  he  cele- 
brated his  majority. 

Isaac  Longenbach  set  up  a  home  foi-  himself  in 
1852,  making  mistress  of  it  Elizabeth  Cole.  The 
lady,  like  her  husband,  is  a  native  of  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  being  there  born  in  1835.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Hannah  (Harwell)  Cole, 
natives  of  Pickaway  County.  Ohio.  Iml  come,  it  is 
thought,  of  Scotch  ancestry.  When  quite  advanced 
in  years  .Mrs.  Longenbach 's  parents  came  to  Shelby 
County,  and  here  Mrs.  Cole  died  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years.  Later  Mr.  Cole  died  while  making 
his  home  with  his  daughter  in  South  Dakota,  at 
seventy-six  years  of  age.  Both  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Church. 

After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mr.-.  Longenbach  made 
their  home  for  a  feu  years  in  Pickaway  County, 
Ohio,  whence,  in  1856,  they  removed  to  Illinois, 
coming  hither  by  teams  and  camping  out  on  tin' 
way.  They  located  in  Pickaway  Township,  where 
Mr.  Longenbach  pre-empted  a  tract  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  20.  The 
land  was  entirely  unbroken,  and  here  our  subject 
and  his  wife  began  their  pioneer  experience,  and 
here  have  ever  since  made  their  home.  Mr.  Longen- 
liach  has  since  added  to  his  purchase  and  has 
erected  good  buildings  upon  his  land.  lie  has 
made  a  comfortable  fortune  by  hard  work  and 
wise  investments. 

Mrs.  Longenbach  died  at  their  home  February 
27.  1873,  being  then  in  the  prime  of  life.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  a  true 
wife  and  a  kind  neighbor.  She  was  the  mother  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  the  following  an-  yet  liv- 
ing: Jacob,  Mary  E.,  Eliza  A..  Sarah  .1..  Agnes  A.. 
A.  Lincoln.  Isaac  \Y.  and  Emma  II.  Jacob  look  to 
wife  Nancy  Schwartz;  they  own  and  reside  on  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in   this  town- 


ship. Mary  is  the  wife  of  .John  l'inkston.  a  farmer 
and  landowner  in  this  township.  Eliza  married 
Edward  Mathias  and  they  live  on  and  own  a  farm 
here.  Sarah  i~  the  wife  of  Franklin  Shride;  they 
arc  fanners  here  also.  Agnes  i>  the  wife  of  Mati- 
SOll  Stivison;  they  own  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  Todd's  l'oint  Township.  A.  Lincoln  took  to 
wife  Ellen  Ncal  and  is  a  farmer  in  this  township. 
[saac,  whose  wife  was  Hattie  Brinke,  is  also  a 
farmer  in  this  township.     Emma  II.  is  the  wife  of 

Andrew  Fletcher  Shride;  they  make  their  homt 

Air.  Longenbach's  farm. 

Our  subject  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  pref- 
erence, having  been  an  adherent,  of  that  party 
since  Lincoln's  time,  and  having  supported  the 
Inion  in  its  hours  of  adversity  by  inlluencce  and 
means.  He  has  filled  almost  all  the  local  offices  in 
the  gift  of  the  township,  and  is  honored  by  all  who 
know  him. 


AVID  (i.  SAXXER.  Y.  S..  prominent  and 
well-known  as  a  wealthy  farmer  and  .stock- 
raiser,  residing  in  Penn  Township.  Shelby 
County,  has  large  landed  interests  in  this, 
Macon  and  Moultrie  Counties,  and  has  contributed 
extensively  to  the  development  of  the  great  agri- 
cultural resources  of  this  section  of  his  native 
State,  as  one  of  the  nn»t  enlightened  and  advanced 
men  of  his  class  within  its  borders.  He  is  much 
interested  in  raising  line  road  horses,  the  Ilamble- 
tonian  strain  being  his  favorite,  and  he  also  bears 
a  high  reputation  as  one  of  the  most  intelli- 
gent and  skillful  veterinary  surgeons  in  Shelby 
County. 

May  Hi.  1842,  is  the  date  of  the  birth  of  our 
subject  in  one  of  the  pioneer  homes  of  Madison 
County,  of  which  his  father,  Samuel  Sanner,  was 
an  early  settler.  The  latter  was  a  native  of  North- 
umberland County.  Pa.,  and  in  early  manhood  he 
married  Barbara  Paul,  a  native  of  Preston  County. 
W.  Va.  In  L833  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  fam- 
ily, and  located  in  the  wilds  of  Madison  County, 
nine  miles  north  of  Edwardsville.  During  the 
many  years  that  he    livedjjthere  he  applied  himself 


PORTRAIT  AND   BIOGRAPHICAL    RKCORD. 


72:i 


busily  to  bis  pioneer  work,  and  in  due  time  was 
well  rewarded  by  becoming  the  possessor  of  a 
goodly  amount  of  property.  In  1886  be  tnuk  up 
his  abode  in  Penn  Township,and  there  hi?  remain- 
ing days  were  passed  in  tranquility  and  comfort 
until  he  closed  bis  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, 

Our   subject    was    the    eightb    child    in   a   large 
family  of  children,  twelve  in  number,  and   in   hi> 
childhood  he  had  ample    opportunity    t<>    acquire 
hal>it>  of  industry  and  steady  application  that  have 
been  of  use  to  him  in  hi>  after  life,  as   hi>  father 
wisely  determined  that  his  boys  should  be  able  to 
do  all  kinds  of  work  on  the  farm,  while  at   the 
same  time  he  desired  that   they  should  have  an  ed- 
ucation.    Our  subject   was  well   equipped  in  that 
respect,  as  in  his  youth  excellent  schools  had  already 
been  established  in   Madison   County,  and   he  at- 
tended  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 
tn  fight  in  defense  of  the  old  Hair.     Owing  to  cir- 
cumstances nver  which  he  had  no  control,  howevi  r, 
he  was  obliged  to  abandon  the   thought   of  enlist- 
ing until  the  fall  of   1864,  when   he  left  the  par- 
ental home,  September  3,  to  enroll   his  name  as  it 
member  of  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 
fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  command  of  (  apt. 
George  W.  Cans,  the  regiment  being   mustered   in 
at  Alton.     He  was  disappointed  that  hi>  regiment 
was  detained  at  Alton  to  do  garrison  duty  instead 
of  being  sent  to  the  front,  some   of  the  men  lieiug 
sent  to  Missouri,  so  that  he  saw  no  active   service 
in  the  field.     He  was  soon  detailed  for  service  in 
the  regiment  band,  and  remained  at  Alton   during 
the  winter  of  l864r-65.      The  war  closed  the  follow- 
ing spring,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged  July 
14.  1865,  and  mustered  out  at  Springfield. 

Returning  to  hi- father's  farm  after  his  exper- 
ience of  life  as  a  soldier.  Mr.  Sanner  came  with  the 
family  from  his  native  county  to  this  county  in 
the  spring  of  1866.  He  continue  1  tobe  an  inmate 
of  the  parental  household  on  section  21,  Penn 
Township,  until  he  established  a  home  of  his  own, 


securing  as  an  efficient  helpmate  to  preside  over  it. 
Mi—  Mary  E.  Freeland,  then  a  resident  of  Milan 
Township,  Macon  County,  to  whom  he  was  wed- 
ded in  April.  1870.  Her  father, David  J.  Freeland, 
was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  whence  he  came 
to  Mmiltrie  County,  this  State,  when  he  was  n  boy 
of  fifteen  years.  He  was  engaged  in  farm  work  in 
that  and  Coles  County  some  year-,  and  then  took 
up  his  residence  in  Milan  Township,  of  which  he  i- 
now  one  of  the  most  extensive  landholders.  He 
married  for  his  second  wife  Martha  Sawyer,  a  nat- 
ive of  Coles  County,  and  Mrs.  Sanner  is  their  eld- 
est elnld. 

When    he  married   Mr.  Sanner    commenced    his 
independent  career  as  a  farmer  on   a    half  section 
of  land  in    Milan    Township,  and    resided   on    that 
place  for  mx  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    1877   he  took 
possession  of    his  present    homestead,  a    beautiful 
farm   of   three    hundred    and    twenty   acres,   finely 
locate. 1  on  section    23,   Penn   Township.     He  -til- 
retains  his  Macon  County  farm  of   half   a  section' 
renting  that  and  a  part  of  his  farm  in  Penn  Town- 
ship, and  he  has  a  thousand   acres   of  land   in   all. 
including   fifteen    acres   of   timber    in    Moultrie 
County  and    town    property   in    Bethany.     He   i> 
extensively  engaged    in  general   farming,  having 
his  farm  well  stocked,  and  he  pays  particular  atten- 
tion  to  breeding   fine  roadsters  of   Hambletonian 
blood.     lie  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  horse. 
having  made  a  careful  study    of  the  animal   for 
year-,  and    is   an   acknowledged   authority   on  all 
questions  pertaining  to  it.  as  but   few  men  observe 
the  good  point-   of  a    horse   quicker,    or   detect   its 
weak  part-  sooner  than  he.     lie  isalso  a  successful 
veterinary  surgeon  of  twenty-live  years  standing. 
A  man  of  an  active  temperament, an  indomitable 
will  and  a  large   nature,  our  subject   has  won  his 
way  to  a   high   place  among  our  most  valued  and 
useful  citizen-.     His  has  been  a  busy  life,  but  not 
by  the  force  of  sheer  hard   work    has  lie  acquired 
his  property,  his  labors  having  been  directed  by  a 
clear,  well-balanced   intellect,  by  practical  business 
methods,  and  byexcellenl  powersof  discrimination 
and  judgment.     In  all  his  dealing-  he  has  borne 
himself  with   unswerving  adherence  to  the  princi- 


724 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


pies  of  truth  and  probity,  and  his  reputation  is 
unblemished.  The  Sanner  family  is  noted  for  their 
devotion  to  the  Republican  party  and  our  subject 
is  no  exception,  lie  being  one  of  the  strongest  ad- 
vocates iif  the  Republican  policy  in  this  part  of  the 
State,  and  has  been  since  in  early  manhood  he  east 
his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in 
lK(i4.  Socially  he  is  identified  with  William  Penn 
Camp,  M.  \V.  A.,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  Prairie 
Lodge,  K.  of  11.  lie  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Prairie 
Home  Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  all  en- 
terprises to  promote  the  growth  of  the  county  find 
in  him  cordial  support. 

Air.  and  Mrs.  Sanner  have  been  truly  loppy  in 
their  married  life  and  their  home  has  been  glad- 
dened  by  the  birth  of  children,  of  whom  they  had 
ten.  namely:  Charles  Wesley,  Carrie  Belle,  Frank- 
lin Ellis  (who  died  in  infancy).  Samuel  Walter. 
Cyrus  David,  Orville  Arthur,  Lawrence  Lester. 
Robert  Lincoln.  Etta  May  and  Martha  Barbara. 


is-}-** 


ETER  s.  BOGGS,  M.   1).     Belonging   t<>   a 

family  that  is  noted  for  the  patriarchal  years 
to  which  its  members  attain,  our  subject  has 
proved  to  be  no  exception  to  the  rule,  for 
lie  has  already  passed  the  mile-post  of  fourscore 
years. and  is  yet,  hale  and  vigorous.  His  life,  which 
has  been  equally  divided  between  attention  to  his 
profession,  which  was  that  of  dentistry, and  during 
his  later  years,  to  farming,  has  always  been  so  bal- 
anced as  to  leave  a  development  and  maturity  of 
mind  and  body  unimpeded  or  unobstructed  by 
ulterior  considerations,  lie  is  now  a  resident  of  :i 
good  farm  located  on  section  25,  in  Lovington 
Township,  Moultrie  County,  and  so  genial  and 
kindly  disposed  is  he  toward  all  human  beings,  as 
to  have  gained  the  love  as  well  as  respect  of  those 
with  whom  he  has  dealings,  and  they  hope  for  him 
many  years  still  of  health  and   happiness. 

Peter  Boggs'  father  was  Alexander  Boggs,  who 
died  a  victim  of  the  cholera  in  Germantown,  Lid. 
His  mother  was  Magdelaine  Schaffer,  who  died  in 
.Milton.  End.,  at  the  aye  of  one  hundred  and  six 
years,  lacking  a  few  days.     The  father  was  of  Eng- 


lish descent,  and  the  mother  of  German  ancestry. 
After  seating  up  housekeeping,  they  were  the  cen- 
ter of  quite  a  brood  of  children.  Nine  little  ones 
grew  up  under  their  kind  and  protecting  care,  and 
of  these  the  Doctor  was  one'  of  tin'  oldest  members. 
He  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa..  October  2. 
1809,  and  he  spent  the  early  part  of  his  life  in 
Mt.  Joy.  being  engaged  in  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge  and  the  fitting  of  himself  for  collegiate 
work.  When  about  sixteen  years  of  age  he  went 
to  Philadelphia  for  the  purpose  of  studying  den- 
tistry. He  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  able  to  gain 
Dr.  Samuel  S.  Fitch  as  a  preceptor,  and  of  him  he 
learned  the  profession  to  which  we  should  all  be  so 
grateful  for  relieving  us  of  pain,  but  one  which  is 
regarded  with  fear  and  trembling  by  the  majority 
of  people.  On  finishing  his  course  of  dental  studj 
under  Dr.  Fitch,  who  pronounced  him  competent 
and  an  expert  practitioner  he  returned  to  his  na- 
tive State  where  he  lived  until  1833  and  then  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  where  he  practiced  dentistry  in  all 
of  the  larger  towns  of  the  State.  Thence  he  went 
to  Indiana,  in  the  winter  of  1842-43,  and  was 
there  also  an  itinerant  practitioner  of  dentistry, 
pursuing  his  calling  in  all  the  large  towns  in  the 
State. 

In  |K."),">  I)i'.  Bonus  came  to  Illinois  and  settled 
on  section  25.  of  Lovington  Township.  He  con- 
tinued the  practice  of  his  profession  for  several 
years  and  indeed  has  always  been  ready  and  willing 
to  alleviate  a  pain  by  the  use  of  his  forceps.  lie 
is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land  in  this  place,  which  he  has  cultivated  up  to 
1891,  when  he  gave  over  the  active  proprietorship 
of  his  farm  to  a  tenant,  anil  is  now  determined 
that  the  remainder  of  his  life  shall  be  devoted  to 
1  he  less  arduous  work  of  watching  the  ways  and 
means  of  others  as  they  conduct  the  necessary 
work  of  the  farm. 

Our  subject  was  first  married  in  Baltimore  to  a 
lady  whose  maiden  name  was  Alice  II.  Pennell.  a 
beautiful  woman  who  enriched  and  sweetened  his 
domestic  life,  and  who  offered  an  encouraging  word 
for  every  discouragement  he  met  in  business  trans- 
actions. Her  ancestors  came  to  this  country  with 
William  Penn.  She  bore  him  three  children  whose 
names   are    respectively  Mary   A..  Joseph  P..  and 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


71'.", 


Lizzie  S.  Mary  and  Lizzie  are  both  deceased. 
Mrs.  Boggs  died  in  Lovington  Township  in  life 
summer  of  1858,  and  three  years  after  Mr.  Boggs 
«as  again  married  in  Decatur,  111.,  in  August  1861, 
t<>  Mi»  Louisa  Gehret,  who  was  born  in  Center 
County,  Pa.,  August  20,  is:i2.  By  her  he  became 
the  father  of  three  Children,  whose  names  are  Wal- 
ter 1...  Carrie  I'.,  and  Edith  A. 

In  his  political  preferences  our  subject  is  and 
always  has  been  a  Democrat,  feeling  that  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  old  party  which  were  framed  and 
formed  by  some  of  the  best  and  wisest  men  that 
ihe  nation  has  ever  produced,  cannot  have  so 
greatly  changed  as  to  have  degenerated  to  any 
great  degree.  Dr.  Boggs  is  a  strictly  temperate 
man  and  has  never  smoked  or  used  tobacco  in  any 
form. 


.    ■-*» 


^<t*- 


vVII)  C.  (HASH.  Age  fall-  upon  some 
\  men  like  a  gracious  lienediction  at  the 
o^  end  of  the  lesson  of  life.  With  whitened 
hair  and  measured  tread,  the  venerable 
aspect  of  age  is  an  open  book  in  which  even  the 
youngest  and  most  fchouglitless  can  read  the  story 
of  life,  whether  the  experience  has  been  one  of  ad- 
venture, and  colored  and  broidered  o'er  with 
romance  and  tragedy,  or  whether  adopting  a  fixed 
principle  as  a  guiding  star,  the  aged  man  has  ever 
steered  his  eolirse  by  its  guidance.  Our  subject 
has  just  passed  his  three-seore  years  and  ten,  and 
any  one  win.)  looks  upon  his  rugged  but  serene 
face  can  see  therein  that  his  has  been  an  experience 
guided  by  the  principles  of  rectitude  and  honor; 
that  no  matter  how  frail  the  superstructure  may 
now  he.  that  the  liase  and  foundation  is  of 
adamantine    firmness:    for  character    never  grows 

old. 

David  C.  Chase  is  a  native  of  Indiana.  His 
parents,  however,  both  came  from  the  Empire 
State.  His  father  was  William  .1.  Chase,  and  his 
mother  Eunice  (Chamberlain)  Chase.  They  mar- 
ried in  Indiana,  and  settled  immediately  after 
their  union  in  Washington  County,  where  they 
lived  and  made  the  journej  of  life  together  until 


death  claimed  them  for  it-  own.  Our  subject's 
father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  although  he  was 
engaged  to  some  extent  in  farming, but  his  prefer- 
ence was  for  the  exercise  of  the  trade  that  he  had 
learned  in  youth.  Both  parents  were  victims  of 
the  cholera,  and  both  passed  away  in  the  month  of 
August,  I *:>■'{.  They  hail  six  children  and  of  these 
our  subject  was  the  eldest 

The  original  of  our  sketch  was  horn  in  Wash- 
ington County.  Ind..  May  25,  1821".  Left  an 
orphan  at  the  age  of  twelve,  he  was  obliged  to 
struggle  as  Lest  he  could  for  a  maintenance.  He 
went  to  Lawrence  County,  Ind..  and  there  grew  to 
manhood,  learning  in  the  meantime  the  black- 
smiths' trade,  which  he  followed  until  1852.  and 
the  imagination  pictures  the  smithy  at  the  meet- 
ing of  the  roads,  where  farmers  brought  their 
horses,  and  over  the  injured  tire  of  an  ancient 
vehicle,  discussed  crops  and  politics  and  every 
subject  within  the  ken  of  the  rural  mind,  -from 
Homer  down  to  Thackeray,  and  Swedenborg  on 
hell."  The  fact  remains,  however,  stripped  of 
fancy,  that  our  subject  succeeded  in  his  work,  re- 
ceiving such  returns  for  his  labor  as  to  justify 
him  in  taking  unto  himself  a  companion  and  wife. 
which  he  did  June  2(i.  1845.  in  Orange  County. 
Ind.  His  bride  was  Miss  Hannah  Hosteller,  a 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Elizabeth  (Hardman)- 
Hostetlcr.  They  had  nine  children.  Mrs.  Chase  was 
the  seventh  in  order  of  birth;  she  was  horn  in  Or- 
ange County,  Ind.,  December  1.  1823.  In  1852  Mr. 
Chase  and  his  wife  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in 
Coles  County,  then'  living  until  January,  1853, 
when  they  came  to  Lovington  Township,  this 
country,  since  which  time  he  has  here  been  a  resi- 
dent, lie  lived  on  his  farm  which  lie  had  pur- 
chased upon  first  coming  here,  until  the  fall  of 
1885.  when  with  hi-  family  he  removed  to  the 
village  of  Lovington.  He  now  rents  his  farm, 
which  comprises  one  hundred  acres  of  good  land, 
and  it  brings  him  in  a  very  good  income.  Three 
children  have  grown  up  about  our  subject  and  his 
wife.  Elizabeth  E.  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Spilker: 
Francis  M.  married  Miss  Margaret  Morthland; 
and  David  C.  took  to  wife  Miss  Mary  Haley. 
Three  children  died  in  infancy. 

since  coming  to  this  state.  Mr.  Chase   has   fol- 


726 


PORTRAIT  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL   RECORD. 


lowed  agricultural  pursuits,  and  has  been  reason- 
ably successful  in  his  chosen  calling.  In  politics 
he  lias  ever  taken  an  active  interest,  and  is  an  ar- 
dent adherent  of  the  Democratic  party,  having 
very  positive  views  in  regard  to  the  efficiency  of 
the  governmental  principles  and  rule  of  that 
power.  Mrs.  Chase,  who  is  a  kindly  and  intelli- 
gent old  lady,  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  since  girlhood.  Her  husband  is  a  Univer- 
salist  in  his  belief.  Mrs.  Chase  is  a  sister  of  Noah 
Hostetler,  of  Lovington,  of  whom  a  more  ex- 
tended history  can  be  found  in  another  part  of 
this  volume. 


<€4* 


OLLAND  S.  GRIFFITH.  The  owner  of  a 
fine  farm  in  Todd's  Point  Township.  Shelby 
County.  111.  The  gentleman  whose  name 
is  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
DeWitt  County,  this  State.  January  :i.  1867.  lie 
is  a  son  of  Baard  Griffith,  one  of  the  noble  pio- 
neers of  the  State,  of  whose  labor  and  Struggles 
with  early  difficulties  the  present  generation  is  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  advantages  that  are  the  nat- 
ural result  thereof. 

Our  subject's  father  was  a  native  of  Pickaway 
County.  Ohio,  and  was  there  reared  and  educated; 
there  also  he  met  and  married  his  wife  and  soon 
afterward  removed  to  Illinois.  Their  first  home  in 
this  State  was  in  Macon  County  and  thence  they 
moved  to  DeWitt  County  and  located  a  tract  of 
Government  land  residing  upon  it  for  two  years. 
It  was  advantageously    located    being    only  eight 


miles  northeast  of  Clinton;  here  our  subject  was 
born.  Mr.  Griffith  Sr.  was  a  very  enterprising 
man  and  possessed  of  excellent  judgment,  and  en- 
tirely suited  to  cope  successfully  with  the  difficul- 
ties of  pioneer  life.  He  entered  and  purchased 
other  land  in  the  county  and  became  quite  exten- 
sively interested  in  real  estate  in  Kansas,  where  he 
became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  acres  in  Chase 
County  and  also  became  interested  in  the  stock 
business  there. 

In  1880  our  subject's  father  accompanied  by  his 
family,  started  overland  for  Kansas  and  in  that 
manner  traveled  quite  extensively  through  that 
state  making  a  residence  of  one  year  upon  his 
land  there.  In  18S2  the  family  returned  to  their 
home  in  DeWitt  County  and  there  remained  until 
the  death  of  the  father,  his  decease  occurring  No- 
vember 16.  1890.  The  widow  and  the  mother  of 
our  subject  was.  before  her  marriage,  a  Miss  Sarah 
Heed;  she  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  still  makes  her 
home  in  DeWitt  County.  She  is  the  mother  of 
five  children  who  are  still  living.  They  are  Bvard. 
Dell.  Holland,  our  subject,  Nellie  and  Melvin. 

Holiand  Griffith  was  reared  on  the  home  farm 
and  early  learned  the  duties  incident  to  farm  life. 
He  attended  school  in  the  neighboring  district  and 
assisted  with  the  farm  labor  in  the  intervals.  He 
made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  twenty-three 
years  of  age  and  then  settled  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides.  It  i^  a  beautiful  tract  on  section 
31.  Todd's  Point  Township,  and  comprises  one 
hundred  and  sixty-four  acres  of  good  and  arable 
land.  Here  lie  devotes  himself  to  general  agricul- 
ture and  his  efforts  thus  far  have  been  crowned 
with  a  pleasing  degree  of  success. 


BIOGI^E^KSplx 


■g>;  <ij^  ;«>;^= 


Adams, John 23 

Adams.  John  Q 39 

Adam-.  S.  H 431 

Adamson.  E 414 

Adkins.  Rodney 292 

Akins,  William  H 596 

Allen,  A.  F 239 

Allen.  Edgar 597 

Altag.C.  H 672 

Ames,  Truman  E 4  Hi 

Anderson,  Samuel 556 

Anderson,  S.S  

Armstrong.  W.  F 4-7 

Arthur,  Chester  A 99 

Aughinbaugh,  XV.  H 268 


B 


Bail.E.T 233 

Baker,  George 506 

Baker,  Hon.  Joseph 533 

Bales  Joseph  M 569 

Ballard.  George  XX 615 

Banks,  Thomas 627 

Barger.  G.  XV 702 

Barton  .James 232 

Bates,  William  A ks7 

Bauer,  J- F 5SS 

Baumgarten,  Lewis 278 

Bean,  J.  K 3oS 

Beckett,  Rev.  A.  R 694 

Beckett,  William rtS4 

Beery,  John  XV 288 

Bernhard,  H 507 

Berry ,  Josiah 402 

Berry,  Marion 442 

Beveridge,  John  L 171 

Binkley.  Thomas 716 

Birkett ,  S.,  Sr 712 

Bissell,  William  H  151 

Bivins,  W.  R 649 

Bland.  Eugene 605 

Boggs,  P.  S.,  M.  P 724 

Bond,  Sbadrach Ill 


Bonman,  A.  P 4.M 

Bowman ,  J.  A 501 

an,  Samuel 419 

-    !,.  XX 689 

Boys,  James iU7. 

Brabham,  John  P 257 

Bradley,  J.  E 511 

Brehnier.  XV.  J ran; 

Bridgman.  Henry 1411 

Brown.  C.  W 34I 

Brown.  John  C 529 

Brown,  J.  W.  W .576 

Brownback,  S.  H 642 

Bruce,  J.  P  496 

Brnmmer,  Jacob 451 

Buchanan,  James 57 

Bushart,  John 351 


Campbell,  Hon.  A.  c 

Cannon,  K.  E 121 

Carey,  James  W 631 

Carlin,  Thomas 135 

Carnes,  William 544 

Carpenter,  H.  c 471 

(  air.  C.  H  .  M.  D 397 

Carr,  J.  W 59s 

L'arr.  XV.  V 329 

Chase.  David  C 725 

Cheever,  Byron 387 

ire,  Joseph -7 

Chipps,  Abia 206 

Clark.  John 70S 

Clark.  W.  J 191; 

Cleveland,  S.  Grover 103 

Clore,  Allen 667 

Cochran,  Hon.  XV.  Q 714 

Coles,  Edward 115 

Collins,  A.  n.,H.  H 571 

Cook,  E.  H 21S 

Corley,  Rev.  N 663 

Covey,  XV.  G 704 

Cowle,  Charles 578 

Cowle.  John  W 51s 

Creech,  A.  S .024 

Craig,  A.  L 54» 


Craig,  John  R 155 

Croudson, c.  w 317 

Crowder,  P.  xi 100 

Crowder,  John  A 681 

Crowder.  Rev.  .lame-  11 :17> 

Crowder,  M.  M 4113 

Cr<  iwder,  Thomas  H 357 

Crow  I ,  Henry 238 

Cullom,  Shelby  H 17.". 

Curtis.  Miron :>77 

Cusaac,  .7.  M 291 

Cutler,  Capt.  E.  B 


D 


Daugherty,  John  P 594 

Davis,  Georgefi 517 

Pavis,  H.  A 422 

Pay.  H.  F 495 

Des  Larzes,  E.  F $10 

Pick.  Charles  W 351 

Piddea,  Peter  7(13 

Piepholz.  Henry 330 

Pixon.  John.Sr 685 

Poehring,  F 2nd 

Domas,  A  537 

Donnel,  William  L 39s 

Donovan,  J.  P..  M.  D 026 

Douthit,  Rev.  J.  L t-2 

Dove,  T.  F 197 

Downs,  James  H 421 

Drake,  David... Ill 

Dumond,  Jacob  H ,.359 

Duncan.  James  A.. 535 

Duncan,  Joseph 131 

Punean. S  130 

Durkee.G.  A 658 


Eberhardt,  Mrs.  C    104 

Eby,  J.  E 634 

Eddy.  XV.  J 311 

Eden,  J.  E 219 


Eden,  Hon.  John  R 191 

Edwards,  Nlnian jjg 

Elder,  William 33$ 

til  irs,  James  ^>. ; 

Elliott,  P.  B ,,* 

Erhar.lt,  Michael 354 

Evans,  I..  Ii .«,;. 

Evey.J.  s  ,i7n 

Ewing,  William  L.  P  127 


Fagen,  William  H 177 

Falk.J,  w VH 

Fa  n.-her,  William 677, 

Fearman.  John  A 446 

Ferre.  George 686 

Fifer,  Joseph  W i&j 

Fillmore,  Millard ii7 

Fisher,  H.  C  331 

Fleming,  L.  C 297 

Fleming.  Thomas 547 

Fluckey.  George  W 51$ 

Folly,  A.  J 40g 

Ford,  Thomas 129 

Foster,  A 507 

Foster,  James 526 

Foster,  Ellsworth 269 

Frantz.  Calvin 506 

1  I-. -land.  J.  A 372 

Freeland,  Capt.  John  A 360 

Freeland,  T.  J 372 

Freeman,  John Hi- 
French ,  Augustus  C 113 

Fritz,  John  J ..698 

Fry,  J.  S 7.-11 

Fuget,  Samuel 711 

Fulton,  A.  H 

Fulton,  B.  w ;i  1 


Gallagher,  A 473 

Gallagher,  H.  c  409 

Gallagher,  N.  J  493 


INDEX. 


Galstei-,  Jacob 219 

Gammill.S.  F 343 

Garfield,  James  A 95 

Garman.  John  K 579 

Garrett,  W.H "41 

Gavin.  James 341 

Gillespie,  Anthony 221 

Glasscock,  J.  P 208 

Goetz.John 302 

Gollogher,  Rev.  E 210 

Goodwin ,  Mrs.  M.  A 235 

Gould,  F.  I> 284 

Gould.  L.  A 222 

Graham.  Thomas  H . ..21ti 

Grant,  Ulysses  S 87 

Gray  hill,  J.  P 701 

Green,  Herman 612 

Gregory.J.L 600 

Gress.F.X 5i:o 

Griffith, H.S 726 

Grisso,  G.  W -'5:'. 


H 


Hamilton,  John  M 17!' 

Hamm.  Martin 425 

Harbaugh,  F.M 620 

Hardy.  William 552 

Harper,  Samuel 559 

Harrison.  Benjamin 107 

Harrison,  William  Henry 51 

Hart.  Capt.  Henry  L 21.1 

Hartman,  F 631 

Harwood,  I>.  X 433 

Hayes,  Rutherford  B 91 

Heinz,  J.  P 420 

Hendricks,  Alonzo...  254 

Hendricks,  John 248 

Hendricks,  J.  R 53ti 

Henry,  VV.  J 424 

Hill,  William 42:! 

Hinterly.  J 318 

Hinton,  John 524 

Hogarth,  James 590 

Holderman.  J.  G 304 

Holton,  W.C 391 

Homrighous.  E 503 

Homrighous,  J.  W 664 

Hoover,  W.K..  M.  D 700 

Horn,  Isaac 2(18 

Hostet  ler,  Noah 707 

Housh,  J.  M 660 

Hudson,  Isaac 651 

Huff,  V.  J. .  M.  D 465 

Hughes,  John  B 4'i2 

Hunter,  A .462 

Hunter,  Preston 520 


Illiek,  John  B 184 


Jackson,  Andrew 43 

Jackson.  W.  H 441 

Jamison ,  A 4  lit 

James,  W.  W.... 639 

Jefferson,  Thomas 27 

Jenkins,  J.  L 307 

Jennings,  John  E 445 

Johnson.  Andrew 83 

Jones,  Jacob    370 

Jones,  James  H .665 

Jones,  J.  X 655 


K 


Kanitz.  William 344 

Kellar.  a.  L.,  M.  D 653 

Kendall,  O.  L (Hifl 

Kern.  J.  A ftlu 

Kesler,  Daniel 202 

Killam,  John  T 606 

Killam,  W.  E 625 

Kircher.  Jacob 191 

Kircher,  L.  J 

Kuhn.C 535 

Kill).  J.  F 277 

Kuli.  Mrs.  R 672 


Landgrebe, Martin ,352 

Lane,  CM 301 

Lane.M.  D 237 

Lee,  Arthur  G 272 

Leggitt.  Thomas  L 212 

Lehn,  Joseph 512 

Lenox .  John  N 263 

Lewis,  A.  J 298 

Lilly, S.  P 541 

Lincoln,  Abraham 7!' 

Linvill,  J.  A 661 

Linville,  John  F 551 

Logan,  W.  F Isl 

Longenbach,  Isaac 721 

Longenbaugh.  G.  W   192 

Loving,  F.  M     290 

Loving.J.T 383 

Low,  David 185 

Lowarv,  H 551 

Lowe,  M.  L 263 

Luff ers,  John 231 

Luttrell,  Lot 675 


M 


Martin,  I.  J 460 

Martin,  John  F 426 

Martin,.!  R  477 

Martz.  Henry 415 

Matteson,  Joel  A.... 147 

Mattox.  J.M 513 

Mautz.  David 512 

Mautz.  John  F 623 

Mautz.  Philip  A   ....  ...  656 

Mautz.  T.  P  583 

Mayesi  T.E 363 

McClung,  Robert 368 

McClure,  J.  K 20!) 

Mcl.1i.ei-,  X.  B 260 

McOormick,  W.  E 283 

McCoy.C.H 251 

McGuire,  J.  H 677 

McGuire,  W.P 340 

McKittrick.  William 231 

MeMennamy.B.  F.,M.  D  ...3IS 

McPheeters,  A.  "W. . .   643 

McPheeters,  Capt.  R   P 411 

McTaggart,  A.H 57" 

Meeker,  Hon.  J 

Metsker.  w.  M 207 

Michael.  J.  H 543 

Mid.lles worth.  A 553 

Middle-worth.  John  VV 201 

Miller..!.  H..  Mil 584 

Miller.  M.  H 515 

Miller.  Samuel 699 

Miller.  W.C 27!' 

Moll.  Daniel 690 

Moll,  John 258 

Monroe,  G.  w 523 

Monroe.  James 35 

Moilhland.S.  W 288 

Mullen.  V.  D 377 


Madison.  James.  .  . 
Martin.  Horace  L. 


.  31 
.679 


Noon, J.  C 

Notbrook,  William.. 


.530 
.4  13 


o 


Ogleshy.  Richard  .1 163 

Oman,  Emanuel ""7 

Osborn,  A.  1 4:'d 

Otla.  A '.rt 


Palmer,  John  M 167 

Parker,  Lemuel 635 

Parkinson,  L 429 

Patterson,  A 273 

Patterson .  D.  M 676 

Patterson,  D.  R 220 


Patterson,  Jonathan 250 

Patterson,  William 220 

Patton.R.A 647 

Pauchert .  F.  A 636 

Peadro,  R.  M 522 

Peters,  S.  S ...los 

Pfeiffer,  Jacob  F 561 

Pierce,  Franklin "1 

Pierce,  M.  V 100 

Pleak,  M.  F 599 

Pogue.  John 120 

Polk,  James  K 59 

Porter,  I.  X 186 

Porter,  Thomas 211 

Potter,  William 52" 

Pratt,  H.  A 542 

Pugh,  John .630 

Pugh,  W.J 611 

Pyatt,  E.  A..  M.  D 215 


Ragan, William  H 281 

Rawlings.  C.  J 666 

Rawlings,  H.  M 581 

Rawlings,  John 619 

Reber.  John 110 

Reed,  Alfred 

Reigh ley,  James  Q ....432 

Reighley.  William 463 

Rentier,  Samuel 136 

Reynolds.  John   123 

Rhoads,  s.  M 504 

Rhodes,  Emei-son 31" 

Rhodes,  J.  W 701 

Richards.  William  M  ..... .  ..390 

Richardson,  Q.  W 195 

Ridley .  A.  J "IS 

Kichey ,  Isaac 311 

Richhart.B.  A 700 

Rich i nan.  Henry    22s 

Rincker,  C.  F 5411 

Risser.F.  \\\,  M.  D 337 

Roane,  Hon.  Charles  L 327 

Roberts,  C.  P 242 

Roberts.  J.S 634 

Ro hi-. hi.  Thomas  X 53s 

Roessler,  Hon.  Edward 205 

Roessler.  Philip 654 

Rogers,  C.  F 402 

Roller.  Joseph 399 

Ruir,  George 63S 

Krtffner,  Francisco 27 1 


Sanders,  .lame-  w..  M.  D...  .608 

Sands.  Aaron 632 

Banner,  D.  G 722 

Sanner,  E.  B 247 

Sanner.S.  H 15" 

Satterthwaite,  T.  J 572 

Scarborough,  Col.  H.  M 112 

Seheef.  John 617 


IXDKX. 


Schinzler,  George 044 

Schneider,  Michael 227 

Schoch,  George ...052 

Schuetz,  F 839 

Sconce,  Mrs.  P.  B "'74 

Scott,  A.  K 373 

Scott,  A.  W 390 

Scott.  J.  W   161 

Seass,  Levi 130 

Sentel.  Andrew 317 

Sharrock,  John MS 

Shelton,  John  II.,  M.  D     iiT4 

Shelton.J.R 358 

Shepard,  Henry  C 380 

Shepherd,  E.  L Ii39 

Shepherd.  M.  T 683 

Shirey.  Qeorge  W 371 

Shirey.W.S ...321 

Shride.G.  W 414 

Shunian.  Charles 657 

Silver,  G.  F 36'i 

Silver,  J.  H 718 

Simmons,  Capt ,  J.  J 367 

Sims,  John 322 

Singer,  Thomas 695 

Slater,  James '.88 

Sloan,  D.J 439 

Smith,  Daniel 291 

Smith.  George  A..M.  I) 284 

Smith, H.G 028 

Smith,  Thomas 518 

Smith,  William  A..  11    D         267 

Smock.  Rev.  B 564 

Smock,  J.  J 589 

Snell.F.P ."lit 

Snell,  W.  B .800 

Snyder,  M.  E 309 

Snyder,  M.,  Jr 178 

Snyder,  W.  J 587 

Sparling.  William  H.,  M.  D..450 
Spears,  Henry    616 


Spitler,  Hon.  Frank 717 

Spitler,  L.  H 562 

Springer,  T.T 678 

Stedman,  W.  E.,  M.  1).  .   609 

Steidley,  A.J  471 

Steidley,  W.  A 621 

Steward,  J.  X 595 

Stewardson.H.  A 200 

Stewardson,  R  N 5:14 

Stewardson,  Thomas 287 

Stewardson.  William,  Sr 532 

Stewart,  J.  A B81 

Stewart,  J.  G 549 

Still  well,  F.J 621 

Storm,  John  X 262 

Storm,  L.  A 199 

Stump,  Jacob. .  691 

Swallow.  D.  P jlii 

Swartz,  John 573 

Sweet,  I  Irson 351 

Swengel.  John 608 

Syfert,  Noah 214 


Tackett,  J.  A 494 

Tackett.  William  .1 153 

Taylor,  Ximrod 821 

Taylor,  W.  H 353 

Taylor,  Zachary 63 

Terry,  Reuben 656 

Thornton.  Hon.  Anthony..   .240 

Thomas.  James 705 

Thuneuninn,  William 565 

Titus,  J.  B 313 

Townley  .T.T H62 

Trainer.  Frank 398 


Travis,  J.  S 161 

Toll,  William  F  557 

Turner,  J.  L.  B 629 

Turner,  James  T 517 

Turner,   L.  H ...     392 

Tyler,  John 55 


Vadakin,  J.  H.,M.  D 381 

Van  Buren,  Martin   47 

Vaughan,  <;.  W :»:, 

Vermillion,  J.  W 525 

Vogel,  William 820 

Voiles,  J.  H 193 

Voris,  Hon.  Charles 323 

Voris,  George  W ,567 


w 


Waggoner    H ...302 

Walden.H.  X 271 

Walker,  Joel  T  331 

Walker,  Joseph 327 

Walker,  William 607 

Ward,  Alexander 319 

Warren,  John  R 194 

Warren,  L 294 

Warren.  M.  H   370 

Washington,  George 19 

Weakly,  Cyrus 170 

Weakly.  E.  B...    698 


Weakly,  Rev.  Henry 

Weakly.  Will, am 833 

Webb,  B.T 159 

Webb,  \>  ,  A 710 

Weeks,  John 678 

Weidner,  Daniel 303 

Welch.  James  S..  M.  D J30 

West,  S.  D 830 

Wnitaker,  John Hill 

White.  J.  H 557 

Whitfield,  Z.B 566 

Whitworth,  William.  .161 

Wilkinson,  Bros ;>:j 

Wilmer,  T.  M 299 

Wilson, Samuel 313 

Winn,  G.  W i;:i 

Wirey,  William 475 

Wood.H.C ;-i 

Wi  eel,  John 155 

V\ I.  J.  A 289 

Wood,  J.  W 338 

Wood.  Thomas 191 

Wood,  W.  X 273 

Woodruff,  Squire 319 

Woodward,  C.  E 473 

Wright,  Capt.  George 501 

"  right,  Hon.  s.  W...Ir 252 

Wyman,  Albert        55s 


V 


Vant is,  Daniel :;I7 

Yantis,  George  VV 597 

Yantis,  Samuel 30.J 

Yantis,  Solomon 616 

Yates.  Richard 159 

Y'ost.  D.  M 521 


Bowman,  Samuel 417 

Brown,  John  C 275 

i  Iroudson,  ( '.  W 815 

t  Irowder,  Thomas  fl 355 

Falk.  J.  W 417 


Fleming,  L.  C 

Fulton.  A.  H 

Fulton.  B.  W 

Green.  Mrs.  A.  M.  .  . 
Hogarth,  Janie^ 


295  Kull.J.  F.... 

,591  Lewis.  A.  .1.. 

..815  Hayes,  T.  E 

.013  Otta.A 

.591  Reber.  John. 


.  295 
..1113 
..375 

.417 


Ru finer,  F 27'. 

Sanner,  E.  B 375 

Sentel,  Andrew  815 

Sweet,  Itisoii :!.',"> 

Warren,  I. ...295 


TXDEX. 


A 


•2$$K       '^l^K® 


■fffrgSQ^    ^€^    \93a(S*£i 


^§~Hlc^*e=4H--s- 


Adams,  Joliti 22 

Adams,  John  Q :SS 

Arthur.  Chester  A 98 

Beveridge,  John  L 170 

Bissell,  William  H 150 

Bland,  Eugene 003 

Bland,  Mrs.  E 002 

Bond,  Shadrach 110 

Brabham,  J.  P 256 

Bradley,  J.  E .ilO 

Buchanan,  James 74 

L'arlin,  Thomas 134 

Carpenter,  H.  C 170 

Carpenter,  Mrs.  H.  C .470 

Carr,  Dr.  C.  H 396 

Chesshire,  Joseph 386 

Cleveland,  S.  Grover 102 

Coles,  Edward :  .114 

Cullom,  Shelby  M   174 


Duncan,  Joseph 13u 

Eden,  Hon.  John  R 100 

Edwards,  Ninian IIS 

Ew-ing,  William  D.  L 126 

Fleming,  Thomas .~>h; 

Fifer,  Joseph  W JS2 

Fillmore,  Millard 00 

Ford,  Thomas 138 

French,  Augustus  C. . .    142 

Gallagher,  H.  C 406 

Gallagher,  Mrs.  H.  c |U7 

Garfield,  J.  A 01 

Grant ,  U.  S so 

Hamilton,  John  M 17s 

Harrison,  Benjamin 106 

Harrison.  \V.  H 50 

Hayes,  R.  B 00 

Jackson,  Andrew 42 

Jamison ,  Alfred 448 


Jefferson,  Thomas 20 

Jenkins,  J.  L 306 

Johnson ,  Andrew 82 

Kircher,  J l;x> 

Lincoln,  Abraham 7S 

Logan,  W.  F " 180 

Longenbach,  Isaac 720 

Madison,  James 30 

Matteson.  Joel  A 140 

Mautz.T.  P 582 

Monroe,  James 34 

Oglesby,  Richard  J 162 

Palmer,  John  M 100 

Parkinson,  L 428 

Pierce,  Franklin ~q 

Polk,  J.  K 58 

Pyatt.Dr.  E.  A ...214 

Reynolds,  John ...  122 

Risser,  Dr.  F.  \v :r.jo 


Roessler,  Hon.  Edward Jin 

Sanner,  E.  B 244 

Sanner,  Mrs.  E.  B 24."> 

Schneider.  Michael 225 

Schneider,  Mrs.  M 224 

Simmons,  Capt.  John  J 300 

Sloan,  D.  J 438 

Smith,  Dr.  William  A 266 

Stewardson,  Thomas 2S0 

Taylor,  Zachary 62 

Thunemann,  William 604 

Tyler,  John 54 

Van  Buren,  Martin 40 

Walker,  Joseph 326 

Washington,  George 18 

Webb,  B.  T 438 

Wood,  John 134 

Yantis,  Daniel 340 

Yates,  Richard 158 


*f?  ^W" 


-